The 5 Best Noise Cancelling Headphones Under $200 - Fall 2024

The best noise cancelling headphones under $200 we've tested are the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless. These over-ears are a newer version of the Anker Soundcore Life Q35 Wireless and feature an adaptive ANC system that adjusts to your environment. When set to 'Transport' mode, it does an outstanding job of isolating you from ambient sound, including the low rumble of bus engines and background chit-chat. You can manually adjust the ANC's strength level rather than use the adaptive setting for a more personalized feel.

The headphones provide a comfortable fit for long flights and days at the office, though their headband and hinges are a point of weakness in their build. Their battery lasts for just under 28 hours of continuous use, so you don't need to recharge every day, and they're equipped with an auto-off timer to help save power. Out of the box, they have a V-shaped sound profile that adds intense rumble and punch to your audio. Vocals and instruments are clear but sound a bit forward and harsh. Fortunately, you can adjust their sound with a graphic EQ and presets in the companion app.

If you want over-ears with a bassier sound, consider the Sony ULT WEAR Wireless. These appeal to the bassheads, so for that reason, they can be divisive, but they feel about as comfortable as Anker with comparable ANC. Like the Space Q45, the Sony support LDAC and have a companion app with EQ, although with not nearly as many presets as the Anker.

If you're looking for good sound from noise cancelling headphones, check out the JBL Live 660NC Wireless. These over-ears have a slightly bass-rich sound profile than that of the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless, and they have a very well-balanced mid-range, so voices and instruments are present and clear. They're suitable for a variety of genres out of the box, but their companion app offers a parametric EQ and presets to help you adjust their sound to your liking. Their ANC system is weaker than the Q45, especially when cutting down the low rumble of plane engines. However, they still tackle office sounds like chatty coworkers and A/C units well.

You can connect these headphones with up to two devices at a time. They also have a low-latency 'Video Mode' so you can stream video on mobile devices without experiencing significant lip sync issues. They have a well-built design, too, but while they're lightweight and well-padded, the cups can cause fatigue over time due to how they clamp onto your head.

Now, if you aren't too picky about colors, you can occasionally find the Beats Studio Pro Wireless within budget, but their price varies considerably at different retailers. These outperform the JBL's ANC and deliver a balanced sound that works for pop, hip-hop, and a wide variety of other genres. Plus, you can use their integrated digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for lossless audio quality via the USB-C cable, or there's standard Bluetooth connectivity as well. However, they don't offer the same degree of sound customization as the JBL.

The Anker Soundcore Life Q35 Wireless are great for calls as they block out a good amount of noise across the whole sound range. Their ANC performs great, from the bassy rumble of bus engines to the high-pitched hum of an A/C unit. They also have three ANC settings designed for different kinds of noise. Their ANC doesn't perform as well as their predecessor's, the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless, but they have a better-integrated mic and solid in-call noise handling. If you're taking a call from a noisy environment, it won't be crystal clear, but these over-ears still do a decent overall job of separating your voice from the background noise.

They have a bass-heavy sound profile, with a bigger boost in the low bass than the more neutral-sounding JBL Live 660NC Wireless. It's great for listening to thumpy music between calls, like hip-hop and EDM. However, the sound profile changes when you turn the ANC off, resulting in thin, hollow-sounding audio. Fortunately, you can adjust their sound to your liking using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets. The design is comfortable overall, with good build quality and a 44-hour battery life, making these a good choice for the office, especially if you're on the phone a lot throughout the day.

If you prefer the portability and comfort of on-ears, then the JBL Live 460NC Wireless is right up your alley. They're well-built, lightweight, and have a decently comfortable fit, although they do clamp on your ears, which can be a little uncomfortable for long listening sessions. Their ANC system also does an alright job of blocking out background noise, but it pales in comparison to the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless. It's a trade-off you'll have to make if you want an on-ear fit above all else.

With their ANC on, they last under 30 hours continuously, and they're even equipped with an auto-off timer if you forget to turn them off. They have a fairly balanced sound out of the box, making them a versatile choice for most kinds of audio content. Their companion app offers a parametric EQ and presets if you want more control over their sound though. These cans even support multi-device pairing if you want to simultaneously connect to your laptop and smartphone.

If you want the focus and peace offered by ANC without the bulkiness of over-ear headphones, check out the Jabra Elite 10 True Wireless. These are the first generation of the Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 True Wireless, and they perform with flagship-level noise isolation, landing right around $200, though prices can fluctuate. Rumbles on the bus and high-pitched clinking glasses at a cafe are all noticeably quieter with these buds and their adaptive ANC. Their fit is comfortable and stable, even without additional stabilizers, due to a well-built design and a pleasantly textured silicone-covered housing. Thanks to their IP57 rating, these buds can stand up to dust, and while most folks don't plan on dunking their earbuds in water, these have been certified to handle a half hour in three meters of water just in case you're caught in a downpour of rain.

With a single continuous battery life of 7.5 hours with ANC enabled, they might just make it through a workday if you pop them back in the case (which holds three additional charges) during a meeting. Their sound has a good amount of punch and balanced mids, with fairly bright treble, and you can adjust it to your tastes in the companion app. While their mic's recording quality isn't the best we've heard, it handles background noise rather well, so you're not drowned out. If your budget is a bit tighter, the Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless offer solid performance for the price. While they're certainly cheaper feeling and can pop out of your ear more easily than the Jabra, their ANC handles low rumbles exceptionally as well.

If you're looking for more earbuds with ANC, check out our picks for the best noise cancelling earbuds!