The Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones, Tested by Experts
Need to focus? Here's how to tune out distractions in seconds.
Tested by Nikolas GreenwaldData Engineer
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When it comes to listening to music on-the-go or streaming shows and entertainment, headphones are a must-have. They’re also one of the most convenient ways for students and professionals to block out everyday distractions, like conversations, the hum of an airplane, traffic and other pesky sounds. If hearing as little of the outside world as possible sounds like bliss, you’ll want to invest in noise-cancelling headphones. While pricier than standard headphones or earbuds, they’re built with technology that uses countering soundwaves to eliminate as much external noise as possible so, in the best-case scenario, you’ll only hear what you want to hear and nothing else.
The audio experts and test engineers at the Good Housekeeping Institute test dozens of headphones and earbuds annually, from the best wireless earbuds to AirPods, workout headphones, cheap earbuds and more. When choosing the best noise-cancelling headphones, we evaluated at least 20 pairs in our most recent tests — running each through audio analysis software to assess key features such as noise-cancellation effectiveness, sound quality and more. We also considered feedback from our consumer testers, who shared details about their experience using the headphones regarding factors like comfort and ease of use.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Pros
- Top-performer for noise cancellation
- Excellent sound quality
- Features immersive audio
- Comfortable, sleek design
Cons
- Battery life could be better
Just when you think headphones can’t get any better, leave it to Bose to create one of the best noise-cancelling headphones of the year. When testing the QuietComfort Ultra, we were blown away by the clarity of the sound no matter what we were streaming or listening to. The new immersion mode (which isn’t available on other QuietComfort models or the Bose 700) threw us right into a concert hall, and we appreciate that the headphones have user-friendly buttons to quickly switch between aware, immersion and noise cancelling.
Maybe even more impressive is this pair’s noise cancellation performance, which earned top scores when we ran it through our audio analysis software at the GH Institute. Our tech pros found the improvement noticeable when testing the headphones on a few flights and comparing them to former models. “Noise cancellation is the cream of the crop,” says GH Institute Data Engineer Nik Greenwald, who also describes the set’s audio quality as “clear and balanced.”
Another reason why we love the QuietComfort Ultra is that they’re extremely comfortable, all while maintaining a lightweight, compact form that folds up neatly into a small case.
Type: Over-ear | Claimed battery life: 24 hours (18 with Immersive Audio)
RELATED: Bose QuietComfort Ultra vs. Bose 700: Which Headphones Are Best?
Soundcore by Anker Space One
Pros
- Affordable
- Comfortable and lightweight
- Impressive battery life
Cons
- Sound quality not as premium as other models
For a pair of noise-cancelling headphones under $100, look no further than this pair from Anker. Its value is hard to top and with a 40-hour claimed battery life you can listen to continuous music for hours without needing to recharge.
When testing in the Media & Tech Lab, our pros found these to be lightweight, attractive and comfortable, though not quite as premium in their construction as other pairs. Controls were also very intuitive, and we found the headphones easy to use.
But if first-class sound quality is what you’re after, our experts suggest looking elsewhere and spending a bit more. Though the Space One headphones performed moderately well in our Lab tests and effectively cancelled outside noise, “the frequency response curve leaves a lot to be desired,” according to Greenwald. Not only were these headphones not quite as loud as other models, but we noticed some distortion.
Nevertheless, they're by far the best affordable noise-cancelling headphones on the market and shouldn’t be overlooked.
Type: Over-ear | Claimed battery life: 40 hours with ANC on
Pros
- Fantastic noise cancellation
- Sleek design
- Easy to use
Cons
- Pricey
Sonos audio equipment has consistently performed well in GH Institute Tech Lab tests for its crisp, crystal sound quality, whether you’re streaming music on a soundbar or outdoor speaker. That’s just part of the reason why we were so excited when Sonos launched its first pair of headphones, the Sonos Ace. Not only do these headphones sound great, but their sleek design feels extremely comfortable thanks to plush earpads.
“They’re very lightweight and comfortable on the head,” says Greenwald. We also found controls intuitive to use, appreciating that Sonos opted for easy-to-use physical buttons as opposed to touch controls that can sometimes be less responsive than we’d like.
One reason to invest in the pricey Sonos Ace: these headphones offer superior noise cancellation and outperformed every model on our list except the QuietComfort Ultra. “I feel like I’m in an isolation pod with these on,” says Greenwald. While they're pricier than some models, the headphones are well worth it. “The overall listening experience is very pleasant, with music sounding wide, vibrant and full,” Greenwald notes. Another perk: the case is super slim and makes throwing these headphones into a backpack more manageable.
Type: Over-ear | Claimed battery life: 24 hours with ANC on
Pros
- Excellent sound quality
- Comfortable design
- Impressive battery life
Cons
- May feel large on smaller heads
Whether or not you’re familiar with this recording giant, you can’t overlook Shure when shopping for new headphones. Our in-house audiophile and expert Greenwald describes their sound quality as incredible. “Overall, these are crisp and well-balanced across the frequency spectrum,” says Greenwald. In Lab tests, their frequency response was very flat with extremely little distortion, meaning that the music you hear is very close to how sound engineers wanted you to hear it.
While these don’t feel quite as premium as other headphones in their construction and may feel a bit large on petite heads, they’re overall comfortable and our pros found the controls intuitive to use. Noise cancellation was also impressive and among some of our top performers. Best of all: These offer a whopping 45 hours of claimed battery life, making them an excellent choice for those who travel frequently or are often on the road.
Type: Over-ear | Claimed battery life: 45 hours
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
Pros
- Impressive noise cancellation
- Excellent sound quality
- Comfortable pads
- Easy to use
- Sleek, lightweight design
Cons
- Touch sensors take some acclimation
- Cannot be folded into a more compact form
Bose has a reputation when it comes to producing crystal-clear sound that consumers absolutely love, and these wireless headphones stood out in our Lab tests with one of the highest overall scores.
They feature a sleek, lightweight design and are not only comfortable to wear, but easy to set up. While the carrying case isn’t as compact as those from the QuietComfort line, we’re happy it comes included with a USB-C charging cable and audio cable, which is handy for in-flight entertainment systems.
What really makes this pair of headphones worth it is its noise-cancelling capabilities, which our pros found superior to other models tested. “There’s a serious reason why Bose is so well known for their audio products,” Greenwald says. “The spectrum analysis graph [which indicates whether the headphones reproduce sound the way it was originally intended] for this pair is so flat it’s blown the rest out of the water. The audio sounds great for both music and spoken words and the noise cancellation is top tier.”
Though the on-ear controls may take some getting used to, we love that you can adjust the noise cancellation’s intensity to let in ambient sound and a quick swipe up or down tweaks the volume.
Type: Over-ear | Claimed battery life: 20 hours
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2
Pros
- Impressive noise cancellation
- Great sound quality
- Long battery life
- Easy to use
Cons
- A bit heavy when compared to other models
Though not the least expensive of the bunch, our experts recommend this pair of headphones for anyone who values top-notch noise cancellation. In Lab tests, these headphones performed alongside our top noise-cancelling headphones and impressed our pros with solid sound quality.
“With this pair, there was no high-pitched hiss that some noise-cancelling headphones can produce,” Greenwald says. He does point out that they’re a bit heavy on the ears and around the neck, but control buttons were easy to use and transparency mode made outside audio clear. Plus, with 30 hours of claimed battery life, there’s not much more you could expect from your headphones.
Type: Over-ear | Claimed battery life: 30 hours
Sony WH-1000XM5
Pros
- Exceptional sound quality
- Comfortable and lightweight
- Easy to use and navigate
Cons
- Carrying case could be more compact
Ultimate comfort and beautiful sound come together with these Sony over-ear headphones, making them an extremely popular choice for travel, work or study. In fact, they were so popular among our testers that they're a winner of Good Housekeeping's Family Travel Awards.
In Lab evaluations, this pair earned top scores for ease of use, comfort and sound quality. “The headphones are very lightweight and adjustable so they should fit a variety of head shapes and sizes comfortably due to how pliable the band is,” Greenwald says, who loves how the headphones swivel and feel.
But just because they’re comfortable doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice top-notch sound quality or noise cancellation. “The sound quality is pristine,” Greenwald shares. Though we wish the carrying case was more compact, we like that they offer up to 30 hours of claimed battery life (or 24 hours with noise cancellation on).
We also found the headphones easy to operate thanks to responsive touch controls and noticied that they paired with most devices instantly.
Type: Over-ear | Claimed battery life: 24 hours with ANC on
RELATED: Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise-Canceling Headphones: My Honest Review
Apple AirPods Max
Pros
- Trendy design with multiple color options
- Great sound quality and noise cancellation capabilities
- Intuitive controls
- Seamless integration across Apple products
Cons
- Very expensive
- Lacks headphone jack
You can count on Apple to produce some of the most beautifully designed headphones out there. The AirPods Max come in five metallic colors and are as stylish as they are efficient at cancelling outside noise.
They fold up nicely into a petite carrying case that makes them easy to transport, even though the case isn’t the most robust and won’t fully protect your headphones from a messy backpack or accidental spills. As expected, you’ll be paying a pretty premium for these headphones, but they’ll connect seamlessly to your Apple gear via Bluetooth.
In Lab tests, our experts were impressed with the sound quality as well as the intuitive controls like the digital crown, which enables you to control volume as well as play, pause and skip music. They do warn, however, that these headphones don’t feature an audio jack, meaning that you won’t be able to use them on an in-flight entertainment system without purchasing an additional cable. We also found them to be on the heavier side when compared to other noise-cancelling headphones.
Type: Over-ear | Claimed battery life: 20 hours
RELATED: AirPods Max vs. Sony XM5, Tested & Reviewed
Sennheiser Momentum 4
Pros
- Great noise cancellation and sound quality
- Impressive battery life
Cons
- Controls can be confusing
Hate charging your devices? The Sennheiser Momentum 4 feature up to 60 hours of claimed battery life, meaning you don’t need to bring charging cables with you even if you plan on listening to tons of music during a long road trip.
In Lab tests, our product analysts found this pair of headphones to be super lightweight and comfortable, though gesture-based controls were initially confusing. Our pros were also impressed by the headphone’s sound quality and effective noise cancellation. “These have a really appealing sound with great bass,” Greenwald says.
Type: Over-ear | Claimed battery life: 60 hours
Sony WF-1000XM5
Pros
- Excellent noise cancellation
- Comfortable, secure fit
- Water- and sweat-resistant
- Can be wirelessly charged
Cons
- Total battery life could be longer
Creators of the world’s first in-ear headphones, Sony has a reputation for making high-quality headphones and our tech expert couldn’t get enough of the rich sound these latest earbuds produced.
Most listeners will be impressed by the tiny yet mighty design that offers superior noise cancellation and a comfortable, secure fit inside your ear. While in-ear headphones aren’t usually as comfortable as over-ear models, Sony provides up to four tip sizes (including a new extra small pair) to ensure maximum comfort and performance.
“The noise cancellation is unbelievable,” said one tester. “When I use these, I seriously cannot hear anyone or anything. No background noises. Nothing.” In addition to excellent noise-cancelling capabilities, our pros like that these are water-resistant so you can safely wear them during a workout, and they can be wirelessly charged. We also appreciate that you’ll get up to 8 hours of claimed battery life on a single charge, though wish the total battery charge (24 hours) was a bit longer.
Type: In-ear | Claimed battery life: 8 hours (24 hours total with case)
Apple AirPods Pro (Gen 2)
Pros
- Lightweight and portable
- Impressive noise cancellation and sound quality
- Easy set up
- Seamless integration across Apple products
- Water- and sweat-resistant
Cons
- Not as comfortable as over-ear headphones for most people
Noise-cancelling headphones come in all shapes and sizes, including wireless earbuds. Not only are the AirPods Pro (Gen 2) significantly lighter and more compact than most over-ear models, but these outperformed several over-ear options that we tested in the Lab.
“I’m impressed with these, especially for earbuds,” Greenwald says. “The frequency response curve is so well-balanced in the bass range and features little distortion,” he explains, which is uncommon with earbuds. He does point out that noise-cancelling isn’t top tier but you'll still get some of the best noise cancellation possible from earbuds, making these AirPods an excellent choice for shoppers seeking a portable option.
Though the AirPods Pro may start to feel uncomfortable after extended use and will likely never stack up to being as comfortable as cushy over-ear models, Greenwald found their setup to be “easy-as-pie,” especially for Apple users. Controls are also extremely intuitive, and you can get up to 30 hours of battery life with the charging case (though only up to 6 hours of non-stop listening, according to the brand).
Other advantages are that these AirPods are dust-, sweat- and water-resistant so they’re a good choice for working out, and they can be wirelessly charged.
Type: In-ear | Claimed battery life: 6 hours (30 hours total with charging case)
Other noise-cancelling headphones we tested
Bose QuietComfort 45: While the new QuietComfort Ultra headphones offer the latest technology from Bose and are, in our opinion, the most worthwhile investment, we still recommend the QuietComfort 45 if you’re looking to save a bit. In performance tests, this pair fell right behind the Bose 700 and still features some of the most effective noise-cancelling of any pair above on top of exceptional sound quality. Plus, the QuietComfort are exactly what they say they are: super comfortable. Our tech analysts have used the QuietComfort 45 for years and swear by how you can wear them for hours on international flights thanks to their soft, plush earpads. We also love that they fold up into a fairly compact carrying case (much like the pricier Ultra pair), which is convenient when you’re on the go.
Beats Studio Pro: Fitness experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute love Beats when it comes to fitness headphones, but this model is also worth considering whether you’re exercising, traveling or lounging. The Studio Pro performed well in Lab tests and, like other Beats, seamlessly connect with iPhones. Just keep in mind that these aren’t true over-ear headphones and can start to feel uncomfortable after extended use, which was also one of our main qualms when testing the Beats Solo 3.
Marshall Monitor II ANC: If a classic retro style paired with audio excellence is what you’re after, look no further than this pair of headphones from Marshall that will make you look and feel like you’re in a recording studio. Though we prefer Marshall speakers over headphones, this pair offers excellent noise cancellation and our pros can’t get enough of the beautiful detailing that will appeal to most audio heads.
How we test the best noise-cancelling headphones
The experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have been testing headphones and earbuds for more than a decade and have logged more than 300 hours of listening in the past five years. In our most recent evaluations at the Good Housekeeping Institute, led by Nik Greenwald, 25 pairs of noise-cancelling headphones were tested.
To evaluate noise-cancelling headphones, our pros first assess each pair’s ease of use. We rate how easy it is to connect the headphones via Bluetooth to laptops and phones. Next, we evaluate on-ear controls by listening to music, podcasts and more, noting how intuitive it is to adjust the volume, play, pause and skip tracks as well as activate or remove noise cancellation.
We also download any apps recommended by headphone manufacturers and review them for features like EQ (to adjust the sound to our preferences) and spatial audio. Lastly, we rate how comfortable the headphones feel while wearing them.
To test the performance of noise-cancelling headphones, we evaluate the following: noise-cancelling capabilities, audio spectrum analysis and the subjective sound quality while listening to music and podcasts.
- Noise-cancelling: Our experts test noise-cancelling by putting on the headphones and turning on active noise cancellation without playing any other audio from the headphones. From there, we use an audio analysis software called REW to output pink noise (a sound with a consistent frequency that mimics hum and buzzes representative of the noise you try to filter out with noise-cancelling headphones in real life) from the speakers of a laptop placed in front of us at -70dBFS pk. We then increase the volume until we can hear the pink noise through the headphones and note the level where the noise breaks through the noise cancellation.
- Audio spectrum analysis: Next, spectrum analysis involves using MiniDSP EARS, or a headphone analysis rig featuring molds of the human ear, so that it can analyze the spectrum of each pair of headphones via microphones inside of the ears. Headphones are placed on the rig and a spectrum analysis is run, producing a graph that reveals where the headphones have boosts and cuts along the frequency spectrum. We pay particular attention to the low and high end of the spectrum to ensure a balanced frequency response. We tend to favor headphones with a flatter response, which indicates that the headphones reproduce music and audio exactly as the mixing or mastering engineer produced it. The spectrum analysis also gives us an idea of how much color or distortion is added to the signal that leaves the headphones. We favor headphones that reproduce audio with as little distortion as possible.
- Sound quality: Lastly, we run subjective sound quality evaluations by having our test engineers in the Media & Tech Lab listen to a variety of audio content and rate the sound quality of the headphones.
Finally, our experts assess the durability of each pair of headphones by reviewing water and dust protection claims (or Ingress Protection ratings) from the manufacturer. Though it isn't a dealbreaker for us if headphones aren’t water-resistant, we do have a slight bias toward pairs with sturdier construction and the ability to withstand the elements.
What to look for when shopping for noise-cancelling headphones
✔️ Type: When you think of noise-cancelling headphones, typically over-ear models come to mind, but you can actually find noise-cancelling earbuds as well. If your priority is to have the best noise-cancelling experience, our pros recommend choosing an over-ear set of headphones as these are more isolating by design.
Noise-cancelling earbuds aren’t quite as effective and are subject to picking up more wind and other outside disruptions, but the technology continues to vastly improve year-over-year and you can find impressive wireless earbuds on the market as well. One notable difference between the two is that earbuds are much more portable and compact than heavier over-ear headphones, so make sure to decide what you plan on using your headphones for and whether carrying them around will be a nuisance to you.
✔️ Comfort: Do you prefer wearing in-ear headphones, or do you think over-ear headphones will be more comfortable? While over-ear models feature soft cushions that you place directly over your ears, earbuds typically feature silicone tips to ensure a secure fit inside your ear canal. Neither choice is right or wrong, but some testers find that earbuds can become uncomfortable over time while over-ear headphones can feel heavy or hot after extended use.
✔️ Battery Life: Check the manufacturer’s claimed battery life before purchasing a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. This is especially important if you’re someone who plans on using your headphones during a long trip or flight since you won’t have to recharge at any point. Our experts suggest opting for a pair of headphones with at least 20 hours of claimed total battery life.
✔️ Durability: Unlike Bluetooth speakers, most noise-cancelling headphones don’t advertise whether or not they’re water-resistant. When possible, always check for an Ingress Protection (IP) rating, which is a standard that indicates ruggedness as well as weather or water resistance. That being said, you’re unlikely to find noise-cancelling headphones that can be submerged in water and it’s best to keep most pairs out of the rain.
✔️ Accessories: Consider the size of your headphone’s carrying case (if provided) as some are smaller and more compact than others. Also check whether your headphones feature an audio jack and cable, which makes connecting to an in-flight entertainment system a breeze.
Are noise-cancelling headphones worth it?
If noise cancellation is a priority to you, the experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute agree that a high-quality pair of noise-cancelling headphones is worth the investment.
Noise-cancelling headphones use miniature microphones that "listen to the outside noise frequencies and emit the exact opposite signal to effectively 'cancel out' both sets of sounds when the soundwaves collide," according to Bose. In other words, you won't hear anything!
Though noise-cancelling headphones are pricier than other headphones, they’re the best solution for anyone hoping to block out the outside world and peacefully take a Zoom meeting or listen to a podcast while commuting to work.
What are the different types of noise-cancelling?
✔️ Active noise canceling (ANC) headphones feature built-in microphones that actively pick up and listen to the sounds around you and produce a counter soundwave to neutralize background noise so you can hear the movie or music you’re streaming clearly and without outside disruptions. Although ANC headphones do a fantastic job at blocking out unwanted low-frequency sounds (like the hum of a train or constant drilling going on outside of your apartment), they won’t cancel out everything going on in the outside world.
“In my experience noise-cancelling headphones aren’t amazing at filtering out medium- to high-frequency sounds like the human voice, babies crying, etc., because we have a lot of variability in how we talk and the rate at which headphones can remove these sounds is slow,” Greenwald says. Nevertheless, if you’re in an environment where you need to hear some ambient noise, he recommends turning noise-cancelling off as the technology remains quite effective.
✔️ Adaptive active noise cancellation is a more sophisticated variant of ANC in which the level of noise cancellation is digitally adapted based on your environment. These headphones are able to actively adjust to prominent outside sounds like traffic, humans speaking or announcements, so you get the most effective noise-cancelling experience.
For unique features, look out for headphones that offer a “transparency mode” or “ambient aware mode” so you can toggle adaptive ANC on and off to hear the outside world. Some headphones don’t just allow noise through but will use microphones to pick up outside sound and play it back into your ears so you can hear everything around you very clearly. This is extremely useful when you want to order a coffee or speak to a flight attendant without having to take off your noise-canceling headphones.
✔️ Noise-isolating headphones use passive noise cancellation and cost much less than ANC headphones, but they generally aren’t as effective since they do not feature any technology that actively creates opposite soundwaves to counter any external noise. The idea is that the design of the headphones seals out unwanted sounds thanks to well-fitting ear cups or buds.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
GH Institute Writer and Product Analyst Olivia Lipski covers everything from tech to travel, fitness, home and more. During her time at GH, she regularly tests and reviews some of the most popular audio gear like JBL earbuds, Bose QuietComfort Ultra and Bose 700, Beats Solo 3 and the AirPods Max. Not only has she has rotated through at least 25 pairs of headphones and earbuds annually since joining the Institute in 2021, but she’s been wearing noise-cancelling headphones for the past decade and never boards a a plane without them.
Good Housekeeping Institute Data Engineer Nik Greenwald ran our most recent test of noise-cancelling headphones, spending over 20 hours researching, recording and analyzing data to compare different models. When not at the Institute, Greenwald works as a songwriter and record producer, having written and produced several tracks that have garnered millions of streams worldwide.
Olivia (she/her) is a senior reviews writer and analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she tests and writes about tech, home, travel, fitness, parenting and health products. Since joining GH in 2021, she has continued to leverage her extensive product reviews experience by staying on top of the industry’s latest innovations and helping readers make better buying decisions. Olivia is a graduate of the George Washington University, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, political science and French, and she holds a master’s degree in communications from Sciences Po Paris.
As a data engineer in the Good Housekeeping Institute, Nik (he/him) works with all of our Labs to develop testing protocols and manage data collection and analysis. Before joining Good Housekeeping in 2022, Nik worked in the labs of MIT and Regeneron, working on projects ranging from chemical inventory and reporting to the development of bioassays. He holds a degree in chemical engineering from Northeastern University.
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