The 6 Best Noise Cancelling Headphones - Spring 2024: Reviews (2024)

1. Best Noise Cancelling Headphones

   Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless 55

   

   Neutral Sound

   7.4

   Commute/Travel

   8.2

   Sports/Fitness

   7.4

   Office

   8.1

   Wireless Gaming

   6.1

   Wired Gaming

   7.1

   Phone Calls

   7.6

   Type Over-ear

   Enclosure Closed-Back

   Wireless Yes

   Transducer Dynamic

   Noise Cancelling Yes

   Mic Yes

   See all our test results

   Pros	Cons
   Outstanding noise isolation. Graphic EQ and presets are available via the companion app. Very comfortable and well-built. Supportmulti-device pairing.	Shorter battery life than cheaper options.

   The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless are the best noise cancellingheadphones we've tested. These premium over-ears are outfitted with the manufacturer's CustomTune technology, meaning the headphones can adjust their sound and noise cancelling performance based on your hearing abilities and surroundings. As a result, their ANC system reduces a fantastic amount of ambient noise around you. This includes the low rumble of bus engines, office chit-chat, and the high-pitched whirl of PC fans. With their ANC on, they last 29 hours continuously. However, they don't support passive playback, and the headphones must be on if you want to use them wired via USB.

   These over-ears have a bass-heavy sound that emphasizes thump, rumble, and boom in mixes by default. Their companion app offers a graphic EQ and presets if you prefer a different sound. Since they support multi-device pairing, you can connect them with your PC and smartphone simultaneously. They even have aptX Adaptive, a Bluetooth codec that automatically adjusts to your content, either lowering latency to keep your audio and visuals in sync or raising audio quality.

   If you're looking for similar over-ears at a slightly lower price point, it's worth checking out the Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless. They perform very similarly to the Ultra and have a similarly powerful ANC performance. However, they aren't as well-built,lack Immersive Audio support, and stick to just SBC and AAC codecs.

   See our review

2. Best Upper Mid-Range Noise Cancelling Headphones

   Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless 11

   

   Neutral Sound

   7.2

   Commute/Travel

   8.1

   Sports/Fitness

   7.2

   Office

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   Best Headphones for 2024How Massive Headphones Became the New It AccessoryWhat is Best: Wireless or Wired Headphones?

   7.7

   Wireless Gaming

   5.8

   Wired Gaming

   7.4

   Phone Calls

   6.6

   Type Over-ear

   Enclosure Closed-Back

   Wireless Yes

   Transducer Dynamic

   Noise Cancelling Yes

   Mic Yes

   See all our test results

   Pros	Cons
   Incredible noise isolation. Comfortable fit. Graphic EQ and presets are available.	Passable microphone recording quality.

   Although the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless have been discontinued, you can still find these premium over-ears online via retailers like Amazon, and sometimes they go on sale for under $300. They're also worth considering as they deliver a high degree of noise isolation. Their 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 more bass-range noise than our top pick, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless. With their ANC on, these headphones last over 37 hours continuously.

   They're equipped with an auto-off timer toconserve 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 over-ears have a bass-heavy default sound profile that delivers immense thump, rumble, and boom to mixes. If the 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 cans for calls, their mic makes your voice sound thin and muffled, while noise around you can drown out your voice.

   See our review

3. Best Mid-Range Noise Cancelling Headphones

   Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless 24

   

   Neutral Sound

   6.8

   Commute/Travel

   7.8

   Sports/Fitness

   7.0

   Office

   7.6

   Wireless Gaming

   5.8

   Wired Gaming

   6.9

   Phone Calls

   7.3

   Type Over-ear

   Enclosure Closed-Back

   Wireless Yes

   Transducer Dynamic

   Noise Cancelling Yes

   Mic Yes

   See all our test results

   Pros	Cons
   Excellent noise isolation. Comfortable and well-built design. Sound customization features are available via the companion app. Supportmulti-device pairing.	High noise floor with ANC on.

   If you want to spend less without sacrificing noise isolation, consider the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless. 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 busy commutes and crowded cafes in peace. 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 high noise floor when ANC is on, which is noticeable.

   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 higher-pitched instruments like cymbals are crisp. You can fine-tune their sound to suit your preferences using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets. They last over 27 hours continuously and support multi-device pairing, meaning you can stay connected to your PC and smartphone simultaneously. For a little less, they remain a great noise cancelling pick.

   See our review

4. Best Budget Noise Cancelling Headphones

   Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless 8

   

   Neutral Sound

   6.5

   Commute/Travel

   7.8

   Sports/Fitness

   6.9

   Office

   7.3

   Wireless Gaming

   5.6

   Wired Gaming

   6.7

   Phone Calls

   6.7

   Type Over-ear

   Enclosure Closed-Back

   Wireless Yes

   Transducer Dynamic

   Noise Cancelling Yes

   Mic Yes

   See all our test results

   Pros	Cons
   Outstanding noise isolation performance. Graphic EQ and presets are available. Comfortable fit. Supportmulti-device pairing.	Leak some audio at high volumes.

   The best budget-friendly ANC headphones we've tested are the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless. They aren't quite as sturdy as the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless; some users have even reported that their unit's headband or hinges cracked with regular use. However, their adjustable ANC feature delivers a comparable noise isolation experience. They can easily reduce commuter noise like the rumble of engines and ambient chatter. Unfortunately, Anker removed the ability to use the ANC while wired in later product batches, so if you purchase them, you'll likely get a pair of headphones that don't support this feature. That's a huge downside if you want to use them for in-flight entertainment, but it's less of an issue if you use them wirelessly in your day-to-day life.

   These comfortable over-ears have over 44 hours of continuous battery life with their ANC on, which is great for long days on the go. 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 intense thump, punch, and warmth to your mixes while ensuring that vocals and instruments are bright. You can adjust their sound using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets to suit your tastes.

   See our review

5. Best Cheap Noise Cancelling Headphones

   Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless 2

   

   Neutral Sound

   6.8

   Commute/Travel

   7.4

   Sports/Fitness

   7.1

   Office

   7.2

   Wireless Gaming

   5.3

   Wired Gaming

   7.0

   Phone Calls

   6.9

   Type Over-ear

   Enclosure Closed-Back

   Wireless Yes

   Transducer Dynamic

   Noise Cancelling Yes

   Mic Yes

   See all our test results

   Pros	Cons
   Good noise isolation performance. Comfortable fit. Upscales low-resolution content without issue.	Struggleto block out bass-heavy noises like bus and plane engines. Their carrying pouch doesn't protect against drops or bumps.

   If you're on a tight budget, try the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless. This manufacturer dominates the low- to mid-range over-ear market, especially for ANC. These headphones are no exception, delivering a good overall noise isolation performance for a relatively low price. Although they're weaker than their successors when tackling the rumble of bus and plane engines, they do a better job cutting down office chit-chat and the hum of A/C fans. They don't have ANC presets, but they support ANC while wired, which is handy if you want to watch in-flight entertainment.

   These headphones have a V-shaped sound profile that delivers intense bass to the audio, while vocals and lead instruments soundbright and sparkly. Their extra boom and punch muddy the rest of your mix, but unlike the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless, they lack sound customization features to help you adjust them to your preferences. While they have a comfortable fit and last over 32 hours continuously, their affordable price reflects their build quality. Their plasticky hinges feel hollow, making them the weakest point of their frame. Their carrying pouch doesn'tprotect them from accidental impact or water damage either.

   To see other affordable picks, check out ournoise cancelling headphones under $100article.

   See our review

6. Best Sounding Noise Cancelling Headphones

   Focal Bathys Wireless 18

   

   Neutral Sound

   7.8

   Commute/Travel

   7.7

   Sports/Fitness

   7.1

   Office

   7.5

   Wireless Gaming

   5.9

   Wired Gaming

   7.0

   Phone Calls

   7.1

   Type Over-ear

   Enclosure Closed-Back

   Wireless Yes

   Transducer Dynamic

   Noise Cancelling Yes

   Mic Yes

   See all our test results

   Pros	Cons
   Great overall noise isolation performance. USB-DAC mode is available. Very comfortable fit. Graphic EQ and presets are available.	Poor passive soundstage.

   Focal is known for their high-end audiophile headphones, which don't have noise cancelling. However, consider the more casual Focal Bathys Wireless if you care about audio quality and ANC. These headphones bridge the gap between audio enthusiast headphonesand a casual, wireless design, offering the best of both worlds. Thepremium cans won't isolate you from noise quite as well as our top pick, theBose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless, but they still deliver a very good overall performance. They also have a wired DAC mode, which can help deliver your favorite tunes ina higher bitratethan their default wireless mode. Using them via Bluetooth, you can use aptX Adaptive to stream Hi-Res audio with low latency.

   These over-ears have a fairly neutral sound profile that's versatile enough for most audio content. While vocals and instruments sound slightly veiled, you can 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, it's well-distributed, and with their 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.

   See our review

Recent Updates

1. May 27, 2024: We've checked all our picks to ensure they're still relevant and in stock but have made no changes.

2. Apr 29, 2024: We've checked this article for accuracy and retail availability and haven't changed the picks. Only minor edits have been made for clarity.

3. Mar 28, 2024: The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 Wireless was added to the Notable Mentions for their build quality and bassy tuning. The top picks are unchanged, and the Wyze Noise-Cancelling Headphones Wireless was removed from the Notable Mentions because they're no longer available.

4. Mar 01, 2024: We've added an FAQ section at the end of this article to address common questions regarding noise cancelling headphones.

5. Feb 06, 2024: We've checked our picks for accuracy and product availability. However, there hasn't been a change in our recommendations.

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 looking to save some 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 aboveare what we think are currently the bestheadphones 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 findor almostout of stock everywhere).

If you would like to choose foryourself, here is the list of all our reviews forheadphones with an ANC feature. Be careful not togetcaught up in the details. There are no perfectheadphones, and the level at which you play your music will naturally drown the ambient noise of lower amplitudes.