Living in an obnoxiously loud world that makes it difficult to hear music the way it was meant to be heard – with sonic precision and free of distractions –is where active noise-cancelling headphones come to the rescue.
The best wireless earbuds based on budget and styleOur expert picks for the best wireless headphones
If you’re looking for some of the best noise-cancelling headphones to pair with your all-new iPhone or laptop, look no further. Let’s get into our top picks.
What are the best noise-cancelling headphones?
Right now, the Bose 700 Headphones are considered the No. 1 best noise-cancelling headphones. The company’s latest model has set the new standard for noise neutralization on wireless headphones, featuring 10 levels of adjustable ANC and an eight-mic system that produces superior sound and call quality. If you want something similar, but in true wireless form, it doesn’t get any better than Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2, which harnesses the same innovative ANC technology and slightly better sound quality than the 700. A complete redesign and updated features also make the wireless earbuds a significant upgraded over the original QC Earbuds, which are still an excellent pair to consider at a lower price point. Coming in a close second on our best noise-cancelling headphones list is the Sony WH-1000xM5. Not only is the latest Sony flagship model one of the best-sounding pairs on the list, but it also has remarkable adaptive ANC that nearly rivals Bose’s technology. These same sentiments can be shared about its true wireless sibling, the WF-1000XM4, which remains our favorite wireless earbuds overall. The extended battery life and special features like 360 Reality Audio (spatial audio), Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE) Extreme, and LDAC make both models ideal Bose alternatives. More importantly, this is an excellent option for music lovers who want to block out the ambient chaos around them. Not far behind is the Sennheiser Momentum 4 – the legacy audio brand’s latest noise-cancelling headphone. This sequel packs excellent ANC, hi-fi sound, and long-lasting battery life into an updated design. We’re fans of Smart Control, Sennheiser’s companion app that offers a variety of features to personalize performance, from the controls to noise cancellation. Joining the party is the Momentum True Wireless 3, a true wireless variant that blend excellent noise cancellation and dynamic, customizable sound into an award-winning design. Bowers & Wilkins has made a strong comeback with the PX8. This upgrade serves up premium noise cancellation and sound in an upgraded design that feels lighter than its predecessor. Strong specs and microphones were installed in these beauties to deliver high-end performance across the board. Don’t think we forgot about Apple’s latest noise-cancelling earbuds: the AirPods Pro 2. Upgraded with stronger ANC, smarter features, and Personalized Spatial Audio for a more immersive 3D listening experience, these dangling in-ears live up to their hype. There is something here for every type of listener. Here is our ranking of the best noise-cancelling headphones based on performance, style, and purpose.
The best noise cancelling headphones you can buy today
New design? Check. Enhanced noise cancellation? Check. Stronger specs? Check. Special features? Check. Reasonably long battery life? Check. Great audio performance? Check. The Bose 700 makes the strongest argument for best noise-cancelling headphones by offering all of this and so much more. Granted, noise cancellation is where these wireless headphones really stand out. With 10 adjustable levels, these are, by far, the most powerful ANC headphones that Bose has made to date. The technology not only works when you’re listening to music or podcasts; the eight integrated mics ensure that the sound quality when you’re making and receiving calls is just as good as when you’re using only your smartphone. Bose also added easy-to-use touch controls and a slick companion app to set your default digital assistant (e.g. Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri) and cycle through ANC levels. While battery life is standard at 20 hours, this is shorter than what most competitive models offer, though you can pick up the 700 charging case (opens in new tab) for $80 to gain an extra 40 hours and store the cans safely. Also, anyone working remotely who wants to advance their virtual collaborations can pick up the 700 UC edition (opens in new tab), a new model designed to work with third-party cloud services like Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and Zoom. See our full Bose 700 review. Sony’s latest noise-cancelling headphones welcome several new improvements that elevate them above any other ANC model other than the Bose 700. All of Sony’s proprietary technologies (e.g., 360 Reality Audio, LDAC) come part of the package, helping create an immersive and spacious soundscape to enjoy all media. Access to the Sony Headphones Connect app extends functionality by offering up several personalization tools to tweak sound. Sony’s QN1 ANC and V1 processors give the WH-1000XM5 stronger noise cancellation than its predecessor, plus the addition of more mics and stronger wind resistance fix the one issue that has plagued this series: call quality. The all-new design is said to be more eco-friendly, and while greatly appreciated, it lacks the premium look and feel of past Mark Series releases. Read our full Sony WH-1000XM5 review. The original QC Earbuds served as an exceptional true wireless alternative to the Bose 700, and its sequel proves to be even better. Bose’s new ANC technology can map the contours of your ears to create a personalized ANC profile for optimal noise reduction. These buds can block out close to 95 percent of incidental sounds and never compromise audio quality. Speaking of which, the QuietComfort Earbuds 2’s sound signature has been tweaked to deliver full frequency range and punchy bass that enlivens music tracks. We can’t forget the all-new design that looks and fits better on the ears. Bose chose not to increase ANC playtime or provide an option to disable the feature for battery life preservation. The finicky touch controls and unreliable app connectivity can be concerning as well. Just remember you’re choosing the QuietComfort Earbuds 2 mostly on its ANC and sonic merits. Read our full Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 review. The battle for ANC supremacy has mostly been a back-and-forth battle between Bose and Sony, but Sennheiser just bogarted their way into the conversation with the phenomenal Momentum 4 wireless headphones. This fourth-gen model comes with rivaling active noise cancellation that effectively adapts to your environments and listening habits, while dishing out vibrant, depth-filled sound complementary of all music genres. There are some cool features to play with, including multipoint technology (pair to two devices simultaneously) and Sound Check to automatically adjust EQ to your sonic preference. Having up to 60 hours of ANC playtime is also amazing, tripling the amount of battery life offered by the Bose 700. The extra weight doesn’t do much for comfort and the touch controls could use some work, but if sound is your priority, it would be foolish to overlook this gem. Read our full Sennheiser Momentum 4 review. The Sony WF-1000XM4 is about as perfect as a pair of wireless earbuds come. Overall performance is dynamic, courtesy of Sony’s new V1 processor, which keeps the buds operating at a fast pace and simultaneously reduces distortion, while enhancing the audio quality. Music and movies sound excellent, thanks to Sony’s well-defined sound profile and 360 Reality Audio support for spatial audio. Noise cancellation is powerful. Features are practical and in abundance; you will feel overwhelmed when entering the Sony Headphones Connect app. Battery life is sufficient with 6 hours of ANC playback. The design has also been revamped for better durability, enhanced noise neutralization, and a more ergonomic fit. The only real complaint that we have is the lack of a Find My Earbuds function (this is a must for any pair of $300 buds). Besides that, the WF-1000XM4 crushes nearly every mark. Read our full Sony WF-1000XM4 review. On paper, very little differentiates the PX7 S2 from the PX8. However, the upgrades in drivers and design play a crucial role in the flagship model’s performance. B&W’s all-new carbon cone 40mm drive units were engineered similarly to the ones found in their 700 Series loudspeakers, producing immaculate detail, resolution, and separation. The soft-touch leather applied to each earcup adds to the product’s luxury appearance. We’re also fans of the elite ANC and long playtime. A $700 price tag doesn’t make these the most attainable headphones in the category. Call quality could be better as well. Either way, the PX8 is a splurge-worthy investment for audio purists wanting hi-end sound and noise cancellation. The Momentum True Wireless 2 was a solid noise-canceller and its successor is even better. Sennheiser made the switch from active to adaptive noise cancellation, a gamble that pays off hugely, delivering noise neutralization that is nearly on the same level as the Sony WF-1000XM4. Sounds across the frequency spectrum are completely blocked out or reduced well enough not to compromise audio, which remains exceptional and makes the most of new customization features. These include Sound Check for fine-tuning audio to your hearing and Sound Zones to optimize the EQ by adjusting sound to your location. The all-new design is also gorgeous and has earned the buds a 2022 Red Dot Design Award. Despite launching for $50 less than its predecessors, the Momentum True Wireless 3 is still considered pricey. However, given the market’s other high-priced models, several of which rank highly on this list, we feel it’s a worthy investment. Read our full Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 review. The Cleer Enduro ANC offers the most functionality in a pair of noise-cancelling headphones listed under $200. We’re talking a powerful soundstage that can be personalized via built-in EQ, quality active noise cancellation, multiple connectivity options (e.g., Google Fast Pair, NFC), and up to 10 levels of ambient listening. Then there is the Enduro ANC’s biggest hallmark, battery life, which is rated at 60 hours with ANC on. Do the math and that is triple the playtime of the Bose 700 and AirPods Max. Cleer also includes some nifty bonuses like an airline adapter and aux cable to use the headphones in passive mode. Design-wise, these headphones aren’t the most appealing, especially when compared to the brand’s more premium offerings. The companion app needs more features as well. Even then, these are criticisms you can deal with when factoring in the attainable price point. See our full Cleer Enduro ANC review. The AirPods Pro 2 are practically perfect wireless earbuds that deliver impeccable iOS performance and welcome numerous upgrades that enhance usability. Built-in touch volume controls on the Force Sensors make adjusting sound simple via slide gestures. Noise cancellation is now twice as strong as what was featured on the original AirPods Pro. Not to mention the all-new Adaptive Transparency mode keeps listeners aware of their surroundings and reduces harsh environmental noise at the same time. Users can create their own 3D sound profile using the Personalized Spatial Audio feature for a more immersive listening experience. Then there’s Precision Finding support for the MagSafe charging case, which pinpoints the device in the Find My (AirPods) app whenever misplaced. Android users looking to use these buds on their Google-operated smartphones will want to look elsewhere due to the AirPods Pro 2’s buggy performance. Everyone else will find Apple’s latest true wireless earbuds to be well worth the splurge. Read our full AirPods Pro 2 review. Sony’s ANC technology is right up there with Bose’s, employing a series of advanced technologies (e.g. Dual Noise Sensor, QN1 processor, feedforward mics) to block out ambient noise at the highest level. Sound is more bountiful on the WH-100xM4 with the 40mm drivers pumping out emphatic and precise sonics to enjoy music selections from all genres. Adding to its sonic capabilities are the several customization options in the Sony Headphones Connect app to tweak the soundstage to one’s liking, from the adjustable EQ to the multiple presets to Sony’s 360 Reality Audio feature. The only thing holding back the second best noise-cancelling headphones from perfection are the touch controls, which have a tendency to misunderstand touch gestures and execute the wrong commands. See our full Sony WH-1000xM4 review. We’ve anticipated the Bose QuietComfort 45’s arrival since the leaks and rumors starting surfacing on the Net weeks ago. The latest entry in Bose’s popular wireless noise-cancelling headphones series doesn’t disappoint. You’re given two different ANC modes: Quiet for traditional noise cancelling and Aware for ambient listening. Thanks to the “new electronics package” employed by Bose, these headphones handle mid-range frequencies better. Like its predecessor, the QC45 lets you use ANC when in wired mode. The series also receives an increase in battery life, which is bumped up to 24 hours over the standard 20 hours featured on past models. As much of an upgrade as the QC45 is, the model isn’t flawless. Not being able to turn off ANC mode means the headphones are always using energy. The lack of extras (e.g., adjustable ANC, EQ) compared to the Bose 700 might be a deal-breaker for some as well. Read our full Bose QuietComfort 45 review. Bose has outdone themselves once again by integrating the same category-leading active noise cancellation as the 700 headphones into these tiny buds. Like its over-ear counterpart, the QuietComfort Earbuds grant access to 10 levels of adjustable noise cancellation, three of which can be saved on the Bose Music app, so you can easily cycle through them on the left bud. Bose transferred over its Active EQ technology and proprietary drivers to give these buds a warm, pleasant sound as well. And just when you thought the performance perks stopped there, the QuietComfort Earbuds boast a strong mic array that guarantees best-in-class call quality. All of that functionality surely requires a lot of battery life to operate, which, sadly, is the QuietComfort Earbuds’ greatest compromise. Users are stuck with playtimes that are barely higher than the regular AirPods. On top of that, the charging case is ridiculously huge and doesn’t hold much portable power either. Read our full Bose QuietComfort Earbuds review. If you know the name Axel Grell, then you’re aware of his immaculate credentials. The former Sennheiser engineer started his audio company and released what are the best-sounding wireless earbuds at their price point. Owning the TWS/1 rewards you with hi-res audio that can be customized through the SoundID app, though the model’s standard sound signature is outstanding on its own. The depth and well-balanced frequency range give music a natural presence that you’re accustomed to hearing on luxury over-ear headphones. ANC is also smart and tweaks performance by scanning your environment and adjusting sound on the fly. Not everything is a hit. The charging case holds very little portable power, and the controls require polishing, but these flaws are forgivable when factoring in overall sound quality. Read our full Grell TWS/1 review.
How to choose the best noise-cancelling headphones for you
The best noise-cancelling headphones often come at a premium, so you’ll want to make sure you’re getting top-notch noise neutralization for your dollar. Seek out models that advertise active noise cancellation (not to be confused with passive noise cancellation). The difference is ANC uses microphones to pick up incoming ambient sounds and creates inverse waves that cancel them out in real-time, while PNC physically isolates these sounds through the headphone design. Audio should be your second priority. Clearly, you want headphones that sound great when indulging in your music collection and jumping on Zoom calls. See if you can find headphones with powerful drivers, along with special features like adaptive sound (e.g. AirPods Pro) and customization settings to tweak the sound profile to your liking. Next on the checklist is battery life. The standard playtime for ANC headphones is about 20 to 25 hours, though some manufacturers have launched models that can generate up to 35 hours or more. There are even some headphones that let you use ANC in wired mode (e.g. Bose 700). Design plays a pivotal role as well, especially if you’re someone who spends a majority of their time on the road. Ideally, you want headphones that are lightweight and portable, and come with some sort of travel case to easily store them. They should also feel comfortable and provide a stable fit. Connectivity should not be overlooked either. While Bluetooth 5.0 is the best way to go for fast and strong wireless performance, you may find certain models with less powerful Bluetooth protocols (e.g. Bluetooth 4.1/4.2) that can still operate reliably.
How we test the best noise-cancelling headphones
Laptop Magazine takes several factors into consideration when putting together our list of the best noise-cancelling headphones. This includes design, comfort, sound, and overall value. We also compare each model to similar ones in the noise-cancelling category in terms of features, fit, and pricing. Noise-cancelling headphones are worn over the course of a week for 2 to 3 hours at a time. We assess how accurate and powerful the noise cancellation is by testing these headphones in both indoor and outdoor environments where ambient sounds are produced at high levels. In addition, our reviewers listen to songs across multiple music genres (e.g. classical, hip-hop, jazz) to analyze audio quality, along with clarity, depth, and volume. Furthermore, we test these models on streaming music services that offer hi-res audio. Lastly, we test battery life, digital assistant support, ease of setup, wireless range, and any app-enabled features compatible with mobile devices, laptops, desktops, and gaming consoles. After testing is completed, our reviewers rate each model on a five-point system (1 = worst, 5 = best). Any product considered truly exemplary is awarded a Laptop Magazine Editor’s Choice badge.
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