Best Noise Cancelling Headphones

These fold-up headphones fit perfectly in a travel case. They are good at reducing ambient noise. They have voice calling capabilities and support for Apple Siri and Google Assistant. They also come with LDAC and DSEE Extreme support for hi-res audio.

They are great at reducing the continuous, high-frequency sounds (restaurant chatter and traffic) However, they can't completely block background noises. This is critical for hearing safety.

Comfort

One of the most important elements of a good pair of headphones is how comfortable they are to wear. Over-ear models are usually a lot more comfortable than in-ear headphones, as their cups fit around your ears instead of resting directly on them. Many models feature padded, well fitting cups that are made of soft materials. They don't get sweaty or hot after long listening sessions. Some models feature a cushioned band that fits around the headband to provide extra comfort.

Some headphones for over-ear use also come with a special noise-canceling microphone that lets you make hands-free calls. This is a fantastic option for those who are busy and have to make many calls throughout the day. They can also block out background noise making them ideal for business travelers. Some headsets come with a button control can be used to turn off your sound when it's time to make a phone call.

Over-ear headphones typically offer better sound quality than models that are ear-to-ear. This is because the earcups can cover a larger portion of your eardrum, which creates more powerful sound. Some of the best headphones on this list produce the full range of audio frequencies and provide amazing bass, which provides your music with a deep, rich feel.

In addition to offering better sound quality, headphones that are over-ear are more durable than in-ear headphones and tend to be lighter. This is an advantage for travelers who are going to be wearing headphones on long flights or during commutes.

Most ANC headphones have a rechargeable battery built in that can be used when listening to your device to power it. They can also provide you with up to 20 hours of listening time which is more than enough for most trips. It is important to remember that the volume you choose can have a significant impact on your battery life.

The Bowers & Wilkins PX8 has been one of our most stylish over-ear headphone tests. They blend subtlety and style in a unique way, featuring die-cast aluminum arm with diamond-cut, bright metal details and comfortable Nappa leather headbands. They have a great EQ that you can adjust according to your preferences in listening. They also come with voice assistant support so you can use your preferred digital assistant to control your headphones.

Noise-canceling

The most effective noise cancelling headphones provide a comfortable sonic buffer between your ears and the outside world. Whether you want to focus at work in a busy office, block out distracting background noise while you work out or relax on a plane or train ride or just tune out the sounds of your noisy family, a good pair of headphones is crucial. The most recent models in this category are made to provide high-quality sound and excellent noise cancellation that enhances the audio experience.

Our lab experts at Good Housekeeping use various tests and metrics to determine the sound quality, comfort and noise-canceling capabilities of headphones and earbuds. We examine how they fit on your head and ears as well as how light they are, and their sensitivity to external sound. We also test the length of time you can wear them without feeling uncomfortable and also consider their battery life.

Depending on what you value depending on your preferences, you can pick between active or passive noise cancelling headphone models. Passive models rely on the design of your headphone ear cups or earbuds to block out the sound of the surrounding environment and active models depend on technology that electronically or digitally reduces ambient sound by generating opposite sound waves that cancel out unwanted sound. This technology is typically used in over-ear headphones, but is also available in true wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones earbuds.

Certain manufacturers provide the amount of ambient noise they can cancel out in decibels. This is a useful metric to measure, but it's not the most important thing to consider when buying headphones for the first time. Take a look at our guide on how to find the perfect headphones for your budget and requirements.

We've reviewed a variety of over-ear and in-ear headphones from some of the most trusted brands. Bose, Sony and Bowers & Wilkins are among the brands we've reviewed. Each comes with its own distinctive characteristics that could make them better or worse than others, but our final pick is Sony's WH-1000XM5. This model is a fantastic combination of sound quality and comfort and also excellent noise cancellation.

Battery life

The battery life of headphones that cancel out noise is a major factor for buyers. The electronics and battery required to enable active noise cancellation add weight and dimensions to the headphones. The headphones must be charged on a regular basis and this can limit the time you can use them. However, there are several options to increase battery life. Some manufacturers offer fast-charging which can provide up to 18 hours of playback without the need to recharge. You can also select earbuds over over-ear headphones. They have a longer battery life, however, they don't hinder ambient sound as much.

The Sony WH-1000XM5s are the latest set of premium over-ear headphones from a brand that has been producing top-quality headphones for many years. This fifth generation model offers some significant improvements with top-of-the-line ANC and a richly detailed audio quality. In addition, it boasts various useful features, including Speak-to-Chat, Quick Attention mode and wear detection.

Edifier WH950NB is another excellent option for those looking to maximize the value of their headphones noise cancel. These high-value headphones are sleek and comfortable option that comes in a stylish case. These headphones also have a USB-C connector that lets you charge them while you listen, so you'll never run out. They feature a superb frequency response and an audio signature that is clean. It is compatible with many genres of music.

A pair of headphones over-ear that offers the best overall combination of comfort, ANC performance, and audio quality is the Bose NC 700. These premium headphones come with a stylish design, touch controls and support for virtual assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant. The premium cans come with a 24 hour ANC playback on a single charge, and if you use the fast-charge feature that gives you three additional hours of listening time with just 15 minutes of charging.

The HiFiMan Sundara is a great sound quality, overall, with a rich bass and clear middles. They don't have the most resounding highs, however and their lower frequency response isn't as great in comparison to our ideal target curve. These headphones are great for those who want to listen to their preferred music in silence, whether they're on the bus or at work.

Sound quality

The best noise cancelling headsets can improve your music listening experience by providing an audio barrier between you and the environment -- even in noisy commutes to work or at home. We look for a full clear, clear soundscape that has sharp highs and an impressive bass depth. Additionally, we prefer headphones that let you alter the balance between bass and treble which allows you to fine-tune the sound to your personal taste.

Passive noise cancellation utilizes padded earcups to seal the ears, stopping environmental sounds from reaching your eardrums. Active noise cancelling headphones, which are a more modern approach to the technology, use built-in microphones that listen to the surrounding environment and emit an inverse audio wave that blocks out external noise. ANC is more effective than passive noise cancellation that blocks out sounds at a range or frequencies. It is more effective when you have continuous, monotonous noises, rather than brief bursts or high-frequency sounds (like engine noise cancelling head phones or voices).

No headphones can completely block out ambient noise however, our top picks are excellent in reducing low-frequency sounds while still letting you listen to your music. They also block out a lot of higher-frequency sounds like the buzzing of plane engines or the chatter of people in the terminal. However, they do allow some lower mid-range noises, such as traffic and wind.

The Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones performed well in our tests. Vocals and instruments were clearly separated and the bass was a hefty and full without obscuring the other elements of the audioscape. They're comfortable to wear for long periods of time and we love the option of fine-tuning EQ through the Bose Headphones app for iOS or Android. The fifth generation of Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise-Canceling headphones are a more recent model with a great sound quality and a high-end build. They are very comfortable to wear and wireless noise cancelling Headphones come with many useful features, like Speak-to-Chat Quick Attention mode, DSEE Extreme Upscaling. However they don't have water resistance, nor can they be folded flat to transport.

For a more budget-friendly option Sony WH-CH720N headphones have a similar quality of sound and superior noise cancellation for less than half the price of the XM5s. They don't have ambient-sound control or DSEE Extreme scaling, but they come with a long battery life and a EQ that can be adjusted. They also block out the majority of low-frequency ambient sound and allow a decent amount of high- and mid-range sound to be heard but they're not able to compete with the Bose headphones in terms of reducing high-frequency noises like voices and sibilant tones.