Whether you are telecommuting, flying frequently, or just aiming to minimize outside disturbances, noise-cancelling headphones are a wise investment, particularly during the Black Friday period.

Even the most affordable headphones might seem lacking if they do not provide adequate noise cancellation. With the plethora of headphones available, spending a fortune on substandard ANC isn’t advisable.

To assist you in finding the top selections from brands such as Apple, Beats, Bose, Sony, and Sonos, Mashable editors and reviewers tested a variety of headphones and earbuds. From premium models to budget-friendly options, we identified the top noise-cancelling headphones of 2025.

Bose is frequently recognized as a foremost name in noise-cancelling audio, often ranking highest for the best ANC available. However, there are other brands worth your attention. Sony delivers outstanding choices for high-end ANC with excellent sound quality. For a budget-friendly alternative, EarFun offers great value in the noise-cancelling arena. The ideal noise-cancelling headphones rely on the features and price range you desire — our guide below indicates where each of our selections excels.

We anticipate that most of these choices will undergo some form of price reduction during Black Friday, with the exception of the second-generation Bose QC Ultra headphones, which debuted in October 2024. Nevertheless, the QC Ultra 2 earbuds released in September did experience a minor discount shortly after their launch, making it a possibility.

Even budget headphones can mitigate some ambient noise. You can always raise your music volume to mask conversations and street sounds through passive noise cancellation. However, for optimal noise reduction, you will need headphones equipped with active noise cancellation.

Active noise-cancelling headphones electronically obscure surrounding sounds. They utilize internal microphones to monitor the environment, then invert the surrounding noise and transmit it to the speakers. This method aims to effectively cancel both output and input, leaving you in a state of near-silence. The top over-ear headphones also form a snug seal around your ears, adding an additional layer of passive sound isolation.

If you’ve experienced noise-cancelling headphones before and found them lacking, remain optimistic, as ANC efficiency varies. Budget ANC headphones may emit a noticeable hissing noise when activated, which can be bothersome. Some headphones might excel at soft tone cancellation but can allow higher frequency sounds. Generally, high-end headphones yield better outcomes, but we have affordable selections below that still perform admirably.

Previously, few wireless earbuds delivered active noise cancellation on par with over-ear headphones, but newer iterations like the AirPods Pro and Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds stand their ground in the ANC field. However, even those earbuds can’t match the seal or fit of many high-quality headphones, so for the ultimate silence, opt for over-ear models.

In September 2025, we updated the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds with a new second-generation model. As of July 2025, we replaced the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones with the latest Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones. Our February 2025 assessments introduced the EarFun Air Pro 4 earbuds as our top choice under $100, replacing the Beats Studio Buds+ due to the Air Pro’s superior noise cancellation, battery performance, and overall value. We also included the Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones as an alternate recommendation for best battery life in March 2025.

In September 2024, we evaluated the JBL Live Beam 3 earbuds, appreciating their sound quality, distinctive design, and touchscreen case for convenient battery life monitoring and audio control. However, their noise cancellation was lacking for earbuds priced at $200. We’ve also included the Dyson OnTrac headphones as our selection for best battery life, thanks to their remarkable 55-hour duration.

In August 2024, we phased out the Bose 700 headphones as our top recommendation for the best noise-cancelling headphones with adjustable ANC. This was long overdue, as these headphones were discontinued following the release of the Bose QC Ultra headphones in September 2023 yet remained accessible from other sellers. We will be vigilant for new models that can rival the adjustable noise cancellation these Bose headphones once provided.