Best Noise Canceling Headphones – Expert Acoustic Engineer Advise

As a sound engineer with over a decade of experience with headphones and other audio equipment, I understand that noise control is an important feature. Sometimes, you just need to block out the sounds of the world around you – especially in crowded public spaces. That’s why you need the best noise canceling headphones on the market.

Choosing headphones with the perfect noise control features is tricky but choosing the wrong headphones can be devastating. Headphones are expensive, and there is no worse feeling than spending a significant amount of money on a pair only to find out that they don’t work like you need them to. Your music just won’t sound the same with ambient noise creeping in. 

That’s where I come in. I’m here to help you choose the best pair of noise canceling headphones for you. I’ll present the best noise canceling headphones for flights, sleeping, and everyday life based on their noise control features. But even more importantly, I’ll explain the features that set them apart, including comfort and style. 

Keep reading to find noise canceling headphones that will help improve your experience with your favorite music, podcast, or other media. I’ll start with my favorite noise canceling headphones (and the current industry leaders): Sony’s WH-1000XM3 headphones.

1. Sony WH-1000XM3: No More Noisy Flights

Sony’s WH-1000XM3s are the best noise-canceling headphones for flying or travel, hands down. Few other headphones compare. Here is everything you need to know about this standout model.

In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary of the details.

• Over-ear headphones
• Active noise control
• Quick Attention features to enable pass-through noise
• 40mm drivers
• 30-hour battery life
• Weight: 8.96oz
• Dimensions: 7.31 x 2.94 x 10.44”

Sony’s WH-1000XM3s are the current industry leaders when it comes to noise-canceling headphones. The WH-1000XM3s have a good price point, offer great noise control features, and even upscale your audio files so they sound better.

With long battery life, sturdy construction, and an app to help control noise control settings, the Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones have everything you could want in a pair of noise-canceling headphones. 

The noise-canceling technology present in these headphones puts them at the top of the list, and many would agree. With the ANC featured turned on, these headphones make a great companion on flights and in areas with a lot of ambient sounds.

You won’t be able to hear anything going on around you, so you can focus and enjoy the sound of your music. The Sony WH-1000XM3s are wireless, but they come with an audio cord for flights and other situations where you can’t use Bluetooth.

But you don’t have to stay closed off with these headphones. They have a Quick Attention feature, so all you have to do to hear outside noise is place your hand over the right ear cup. This enables a talk-through mode so you can hear when someone is talking to you or stay alert when you need to. There is no need to take the headphones off. 

The integrated app offers a wealth of options for noise control, audio mixing, and equalizer settings. The ear cups are comfortable, with deep recesses so your ears won’t touch the back of the ear cup when you put them on. All of your regular audio is upscaled to bring you the best listening experience possible.

Essentially, the Sony WH-1000XM3s are community favorite headphones that you’ll want to use in every aspect of your daily life, especially when you want to block out the sound of the world around you.

For more information on the Sony WH-1000XM3s, check out this comprehensive video review.

What I Liked

• Touch controls 
• Quick Attention feature is very helpful
• Audio upscaling helps music sound better
• Blocks out very loud noises
• Long battery life and quick charge feature

What I Disliked

• ANC works well for louder noises, but sometimes falters with closer sounds (like voices)
• ANC still takes battery life when the headphones are in wired mode
• Touch controls may not work as intended in cold or wet weather
• Not water resistant

2. Bowers and Wilkins PX7 Wireless: Studio Headphones for Your Life

The Bowers and Wilkins PX7 Wireless headphones feature a pair of large drivers, amazing sound quality, and three levels of active noise control. Let’s take a deeper look at these headphones.

Just want the details? Here’s a quick list of the specs.

• Over-ear headphones
• Active noise control
• 3 ANC levels for different settings
• 43.6mm drivers
• 30-hour battery life
• Weight: 10.72oz
• Dimensions: 3.15 x 6.89 x 8.66”

Bowers and Wilkins’ PX7 wireless headphones pair amazing sound quality with dynamic noise control, and together these features put it near the top of the list. One of the biggest draws is the multiple levels of noise control.

The app that comes with these headphones allows you to choose the level of noise control you want. There is a ‘low’ setting, which blocks out ambient noise so you can still hear your music in comfort.

The ‘high’ setting completely isolates you and is perfect for noisy places like flights or airports. The middle setting allows the headphones to adapt to your setting. When this option is turned on, the headphones constantly adjust the noise control to match the level of noise outside. 

Having those options is a nice touch. Also, the drivers in these headphones are some of the largest I’ve seen in on-ear headphones. Your music and other media will sound amazing with these headphones. There’s no delay in the sound you hear – making them perfect for video games and videos. 

For more information about the Bowers and Wilkins PX7 Wireless headphones, check out this video review. Alternatively, here is an amazing review from The Guardian.

What I Liked

• Padded headband for comfort
• Three levels of ANC settings
• Settings for different uses, including games and other media
• No audio delay
• Wear sensors detect when the headphones are on your ears

What I Disliked

• The fabric on the outside of the cups can become stained
• No touch controls
• Volume button is a rocker button   

3. Jabra Elite 85h: Outstanding Wireless Battery Life

The Jabra Elite 85h wireless headphones have both active and passive noise control, which makes them great no matter how you are using them. While these headphones are light on features, they are some of the best wireless noise-canceling headphones on the market right now.

In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary of the details.

• Over-ear headphones
• Active and passive noise control
• Can connect to two devices simultaneously
• 40mm drivers
• 36-41 hour battery life
• Weight: 10.4oz
• Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.8 x 3.6”

Jabra’s Elite 85h headphones may not be the best of the best, but they are solid and offer great performance when it comes to noise cancellation. The leatherette ear cups are comfortable, but they may be a bit small – they may fit on your ear rather than over your ears. However, it still offers passive noise cancellation, so you’ll cut down some ambient noise just by putting them on. 

The battery life on these headphones is nothing short of amazing. Even with the ANC mode on, you’ll still get 36 hours of battery life out of these headphones. You’ll hardly have to charge them, even when you use them all day long. Further, there are 8 microphones on these headphones, making them great for calls.

The ambient noise-canceling mode can sometimes be a hit or miss with these headphones, as they will sometimes increase the noise control when there is no need. The sound quality is great in most cases, though sometimes these headphones are lacking on that account. Still, when it comes to noise cancellation, these do an amazing job of keeping ambient noise out of your music.

For a deeper look at the Jabra Elite 85h noise-canceling headphones, here is a great video review. Further, the Verge has a great review of these headphones here.

What I Liked

• Water-resistant
• Padded headband
• Voice alerts and indicators
• Four color options: black, navy, copper black, and gold/beige

What I Disliked

• Earcups are small
• May become uncomfortable after long periods of use
• Sound quality is lacking

4. Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC: Noise Control on a Budget

Sennheiser’s HD 4.50 BTNC headphones aren’t part of the luxury category, but the active noise control on these great-sounding headphones landed them a spot on my list. 

On your way out of the door? Here are a few key specs.

• Over-ear headphones
• Active noise control
• Amazing sound quality
• 32 mm drivers
• 19-hour battery life
• Weight: 7.9oz
• Dimensions: 7.08 x 3.94 x 10.25”

Sennheiser is known for sound quality, and the HD 4.50 BTNC headphones live up to this expectation. Music sounds great through these headphones, especially for the heavily discounted price. These headphones are less expensive than nearly all the other headphones on the list, but that shouldn’t discourage you from trying them out. They are a great buy.

These headphones don’t pack a lot of the features that some of our featured headphones do, but they are amazing at what they do. Their active noise-canceling feature may tank the battery life, but it does a great job of keeping you isolated in noisy environments. Your music will sound amazing no matter where you are. 

The Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC headphones are lightweight and comfortable (though they might feel a bit tight at first). They can pair instantly with your devices via NFC or Near Field Communication. This means less waiting for a Bluetooth pairing, so you can get going quicker. Overall, these headphones are sturdy and sound amazing, and with their ANC features, what more could you want?

For a deeper dive into the Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC headphones, check out this video review.

What I Liked

• Great sound despite smaller drivers
• Comfortable to wear
• NFC pairing
• ANC blocks out most ambient sound

What I Disliked

• Rocker switch for volume
• Button controls are a bit complicated
• Lacks a few big-ticket features

5. Bose Noise-canceling Headphones 700: Premium Sound and Style

Bose is back in the game with their Bose Noise-canceling Headphones 700. With their comfortable design and premium noise control technology, these might even be the best noise-canceling headphones for sleeping!

In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary of the details.

• Over-ear headphones
• Active and passive noise control
• Unique adjustment method
• 40mm drivers
• 20-hour battery life
• Weight: 8.8oz
• Dimensions: 2 x 6.5 x 8”

Bose’s noise control technology has gotten a major upgrade with the Noise-canceling Headphones 700. These headphones feature something unique on my list: a sliding scale for noise control.

That means that even outside of the passive noise control offered by the comfortable ear cups, there are 10 additional levels of ANC available. You can change these settings via the app or set presets to quickly switch between the controls on the headphones themselves.

The touch controls are simple and easy to learn. The headphones adjust at several different points, with pivots and a unique adjustment at the back of the earcup itself. Combined with the comfortable touch surface of the headband, these headphones are light and comfortable enough for long periods of use.

The sound quality is okay, but it isn’t what you’d expect from Bose. The sound quality improves with more use of the ANC mode, but it still isn’t as rich or deep as you may expect.

For more information about the Bose Noise-canceling Headphones 700, check out this quirky video review.

What I Liked

• Extremely adjustable
• Very comfortable
• Sliding scale for noise control
• Sensitive touch controls
• Three color options: Arctic White (white/rose gold), Luxe Silver, and Soapstone (black)

What I Disliked

• The app lacks some equalizer features
• Sound quality isn’t amazing for the price

6. Shure AONIC 50: Are They Worth It?

Shure is a top-of-the-line brand, and their AONIC 50 headphones are not an exception to this rule. With a reputation firmly grounded in concert and studio audio equipment, you know they’re going to have amazing sound.

Just want the details? Here’s a quick summary of the specs.

• Over-ear headphones
• Active noise control
• Studio sound quality
• 50mm drivers
• 20-hour battery life
• Weight: 11.8oz
• Dimensions: 10.75 x 10.75 x 3.19”

Shure’s AONIC 50 boasts great sound quality and multiple levels of noise control so that you can enjoy that music in peace. They are comfortable to wear for long periods due to the large ear cups and cushioned headband. The earcups are removable if you need to wash them separately from the headphones (and by hand only!). 

There are several different ways to listen to audio with these headphones. You can connect the cable to listen to higher-quality sound, or transmit all of your music via Bluetooth. Additionally, if you want to connect them to your computer, the charging cable doubles as a data cable. That’s an amazing feature!

Speaking of amazing features, you can’t go wrong with the ANC features on these headphones. They easily rank among the best on the market, with several levels of adjustments you can make (two ANC settings, as well as a sliding scale for environmental controls).

With these on and the ANC mode turned to ‘Max’, all you’ll be able to hear is your music – which sounds better than ever with Shure’s outstanding audio quality. 

The one drawback (besides the hefty price tag) is that they don’t work well for calls.

For a more in-depth look at the Shure AONIC 50 headphones, check out this thorough video review.

What I Liked

• Comes in black and brown
• Huge drivers for great sound quality
• Quick pairing with no audio lag
• Sliding scale noise control and environmental mode

What I Disliked

• Not great for calls
• Can’t use EQ settings on streaming audio

7. Apple Airpods Pro: A Classic Solution

Apple Airpods are one of the most popular truly wireless earbuds on the market, but they’ve gone a step above and beyond with the Apple Airpods Pro, adding useful features and noise cancellation that can’t be beaten. 

In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary of the details.

• In-ear headphones
• Active noise control
• Auto-pause and new silicon tips
• High-excursion drivers
• 4.5-hour battery life
• Weight: 0.19oz each
• Dimensions: 0.94 x 0.86 x 1.22” each

If you own an Apple product, there’s a chance that you already own Airpods. These headphones are some of the most popular on the market, and they are compatible exclusively with Apple products. However, the AirPods Pro offers more features than the base model, a more comfortable fit, and the real winner on our list: active noise control.

The noise control features can be switched on via the app that connects with these earbuds. There is a noise control mode that blocks out ambient noise, as well as a transparency mode that uses the microphones inside and outside of your ear to help you hear what’s going on around you. 

These earbuds also include three differently-sized silicon tips so that you can find the perfect fit. It’s worth noting that this is the first time silicon tips have been included on Airpods. The audio quality is great, and these earbuds are also IPX4 water-resistant, so they can withstand sweating if you want to take them to the gym. 

Since the Airpod Pros were made to pair with iPhones, they are the best noise-canceling headphones for calls. The person on the other end of the line will be able to hear what you are saying perfectly, even in overcrowded areas. The microphones on these headphones are tuned well for use with your phone, whether that’s on a call or listening to music.

For a more in-depth look at the Apple Airpods, check out this video review.

What I Liked

• Three silicon tips for a better fit
• Quick charge with an additional 20 hours of battery life in charging case
• Transparency mode
• Wireless charging

What I Disliked

• Can’t adjust the volume on the earbuds
• Only work with Apple products

8. Sony WF-1000XM3: Small But Mighty

Sony’s WF-1000XM3s are the best in-ear noise-canceling headphones on the market today. Let’s take a look at what makes them so highly regarded, including their great active noise cancellation features.

In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary of the details.

• In-ear headphones
• Active noise control
• Comfortable and stylish design
• 6mm drivers
• 6-hour battery life
• Weight: 0.29oz each
• Dimensions: 5.6 x 4.72 x 2.5”

The Sony WF-1000XM3 is the earbud equivalent of my favorite headphones for noise control. That said, they use the same technology in these earbuds to make sure that the sound from the world around you is blocked out. With great sound quality and amazing highs and lows, these earbuds are going to make your music sound great and isolate you from the outside world at the same time.

These earbuds have an amazing design, and they are stylish enough to use all day long. They can pair to two devices at the same time, so you can switch flawlessly between use at your computer and with phone calls. The touch controls are sensitive and make using the headphones feel great.

Your music will sound amazing with the noise control technology present in these earbuds. You won’t be able to hear the hustle and bustle around you, so you can be at peace with your music. When you need to hear, you can enable the ambient sound mode by touching one of the earbuds – this way, sound passes through to your ear so you don’t miss out on conversations.

You can check out this in-depth video review for more information about the Sony WF-1000XM3 headphones.

What I Liked

• Sensitive touch control
• Lightweight and comfortable
• Ambient sound mode
• Auto-pause features

What I Disliked

• Not water resistant
• May become lose at times, but they will not fall out of your ears
• Connection to Bluetooth can be spotty at times

Comparison Chart

Product	Price	Style	Noise Control	Wireless	Controls	Weight
Sony WH-1000XM3	$$$$	Over-ear	Active	Yes	Voice/Touch	8.96oz
Bowers and Wilkins PX7 Wireless	$$$$$	Over-ear	Active	Yes	Buttons	10.7oz
Jabra Elite 85h	$$$	Over-ear	Active	Yes	Buttons	10.4oz
Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC	$	Over-ear	Active	Yes	Button	7.9oz
Bose Noise-canceling Headphones 700	$$$$$	Over-ear	Active	Yes	Voice/Touch	8.8oz
Shure AONIC 50	$$$$$	Over-ear	Active	Yes	Voice/Button	11.8oz
Apple Airpods Pro	$$$	In-ear	Active	Yes	Voice/Touch	0.19oz each
Sony WF-1000XM3	$	In-ear	Active	Yes	Voice/Touch	0.29 oz each

Specifications

Let’s take a look at what each of these specifications means for you.

Style

There are two main headphone styles on our list. Over-ear headphones fit comfortably over your ears or rest on them to deliver an additional layer of noise isolation. Over-ear headphones do not have any parts that rest inside your ear. 

In-ear headphones, on the other hand, do the opposite. These headphones are usually earbuds. Some have clips but the headphones on our list do not. These earbuds rest inside your ear and use a silicon tip to create a seal to keep noise out and music in. 

Choose whichever style is most comfortable for you. 

Noise Control 

Similarly, there are two types of noise control. All of the headphones on our list use active noise control, which means that they consume power (or battery life) to block out the sounds from the outside world. Wireless headphones with active noise control tend to use battery quicker. 

With all headphones, there is a degree of passive noise control as well. Earbuds create a seal that blocks out sound even when the active noise control features are turned off. Similarly, over-ear headphones will block out some outside sounds regardless of active noise control abilities.

Wireless

Wireless headphones are very popular right now and for good reason. With wireless headphones, you don’t have to be connected to your phone or computer to hear great audio. There are no wires to get in your way. The trade-off is that wireless headphones and earbuds have a limited battery life. They have to be charged between uses.

Controls

How can you change the volume, the song, and turn features on and off? There are a few ways that the headphones on our list tackle this problem. Since in-line controls aren’t an option with wireless headphones, they may be controlled by buttons on the ear cups.

In some cases, there may be touch sensors on the outside of the earcups, allowing you to tap and slide your way around volume and track controls. High-end headphones even include voice controls that allow you to tell your headphones what you want them to do.

Weight

The weight of the headphones affects one thing: comfort. Heavier headphones may begin to feel uncomfortable after long periods of use and may even induce headaches. Of course, how heavy you want your headphones to be is a personal preference. This information is provided so those that prefer lighter headphones can choose ones that fit their needs.

Driver Size

I have also mentioned the size of the drivers in each of the headphones on the list. This is a small measure of how well the headphones perform. The size of the driver often determines how loud the headphones are. A 50mm driver, for example, will produce more sound than a 40mm driver. Bass is crisp on a larger driver, but the sound quality depends more on the quality of the driver rather than the size. 

This information is provided to help you make a decision, but it’s important to understand that the driver size is not the only feature you should look at to make a purchase. 

Final Verdict 

Noise-canceling headphones can be useful in nearly every facet of your life, from work to the gym and everything in between. I have taken a good long look at some of the best noise-canceling headphones on the market right now to provide you with my best recommendations.

The Sony WH-1000XM3s are the best wireless noise-canceling headphones that I have found, and many others agree. These headphones provide industry-leading active noise cancellation, great sound quality, and a middle-of-the-road price point. Their features put these headphones at the top of our list. 

However, noise-canceling headphones can get expensive. If you’re looking for a great pair of noise-canceling headphones that won’t break the bank, check out the Anker Soundcore Life Q20s. These headphones provide a great set of features and amazing sound quality for their price.