Jane
In a world filled with constant noise, a great pair of noise-canceling headphones can make all the difference, whether working, traveling, or just looking for peace and quiet. Rounded up the best options across various price points, all designed to provide a comfortable fit, excellent sound quality, and impressive noise cancellation. Whether you’re after the plush comfort of over-ear headphones, the convenience of compact earbuds, or an affordable pick that still delivers solid performance, there’s something here for everyone.
From silencing office chatter to muting the roar of an airplane engine, these 10 best noise-canceling headphones help you tune out distractions and immerse yourself in what matters most. No matter your budget or preference, this guide will help you find the perfect pair to enhance your listening experience wherever life takes you.
10 Best Noise-Canceling Headphones to Buy
If you’re specifically looking for top noise-canceling headphones, we’ve covered you with a dedicated list of the best accurate wireless options. With new models constantly hitting the market, the list will be updated throughout 2025 to ensure the latest and greatest picks are included.
1. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
Bose‘s new flagship, the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, may not be a massive leap from the Noise Cancelling 700, but they bring some worthwhile upgrades. With a more premium design and the addition of Bose’s new Immersive Audio feature, these headphones offer subtle yet noticeable improvements in sound quality. They still deliver the excellent noise-canceling Bose is known for, making them a solid choice for shutting out distractions and immersing yourself in your music.
Beyond great sound, the QC Ultra Headphones also excel at voice calls, with top-tier background noise reduction ensuring clear conversations even in noisy environments. These features make them the best new noise-canceling headphones of 2024 and a serious competitor to Sony’s WH-1000XM5 and Apple’s AirPods Max.
2. Sony WH-1000XM5
When a product has a loyal following, making big changes can be a gamble, and that’s precisely the case with Sony‘s WH-1000XM5. As the fifth generation of the 1000X series, which debuted in 2016 as the MDR-1000X Wireless, these headphones have only grown in popularity with each iteration. While Sony has made small design tweaks over the years, the WH-1000XM5 marks a more dramatic shift in look and price. Fortunately, most of the changes are for the better, with significant upgrades in voice-calling performance, even more impressive noise canceling, and a more refined sound. Despite the higher price tag, Sony’s latest flagship proves that taking risks can lead to meaningful improvements.
3. Sonos Ace
Sonos has finally entered the headphone game with the new Ace, and they’re mostly worth the wait. These headphones boast a sleek, well-thought-out design, delivering excellent sound quality, effective noise canceling, and strong voice-calling performance. Sonos fans will appreciate the brand’s signature audio tuning, making the Ace a solid contender in the high-end headphone market. That said, they’re not without a few drawbacks. The price tag is steeper, and some users may experience glitches with one of their key features. Still, for those willing to invest, the Sonos Ace offers a premium listening experience that holds its own against top competitors.
4. QCY H3 Pro
QCY, a budget-friendly Chinese brand like Tribit and Earfun, offers impressive sound for the price, and its latest H3 Pro headphones, released in 2024, hold their own against models from 1More, Tribit, and Edifier. They stand out with lightweight construction and memory foam ear pads for comfort during long listening sessions. While the sound quality is generally solid, it can be inconsistent depending on the track, and occasional distortion may occur with poorly recorded material. The treble also lacks the crispness of premium models, but for an affordable option, the QCY H3 Pro delivers a satisfying listening experience.
Sony’s CH-720N headphones may have a budget-friendly plastic build, but they are surprisingly comfortable and offer better-than-expected sound. While they don’t match the premium audio of the WH-1000XM5s, they provide richer sound quality than their design suggests, improving on the previous CH-710N model. As an entry-level noise-canceling option, they’re a solid choice for casual listeners, especially if found at a discount. Like other Sony models in this range, the CH-720N will likely see price drops, making them an even better value for those willing to wait.
5. Soundcore Space One
The Soundcore Space One proves that you don’t have to spend a fortune to get great noise cancellation. These budget-friendly over-ear headphones punch well above their price, offering impressive noise reduction, solid sound quality, and all-day comfort. Whether you’re tuning out office chatter or just enjoying your favorite playlist, they deliver a balanced audio experience with rich bass and clear highs.
Their extended battery life makes them even better, keeping you powered through workdays, travel, and everything. For under $100, it’s hard to find another pair that offers this level of performance, making the Space One a fantastic choice for anyone looking to save without sacrificing quality.
6. Edifier W830NB
The Edifier W830NB builds on the success of the W820NB Plus, refining its design and performance while keeping its budget-friendly appeal. It looks slightly more premium than its predecessor yet remains lightweight and comfortable, thanks to plush memory foam ear pads. Sound quality is impressive for the price, delivering clear audio with well-defined bass and a spacious soundstage. Edifier has made some notable upgrades, including Bluetooth 5.4 (up from 5.2) and support for AAC alongside LDAC and SBC codecs.
Noise cancellation has also improved slightly, though it’s not entirely on par with Bose or Sony, but where these shine is battery life, lasting up to 54 hours with noise canceling on, a nice jump from the previous 49 hours. If you’re looking for an affordable, well-rounded pair of noise-canceling headphones, the W830NB is a solid choice.
7. Earfun Wave Pro
Earfun has entered the full-size ANC headphone market with its Wave Pro, a budget-friendly option with solid features. While they don’t quite match the premium sound quality of Bose or Sony, they’re comfortable to wear and deliver decent audio with punchy bass. However, they lack some clarity and bass definition compared to higher-end models. The noise cancellation is respectable, with two adjustable levels, and call quality holds up well.
Battery life is a standout, offering up to 80 hours with ANC off and 55 hours with it on; plus, they support multipoint Bluetooth pairing and Sony’s LDAC codec for high-quality audio on compatible Android devices. The included hard case and wired listening option are nice extras, though it’s disappointing that noise cancellation turns off in wired mode. The Wave Pro is a strong contender for those seeking solid ANC headphones without breaking the bank.
8. JBL Live 770NC
The JBL Live 770NC is a well-designed and comfortable pair of headphones that builds on its predecessor with a few key upgrades, including improved battery life of up to 65 hours with ANC off and 50 hours with it on and Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio (coming via a future firmware update). 40mm drivers deliver bold, well-defined sound with tight, powerful bass. Features like JBL’s Ambient Aware and TalkThru modes and multipoint Bluetooth pairing add to their versatility, though they lack ear-detection sensors to auto-pause music when removed.
Noise cancellation is solid, and call quality is generally good, though wind can be challenging. The headphones fold up for easy storage and come with a simple carrying pouch and a wired listening cable, though no hard case is included.
9. Apple AirPods Max
Apple has refreshed the AirPods Max with USB-C charging instead of Lightning and introduced new color options, but aside from that, not much has changed. The older Lightning model undergoes phase-out and discounting, with anticipated price drops for the USB-C version expected soon. While they’re undeniably pricey, the AirPods Max delivers outstanding sound quality, top-tier noise cancellation, a premium build, and Apple’s immersive spatial audio with head tracking.
They do have some weight to them, but they’re surprisingly comfortable. The mesh canopy headband was slightly adjusted to ensure a secure fit while walking. Most people should find them a good fit, though, as with any headphones, there may be exceptions.
10. Sennheiser Accentum Plus
Sennheiser’s new Accentum headphones are a solid midrange option, a slightly pared-down version of the flagship Momentum Wireless 4. Smaller 37mm drivers (compared to the MW4’s 42mm) still deliver impressive sound quality with precise detail and well-defined bass. The noise canceling and voice-calling performance are also strong, making them a great all-around pick.
One standout feature is their USB-C audio support, allowing you to connect directly to a computer or USB-C-enabled phone for wired listening. While they don’t quite match the MW4’s sound quality, they come close, although their design is a bit plain.
Find Your Perfect Noise-Canceling Headphones in 2025
No matter your budget or listening preferences, there’s a great pair of noise-canceling headphones for you. Whether you’re after the high-end excellence of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra or Sony WH-1000XM5, the budget-friendly reliability of the Soundcore Space One, or something in between, like the Sennheiser Accentum, the options in 2025 are better than ever.
From deep bass lovers to frequent travelers looking for total silence, these picks offer impressive sound, strong ANC, and solid comfort. As new models enter the market, the list will be updated to ensure the best pair to fit your needs is always available.
