Whether you work remotely, frequent airplanes, or just wish to minimize external noise, noise-cancelling headphones are an essential investment.
Even the most reasonably priced headphones will seem lacking if they don’t offer adequate noise cancellation. With a plethora of options on the market, it’s not wise to invest hundreds in mediocre ANC.
To assist you in exploring top choices from brands such as Apple, Beats, Bose, Sony, and Sonos, Mashable editors and reviewers evaluated various headphones and earbuds. Ranging from premium models to affordable choices, we have curated the finest noise-cancelling headphones of 2025. With Prime Day on July 8 approaching, it’s a perfect opportunity to buy a pair.
How do noise-cancelling headphones function?
Even budget headphones can eliminate some outside noise. Additionally, playing your music at a high volume can help mask nearby conversations and street sounds through passive noise cancellation. However, for the most effective reduction of external sound, you will require headphones equipped with active noise cancellation.
Active noise-cancelling headphones electronically counteract the sounds around you. They utilize internal microphones to identify ambient noise, then invert the sound waves and relay them to the speakers. The objective is for the resulting output and input to neutralize one another, providing you with near-silence. The best over-ear headphones also form a tight seal around your ears, adding an extra layer of passive sound insulation.
If you have previously tried noise-cancelling headphones and were underwhelmed, don’t lose hope, as not all ANC systems perform the same. More affordable ANC headphones may generate a discernible hissing sound when noise cancellation is engaged, which can be bothersome to some users.
Some headphones are better at blocking lower frequencies while potentially allowing higher pitches to seep through. Generally, premium headphones yield superior overall performance, but we have budget-friendly selections that still offer commendable results.
In the past, few wireless earbuds featured active noise cancellation that could rival over-ear headphones, but new models like the AirPods Pro and Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds are now competitive in the ANC arena. Nevertheless, even these earbuds cannot achieve the same level of sealing or microphone quantity as headphones, so for the best silence, over-ear models are advisable.
What are the top noise-cancelling headphones?
Bose frequently stands out as a top name in noise-cancelling audio, consistently offering leading ANC performance.
Yet, it’s not the sole brand to consider. For exceptional ANC and sound quality, Sony presents impressive options. Those in search of a budget-friendly alternative may find EarFun’s offerings valuable in the noise-cancelling sector. Ultimately, the best noise-cancelling headphones will vary based on the features and price range you prefer — our guide below indicates the strengths of each selected option.
In terms of pricing, we anticipate most of our recommendations will be discounted for Prime Day. For instance, the Bose QC Ultra headphones were available for $349 last Prime Day.
Recent testing updates
As of July 2025, we have updated from the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones to the newer Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones.
Our February 2025 evaluations introduced the EarFun Air Pro 4 earbuds as our top choice for earbuds under $100. They replaced the Beats Studio Buds+ due to their superior noise cancellation, battery life, and overall value. We also included the Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones as an alternative selection for best battery life headphones in March 2025.
In September 2024, we assessed the JBL Live Beam 3 earbuds and admired their audio quality, unique design, and touchscreen case for convenient battery life monitoring and audio controls. However, their noise cancellation did not meet expectations for $200 earbuds. We have additionally incorporated the Dyson OnTrac headphones as our recommendation for best battery life, owing to their remarkable 55-hour battery performance.
In August 2024, we ceased recommending the Bose 700 headphones as the leading noise-cancelling headphones with adjustable ANC. This decision was overdue — these headphones have been officially discontinued since the launch of the Bose QC Ultra headphones in September 2023 but were still available through non-Bose retailers. We will persist in seeking new models that can provide the adjustable noise cancellation that these Bose headphones once delivered.