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The best noise-cancelling headphones in Australia are those that block out sounds around you, leaving you to enjoy your music uninterrupted. While virtually all pairs use microphones placed strategically around ear cups, not all noise-cancelling headphones are equal, with some pairs doing a better job at leaving you in a cocoon of silence compared to others.
Of course, not only do the best noise-cancelling headphones have to perform where noise nixing is concerned, but they also need to deliver good sound quality and be comfortable to wear for long periods. This guide to the best noise-cancelling headphones in Australia comprises models for all budgets, from high-end options right down to super-cheap alternatives that perform far beyond what you'd expect for the price.
The best noise-cancelling headphones in Australia for 2026
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Below you can find more in-depth reviews of our choices for the best noise-cancelling headphones, and you can click through the full reviews of each, written by TechRadar's team of audio experts.
The best noise-cancelling headphones overall
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 1) are my top choice for anyone seeking a talented set of noise-cancelling headphones. Bose may have released a new Gen 2 model, but based on the extensive testing of my UK-based colleagues, they could barely distinguish between the performance between them, nor the Sony XM6s at #3 on this list. What's more, both the Sony pair and Bose's latest release both cost over AU$600 RRP. Given you can get much of the same performance from this more affordable pair, it makes them easy to recommend.
One of their standout features is Immersive Audio, which is Bose's take on 3D audio – such as Apple's Spatial Audio or Sony's 360 Degree Reality Audio – but without discriminating by audio source. The idea is no matter what you're listening to, or whatever you're listening to it on, you'll be treated to an expanded soundstage. It definitely works, but the jury is still out as to whether it should be used for all songs, or whether it should be activated only in certain moments.
As for general sound quality, the QC Ultras sound fantastic. In fact, our review said that they "deliver some of the most alive, exciting, textured, finely resolved, deeply engaging music I've ever heard from a pair of wireless headphones."
There are a couple of moot points to them, however, including their 24-hour battery life, which is well below average, and they only support Snapdragon Sound for higher-quality audio. There's no regular aptX or LDAC support, and there's no USB-C audio input for fully Hi-Res Audio, which you get from other options here, such as the Sonos Ace.
Read our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones review
- See our Bose coupon codes for this month's best discounts
The best budget noise cancelling headphones
The 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 over-ear headphones prove you can get great ANC for not a lot of money... AU$130 not a lot of money, to be precise. Plus, with regular discounts, it's no wonder they're our top pick if you're on a budget but still want immersive sound – and a way to drown out the world while you're at it.
Naturally, the ANC isn't class-leading by any means, but that's to be expected given the price. However, it does still do a grand job and is a noticeable upgrade from previous 1More models. There are three noise-cancelling modes, which you can toggle in the 1More app. It's also in the app where you’ll find EQ presets and an option to activate hi-res streaming. With ANC switched off, you’ll get a mammoth 100 hours of battery life. But if you're on this page, you're looking for headphones with ANC, and with it turned on, you can expect around around 65 hours, which is still great for the category (and actually beats the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless at #5 on this list).
Now, the Sonoflow Pro HQ51 aren’t the best noise-cancelling headphones money can buy, but if you don't have a lot of money to spend, they are the best in their class. The sound isn’t high-end audiophile territory, but in our tests, we were impressed by the clarity across tracks and the rich, punchy bass – courtesy of the Sonoflow’s dual 40mm drivers. There’s support for Sony’s LDAC hi-res audio format too, though you’ll need a compatible device and hi-res audio content to make the most of it.
Design-wise, they’re simple but sleek, with a matte-like finish to the plastic casing. The ear cups are soft and adjustable, making them comfy to wear, and they’re lightweight at just 246g. Physical buttons on the earcups handle controls, but they do feel a little plasticky, and the build overall lacks durability – there's no water or dustproofing here. That said, the included hard carry case is a nice touch, and the sturdy folding hinges make them ideal for travel.
In short, the 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 headphones are great value for money. We rated the battery life and comfort highly, especially given the price. They feel more premium than they should, thanks to the sleek finish, decent ANC, and that solid carry case. Sure, there are better headphones out there, but not at this price.
Read our full 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 review
The best premium noise cancelling headphones
Sony’s WH-1000XM6 headphones were hotly anticipated and fortunately, the hype has paid off. They combine the travel-friendly, foldable design of Sony WH-1000XM4 with the modern, sleek looks of the WH-1000XM5, and they usher in much-improved noise cancellation. Sony has also tinkered, to great effect, with the sound quality – in fact, the company claims they’re “better in every way” and we'd absolutely have to agree.
Make no mistake though, these are expensive headphones, and we couldn't discern much of a difference in the ANC arena between these and the Bose pair at #1 on this list. At least, not AU$200 worth of difference.
While they're brimming with features, you're here because you want the best noise-cancelling headphones, and these are them. Thanks to 12 strategically placed mics, powered by the QN3 processor, the XM6s create a near-silent cocoon even on the noisiest train and airplane rides. In our comparison tests, they were even slightly better than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones at #6 on this list, which should tell you all you need to know about their performance.
Battery life still sits at 30 hours, which is a little disappointing, considering some other, cheaper pairs offer at least double. But, they do get fast charging, whereby three minutes plugged in gives you three hours of listening time. You can also use Bluetooth while charging now, which is nice. The companion app has always been a solid area for Sony, and once again here it's well-designed and feature-packed, offering EQ adjustments, adaptive sound, and high-res audio support via LDAC, which DSEE Extreme upscaling of lower-quality streams to make them sound better.
It's not just ANC where the XM6 shine though, as audio quality is outstanding. The redesigned 30mm drivers deliver an expressive, balanced profile with rich mids, lively treble, and a satisfying low end. The soundstage feels wide and nuanced – great for both casual listening and critical tracks. Call quality is also excellent, with all those mics pulling double duty for voice clarity.
Comfort is clearly a priority, too. They’re lightweight with a more ergonomic fit and a wider headband. The hinges feel more robust, and the styling is even more polished than before. The case is also smaller.
The WH-1000XM6 headphones are undeniably pricey, with a cost that climbs above previous models. But for the combination of high-end sound, unbeatable ANC, and thoughtful design improvements, they easily justify their premium price tag.
Read our full Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones review
The best mid-range noise cancelling headphones
It's not just the premium market where Sony shines best, as it proves it can go toe-to-toe in the equally competitive mid-range space. This pair of Sony WH-CH720N cans delivers impressive noise cancellation, considering the price you're paying. Don't go expecting it to trouble the brand's own XM4 or XM5 headphones further up, but if you're on a budget and you want a pair of headphones to drown out external sounds, they do a fine job.
This is a pair of headphones that really do benefit from various tweaks in companion smartphone app too, as we found out the box, the default setting made them sound a little too brash. A quick change of some settings, however, and we were delighted with what we listened to. Songs are afforded good energy, and we were able to happily while away the hours listening to our favourite tracks – which was also easy since they're so lightweight, coming in under 200g on the scales.
Read our full Sony WH-CH720N review
The best super-cheap noise-cancelling headphones
Soundpeats is no stranger to producing excellent audio kit in the budget space — just look at our other reviews of the Soundpeats H3 and Soundpeats Clip1 earbuds as prime examples.
The Soundpeats Cove Pro over-ear headphones continue this trend. They're definitely a budget pick, with a target price of around AU$85.99. That figure alone does mean you should limit your expectations, but in the case of 'you get what you pay for', in this instance you actually do get a little more than you'd first think. Their ANC might not be the best in the business, but for the money it's fantastic.
They perform well in other areas too. Battery life is sensational at a staggering 95 hours with ANC turned off, with a jump down to a still-admirable 58 hours with it turned on. And considering you'll likely have it enabled more often than not, that's still a fantastic figure and more than you'll get from the much more expensive Sony XM6 at #3 on this list.
With regard to the ANC, it won't completely block out aggressive background sounds, but it does still do an excellent job at reducing most noises to a low hum. And for AU$85 RRP (and regularly discounted), you won't feel short changed.
What we also appreciate is their build quality, and the fact they're incredibly comfortable to wear. Combined with their stellar battery life, you'll easily be able to wear these for longer listening sessions.
Sound quality is good on the whole, although you will of course get better if you spend more money. If you're big on bass though, there’s a decent lower-end output here you’ll like.
More noise cancelling headphones we've tested
Anker Soundcore Space One Pro: These affordable headphones impressed us, delivering full-sounding hi-res audio and solid ANC. But their design is a bit too chunky for our liking, and other options in this guide work better, with buttons we enjoyed using much more. Take a look at our Anker Soundcore Space One Pro review to find out more.
Apple AirPods Max: They're pricey, but you do get what you pay for. Simply outstanding sound quality, truly effective ANC and seamless connectivity with iOS devices. They do still fall down where codec support is concerned, which is a shame considering their price tag. Read our Apple AirPods Max review for more information.
Beyerdynamic Aventho 300: These over-ears are excellent all-rounders, as you'll find out in our full Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 review. They serve up great sound, solid ANC and impressive customisation options. We particularly rate them for their EQ settings, which bring you a high level of flexibility through the app – but in terms of overall value, they just couldn't quite push out the competition here.
Bose QuietComfort Headphones: These Bose over-ears are an excellent pick. Solid ANC, supreme comfort and good audio. So why aren't they in this list? Well, we prefer the sound signature of the Sony XM4, and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are an upgrade in almost every way. However, these are getting some really good deals these days, and the noise cancellation is fantastic for the price, so do take a look at our Bose QuietComfort Headphones review.
Earfun Tune Pro: They're affordable and offer a very long 120 hours of listening. But they don’t have much else going for them. As you’ll see in our Earfun Tune Pro review, they fall at two of the most important hurdles when it comes to finding a solid pair of ANC headphones: they don’t sound up to standard and weren’t comfortable to wear during our testing either.
Earfun Wave Life: Unlike the Tune Pro above, these over-ears from Earfun are exceptionally comfortable. They also deliver strong sound, especially considering how cheap they are. But ultimately, they can't be included in this guide because the ANC was underwhelming. Find out more in our full Earfun Wave Life review.
JBL Tour One M3: Expect solid ANC and an audio experience we described as "upfront and vigorous" in our JBL Tour One M3 review. You'll also get a good fit and some solid, high-end features. Ultimately, though, they don't sound consistent enough across the range and struggle at higher volumes.
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless: Offering excellent battery life of up to 60 hours, a gorgeous, natural soundstage, comfortable build and an array of colour options, the Momentum 4 Wireless are worthy of consideration — especially now they can regularly be picked up with a steep discount. Read our Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless review for more details.
Sony WH-1000XM4: They've lost a spot on this list due to a price drop on the Bose QC Ultra Gen 1. Make no mistake though, these are still a fantastic set of headphones that will please the majority of people. Plus, they're very affordable, especially during sales seasons. Read our Sony WH-1000XM4 review for more information.
Sony WH-1000XM5: These are squeezed out of this list by the Sony WH-1000MX4 being better value (they're practically as good, and can be notably cheaper) and the Sony WH-1000XM6 being markedly better for ANC. But if you want something from Sony with a sleeker look than the Sony WH-1000XM4 and a few feature upgrades, check out our Sony WH-1000XM5 review, because they're still excellent ANC cans.
How to choose the best noise-cancelling headphones for you
When it comes to headphones of any description, getting an accurate idea of your needs and what you hope to find from your new headphones is an essential first step to helping you track down the right pair for you.
For those who expect to wear their headphones for longer periods, design and comfort will be important factors to consider, making the best over-ear headphones the top candidates for consideration. Being designed to sit over the ear rather than on them or pressed into them, over-ear headphones have an edge from the get-go when it comes to comfort. And when it comes to noise-cancellation, there's a good reason many of the top over-ear headphones are also some of the best noise-cancelling headphones.
Over-ear headphones by virtue of their design generally offer the most effective and impressive noise-cancellation, with the closed, over-ear design working in concert with the built-in noise cancelling technologies to more totally close off your listening experience from the interference of exterior noise.
But over-ear headphones might not necessarily be the best for everyone, particularly if they're hoping to have a pair of noise-cancelling headphones they can take with them while exercising. For this purpose, earbuds are typically the better pick in being smaller and therefore less intrusive while also not overheating your ears during exercise (or trapping in sweat).
The best noise-cancelling earbuds might also be the preferred pick for those who expect to need their headphones while constantly on the move, as they'll save on space both wherever you need to store them and also while you're using them.
Beyond the design, another important factor to consider when picking the best pair of noise-cancelling headphones for you is your budget, with top options coming in at a variety of price points. Ultimately, to help you find the right option for you, we've put together the list above to get you across all the relevant details and what they offer.
The best noise-cancelling headphones: FAQ
What is noise cancellation?
Noise-cancelling headphones use analogue and electronic methods to block out the environmental sound around you, allowing you to listen to your music in peace without distraction. Most noise-cancelling headphones make use of the following two approaches:
Passive noise cancellation:
Passive noise cancellation is when the headphones physically block outside sound from reaching your ears, and this can be achieved in a number of ways. Noise-cancelling over-ear headphones typically have heavily padded ear-cups to achieve this, while in-ear headphones need to fit snugly in your ear to create a tight seal, stopping environmental sounds from entering.
Active noise cancellation (ANC):
ANC uses inbuilt microphones to analyse environmental noise and create 'anti-noise' frequencies that are mixed in with your music playback. This effectively cancels out the sound of your surroundings using analogue or digital filters.
Is it worth buying noise-cancelling headphones?
For most people, when wearing headphones, you want to be able to hear what you're listening to and not be distracted by environmental sounds. While turning up the volume may help to achieve this to enough of an extent for some people, others such as those who have regular, noisy morning commutes will want a more dedicated noise-cancellation solution.
A true pair of noise-cancelling headphones will be able to filter out unwanted sounds more effectively without reducing the quality of the music or podcast you're listening to. Many of the best cans offer this, in addition to opportunities to dynamically respond to the context in which you're using them if you need to suddenly start a conversation.
If you want the best audio experience without the risk of distraction or losing quality of sound to the interferences of the outside world, noise-cancelling headphones will definitely be worth considering.
How we test the best noise-cancelling headphones
We've tested every pair of the best noise-cancelling headphones on this list and to include them here, we were looking for each product to excel at a number of things.
The first, of course, is effective noise-cancellation. We tested for headphones that were able to block out sound effectively, no matter whether you're on a daily commute or simply taking a walk. We also looked at additional features like multiple noise cancellation modes or how well their transparency mode worked.
Audio performance was a key consideration too. Good noise cancellation should never have to mean poor sound quality – and we made sure to check thoroughly until we were satisfied that each pair of headphones here offer clear and powerful sound, irrespective of the deployment of ANC.
From there, we looked at Bluetooth connectivity. We tested for stable and reliable connections. After all, there's nothing worse than losing a track just as it reaches the good bit.
Next up, we wanted to ensure the headphones were designed with comfort and style in mind. We tested how comfortable they were for long periods of time and assessed their looks, too, from minimal to suitably stylish, while appreciating that everyone has different taste.
We also considered additional features, such as voice assistant integration and app support. Not all of the headphones in this list have perks such as these, but it's nice to know which extras you can pick up, regardless of your budget.
Talking of budget, we also considered whether the noise-cancelling headphones in this list were good value for money. That doesn't mean we only looked at budget headphones – far from it – but we wanted to make sure that each pair offered something that made their price worthwhile.
Our ultimate goal is to make sure you buy a set of noise cancelling headphones you'll be over the moon with. We want them to furnish you with good quality music, free of extraneous noise, for years to come. We hope we've achieved this
