Since headphones with active noise cancelling (ANC) technology have been around for a long time, there's a large gap between noise cancelling headphones that excel at blocking out noise and those that simply have ANC to slap on a label or their marketing. To make matters more complicated, there are many options in every price range, making it hard to know which are worth it. That's why we feature scores from performance tests, which use a standardized approach using both synthetic noise and simulated real-world scenarios. Aside from noise attenuation performance, you still want headphones that deliver audio without distortion artifacts or stereo mismatch, are comfortable and stable to wear for extended periods, and have a long enough battery life with ANC enabled.
We've tested over 915 pairs of headphones, 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 the best noise cancelling headphones under $200 and the best budget noise cancelling headphones.
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
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Best Noise Cancelling Headphones
Noise Isolation - Full RangeNoise Isolation - Common ScenariosContinuous Battery LifehrsTravelOffice WorkSee all our test resultsSports And FitnessThe Sony WH-1000XM6 are the best noise cancelling headphones we've tested, and they have remarkable overall noise isolation performance. In practice, they block out noise from low bus engine rumble and high-pitched A/C whine. While most other competitors let through some mid-range noise despite having ANC, the Sony's ANC is quite effective in this region, reducing office chatter and airplane cabin din. With ANC enabled, their battery lasts over 31 hours, which should be plenty if you use them for travel or work. However, the headphones have one noteworthy downside: their shallow earpads don't always form the best seal with your head, especially if you wear glasses, which is quite important for keeping noise out.
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 to your computer and smartphone simultaneously if you use them at work. If you struggle to find headphones that fit your head or have concerns about seal consistency, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) have earpads that accommodate more head shapes, though their ANC performance is slightly worse than the Sony's in optimal conditions.
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Best Mid-Range Noise Cancelling Headphones
Noise Isolation - Full RangeNoise Isolation - Common ScenariosContinuous Battery LifehrsTravelOffice WorkSee all our test resultsSports And FitnessThe JBL Live 780NC are premium headphones equipped with a powerful ANC system. They cost less than the Sony WH-1000XM6, and represent excellent value for money, though there are some trade-offs. Their noise isolation comes close to our top pick's, but they let in a bit more background voices and chatter. Plus, we found their combination of weight, clamping force, and padding makes them less comfortable than the Sony. Even so, you may prefer these headphones for their incredible 60-hour battery life with ANC active, almost double that of our top pick.
They also have solid build quality that feels premium and uses lightweight yet sturdy materials like aluminum. And their boosted bass sound profile injects plenty of thump and rumble into club tunes, though there's plenty of scope for fine-tuning via the 10-band graphic EQ and presets in the companion app. If you're sensitive to weight or clamping force, the Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless offer more universal comfort and similar ANC performance, though they have a shorter battery life.
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Best Lower Mid-Range Noise Cancelling Headphones
Noise Isolation - Full RangeNoise Isolation - Common ScenariosContinuous Battery LifehrsTravelOffice WorkSee all our test resultsSports And FitnessIf you want to spend less without sacrificing too much noise isolation performance, the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless are the best lower mid-range noise cancelling headphones we've tested. Like the JBL Live 780NC, these over-ears feature effective noise cancelling that 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. However, they have a noticeably high noise floor with noise cancelling active if you don't have content playing. They're also built with cheaper materials and a less premium-looking finish compared to the JBL.
Out of the box, they reproduce your audio with plenty of thump in the bass and sizzle in the treble. That makes them a great choice if you listen to a lot of rock and pop music. But if you'd prefer a different sound signature, you can use 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. 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's, and their mic is a bit better, but they're typically more expensive.
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Best Budget Noise Cancelling Headphones
Noise Isolation - Full RangeNoise Isolation - Common ScenariosContinuous Battery LifehrsTravelOffice WorkSee all our test resultsSports And FitnessIf you're looking for the best performance you can get from a budget pair of headphones, you need look no further than the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 2024. While their overall performance is quite similar to the more expensive Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless, you'll have to make some concessions at this price point. The Q20 2024's noise isolation performance is almost as good as the Q45's, blocking out engine rumble and ambient chatter. That said, you can't adjust your noise cancelling strength, which matters for people trying to avoid the cabin-pressure sensation they can experience with some ANC systems.
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, so you can stay connected to two devices at once for work. They have a V-shaped sound out of the box, delivering plenty of thump, punch, and warmth to your mixes while ensuring that vocals and instruments remain 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 RangeNoise Isolation - Common ScenariosContinuous Battery LifehrsTravelOffice WorkSee all our test resultsSports And FitnessSennheiser are known for both their high-end audiophile headphones, which are typically passive, wired, and don't have noise cancelling, and their casual-use Bluetooth headphones. The Sennheiser HDB 630 blends both worlds, bringing a smooth sound with vast customization options to a Bluetooth, noise cancelling headphone platform. Unlike many of the other headphones on this list, which have bassier sound profiles, the Sennheiser have a balanced tuning that suits a wide range of audio content by default. Plus, you have the flexibility to adjust your sound with a more configurable parametric EQ. The headphones also have active noise cancelling that's quite effective, though it doesn't block out very much mid-range noise like voices or chatter compared to our top pick, the Sony WH-1000XM6. And like the Sony, their main downside is an inconsistent earpad fit, which can affect noise cancelling performance.
Still, the headphones provide you with a comfortable listening experience, and you can wear them for long periods without significant fatigue. There's also an included USB-C Bluetooth dongle that lets you bypass your connected devices' internal Bluetooth strip to access the headphones' higher resolution audio codecs for better audio. If you wear glasses or often find headphones don't fit you well, consider the Focal Bathys Wireless. The Focal also offer audiophile-approved sound but fit a wider variety of heads. That said, their 29-hour battery life can't match the Sennheiser's 54 hours, and they're a bit more expensive, too.
Notable Mentions
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Apple AirPods Max 2:
If you're an Apple device user and want a pair of headphones that integrate seamlessly with the brand's ecosystem, check out the Apple AirPods Max 2. They're neck-and-neck with the Sony WH-1000XM6 for noise isolation performance, but their functionality is limited outside of Apple devices.
See our review -
Nothing Headphone (1):
For those looking to make a fashion statement, the Nothing Headphone (1) have an eye-catching, unique design. Their mic is better than the JBL Live 780NC's, which you might prefer if you make lots of calls, but their ANC isn't as good.
See our review -
Anker Soundcore Space One Pro:
The Anker Soundcore Space One Pro are a more premium cousin to the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless. Their ANC performance is roughly the same, with the Space One Pro offering a better build quality and longer battery life at a higher cost.
See our review -
CMF Headphone Pro:
The CMF Headphone Pro are more durable than the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 2024, but they sacrifice noise isolation performance.
See our review
Recent Updates
Oct 02, 2026:
We've updated the article's text to provide clearer product guidance and have verified that our picks are still relevant and in stock. However, we've made no changes to the picks.
Aug 26, 2026:
We've checked our picks remain relevant and in stock. We've also added the CMF Headphone Pro to the Notable Mentions as a more durable option with impressive noise isolation.
Jul 27, 2026:
We've made minor adjustments to the article, including linking to our learning resources for EQ and Bluetooth codecs, but our picks remain the same as they're still valid and in stock.
Jun 25, 2026:
We've streamlined the article's text and removed mentions of products that didn't provide clear trade-offs for a buying decision. That said, our main picks haven't changed as they're still in stock and relevant noise cancelling headphones.
May 27, 2026:
We've added the JBL Live 780NC as our new upper mid-range pick, as the Sony WH-1000XM4 are discontinued and becoming harder to find, and the JBL offer a very similar performance. Otherwise, we've kept our picks the same as they still represent the best value on the market at present.
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. ANC systems use microphones to pick up sound and invert the signal to cancel it out, and microphone placement can affect how well they work. At the same time, background sound varies. 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 to effectively reduce sudden, loud noise effectively, 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 the battery faster.
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'd like to choose for yourself, here is the list of all our reviews for headphones with ANC. 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 mask some background noise.
