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The world we live in keeps getting noisier and noisier, every single day. But with the advent of the best noise cancelling headphones, you no longer have to suffer through the exhausting auditory misery that we have come to expect from the modern world.
When it comes to particular brands, there are many best noise-cancelling headphones out there to choose from. You may want to consider whether you want an over-ear design, whether you prefer longer battery life, if you just want the coolest looking wireless headphones (like Apple AirPods Max), or if you just simply care about the absolute best sound quality.
And since there are so many low-quality noise cancelling headphones out there, we aggregated millions of actual customer reviews, and then tested the top models. Here are our picks, for the best noise-cancelling headphones on the market today.
Our Top Pick
Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 Wireless With Active Noise Cancellation
This awesome pair of wireless headphones has thousands of great reviews, and has a nearly 24 hour battery life. With active noise cancellation (sometimes referred to as ‘ANC headphones‘), these headphones will block out anything that might bother you.
We tested them on an airplane, in a busy subway station, and in a loud airport – and they never failed us. Being just as comfortable at home, these are our top pick for the best noise-cancelling headphones on the market today. Highly recommended.
Other Great Picks
Sony MDRZX110NC Noise Cancelling Headphones
This extremely affordable pair of noise-cancelling headphones is one of the best on the market. Of course, you can always choose to spend more, but for most people, this budget pick will be a great option.
With thousands of great reviews, and the name brand recognition of Sony, you can confidently buy this pair with no worries. We tried these and absolutely loved the audio performance and complete lack of background noise – making them a great choice for any budget-conscious consumer.
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
Bose has long been synonymous with noise cancelling, in fact at one point they completely dominated the entire market. But time has allowed other brands to catch up, and things like touch controls, and true wireless earbuds have eaten up some of their market share.
However, this pair of noise cancelling headphones is exceptional, and we tried them on iOS with our iPhone, and they worked flawlessly. While you can spend less, the thousands of 5 star reviews make this pair of headphones a logical choice for any true audiophile and busy traveler.
Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones
This very affordable pair of wireless headphones was one of our office favorites. With a very low price tag, true wireless ability, and comfortable earpads, we found them a great fit for any consumer.
We also marveled at the great sound and great noise cancelling – especially impressive considering the very low price tag. While the midrange could be slightly punchier, and they may not quite measure up to something like the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, we found this pair of headphones to be top of the line.
Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Canceling Overhead Headphones
If you don’t mind spending a bit, this pair of headphones is absolutely incredible. We found there to be extreme noise isolation, so much so that you can easily forget where you are.
The headband is also extremely comfortable, and the outside world just seems to drift away while you are wearing them. Whether you want to make phone calls, play music, or listen to podcasts, we highly recommend this great pair of headphones from Sony (and so do thousands of other audiophiles).
Beats Solo Pro Wireless Noise Cancelling On-Ear Headphones
Beats have become extremely popular over the years, and it’s easy to see why. These Pro wireless noise-cancelling headphones met every single one of our testing needs, plus they look stylish to boot.
With battery life that will last essentially 24 hours, passive noise cancellation, easy playback through Spotify, a comfortable fit, excellent audio quality, and and excellent noise blocking – we loved using these Beats. Pair them with a stylish carrying case, and you’ll be all set – definitely recommended.
Bose QuietComfort 45 Bluetooth Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones
The QuietComfort line of headphones has been popular forever – and for very good reason. Like the previous QuietComfort 35 II, this pair delivers insanely great noise cancelling, and makes even the noisiest atmosphere quiet.
No matter what soundstage you may be on, there is zero chance any outside noise gets through. While you can certainly spend less, or opt for earbuds that might fit tightly in your ear canal – we liked these very much, and so do millions of other consumers. Two thumbs up.
Skullcandy Hesh ANC Wireless Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones
Skullcandy has made quite the name for itself over the last decade, whether it be with great battery life, affordability, or sound quality. Consumers have come to know and trust the brand, making sales skyrocket.
This particular pair of wireless headphones made even the busiest street corner seem quiet, and they cost just a fraction of the price of similar Sony or Beats models. While you can certainly spend more, for many consumers, this is a perfect choice, when it comes to the best noise-cancelling headphones.
Jabra Elite 85h Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones
Jabra has made quite a name for itself on the internet, and with these awesome noise-cancelling headphones, it’s easy to see why. These headphones are also water and rain resistant, and offer great battery life.
These options make them optimal for any athletes out there, doubly so since they are wireless. We loved these in the office, on the train, at the gym, and even on planes – and we know you will love them too.
JBL Live 460NC Wireless On-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones
JBL has long been known for great speakers and headphones, and this pair of noise-cancelling headphones is no different. With thousands of great reviews, and an affordable price tag, they are a great fit for any consumer.
We didn’t like them quite as much as more well-known brands like Sony and Bose, but we still think these are fantastic headphones. If you want great headphones, but don’t want to spend a ton – these are another great option.
What Are Noise Cancelling Headphones?
Noise-cancelling headphones make it much easier to concentrate and focus on your music – without any outside distractions. They block out any extraneous noise (through various methods), which allows you to live in your own world, so to speak.
We tried many different pairs of noise cancelling headphones, with many different methods of noise cancelling – and we can honestly say we do not prefer one particular method over any other. Battery life and sound quality are two of the most important factors to take into account, when choosing the best noise-cancelling headphones.
Which Is The Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones?
Are There Any Headphones That Cancel All Noise?
Is Noise Cancelling Better For Your Ears?
Noise cancelling headphones can work to protect your ears, as long as you don’t jack up the volume too much. As is the case with any headphones, you can experience hearing damage if you turn up the volume too much, for too long.
Make sure to keep the volume down, and take breaks often enough, where this does not become an issue. This can be especially important if you wear headphones all day at work, or you frequently exercise for long stretches of time with headphones in.
It doesn’t matter if you use in-ear headphones, over-ear headphones, or noise cancelling headphones – you still need to take breaks, and keep the volume low. Otherwise, hearing damage may occur, over time.
Noise cancelling is much better in terms of making it easier to focus. We find them great for studying, taking long trips, or just in any situation where you are likely to be distracted by noise.
If you are not used to them, however, you may feel a little seasick or uncomfortable, when you first put the headphones on. This sensation usually fades, once your ears and body are adjusted to wearing the new headphones.
Noise cancelling headphones are also great for sleeping, especially in loud areas, or on planes. Try using white noise audio, calming sounds, or even instrumental music, to really make it worth your while.
Are Noise-Cancelling Headphones Worth It?
We absolutely think noise-cancelling headphones are worth it – they provide a great distraction from the stressors and annoyances of everyday life. Amazon has a true abundance of headphones, but these days, we think Bluetooth, wireless, and noise-cancelling are three absolute must-have features that any consumer needs.
Since it hardly costs anything extra to have wireless phones, why bother with the tangled mess that inevitably comes with traditional headphones? Just make sure you choose a pair with long battery life, and you’ll be set.
What Are The Best Noise Cancelling Headphones For Airplane Travel?
While we do not recommend one brand over another, when it comes specifically to airplane travel, any good pair of noise-cancelling headphones should be able to make air travel far less stressful. Active noise cancelling may be better than passive noise cancelling when flying on planes, so perhaps choose a pair that offers this feature.
It’s also important to remember that airplanes have lots of treble and midrange – screaming babies, people talking – but there is also bass, like the giant plane engine, for example. So do not opt for a pair of headphones which have weak noise cancelling – instead, spend a little bit more, to really get the best noise cancellation you can.
Other Buying Factors For The Best Noise Cancelling Headphones
There are many factors to consider, when it comes getting the best noise-cancelling headphones – whether you want spatial audio, multipoint, Alexa compatibility, USB-C use, transparency mode, Samsung Galaxy compatibility, clear vocals in your music, water-resistant headphones, or simply headphones that will block out noise and come with a voice assistant – there is truly something for everyone out there.
While you can purchase noise cancelling headphones anywhere in the world (even at Walmart), we like Amazon the best, because they have the widest available range of options, a plethora of actual consumer reviews, and very low prices. You can get great pairs like the Sony WF-1000XM4, the QC35 II, the WH-1000XM3, headphones with custom ear tips, Bowers & Wilkins headphones with aptX technology – and so much more.
The Best Noise Cancelling Headphones
There you have it – our top picks for the best noise-cancelling headphones. Whether you want adaptive design, ear cups, headphones for audiophiles, the best headphones for getting rid of ambient sounds, the cheapest pair on Amazon, Android compatible Bluetooth headphones that comes with a charging case, or just a popular pair of headphones like the Apple AirPods Pro – we’ve got you covered.
The best listening experience will vary between individuals, and your surrounding environment will also play a role in determining which pair of the best noise-cancelling headphones are right for you. Noise-cancelling earbuds, for example, may diminish ambient noise, but not be the right headset (or give you the type of playback) that you are looking for.
So there you have it – our top picks for the best noise-cancelling headphones on the market today. And if you liked this list, be sure to check out some of our other comprehensive product reviews.
