The perfect noise-canceling headphones for 2025

Whether or not you are working in a loud workplace, commuting on a packed practice or simply attempting to focus at house, a very good pair of noise-canceling headphones could make all of the distinction. The perfect noise-canceling headphones block out distractions and allow you to take pleasure in your music, podcasts or calls in peace — all whereas delivering nice sound high quality and all-day consolation. From fashions with plush cushions to wi-fi cans with a great deal of further options, there’s one thing right here for each type and price range.

Desk of contents

Greatest noise-canceling headphones of 2025

Billy Steele for Engadget

Learn our full Sony WH-1000XM6 review

Sony’s 1000X line has been our prime choose for finest wi-fi headphone for a very long time now. Till one other firm can pack in as many premium options as Sony, and achieve this with a mixture of wonderful sound high quality and efficient ANC, the crown is secure. 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 think about when buying over-ear headphones. We additionally seen in our exams that the corporate made noticeable enhancements to the lively noise cancellation, due to a brand new QN3 chip. There are actually 12 complete ANC mics as nicely – the earlier mannequin solely had eight. This all combines to raised block background noise at medium and excessive frequencies, together with human voices.

The M6 additionally has improved sound high quality, 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 if you speak and the M6 can robotically change noise settings based mostly in your location or exercise. The one actual draw back is that they’re $50 greater than the WH-1000XM5 at full worth ($450).

Professionals

Improved sound
Higher ANC efficiency
Tons of helpful options
Supremely cozy

Cons

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

$448 at Macy’s

Picture by Billy Steele / Engadget

Learn our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra review

Bose’s distinctive tackle spatial audio stands out as the headline function on its QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, however the firm didn’t overlook ANC on this model. Described as “the quietest quiet” out there on any of its headphones but, the ANC right here is noticeably higher than the Bose 700 and iconic QuietComfort Headphones. That is due partially to microphone enhancements that additionally enhance name high quality. The adjustments are particularly obvious when coping with the hard-to-combat frequency vary of individuals speaking. The corporate additionally presents presets that blend ANC, transparency mode and its spatial Immersive Audio, permitting you to shortly swap the sound to match your environment. And if that wasn’t sufficient, the contact controls make these over-ear headphones a breeze to make use of — so that you get good noise cancelation, good sound and additional comfort bundled on this bundle.

Whereas the spatial sound function is a little bit of a combined bag, the inventory tuning on the QuietComfort Extremely Headphones remains to be good – even earlier than you turn on Immersive Audio. Bose has usually lagged the competitors when it comes to sonic prowess, however these over-ear headphones present that hole is narrowing. There’s a splash extra bass to boost a default sound profile that’s hotter, clearer and extra inviting than earlier Bose fashions, leading to good sound general. When Immersive Audio hits, it’s wonderful and the audio high quality is actually outstanding. However, the corporate is counting on sign processing relatively than specifically crafted content material so the outcomes range.

Professionals

Glorious ANC
Improved audio
Clearer transparency mode
Comfortable

Cons

Costly
Immersive Audio is inconsistent
No USB-C audio

$449 at Macy’s

Picture by Billy Steele / Engadget

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 value is nicely price some aesthetic sacrifices. On account of their all-plastic building, the CH720N are tremendous light-weight and comfortable, permitting you to put on them for hours at a time. The ANC isn’t as sturdy in these price range headphones as that in dearer headphones, nevertheless it’s above common for merchandise on this worth vary. Toss in customizability and a helpful transparency mode, and also you’ve obtained a strong system that prices solely $150 — and commonly goes for round $100.

Along with respectable noise discount for a small funding, the CH720N has 35-hour battery life, bodily controls, DSEE upscaling and Sony’s 360 Actuality Audio. You too can modify each the EQ and the extent of ambient sound. Plus, the corporate’s ever-present Adaptive Sound Management can robotically swap the sound settings based mostly in your exercise or location. Final however not least, the general sound high quality is admittedly 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
Numerous plastic
No computerized pausing
Superior options reserved for pricier fashions

$150 at Amazon

Picture by Billy Steele / Engadget

Learn our full Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless review

Positive, there are headphones that may last more than Sennheiser’s Momentum 4 Wireless, however they don’t provide the combo of nice battery life, ANC and good sound high quality you’ll discover right here. On this mannequin, the corporate made massive enhancements to its lively noise cancellation, catching as much as rivals like Bose and Sony. Particularly, the ANC on the Momentum 4 handles fixed distractions extra successfully than earlier fashions within the collection.

I don’t look after the design Sennheiser introduced on the Momentum 4 as the corporate ditched what was a fairly novel search for one thing way more generic and plastic. Nonetheless, the change comes with the bonus of elevated consolation. You’ll additionally get wonderful sound high quality, in truth, it’s a number 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 would possibly even uncover finer particulars you beforehand missed. And, after all, its 60 hours of battery life with ANC on is double what lots of flagship headphones provide today.

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

$280 at Amazon

How to decide on the most effective noise-canceling headphones for you

Design

Whenever you’re searching for the most effective 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 deal with 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, lively noise-canceling headphones are way more efficient at blocking outdoors sounds since your ears are utterly coated.

For avid gamers, there are additionally gaming headsets that function 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 relatively than headsets. Search for fashions with a cushty 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 in search of one thing impartial or a daring pop of coloration, manufacturers now provide quite a lot of kinds to match your private style.

Lastly, in case you’re planning to put on your headphones for lengthy intervals of time, it’s essential to select a mannequin with a cushty match. Reminiscence foam ear cups, an adjustable headband, and light-weight supplies could make all of the distinction throughout prolonged listening periods. In spite of everything, nice sound is just a part of the equation; consolation issues simply as a lot.

Kind of noise cancellation

Subsequent, you’ll need to have a look at the kind of ANC a set of headphones presents. You’ll come throughout phrases like “hybrid lively noise cancellation” or “hybrid adaptive lively 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 system to detect outdoors noise and cancel it out. By analyzing enter from each mics, a hybrid system can fight extra sounds than “common” ANC, nevertheless it does so at a relentless stage that doesn’t change.

Adaptive ANC takes the hybrid configuration a step additional by repeatedly adjusting the noise cancellation for adjustments in your setting 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 outside. Some high-end headphones additionally assist Dolby Atmos, which boosts spatial audio and makes all the things from music to films sound extra immersive. For the needs of this finest headphones record, I’m solely contemplating merchandise with hybrid ANC or adaptive ANC setups as a result of these are the best at blocking noise and enhancing 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 might help you dial within the quantity of ANC you want for varied environments, however it may additionally allow you 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 vitality environment friendly. Different corporations could embody a slider of their companion apps that allow you to modify the ANC stage to your liking. Some high-end fashions even can help you fine-tune the ANC for particular kinds of environments.

How we take a look at noise-canceling headphones

The first manner we take a look at headphones is to put on them as a lot as potential. I desire to do that over a one-to-two-week interval, however generally deadlines don’t enable it. Throughout this time, I take heed to a mixture of music and podcasts, whereas additionally utilizing the headphones to take each voice and video calls.

Since battery life for headphones could be 30 hours or extra, I drain the battery with looping music and the quantity set at a cushty stage (often round 75 p.c). As a result of longer battery estimates, I’ll usually energy the headphones off a number of occasions and go away them that manner throughout a overview. This simulates real-world use and retains me from having to always 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 house places of work. When my schedule permits, I exploit them throughout air journey since aircraft noise is a large distraction to each work and rest. Even when I can’t hop on a flight, I’ll simulate a relentless roar with white noise machines, rest room followers, vacuums and extra. I additionally make be aware of how nicely every system blocks human voices, that are a key stumbling block for lots of ANC headphones.

ANC-related options are one thing else to think about. Right here, I do a radical overview of companion apps, testing every function as I work via 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 overview.

Different noise-canceling headphones we examined

AirPods Max

Apple’s AirPods Max are premium, well-designed headphones that incorporate the entire finest options you discover on customary AirPods: strong noise cancelation, spatial audio and straightforward Siri entry. Nonetheless, their $550 beginning worth makes them nearly prohibitively costly, even for these with Apple gadgets. There are higher choices out there at decrease costs.

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 method. Nonetheless, ANC efficiency is simply okay and key performance remains to be within the works for a lot of customers.

Beats Studio Professional

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

Noise-canceling headphones FAQs

Does noise cancellation block all noise?

Noise cancellation doesn’t block out all noise, although it does drastically cut back the quantity of most exterior sounds.

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

When it comes to sound high quality, when you’ve got two headphones — one wired and one wi-fi — with comparable specs, the distinction goes to be very minimal. Nonetheless, wi-fi headphones provide extra comfort, permitting you to maneuver round extra freely together with your headphones on, which is why they typically function noise cancellation to attenuate exterior sounds.

Does noise cancellation affect sound high quality?

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

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