Looking for a way to enjoy some peace and quiet? Consider our top picks for noise-canceling headphones. While Sony remains the best overall choice, there are also other options worth considering.
Noise-canceling headphones have become a must-have item for many situations, such as the daily commute, travel, or working from home. Fortunately, there are plenty of excellent options to choose from, making it difficult to go wrong.
When it comes to selecting the best noise-canceling headphones, the criteria remains the same, regardless of how you plan to use them. Comfort, noise-cancellation effectiveness, sound quality, battery life, and multipoint pairing capability are the most important factors. The right headphones for you will depend on which of these factors you prioritize. However, Sony’s WH-1000XM5 remains our top overall pick due to its outstanding combination of sound quality, comfort, and exceptional noise cancellation.
However, if you’re seeking a distinct alternative, numerous options are still available. For instance, if you desire supreme comfort during long-distance flights, Bose’s QuietComfort 45s may be the solution. If you’re an iPhone user who only wants the finest, the AirPods Max are worth their high cost. Moreover, Bowers & Wilkins and Sennheiser offer exceptional ANC headphones for those who prioritize sound quality. Bose’s contender is also an excellent choice for those searching for the best headphones for Zoom life. Finally, if you prefer something more fashionable, Marshall’s headphones could be a pleasant surprise.
The best wireless headphones
The WH-1000XM5 headphones from Sony boast a completely new design compared to their predecessors. These changes translate into enhanced comfort, especially during extended periods of use, such as on flights or at the office.
Moreover, Sony has further improved the already impressive noise-cancellation capabilities of the M4s, positioning them ahead of all major competitors. Additionally, the sound quality is more nuanced and well-balanced compared to the older 1000XM4s, with a punchy but tighter low end and less boominess. The M5s are the best in the 1000X series in terms of voice call performance, and they also support simultaneous connectivity to two devices. This feature enables you to stay connected to your phone while working on your laptop or tablet, ensuring you don’t miss any important updates.
In addition, Sony’s headphones boast unique features, such as “speak to chat,” which automatically pauses your music and activates ambient audio when you begin speaking. Alternatively, you can activate quick attention mode by covering the right ear cup with your hand. This feature is handy when you need to grab a coffee or listen to airport announcements. The 1000XM5s also have auto-pause functionality, which detects when the headphones have been removed from your ears.
However, the main drawback of the WH-1000XM5s is their higher price point of $399.99 compared to earlier models. This factor may prompt you to consider the 1000XM4s, which were our top choice for noise-canceling headphones. These headphones are still available from Sony’s lineup and frequently go on sale.
The best over-ear noise-canceling
Bose’s QC45 headphones are a triumphant return to form. They feature a design that closely resembles the QC35II, making them exceptionally lightweight and comfortable to wear for extended periods, including all-day use. The oval ear cups provide comfort that is unrivalled by anyone else. What’s more, unlike the Noise Canceling Headphones 700, the QC45s are foldable, making them easier to transport.
Bose has made modest improvements to the active noise cancellation, and the battery life has been extended to 24 hours from the previous 20. Additionally, the QC45s have a USB-C port, which replaces the Micro USB connector on their predecessors. Bose has also added a transparency mode for situations when you need to speak with someone or be more aware of your surroundings. The sound quality on the QC45s is a little more balanced than that of the bass-heavy Sony 1000XM4s. However, you can change the default sound: Bose included the ability to customise EQ in a firmware update in February 2022.
One persistent annoyance is that there is no way to turn off noise cancellation without activating the transparency mode. It’s either one or the other, with no basic “off” mode. I’m optimistic that Bose will address these shortcomings with future software updates, but you should not rely on it.
The best wireless headphones for iPhone owners
When Apple unveiled their noise-canceling headphones, the AirPods Max, with a hefty $549 price tag, it caused a bit of sticker shock. However, the build quality is unparalleled with steel and aluminium replacing the plastic you’d find in other noise-canceling headphones, and the breathable mesh fabric ear cups. They are weighty headphones, but they feel anything but cheap. The digital crown controls are straightforward, and there’s no need to fumble around with hit-or-miss gestures. Moreover, the AirPods Max deliver exceptional audio quality on par with other high-end Bluetooth headphones. The soundstage is immersive and expansive, with remarkable dynamics that reveal hidden layers of your favourite music. The noise cancellation rivals that of Sony and Bose, and their transparency mode is unmatched. However, the AirPods Max has its shortcomings. The carrying case is subpar, and the battery life is average for the category. Also, they are designed to work best within the Apple ecosystem, making it hard to justify the $550 price tag if you don’t live within that ecosystem.
The best sounding wireless headphones
If you prioritize sound quality, Bowers & Wilkins has the solution with their PX7 S2 headphones. These headphones offer excellent, detailed sound quality that some people prefer over the AirPods Max. Bowers & Wilkins’ headphones are true to the company’s legacy and style, with a finely crafted design that exudes quality.
In my opinion, their physical buttons are more convenient than the touch and swipe gestures on Sony’s 1000XM5s. With a battery life of 30 hours, the PX7 S2s are competitive with less expensive headphones in the market. The sound profile is warm and pleasant, enhancing your favourite music. The main drawback of the PX7 S2s is that they lack a traditional headphone cable output, but you can still listen through USB-C.
The best noise-canceling headphones for travel
If you’re searching for headphones with long battery life, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 is the perfect candidate with its impressive 60-hour battery life on a single charge. Not only that, but these headphones also sound fantastic and are incredibly comfortable, even for extended listening periods. Although they come with a high price tag, there are some good deals available from time to time.
In terms of comfort, the Momentum 4 Wireless headphones are even lighter than the Bowers & Wilkins and offer slightly better noise cancellation. They are among the most comfortable headphones on the market, even compared to the Sonys and QC45s. Sennheiser’s sound signature emphasize bass more than B&W but still delivers clear upper treble. The only issue I have with these headphones is that they sometimes power on while in the case and connect to my phone for no apparent reason. Both B&W and Sennheiser headphones support multipoint connectivity and various Bluetooth codecs, including SBC, AAC, aptX, and aptX Adaptive.
The best noise-canceling headphones for voice calls
Bose is a well-known name in the noise-canceling headphone world, and the Noise Canceling Headphones 700 only add to the brand’s reputation. They offer decent audio quality, exceptional call quality, and top-notch noise cancellation. For many people, it’s a toss-up between these and Sony’s 1000XM3 headphones. Sony edges out Bose with better battery life and a more lively, impactful sound, but Bose’s support for multipoint pairing with two devices simultaneously is a significant advantage. The Noise Canceling Headphones 700 are comfortable enough to wear for long periods, even though they aren’t as lightweight as the company’s less expensive QC35 II headphones. During conference calls or video chats, the headphones’ microphones perform exceptionally well, making your voice clear and audible on the other end. This is not always the case with wireless headphones on this list. While the Bose headphones’ battery life is lower than its competitors, lasting up to 20 hours, it still provides a decent amount of time before needing a recharge.
