The 10 Best Noise-Canceling Headphones

I’ve tested dozens of noise-canceling headphones this year, from budget pairs to audiophile cans that cost more than my first laptop. The goal is always the same: find the ones that best silence the world around you, whether that’s the drone of a jet engine or the clatter of a busy office.

Active noise cancellation (ANC) isn’t magic, but the top noise cancelling headphones in 2026 come pretty close. They use microphones to listen to your environment and create an opposite sound wave to erase the noise before it hits your ears. But not all ANC is created equal.

After weeks of testing on planes, trains, and in my own chaotic apartment, these are the pairs I’d spend my own money on.

 

 

The Best Overall Noise-Canceling Headphones

Sony WH-1000XM6

The Sony WH-1000XM6 cost $398, and for my money, they’re the new king of noise cancellation. Sony once again refined its algorithm, and the results are immediately obvious. I wore these on a cross-country flight, and the low-frequency rumble of the engines just vanished. Lab tests from RTINGS back this up, showing they isolate noise better than any predecessor.

They’re not just for travel. The adaptive ANC does an incredible job of targeting mid-range office chatter and the high-pitched whine from an old air conditioner. Battery life is a solid 31 hours with ANC active, and multi-device pairing works seamlessly between my laptop and phone. So, you can be on a video call and switch to music without touching a thing.

The Downside: The ear cups are still a bit shallow. If you wear glasses or have larger ears, you might feel the driver pressing against them after a few hours, which can break the seal and reduce ANC effectiveness.

 

 

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)

At $449, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are the closest competitor to Sony and the winner if pure comfort is your priority. The moment you put them on, the plush padding creates a fantastic seal, and the ANC melts away the outside world. It’s an almost eerie silence that Bose is famous for.

Tom’s Guide praised their spectacular noise cancellation, and I agree. While RTINGS lab tests show the Sony XM6 has a slight edge in overall noise isolation, the deeper ear cups on the Bose provide a more comfortable fit for longer sessions. Battery life is good at 30 hours, though that drops to 23 if you use their Immersive Audio feature.

The Downside: Out of the box, the sound profile is very bass-heavy. It’s fun for some genres, but you’ll want to jump into the companion app and tweak the EQ for a more balanced sound.

 

 

Sennheiser HDB 630

The Sennheiser HDB 630 come in at $500, and they’re built for people who care about sound quality first and noise cancellation second. RTINGS picked these as the best-sounding wireless headphones, and after listening to everything from classical to hip-hop, I can see why. The sound is balanced, detailed, and feels true to the original recording.

Sennheiser includes a fully parametric 5-band EQ in the app for granular control, which audiophiles will love. You even get a USB-C dongle for a lag-free, hi-res audio connection. And the battery is massive, lasting over 54 hours on a single charge.

The Downside: While the ANC is decent, it simply doesn’t compete with the god-tier silence you get from Sony or Bose. It’ll handle a commute, but it won’t make a 747 disappear.

 

 

The Best Value and Budget Headphones

Anker Soundcore Space Q45

For just $150, the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 delivers about 80% of the performance of the top-tier models for less than half the price. The adaptive ANC is surprisingly effective, blocking a wide spectrum of noise on my daily bus commute. Anker claims 98% noise reduction, and while that’s marketing speak, they perform extremely well for the cost.

Battery life is a standout feature, clocking in at 50 hours with ANC enabled. The app also includes Anker’s HearID feature, which creates a custom EQ profile based on your hearing. It’s a premium feature on a budget-friendly pair of cans.

The Downside: There’s a noticeable high-frequency hiss, or noise floor, when the ANC is turned on in a quiet room. It’s not a dealbreaker when music is playing, but it’s there.

 

 

Sony WH-1000XM4

Yes, they’re a few years old, but the Sony WH-1000XM4 are still on sale for around $220 and offer incredible value. Their noise-canceling performance remains outstanding, and according to RTINGS’ data, they actually block more bass-range noise than the newer XM6. If you want to silence engine rumble, these are still elite.

You still get a fantastic 37-hour battery life, a great graphic EQ in the app, and the ability to use them with a wire even when they’re powered on for ANC. They’ve been a top recommendation for years for a reason.

The Downside: The microphone quality is poor. Your voice will sound thin and distant on phone calls, so don’t buy these for your remote work meetings.

 

 

Anker Soundcore Life Q20 2026

If your budget is tight, the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 2026 is the answer. For only $60, you get noise cancellation that punches way above its weight class. RTINGS found they block office chatter and engine rumble nearly as well as their more expensive Q45 sibling.

The battery life is another huge win, lasting an impressive 49 hours with ANC on. They also support multi-device pairing, a feature often cut at this price point. The build is plastic, but they’re lightweight and comfortable enough for a few hours.

The Downside: You can’t adjust the ANC levels. It’s either on or off, with no transparency mode for hearing your surroundings.

 

 

Other Excellent Noise-Canceling Headphones

Bose QuietComfort Headphones

The standard Bose QuietComfort Headphones cost $350 and serve as the middle ground in Bose’s lineup. They share the same legendary comfort as the Ultras, and for some users with sensitive ears, the slightly lower clamping force might actually feel better over a long day.

The ANC is very solid, easily handling daily commutes and noisy environments, though it doesn’t quite reach the same level of isolation as the flagships from Bose or Sony. Battery life is a respectable 24 hours, and you get access to the same great app with EQ customization.

The Downside: For just a bit more money, you can often find flagship headphones on sale that offer superior noise cancellation and battery life.

 

 

Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless

For around $300, the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless are a battery life champion. I’m talking over 60 hours of playback with ANC on. I used them for an entire week of commuting without even thinking about the charger. That’s a huge convenience.

They also support the aptX Adaptive codec, which provides higher-quality, lower-latency audio streaming from compatible Android phones. The sound is classic Sennheiser: clear, balanced, and great for almost any genre. The ANC is good, but as RTINGS points out, it falls short of what the Sony XM4 can do.

The Downside: The design is a bit plain compared to their predecessors, and the ANC, while good, isn’t class-leading.

 

 

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 headphones, at $400, are for people who want a premium look and sound. The build quality is fantastic, with woven fabric and metal accents. But it’s the audio that really shines. Tom’s Guide highlighted their impactful bass and excellent mid-range clarity, which I found outperformed even more expensive rivals in listening tests.

Battery life is a healthy 34 hours, and they support aptX Adaptive for high-resolution streaming. The ANC has been improved over the last generation and works well enough for most situations, but it’s not the main selling point here.

The Downside: If your absolute priority is blocking out the maximum amount of noise, the ANC technology from Sony and Bose is simply more effective.

 

 

Marshall Monitor III

At $350, the Marshall Monitor III are the marathon runners of this list. Tom’s Guide crowned them the best for battery, and for good reason: they last a staggering 70 hours with ANC turned on. That is not a typo. You could fly from New York to Sydney and back, twice, and still have juice left.

The ANC is solid, effectively reducing office noise and the rumble of public transport. I found the foam earpads very comfortable, and the classic Marshall rock-and-roll aesthetic is a nice break from the sea of black and silver plastic headphones.

The Downside: The build, while stylish, has some plastic components that can creak when you adjust them on your head.

 

 

What To Look For in Noise-Canceling Headphones

The best active noise cancellation is always most effective against constant, low-frequency sounds. Think airplane engines, the hum of a train, or the drone of an air conditioner. It’s less effective against sudden, high-pitched noises like a baby crying or a smoke alarm. That’s where passive isolation from a good ear cup seal helps.

Sound quality is subjective, but features matter. Look for support for codecs like aptX Adaptive if you have a compatible Android phone for higher-quality streaming. A good companion app with a customizable equalizer (EQ) is also key, as it lets you tune the sound to your exact preference.

Finally, don’t forget comfort and battery. The most powerful ANC in the world doesn’t matter if the headphones hurt your ears after an hour. And you need enough battery to last a full travel day—I consider 25 hours with ANC on to be the minimum for a top-tier pair.