Our Top 9 Favorite Noise-Cancelling Headphones

How we tested

Every single pair of headphones we included in this guide was hands-on tested by a Hotnchill reporter or editor. You can learn about our in-depth process by taking a look at our standardized testing methodology we developed for headphones and earbuds. For a condensed version of what exactly makes good noise-cancelling headphones, here’s what we considered:

• Active noise cancellation performance: Though we always weigh this feature when testing headphones, we paid extra attention to it for the purposes of this guide. For the headphones tested specifically for this guide, we made sure to use them indoors and outdoors, to wear them while someone was trying to speak to us, while playing loud music externally, and while going about our usual workdays. (Many headphones not specifically tested for this guide also underwent very similar testing conditions).
• Comfort: This category can be extra subjective due to different user preferences and head and ear sizes, so we looked at how adjustable headphones are in terms of suiting different wearers, whether with earbud ear tips or headphone band adjustments. A good fit can also enhance noise cancelling performance, so we paid extra close attention to how these headphones fit.
• Audio quality: While testing headphones, we listened to music across a variety of genres, as well as podcasts, to evaluate how they perform in different audio settings. Where applicable, we tested out different equalizer presets and settings to see how they affect headphone performance.
• Value: We considered all the above features in relation to the headphones’ price points and compared them against each other to determine which products are worth the investment. Where applicable, we noted where the value for one feature made sense and where it didn’t — for instance, in the case of the Bose QC Ultra headphones, their price point makes sense for someone seeking incredibly comfortable headphones, and less so for someone who prioritizes sound quality. We also evaluated where headphones justified higher price points, whether through premium features like thoughtful companion apps or exceptional battery life.

We pulled these recommendations from our existing pool of headphone reviews and from hands-on testing performed specifically for this buying guide. Some options that didn’t make our updated guide include the AirPods Max, which provide good ANC and sound quality but also a less compelling feature-to-price ratio, especially when compared to newer options.

Recent testing updates

As of April 2025, we’re considering whether the Panasonic Technics AZ100 earbuds and Sony WF-C710N earbuds have a place in this guide. Our testing in February 2025 saw the addition of the EarFun Air Pro 4 earbuds as our top pick under $100, largely due to their superior noise cancellation, battery life, and overall value, leading us to remove the Beats Studio Buds+ from our list.

We also added the Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones as an alternate pick for the best battery life headphones in March 2025. After testing their replacement, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e headphones, we appreciated their sound, comfort, and design but found their ANC power and multipoint pairing to be somewhat lacking. In September 2024, we evaluated the JBL Live Beam 3 earbuds and enjoyed their sound and unique design, but their noise cancellation did not meet expectations for $200 earbuds. We also highlighted the Dyson OnTrac headphones for their remarkable 55-hour battery life.

In August 2024, we bid farewell to the Bose 700 headphones as our recommendation for the best noise-cancelling headphones with adjustable ANC, which had been discontinued since the release of the Bose QC Ultra headphones in September 2023. We’ll keep an eye out for new models that can match the adjustable noise cancellation features these Bose headphones once offered.

We updated our list in April 2024 to include the Anker Soundcore Life P3i earbuds, Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds, and Sony ULT Wear headphones. Our testing of the JBL Tour One M2 headphones revealed their excellent multipoint pairing, battery life, and balanced sound, but their noise cancellation did not match that of similarly priced headphones. We also tried the Denon PerL Buds Pro, but found that their excellent sound quality could not compensate for their discomfort and high cost.