Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin If you need to tune out the world around you, a pair of noise-canceling headphones can reduce distracting ambient noise so you can enjoy your music and focus in near-silence. The best noise-canceling headphones must do more than just offer impressive active noise cancellation (ANC), though; they must have great audio quality and an impressive battery life, too. After extensive research and testing, we found the best noise-canceling headphones to be the Bose QuietComfort Ultra wireless headphones for unparalleled ANC, lovely audio quality and an impressive 24-hour battery life. The best noise-canceling headphones remove most background ambient noise so you can listen to your ... More music without any distractions. Rebecca Isaacs for Forbes But if you prefer a smaller profile, the best noise-canceling earbuds are the Bose QuietComfort Ultra wireless earbuds, which cancel most noise and offer intuitive touch controls. And for those who want a balance of noise cancellation and affordability, I found the Anker Soundcore Space Ones blended those needs the best. Here are the best noise-canceling headphones to check out for those times when silence is truly golden. Best Noise-Canceling Headphones Overall: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless Headphones Best Noise-Canceling Wireless Earbuds: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless Earbuds Best Value Noise-Canceling Headphones: Anker Soundcore Space One Best Apple Noise-Canceling Headphones: Apple AirPods Max Best Midrange Noise-Canceling Headphones: Anker Soundcore Space One Pro Best Noise-Canceling Headphones Overall Unparalleled Audio Quality That Lasts For 24 Hours Best Overall Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless Headphones Forbes Vetted Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence. Battery life: 24 hours (with ANC) | Drivers: 35mm | Weight: 9 ounces | Case: Hard case | Wireless connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 (up to two connections) | Wired connectivity: 2.5mm A really comfortable fit Excellent audio quality Incredibly effective noise cancellation You need ultra-customizable audio You’re looking for a more durable build Head tracking is the most important feature to you The Bose QuietComfort Ultra wireless headphones are a mix of aluminum and plastic, with replaceable plush ear cups that felt comfortable to wear even on multiple international flights lasting as long as 10 hours. The overall build feels a little flimsy, but after looping them through my carry-on for multiple international flights and accidentally dropping them multiple times, they still look brand new. Controls are a mix of touch and swipe controls and physical buttons; swipe on the back of the right earcup to adjust volume, which I found useful. For audiophiles, the Bose app may feel lacking; the adjustments are limited to bass, mids and trebles, and you can only adjust them up and down by six points. While they sound great out of the box, I still adjusted mine for a dynamic setting. This design is consistent across all Bose products I’ve tested and it’s very intuitive. It’s refreshing because after testing a slew of noise-canceling headphones, many competitors’ EQ presets sound bizarre; Bose nails audio quality right out of the gate, so to speak. And the audio you get for the price is simply unparalleled. The Bose QuietComfort Ultras feature both button and touch controls. I was a fan of the Smoke hue. Rebecca Isaacs for Forbes When you’re working at your desk, you can set the audio to Motion or Still, which places the soundstage right in front of you; turn your head to the left or right, and the soundstage stays right there. It’s a mixed bag—it’s available, but it comes at the cost of audio quality. It’s also worth noting that this audio degradation happened across every single pair of headphones I tested. But if you don’t plan to use this feature, it won’t matter to you, anyway. If battery life is important to you, you’ll be relieved to know that you shouldn’t expect to worry too much about charging. They lasted me through a 13-hour flight with ANC on, with plenty of life to spare. Bose rates them for a 24-hour life with ANC on, but keep in mind that when you turn on the Motion and Still immersion modes, they won’t last as long since those modes draw more power. A quick 15-minute charge also gave me another two hours in a pinch, which came in handy once when I forgot to charge them. Best Noise-Canceling Wireless Earbuds Same Powerful ANC, In A Smaller, More Portable Profile Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless Earbuds Forbes Vetted Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence. Battery life: Up to 6 hours | Drivers: 8.4mm | Weight: 0.54 ounces | Case: Hard case | Wireless connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 (up to two connections) | Wired connectivity: N/A Unparalleled ANC Excellent audio quality Its intuitive app, which offers flexibility without diving too much into the details You value battery life You balk at paying extra for wireless charging Not to be confused with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra wireless headphones, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra wireless earbuds are the best noise-canceling wireless earbuds I tested. While they have a much smaller profile than their headphones siblings, the earbuds themselves are still some of the largest I’ve stuck in my ears, so those with small ears may want to look elsewhere. Various ear tip sizes are included to help you find a more comfortable fit, of course. You also shouldn’t expect to use any physical controls on these earbuds—they use touch only. Like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra wireless headphones, the earbuds are pretty darn powerful. The 8.4mm drivers pack a surprising amount of bass despite their small profile. The app also allows you to adjust the bass, mids and trebles up and down six points. I only needed to increase the bass a tad—audio quality is pretty spot on, so you shouldn’t expect to adjust them too much. The audio quality itself is on par with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra wireless headphones, too. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds feature an oval-shaped eartip for ergonomic comfort. Rebecca Isaacs for Forbes But it’s the ANC that feels superior, especially coming from a pair of earbuds. During testing, I didn’t hear my husband approaching until he tapped my shoulder—and this occurred multiple times. The New York City MTA is notoriously screechy, and I found myself enjoying reading my Kindle Paperwhite in near silence. For context, I’ve tested a slew of wireless earbuds, and they usually can’t quite remove most, if not all, background noise. These earbuds get pretty darn close to removing all background noise. But that smaller profile and stellar ANC come at a serious cost of battery life. Case in point: I found myself in a pickle during a transcontinental flight when my buds unexpectedly warned me they had less than 10% battery life. The flight itself was six hours long, but I had used them the whole time I was at the airport, and didn’t realize that they wouldn’t make it through the whole trip. While you get up to six hours of battery life, that’s without ANC—turn it on, and you get less. A 15-minute charge gets you two extra hours, and for those who want the option of wireless charging, that special accessory costs an additional $49. Considering the price of these earbuds—around $300 before a sale—I personally balk at that extra cost. Best Value Noise-Canceling Headphones Easy Physical Controls—And EQ Presets Anker Soundcore Space One Forbes Vetted Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence. Battery life: 40 hours (with ANC), 55 hours (without ANC) | Drivers: 40mm | Weight: 9.3 ounces | Storage: None | Wireless connectivity: Bluetooth 5.4 (up to two connections) | Wired connectivity: 3.5mm wired Very good audio quality at value pricing Getting a slew of easy-to-access EQ presets for listening across music genres Higher-quality build is priority You frequently replace your ear cups—you can’t swap these The Anker Soundcore Space One headphones ticked a lot of boxes for me. They’re affordable, have pretty solid noise cancellation and they’re comfortable to wear for long periods of time. Because it’s mostly made from with plastic, the headphones feel pretty cheap, but I found them to be pretty durable nonetheless. I tossed them around during my travels and so far they still look brand new. My biggest gripe isn’t even durability—it’s the ear cups, which aren’t replaceable. Still, the audio quality is impressive for this price range, outshining even some of the midrange options I tested. Bass sounds good without feeling overpowering, and there’s a lovely balance of mids and trebles. If you don’t like how they sound out of the box, Anker Soundcore software comes with plenty of EQ presets so you can easily find one that suits your listening preferences. Most of them sound good, but there are a few that sound a little off. You can also customize your EQ, if you prefer. They also come with a play/pause sensor inside the cup to preserve battery life, which is around 40 hours with ANC on. The ear pads are plush but not swappable, which I found disappointing. Sensors inside can ... More automatically play and pause your music. Rebecca Isaacs for Forbes You’ll find a few dubious features, like HearID Sound, software that’s supposed to help you hear and enjoy your music if you have some hearing loss. To get started with it, you listen through a series of “this or that” music EQs to determine your frequency boost needs. I ran the test twice, once where I listened as I normally would; and once when I pretended to have some hearing loss in lower frequencies. After the second test, I felt the headphones boosted some of the higher frequencies, not the lower bass ones I claimed I couldn’t hear. Your mileage may vary, but in general I didn’t find it very effective, even though I’m not a part of the target audience (yet). Best Apple Noise-Canceling Headphones Switches Seamlessly From Your MacBook To Your iPhone Apple AirPods Max Forbes Vetted Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence. Battery life: 20 hours (with ANC) | Drivers: 40mm | Weight: 13.6 ounces | Storage: Smart case | Wireless connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0 (up to two connections) | Wired connectivity: USB-C Folks who love staying within the walled garden of Apple’s ecosystem Its durable build—seriously, we’ve dropped it multiple times over the course of three years You want a decent carrying case You want the best battery life—they go into sleep mode if you don’t use the carry case For Apple users who want the best ANC the company has to offer, pick up the Apple AirPods Max. Our tester noted the stainless steel design and shared that this sleek package “elevates the overall look of the headphones.” She also shared that she’s owned her pair for over three years, and they have “managed to withstand me dropping them and only sustaining a few minor scratches,” which speaks volumes of the build quality. The audio quality left our tester impressed, too. The headphones have an immersive listening profile that includes spatial audio and a strong ANC that reduced a noisy vacuum to a slight hum. When you need to hear around you, you can easily swap to the built-in Transparency mode. The Apple AirPods Max come with spot-on EQ settings, according to our tester, but if you find you want to change them, you can manually customize the EQ settings, too. The AirPods Max only fully turn off when placed in their case. Otherwise they're in Sleep mode when ... More not in use, which can drain the battery. lee cutlip for forbes And the real claim to fame here is Apple’s multipoint connectivity. Yes, the ANC is strong, but the AirPods were designed to complement the Apple ecosystem which includes the iPhone, iPad and MacBook. If you listen on your phone and you open your MacBook, it automatically switches to listening on your device of choice. The same happens when you shut your MacBook; the audio seamlessly jumps to your iPhone. A couple of caveats, though. Our tester noted that the headphones doesn’t fully turn off when you’re not listening. Instead, they shift into a sleep mode, which can drain battery life over a period. To fully shut them down, you need to place them in the included carrying case. That has its own disadvantages; it isn’t very rugged or durable—and it doesn’t protect the headband. Best Midrange Noise-Canceling Headphones Enhanced ANC And A Longer Battery Life Anker Soundcore Space One Pro Forbes Vetted Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence. Battery life: 40 hours (with ANC), 60 hours (without ANC) | Drivers: 40mm | Weight: 9.6 ounces | Storage: None | Wireless connectivity: Bluetooth 5.4 (up to two connections) | Wired connectivity: 3.5mm wired The Anker Soundcore Space One Pros are a little more expensive than the Anker Soundcore Space Ones, but there are plenty of good reasons for the higher price tag. The Space One Pros have a build that’s very similar to the Soundcore Space Ones; they’re both made from cheap plastic, for example. But Anker comes with a few extras, including swappable ear pads in the event yours wear out. If you end up changing yours out, make sure you contact customer service to learn how to do so. That way, you don’t accidentally damage them. I also wish that they offered a carry case, as these are more expensive than the Space Ones. The Anker Soundcore Space One Pros include physical buttons. Rebecca Isaacs for Forbes The audio quality is enhanced and heavy on bass, which makes for a better all-around listening experience. You can reduce the bass with the same slew of Soundcore EQ presets offered on this pair. There’s also access to more audio-enhancing software like Dolby Atmos and LDAC. LDAC, usually reserved for high-end headphones and audio equipment, is a feature that transmits high-resolution audio over a Bluetooth connection, and expect to download extra software to use it. The LDAC settings change the headphones’ settings slightly in that once it’s enabled. You can no longer connect to more than one device, but it’s worth it—audio quality sounds much better with it on. The same can’t be said for Dolby Audio. It muddled all my music, to the point that I can’t recommend using this feature. (And if you have LDAC enabled, you can’t use it anyway.) In any event, you don’t have to use either feature. If you turn off Dolby Atmos and don’t enable LDAC, audio quality still sounds good and more detailed than the Space Ones. While the ear cups are swappable, it's best to contact customer service beforehand to learn how to ... More change them out properly. Rebecca Isaacs for Forbes Battery life is very impressive. With ANC on, you can expect 40 hours of playback, and without, you get up to 60. Even more impressive is its quick charging capability: With five minutes of charge, you can get up to eight hours of playback, though that’s with ANC off. Just keep in mind that LDAC takes a serious toll on battery life. RECOMMENDED BYFORBES VETTED Apple AirPods Pro Vs. Beats Studio Buds: Which Earbuds Are Best? Rebecca Isaacs The Best Karaoke Machines That’ll Keep You Singing Into The Night Rebecca Isaacs Other Noise-Canceling Headphones We Tested We tested over 20 pairs of headphones over the course of a few months to land on our top picks, noting audio quality, active noise cancellation and more. While these headphones didn’t quite make the cut, the competition was strong, and they’re still worthy of your consideration. Here are the other noise-canceling headphones we tested. Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 ($400 at Beyerdynamic): These headphones ranked just behind Bose and Sonos in audio quality. After testing them, I recommend using the Dynamic EQ preset; the other presets muddied the mids and lows, especially with more complex tracks. The headphones’ noise cancellation was pretty solid too, but again, Bose is king here. The Beyerdynamics simply couldn’t match that of the Bose. Beats Studio Pro ($170 at Amazon): The Beats Studio Pro headphones have a great audio quality and pretty strong ANC. Our tester wore them on a transatlantic flight and noted that the ANC was strong enough to nearly miss her flight announcements. While our tester also found the earcups were plush, the headband lacks padding—so much that our tester noted some discomfort after long listening sessions. These would be great for the gym, but not for longer periods of wear. Bowers & Wilkins Px8 ($506 at Amazon): Our tester loved the Bowers & Wilkins Px8’s, saying that they offered “studio-level fidelity.” They’re also very comfortable, with an app that includes expansive EQ offerings and support for voice assistants including Apple Siri and Google Assistant. These headphones support AptX Adaptive, AptX HD and plenty of other software designed with audiophiles in mind. Their noise canceling is pretty impressive, too. The main downside? They’re expensive at around $700 before a sale—and unless you’re willing to pay that much for them, the Bose does the job at a fraction of the price. JBL Live 770 NC ($150 at Amazon): The JBL Live 770 NCs bring a powerful bass, and our tester said the audio quality sounded great across multiple music genres. However, our tester shared the ANC left something to be desired; she could still hear muffled voices and treadmill noise at the gym. Our tester also noted some creaking in the headband and mild pinching behind the ears when she wore them with her glasses. Sonos Ace ($350 at Amazon): The Sonos Ace are a premier pair of headphones. The audio quality is gorgeous, and they offer the option to enable and use LDAC. The pair also syncs nicely with the Sonos Arc soundbar, if you have this soundbar in your home. However, they’re about the same price as the Bose QuietComfort Ultras, which edge out the noise-canceling capabilities in the Sonos Ace. Also, if you’re not familiar with Sonos software, the app may frustrate you. It’s not intuitive. Sony WH-1000XM5 ($292 at Amazon): Sony’s WH-1000XM5 headphones are a strong contender for the best pick overall. Our tester wore them for hours without discomfort and found the ANC matched the Bose QuietComfort Ultras in strength; he ended up having to blind test them. In his blind testing, however, the Bose headphones consistently edged them out in audio clarity. The Sony app also felt less intuitive than others we tried, but it has plenty of EQ options and Adaptive Sound Audio which registers whether you’re in motion or still and automatically makes audio adjustments. There is also a newer model available: the Sony WH-1000XM6, which we’re still in the process of testing. Anker Soundcore Life Q35 ($64 at Amazon): Our tester loved these headphones for their comfort, thanks to their oversized earcups with plush padding—so much so that our tester actually preferred wearing them over her own pair of Bose QuietComfort Ultras. The ANC doesn’t match the Anker Soundcore Space One, and the same goes for sound quality. Still, for the price, they’re a great alternative option for budget-minded listeners. Audio-Technica A800 (out of stock): The Audio-Technica A800 wireless headphones deliver rich sound, though I found they fell just short of the quality I experienced from the Bose QuietComfort Ultras. Ashnikko’s and Kendrick Lamar’s tracks showcased an accurate, deep bass, but I felt there was a slight muddiness in other frequencies, especially on more layered and nuanced songs like Florence and The Machine’s “Free.” I also found the EQ presets in the companion app were lacking—they didn’t always feel balanced. If you want to keep your next pair of noise-canceling headphones under $400, this is a great pair. Why Trust Forbes Vetted The Forbes Vetted team has published hundreds of tech and electronic guides that leverage our hands-on testing and research, including audio stories for all of your listening needs like wireless headphones, wireless earbuds, outdoor speakers and more. Consumer tech and electronics editor Rebecca Isaacs has been involved in tech journalism for over six years. In her time testing the best noise-canceling headphones, she focused on aspects of interest to everyone, from casual listeners to serious audiophiles who want to enjoy every single guitar strum and truly feel immersed in the music. This story was reviewed by executive editor Dave Johnson, a veteran tech journalist who has authored nearly three dozen books on technology and photography. As a drummer and audiophile, he’s well-versed in the latest audio technology, regularly attends trade shows to learn about the latest audio trends, and served as the host of the popular podcast Battlestar Recaptica. Three additional experts were tapped to share their unbiased insights for this story: Jason Wingate, CEO of Emerald Ocean Ltd. and Arvind Rongala, CEO of Edstellar. We regularly revisit this story to reevaluate product selections, add new testing insights and more. We updated this article in May 2025 to retest all of the latest wireless headphones on the market and add new testing insights. We also interviewed all-new experts to help you make an informed buying decision. How I Tested The Best Noise-Canceling Headphones To find the best noise-canceling headphones, the Forbes Vetted team put over 20 pairs to the test via panel testing. But first, we began by narrowing down options to top-rated brands like Bose, Sony, Anker Soundcore and more. From there, we put the shortlist to the test. The best noise-canceling headphones shouldn’t feel too large on your head, and they certainly shouldn’t feel too small or give you a headache. They should be comfortable to wear for long periods of time without any ear pinches or aches, with plush earcups that are ideally replaceable when the padding starts to wear down. They should feel secure on your head, too. Audio Quality No matter what genre you’re listening to, your audio quality should have a good balance of bass, mids and treble frequencies. None of these frequencies should sound muddled or distorted during listening sessions, and so we looked for crystal clear clarity and smoothness amongst the frequencies. As my team tested each pair of noise-canceling headphones, we cross-checked audio quality across a variety of songs and genres, as music is far from one-size-fits-all. We also considered differences across multiple EQs and noted how well EQs sounded, noting where we could create a customized EQ profile. Some of the genres that we listened to include alternative, rock, classical, audiobooks/podcasts and more. Specifically, the songs the team panel tested their headphones across include: Florence and the Machine’s “King,” “Cosmic Love” and “Dog Days Are Over” Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherezade” Ashnikkos’ “Worms” and “Daisy” Chappell Roan’s “Good Luck, Babe” and “Red Wine Supernova” Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” and “The Chain” Fitz and the Tantrums’ “123456,” “Livin’ For The Weekend,” and “I Just Wanna Shine” Grandson’s “Eulogy,” “Dirty,” and “Bury Me Face Down” Kendrick Lamar’s, “DNA,” “Not Like Us,” “tv off (feat. lefty gunplay)” and, “luther (with sza)” The entire soundtracks to seasons one and two of the Netflix show Arcane Battery Life When you’re listening to your music, you want to be able to listen for hours without interruptions. We wore each pair of earbuds for a minimum of 10 hours, and we tested each pair of headphones for 30 minutes, logging battery percentages at the beginning and at the end. We performed this test two times, once with ANC on, and once with ANC off. We also cross tested this across multiple frequencies and volumes to see if there were any changes as we shifted features. This way, we could get a sense of whether each pair lived up to its claims. We also reviewed when quick charging was present, noting the charging time and how many hours of playback we received once. Active Noise Cancellation When you need to focus or when you hit the road, ANC is one of the most crucial components to earbuds. It can mean the difference between hearing a crying baby on a plane or relaxing in complete silence. When we tested the best noise-canceling headphones, we took them on trains and in planes for multiple hours at a time, noting how each pair sounded in noisy situations. At home, we ran the vacuum and noted how quiet or how loud the vacuum sounded with ANC on. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) What Are The Best Noise-Canceling Headphones? Based on research and extensive testing, we found the Bose QuietComfort Ultra wireless headphones to be the best noise-canceling headphones. They have great audio quality, and their ANC is powerful and reduces most ambient noise. What Is The Difference Between Noise Canceling And Active Noise Cancelling? There are two different kinds of noise cancelation features: passive noise cancellation, which blocks sound using physical barriers; and active noise cancelation, which reduces ambient noise using technology to register and counteract those sounds. According to Arvind Rongala, CEO of Edstellar, “Noise cancellation by itself is insufficient; adaptive ANC—such as that of Bose QuietComfort Ultras—adjusts depending on your circumstances to block aircraft noise and let subway announcements through.” Are Noise Canceling Headphones Worth it? Based on our testing, especially if you’re traveling, a pair of noise-canceling headphones is absolutely worth the investment. “A high-quality active noise cancelling (ANC) headset can block out the noise of engines, chatter, and other ambient sounds, which can be crucial if you want a peaceful travel experience,” says Jason Wingate, CEO at Emerald Ocean Ltd. Send me a secure tip. Rebecca Isaacs Editorial Standards Reprints & Permissions