Cheap noise-canceling headphone deals can bring mid-range cups down to an even more affordable price point. If you're not fussed about paying for the latest and greatest in headphone tech, you'll likely want to find the best value for money possible.
It’s possible to spend an enormous amount of money on headphones, but you can get excellent cheap noise-canceling headphones for well under $250/£200, and we're going to point you toward the best options for the best prices. We're specifically looking at budget options here, so if you're after some less expensive cans with surprisingly powerful noise-cancellation features, you're in the right place.
We're rounding up all the models we regularly look to for the best noise-canceling headphone sales right here. You'll find all the best noise-canceling headphones that don't cost the earth here, including some of the best over-ear headphones on the market right now. We're also listing some extra information on each model, as well as the best prices going right this second.
All of the cheap noise-canceling headphones on this list feature Active Noise Cancelation / Reduction (ANC/ANR for short) analyses the sound around you and creates a sound wave to neutralize it. The result: background noise vanishes. That means better audio for you and no need to turn the volume up to potentially damaging levels.
The best noise canceling headphone deals
In September of 2022, the long-awaited AirPods Pro 2 were launched with a starting price of $249 / £249 / AU$399. The earbuds feature enhanced noise cancellation and overall sound quality thanks to Apple's new H2 chip and improved in-ear detection and touch controls for volume adjustment. The 2nd generation AirPods Pro also pack an extended battery life and a redesigned case that provides up to 30 hours of total listening time with Active Noise Cancellation using the MagSafe Charging Case.
Thanks to holiday sales, you can find impressive AirPods Pro 2 sales, with record-low prices reaching $199.99 in the US and £229 in the UK.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 feature world-class noise cancelation technology with intelligent personalization so the sound adapts to your ears - resulting in deep, impressive sound. As the name implies, the lightweight earbuds come with a Bose Fit Kit, which includes three pairs of ear tips and stability bands so you can achieve customized all-day comfort and a secure fit. You can also use just one earbud to listen to music and take calls and enjoy six hours of battery life with a quick-charge option that provides up to two hours of battery life from a 20-minute charge.
These headphones are award-winners, with a coveted 5-star rating from the prestigious What Hi-Fi magazine. Now the price has fallen considerably they’re an even better buy. The noise cancelation is very good indeed, and like other AKG headphones there’s good, solid bass without overpowering the midrange and treble. They’re comfortable, too, which is an important consideration if you’re using them on your travels.
The battery is decent for cheap noise canceling headphones, with 15 hours of playback over Bluetooth. If you just want full noise cancellation, you’re good for a whopping 30 hours of peace and relative quiet before you need to find a charger. Note: available in wired or wireless versions.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones were launched back in 2018, but they've put up a fight to maintain their position in the market. Excellent build quality and dynamic noise cancellation paired with a 30-hour battery life easily fends off the competition, and now that the noise canceling headphones are starting to come down in price there's never been a better time to pick up a set. While they're finding it difficult to compete with newer models in the looks department, buyers are enjoying an amazing set of specs for their money.
The noise cancellation processor built into the Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones dynamically adjusts to your surroundings. The environmental sounds you need to hear - alarms or traffic for example - are fed through the system while extraneous noise is cut out of your listening experience exceedingly well.
Plus, the audio you do hear is crystal. Using a 40mm driver and a Liquid Crystal Polymer diaphragm, the WH-1000XM3 headphones retain an excellent bass quality when compared to the models of today. Even if you're not particularly invested in a high quality music collection, the DSEE HX technology packed in here will upscale your tunes straight from the source - a great feature on cheap noise canceling headphones.
You'll find more Sony WH-1000XM3 deals and sales available right here at TechRadar.
Most noise canceling headphones are big, for good reason: those ear cups help block out some ambient noise, reducing the amount of work the circuitry has to do. Sony’s tiny earbuds have no such assistance, and unfortunately it means the flaws in the noise canceling circuitry are apparent: their noise canceling capabilities are modest compared to their larger rivals.
The main attraction here is portability, as these are Sony headphones you can wear during a workout. Sound quality is okay rather than spectacular – the bass is a little overcooked for some listeners – but they’re sweat-resistant, look pretty funky and most importantly of all they’re comfortable to wear no matter how hard you’re hitting the gym. They're cheap noise canceling heaphones, and unless you're buying them solely for working out you do get what you pay for.
If you love the Sony WH-1000XM3s but want all that power in cheaper true wireless earbuds, you'll want to take a look at the WF-1000XM3s. There's an almost perfect seal on these buds, so your audio quality and noise cancellation is even better than the tech packed inside would suggest. Plus, these sweat-resistant buds are perfect for working out.
We've seen prices on these particular noise-canceling headphone deals falling over the past few months. Now that Sony is gearing up for the next generation, you'll find regular sales on these in-ear powerhouses, bringing them down to a far more affordable position.
The second generation of Plantronics’ BackBeat PRO drops the weight (from 340g to 290g) but retains the familiar Plantronics sound: it’s not one for audiophiles as it emphasises the bass and dulls the highest treble a little too much for some tastes, but it delivers a perfectly creditable experience with pretty good noise canceling too.
The big draw here isn’t the sound, though. It’s the battery life, with up to 24 hours of listening between charges and up to 180 hours on standby. That means it’s really good for frequent flyers and other seasoned travellers as it’ll last through multiple trips between charges. You'll also experience a great wireless range if your bluetooth device is strong enough - another win for cheap noise canceling headphones.
More noise-canceling headphone deals
Nothing quite taking your fancy from the list above? Want to check out even more options for noise-canceling headphone deals? Check out these top retailers for an extensive selection of prices and brands and see today's best Sony WH-1000XM5 pre-order deals.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 feature world-class noise cancelation technology with intelligent personalization so the sound adapts to your ears - resulting in deep, impressive sound. As the name implies, the lightweight earbuds come with a Bose Fit Kit, which includes three pairs of ear tips and stability bands so you can achieve customized all-day comfort and a secure fit. You can also use just one earbud to listen to music and take calls and enjoy six hours of battery life with a quick-charge option that provides up to two hours of battery life from a 20-minute charge.
