Active noise cancellation (ANC) was once the preserve of high-end headphones, but those days are over. The technology has trickled down to mid-range and even budget pairs, so much so that even Apple is getting involved. Its recently-announced AirPods 4 come in two versions: one with ANC, one without. And very good they are, too.
But they're not quite budget enough for this list. We're talking under £100. As such, it's quite a short list, as cheap pairs with good ANC are few and far between. We've tested quite a few (Earfun Air Pro 3, Lindy BNX-60XT) but rare is the pair that makes the cut.
Don't fear, however – there are some very good options around this price. Our list might only include four pairs, but they cover all bases, including earbuds, over-ear headphones and sporty options.
We've used each of the below extensively as part of our reviews process. We listen to a range of music and other content in a variety of settings to really gauge how each pair performs. We test them against rival models at a similar price to see where they sit in the market, and each verdict is decided in consultation with other members of our reviews team to avoid individual bias. For more on what our reviews process entails, see our how we test section further down this page.
My first pair of noise-cancelling cans were the mighty Bose QuietComfort 2 in the early 2000s. I used them for everything, from working, to walking around town listening to music and getting some shut-eye on the red-eye. Thankfully noise-cancelling headphones are now much cheaper than the QC2, making the tech more accessible to all. Whatever your want, you'll find a great – and affordable – pair from our list below, with extra features besides ANC, like great sound quality, good quality Bluetooth codecs and genuinely useful Bluetooth features like Multipoint.
The quick list
For the price, these are well-built, comfortable, and offer very good sound quality and the all-important noise cancellation. The best ANC budget pair for most people.
These Award-winners are like a taste of Sony's high-end earbuds at a much lower price. They make all the right compromises to create a compelling package.
With eight hours from the buds, and a total of 30 hours including the charging case, the JBL Live Pro 2 TWS will keep you entertained for days on end. Not many noise-cancelling earbuds can match that – and certainly not at this price.
Small, light and popping with an energetic sound, these noise-cancelling earbuds are perfect for sporty types who don't want to sacrifice sound quality.
The best cheap noise-cancelling headphones we recommend in 2024
Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.
Best over-ears
The WH-CH720N were designed to be an affordable pair of over-ears with a heavy feature set and a particular focus on budget noise cancelling. And that's exactly what they deliver: for a very reasonable price, they’re a dependably made, enthusiastic-sounding pair of headphones that, while occasionally straying into the realm of excessive bass, deliver strong ANC and a large feature set to the market's mid-to-low price bracket. Which is why they won a What H-Fi? Award two years in a row.
The noise cancelling is first rate. While more premium models like the WH-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort 45 block out external noises more effectively, we find these affordable Sonys do a pleasing job of dampening, if not silencing completely, outside noises and distractions. Further features, including Bluetooth multipoint, voice calls, a hefty battery life and Sony DSEE sound upscaling, only sweeten the deal.
Sonically, the CH720N are great for the price. "No shrinking violets, they imbue their musical cargo with heft and conviction, operating on the front foot in delivering an immediate, assertive sound with an emphasis on forceful, burly bass," we wrote in our review. "For the price, we can’t think of a pair of over-ear headphones that could keep up with such a spirited delivery."
It's true that you'll certainly receive more refinement and balance the higher up the price ladder you go, but these cans feel like they're spoiling you for £100. Sony might have focused on features, but the sound these over-ears provide is detailed, robust and exciting, with decent texture and feeling across the board. Job done.
Read the full Sony WH-CH720N review
Best in-ears
Sony's excellent wireless earbuds slot neatly between its other Award winners, the wallet-friendly WF-C500 (which don't have ANC) and premium WF-1000XM5 (which are much more expensive).
They do a great job of bringing noise cancellation down to a more affordable price. The buds are small and lightweight, making them extra comfortable to wear. Battery life is competitive at seven and a half hours (15 hours including the charging case).
They lack aptX HD and LDAC but do have some other neat features. Adaptive Sound Control automatically switches listening modes depending on your location, and Sony's DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) upscales low-res digital audio files to higher quality. A software update has seen Bluetooth Multipoint also added so you can be connected to two devices simultaneously.
They sound superbly balanced too, with deep, detailed bass, expressive mids and engaging highs. They're a very musical listen for the money and a clear step up from the cheaper WF-C500.
Even more complex classical arrangements pose no problems for the WF-C700N. Testing them with Beethoven's Symphony No.5 in C Minor by Herbert von Karajan and the Philharmonia Orchestra, we found they nailed the piece’s dramatic opening. "The highs and lows, the string section’s descent into quiet troughs from where they rise into a stirring crescendo are all handled deftly. It requires solid timing and great organisation and the Sonys pass the test with flying colours. Impressive at this level."
Downsides? The charging case only provides one extra charge which seems a little harsh. But the superb sound and great features for an affordable price make these the best cheap noise-cancelling earbuds available.
Read the full Sony WF-C700N review
Best earbuds for battery life
If you're after a pair of cheap noise-cancelling earbuds with great battery life, these are the ones for you. Their eight-hour run time might not sound that special (it's only half an hour longer than the Sony WF-C700N's), but add in the extra 22 hours from the portable charging case, and you can see it's worth shouting about. The 30-hour total battery life is double that of the Sony WF-C700N. Say it loud.
But there's a lot more to them than just battery life. They have all the features you could wish for, including ANC, IPX5 water resistance, a thorough control app which offers some customisation, a good user experience, and a comfortable enough design. A few more ear tip options to help get the perfect fit wouldn't go amiss, though, but we're nitpicking by this point.
Touch controls are included at the top of each stem and you also have Multipoint Bluetooth so you can connect two sources simultaneously and switch between them on the fly.
The excellent sound quality is the icing on this cake, with the JBLs favouring a lively and entertaining sound. Bass weight is nicely judged and there's good extension there, too. Detail levels are excellent at this level, as are the dynamics on offer. As we wrote in our review: "If you’re looking for a solid and robust sound, then the JBL Live Pro 2 TWS deliver that and more. They’re not shy in coming forward, especially in the lower frequencies where there is plenty of power on tap."
If you're looking to make the step up from a cheap pair of earbuds and want an entertaining sound that outlasts its rivals, these JBLs have to be on your list.
Read the full JBL Live Pro 2 TWS review
Best for sport
The Elite 4 Active launched at £119, but can now be found around half price, which is phenomenal value for such well-specced earbuds.
They're small and light, which makes them extra comfortable – always good when they're being used for exercise. Despite the lack of fins or wings, the buds stay in place well during workouts, and their IP57 rating means they'll withstand full immersion in up to 1m of water for 30 minutes, while also being protected against dust. Good to know.
They're full to the brim with features. Bluetooth 5.2 means they're compatible with the SBC, AAC and aptX codecs, while also being able to pair with up to six devices. App controls come courtesy of the Sound+ app, which gives you five presets, a six-band equaliser, as well as control over the ANC and hear-through modes (the latter being how much of the outside world you allow in for more awareness of your surroundings, which could be useful when out exercising).
At 28 hours using the charging case, battery life is very healthy indeed, and up there with the best around. Which should last you a good few runs. And a 10-minute quick charge gets you an hour's use – more than enough for most exercise sessions.
Sonically, they're as energetic and upfront as you would expect, and that's a very good thing. But they're not all energy and no refinement. They're actually quite balanced through the frequency range, pushing the midrange without sacrificing detail, which makes them quite articulate.
Bass has plenty of body, and enough energy to keep you moving. "The Jabra snap into bass sounds with enthusiasm, but control their attack and decay quite well – so there’s convincing rhythmic expression and a fair sense of momentum to the recording," we wrote in our review.
"In ultimate terms the low end is a little short of fine detail, which means a little less variation than is absolutely ideal – but this is more of a trait than an outright flaw."
The top of the frequency range might threaten to overdo it, but it never does, remaining composed throughout. And while the soundstage can be a little tight, what it lacks in expansiveness it more than makes up for in detail.
Read the full Jabra Elite 4 Active review
Also consider
The best cheap noise-cancelling headphone alternatives we've tested:
Panasonic RZ-S500W: They might be getting on a bit now, but these wireless earbuds still pack a punch. Their audio is superb, noise cancelling first rate and their build quality second to none. What's even more impressive is that they were Panasonic's first stab at a pair of true wireless earbuds. We're getting impatient waiting for its second effort.
Earfun Air Pro: The Earfun Air were the first really affordable true wireless earbuds to earn five stars from us. These are essentially the same buds with added noise cancellation, which makes them well worth considering. It's just a shame Earfun's more recent headphones have gone a bit off the boil...
Lindy BNX-80: These are a tad pricier than the BNX-60, but add a hybrid mode that allows in outside sound. They're decent all-rounders with very good sound, a comfortable fit and impressive noise cancellation.
How to choose the best cheap noise-cancelling headphones for you
So, should you go wireless? In short, yes. It's more convenient, and sound quality has come on leaps and bounds in recent years, even if it doesn't yet compete with the wired alternatives for the same price. It will also give you much more choice – wired active noise-cancelling (ANC) pairs are becoming a rarity these days.
Most pairs with ANC feature microphones that cancel outside sound, and also those to let sound in, so you can be more aware of your surroundings or even have a chat without taking the headphones off. This 'ambient aware' mode (or 'talkthrough', as it's also known) was once the preserve of pricier pairs, but is now trickling down to the budget end of the market.
Some pairs also come with adjustable noise cancelling, either set by you to a certain level, or that adapts to your surroundings as they change. And Bluetooth Multipoint lets you pair with multiple devices and switch between them seamlessly, so you can go from listening to music on your phone to taking a Zoom call on your laptop without having to re-pair. Multipoint does feature on budget pairs, but adjustable ANC is usually reserved for more expensive models.
The big consideration is: in-ear or over-ear? The former are smaller and more pocketable, making them more suitable to exercise, while the latter's design – the fact that they tend to envelop your ears completely – makes for more effective noise-cancelling.
Battery life should also be a key factor. Budget pairs can't match their pricier counterparts, but you should still demand at least 20 hours to avoid having to plug in too often.
How we test noise-cancelling headphones
While we have state-of-the-art testing facilities, where our team of experienced, in-house reviewers tests the majority of hi-fi and AV kit that passes through our door, noise-cancelling headphones are different beasts that require use on-the-go in different environments.
Therefore, our noise-cancelling headphones reviewing process sees us use pairs in an office, on busy streets, on public transport and, when we can, even on a plane. We judge a pair's portability, comfort and battery life, and of course, sound quality is also key in forming our verdicts and star ratings. We also check the general build quality and design, how easy they are to use, the button layout, handsfree skills, water-resistance (if applicable), battery life... Basically, we check the manufacturer is telling the truth in terms of specs, and give you a thorough run-through of how they perform with a range of music, visual content like films, and calls.
As What Hi-Fi? is all about comparative testing, each pair we review is compared to the best in its price and style class – whether that's one standout pair or a few we favour the highest among the many models we listen to each year for reviews and What Hi-Fi? Awards judging. We keep class-leading products in our stockrooms so we can always compare new products to rival ones we know and love.
All review verdicts are agreed upon by the team rather than an individual reviewer to eliminate any personal preference and to make sure we're being as thorough as possible. There's no input from PR companies or our sales team when it comes to the verdict, and there never has been – we're proud of having delivered honest, unbiased reviews for nearly 50 years and counting, so you can trust we're giving you the best buying advice possible.
MORE:
These are the best headphone deals around
More to spend? The best wireless headphones you can buy
Sony WF-1000XM5 vs Sony WF-C700N: which five-star wireless earbuds reign supreme?
F.A.Q.
Are noise-cancelling headphones worth it?
We think so. If you want to block out background noise to really focus on what you're listening to – or just to enjoy some peace and quiet – noise-cancelling headphones are just the ticket. And as this list shows, they don't have to be expensive.
What are the best budget noise-cancelling headphones?
It depends what you're looking for. We rate the Sony WH-CH720N as the best all-rounders, meaning they'll be the best option for most people. But if you want earbuds instead of over-ear headphones, then the Sony WF-C700N are for you. Check our list and see which would suit you best.
Which are better, noise-cancelling earbuds or headphones?
In terms of pure noise cancellation, over-ear headphones are usually more effective, because they enclose your whole ear, providing another barrier to outside sounds. But you'd be surprised how much noise ANC earbuds can cancel. Generally speaking, over-ears give a fuller sound, but some people prefer earbuds' greater portability – just sling them in your pocket when you're done.
Is it ok to wear noise-cancelling headphones?
Yes! In fact, they could even protect your hearing. By cancelling outside noise, you can hear the music more clearly, so you don't have to turn up the volume as loud.
Recent updates
- 29th October 2024: Rewrote introduction to mention more models for context. Replaced Lindy BNX-60XT with Jabra Elite 4 Active in main list. Included a review quote for each model to illustrate sound quality. Expanded 'How to choose' and 'How we test' sections with more detail.
- 13th September 2024: Rewrote intro. Deleted duplicate headings in 'The Quick List'.
- 8th July 2024: Rewrote intro. Removed Jump Menu and Test Results tables, bolded advisory text in the How to Choose section and added an entry to the Q&A.
- 3rd May 2024: Changed to new Best Buy format. Removed Panasonic RZ-S500W and Earfun Air Pro from main list. Added new 'Also consider', 'Recent updates' and 'F.A.Q.' sections.
- 8th February 2024: Edited the introduction.
- 14th November 2023: Added Sony WH-CH720N.
- 19th May 2023: Added Sony WF-C700N and JBL Live Pro 2 TWS.
