There are few more exasperating first-world problems than crying babies, office chit–chat and transport engines disrupting your music. When listening through headphones, you want to enjoy your playlists and podcasts uninterrupted. That's where headphones with active noise cancellation (ANC) technology come in, blocking external sounds so that you can immerse yourself in your tunes.
Our in-house review experts have tested hundreds of pairs since the first ANC headphones from 'noise-cancelling king' Bose broke new ground three decades ago, and our picks below are class leaders at their various price points.
These aren't only sensational sound-blockers but also best-in-class performers in the sound quality department. Comparative testing is a big part of how we test noise-cancelling headphones: by keeping our favourite pairs on-site, we can compare every newcomer's performance against that of the leading competition.
Other criteria boxes that must be ticked are high levels of comfort and build quality, while bonus points go to pairs that offer cutting-edge features, such as Bluetooth Multipoint and spatial audio. Every pair on this page has impressed our expert reviewers in every department and represents the very best of its kind at its price.
The quick list
If you are after premium noise-cancelling headphones that tick every box, your auditioning should start with these Sony flagships.
Affordable wireless headphones that nail both sound and noise cancellation are rare, so consider these step-down Sonys very special.
Attractive design, balanced sound and, most importantly, class-leading ANC make for hugely appealing headphones.
The IO-8’s lofty price tag is justified by benchmark wireless performance and equally impressive ANC.
Want earbuds instead? These Sonys combine comfort, ANC and satisfying sound quality in a nicely affordable package.
While a little on the pricey side, Bose's flagships set the benchmark for noise-cancelling performance in earbuds.
Recent updates
February 2025: The Dali IO-8 replace the Mark Levinson No.5909 as our Best Audiophile pick, while the AirPods Max make way for the sound-blocking maestros, the Bose QC Ultra in the Best Premium category.
As the managing editor of What Hi-Fi?, with over a decade of audio reviewing experience, I've listened to hundreds of pairs of headphones, many of which have included active noise-cancelling technology. I'm a keen traveller, so I quickly learnt the value of ANC on trains and planes! While best-in-class sound quality is a huge priority when choosing the best noise-cancellers, so too is sound-blocking ability, as well as battery life and all-day comfort. To that end, you can rest assured that every pair below is an excellent all-rounder and class leader at its respective price.
Best noise-cancelling headphones overall
Sony's latest wireless noise-cancelling headphones are the best-value pair and our favourite overall, as their three consecutive What Hi-Fi? Awards attest to.
It can be tricky for a manufacturer to push the sound performance of a product consistently from generation to generation, but that is what Sony has managed to do with the WH-1000XM5 headphones.
When we saw the official pictures of the XM5, we were more than a bit surprised. We wondered whether it was sensible to give one of Sony’s biggest success stories in recent memory – the previous WH-1000XM4, which are still knocking around as cheaper alternatives – a major overhaul. But it paid off.
The Sony XM5 headphones might feel a little less classy than before, but the jump in sound quality from the previous generation is a big one and once again sees Sony sit at the top of the pile. As our expert in-house reviewers noted in our WH-1000XM5 review, "the WH-1000XM5 possess all the elements that have made the previous generations class-leaders at the money, including that effortlessly musical sound. But this latest generation manages to deliver even greater clarity and a more open presentation."
If you're looking for a new pair of wireless noise-cancelling over-ear headphones, your auditioning should start here.
Competition comparison
The more analytical and stylish B&W Px7 S2e are worth stretching to if budget allows, while the older Sony XM4 are still worth snapping up if you find the XM5 too pricey.
Wondering where Bose's rivals fit into all of this? The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones block sound better and are on level terms for sound quality, but they are significantly more expensive. For a long time, the closest Bose pair in price was the QuietComfort 45, which are not recommendable over the Sonys, but they have since been replaced by a seemingly modestly updated QuietComfort Headphones model.
Read our full Sony WH-1000XM5 review
Best cheap noise-cancelling headphones
The Sony WH-CH720N are the best over-ear ANC headphones we’ve tested at this more affordable level and have just scooped their second consecutive What Hi-Fi? Award.
As headphones go, our in-house reviews team was outright gobsmacked by how well they performed, both in our listening rooms and in the real world. Indeed, they matched – and at points, beat – significantly more expensive pairs in many areas.
The navy blue set we tested looked wonderfully unassuming, and while the WH-CH720N don’t fold or come with a carry case, as their more expensive sibling the Sony WH-1000XM5 (above) do, we found them surprisingly comfortable to wear.
Noise-cancelling performance is also excellent. While pricier pairs like Sony's XM5 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones offer undeniably more effective ANC, the WH-CH720N did manage to dampen background noise during morning commutes reliably – an achievement most affordable sets fail to manage.
The ANC also didn’t completely eat the WH-CH720N’s battery, with our reviews team generally getting a full week’s use out of them.
As a final perk, they also sound pretty darned good considering their price. With all our test music across multiple genres, the WH-CH720N delivered a confident and enthusiastic performance. "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 noted in our WH-CH720N review.
Our only minor qualm is that on a few occasions, the Sonys could deliver excessive bass, but at this price that’s hardly a deal breaker, and you can always adjust the balance in the companion app. In fact, if you like lots of bass and your budget sits somewhere between the WH-CH720N and XM5, you might want to check out Sony's brand-new, bass-boosted ULT Wear headphones.
Competition comparison
At this price, we haven't found another noise-cancelling pair that comes close to the WH-CH720N's all-round appeal. But if you want greater choice at the budget end of the market, check out our dedicated page for the best cheap noise-cancelling headphones. Alternatively, if you can go without ANC functionality, the Award-winning Austrian Audio Hi-X25BT sound better and don't cost much more.
Read our Sony WH-CH720N review
Best premium noise-cancelling headphones
Bose’s latest flagship over-ear headphones, released in October 2023, were a long time coming. Their predecessors, the now discontinued Noise-Cancelling Headphones 700, arrived way back in 2019 and their age was beginning to show. But the wait paid off. The new-era Ultra not only sport next-level noise-cancelling that betters even the Sony WH-1000XM5's capabilities but also deliver highly competitive sound that is as informative as it is entertaining.
The headline feature is Bose’s Immersive Audio technology, which is basically its take on spatial audio (a 3D audio effect Apple debuted in its AirPods Max). The general feeling during our review team's testing is that it works well for some tracks (and sounds better through the Ultra over-ears than the company's QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds) but can also sound off with others.
Make no mistake, everything else with the design absolutely lands. In our reviews team's initial weeks of testing, the Ultra did what Bose headphones do best: block sound remarkably well, "dramatically reducing background rumbles while out walking, and the sound of the London Underground during our daily commute", to borrow a quote from our QuietComfort Ultra review. A bonus: Bose’s CustomTune calibration automatically – and effectively – optimises the noise-cancelling effect to match your surroundings, so it'll intensify or be subtle when required.
In terms of sound quality, the Bose also prove their worth. We haven’t heard a pair of Bose over-ears sound as entertaining or refined for quite some time. "Highs and lows are painted with a sense of richness and refinement which we think will be hugely appealing to potential buyers," our experts said. Our experts listened to the Ultra against its closest rival, the Sony XM5, and concluded that the Sonys deliver greater transparency but at the expense of the Bose's richness and body. "It’s one of those that will come down to personal preference," we said.
Competition comparison
The AirPods Max are the best wireless headphones Apple users can buy for their iOS connectivity and Apple-centric features, while those with a little extra cash to splash should consider our audiophile pick below.
Read our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones review
See how they compare: Bose QC Ultra Headphones vs Sony WH-1000XM5
Best audiophile noise-cancelling headphones
There isn't a shortage of competition at this price level, despite how exorbitant some may find it. You have the Mark Levinson No.5909, which sat in this spot previously. Then there's the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 and Focal Bathys in our Also Consider list below, plus the AirPods Max above. But rising above them all are the Dali IO-8, which set the benchmark for not only sound quality but also noise-cancelling performance and premium build.
While the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (above) still block out sound more intensely than any other pair we've heard, the Dalis do the job better than most, reducing train and bus noises on our daily commute without giving you that unpleasant ‘suck-out’ feel.
They sound more musical and expressive, too. "They have plenty of punch, but it is also balanced by control and composure," reads our IO-8 review. "When it comes to rhythmic drive and dynamics in general, we have heard little at this level that can worry the IO-8." In fact, the only wireless pair we've come across that performs better is the T+A Solitaire T at £1200/$1600/AU$2160.
Elsewhere, the IO-8's features satisfy the price point, with aptX Adaptive Bluetooth support and a 30-hour battery life (with ANC on; 34 hours with ANC off) – there's no companion app, though. They are comfortable for the most part too, with a sensibly shaped headband and nicely judged padding on the earcups, although note that larger ears may not get onboard with the circular (as opposed to oblong) earpads.
We love the build quality, too. "They are nicely made and use a classy mix of metal, textile and high-quality leather to give a solid aura of luxury," noted our in-house reviews team.
Read our full Dali IO-8 review
Best cheap noise-cancelling earbuds
Looking for the best noise-cancelling earbuds as opposed to over-ears? Sony's excellent value WF-C700N slot neatly between its budget (non-noise-cancelling) WF-C510 and flagship (noise-cancelling) WF-1000XM5, both of which feature on our list of the best wireless earbuds overall. In fact, they have just taken the wireless headphone category's prestigious Product of the Year trophy at the What Hi-Fi? Awards 2024.
The C700N are nicely compact, but what is really impressive is how their lightweight design actually helps to make them even more comfortable than the more premium Sony XM5. They are supremely comfy and almost unbelievably well-made considering the price.
Sony's value buds do lack high-quality aptX HD and LDAC Bluetooth codec support, but crucially they do feature noise-cancelling technology. 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 truly impressive feature at this level. A software update has seen Bluetooth Multipoint also added so you can be connected to two devices simultaneously.
Best of all, Sony's knack for a sound profile that feels energetic yet nuanced and well-balanced is fully on display with the C700N; "it’s not just the weight, depth and solidity of the notes that impresses, it’s also the layers of detail the Sony uncovers and their ability to paint the notes with believable texture," our reviewers penned in our WF-C700N review. "There’s a fantastic sense of power and drive on display that grabs your attention and hooks you into the song." Ultimately, they are a very musical listen for the money and a clear sonic step up from the cheaper WF-C510, so you aren't just paying extra for ANC and a few added features.
The downsides? The charging case only provides one extra charge, which seems a little mean even at this modest price. Still, the superb sound and great feature set make these easy to recommend as some of the best Sony headphones available.
Competition comparison
We haven't come across a pair of ANC earbuds around this price tag that comes close to the Sony WF-C700N. The rival JBL Live Beam 3 offer equally effective ANC and sport a unique charging case, but they don't sound nearly as good. And both pairs of noise-cancelling AirPods, the AirPods 4 with ANC and AirPods Pro 2, cost at least twice as much.
Read our full Sony WF-C700N review
See how they compare to Sony's flagships: Sony WF-C700N vs Sony XM5
I haven't come across a pair of wireless earbuds that offers this much value for money for some time. They sound musical, mature, refined and detailed. In our WF-C700N review, we said that “there’s a fantastic sense of power and drive on display that grabs your attention and hooks you into the song”. They also boast impressive levels of comfort, 7.5 hours of battery life, a rechargeable carry case and, of course, that all-important noise-cancelling functionality.
Best premium noise-cancelling earbuds
The world's best premium noise-cancelling earbuds, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are more than just a new lick of paint over the QuietComfort Earbuds II they replace; they usher in a new 'Ultra' line of headphones with a revised design, new features and an improved sound.
Interesting is the addition of Immersive Audio, the company’s take on spatial audio technology. It essentially aims to get the sound 'out of your head' so that it feels more like you're listening to a pair of stereo speakers than a pair of headphones. Its ambition is impressive, though we found it a little hit-and-miss during testing so it isn't, in our minds, an imperative feature.
We’d be worried if the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds weren’t competitive on the ANC front, mind you, given Bose's history in the field. Thankfully and not at all surprisingly, we can confirm they’re still arguably the class leaders in this department. They’re able to effectively silence even the noisiest environments, whether it's the rumble of heavy machinery as you walk past a building site or the loud chatter and sound system of a crowded pub.
As for sound quality, Bose has stayed true to the character it settled on years ago. "There’s a familiar richness and fullness to the sound," explains our QC Ultra Earbuds review, "but the new buds have a bit more of a skip in their step... they sound a touch punchier and a little clearer in their delivery." A welcome move indeed.
Competition comparison
It's a tough call between the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds vs Sony WF-1000XM5. The Sonys take the What Hi-Fi? 2024 Award at this price point for their more impressive feature set and an analytical sound we just about preferred over the Boses' more energetic, fun one. But the Boses are more comfortable and do have more comprehensive noise-cancelling technology, making them more attractive to those who prioritise ANC.
Other serious competitors in this competitive space are the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 and, if you have more to spend, the better-sounding (and also Award-winning) Bowers & Wilkins Pi8.
Read our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds review
See more choice with our full list of the best noise-cancelling earbuds
Immersive Audio is Bose’s take on spatial audio; it works with any stereo music to try to add a layer of extra spatialisation to the sound. While we’re not 100 per cent sold on the technology, we would still suggest it’s worth having a play with to hear the effects for yourself. It should work out of the box, and there is an option to recalibrate the headphones should the mode sound completely out of sorts. Head to the main menu then select Immersive Audio to have a listen.
Also consider
- Mark Levinson No.5909: While recently knocked off the top spot by the Dali IO-8, these Mark Levinsons remain excellent alternatives at that premium price tag – not least if you want LDAC Bluetooth support and/or a better battery life.
- Sony WF-1000XM5: While the premium Bose earbuds boast the best ANC we have ever come across in a pair of buds, these Sonys come very close to their sound-blocking ability and offer a slightly more insightful sound. They're more affordable than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds too.
- Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e: Stylish Sony WH-1000XM5 alternatives. They're considerably more visually striking in our eyes and just about take the edge when it comes to sonic insight. The complete portable headphones package, inside and out. We simply find the cheaper Sonys better value when it comes down to the wire.
- JBL Live Beam 3: More features and customisation than the Sony WF-C700N, though they don't have their rivals' level of precision, agility or dynamics. Easy to recommend if you’re after decent sound, the latest tech and a unique charging case. Want sportier ANC buds? Check out the newly reviewed and recommendable Sony LinkBuds Fit.
- Bowers & Wilkins Pi8: Better-sounding Bose QuietComfort Ultra alternatives and real contenders for class-leading status at this ultra-competitive end of the market. They don't block high-frequency sound quite as well as the Bose do, though.
- Technics EAH-AZ100: Bose QC Ultra Earbuds alternatives. With a Bose-bothering ANC performance and a Sony-bothering sound performance, these Technics are true contenders in the ultra-competitive premium market.
- Want more affordable options? Here are the best cheap noise-cancelling headphones
How to choose the best noise-cancelling headphones for you
Noise-cancelling tends to go hand in hand with wireless Bluetooth connectivity; you'll find few wired ANC pairs these days, which is logical considering noise-cancelling is associated with portability. Indeed, it's one of the key differences between wireless and wired headphones. That wireless/ANC combination gives you both the freedom of no wires and the isolation to block out sound on the go.
Most pairs of ANC (active noise-cancelling) headphones not only include microphones to cancel out external sound but also to allow for chatting with friends and family, or for those video meetings that are all the rage these days.
The two most important things to consider are whether having different levels of ANC is important to you or whether you want an over-ear or in-ear pair. The best noise-cancelling over-ears tend to isolate you pretty substantially, while the effect is certainly noticeable but generally less severe in earbuds. Both styles offer ANC for affordable prices below £100 / $100 / AU$150 these days, though.
Some pairs simply allow you to switch ANC on or off, which is fine if you're listening to them on a train or plane. Other models, however, give you greater flexibility and the ability to adjust the intensity of the noise cancellation effect in a companion app based on the scenario you are using them in. (Some can even do this automatically.) You might also want to allow external noise through if you're using them in traffic-heavy areas, so most ANC headphones today feature a 'Transparency Mode' that, when activated, temporarily allows for just that.
Another increasingly popular feature of wireless noise-cancelling headphones to look out for is Bluetooth Multipoint, which lets you connect more than one device to your headphones at the same time, allowing you to, for example, listen to music through your laptop but seamlessly switch over to your phone when a call comes in.
You should also note the Bluetooth codec support of your phone or other source device and look for that same support in your noise-cancelling headphones – if they both support, say, LDAC or aptX HD, you will benefit from more efficient wireless transmission and therefore better sound quality.
Battery life with ANC activated is pretty decent across the board nowadays, with 30 hours offered by many over-ear headphones and 20+ hours by in-ear earbuds.
How we test noise-cancelling headphones
While we have state-of-the-art testing facilities where our in-house team of experienced reviewers test the majority of hi-fi and AV kit that passes through our door, noise-cancelling headphones are of course different beasts – their testing requires everyday use on the go in different (and yes, noisy!) environments.
Therefore, we test noise-cancelling pairs in an office, amidst street noise, on public transport and, when we can, even on a plane. We judge every pair on its ANC effectiveness as well as its design portability, comfort levels and battery life, and naturally sound quality is king in forming our verdicts and star ratings too.
As a crucial part of What Hi-Fi?'s comprehensive testing process is 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 most among the many models we listen to each year for reviews and during the 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 and see how they perform contextually in the market. Only the very best performers in the ever-crowded market appear on this page.
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, too. There's no input from PR companies or our sales team when it comes to the verdict, with What Hi-Fi? proud of having delivered honest, unbiased reviews for decades.
Read more about how we test and review headphones at What Hi-Fi?.
F.A.Q.
Which headphones block out the most noise?
Thankfully, this one is relatively easy. Our current pick as the best noise-cancelling headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM5 – which you will find at number one in our list on this very page – offer great active noise-cancelling performance. Partner that with excellent sound, a good fit and decent build, and that's why we think they're the best option for most people. Unlike some features, i.e. sound quality, it's not the case that you can spend more and more for better and better performance. If noise-cancelling is your key concern, you can be more than content with these Sonys.
Is noise-cancelling worth it in headphones?
Yes, we certainly think so. If you spend any time listening to music (or podcasts) in a loud environment, then noise-cancelling is a real game-changer. ANC is the difference between being able to hear the heated discussion on your radio show, and simply not being able to – or having to turn the volume up and up in order to hear it clearly. And it's the same for music. So for noise offices, loud trains, or just busy households, we're serious fans of the noise-cancelling technology.
Do 100% noise-cancelling headphones exist?
In a word, no. But almost. You'll be hard-pressed to find headphones capable of blocking out absolutely all noise-cancelling headphones but the best over-ear models (which are on this list), will block out a huge amount of outside noise. This ANC tech alongside a good, over-ear noise-isolating fit for the headphone cups (more on that below), will ensure only the loudest and closest noises penetrate your sonic cocoon.
What is the difference between noise cancelling and noise blocking headphones?
Active noise cancelling (ANC) technology means your headphones have tiny microphones on the outer housing of the headphones that listen to the noise around you and quickly create an artificial sonic mirror image of that external sound. If you produce one sound wave with the same amplitude but opposite phase, you get something called an antiphase. Added together, the two sounds cancel each other out. The result? Silence (or near enough). Clever, eh? You can read a more detailed explanation on our page about how active noise-cancelling technology works.
Can noise cancelling headphones damage your ears?
Noise-cancelling headphones specifically will not damage your ears or give you tinnitus. This damage happens if you listen to music at high volume for extended periods of time – and we tend to be referring to sound levels found in clubs, bars and other music venues. But certainly, like with any headphones, you shouldn't listen at loud volumes for a long time. However, if anything, noise-cancelling headphones will allow you to listen at lower volumes, as you don't need to turn the volume up to counter outside noise.
Recent updates
- January 2025: Having just been announced and reviewed by our reviews team, the Technics EAH-AZ100 premium earbuds make our Also Consider section as worthy alternatives to the Bose buds in this list.
- December 2024: We've added the newly reviewed Sony LinkBuds Fit as an Also Consider pick for those who want ANC earbuds with a sportier fit. A new Today's best deals section has also been added so you can see the current best price for our top picks in one place.
- November 2024: Our newly crowned What Hi-Fi? Awards 2024 winners in the headphones field have been labelled as such, including our 'Product of the Year' Sony WF-C700N ANC earbuds.
- September 2024: Fresh from their five-star review, Bowers & Wilkins' Pi8 earbuds make our Also Consider list as better-sounding alternatives to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, which still have the edge in ANC ability. And while the just-tested Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are some of the best buds the brand has made, they aren't class leaders.
- August 2024: Despite their fanfare, the premium Dyson OnTrac over-ears fall short of making this list. The feature-packed JBL Live Beam 3 earbuds fare better, though, making our Also Consider list.
- July 2024: No new entries this time, with the newly reviewed and highly anticipated Sonos Ace disappointingly falling short of their AirPods Max rivals.
- May 2024: No new entries this time, but the just-announced Sonos Ace look very promising. Could they replace the AirPods Max in this list? We'll find out very shortly.
- April 2024: No new entries due to no new class leaders emerging, despite plenty of new headphones reviews, including Sennheiser Accentum Plus Wireless and Cambridge Audio Melomania M100.
- March 2024: Added an 'also consider' section (above) to give readers more choice if they need it.
- January 2024: Replaced the Focal Bathys with the Mark Levinson No. 5909 as our best premium over-ear noise-cancelling headphones, due to a drop in price for the Mark Levinson headphones.
- December 2023: Replaced the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II with the new Bose QuietComfort Ultra.
- August 2023: Added the Sony WH-CH720N headphones as our affordable option, replacing the Lindy BNX-60.
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