The perfect noise-canceling headphones for 2025

Whether or not you are working in a loud workplace, commuting on a packed practice or simply attempting to focus at residence, a great pair of noise-canceling headphones could make all of the distinction. The perfect noise-canceling headphones block out distractions and allow you to get pleasure from your music, podcasts or calls in peace — all whereas delivering nice sound high quality and all-day consolation. From fashions with plush cushions to wi-fi cans with a great deal of additional options, there’s one thing right here for each fashion and finances.

Desk of contents

Finest noise-canceling headphones of 2025

Billy Steele for Engadget

Connectivity: Bluetooth | ANC sort: Hybrid Adaptive | Customizable ANC: Sure | Max battery life with ANC: 30 hours | Transparency mode: Sure | Weight: 254 grams | Collapsible: No (ear cups swivel flat however don’t fold inward)

Learn our full Sony WH-1000XM6 review

Sony’s 1000X line has been our high choose for greatest wi-fi headphone for a very long time now. That is nonetheless true. Nonetheless, though the corporate packs in plenty of premium options alongside glorious sound high quality, the M6 sits just under Bose when it comes to pure ANC skills. With the WH-1000XM6, Sony subtly redesigned its flagship headphones, making them far more comfy to put on for lengthy durations of time. This is a crucial issue to think about when buying over-ear headphones. We additionally observed in our assessments that the corporate made noticeable enhancements to the energetic noise cancellation, due to a brand new QN3 chip. There are actually 12 whole ANC mics as effectively – the earlier mannequin solely had eight. This all combines to higher block background noise at medium and excessive frequencies, together with human voices.

The M6 additionally has improved sound high quality, due to new drivers, some assist from mastering engineers and spatial audio upmixing. Its battery life stays the identical 30 hours as its predecessor, which is greater than sufficient to get you thru a number of days of labor or lengthy worldwide flights. Communicate-to-Chat nonetheless reduces quantity and prompts ambient sound while you discuss and the M6 can mechanically change noise settings primarily based in your location or exercise. The one actual draw back is that they’re $50 greater than the WH-1000XM5 at full value ($450).

Professionals

• Improved sound
• Higher ANC efficiency
• Tons of helpful options
• Supremely comfortable

Cons

• Worth has elevated once more
• Communicate-to-Chat nonetheless wants work
• Name high quality suffers in loud environments

$458 at Macy’s

Photograph by Billy Steele / Engadget

Connectivity: Bluetooth | ANC sort: Hybrid | Customizable ANC: Sure | Max battery life with ANC: 35 hours | Transparency mode: Sure | Weight: 192 grams | Collapsible: No (ear cups swivel flat however don’t fold inward)

Learn our full Sony WH-CH720N review

The WH-CH720N gained’t win any design awards with these over-ear headphones, however what you get for the worth is effectively price some aesthetic sacrifices. Because of their all-plastic building, the CH720N are tremendous light-weight and comfortable, permitting you to put on them for hours at a time. The ANC isn’t as strong in these finances headphones as that in dearer headphones, but it surely’s above common for merchandise on this value vary. Toss in customizability and a helpful transparency mode, and also you’ve received a strong gadget that prices solely $150 — and commonly goes for round $100.

Along with first rate noise discount for a small funding, the CH720N has 35-hour battery life, bodily controls, DSEE upscaling and Sony’s 360 Actuality Audio. You may also alter each the EQ and the extent of ambient sound. Plus, the corporate’s ever-present Adaptive Sound Management can mechanically swap the sound settings primarily based in your exercise or location. Final however not least, the general sound high quality is basically spectacular for headphones at this value. There’s loads of element and subtlety within the audio; you possibly can actually hear the gritty texture of distorted guitars and near-pristine acoustic devices.

Professionals

• Affordably priced
• Light-weight and comfortable
• Nice sound high quality
• Some helpful options

Cons

• ANC struggles in sure environments
• Numerous plastic
• No automated pausing
• Superior options reserved for pricier fashions

$150 at Amazon

Billy Steele for Engadget

Connectivity: Bluetooth | ANC sort: Adaptive | Customizable ANC: No | Max battery life with ANC: 30 hours | Transparency mode: Sure | Weight: 300 grams | Collapsible: No (ear cups swivel flat however don’t fold inward)

Learn our full Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 review

In the event you search to pair glorious sound high quality with succesful ANC efficiency, the Px7 S3 are the most suitable choice. Positive, you’ll find extra spectacular noise-blocking skills elsewhere, however if you need pristine audio as effectively, Bowers & Wilkins is the best way to go. An adaptive ANC setup makes use of eight microphones to seize undesirable noise and mechanically alter to any adjustments. 40mm dynamic full-range bio cellulose drivers pipe in balanced tuning that gives you with the best element of any track.

You’ll additionally stand up to 30 hours of battery life with ANC enabled, though you’ll in all probability surpass that determine. Plus, helpful instruments like transparency mode, multipoint Bluetooth and an adjustable EQ cowl the fundamentals on the Px7 S3. You gained’t discover extra superior options than these, however what Bowers & Wilkins does provide right here is finely tuned and punctiliously polished.

Professionals

• Wonderful sound high quality
• Cozy match
• Subtle design

Cons

• Costly
• Awkward button places
• An absence of superior options

$479 at Amazon

Photograph by Billy Steele / Engadget

Connectivity: Bluetooth | ANC sort: Hybrid Adaptive | Customizable ANC: Sure | Max battery life with ANC: 60 hours | Transparency mode: Sure | Weight: 292.9 grams | Collapsible: No (ear cups swivel flat however don’t fold inward)

Learn our full Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless review

Positive, there are headphones that can last more than Sennheiser’s Momentum 4 Wireless, however they don’t provide the combo of nice battery life, ANC and good sound high quality you’ll discover right here. On this mannequin, the corporate made huge enhancements to its energetic noise cancellation, catching as much as rivals like Bose and Sony. Particularly, the ANC on the Momentum 4 handles fixed distractions extra successfully than earlier fashions within the sequence.

I don’t take care of the design Sennheiser introduced on the Momentum 4 as the corporate ditched what was a fairly novel search for one thing far more generic and plastic. Nonetheless, the change comes with the bonus of elevated consolation. You’ll additionally get glorious sound high quality, in truth, it’s among the greatest you’ll discover in wi-fi headphones. There’s noticeable depth to the audio profile with a large soundstage that enhances all genres. You would possibly even uncover finer particulars you beforehand missed. And, after all, its 60 hours of battery life with ANC on is double what plenty of flagship headphones provide nowadays.

Professionals

• Spectacular 60-hour battery life
• Higher ANC efficiency
• Nice sound high quality
• Improved consolation

Cons

• Pinch gesture feels pointless
• Standout design is gone
• Auto on/off wants work

$250 at Macy’s

How to decide on the perfect noise-canceling headphones for you

Design

Once you’re purchasing for the perfect wi-fi headphones, the very first thing you’ll must resolve on is put on fashion. Do you like on-ear or over-ear headphones? For the needs of this information, I give attention to the over-ear fashion as that’s what most noise-canceling headphones are these days. Positive, you’ll find on-ear fashions with ANC, however over-ear, energetic noise-canceling headphones are far more efficient at blocking outdoors sounds since your ears are fully coated.

For avid gamers, there are additionally gaming headsets that function noise cancellation — some even have removable microphones, to allow them to double as over-ear headphones. Nonetheless, for the aim of this text, we’re solely going to be specializing in noise-canceling headphones reasonably than headsets. Search for fashions with a snug headband and reminiscence foam ear cups to make sure you can put on them for lengthy durations with out discomfort.

Many headphones additionally include a variety of shade choices, so if aesthetics matter to you, you’ll discover loads of selections past simply black or white. Whether or not you’re in search of one thing impartial or a daring pop of shade, manufacturers now provide a wide range of kinds to match your private style.

Lastly, when you’re planning to put on your headphones for lengthy durations of time, it’s vital to select a mannequin with a snug match. Reminiscence foam ear cups, an adjustable headband, and light-weight supplies could make all of the distinction throughout prolonged listening periods. In any case, nice sound is simply a part of the equation; consolation issues simply as a lot.

Sort of noise cancellation

Subsequent, you’ll wish to have a look at the kind of ANC a set of headphones gives. You’ll come throughout phrases like “hybrid energetic noise cancellation” or “hybrid adaptive energetic noise cancellation,” and there are key variations between the 2. A hybrid ANC setup makes use of microphones on the within and on the skin of the gadget to detect outdoors noise and cancel it out. By analyzing enter from each mics, a hybrid system can fight extra sounds than “common” ANC, but it surely does so at a relentless stage that doesn’t change.

Adaptive ANC takes the hybrid configuration a step additional by repeatedly adjusting the noise cancellation for adjustments in your surroundings and any leakage across the padding of the ear cups. Adaptive noise-canceling additionally does a greater job with wind noise, which may actually kill your vibe whereas utilizing headphones open air. Some high-end headphones additionally help Dolby Atmos, which boosts spatial audio and makes all the pieces from music to motion pictures sound extra immersive. For the needs of this greatest headphones checklist, I’m solely contemplating merchandise with hybrid ANC or adaptive ANC setups as a result of these are the simplest at blocking noise and enhancing your total listening expertise.

Customization

You’ll additionally wish to test to see if the ANC system on a potential set of headphones gives adjustable ranges of noise cancellation or presets. These may help you dial within the quantity of ANC you want for numerous environments, however it may well additionally assist you save battery life. Grasp & Dynamic, for instance, has ANC presets that present each most noise blocking and extra environment friendly cancellation that’s extra vitality environment friendly. Different corporations could embrace a slider of their companion apps that allow you to alter the ANC stage to your liking. Some high-end fashions even assist you to fine-tune the ANC for particular sorts of environments.

How we take a look at noise-canceling headphones

The first means we take a look at headphones is to put on them as a lot as attainable. I choose to do that over a one-to-two-week interval, however generally deadlines don’t permit it. Throughout this time, I hearken to a mixture of music and podcasts, whereas additionally utilizing the headphones to take each voice and video calls.

Since battery life for headphones may be 30 hours or extra, I drain the battery with looping music and the quantity set at a snug stage (normally round 75 p.c). As a result of longer battery estimates, I’ll sometimes energy the headphones off a number of instances and go away them that means throughout a assessment. This simulates real-world use and retains me from having to always monitor the method for over 24 straight hours.

To check ANC efficiency particularly, I exploit headphones in a wide range of environments, from noisy espresso outlets to quiet residence places of work. When my schedule permits, I exploit them throughout air journey since aircraft noise is a large distraction to each work and leisure. Even when I can’t hop on a flight, I’ll simulate a relentless roar with white noise machines, toilet followers, vacuums and extra. I additionally make be aware of how effectively every gadget blocks human voices, that are a key stumbling block for lots of ANC headphones.

ANC-related options are one thing else to think about. Right here, I do an intensive assessment of companion apps, testing every function as I work via the software program. Any holdovers from earlier fashions are double checked for enhancements or regression. If the headphones I’m testing are an up to date model of a earlier mannequin, I’ll spend time getting reacquainted with the older set. Ditto for the closest competitors for every new set of headphones that I assessment.

Different noise-canceling headphones we examined

AirPods Max

Apple’s AirPods Max are premium, well-designed over-ear headphones that incorporate all the greatest options you discover on normal AirPods: strong noise cancellation, spatial audio and straightforward Siri entry. Nonetheless, their $550 beginning value makes them virtually prohibitively costly, even for Apple customers. There are higher choices out there at decrease costs, however when you can choose up the AirPods Max at a steep low cost, they is likely to be worthwhile for the largest Apple followers amongst us.

Dyson On-Trac

The On-Trac headphones have an virtually infinitely customizable design, and that’s what’s most unusual about them. The sound profile gives some good element, however lacks dynamic vary total. ANC is common at greatest and there aren’t any superior options that can make your life simpler. Nicely, apart from the listening to well being monitor, which is definitely helpful. All instructed, that’s not rather a lot for a set of $500 headphones.

Sonos Ace

The Sonos Ace is a superb debut for the corporate’s first headphones. The mix of refined design, nice sound high quality and residential theater methods creates a novel system. Nonetheless, ANC efficiency is simply okay and key performance continues to be within the works for a lot of customers.

Sony ULT Put on

If most headphones don’t have the extent of bass you need, the ULT Wear is an possibility to think about. The low-end thump isn’t for everybody, however there are additionally loads of helpful options and a refined look to make the $200 set extra compelling than many on this value vary.

Beats Studio Professional

The Studio Pro lacks primary options like automated pausing, and multipoint connectivity is simply out there on Android. Furthermore, they’re not very comfy for individuals with bigger heads. Total sound high quality is improved, although, and voice efficiency on calls is effectively above common.

Grasp & Dynamic MH40 (2nd gen)

The MH40 are a fantastic set of headphones when you favor crisp, clear and pure sound that isn’t overly tuned. This pair showcases the corporate’s affinity for leather-based and steel too, however restricted customization and brief battery life for non-ANC cans saved this set from making the lower.

Bowers & Wilkins Px8

The corporate’s trademark pristine sound is on show right here, however the Px8 is dearer and never almost as comfy because the Px7 S3.

Noble Audio FoKus Apollo

Whereas this is my high choose for total sound high quality in our fundamental information to the best wireless headphones, the ANC efficiency is much less spectacular than the Px7 S3. Bowers & Wilkins will get the nod right here for its improved noise cancellation over the Px7 S2 and Px7 S2e, and its total glorious audio high quality.

Noise-canceling headphones FAQs

Does noise cancellation block all noise?

Noise cancellation doesn’t block out all noise, although it does drastically scale back the quantity of most exterior sounds.

Is there a distinction between wired vs wi-fi noise-canceling headphones?

By way of sound high quality, in case you have two headphones — one wired and one wi-fi — with comparable specs, the distinction goes to be very minimal. Nonetheless, wi-fi headphones provide extra comfort, permitting you to maneuver round extra freely along with your headphones on, which is why they typically function noise cancellation to reduce exterior sounds.

Does noise cancellation influence sound high quality?

ANC does bear some weight on sound high quality, however the influence of this typically doesn’t outweigh the advantages. Noise cancellation reduces ambient noise, permitting a higher give attention to audio element. For audiophiles, nonetheless, there could also be a small distinction in sound constancy when ANC is turned on.