Do you want to fully tune out the world? Well, maybe a new pair of noise-canceling headphones should be on your shopping list. Active Noise Canceling (ANC) technology has continued to advance in recent years – blocking out your neighbor’s yappy dog, the hum of a jet engine, and the loud conversations in your favorite coffee shop are the touch of a button away. You can have immersive experiences listening to your favorite album or podcast, playing games, and binge-watching the latest TV shows. Noise distractions eliminated.
Noise-canceling headphones aren’t a one size fits all product. There are many factors to consider including budget, sound profile, style, and functionality. Don’t want to drop $250+ on our favorite pair of wireless headphones, the Sony - WH-1000XM4? Quality options are available that offer similar features for under $100 like Anker Soundcore Life Q30 or Razer Opus X. True wireless earbuds now offer noise-canceling options for those who don’t love on-ear or over-ear headphones. Audiophiles will rejoice with the Apple Airpods Max or Bowers & Wilkins PX7. There are what seem like limitless options out there but we’ve helped you narrow them down to the very best, here are our picks.
TL;DR – These are the Best Noise-Canceling Headphones:
- Sony WH-1000XM4
- Anker Soundcore Q30
- Apple Airpods Max
- Razer Opus X
- Microsoft Surface Headphones 2
- Bowers & Wilkins PX7
- Bose Noise Canceling 700
- Sony WF-1000XM4
1. Sony WH-1000XM4
Best Noise-Canceling Headphones
You’ll be hard-pressed to find another pair of noise-canceling headphones that stand up against Sony’s WH1000XM4 given the price point and specs. These wireless, over-ear headphones deliver powerful ANC that attenuate lower-frequency and mid-frequency sounds even better than their already impressive previous models. With Bluetooth 5.0’s multipoint feature you can connect to multiple devices at one time. And thanks to SBC, AAC, and Sony’s LDAC codec support, your connection should be seamless and sound clear throughout all of your devices. A wired connection is always an option as well with the included 3.5mm audio cable.
Besides the improved noise-cancellation and Bluetooth capabilities, Sony’s headphones feature a 30-hour battery life, more microphones for better call quality, and Sony’s signature DSEE to improve the quality of compressed audio files like MP3. If pressed for time, these headphones get 5 hours of playtime with just a 10-minute charge. An incredibly useful “quick attention” mode pauses audio when you place your hand on the right earcup. Alternatively, Speak-to-chat allows for hands-free quick attention when you or others near you speak. Having some of the best noise-canceling technology in the game and so many additional features make Sony’s WH1000XM4 hard to beat.
2. Anker Soundcore Q30
Best Budget Noise-Canceling Headphones
If you don’t want to break the bank when looking for high-quality noise cancellation, these are the headphones for you. The Anker Soundcore Q30 comes in at under $100 with ANC, up to 40 hours of music in noise cancellation mode, and 60 hours in standard. The battery life alone is hard to beat. Plus, a quick five-minute charge can provide five hours of listening. There are three, user-friendly noise cancellation modes: transport for sitting on the train or plane, outdoors to drown out the traffic and wind, and indoor to escape the office chatter or WFH distractions.
These headphones have outstanding Bluetooth connectivity compared to other headphones in similar categories with an option for a wired connection. It can also connect to two devices and supports NFC pairing. The latency is high on PCs, but lower on iOS and Android. Finally, the 40 mm drivers provide a great mid-accuracy with room for improvement in bass and treble. Overall, if you are on a budget, Anker Soundcore 30 may be your go-to pair.
3. Apple Airpods Max
Best Hi-Fi Noise-Canceling Headphones
Apple’s first over-ear headphones will make loyalists rejoice. With a price tag higher than most of its competitors, the rich sound profile and powerful ANC make it worth the splurge. Its smooth and non-invasive active noise canceling slightly edges out Sony and Bose’s similar models. Transparency Mode can be turned on with the touch of a button, allowing you to hear what’s going on around you. A spatial audio feature provides you with an immersive experience in multi-dimensional sound and clarity, though this is only available via Apple devices. There is outstanding mid-accuracy, powerful bass, and clean highs with a seemingly wide soundstage, especially for closed-back headphones.
The build quality of Apple Airpods Max’s aluminum ear cups and stainless steel headband makes for a sturdy, high-end pair that should be able to withstand a few drops. The use of metal adds a bit of weight, but they still have a comfortable fit. And, their 20 hours of playback and active noise cancellation with each full battery charge should be plenty for the average listener. Unfortunately, using AAC to stream via Bluetooth, Apple’s Airpods Max do not support aptX, aptX HD, or Sony's LDAC codecs, making them best to use with Apple devices. If you’re looking for top-notch sound, style, and noise cancellation, the Apple Airpod Max is it.
4. Razer Opus X
Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for Gaming
The Razer Opus X can do it all – effective noise cancellation, rich-sounding audio, and a comfortable fit all while being at an affordable price point. The Opus X is one of Razer’s mobile lifestyle products, with 40 mm drivers that provide a clear, crisp audio sound, not too different from the more expensive Razer Opus model. Unfortunately, these headphones do not support a wired connection, but there is also a low latency Gaming Mode at 60ms making for improved wireless performance. Plus, gaming devices such as the Nintendo Switch, PS5, phones, and most PCs support the Bluetooth 5.0 connection these headphones use.
Opus X delivers some of the best battery life in noise-canceling headphones. Boasting 30 hours of battery using ANC and 40 hours with ANC off, it has been proven to last even longer than advertised. These headphones use feedforward ANC rather than hybrid, as the original Opus model does so you might hear lower frequencies peek through at times. It still provides a high level of noise cancellation, especially in the $100 range. Pressing the quick attention mode lets you hear your surroundings. In other words, the Razer Opus X noise-canceling headphones are user, gaming, and budget-friendly.
5. Microsoft Surface Headphones 2
Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for Work
Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 offers high-quality noise cancellation along with some convenient features perfect to use in and out of the office. The ANC on these cans is offered at 13 different levels, ranging from max canceling to ambient noise, and it’s all controllable from the earcup. These headphones don’t beat the Sony WH-1000XM4 or the Bose Noise Canceling 700 in noise cancellation, but their price point still keeps them as a contender.
These intuitive ear controls also extend to playback, activating voice assistance, changing the volume, skipping songs, and taking calls. Bluetooth multipoint is available as well for seamless switching between devices and aptX codec support enables high-quality listening. Equipped with a built-in microphone, answering calls and speaking over zooms comes through clearly. There is even an integrated mic mute switch. The 18.5-hour battery life is plenty to get you through the workday. The sound quality, though nothing to rave about, is still good.
6. Bowers & Wilkins PX7
Best Mid-Focused Noise-Canceling Headphones
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 provides remarkable sound, competitive noise cancellation, plus high-class comfort, and style for a premium option. The soundstage on these headphones is wide and captivating. There’s the deep bass, clear treble, and smooth mids perfect for any audiophile. There is an aux cable for a wired connection that can make the sound experience even richer. Meanwhile Bluetooth 5.0 and multipoint make pairing and switching between devices a breeze.
PX7 offers three different ANC levels; low, auto, and high. There is also an ambient pass-through mode to help you hear external sounds more clearly. The ANC on Sony’s WH-1000XM4 and Bose 700 may be slightly more powerful, but PX7 noise neutralization is top tier. Buttons on the ear cups allow you to turn on ANC, as well as manage calls, control volume, access playback, and activate the digital assistant. The PX7 can stand up against most of its competitors with intuitive mics, sophisticated design, and functionality.
7. Bose Noise Canceling 700
Best Neutral-Sounding Noise-Canceling Headphones
Bose’s Noise Canceling 700 are the most comparable headphones overall to our top contender, the Sony WH-1000XM4. They offer a powerful sound profile and intuitive noise-cancellation all in a sleek, comfortable design. Eight microphones inside and outside the earcups of this headset monitor the sounds around you, adjusting the ANC strength based on the platforms you use and your personal preferences. There are 11 noise-canceling settings ranging from full noise cancellation to full transparency. You will not be disappointed by Bose Noise Canceling 700’s ability to neutralize sound.
In addition, the 700 boasts of being a great headset for making calls. Using the built-in mics, the headphones are able to effectively pick up your voice while eliminating much of the noise in your environment. This works for voice assistants as well. The overall sound on these headsets is balanced and clean. Bose 700 offers Bluetooth 5.0, with the standard SBC and AAC codecs, and a wired use is also an option for extra fidelity. There are touch-controls and physical buttons that together make these well-designed, high-quality headphones easy to use and one of the best.
8. Sony WF-1000XM4
Best Noise-Canceling Earbuds
When it comes to noise-cancellation, earbuds are not often a buyer's first thought. However, Sony’s WF-1000XM4 delivers powerful noise cancellation along with the comfort and the convenience of in-ear headphones. A new, Sony-designed Integrated Processor V1, noise sensing microphones, and foam earbud tips all work together to effectively dull and quiet noise at all frequencies. Its closest competitors, the Apple Airpods Pro and Bose QuietComfort earbuds fall slightly short of WF-1000XM4’s noise cancellation ability.
There are other impressive features offered with these true wireless earbuds. Touchpads on the outside of each earpiece can be customized to adjust volume, noise canceling modes, and playback. The 6mm drivers offer impressive sound quality, showcasing a deep bass, rich mid, and clean high frequencies. Although the AptX codec is not supported, Sony’s LDAC allows high-res audio files to be streamed via Bluetooth. Call quality is also spectacular thanks to beam forming and bone conduction sensors used to eliminate ambient sounds. Sony WF-1000XM4 beats its rival in battery life, with 8 hours when Bluetooth and noise cancellation are on. These are the best premium true wireless noise canceling earbuds on the market.
What to look for in Noise-Canceling Headphones
If you are considering purchasing noise-canceling headphones to drown out the sounds of everyday life, there are a few other important factors to consider. All of the noise-canceling headphones on our list as well as most on the market today, connect via Bluetooth to most devices. This may cause issues regarding latency and range. If you are using these headphones for gaming or recording, they may be more susceptible to sync issues. Looking for headphones with the option for a wired connection or a more advanced Bluetooth codec like aptX may solve the problem.
Headphone impedance may be important to audiophiles, but the average listener should find a quality pair of headphones in the 20-40ohms range. Devices such as laptops, phones, tablets, and gaming handhelds work best with lower impedance as they require much less power than higher impedance. The headphones on our list all have lower impedance.
Sound reproduction relies heavily on a headphone’s frequency response. The average person hears 20-20,000 Hz and that is the standard for most headphones. That doesn’t mean the sound quality is great, but rather tells the listener the sounds the headphones are able to reproduce.
Open and closed headphones really rely on a person’s personal preferences. If you prefer a more natural sound, similar to speakers, then open back headphones are probably the choice you should make. A closed-back pair of headphones will provide more isolation for “zoning out” or critical listening. The headphones on our list all feature closed backs.
Danielle Abraham is a freelance writer and unpaid music historian.
