The best noise cancelling headphones for all budgets, tested and compared by our audio experts

Planning a vacation or business trip? You’ve probably heard how the best noise-cancelling headphones can make travel infinitely more enjoyable, and we’re here to tell you it's true. The best ANC headphones can transform flights and train rides by blocking out chatter and engine noise, creating a bubble of calm. They're not just for travel either; they can make noisy offices, busy gyms or any loud space much more bearable.

Our expert team has rigorously tested hundreds of active noise-cancelling headphones over the years. We assess everything from battery life and all-day comfort to design, features, audio quality, and most importantly, real-world noise isolation. With a dedicated testing setup and years of experience, our recommendations are fully independent and reliable. Every ANC headset in this guide earned its spot through standout performance and great value against the current class-leaders (read: the first three products in this guide).

If you prefer something smaller or don’t love the feel of headphones, check out our guide to the best noise cancelling earbuds. Otherwise, read on to discover our top picks for every budget, from affordable finds to luxury audio investments.

The quick list

Want to cut to the chase and find out which noise cancelling headphones are the best? Below, you’ll find a roundup of our choices. You can also jump to a more detailed review of every pick, along with our price comparison tool to help you find the best deals.

Curated by

Curated by

Becky Scarrott

I've reviewed over 150 audio products since becoming a tech journalist, ranging from super-budget earbuds to high-end Hi-Res Audio music players. Before joining TechRadar, I spent three years at What Hi-Fi? testing everything the world of audio had to offer; before that, I was a professional dancer. I've test noise cancelling headphones of all stripes in all kinds of conditions, from trains to offices to planes.

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Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the best noise cancelling headphones in our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.

The best noise cancelling headphones overall

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The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones deliver strong noise cancellation and rich sound quality in a lightweight, comfortable design. Although these are an older model – now superseded by the Sony WH-1000XM5 – a price cut means that they're still our top pick because they're regularly available for such a good price. They're still packed with great features including multipoint pairing, DSEE Extreme upscaling, conversational awareness ,and auto-play/pause – they're all the noise-cancelling headphone we think most people will need.

In every department, the Sony WH-1000XM4 are a superb pair of wireless noise cancelling headphones. They can be beaten in any particular category, but not in every category at the same price. They deliver all-round satisfaction, and most importantly they offer there are no complaints about the sound. In our tests we listened to Janelle Monae’s absolute banger Make Me Feel. It sounded supremely powerful on the WH-1000XM4 headphones, from the bop of the percussion to the wall of sound that accompanies the pre-chorus.

On top of all this, the Sony WH-1000XM4 support Sony’s 360 Reality Audio format that enables spatial audio, plus the LDAC codec that can support CD-quality audio from compatible phones. It's a shame there's no aptX support, and you'll get far better audio quality and battery life from the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 at #5 in this list – while the Sony WH-1000XM5 and newer Bose headphones (see #3 on this list) beat it for sound quality. But those are generally all notably more expensive than this model, especially during sales events, where these are always available for bargain prices.

Read our full Sony WH-1000XM4 review

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The best budget noise cancelling headphones

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The 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 over-ear headphones prove you can get great ANC for under $100/£100. That’s why 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.

As you'd expect at this price point, the ANC isn’t best-in-class, but it’s solid and a noticeable upgrade from previous 1More models. There are three noise-cancelling modes, which you can toggle in the 1More app – where you’ll also find EQ presets and an option to activate hi-res streaming. With ANC switched off, you’ll get an impressive 100 hours of battery life. But let’s be real, if you’re here for the ANC, expect around 65 hours, which is still good for the category.

These aren’t the best noise-cancelling headphones money can buy, but at this price, they deliver a surprisingly strong experience. 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

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The best premium noise cancelling headphones

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Sony’s WH-1000XM6 headphones represent a new high point in the brand’s flagship noise-cancelling line. Fusing the convenient folding design of the Sony WH-1000XM4 with the sleeker looks of the WH-1000XM5, this latest release brings improved noise cancelling, sharper sound, and refined design into one sleek package. Sony claims they’re “better in every way” and we're happy to say that’s not just hype.

You get a full suite of features here, but it’s the ANC that steals the show. With 12 mics powered by the QN3 processor, these headphones create a near-silent cocoon even on the noisiest train and airplane rides. In our comparison tests, they were slightly better than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones in this respect, which is no small feat.

Battery life sits at 30 hours, which is distinctly average – although fast charging helps, and 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 is 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.

Audio quality is another major win. The 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

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The best mid range noise cancelling headphones

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The Sony WH-CH720N strike a great balance between price and performance, bringing active noise cancellation that absolutely reduces outside noise significantly so you can hear your music (or podcast, or whatever) more distinctly, while also giving you Sony's usual excellently balanced sound.

Okay, for around half the price of the Sony WH-1000XM4 at #1 in our list, you're obviously losing some quality – they're not miracle workers. The active noise cancellation leaks in notably more sound in the low end (which is generally where it's most effective) as well as higher-end noises, so it's more that it reduces the volume of outside sounds than really creates that bubble of silence. On a plane, we found that we had to turn the volume up to 60% to hear soft conversation in a movie – but at least we could hear it at all. And in a less harsh circumstance than trying to watch a movie on a plane, we found that it definitely means you don't have to turn the volume up as loud when walking in the traffic of a city, for example.

Similarly, the sound quality has less rich bass and layered mids and treble than the WH-1000XM4, but as mentioned before, it's extremely well tuned for the dynamic range it has, so your music really sounds as it should. It has absolutely no problems with detail, serving up plenty of sharpness and clarity when needed. It just feels a little boxed in compared to the broader soundstage of more expensive headphones.

There's no support for LDAC here, which some mid-range competitors do have (or they offer aptX instead), but there's multipoint Bluetooth for easy switching between two devices, and a 3.5mm jack for wired audio when needed. These are also very light, and so are generally very comfortable to wear for long periods.

Read our full Sony WH-CH720N review

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The best noise cancelling headphones for battery life

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The reason these headphones are our top pick for battery life is they last an incredible 100 hours. Yes, you read that right. Although that's without ANC and we assume if you're reading this guide you absolutely need noise cancelling. In that case, you'll get 60 hours from them, which is still incredibly impressive compared to rivals.

We were extremely impressed by the sound quality of the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100, praising their "lively, detailed and confident presentation". You'll get the best experience from them with 16bit/44.1kHz FLAC files from the likes of Qobuz or Tidal. But, as we wrote in our review, "they don’t judge – give them what you’ve got and they’ll do their best with it."

During our testing we were also impressed by the different customization options on offer here, like the effective seven band EQ. Noise cancelling is impressive – and most people will love the experience here – but it's worth mentioning you will find better and more immersive ANC elsewhere in this list. What you get from these Cambridge Audio over-ears is very good, but not great.

Design-wise, these headphones tick all of the boxes. In our review we wrote: "They look, and feel, like a reasonably upmarket pair of wireless over-ear headphones." The earpads are detachable and made from a nice mix of vegan leather and memory foam. While the headband is padded on the inside. The overall package is 330g, which is pretty standard and makes them comfortable to wear. The only downside when it comes to design is they don't fold up small, so if you're using them to travel bear in mind their case will take up a lot of space.

Read our full Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 review

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The best noise cancelling headphones for Bose fans

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If you're a big Bose fan and you want the best option from the company that literally originated active noise cancellation, then the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are the cream of the crop. And not only that, the near-silent ANC here is combined with easily Bose's best sound quality to date, which we called "electrifying" in our full review.

These are not cheap headphones (though they're less expensive than the Dali option in this list, and in practice you'll often find them cheaper than the Sony XM6), but as our review also says "from the moment you start using them, they feel worth every penny." If you're looking to save some money, however, be sure to check out our Bose discount codes.

We tested them in as many different noisy environments as we could manage, ranging from international flights, to local buses, to walking around a busy city, to in the TechRadar office and at home. In all cases, they stamp down on sound incredibly effectively. If what you want is silence and focus, we cannot recommend these strongly enough. One thing we will say, though, is that the cheaper Bose QuietComfort Headphones are basically as good for this element, but aren't as good for sound.

As we've already said, the music quality is just fantastic in these headphones, even with noise cancellation turned on – a clear cut above the sound from Bose's other headphones. 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 two somewhat disappointing aspects to them, though: the 24-hour battery life is below average (you get 30 hours pretty typically, including from Sony's headphones, while you get 60 hours from the Cambridge Melomania P100 at #5 on this list); 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.

If these don't sound like dealbreakers, then know that the Bose Ultra really live up to their name. We should mention, however, that if you like the sound of Bose over-ears but can't quite justify the price, it might be worth reading our Bose QuietComfort Headphones review, which are the less expensive sibling to these headphones. They're not as refined as the Ultras, which are in upgrade in almost every way, but they still provide impeccable ANC in a comfortable package.

Read our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones review

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The best noise cancelling headphones for Apple fans

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We were expecting the next iteration of Apple's over-ear headphones, the Apple AirPods Max 2, to be announced at Apple's Glowtime showcase on September 9, but it looks like we'll have to keep waiting. Apple did announce some upgrades to the original Apple AirPods Max, however, including several new colors (Midnight, Purple, Orange, Starlight and Blue) and USB-C charging, but all for the same $549 price tag.

The Apple AirPods Max come with active noise cancellation, superb audio quality, and a striking design that makes them instantly recognizable, and that feels immensely high-quality. During our testing, we were truly impressed by these headphones, but they were never ideal for everyone, and more recently have been undermined by the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones – but there are still good reasons to choose the AirPods Max.

Their sound is immensely expansive, natural and rich, and they offer easily the most impressive spatial audio 3D sound support of any headphones when used with an Apple device. Watching a Dolby Atmos movies with these headphones in feels stunningly close to sitting in speaker system rather than sandwiched between two headphones drivers, with the sound removed from your ears and convincingly placed in the room around you, all aligned to the screen you're watching on. And music, whether in Dolby Atmos or not, is layered, meticulously clear, crisply defined, and effortless. The active noise cancellation is high-end too.

However, their high-price hasn't aged well. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones sound at least as good, with even better noise cancellation, and are cheaper, lighter and more portable. The AirPods' lack of Hi-Res Audio option, or even a real 3.5mm jack, also grates in an era when Apple Music does such high-quality sound.

But their Apple-specific features mean they're still commendable for those with lots of the company's devices. Aside from the spatial audio sound, they auto-switch between any number of devices, they have Find My support, they can share audio with other AirPods, and you can personalize the sound. For Android users, they're not worth it.

Read our full Apple AirPods Max review

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The best noise cancelling headphones for sound

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If you're looking for sonic excellence, you may find it in the Dali IO-8 headphones. In our review, we struggled to find anything to criticize when it came to the way these lovely-looking headphones sound. The audio on offer here is directful, insightful and an absolute joy to listen to. During testing, we noted that this remarkable detail retrieval and full expression didn't impact the bigger picture with a large and persuasive soundstage. We wrote: "The Dali create a large overall image, and it’s only when you peer closely at it that you realise just how alive with detail it is." This audio is only made more immersive, more fun, by noise-cancelling, which we rated as "very good" in our review, meaning it can be bested but only by a select few, like Bose.

As well as sounding fantastic, the Dali IO-8 headphones look the part. They have a premium build and finish with a distinctive design thanks to perfectly circular cups. The earpads are incredibly comfortable thanks to memory foam lining the interior and there's a handy adjustment mechanism to get the perfect fit. The only design downside is these aren't vegan-friendly. Yes, leather may signal luxury to some but we'd bet most people would prefer a version without it.

There's a solid 35 hours of battery life onboard. But if you're the type of person that forgets to charge your tech (we get it), then you'll also be happy to hear the Dali IO-8 can work as passive wired headphones, too. The only notable omission here is there's no control app and only two EQ settings. You could argue that most people shouldn't be messing around with the sound here anyway – we didn't feel like we needed to during testing – but some people might want more freedom in that respect.

Of course, these over-ears aren't cheap. But that doesn't mean they aren't excellent value considering the audio quality on offer here. In fact, the features, feel, look and sound of the Dali IO-8 headphones are all well up to the standard of the asking price.

Read our full Dali IO-8 review

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The best noise cancelling headphones for design

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Bowers & Wilkins has always excelled in balancing sound and style. The newest Px7 S3 over-ears are no exception and they might be one of the brand’s best offerings yet. They’re not the cheapest option and don’t quite silence the world as completely as Bose does. But when it comes to a premium level of design and build with solid ANC, they’re at a whole new level.

For starters, the Px7 S3 sound stunning. In our review, we called the sound “balanced, entertaining and thoroughly convincing,” and we stand by it. The newly reworked internals – redesigned suspension, upgraded magnets, and a dedicated headphone amp – deliver an experience that’s open, expressive, and remarkably detailed.

Design-wise, Bowers & Wilkins has taken what was already premium about its previous headphones and made these even more refined. The Px7 S3’s slimmer design means you’ll no longer feel like your head looks huge when you wear them outside. And the pleather-covered memory foam padding makes long sessions blissfully comfortable. The fabric-wrapped finish and precision build still ooze quality. And yes, they look expensive, because they are.

But although these headphones are our top pick for style and design, Bowers & Wilkins manages to marry luxury with genuine tech improvements. Bluetooth 5.3, aptX Lossless, multipoint pairing, and 30 hours of battery life make them more than just a pretty face. Noise-cancellation has had a serious upgrade, too. And while it won’t leave Bose engineers sweating, it’s impressive by everyone else’s standards.

There are a few trade-offs. Controls are still a bit limited and wind noise can get through if you’re caught in a gust. But these are minor gripes in a package that’s otherwise impressively complete. At their price ($TBC / £399 / AU$699 (approx.), they’re quite niche. But if you care about solid ANC, sound, comfort, and headphones that feel like an object of desire rather than just another gadget, the Px7 S3 are hard to beat. Pound for pound, we think they're Bowers & Wilkins’ best headphone effort yet – and that's not a statement we make lightly.

Read our full Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 review

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Best for smaller heads

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Sennheiser's February 2024-issue over-ears sit nicely between the company's entry-level Accentum and flagship Momentum 4 Wireless listed above – and if you're stuck trying to decide which to get, allow us to tell you that sonically and for active noise cancellation, these represent excellent value for money.

That said, while the build is classy and expertly finished, these are hardly 'look at me!' headphones and if you're spending step-up money, you may have wanted a step up in terms of aesthetics.

What you do get is aptX compatibility, a whopping 50 hours of battery life (which is masses of stamina for ANC cans) and a 3.5mm jack for wired listening. Considering we loved their more expensive siblings, this is very very good news.

Any issues? Well, that depends. Some of us often struggle to find over-ears that don't fall off or head down to the back of our crown at their earliest convenience. That won't happen here – in fact, if your skull is on the smaller side you will love these. Larger headed? You may find the clamping force just a little heavy here.

Read our full Sennheiser Accentum Plus review

Visit our Sennheiser coupon page for our latest deals and discounts.

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The best noise cancelling headphones for movies

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Sonos' very premium headphones come with some very premium features that have earned them their place on this list: in particular, their highly effective noise cancellation, and their superb head-tracked spatial audio. The Sonos Ace deliver the best sound balance for watching movies, based on our testing that directly compared them with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and the AirPods Max. And they do this over Bluetooth from any source that decodes Dolby Atmos, or using a special connection to a Sonos Arc soundbar (with support for all recent Sonos soundbars coming in the future).

With movies, we found that the sound mix on the Sonos Ace allows speech to come through really clearly, while still providing plenty of power for bassy elements, such as explosions. But everything stays in its own lane – the bass power doesn't overwhelm other aspects. And the feeling of surround sound is really strong, with elements moving around the room around your head convincingly. Tied to that, the head-tracking is accurate and lag-free.

The fact that there's a button to instantly switch from listening via Bluetooth to the Sonos soundbar connection makes it really convenient as well – just grab and instantly to your TV to watch movies or play games with really dynamic and big sound, without disturbing anyone else (or being disturbed by them, thanks to the ANC). The only thing to note is that the 30 hours of battery life over Bluetooth drops to around just 10 hours (based on our measurements) when connected to a Sonos soundbar.

Beyond this, the Sonos Ace are very well-featured headphones, packing in lossless Hi-Res Audio over USB-C, aptX Adaptive for CD-quality wireless audio, and a transparency mode (that's very transparent, a little too much in our opinion). The design feels very very premium and is generally extremely comfortable, though we found that glasses wearers had a harder time than others.

However, the music playback quality isn't quite where it needs to be, considering the high price. It's very good, but it should be amazing. The noise cancellation is also weaker than the Bose Ultra headphones, though is better than almost anything else. So, as the ranking in this guide suggests, we'd steer most people towards the Bose Ultra, but if movies are a particular priority, the Ace are worth serious consideration.

Read our full Sonos Ace review

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The best noise cancelling headphones for EQ tweaks

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The Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 over-ear headphones are excellent all-rounders, offering great sound, solid noise cancellation, and impressive customization options. What truly sets them apart is their EQ settings, which bring you a high level of flexibility through the app.

The app features six EQ presets and a five-band graphic EQ, which allows you to boost or cut up to six dB and save your custom curve. Beyond EQ, the app also lets you adjust ANC and ambient mode levels, and includes Dolby Atmos and head-tracking settings, which we found particularly useful during testing.

The active noise cancellation performs well, along with an effective ambient mode with five sensitivity levels. While it doesn’t quite match the silencing power of top models from Bose or Sony, it’s more than good enough for most users. The battery life is impressive, too, delivering up to 50 hours with ANC on, which isn’t the best on the market, but it’s up there.

Sound quality is where the Aventho 300 really shines. Featuring the same drivers as Beyerdynamic’s studio models, these headphones deliver clean, balanced audio with a wide, well-defined soundstage. In our review, we noted that the sound quality feels like “you’ve taken a blanket off your music.” The Dolby Atmos and head-tracking features enhance the experience, creating an immersive and enjoyable sound, though the bass may feel slightly heavy for some people.

In terms of design, the Aventho 300 headphones have a chunky yet good-looking aesthetic. The angled ear cups sit naturally, and the headband adjusts – though it may not extend enough for larger heads, and we noted that the clamping pressure is pretty firm. The faux leather ear pads and headband are comfortable for extended wear, though they could be more breathable. We did find a few downsides, like the touch controls on the ear cup, which take time to master. But, overall, the Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 deliver polished sound, solid ANC, and robust customization features, making them a strong contender for anyone seeking a versatile pair of over-ear headphones.

Read our full Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 review

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Other noise cancelling headphones to consider

Anker Soundcore Space One Pro: These headphones impressed us recently, with 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.

Baseus Bowie 30 Max: These headphones deliver great head-tracked spatial audio and acceptable ANC for the money, but the audio sounded a little too tinny at times. Take a look at our Baseus Bowie 30 Max review for more.

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, they're a little old, a lot more expensive than our mid-range Sony option, and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are an upgrade in almost every way. Still, the originals are cheaper. So do take a look at our Bose QuietComfort Headphones review.

Creative Zen Hybrid SXFI: We'd also recommend you take a look at our Creative Zen Hybrid SXFI review. As a set of headphones, they're gifted in several ways, including with great spatial audio, but noise cancellation (although listed on the spec sheet) isn't one of them.

Nobile FoKus Apollo: We recently tested these premium over-ears, but as you'll find in our Noble FoKus Apollo review, although sound, battery life and ANC are all good here, their looks are a little bulky and divisive. We also encountered some mic issues during our testing.

OneOdio Focus A5: If you have a quick glance at our OneOdio Focus A5 review, we wouldn't blame you for thinking it's only bad news for these wireless over-ears. However if you like a true bass-heavy listen and a svelte design, they could still be for you.

Panasonic RB-M600: These Panasonic headphones are cheap and the battery life is excellent for the money. But as you'll learn in our Panasonic RB-M600 review, there's not much else going for them. The design isn't refined, we didn't rate the ambient mode and there's no water protection.

Sony ULT Wear: Sony launched these headphones as a new mid-tier option, sitting between two products we have in this list: the Sony WH-CH720N and the Sony WH-1000XM5. They're good, but they have a big problem – the Sony WH-1000XM4, which is number 1 in our list. The XM4 are so often reduced to the same kind of price as the ULT Wear, but offer a finer balance of sound. For us, the bass of the ULT Wear was just a little too overstated, and the call-quality wasn't great – but you can read an in-depth appraisal of them in our Sony ULT Wear review.

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.

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Noise cancelling headphones coming soon

The world of ANC headphones is usually a fast-moving one, which means there are always exciting new models on the horizon or just about to land. So what are we most looking forward to from upcoming noise-cancelling headphones?

Well, the September-issue Bang & Olufsen Beoplay 100 flagship headphones are being reviewed as I type... Keep your eyes peeled, as these premium over-ears are bound to impress, with serious upgrades, especially to ANC performance.

We also have an incoming JBL Tour ONE M3 review, which is being readied right now. Keep your eyes peeled for this one to see whether JBL delivers on its promise to upgrade any audio source with these smart over-ears.

It can't be long now until the highly-anticipated Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones land on the scene. Back in early March 2025, we reported that the Sony WH-1000XM6 over-ears are expected to land imminently, and in a choice of three shades, which we haven't seen before from Sony's flagship over-ears. Let's just hope they're released soon, as the WH-1000XM5 are still one of our top picks, but their May 2022 launch date makes them really rather old in the fast-moving world of tech.

Although not technically new models, Apple's AirPods Max just got lossless audio, but only if you'll use a wire. We're currently working on an experiential review of that too, so you know if it'll be soon worth considering them as a new lossless listening option. Watch this space.

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Meet the team

TechRadar's team of audio tech reviewers has years of experience putting the best headphones to the test. We've spent time with hundreds of different types of headphones over the years, so we know what to look for and the right combination of sound, design, ANC and added features that make an excellent choice.

Matt Bolton

Matt Bolton serves as the Managing Editor for Entertainment at TechRadar, overseeing the platform's content on movies, TV shows, televisions, soundbars, headphones, and speakers. With over ten years of experience in tech journalism, Matt joined TechRadar after holding the position of editor at T3 magazine. His work has been featured in various publications, such as MacLife, PC Gamer, Digital Camera World, Edge, PC Plus, and MacFormat, among others.

Becky Scarrott

Becky Scarrott is TechRadar's Audio Editor, leading the coverage of everything audio and hi-fi. She joined the TechRadar team as a Senior Staff Writer in 2022. Prior to this, she spent over three years at What Hi-Fi?, where she tested the latest audio technology, from budget-friendly earbuds to premium sound systems. Becky also holds an MA in journalism.

Harry Padoan

Harry is a Reviews Staff Writer for TechRadar. He reviews everything from headphones to wall chargers and has a particular interest in the worlds of audio and gaming. Prior to joining TechRadar, Harry was a journalist covering stories from the telecoms industry, drilling into areas such as innovation, acquisitions, and sustainability.

Simon Lucas

Simon Lucas has been covering technology as a freelance journalist for almost 20 years, with a special focus on audio and video gear for home entertainment systems. Previously, Simon was the editor of What Hi-Fi? magazine and whathifi.com. His work has also appeared in publications such as Wired, Metro, the Guardian, HiFi+, GQ, and others.

Becca Caddy

Becca Caddy is a freelance technology and science journalist. She has been writing about consumer technology for more than 12 years with a particular focus on reviewing audio, smart home and fitness tech. As well as TechRadar, her work has appeared in Wired, New Scientist, Inverse, MIT Tech Review and more.

Tom Bedford

Tom Bedford is the former deputy phones editor here at TechRadar. During his time on the team, he specialized in covering news and reviews about phones, tablets, and various tech, including smartwatches and mobile gaming. He now writes for What To Watch but continues to review audio tech and other devices for us regularly.

James Holland

James Holland is a freelance technology journalist who loves to review all sorts of gadgets, with a particular focus on audio equipment and laptops. He's written for many Future Publications including TechRadar, Top Ten Reviews, Homes & Gardens, and T3.

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How to choose the best noise cancelling headphones

In order to choose the best noise cancelling headphones for you, you'll need to understand some of the key audio tech terms. Below we've collected together some of the most popular and useful ones.

Active noise cancellation (ANC): A technology that reduces unwanted background noise. It works by using external microphones that can detect ambient sounds. The headphones then generate an opposing soundwave (often called ‘anti-noise’) to cancel out the background noise, which is mixed into whatever you're listening to. With ANC, you can listen to your audio at lower volumes and with improved clarity, especially in noisy environments, like on planes or in a busy cafe.

aptX: A Bluetooth audio codec designed for higher-quality streaming. aptX comes in different forms, with aptX Adaptive being the most common in newer headphones. It adjusts sound quality based on the strength of your connection. aptX Lossless delivers top-tier, high-resolution audio. There’s also aptX Voice, which enhances call clarity, especially when you're in noisy surroundings.

Auracast: A new Bluetooth technology that allows for easy, seamless connections without pairing. Auracast enables you to connect your headphones directly to public audio sources, like TVs in bars or announcement systems at airports. Originally developed for hearing aids, it’s expected to become widely supported in upcoming headphone models for its user-friendly approach.

Bluetooth: The wireless technology used by nearly all modern headphones for connecting to devices. Bluetooth supports various audio streaming technologies, including aptX, LDAC, and LHDC. The most widely supported codecs are SBC and AAC, these are found in most wireless earbuds. Bluetooth versions vary, with higher versions like Bluetooth 5.3 and 5.4 offering improved features such as Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast. However, not all headphones with newer Bluetooth versions support these advanced features, so always check product specifications.

Bluetooth LE Audio: A next-generation Bluetooth audio standard, known as LC3, designed to deliver higher-quality sound while consuming less power than previous codecs like SBC or AAC. LE Audio is expected to become more widespread, but right now only a few headphones and devices support it. We expect more models will embrace this enhanced audio standard in the future.

Dolby Atmos: A 3D audio format used in music and movies that creates immersive, spatial sound. Instead of traditional channel-based audio, Dolby Atmos encodes sounds as objects that can be positioned in a virtual 3D space, delivering a listening experience that feels more real and dynamic.

Drivers: The components responsible for producing sound in headphones, often referred to as mini speakers. Most headphones use dynamic drivers, which function similarly to loudspeakers but are much smaller, ranging from 5mm to 13mm in earbuds and up to 50mm in over-ear headphones. Audiophile-grade headphones may use planar magnetic drivers, which offer greater precision but tend to be more complex to manufacture and are expensive.

EQ (Equalizer): EQ, short for equalizer, lets you adjust the sound profile of your headphones by boosting or reducing specific frequencies, like bass, mids, and treble. Many modern wireless headphones sync up to an app with preset EQ modes for different genres (like rock, classical, or pop) or manual sliders that allow you to fine-tune the sound yourself. EQs are divided into "bands," with a three-band EQ offering control over bass, midrange, and treble, while a nine-band EQ gives more precise control over a broader frequency range.

In-ear: In-ear headphones, also known as earbuds, have tips that sit snugly in your ear canal. You might also see the term "IEM," or "In-Ear Monitor," which refers to high-quality in-ear headphones often used by professionals. IEMs typically offer excellent noise isolation and are designed to deliver superior sound quality.

Find My: A feature that helps you locate lost headphones through your smartphone. Apple’s version is called Find My and Android users have Find My Device. Some headphones offer their own "find my" feature within their apps, but the built-in phone versions are generally more reliable and easier to use.

Head tracking: An advanced feature in spatial audio-enabled headphones that adds to immersion by detecting head movement. With head tracking, sounds stay in their virtual position, creating the effect of being in a room with speakers, even as you move your head. This technology is used in formats like Dolby Atmos to make the audio experience feel more realistic.

Hi-Res Audio: High-resolution audio (Hi-Res) refers to music files with greater detail and less compression than standard formats, like MP3. These files bring you a more expansive dynamic range and are closer to the original studio recordings. While many headphones are "Hi-Res Certified," this label only ensures they technically meet certain standards, not necessarily high-quality playback. Hi-Res files are larger and typically streamed over Wi-Fi on streaming platforms like Tidal, Qobuz, or Amazon Music HD. Check our our what is Hi-Res Audio guide for a more detailed definition.

LDAC: A high-quality audio streaming codec from Sony. LDAC enables Bluetooth devices to stream music at higher resolutions than standard codecs like SBC. LDAC is supported across Sony products and is compatible with many Android devices and best portable music players.

LHDC: Similar to LDAC, LHDC is another high-resolution Bluetooth streaming codec designed to deliver better sound quality. It competes with LDAC and aptX, and is supported on some Android devices.

Lossless: Lossless music retains all the original audio data from a recording, unlike compressed formats like MP3, which lose some detail to reduce file size. Lossless formats, such as FLAC (used by Tidal) and ALAC (used by Apple Music), offer higher-quality sound but take up more storage space.

Multi-point Bluetooth: Multi-point Bluetooth allows your headphones to connect to two or more devices simultaneously, so you can switch between them without needing to manually disconnect and reconnect. This feature is convenient for multitasking, like taking a call on your phone while staying connected to your laptop.

Noise isolation: The ability for a pair of headphone to block external sounds passively, without electronic processing. In-ear headphones achieve this by fitting snugly into your ear canal (acting a little like earplugs to reduce outside noise.), while over-ear models create a seal around your ears.

On-ear: On-ear headphones rest directly on the outer part of your ear, rather than surrounding it. This design doesn’t isolate sound as effectively as over-ear headphones and some people find it uncomfortable. But others prefer it, and find the fit lighter and more comfortable for long listening sessions.

Over-ear: Over-ear headphones have large earcups that fully cover your ears, creating a seal for the best noise isolation. This design, especially when combined with active noise cancellation, makes over-ear headphones the best choice for blocking out external sounds and enhancing audio quality.

Planar magnetic: A type of driver that offers greater precision and clarity than standard dynamic drivers, making them a favorite among audiophiles. However, they tend to be more expensive and require more power, which often makes headphones using planar magnetic drivers heavier and pricier than average.

Snapdragon Sound: A suite of wireless technologies designed to enhance audio quality when both your phone and headphones support it. It combines aptX high-quality streaming with features that reduce Bluetooth latency, improve voice call clarity, and boost connection stability. Snapdragon chips, developed by Qualcomm, power many Android devices. For more details, check out our Snapdragon Sound explainer.

Spatial audio: A broad term for 3D sound technologies that create an immersive listening experience. Apple uses it to describe its integration of Dolby Atmos with head tracking, but other brands also offer similar 3D sound effects using technologies like Dirac Virtuo, DTS. , THX, and Dolby Atmos. The goal is to make audio feel as though it's surrounding you, rather than playing directly in your ears, providing a more cinematic experience, especially when watching movies.

Transparency mode: A feature that blends ambient sounds with your music, allowing you to stay aware of your surroundings without turning off your audio. It’s ideal for hearing announcements, having conversations, or staying alert to traffic. Various brands have different names for this feature, such as 'Aware Mode,' 'HearThru,' or 'Ambient Mode,' but we often refer to it as ‘Transparency mode’ for consistency across our guides and reviews.

USB-C Audio: Some headphones can play high-resolution digital audio via a USB-C cable connection from a phone or computer, offering superior sound quality compared to Bluetooth. For audiophiles, headphones with both wireless capabilities and USB-C audio support are ideal, providing the convenience of wireless listening and the high fidelity of wired playback when desired.

3.5mm jack: A standard wired connection for headphones, often found in traditional devices. Not all modern wireless headphones include a 3.5mm jack, so it’s an essential feature to look out for if you prefer or need a wired connection.

What different types of headphones are there?

Short answer: many! Design is hugely important; a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones needs to be comfortable for long listening sessions – look out for padded earcups and headbands in materials like memory foam for ultimate comfort and a boost to passive isolation here (it all helps).

Not a fan of over-ear headphones? Our guide above is dedicated to headphones only; cups that sit over (or on) your ears with a band connecting them that fits over your head. But you can find true wireless earbuds with effective noise cancellation built-in, take a look at our best noise-cancelling earbuds guide instead. We've also got roundups for the best on-ear headphones, the best bone-conduction headphones, the best wired headphones, the best open ear headphones and more, but those generally don't include ANC (although there are exceptions).

As with any pair of headphones, the sound quality needs to be good, even if your focus is blocking out the world around you. Here, planar magnetic headphones (it's all to do with the drivers in the earpieces; dynamic ones are cone-shaped, PM ones are flat and controlled by various magnets) can offer a more detailed sound, if done well – but they often come at a premium, and rarely with ANC.

Think about what works best for you, so you know what to look for. With so many different noise-cancelling headphones out there, the choice can feel overwhelming if you don't know what's most important to you. But that's why we're here.

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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're looking for each product to excel at a number of things.

Effective noise-cancellation: we test for headphones that are able to block out sound effectively, no matter whether you're on a daily commute or simply taking a walk. We always test noise cancellation in real-world environments, such as walking through traffic in a city, or travelling on subway, train and bus. We always try to test them on planes as well, but that depends on timing.

Additional features: around the inclusion of active noice cancellation, there's invariably a plethora of perks we have to explore, such as multiple noise cancellation modes, customization options, how well their transparency mode works and if it works in conjunction with proprietary spatial audio processing. and how does all of this affect the battery life? Stamina is important.

Audio performance: obviously, this is a key consideration in any set of headphones. 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. We test them both with ANC turned on and turned off, and compare directly to other models on the market with a range of music styles.

Bluetooth connectivity: we test for stable and reliable connections. After all, there's nothing worse than losing a track just as it reaches the good bit. Multi-point for simultaneous connection to two devices? Auracast audio sharing? Wireless charging? You'll know about it from us.

Comfort, design and style: we like to listen to music for long periods of time and we think you do too. So to assess a set of headphones looks alone would be wrong. We put in the listening hours and run them through our security/wearing tests too – because nobody wants to be running for a train and losing their headgear.

Value: talking of budget, we also consider 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 want to make sure that each pair offers something that makes 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. Take a look at our how we test guide for more information about our process.

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Latest updates to the best noise cancelling headphones

May 20, 2025
Replaced the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones with the Sony WH-1000XM6 as our top premium option based on recent testing and comparison of the two headphones. The Bose are now our 'Best for Bose fans' pick, for the die-hards.

April 24, 2025
Refreshed the introduction. Switched the older Bowers & Wilkins PX8 for the newer Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 as our 'best-looking' pick, based on our recent testing. Added the JBL Tour ONE M3 in our 'coming soon' round-up.