The world is a noisy place, folks. Crying babies, office chit–chat, the engines of trains, planes and automobiles, and the seemingly ever-present screeches of roadside construction – they all interrupt music listening. Thankfully, there's a solution: headphones with active noise cancellation (ANC).
The best noise-cancelling headphones help isolate you from disruptive noise around you, ensuring you can enjoy your playlists and podcasts uninterrupted.
Since the first ANC headphones from Bose (the 'noise cancelling kings') surfaced three decades ago, our in-house reviews team has tested hundreds of pairs and can satisfyingly report that the rise in sound-blocking functionality in the wireless headphone market has gone hand in hand with a rise in quality. Not only can they cancel out almost every background noise, but sound performance is also improving, while smart functionality such as voice control, Bluetooth Multipoint and spatial audio is arriving on the scene too.
While ANC and sound performance top our testing criteria here, such supplementary features, battery life and comfort are also crucial considerations during our thorough testing process. Comparative testing is a big part of how we test noise-cancelling headphones too: we keep our favourite pairs on-site so that every newcomer can be put directly against the best-in-class competition. That way, you know you're getting a true winner.
Indeed, every pair on this page has been rigorously reviewed by our in-house testing team and represents the best of its kind at its price point.
After in-ears specifically? Check out our expert best noise-cancelling earbuds picks instead.
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, wonderful sound and solid ANC make for hugely appealing headphones – especially for Apple users.
The No. 5909’s lofty price tag is justified by benchmark wireless performance, very decent ANC and a newly reduced price.
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
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.
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 modest update, simply the 'QuietComfort Headphones'.
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
When Apple released its first over-ear headphones in 2020, they were priced above the current crop of premium wireless ANC models – your Sony WH-XM (above), your Bose QuietComforts and your Sennheiser Momentums, for example. Thankfully, the AirPods Max justified their extra expense with superior sound quality, not to mention a gorgeous design and (then-unique) spatial audio support. "There’s a degree of clarity and energy that even the Sonys can’t match, and they sound more engaging and authentic," our in-house experts noted in our AirPods Max review.
In the four years since, pricier pairs have surfaced, no doubt given the green light by the AirPods Max's arrival (one such pair can be found below!). But for the money – and especially if you can get a deal on them – the AirPods Max are still hugely recommendable – particularly for Apple users who will be able to benefit from certain features like spatial audio for music and movies, and the ability to connect to two Apple devices at once. They will work with non-Apple products using standard Bluetooth 5.0, but you’ll miss out on some of those unique features.
Their 20-hour battery life is pretty scanty compared to many rivals who offer 30 hours or more, and the supplied case is pretty redundant, but otherwise it is hard to find fault with the Max – they look good, sound good and block noise well.
Now, Apple did refresh its AirPods Max in September 2024... but only lightly. The new model simply swapped the Lightning connector for a USB-C one and introduced new colourways, so you can hardly call them proper 'AirPods Max 2' sequels.
Competition comparison
Assuming you are a keen Apple user, the AirPods Max remain the best wireless headphones you can buy. Their sonic authenticity, detail, crispness and spaciousness elevate them above the previous crop of noise-cancelling over-ears that we all deemed 'premium' and warrant their comparatively loftier price tag.
We would, however, be hesitant to recommend them to Android users, who might wish to look to the five-star Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones or Mark Levinson No.5909 (below), both worthy ANC alternatives.
Read our Apple AirPods Max review
See how they compare: Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Apple AirPods Max
Best audiophile noise-cancelling headphones
The aesthetic of these high-end wireless noise-cancelling headphones might not be to everyone's taste, but their build quality and performance are nothing short of remarkable.
The Mark Levinson No. 5909 perform substantially better than the class-leading crop of slightly cheaper (but still very premium) competition – think the Apple AirPods Max (above) and Focal Bathys – and for not much extra now that they have been reduced from their original £999/$999/AU$1599 RRP.
"If we hadn’t unboxed the Levinsons and gone through the simple Bluetooth pairing process ourselves, we would have been tempted to check for any wires dangling from the earcups," notes our No. 5909 review. That's how surprisingly strong their sound quality is. While the No. 5909’s performance is still short of the best available from similarly priced wired headphones, it’s easily among the best wireless headphones performance we’ve heard. In fact, the only wireless pair we've come across that performs better is the T+A Solitaire T at £1200/$1600/AU$2160.
The Mark Levinsons physically block sound better than most noise-cancelling pairs due to their substantial build and solid-yet-satisfactory clamp force, and we admire the consistency of their sonic character and quality when ANC is on and off – not by any means a given for noise-cancelling wireless headphones.
For anyone who is after the convenience of wireless and ANC without sacrificing too much sound quality, the No.5909 are highly recommendable.
Read our full Mark Levinson No. 5909 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
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
- Focal Bathys: If style is important to you, Focal's premium ANC Bluetooth over-ear headphones are great alternatives to the Mark Levinson and AirPods Max picks on this page. They have a compellingly big, spacious, clear and full-bodied sound, coupled with a gorgeous design and the bonus of high-quality aptX Adaptive Bluetooth and USB-C wired listening.
- 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 too.
- Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e: Worth considering if you have a bigger budget than the Sony WH-1000XM5 on this page demand. They're considerably more stylish in our eyes and 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.
- 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.
- 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?.
Recent updates
- 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.
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.