Noise cancelling headphones are worth their weight in gold. Brands like Sony and Bose have been collecting laurels for years, based on noise cancelling tech alone (although these brands are renowned for far more than just ANC). And both companies, along with several others, have made their way to this best-of list.
But we’re not just adding any pair of cans that we see. The best noise cancelling headphones should be near-perfect at dialing down environmental sound, while also providing amazing sound quality, great battery life, and decent customization options. Such is the case with all the entries on this roundup.
Top noise cancelling headphones
Sony WH-1000XM5
The best keeps getting better
Sony followed up the excellent WH-1000XM4 with another winner, indisputably the best all-around pair of cans with noise-cancelling you can buy at anything approaching a reasonable price. They’re understated, boast amazing sound quality, and pack a battery that lasts up to an impressive 30 hours with ANC enabled (or 40 without).
- Great sound quality
- Very effective ANC
- Impressive battery life
- Get warm during long sessions
Sony’s WH-1000 line has been a contender for the best noise cancelling headphones title for years, and the latest iteration is no exception. The WH-1000XM5 pair some of the best active noise cancelling in consumer headphones with a great fit, top-notch sound quality, and an understated design that matches nearly any aesthetic. They might not pop with RGB lighting or have a hyper-stylized design like current streamer and gaming headphones, but they focus on functionality and an impressive battery life of up to 30 hours with ANC enabled and 40 hours without.
Sony WH-1000XM5 review: The ANC headphones to beat
Class-leading ANC, now in a prettier package
We chose the WH-1000XM5 as our headphones of the year in 2022, and they remain one of the best models on the market. They take the tried and true approach to hardware upgrades: it wasn’t broken, so Sony didn’t go out of their way to “fix it.” That’s not to say that these are a carbon copy of the WH-1000XM4, however. The latest model adds more mics to improve the already very good noise cancelling, as well as high-end and bass quality, making these the best all-around headphones with noise cancelling you can find.
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e
Going a step above the rest
Bowers & Wilkins is the end-all-be-all of audio companies. Renowned for its hi-fi and home theater speakers, the company’s foray into premium headphones is just as remarkable; and the proof is the B&W S2e. Amazing sound quality and ANC are front and center, along with 24-bit DSP processing, and a robust companion app.
- 24-bit DSP and 40mm drivers
- Crystal-clear sound quality
- Great ANC
- Expensive
When it comes to premium performance, one of the best brands in the audio business is Bowers & Wilkins. Renowned for its hi-fi speakers, the British company also makes a tremendous headphone set; and today we’re aiming our spotlight at the B&W S2e. As the successor to the incredible B&W Px7 S2 that came before it, the S2e is equipped with a 24-bit DSP and 40mm drivers, on top of Qualcomm aptX Adaptive support. Whether you’re streaming your lossless audio through Apple Music, Tidal, or Qobuz, the S2e is engineered with astonishing sound quality, regardless of the source. Not to mention its ANC capabilities.
Six onboard mics are fine-tuned to capture and cancel out the harshest sounds in your listening environment, leaving you with crisp, clear music and podcasts. Battery-wise, you should expect around 30 hours on a single charge, although your mileage will vary based on volume level and ANC settings. The S2e is an extremely comfortable pair of cans, and it’s a thrill to listen to your favorite tunes through the Bowers & Wilkins music app. Yes, they’re expensive, but when you’re looking for top-shelf ANC performance, B&W is guaranteed to deliver beyond your expectations.
Anker Soundcore Life Q30
Stellar quality at a low price
Anker’s Soundcore Life Q30 cans are a masterclass in delivering a balance of quality and features without devastating your bank account. For a reasonable price, they provide great sound quality, a 40-hour battery life, and solid connectivity in a sleek, futuristic-looking package.
- Great sound quality
- Affordable without major sacrifices
- Around 40 hours of battery life
- Noise cancelling isn’t as complete as more expensive options
With the way the audiophile market works, if you’re looking for the best of the best, you can end up spending a tremendous amount of money. While that’s fine for the independently wealthy with an unlimited budget, a set of cans like Anker’s Soundcore Life Q30 is a godsend for mere mortals. With the Q30, you can avoid blowing through a large pile of cash without sacrificing some of the things you value most to save money.
The Q30 boasts sound quality that impresses at this price point, though they won’t rival a $3,000 pair of studio headphones. They also have a broad range of connectivity and communication options, alongside graphic and EQ presets for finding the audio presentation you want for whatever you’re listening to. Perhaps most impressive, they boast a battery life of over 40 hours with noise cancelling enabled, so you’re unlikely to end up with dead cans at a crucial zen-seeking moment.
Beats Studio3 Wireless Headphones
Street flair meets Apple design
With a premium matte finish and several appealing colors, Studio3 are some of the slickest-looking headphones on our list. But they are more than good looks. Built around Apple’s W1 chip, they do an excellent job of counteracting noise and pack great connectivity and wireless performance with a solid battery life. And due to a rapidly declining price tag, these are easier to recommend than ever.
- Excellent connectivity and range
- Appealing aesthetic flair
- Great wireless performance
- Slightly underwhelming sound quality
Apple buying Beats by Dre was initially met with some understandable skepticism, but if the Studio3 are any indication, the tech giant is moving the brand in the right direction. These headphones take advantage of the Apple-built W1 chip, which means improved connectivity while optimizing power usage to stretch battery life. They haven’t abandoned their Beats legacy in the process, however, as these are still stylish and slick, with an attractive matte finish in multiple colors. The soft plastic looks and feels great, with plush synthetic leather earcups that won’t punish your ears.
The Studio3 also have excellent noise cancellation. Apple has deployed a technology it calls Pure ANC, the primary aim of which is to eliminate as much of the distortion associated with the active version of noise cancellation as possible. The Pure ANC on the Studio3 largely succeed by improving on previous iterations in the overall quality of the ANC and limiting that distracting distortion effect. While the mids and bass aren’t quite up to snuff compared to some of the best headphones out there, the bevy of other features compensate for any dips in sound quality.
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
Listen forever
With a remarkable 60 hours of battery life proven during our testing, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 ensure that even the most forgetful among us won’t end up with drained headphones. Beyond that headlining feature, the Momentum 4 pack great sound quality and robust app support to customize a huge number of settings and features.
- 60-hour battery life
- Impressive audio
- Intuitive and flexible app support
- Plain design
If, like me, you’re constantly forgetting to charge your army of wireless devices, Sennheiser’s got your back. With a charge of up to 60 hours, they may feel like the battery never runs out, a feature that’s even more impressive when you consider the top-quality audio. While the aesthetic isn’t the flashiest or most appealing, the upside of the design is that they are very comfortable, with a great padded band and faux leather earcups lined with plush, comfy foam.
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless review: Awesome audio, average ANC
The Momentum 4’s Achilles heel could be a deal-breaker
Enhancing the audio quality is Sennheiser’s Smart Control app, which allows you to customize EQ settings to your heart’s content, and also features many handy extras. For example, there’s “smart pause,” which will freeze your music anytime you take the headphones off, while a similar option will hold calls whenever the cans detect that they’re not on your head. There are also a ton of ANC options built into the app, including setting adaptive ANC to dynamically adjust to your environment or defining up to 20 specific locations with their own custom ANC setting.
1More SonoFlow
Feather-light with crispy audio
Some of the comfiest headphones you can put over your ears, 1MORE’s SonoFlow also deliver great audio via LDAC support. This wireless audio codec means you can get really crisp sound even through your smartphone. There’s also an attention-grabbing purported 70-hour battery life, though that number drops steeply when you enable the (very good) ANC.
- Light and comfy
- LDAC support
- Inexpensive
- ANC rapidly drains the battery
One of the chief advantages of earbuds over headphones is that they don’t deliver wearer fatigue, one of the most irritating drawbacks to intimate listening. 1MORE has somehow managed to find the unicorn solution: a pair of over-ear headphones that you’ll barely notice you’re wearing. And that comfort isn’t achieved by sacrificing the other most important features you want from ANC headphones. There’s still excellent sound quality, effective ANC, and support for Sony’s LDAC codec. LDAC allows you to stream high-quality audio (up to 32-bit/96kHz at up to 990kbps) over Bluetooth, so you can get good audio even via a wireless smartphone connection.
While your eyes might bulge when you see the advertised, impressive 70-hour battery life, bear in mind that the number drops significantly when you’re using ANC. However, for relatively inexpensive headphones, that’s still a remarkable battery, and the SonoFlow is a good value when you consider all the other marks in its pro column.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
A master of ANC
It’s hard not to love a solid set of Bose headphones, and even harder not to adore the all-new Bose QuietComfort Ultra. Engineered to deliver one of the most encompassing ANC experiences of any pair of cans, there’s plenty to love about the company’s latest flagship, except for the price.
- Class-leading ANC
- Supports Bose?s Immersive Audio feature
- Very comfortable
- Very expensive
What is there to say about a pair of Bose headphones that hasn’t already been said? One of the most popular audio companies in town, Bose is a champ when it comes to ANC headphones and earbuds, and the brilliant Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are no exception. While the sticker price is a little heavy here, these cans are engineered with Bose’s Immersive Audio technology. “That’s not an ANC feature”, you might be thinking, but that’s not all! Bose’s class-leading ANC is carried over from the O.G. QuietComfort and improved upon. You can choose from Quiet Mode, Aware Mode, and Immersion Mode, which combines ANC with Bose’s new spatial sound tech, for an unbelievable three-dimensional experience.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones review: Paying for near perfection
Don’t just block out the world; refill it with rich stereo sound
Some other noteworthy features include Snapdragon Sound for compatible Android devices, an extremely comfortable fit, and up to 24 hours (18 hours with Immersive Audio) of battery on a single charge. A 15-minute recharge will also net you an additional two hours of Immersive Audio. Crystal-clear phone calls and wind-blocking tech are just a few of the bonus footnotes we’d like to mention here.
Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2
Low end never sounded so alive
The Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 deserves way more attention, and we’re here to do just that. These ANC headphones offer solid ANC, great sound quality, plenty of in-app customizations, and tremendous battery life.
- Great ANC and sound quality
- Incredible battery life
- Bass adjustment slider built into the headphones
- Not the greatest call quality
The Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 is the company’s flagship headphones, and it boasts the kind of audio victories once unheard of. For starters, these bad boys can last for up to 50 hours on a single charge. No, your eyes do not deceive you, you’ll be listening for a long time without charging up. And during the initial setup, the Skull-iQ App will ask you to complete a listening test, and you should totally do it. This allows the app to build a custom sound profile that is fine-tuned to your ears only. Control-wise, you’ll be able to use voice commands with Skullcandy’s own voice assistant, as well as Alexa. Fire off volume, play/pause, and many other useful directives.
But we’re here for ANC, right? Well, the Crusher ANC 2 has four onboard mics for collecting and cancelling out unwanted frequencies, leaving you with beautiful-sounding and uninterrupted music and podcasts. We’re particularly fond of the Sensory Bass switch, too. Located right on the headphones, this slider lets you adjust low end in a pinch, so you’ll never have to worry about having too much or too little bass.
Get lost in the music
Noise cancelling headphones have been around for a minute, but the technology just keeps getting better. Right now, most folks will love the chart-topping performance of the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones. Sony’s flagship cans deliver unbelievable ANC, next-level sound quality, and bountiful battery life. And that’s barely scratching the surface. These headphones have been out for two years now, and they’re still hard to beat. However, we’ve got to give it to the Bowers & Wilkins S2e for taking the Sony cans on.
The B&W headphones look great, sound terrific, and deliver the kind of ANC that is going to blow you away — no questions asked. Six onboard mics are working overtime to bring you some of the most accurate noise cancelling we’ve ever heard; and all things considered, they’re not that expensive. But if money is a big concern, we recommend the Anker Soundcore Life Q30.
Giving you up to 30 hours of battery life, the Q30 may not be on the same level as something like the S2e or XM5, but they’re far less expensive. Plus, they sound pretty great, and deliver some impressive ANC for the price.
Sony WH-1000XM5
The best keeps getting better
Sony’s chart-topping ANC performance is very hard to beat, which is why we’re giving two big thumbs-ups to the almighty WH-1000XM5. They look great, sound great, have amazing ANC capabilities, and will last for up to 30 hours with ANC enabled.
