The 7 Best Noise Cancelling Headphones - Winter 2020
Reviews

The best wireless noise cancelling headphones we’ve tested so far are the Sony WH-1000XM3. They have one of the best Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) features we've seen to date and are comfortable, well-built, and highly customizable.

Out-of-the-box, they have a warm, thumpy sound profile that's sure to please fans of bass. You can also tweak the way they sound with their excellent companion app, Sony | Headphones Connect. This app not only gives you access to some great EQ options, but you'll also find more customization options like room effects, different audio codecs, and adaptive noise cancelling.

While their 27-hour battery life is superb, they don't have a proper auto-off timer like the Bose 700 Headphones. Their touch-sensitive controls also don't work as well in freezing temperatures, which can be a deal-breaker for those who live in colder climates. That said, their unparalleled ANC performance makes them a better option if noise isolation is your main priority.

The best noise cancelling earbuds we've tested so far are the Apple AirPods Pro. They're very well-designed truly wireless headphones with a surprisingly comfortable in-ear design and great noise cancelling.

These earbuds have a very well-balanced sound profile that lends itself well to music of nearly all genres. Like most truly wireless earbuds, they don't last very long a single charge, but their super-compact charging case will help them last all day provided you keep them in their case when not in use.

While the AirPods Pro are still a solid choice for Android users, not all features will be available. If you prefer a more customizable experience on Android, the Amazon Echo Buds Truly Wireless provide better value. That said, they don't provide the same premium experience that the AirPods deliver, especially with Apple devices. For more options, see our recommendations for the best noise cancelling earbuds.

The best wired noise cancelling headphones we've tested so far are the Bose QuietComfort 25. They have the same lightweight, comfortable design as the popular Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018 at a fraction of the price. Their noise cancelling is excellent and their balanced sound makes them great not only for a wide variety of music, but for audiobooks and podcasts too.

These wired headphones use AAA batteries, which can be convenient during a road trip where you don't have access to a wall charger, especially since they'll provide nearly 33 hours of playback with a fresh set. They come with an in-line remote that's compatible with either Apple or Android devices, depending on which variant you choose.

While you can still use them passively if they run out of power and you don't have batteries on you, they do lose a bit of audio quality. They also leak quite a bit of sound, which can be an issue if you work in a noise-sensitive office. If you don't listen to your music very loud, though, you shouldn't have a problem.

The best ANC headphones under $200 we’ve tested so far are the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2. They have a comfortable, ergonomic design with super easy-to-use physical controls and a sturdy build quality. Their battery performance is outstanding and they have tons of connectivity options, too.

These headphones have an exciting sound profile that's sure to please fans of music with a lot of low-bass like EDM and dubstep, but is versatile enough for other genres too­. Their battery lasts a whopping 30-hours on a charge, and they have a bunch of power-saving features like an auto-off timer and smart pause to help them last even longer.

While these headphones have decent ANC, it's not as good as that of some of the more premium recommendations on this list. They still perform very well for their price, though, and are an excellent value overall for anyone looking to buy affordable noise cancelling headphones.

The best affordable noise cancelling headphones we’ve tested so far are the Mpow H10. Their ANC is decent and they isolate noise fairly well across the board. Their battery performance is great and they're comfortable, too.

These headphones have a decently well-balanced sound that's best for fans of bass but is versatile enough for most genres of music. Their 23-hour battery life is impressive, they can be used while charging, and they even feature a standby mode to help save power when not in use, which is great for budget headphones.

Unfortunately, they leak quite a bit of sound. While this shouldn’t be a problem on a loud flight, you may disturb your colleagues with the sound of your music if you use them in the office. They also don't feel as well-built as the even more affordable Mpow H5 Wireless. That said, the H10 have better noise cancelling, a more balanced sound, and are more comfortable, so they're a better overall buy for most people.