The perfect noise-canceling headphones for 2025

Whether or not you are working in a loud workplace, commuting on a packed prepare or simply making an attempt to focus at house, a very good pair of noise-canceling headphones could make all of the distinction. The perfect noise-canceling headphones block out distractions and allow you to take pleasure in 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 further options, there’s one thing right here for each model and funds.

Desk of contents

Greatest noise-canceling headphones of 2025

Billy Steele for Engadget

Connectivity: Bluetooth | ANC kind: 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. Nevertheless, despite the fact that the corporate packs in plenty of premium options alongside wonderful sound high quality, the M6 sits just under Bose by way of pure ANC talents. With the WH-1000XM6, Sony subtly redesigned its flagship headphones, making them far more snug to put on for lengthy durations of time. This is a vital issue to think about when buying over-ear headphones. We additionally seen in our checks that the corporate made noticeable enhancements to the energetic noise cancellation, because of a brand new QN3 chip. There at the moment are 12 whole ANC mics as effectively – the earlier mannequin solely had eight. This all combines to raised block background noise at medium and excessive frequencies, together with human voices.

The M6 additionally has improved sound high quality, because of 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. Converse-to-Chat nonetheless reduces quantity and prompts ambient sound whenever you speak and the M6 can robotically change noise settings based mostly 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 useful options
• Supremely comfortable

Cons

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

$458 at Macy’s

Picture by Billy Steele / Engadget

Connectivity: Bluetooth | ANC kind: 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 received’t win any design awards with these over-ear headphones, however what you get for the worth is effectively value some aesthetic sacrifices. Because of their all-plastic development, the CH720N are tremendous light-weight and cozy, permitting you to put on them for hours at a time. The ANC isn’t as strong in these funds headphones as that in costlier headphones, nevertheless it’s above common for merchandise on this value vary. Toss in customizability and a useful transparency mode, and also you’ve bought a strong gadget that prices solely $150 — and commonly goes for round $100.

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

Professionals

• Affordably priced
• Light-weight and cozy
• Nice sound high quality
• Some useful options

Cons

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

$150 at Amazon

Billy Steele for Engadget

Connectivity: Bluetooth | ANC kind: 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 case you search to pair wonderful sound high quality with succesful ANC efficiency, the Px7 S3 are the best choice. Positive, yow will discover extra spectacular noise-blocking talents 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 robotically alter to any modifications. 40mm dynamic full-range bio cellulose drivers pipe in balanced tuning that gives you with the best element of any tune.

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

Professionals

• Wonderful sound high quality
• Cozy match
• Refined design

Cons

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

$479 at Amazon

Picture by Billy Steele / Engadget

Connectivity: Bluetooth | ANC kind: 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 supply 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 collection.

I don’t look after the design Sennheiser introduced on the Momentum 4 as the corporate ditched what was a fairly novel search for one thing way more generic and plastic. Nevertheless, the change comes with the bonus of elevated consolation. You’ll additionally get wonderful sound high quality, in actual fact, it’s a few of 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 may 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 supply lately.

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 very best noise-canceling headphones for you

Design

Whenever you’re looking for the very best wi-fi headphones, the very first thing you’ll have to determine on is put on model. Do you like on-ear or over-ear headphones? For the needs of this information, I give attention to the over-ear model as that’s what most noise-canceling headphones are these days. Positive, yow will discover on-ear fashions with ANC, however over-ear, energetic noise-canceling headphones are way more efficient at blocking exterior sounds since your ears are fully lined.

For avid gamers, there are additionally gaming headsets that characteristic noise cancellation — some even have removable microphones, to allow them to double as over-ear headphones. Nevertheless, 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 spread 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 on the lookout for one thing impartial or a daring pop of shade, manufacturers now supply a wide range of types to match your private style.

Lastly, in case 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 spite of everything, nice sound is simply a part of the equation; consolation issues simply as a lot.

Kind of noise cancellation

Subsequent, you’ll need 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 surface of the gadget to detect exterior noise and cancel it out. By analyzing enter from each mics, a hybrid system can fight extra sounds than “common” ANC, nevertheless it 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 modifications in your atmosphere 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 outside. Some high-end headphones additionally help Dolby Atmos, which boosts spatial audio and makes every little thing from music to films sound extra immersive. For the needs of this greatest headphones record, I’m solely contemplating merchandise with hybrid ANC or adaptive ANC setups as a result of these are the simplest at blocking noise and bettering your total listening expertise.

Customization

You’ll additionally need to examine to see if the ANC system on a potential set of headphones gives adjustable ranges of noise cancellation or presets. These may also help you dial within the quantity of ANC you want for varied environments, however it could actually additionally aid 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 power 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 let you fine-tune the ANC for particular forms of environments.

How we check noise-canceling headphones

The first means we check headphones is to put on them as a lot as potential. I choose to do that over a one-to-two-week interval, however typically 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 will be 30 hours or extra, I drain the battery with looping music and the amount set at a snug stage (often round 75 %). Because of the longer battery estimates, I’ll usually energy the headphones off a number of instances and go away them that means throughout a evaluate. This simulates real-world use and retains me from having to consistently monitor the method for over 24 straight hours.

To check ANC efficiency particularly, I take advantage of headphones in a wide range of environments, from noisy espresso retailers to quiet house places of work. When my schedule permits, I take advantage of them throughout air journey since airplane noise is an enormous distraction to each work and rest. Even when I can’t hop on a flight, I’ll simulate a relentless roar with white noise machines, lavatory followers, vacuums and extra. I additionally make notice 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 evaluate of companion apps, testing every characteristic as I work by 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 evaluate.

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 commonplace AirPods: strong noise cancellation, spatial audio and straightforward Siri entry. Nevertheless, their $550 beginning value makes them nearly prohibitively costly, even for Apple customers. There are higher choices obtainable at decrease costs, however in case 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 nearly 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. Effectively, aside from the listening to well being monitor, which is definitely useful. All advised, that’s not so much for a set of $500 headphones.

Sonos Ace

The Sonos Ace is a wonderful debut for the corporate’s first headphones. The mix of refined design, nice sound high quality and residential theater tips creates a novel formulation. Nevertheless, ANC efficiency is simply okay and key performance remains 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 want, the ULT Wear is an choice to think about. The low-end thump isn’t for everybody, however there are additionally loads of useful 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 fundamental options like automated pausing, and multipoint connectivity is simply obtainable on Android. Furthermore, they’re not very snug for individuals with bigger heads. General 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 in case 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 quick battery life for non-ANC cans saved this set from making the reduce.

Bowers & Wilkins Px8

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

Noble Audio FoKus Apollo

Whereas this is my high choose for total sound high quality in our predominant 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 wonderful 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 cut back the amount of most exterior sounds.

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

By way of sound high quality, when you’ve got two headphones — one wired and one wi-fi — with related specs, the distinction goes to be very minimal. Nevertheless, wi-fi headphones supply extra comfort, permitting you to maneuver round extra freely together with your headphones on, which is why they usually characteristic noise cancellation to reduce exterior sounds.

Does noise cancellation affect sound high quality?

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