Best Noise-cancelling Headphones

Last Update: April 25, 2024

Sennheiser Accentum Plus

90%

PROS:

CONS:

Sony ULT Wear

81%

PROS:

CONS:

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

88%

PROS:

CONS:

Apple AirPods Max

82%

PROS:

  • Adaptive EQ and Spatial audio
    pcmag.com
  • Great noise cancellation
    techradar.com
  • Spatial audio virtual surround for iPhones and iPads is a sweet bonus feature
    cnet.com

CONS:

  • No user-adjustable EQ
    pcmag.com
  • Expensive, heavy and the smart case may be too smart for its own good
    cnet.com
  • No cable included for wired use
    cnet.com

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

83%

PROS:

CONS:

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

80%

Anker Soundcore Life Q30

76%

Sennheiser ACCENTUM Wireless

83%

Beats Studio Buds +

80%

PROS:

  • Deep bass and crisp highs
    pcmag.com
  • Excellent noise cancellation for the price
    pcmag.com
  • Easy iOS integration and support for Google Fast Pair
    pcmag.com

CONS:

Urbanista Los Angeles

80%

PROS:

CONS:

  • No in-app EQ
    pcmag.com
  • Noise cancellation slightly impacts sound signature
    pcmag.com
  • Noise cancellation slightly impacts sound signature
    pcmag.com

Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC

80%

PROS:

  • Commendable noise cancellation for the price
    pcmag.com
  • Potent bass depth with bright highs
    pcmag.com
  • Capable companion app includes EQ
    pcmag.com

CONS:

  • Default sound signature has noticeable sculpting
    pcmag.com
  • Average water-resistance rating
    pcmag.com
  • Default sound signature has noticeable sculpting
    pcmag.com

Sony WH-1000XM5

92%

PROS:

  • Upgraded driver and DAC yield improved sound and better dynamic range
    techhive.com
  • More comfortable, smaller, and lighter than the previous generation
    techhive.com
  • More comfortable, smaller, and lighter than the previous generation
    techhive.com

CONS:

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

90%

PROS:

  • Active Aware feature blends noise cancellation and transparency modes
    pcmag.com
  • Fit Kit ear tips and stabilizer system gets you a secure, comfortable fit
    cnet.com
  • Slightly improved voice-calling
    cnet.com

CONS:

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) With MagSafe Charging Case (USB‑C)

90%

PROS:

  • Rich, well-balanced audio performance
    pcmag.com
  • Excellent active noise cancellation
    pcmag.com
  • Conversation Aware feature adjusts your music volume when you speak
    pcmag.com

CONS:

Bowers & Wilkins PX8

90%

PROS:

CONS:

Focal Bathys

85%

PROS:

CONS:

Sony WH-CH720N headphones

80%

PROS:

CONS:

1More Sonoflow

90%

PROS:

CONS:

Beats Studio Pro

80%

PROS:

  • Improved sound quality, noise canceling and ear pad design
    cnet.com
  • Spatial audio with head tracking for Apple users
    cnet.com
  • USB-C audio
    cnet.com

CONS:

Sony CH-720N

80%

PROS:

CONS:

Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C)

91%

PROS:

  • Powered by Apple's H2 chip
    cnet.com
  • Well-designed controls and now dust-resistant
    cnet.com
  • Charging case has U1 chip and built-in speaker for Find My
    cnet.com

CONS:

  • Still no XL ear tips
    cnet.com
  • Still no XL ear tips
    cnet.com
  • No support for high-resolution audio with other Apple devices except headset
    cnet.com

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd-gen, 2022, Lightning)

90%

PROS:

CONS:

Google Pixel Buds Pro

80%

PROS:

CONS:

EarFun Free Pro 3

90%

PROS:

CONS:

Wyze Labs Wyze Noise-Cancelling Headphones

90%

PROS:

CONS:

  • 1/4-inch and airline adapters not provided
    techhive.com
  • Tiny degradation in frequency response when using active noise cancellation
    techhive.com
  • Tiny degradation in frequency response when using active noise cancellation
    techhive.com

Anker Soundcore Space Q45

90%

PROS:

CONS:

Mark Levinson No. 5909 noise-cancelling headphone

80%

PROS:

  • Bluetooth 5.1 with support for LDAC, AptX Adaptive, and AAC codecs
    techhive.com
  • Bluetooth 5.1 with support for LDAC, AptX Adaptive, and AAC codecs
    techhive.com
  • Premium materials and build quality
    techhive.com

CONS:

Bowers & Wilkins Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e

90%

PROS:

CONS:

  • ANC prowess still lags Bose and Sony
    techhive.com
  • Still no support for surround sound formats like Dolby Atmos
    techhive.com
  • Not as flashy as the competition from Bose and Sony
    techhive.com