One of the best noise-canceling headphones for 2025

Noise is tough to flee, whether or not it’s the hum of visitors, the excitement of a busy workplace or the neighbor’s garden mower beginning up proper when you want to focus. That’s the place noise-canceling headphones earn their preserve. A superb pair doesn’t simply quiet the world round you, it creates a pocket of calm so you may really take pleasure in your music, podcasts or peace and quiet.

Trendy noise-canceling headphones have come a good distance, combining highly effective ANC with clearer sound, longer battery life and smarter options like adaptive modes and multipoint connectivity. Some emphasize consolation for lengthy flights, whereas others are tuned for audiophiles who need studio-level readability.

We’ve examined a variety of choices to seek out one of the best noise-canceling headphones for each listener. Whether or not you’re after one thing light-weight for journey or a premium set for targeted work classes, these picks ship the sound, silence and luxury you want to tune out the chaos.

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 decide for finest wi-fi headphone for a very long time now. That is nonetheless true. Nonetheless, despite the fact that the corporate packs in a number of premium options alongside wonderful sound high quality, the M6 sits slightly below Bose by way of pure ANC talents. With the WH-1000XM6, Sony subtly redesigned its flagship headphones, making them far more comfy to put on for lengthy intervals of time. This is a vital issue to contemplate when buying over-ear headphones. We additionally seen 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 nicely – 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. Converse-to-Chat nonetheless reduces quantity and prompts ambient sound whenever you discuss and the M6 can routinely 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 worth ($450).

Professionals

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

Cons

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

$430 at Target

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 gained’t win any design awards with these over-ear headphones, however what you get for the worth is nicely price some aesthetic sacrifices. On account of their all-plastic development, 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 price range headphones as that in dearer headphones, but it surely’s above common for merchandise on this worth vary. Toss in customizability and a helpful transparency mode, and also you’ve bought a stable machine that prices solely $150 — and frequently 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. You may also alter each the EQ and the extent of ambient sound. Plus, the corporate’s ever-present Adaptive Sound Management can routinely swap the sound settings primarily based in your exercise or location. Final however not least, the general sound high quality is actually spectacular for headphones at this worth. There’s loads of element and subtlety within the audio; you may 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
• A lot of plastic
• No computerized 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 most suitable choice. Positive, you will discover extra spectacular noise-blocking talents elsewhere, however if you’d like pristine audio as nicely, Bowers & Wilkins is the way in which to go. An adaptive ANC setup makes use of eight microphones to seize undesirable noise and routinely alter to any modifications. 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 supply right here is finely tuned and punctiliously polished.

Professionals

• Wonderful sound high quality
• Comfortable match
• Subtle design

Cons

• Costly
• Awkward button places
• A scarcity of superior options

$408 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 large 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 take care of 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. Nonetheless, the change comes with the bonus of elevated consolation. You’ll additionally get wonderful sound high quality, the truth is, it’s a few of the finest 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 loads of flagship headphones supply as of late.

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 one of the best noise-canceling headphones for you

Design

Once you’re purchasing for one of the best wi-fi headphones, the very first thing you’ll must determine on is put on type. Do you favor on-ear or over-ear headphones? For the needs of this information, I give attention to the over-ear type as that’s what most noise-canceling headphones are these days. Positive, you will discover on-ear fashions with ANC, however over-ear, energetic noise-canceling headphones are way more efficient at blocking outdoors sounds since your ears are utterly 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. Nonetheless, for the aim of this text, we’re solely going to be specializing in noise-canceling headphones fairly than headsets. Search for fashions with a snug headband and reminiscence foam ear cups to make sure you can put on them for lengthy intervals with out discomfort.

Many headphones additionally include a spread of coloration 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 coloration, manufacturers now supply quite a lot of kinds to match your private style.

Lastly, if you happen to’re planning to put on your headphones for lengthy intervals of time, it’s essential to choose 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 classes. In spite of everything, nice sound is just a part of the equation; consolation issues simply as a lot.

Kind of noise cancellation

Subsequent, you’ll need to take a look at the kind of ANC a set of headphones presents. 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 machine 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 constantly adjusting the noise cancellation for modifications 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 might actually kill your vibe whereas utilizing headphones open air. Some high-end headphones additionally help Dolby Atmos, which boosts spatial audio and makes every thing from music to films sound extra immersive. For the needs of this finest headphones checklist, I’m solely contemplating merchandise with hybrid ANC or adaptive ANC setups as a result of these are the best at blocking noise and bettering your general listening expertise.

Customization

You’ll additionally need to examine to see if the ANC system on a potential set of headphones presents 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 might additionally make it easier to 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 might embrace a slider of their companion apps that allow you to alter the ANC stage to your liking. Some high-end fashions even permit you to fine-tune the ANC for particular kinds of environments.

How we check noise-canceling headphones

The first method we check headphones is to put on them as a lot as doable. I desire 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 will be 30 hours or extra, I drain the battery with looping music and the quantity set at a snug stage (often round 75 p.c). As a result of longer battery estimates, I’ll sometimes energy the headphones off a number of instances and depart them that method throughout a evaluate. This simulates real-world use and retains me from having to continuously monitor the method for over 24 straight hours.

To check ANC efficiency particularly, I exploit headphones in quite a lot of environments, from noisy espresso outlets to quiet residence places of work. When my schedule permits, I exploit them throughout air journey since airplane noise is an enormous 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 word of how nicely every machine blocks human voices, that are a key stumbling block for lots of ANC headphones.

ANC-related options are one thing else to contemplate. Right here, I do a radical evaluate of companion apps, testing every characteristic as I work by means of 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 finest options you discover on commonplace AirPods: stable noise cancellation, spatial audio and simple Siri entry. Nonetheless, their $550 beginning worth makes them nearly prohibitively costly, even for Apple customers. There are higher choices out there at decrease costs, however if you happen to can decide up the AirPods Max at a steep low cost, they is perhaps worthwhile for the most important Apple followers amongst us.

Dyson On-Trac

The On-Trac headphones have an nearly infinitely customizable design, and that’s what’s most original about them. The sound profile presents some good element, however lacks dynamic vary general. ANC is common at finest and there aren’t any superior options that can make your life simpler. Properly, aside from the listening to well being monitor, which is definitely helpful. All informed, that’s not quite a bit 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 methods creates a singular components. 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 want, the ULT Wear is an choice to contemplate. 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 worth vary.

Beats Studio Professional

The Studio Pro lacks fundamental options like computerized pausing, and multipoint connectivity is just out there on Android. Furthermore, they’re not very comfy for individuals with bigger heads. General sound high quality is improved, although, and voice efficiency on calls is nicely above common.

Grasp & Dynamic MH40 (2nd gen)

The MH40 are an important set of headphones if you happen to favor crisp, clear and pure sound that isn’t overly tuned. This pair showcases the corporate’s affinity for leather-based and metallic too, however restricted customization and quick battery life for non-ANC cans stored 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 practically as comfy because the Px7 S3.

Noble Audio FoKus Apollo

Whereas this is my high decide for general sound high quality in our principal 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 general 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 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, you probably have two headphones — one wired and one wi-fi — with comparable specs, the distinction goes to be very minimal. Nonetheless, wi-fi headphones supply extra comfort, permitting you to maneuver round extra freely along with your headphones on, which is why they usually characteristic noise cancellation to reduce exterior sounds.

Does noise cancellation impression sound high quality?

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