Whether you’re telecommuting, traveling frequently, or just looking to find some peace away from the chaos of daily life, noise-cancelling headphones are an essential accessory.
Even the most affordable headphones can be inadequate if they don’t feature good noise cancellation. With countless choices available — and new ones coming out every month — there’s no need to invest a fortune in a pair that doesn’t provide effective active noise cancellation (ANC).
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To assist you in navigating the dense headphone market, the Mashable team of editors and reviewers evaluated numerous models from leading brands such as Apple, Beats, Bose, Sony, and Sonos. From premium options to budget-friendly choices, we’ve compiled a list of the finest noise-cancelling headphones of 2025.
How does noise cancellation function?
Most headphones provide a certain level of passive noise isolation — simply by covering your ears or fitting securely in your ear canal. You can also turn up the volume to mask background noise, but that’s not the best choice for your hearing. If you’re serious about blocking out the sounds around you, active noise cancellation is the best option.
ANC headphones utilize built-in microphones to pick up outside sounds, then create sound waves that are precisely the opposite of those noises. When these opposing sound waves converge, they cancel each other out, substantially lowering the volume of your surroundings. Over-ear designs often amplify this effect by forming a tight seal around your ears, providing another layer of passive noise suppression.
Not all ANC is the same
If you’ve used ANC headphones in the past and weren’t satisfied, don’t lose hope just yet. Noise cancellation can significantly differ among models. Lower-end headphones may emit a slight hissing noise when ANC is enabled, which some users may find annoying. Other models might effectively muffle low-frequency sounds such as engine noise but have difficulty with higher-pitched sounds like voices or alarms.
While high-end headphones typically deliver the best results, there are still economical options that perform admirably in quieting your surroundings.
Wireless earbuds have also seen significant improvements in ANC technology. Models like the Apple AirPods Pro and Sony WF-1000XM5 provide impressive noise cancellation given their size. However, earbuds still cannot compete with the complete seal or microphone systems found in over-ear headphones, so if you desire the most immersive quiet, over-ear is the best choice.
What are the leading noise-cancelling headphones?
Bose remains a frontrunner in the ANC market, frequently establishing the benchmark for noise-cancelling performance. However, they aren’t the only option available. Sony delivers superb sound quality and ANC in its top-tier offerings, while brands like EarFun present reliable performance at a more budget-conscious price.
Ultimately, the best noise-cancelling headphones for you will rely on your priorities — whether it’s audio quality, comfort, battery endurance, or cost. Our complete guide details the top selections for every requirement and budget.