What is the best noise canceling headphones: Best noise canceling headphones of 2023

Best headphones 2023: noise-canceling, best sound, most comfortable, and more

Whether you’re wearing them for the morning commute, while traveling, or if you’re simply trying to find some peace and quiet while working at home, noise-canceling headphones are a more essential piece of kit nowadays than ever before. And you’ve got a slew of great options to pick from; it’s hard to make a bad choice.

No matter how you’re using them, the criteria for picking the best noise-canceling headphones haven’t changed: the most important measures are comfort, how well they can eliminate outside noise, sound quality, battery life, and whether they support multipoint pairing so you can connect to two audio sources at once. The right headphones for you will differ based on which of those things you prioritize, but our overall pick for the best noise-canceling headphones is Sony’s WH-1000XM5. They offer a combination of sound quality, comfort, and great noise cancellation that’s hard to beat.

But if you’re looking for something a bit different, there are still plenty of options. If you want sublime comfort during those long-haul flights, Bose’s QuietComfort 45s are the answer. If you’re an iPhone owner and will only settle for the best, the AirPods Max live up to their price. But Bowers & Wilkins and Sennheiser also sell some tremendous ANC headphones if sound quality is your main focus. Trying to find the best headphones for Zoom life? Bose has a strong contender. And if you’re after something a little more stylish, Marshall’s headphones just might surprise you.

The best wireless headphones for most people

Sony’s WH-1000XM5 are the best noise-canceling headphones for most people.Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge

Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony’s WH-1000XM5s have a completely different design from their predecessors. The changes result in greater comfort when you’re wearing them on your head for extended periods of time — like on a flight or if you’re at the office.

Noise cancellation has been further improved from the already-stellar performance of the M4s, putting Sony at the front of the pack compared to all major competitors. Sound quality is more detailed and balanced than the older 1000XM4s; the low end is still punchy but tighter and less boomy than before. The M5s offer the best voice call performance in the 1000X series to date, and they can connect to two devices simultaneously, so you can stay clued in to what’s happening on your phone when you’re working away on your laptop or tablet. 

Sony WH-1000XM5

$349$39812% off

$

349

$349$39812% off

With improved comfort, refined sound, and even better active noise cancellation, Sony’s WH-1000XM5 offer a compelling mix of features for the price.

$349 at Amazon$349 at Best Buy

Sony’s headphones also include unique features like “speak to chat,” which automatically pauses your music and pipes in ambient audio whenever you start talking. Or you can hold one hand over the right ear cup to activate quick attention mode, which is convenient when grabbing a coffee or listening to airport announcements. And like other high-end headphones, the 1000XM5s can detect when they’ve been removed from your ears for auto-pause.

The main downside of the WH-1000XM5s is that at $399.99, they’re more expensive than prior models. That’s a big reason to consider the 1000XM4s, which were our previous top pick for noise-canceling headphones. They remain part of Sony’s lineup and can often be found on sale.

The best over-ear noise-canceling headphones for work

Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge

Bose QuietComfort 45

Bose’s QC45 headphones are a return to form in the best way. They have a design that’s very similar to the QC35II, meaning they’re remarkably light and comfortable on your head, even when worn for an entire day. The oval ear cups never fatigue your ears, and no one can match Bose when it comes to comfort. Best of all, unlike the Noise Canceling Headphones 700, these can be folded to make them easier to travel with.

Bose QC45

$279$32915% off

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279

$279$32915% off

Bose’s QuietComfort 45 headphones update the company’s popular, impossibly comfortable design with USB-C, improved noise cancellation, and longer battery life.

$279 at Amazon$279 at Best Buy$280 at Target

Bose made modest improvements to the active noise cancellation and stretched battery life to 24 hours from the previous 20. The QC45s also have a USB-C port instead of the Micro USB connector of their predecessors. And they add a transparency mode for when you need to have a quick chat with someone or want more awareness of your surroundings.

Sound quality on the QC45s is a little more even-handed than the bassy Sony 1000XM4s. But you can switch up the default sound: Bose added the ability to customize EQ in a firmware update in February 2022. One frustration that remains is that there’s no way to turn off noise cancellation without activating the transparency mode. It’s one or the other with no basic “off” mode. I’m still hoping Bose will address both of these shortcomings with future software updates, but you shouldn’t count on that.

The best wireless headphones for iPhone owners

The AirPods Max don’t come cheap, but they’re the best noise-canceling headphones for sound quality. Photo by Becca Farsace / The Verge

Apple AirPods Max

There was definitely some sticker shock when Apple introduced a $549 set of noise-canceling headphones. The AirPods Max cost significantly more money than any of our other recommendations. But Apple’s build quality is on another level: these trade the plastic you’ll find in many noise-canceling headphones for steel and aluminum, and the ear cups are a breathable mesh fabric. They’re hefty headphones, there’s no denying that. But aside from Apple refusing to include a headphone cable in the box, there’s nothing about the AirPods Max that feels cheap. And I appreciate the simplicity of using the digital crown for controls instead of relying on hit-or-miss gestures like taps and swipes. 

Apple AirPods Max

$480$54913% off

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480

$480$54913% off

Apple’s AirPods Max feature exemplary build quality, sound phenomenal, and keep up with the best at noise cancellation.

$480 at Amazon$480 at Walmart$480 at Best Buy

The most important part is that the AirPods Max deliver audio quality that’s up there with the best high-end Bluetooth headphones. They have an immersive, wide soundstage, fantastic dynamics, and you’ll find yourself hopping around your music library just to hear what they bring out in your favorite songs. Apple’s noise cancellation is on par with Sony and Bose, and no one does transparency mode better; at times, it can make you think you’re not wearing headphones at all. Extra features like Spatial Audio (surround sound for movies and TV shows) and automatic switching between Apple gadgets help make it a bit easier to swallow that daunting price.  

But the AirPods Max do have faults. The carrying case is abysmal, battery life is only average for the category, and just like regular AirPods, they’re designed with Apple’s ecosystem in mind. It gets much harder to justify dropping $550 on them if you live outside the iPhone and Mac universe.

The best sounding wireless headphones

The PX7 S2 headphones from Bowers & Wilkins offer fantastic audio quality.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

If sound quality is priority number one, then Bowers & Wilkins has you covered with the PX7 S2 headphones. They exhibit superb, detailed sound quality that some people prefer to the AirPods Max. The Bowers & Wilkins cans are true to the company’s legacy and style, with a fine-crafted design that exudes quality.

I prefer their physical buttons over the tap/swipe ear cup gestures of Sony’s 1000XM5s. With 30 hours of battery life, they’re more than competitive with mainstream, less expensive picks. And the sound profile is delightfully warm and will bring out the most from your favorite music. The main downside of the PX7 S2s is that there’s no traditional 3.5mm or 2.5mm output for a headphone cable. You can still listen wired over USB-C, however.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

$349$39913% off

$

349

$349$39913% off

The PX7 S2 noise-canceling headphones from Bowers & Wilkins feature a luxurious design, phenomenal sound quality, and physical controls instead of awkward tap and swipe gestures.

$349 at Best Buy$349 at B&H Photo

The best noise-canceling headphones for travel

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 have the best battery life among noise-canceling headphones. Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

60 hours. They can last for up to 60 hours on a single charge. That’s really all you need to know about the Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones if you’re looking for an endurance champ. But they also sound terrific and prove extremely comfortable over long listening periods. This combination doesn’t come cheap, but you can find some good occasional deals on them.

Sennheiser’s Momentum 4 Wireless headphones edge out Bowers & Wilkins on comfort thanks to their lighter design, and the noise cancellation is slightly better. Next to the Sonys and QC45s, it doesn’t get much cozier. These are headphones you can wear for multiple hours without any fatigue or pressure on your ears.

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

$300$38021% off

$

300

$300$38021% off

With marathon 60-hour battery life and sublime comfort, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless noise-canceling headphones also make good on the company’s reputation for detailed, expansive sound quality.

$300 at Best Buy$300 at Sennheiser$300 at B&H Photo

Sennheiser’s sound signature is a bit more expressive and puts more emphasis on bass than B&W, but that upper treble range still comes through crystal clear. My only real nitpick with the Sennheisers is that they tend to occasionally power on inside the case for no obvious reason and automatically connect to my phone.

Both the B&W and Sennheiser headphones support multipoint connectivity and a range of Bluetooth codecs including SBC, AAC, aptX, and aptX Adaptive.

The best noise-canceling headphones for voice calls

Bose’s Noise Canceling Headphones 700 are excellent for all your Zoom and voice call needs.Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge

Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700

Bose is the brand synonymous with noise-canceling headphones, and the Noise Canceling Headphones 700 are another example of why that reputation is well-earned. They have satisfactory sound, excellent voice call quality, and great noise cancellation. It’s really a flip of the coin between these and Sony’s 1000XM3 headphones in the eyes of many. Sony ekes out superior battery life and more lively, impactful sound, but Bose’s support for multipoint pairing with two devices at once is a big plus. The Noise Canceling Headphones 700 are comfortable to wear for long stretches of time, even if they aren’t as feather-light as the company’s less expensive QC35 II headphones.

Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700

$379

Bose’s flagship noise-canceling headphones improve on the QC35IIs with a nicer design, better voice mics, and more control over the powerful noise cancellation.

$379 at Amazon$379 at Best Buy$380 at Target

When it comes time to join a Zoom meeting or call someone, you’ll be heard loud and clear by whoever’s on the other end, which can’t be said for all wireless headphones on this list. Bose’s microphone setup on the Noise Canceling Headphones 700 is second to none, though Jabra also fares well here. Battery life is where Bose trails its competitors, with the Noise Canceling Headphones 700 rated at up to 20 hours — short of the 30 hours you can reach with Sony or other picks below. 

The best noise-canceling headphones for style

The Marshall Monitor II ANC headphones have a stylish design that ties into the company’s history.Photo by Avery White for The Verge

Marshall Monitor II ANC

Marshall’s wireless headphones have proven surprisingly popular, and the company’s most expensive pair is also its best yet. The Monitor II ANC headphones are priced at $320, which puts them on the same playing field as Bose, Sony, and other tech companies that have been making premium noise-canceling cans for many years.

Marshall falls short of those brands in sound quality and ANC, but the Monitor IIs still provide warm, textured sound and perform decently at cutting down on ambient noise. But they definitely stand out from the pack in looks, with a design that speaks to the company’s heritage. The headphones fold up for easy carrying, and Marshall’s signature gold joystick makes the Monitor IIs simple to control.

Marshall Monitor II ANC

$200$32038% off

$

200

$200$32038% off

Marshall’s noise-canceling headphones stand out for their unusual look and easy-to-use joystick for controlling your music. They’re also a battery life champ with up to 45 hours of playback.

$200 at Best Buy$200 at Marshall

They can also last up to 30 hours with NC enabled or up to a staggering 45 hours if you’re already someplace quiet and can do without the feature. That impressive longevity beats our primary picks. A lack of AAC codec support at this price stings, but I’ve enjoyed the Monitor IIs every time I’ve put them on. They’re more than just an amp brand stamped onto an average pair of headphones. 

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Headphones review

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The Sony WH-1000XM3 are still among the best headphones you can buy

Best in Class

TechRadar Verdict

While they’re not an all-out upgrade on the WH-1000XM2, the Sony WH-1000XM3 make a lot of subtle tweaks to an already amazing pair of noise-cancelling headphones. That’s still true three years after they were released, even though they’ve been usurped by the Sony WH-1000XM4.

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

Pros

• +

  Outstanding noise cancelation

• +

  Fantastic sound quality

• +

  Quick Attention Mode

• +

  30-hour battery life

Why you can trust TechRadar
We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

The Sony WH-1000XM3 wireless headphones are a superb pair of noise-cancelling headphones. Even though they’re a few years old and they’ve been usurped by the Sony WH-1000XM4, they’re still well worth buying.

Over the years, Sony has tried to perfect its headphones’ audio playback and noise cancellation – and unlike many noise-cancelling headphones on the market, the Sony WH-1000XM3 don’t just create a single sterile sound barrier, but multiple kinds that can adapt to whatever situation you’re in. 

While this adaptability has been pushed ever further with the WH-1000XM4, that noise cancellation technology is one of the reasons the Sony WH-1000XM3 were the king of noise cancellation and the best headphones for two years running, until the WH-1000XM4 swiped the crown in 2020.

As such, the Sony WH-1000XM4s are the very best headphones you can buy right now – and they are a noticeable upgrade on the WH-1000XM3s – but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still consider the older Sony headphones.

Now that the XM4 are here, they’re often discounted, making them a more budget-friendly option for those who want an excellent pair of headphones but can’t afford a high-end price tag.

• Try Amazon Music Unlimited with a FREE trial: US | UK | AU
• Read our Sony WH-1000XM4 review

• Sony WH-1000XM3 (Black) at Amazon for $469.91

Sony WH-1000XM3 price and release date

• $349 / £300 / AU$499 at launched
• Discounts are available often
• Released in August 2018

The Sony WH-1000XM3 were announced at IFA 2018 and went on sale in August 2018.

Following in the footsteps of two previous 1000X models, the Sony WH-1000XM3 were the company’s flagship headphones before the XM4 came onto the scene. They’re feature-rich, as noted in the section above, and will sound like a premium pair of headphones should. 

That said, because they have so many features, they’re going to be a bit more expensive than your average non-noise cancelling headphones: $349 / £300 / AU$499. That being said, they’re often discounted these days, often available for much less than their original price.

• Lighter than predecessors
• New padding along bridge
• USB Type-C port to charge
• Touch controls

Arguably the biggest changes to the Sony WH-1000XM3 compared to the XM2 are found in the design of the headphones: they’re lighter than the previous model and more form-fitting as well. 

The headphones shed about 1 ounce (22 grams) off their predecessors’ design. That might not seem like a big deal, but considering you’ll be wearing these for an extended period of time like, say, a transcontinental flight, every ounce helps. 

The other design change is the new flush fit that changes out the old padding on the bridge for something a bit more cushiony. This makes these over-ear headphones more comfortable, and less dorky-looking when they’re on your head. Sony’s also deepened the earcup and changed out the silver accents on the side of the headphones for a stylish copper tone instead.  

Finally, the Sony also swapped out the microUSB port on the right earcup for a more modern USB Type-C charging port.

Outside of these minor tweaks, these are still relatively minimalist headphones – which really appeals to the business-class customer Sony is targeting. 

The Sony WH-1000XM3 come in only two colors – all-black or gray-silver – and beyond an engraved Sony logo above each earcup, are totally nondescript. These are designed to sound good and feel comfortable to wear – they’re not flashy like Beats headphones.

Around the left earcup, you’ll find the only two buttons on the headset. There’s one for Power/Bluetooth and another to cycle the noise cancellation between its three settings: On, Ambient Mode and Off. Down below the buttons you’ll find an auxiliary jack, which is mirrored on the other earcup by a USB Type-C port that’s used to charge the headphones. (You’ll find a USB-to-USB Type-C cable inside the box, alongside a 3.5mm AUX cable, two-pronged AUX adapter and a hard carrying case. )

You can control your music playback by pressing or swiping the touch-capacitive ear cups. To skip forward, you’ll need to swipe right on the right earcup or swipe left to go back. Pausing is done by double-tapping, and you can resume your music with the same action. Similarly, turning the volume down requires you to swipe down on the right earcup, and turning it up is done by swiping up. 

It’s a system that takes some getting used to, but once you use it for a week it becomes second nature.

Performance

• Strong noise cancellation
• Quick Attention Mode
• aptX and aptX HD support
• Little difference in audio performance
• Google Assistant integration
• Better call quality – but not great

Of course, what you’re buying a pair of noise-cancelling headphones for is their ability to effectively block out ambient sound. In that arena, there were none better than the 1000XM3 until the XM4 came along.  

According to tests done by Sony, the 1000XM3 are four times more effective at cancelling noise than the 1000XM2 – an impressive feat considering how well the M2 performed.

In practice, that claim definitely held true when confronted with both low-frequencies, like the kind you’d find while riding a train or flying in a plane and in workplace environments where there’s higher frequency noises like people talking or music playing. In nearly every scenario the WH-1000XM3 performed admirably, often reducing noise from a disturbingly loud hum to a more manageable buzz – and sometimes eliminating exterior noise entirely. 

Like their predecessors, the 1000XM3 are able to selectively allow some noises into the headphones as well. With Ambient Noise mode selected, announcements made over train station PA systems can be heard, while Quick Attention Mode allows you to quickly pipe in external audio without taking off the headphones by reducing the volume of the music and using the microphones located on the outside of each earcup. Since the launch of the XM3, this is a feature replicated by lots of headphones, including the AirPods Pro and the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700.

While noise cancellation has enjoyed some solid improvements, audio quality remains similar to what we heard on the 1000XM2… which might have been more of a disappointment if the M2 weren’t such an impressive pair of wireless headphones in their own right.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 will sound a bit better while using an Android device that supports the aptX HD standard, but even on an iPhone they’re surprisingly great. Mids are straightforward, highs come through crystal clear and bass is weighty and can have some real slam to it. They really shine on a device that supports the LDAC codec – like, for instance, a Sony Walkman – but they’re by no means limited to those devices.

You can also summon Google Assistant or Alexa with a tap of the noise cancellation button, allowing you to ask either voice assistant questions. iPhone users can also activate Voice Assistant for Siri, which lets you control your smartphone by holding a finger to the touch sensitive earcups.

The last aspect of performance worth analyzing is the 1000XM3’s call quality. In several phone calls made with the headphones, the people we spoke to reported that we sounded clear – if a bit quieter – than if we had used the phone’s built-in microphone. This is likely due to the extra microphones Sony has embedded into the headphones themselves. 

That said, while these headphones are fine for the occasional call or two they’re probably not what you’d want to use if you frequently make phone calls in an office setting – call quality isn’t as pristine on the 1000XM3 as it is on other business-ready headsets.

Battery life

• 30-hour battery life
• Quick Charge mode
• Auto-off mode through the app

So how long will these headphones last on a charge? There are a lot of factors but, after a few days of testing, we found a good benchmark to be around 30 hours or so. Over a period of four days while the headphones were being tested (five hours a day x four days) they didn’t need to be recharged at all, ending the final night at around 30% battery life remaining. 

For comparison, that’s about 10 hours more than the Bose QuietComfort 35 when used wirelessly and 10 hours less than the Bose if used in wired mode. However you slice it, it’s still more than enough juice to get you across the Atlantic and back if you’re travelling to the UK from the West Coast of the United States.

Should you find yourself running low, there’s no need to worry – the 1000XM3 has a “Quick Charge” feature that allows you to get around 5 hours of playback after only 10 minutes of charging. In putting that claim to the test, we went from around 30% battery life to 50% after exactly 10 minutes connected to the wall. Claim verified. 

Should you want your headphones to last a bit longer, you can use the Sony Headphones Connect app to shorten the time it takes for the headphones to go to sleep. The default is 15 minutes, but you can reduce that number down to five minutes if you really want to wring every second of life out of them.

Final verdict

The XM3 are yet another impressive pair of noise-cancelling headphones from Sony. To wit, the Sony WH-1000XM3 are exactly the headphones we’ve come to expect from the new leader in noise-cancelling headphones.

Even if they’re a bit too close to the XM2s for comfort, they’re still among the best headphones you can buy nearly three years after they were released, only being pipped by the Sony WH-1000XM4.

That being said, you could save some money by picking up the Sony WH-1000XM2 – they’re nearly as good and now even less than they were before thanks to a recent price drops. 

• Here are the best wireless headphones you can buy
• Sony WH-1000XM4 vs Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700: which over-ears are best?

Sony WH-1000XM3: Price Comparison

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Becca is a contributor to TechRadar, a freelance journalist and author. She’s been writing about consumer tech and popular science for more than ten years, covering all kinds of topics, including why robots have eyes and whether we’ll experience the overview effect one day. She’s particularly interested in VR/AR, wearables, digital health, space tech and chatting to experts and academics about the future. She’s contributed to TechRadar, T3, Wired, New Scientist, The Guardian, Inverse and many more. Her first book, Screen Time, came out in January 2021 with Bonnier Books. She loves science-fiction, brutalist architecture, and spending too much time floating through space in virtual reality. 

TOP 15 Best Noise Canceling Headphones (2023)

In this TOP, I included the best noise canceling headphones , which cope better than others with the noise of the subway, transport, noisy street, office and voices around. In total, we tested 70 wireless active noise-cancelling headphones, for which we released reviews.

Based on experience, the best wireless noise canceling headphones are models from: Sony, Bose and Sennheiser . Thanks to big research budgets, improving the Noise Canceling system every year, and updating the software of the noise canceling headphones. Big companies, big budgets, big opportunities. It is in the context of noise-canceling headphones that the rule is true: more expensive is better.

Wired noise canceling headphones are rare in 2023 . If you are looking for wired ones, then I included in the TOP one decent wired model with active noise cancellation – Huawei ANC3. But I advise you to take a closer look at the wireless noise-canceling headphones, they are more convenient, and the noise reduction in them is better.

⚖️ Which wireless noise canceling headphones to buy?

The best active noise-cancelling wireless headphones are the full-size models. If you want to get the maximum – take them. There are fewer noise-canceling vacuum TWS headphones with ANC, they are slightly worse than full-size ones in noise suppression. But vacuum and without technical tricks provide good passive sound insulation. By the way, see the best vacuum headphones good with passive noise cancellation. There are few earbuds with noise reduction and noise reduction in them is more for show and gives almost nothing.

Top 15 Best Wireless Active Noise Canceling Headphones (2023):

‘s Chief Competitor

Model	Description
1. Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700 $380	Best Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones 2022;
2. Sony WH-1000XM5 $640	Wireless headphones with good microphone and noise cancellation;
3. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless $370	Best wireless sound canceling headphones under $400;
4. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds $435	Best TWS earbuds with active noise canceling: the most powerful noise canceling among earplugs;
5. Sony WF-1000XM4 $340	Wireless Noise Canceling Phone Headset with Transparency Mode;
6. Bowers & Wilkins PX7 $720	Bluetooth headphones with active noise reduction: good functionality and aptX Adaptive;
7. Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 $250	In-Ear TWS Noise Canceling Headphones: Best Sound Among TWS Under $270
8. Technics EAH-AZ60 380$	TWS headphones with good noise reduction and great sound;
9. Apple Airpods Pro $220	Vacuum Noise Canceling Bluetooth Headphones with Transparency Mode: perfect for iPhone;
10. Huawei ANC3 50$	Active Noise Canceling Wired Type-C Headphones;
11. JBL Live Pro 2 $160	Vacuum noise-canceling Bluetooth headphones for outdoor and work use;
12. Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2 $290	Noise Canceling Earbuds: The Airpods Pro
13. Jabra Elite 4 Active $165	Good wireless noise canceling headphones with great sound;
14. Huawei FreeBuds 4 $150	Best noise canceling in-ear headphones;
15. Huawei FreeBuds 5i $100	Best budget noise canceling headphones under $100.

What is ANC and how does noise reduction work?

How the Active Noise Canceling function works in

headphones

ANC (Active Noise Cancelling) – Active Noise Cancellation of the headphones works on the principle of noise inversion, which allows you to drown out the surrounding environment. In simple words, the noise is read by a microphone and the noise wave is mirrored (inverted) into the speakers in order to level it. In the best headphones with active noise cancellation, a high-quality microphone is always built in, and sometimes even 2 or 4 that pick up noise and invert it.

The main disadvantage of noise canceling headphones

The main disadvantage of noise canceling headphones is the personal intolerance of . 10% of people may experience discomfort when using active noise cancellation: headache, dizziness. Reasons: If you get seasick, you definitely won’t be able to use noise canceling headphones properly.

In order to avoid a sudden headache and nausea , you need to listen to noise-canceling headphones before buying 2-3 hours and if everything is fine, then you can safely buy yourself one.

15 Huawei FreeBuds 5i

Best Budget Noise Canceling Headphones Under $100 – Bluetooth 5.2 and LDAC

100$

8.2/10

Huawei FreeBuds 5i – on Aliexpress

Huawei FreeBuds 5i are the best budget noise-cancelling headphones under $100 that will appeal to fans of the “legged” format and those who need maximum functionality and quality for minimum money. The sound is quite versatile, suitable for all genres. On board Bluetooth 5.2, LDAC support, autonomy up to 7.5 hours, smart pause. Active noise cancellation is very good for the money. Noise cancellation works at the level of more expensive models – it dampens the noise of public transport and adds comfort in the office, for example.

14 Huawei FreeBuds 4

Best Noise Canceling In-Ear Headphones – Affordable and Quality TWS

$140

7.3/10

Best earbuds 🥇

Aliexpress

Huawei FreeBuds 4 are the best noise canceling in-ear headphones that form factor lovers will love. The sound is suitable for electronics, hip-hop and all popular music with electronic bass. There is no lack of low frequencies – which is already good for earbuds. Noise canceling is rare among earbuds. The headphones are semi-open, so the effect of the noise reduction is not the same as in the “gags”, but it is. The rumble of the road, for example, levels out and copes with similar low-frequency monotonous noises.

13 Jabra Elite 4 Active

Good noise canceling wireless headphones with great sound

160 $ ​​

8.3/10

Jabra Elite 4 Active are good wireless noise-canceling headphones that will appeal to sports fans and those looking for comfortable, feature-packed headphones. The sound is good for bass-oriented music: electronic, pop, hip-hop and so on. Important features: IP57 dust and moisture protection, secure and comfortable fit, autonomy up to 7 hours with noise reduction turned on, push-button control and support for a proprietary application. Noise cancellation is working, but simpler than that of the segment leaders. Will add comfort in ground transport and the subway.

12 Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2

Noise Canceling Earbuds – Airpods Pro Main Competitor

Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2 are noise-canceling earbuds for those who love the footed format, Android OS and the Huawei brand (optional 😉 ). The sound is detailed and natural – suitable for any music: from pop to classical. Visually (and not only), this novelty is an analogue of AirPods Pro. Although the design is similar to the “apple” model, it also has its own zest. 2 emitters in each earpiece: dynamic and planar. Hi-Res Audio Certified and LDAC 9 Supported0007

High-quality noise reduction – plus or minus at the level of leaders in the face of Bose and Sony. There is an automatic mode, transparency and settings in the application. This is a major improvement over the previous generation of Huawei FreeBuds Pro.

11 JBL Live Pro 2

Vacuum Noise Canceling Bluetooth Headphones – Outdoor and Work

$160

8/10

Aliexpress

JBL Live Pro 2 are vacuum noise-canceling Bluetooth headphones that are perfect for transportation, walking or listening in the background while you work. The sound is not bad for the money: the bass is accentuated, but not overblown. Good for any modern music: electronic, hip-hop and so on.

Headphones are distinguished by autonomy up to 10 hours, wireless charging of the case, multipoint, universal design, good microphone for calls and support for a proprietary application. JBL Live Pro 2 are noise canceling headphones for work: they will reduce ambient office noise. They show themselves well in land transport.

10 Huawei ANC3

Active Noise Canceling Wired Headphones – Budget Vacuum USB Type-C

50$

8/10

Huawei ANC3 are wired active noise canceling headphones that are suitable for Type-C phones. The sound is bright and of sufficient quality – good for electronics, pop music, simple rock and alternative. Landing is comfortable and reliable due to additional fastenings. They look universal, the microphone for talking is at a good level.

Noise-canceling wired headphones are an ambiguous idea, because the noise canceler must be powered by something. That is why the connection is implemented via Type-C – the headphones speed up the discharge of the smartphone. The quality of noise reduction is good: it adds comfort in land transport and the subway.

9 Apple AirPods Pro

Vacuum Noise Canceling Bluetooth Headphones with Transparency Mode – Perfect for iPhone

250$

7.6/10

Apple Airpods Pro are noise-canceling vacuum Bluetooth headphones with transparency mode that will suit all Apple technology lovers. The sound quality and universal – good for any modern music with electronic instruments.

The main features of these Bluetooth noise canceling headphones: impeccable build, beloved design, great work in their ecosystem. By the way, we have a separate rating of Apple models.

Noise cancellation in AirPods Pro headphones is implemented at a very good level. Only slightly worse than analogues from the traditional leaders Bose and Sony. The transparency mode is also good. Headphones for every day for any transport and noisy places.

8 Technics EAH-AZ60

TWS headphones with good noise reduction – LDAC and sound quality

370$

8.7/10

Technics EAH-AZ60 are TWS headphones with good noise reduction for those who need top-end headphones in all respects, but do not want to overpay for more “expensive” brands. Sound “adult” detailed and natural – good for all genres.

These are headphones with good noise reduction and wide functionality: LDAC, multipoint, autonomy up to 7 hours, useful settings in the application. The design is generic for TWS, but not boring. By the way, we have a great rating of True Wireless headphones.

Noise reduction almost falls short of the leaders, but really adds comfort in transport without negative effects. Noise reduction can be adjusted in the app, as is the transparency mode, which works quite well.

7 Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3

In-ear TWS noise canceling headphones – best sound among TWS under $270

$270

8.8/10

Best TWS 🥇

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Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 are in-ear noise-canceling TWS headphones for those who care about sound quality. The presentation is balanced and energetic, not flat (there is an emphasis on bass), but detailed. The sound is suitable for any music except classical. On board Bluetooth 5.2, AAC codecs, aptX and aptX Adaptive + handy phone app.

6 Bowers & Wilkins PX7

Active Noise Canceling Bluetooth Headphones – Features and aptX Adaptive

$390

8. 6/10

Aliexpress

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 are high-quality Bluetooth headphones with active noise reduction for lovers of wide functionality, good sound and stylish design. The sound is powerful dark (with an active bass and slightly muffled highs) – best suited for electronics and powerful metal. This model has high-quality noise reduction for transport and street, SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive codecs, a useful application, excellent assembly and beautiful design.

If you’re looking for noise-cancelling over-ear headphones, take a look at the Bowers & Wilkins PX5, a more portable option. The sound is also of high quality, but simpler and with a greater bias in the bass.

5 Sony WF-1000XM4

Wireless Noise Canceling Phone Headset with Transparency Mode

315$

Aliexpress

The

Sony WF-1000XM4 is a wireless noise canceling phone headset with transparency mode for every day use for active city dwellers. The sound is quite detailed with an emphasis on bass – best suited for electronics and popular music, but will cope with other genres. Transparency mode headphones support AAC and LDAC, work up to 12 hours on a single charge. The app has a lot of cool features, including automating noise reduction and improving bad recordings.

Noise canceling is one of the top two in TWS format. Reliably blocks the low-frequency rumble of transport: from the subway to the plane. It also confidently fights with mid-frequency noise, like the sounds of a large office.

4 Bose QuietComfort Earbuds

The best TWS active noise canceling headphones – the most powerful noise canceling earplugs

The

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are the best active noise canceling TWS headphones for those who care about the best noise reduction and complete freedom from wires. The sound is suitable for any music – it is universal and of sufficient quality without accents and distortions. Comfortable fit, autonomy of 6 hours. Noise cancellation is the best among vacuum headphones. It is comfortable and powerful. It does not strain, does not cause difficulties in setting up and copes with the maximum amount of noise: from the low-frequency rumble of the road to the noise of voices in a cafe or office.

3 Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless 🥉

Best wireless sound canceling headphones under $400 – AptX Adaptive

🆚 Comparison – Momentum 4 VS Sony XM5 vs Bose 700

The

Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless are the best wireless noise-canceling headphones under $400 that will appeal to those looking for the best sound in wireless headphones and who love the strict German style. The sound is dynamic, bright and detailed – with a bass slant, but clean and versatile. Best suited for energetic music. Suitable for any phone, for Android or iPhone – AptX Adaptive and AAC codecs.

2 Sony WH-1000XM5 🥈

Wireless headphones with good microphone and noise canceling – great sound

$420

8.1/10

Aliexpress

Sony WH-1000XM5 are wireless headphones with a good microphone and noise reduction, which will suit office workers, those who often travel and use public transport. Sound – suitable for any popular music, hip-hop, electronics. Noise cancellation is second only to Bose: significantly reduces the rumble of an airplane, subway and the sounds of an office or cafe. Many settings in the application, support for AAC and LDAC codecs. Voice transmission has improved compared to 1000XM4. Take a look at Sony’s headphone rankings.

1 Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700 🏆

Best Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones 2022

Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700 are the best wireless noise canceling headphones of 2023 for those who want the best noise cancellation and stylish design. The sound is universal – for any music, as there are no obvious peaks and dips and the overall quality is at a good level. The noise reduction has many settings, interesting features and a high quality of “cutting off” the outside world – this is the best and most comfortable noise reduction on the market.

experts made a rating – UNIAN

AirPods Max are expected in the top, but the selection also includes models from Sony, Bose and other popular manufacturers.

AirPods Max are the best noise-cancelling headphones you can buy in 2023 / Apple photo

Active noise-cancelling headphones help you fully immerse yourself in your music by reducing the impact of noise on the wearer’s hearing. In order not to be disappointed after the purchase, the experts of the Wired portal have identified the best, in their opinion, noise-canceling headphones that are relevant for purchase in 2023.

AirPods Max from Apple are expected in the top, but the selection also includes models from Sony, Bose and other popular manufacturers.

Best of all – AirPods Max

If you have an iPhone and are willing to spend $550, Apple’s noise canceling on-ear headphones are your best bet. Perhaps these are even the best wireless headphones in principle.

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Highlights include excellent Bose noise cancellation, the best build quality you’ll find in the segment, and the ability to pair with Apple devices.

photo Wired

Second-best headphones – Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony has redesigned its popular flagship headphones, making them sleeker and more competitive with devices from Apple and Bose.

What’s definitely left over from its predecessor is superb noise cancellation, super-customizable audio, and fantastic battery life.

photo Wired

Still a great choice – Sony WH-1000XM4

Although not the latest model in 2023, the Sony WH-1000X line is one of the best noise canceling headphones in almost 10 years. The WH-1000XM4 has a nice look and a 30-hour battery life.

Compared to its predecessors, this version features improved noise reduction and improved sound quality. The microphones are also very good.

photo Wired

What other headphones were in the rating:

• Bose Noise Canceling 700 are the best for the office;
• Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 most comfortable;
• Focal Bathys – for audiophiles;
• Sony WF-1000XM4 – vacuum headphones (earplugs) with better noise reduction;
• Soundcore by Anker Space A40 – the best budget earplugs;
• Jabra Elite 7 Active is the best for training;
• Sennheiser Adapt 660 best value for money
• QuietOn 3.