While headphones with active noise cancelling (ANC) technology have been around for a long time, the technology has progressed significantly in the past few years and has become much more common. Noise cancelling headphones can help keep you focused in a noisy office and block out engine noise on planes, trains, or buses. However, not all noise cancelling technology performs the same, and there are now many options in every price range, making it hard to know which ones are worth it. If you're curious how ANC negates noise, check out our article to discover what exactly ANC is and how it works.
We've tested over 150 pairs of on- and over-ear headphones with ANC, and below are our recommendations for the best noise cancelling headphones. If you prefer an earbud design, you'll want to check out our picks for the best noise cancelling earbuds instead. If you're looking for something in a specific price range, also consider our picks for noise cancelling headphones under $200 and the best budget noise cancelling headphones.
Quick Look
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Best Noise Cancelling Headphones
Noise Isolation - Full Range9.7Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios9.9Continuous Battery Life31.75 hrsSports And Fitness7.4Travel8.5See all our test resultsOffice Work8.5The Sony WH-1000XM6 are the best noise cancelling headphones we've tested. These premium over-ears have outstanding noise isolation, blocking out everything from the low airplane rumble to high-pitched A/C whine. They also significantly outperform their predecessor, the Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless, at reducing the level of mid-range noise like office chatter. With their ANC on, their battery lasts over 31 hours continuously, and you can also use their ANC both wirelessly and via their cable. If you're using the wired connection, they'll even work passively with virtually no latency, but each different combination of connection type and ANC status produces a slightly different sound profile.
Out of the box, these cans have a warm sound that emphasizes thump and punch, though their companion app offers a graphic EQ and presets if you prefer a different sound. They also support multi-device pairing, so you can connect them with your computer and smartphone simultaneously. If these headphones have one downside, it's that their shallow ear cups don't always form the best seal with your head, especially if you wear glasses. A broken seal means worse noise cancelling, so if you struggle to find headphones that fit your head snugly, or just know you like a roomy ear cup, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are a great alternative. Their ANC performance is only slightly worse than the Sony's in our tests, and they're known for their comfort. Both the Bose and Sony are excellent choices for ANC lovers, but the Sony's overall noise isolation performance means they're our top pick.
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Best Upper Mid-Range Noise Cancelling Headphones
Noise Isolation - Full Range9.5Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios9.7Continuous Battery Life37.7 hrsSports And Fitness7.4Travel8.4See all our test resultsOffice Work7.8Although the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless have been discontinued, you can still find these premium over-ears online via retailers like Amazon, and they regularly go on sale, sometimes for under $200. They're worth considering as they deliver a high degree of noise isolation. The Sony headphones' ANC system does an outstanding job of blocking out the low rumble of bus engines, office chit-chat, and the hum of computer fans, making them a great choice for on-the-go use. They even block out a touch more bass-range noise than our top pick, the Sony WH-1000XM6. With their ANC on, these headphones last over 37 hours continuously.
They have an auto-off timer to conserve battery life when not in use, or you can just use them over a wired connection if you don't want to worry about running out of juice. These cans have a bass-heavy default sound profile that delivers plenty of thump, rumble, and boom to mixes. But don't worry: if you find all that bass overwhelms vocals and lead instruments, you can customize their sound profile with a graphic EQ and presets in the companion app. Unfortunately, if you're looking to use these headphones for calls, their mic doesn't perform as well as our top pick and makes your voice sound thin and muffled; noise around you can also drown out your voice.
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Best Mid-Range Noise Cancelling Headphones
Noise Isolation - Full Range8.9Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios8.7Continuous Battery Life27.8 hrsSports And Fitness7.0Travel7.8See all our test resultsOffice Work7.7If you want to spend less without sacrificing noise isolation, the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless are our pick in the mid-range price category. Unlike the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless, these over-ears have an adaptive ANC system designed to detect your current environment and adjust its performance accordingly. This feature does a fantastic job of blocking out noise across the spectrum, meaning you can enjoy your favorite tracks in peace, even on busy commutes or in crowded cafes. You can also switch to manual ANC via the companion app, which has five different levels if you want to customize the amount of ambient noise you hear, and you can use the ANC while connected via analog. That said, they have a noticeably high noise floor with ANC on, though it's mitigated with content playing.
Their V-shaped sound profile is a solid choice if you listen to a lot of rock and pop music, as they deliver extra thump and boom while instruments like cymbals and hi-hats are crisp. Using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets, you can fine-tune their sound to suit your preferences. They last over 27 hours continuously and support multi-device pairing, meaning you can stay connected to your PC and smartphone simultaneously. If you'd prefer a longer battery life, consider the Sony ULT WEAR, whose battery lasts over 40 hours on a single charge. Their ANC is comparable to the Anker, and their mic is a bit better, but they leak more audio and are more expensive.
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Best Budget Noise Cancelling Headphones
Noise Isolation - Full Range8.8Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios8.4Continuous Battery Life49 hrsSports And Fitness7.2Travel7.9See all our test resultsOffice Work7.6The best budget-friendly ANC headphones we've tested are the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 2024. While their overall performance is quite similar to the more expensive Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless, the brand makes some concessions to deliver the Soundcore Life Q20 2024 at such an affordable price. The Q20 2024's noise isolation performance is close to par with the Q45's, blocking out engine rumble and ambient chatter. That said, you'll miss out on adjustable ANC control and Hi-Res audio from LDAC found on the Q45.
Regardless, the Q20 2024 are comfortable over-ears and have a whopping 49 hours of continuous battery life with their ANC on, which surpasses the more expensive Q45, too. They also support multi-device pairing, meaning you can simultaneously stay paired with two devices. They have an excited sound out of the box, delivering heaps of thump, punch, and warmth to your mixes while ensuring that vocals and instruments are bright and present. If that's not your favored sound profile, you can adjust their sound using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets.
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Best-Sounding Noise Cancelling Headphones
Noise Isolation - Full Range8.5Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios7.9Continuous Battery Life29.1 hrsSports And Fitness7.2Travel7.8See all our test resultsOffice Work7.6Focal are known for their high-end audiophile headphones, which are typically passive and don't have noise cancelling. However, they do have a more casual-listener focused entry equipped with an app and ANC, the Focal Bathys Wireless. These headphones bridge the gap between audio enthusiast headphones and a wireless design, offering an attractive combination of features and fidelity. These premium cans won't isolate you from noise as well as our top pick, the Sony WH-1000XM6, but they still deliver impressive overall performance. They also have a wired DAC mode, which can deliver your favorite tunes at a higher bit rate than their default wireless mode. Using them via Bluetooth, you can use aptX Adaptive to stream Hi-Res audio with low latency.
Unlike many of the other over-ears on this list, which have warmer or more excited sound profiles, the Focal have an audiophile-approved balanced sound that suits most audio content. You can also customize their sound to your liking using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets. Their comfortable fit means you can wear them for long periods without significant fatigue. Although they're not very lightweight, their weight is well-distributed, and with ANC on, they last over 29 hours continuously. They're a great pick for audiophiles who still want a distraction-free listening experience while on the go. If you're looking for headphones with a similar audiophile pedigree that suit casual use more, check out the Noble FoKus Apollo; they have a longer 46-hour battery life and better ANC, but their frequency response has more peaks and dips.
Notable Mentions
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Sonos Ace:
If you're invested in the Sonos ecosystem, the Sonos Ace are a good alternative to the Sony WH-1000XM6. Their ANC isn't quite as good as the Sonys', but it's still outstanding. If you've purchased compatible products and want to integrate your headphones into your home theater setup, the Sonos are a solid alternative to Sony's flagships.
See our review -
Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless:
If you're a fan of Bose's QuietComfort series of headphones but can't justify the spend for their top-of-the-line Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), consider the Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless. Many people find the more affordable sibling more comfortable than the Bose flagship, although neither can match the Sony WH-1000XM6 when it comes to raw ANC performance.
See our review -
Apple AirPods Max:
If you're an Apple user and want a pair of headphones that integrate seamlessly with the brand's ecosystem, check out the Apple AirPods Max. While these premium over-ears don't surpass the Sony WH-1000XM6 in ANC, they still effectively block out a wide range of sounds. However, they create a lot of ear pressure when the system is on, which can be bothersome if you're sensitive to this feeling.
See our review -
Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless:
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless are high-end over-ears that support the aptX Adaptive codec, which is good if you like to stream Hi-Res content with better audio quality. They also have over 60 hours of continuous playback time. However, their ANC doesn't perform as well as the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless'.
See our review -
Nothing Headphone (1):
In a world of plain black headphones, the Nothing Headphone (1) stand out for their bold, eye-catching design. They're also more useful than the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless if you make a lot of calls, since their mic is noticeably better. The downside is their amazing ANC can't quite match the Sony's, so if you tend to listen while commuting more than in the home office, the Sony are still the better pick.
See our review
Recent Updates
Nov 26, 2025:
We removed the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 Wireless from our Notable Mentions but added the Nothing Headphone (1).
Oct 30, 2025:
We've updated the article to reflect recently reviewed products. Most notably, we've replaced our budget (Anker Soundcore Space Q30 Wireless) and cheap (Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless) picks with one selection: the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 2024. The previous picks overlapped in price, and the newer Life Q20 2024 have on-par features and ANC to the Space Q30 while offering an extended battery life.
Jul 10, 2025:
The Sony WH-1000XM6 are our new top pick for their remarkable noise cancelling performance. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless are still superb, and we think make a great alternative pick for anyone who prefers a deeper ear cup or wears glasses. We also added the Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless to our Notable Mentions.
May 30, 2025:
We've checked this article to ensure all our picks remain relevant and up-to-date. We've made no changes to the picks but have added a note about the upcoming Sony WH-1000XM6 review, which will be a strong contender for this article.
Apr 03, 2025:
We made some small edits to the text for accuracy but haven't changed our picks.
FAQ
Are noise cancelling headphones worth buying?
If you want to minimize distractions around you, noise cancelling headphones are worth checking out. There are a few kinds of ANC setups, each with advantages and disadvantages. Hybrid ANC systems offer the best noise cancelling as they have more microphones to pick up a wider array of noise than the standard feedback and feedforward setups, which are more limited in scope. There's also adaptive ANC, which dynamically adjusts noise isolation depending on the noise around you. That said, ANC can make headphones more expensive. If you're not bothered by what's happening around you or want to save money, you can get by with a pair of headphones without ANC.
Do noise cancelling headphones block out all sound?
No. While ANC technology is always improving, there are still some limitations, depending on the design and noise you're trying to block out. While the principle is still the same, ANC systems use mics to pick up sound and invert the signal to 'cancel' that noise. the mic's placement can impact its ability to pick up noise. At the same time, background sound tends to vary. Many ANCs handle constant sounds, like the hum of your computer fan, well. However, loud and irregular sounds, like the honk of a truck passing by, are harder to reduce. The ANC needs time to react to the sound to block it out.
Why can I still hear sudden, loud sounds through my headphones?
ANC systems aren't perfect. While they do best at isolating constant sound like the humming of a fridge, it's harder for the system's soundcard to effectively reduce sudden, loud noise, as it needs time to process and cancel that sound out. ANC systems are also more effective at reducing lower-pitched noises, like the rumbles of car engines, which have longer wavelengths, compared to higher-pitched noise, which has shorter wavelengths.
What are the disadvantages of noise cancelling headphones?
Some people don't like the feeling that ANC creates. This sensation, called cabin pressure, is a feeling inside your ears when you activate the ANC; it's similar to when a plane ascends and descends, creating a pressure difference between your inner and outer ears. ANC creates a perceived difference in pressure, which can be uncomfortable as it can feel like you're underwater. Additionally, noise cancelling can make it harder to stay aware of your surroundings; for example, you may not clearly hear the sound of a train crossing or someone trying to get your attention. Using this feature can also drain your battery quicker, too.
Are over-ear or in-ear headphones better for noise cancelling?
By default, in-ear headphones can block out more sound passively than over-ears since they form a seal within your ear canal. However, you may hear less of a difference regarding ANC performance. Conversely, over-ears can't reduce a lot of sound on their own, but when you use the ANC, it can feel like a night and day experience, as noise isolation can be more apparent. That said, whether you go for over-ears and in-ears, it's ultimately the ANC system inside of them that will have the most impact. Your preferences will largely influence whether you go for over-ears over in-ears or vice versa.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best headphones with ANC to buy for most people in each price range. We factor in the price (cheaper headphones win over pricier ones if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no headphones that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to choose for yourself, here is the list of all our reviews for headphones with an ANC feature. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There are no perfect headphones, and the level at which you play your music will naturally drown the ambient noise of lower amplitudes.