Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones 2025: Keep the world at bay with these top picks

At this point, we’re half convinced that Bose has managed to weave some sort of magic into its noise-cancelling tech because it’s so far beyond what the competition offers that it hardly seems like a fair race. Still, it’s exactly why the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen are a true staple in our current list of recommendations.

The best way of describing just how powerful these earbuds are is by mentioning that they are as powerful with their ANC as some over-ear headphones. If you’re taking a long-haul flight but you don’t really have the space for headphones in your carry-on bag then Bose’s buds are a compact alternative that do not skimp on efficiency.

In fact, we’ve used the buds on flights and were surprised by how easy they made it to watch a film without needing to crank up the volume. Even when taken to the busier parts of Central London, the QuietComfort Earbuds are able to create a tangible seal around the ears, keeping ambient noise at bay and helping you to stay locked in with whatever you’re listening to.

There is a case to be made that the Sony WF-1000XM5 have the edge when it comes to the overall sound profile, but at this end of the market, you’re comparing two options that massively outdo almost everything else that’s available. There’s still a wonderfully energetic soundscape to be found here, and it’s backed up with plenty of bass which, when paired with the ANC, can really help you to zone out.

While the Ultra Earbuds are a bit bigger than what you’ll find with most options these days (they make the latest AirPods seem minuscule by comparison), the added heft actually goes a long way towards keeping them in place when in use. Even when listening to music whilst running a decent pace on a treadmill, Bose’s earbuds can still keep their composure without any concern that they’re going to fall out mid-run.

Our go-to choice for noise-cancelling over-ears had been the Sony WH-1000XM5 but that’s no longer the case. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are the best noise-cancelling over-ears we’ve tested.

They suppress more noise than their Sony rivals or any other wireless over-ear we’ve had the fortune to test. Whether you’re out in a city, riding public transport, wearing these headphones on a plane or just don’t want to hear the person next to you jabbering away, the Bose QC Ultra Headphones are excellent ANC headphones for wherever you are.

The noise-cancelling works without sounding processed or making the audio sound chilly, as was the case with previous headphones like the Bose QuietComfort 45.

They fit well to the head, more comfortable to wear than the Sony, though they aren’t as stylish as the Noise-Cancelling Headphones 700. But with this mode you can collapse and store them away in the carry case.

The audio is richer than before while still maintaining the balanced approach that Bose is known for. There’s plenty of clarity and detail to the midrange, with a clarity and brightness to the top end, while the low end has been reinforced with extra padding. It’s a much more mainstream-sounding pair of headphones that we’re used to from Bose.

The wireless performance is strong, and there’s a decent array of customisation and personalisation options available such as adjusting the sound, call quality, or changing which features are associated with the shortcut. Call quality is slightly odd, leaking noise in whenever we spoke. It’s not enough to distract from what we were saying but the person on the other end did feel it was odd.

The £449 / $449 RRP will be a sticking point some. You do get an excellent noise-cancelling performance, but the Sony along with the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless, are available for less money.

For any reader who’s followed our coverage of over-ear headphones, it should come as no surprise that the Sony WH-1000XM6 has earned itself a secure spot on this list. Sony’s flagship headphones have long since set the bar against which all other headphones are tested, and that trend only continues with the XM6.

Admittedly, the XM6 don’t represent a major overhaul on the WH-1000XM5 but there are a few welcome improvements here, the first of which is the design. While the XM5 had a clean aesthetic, the lack of a foldable build meant that they weren’t quite as portable as what came before, something that Sony seems to have recognised as the XM6 can be neatly folded away into a compact case.

The other big change is in noise cancellation. In this area, Sony has typically played catch-up to whatever Bose has managed to achieve with its own headphones, but the gap has finally closed with the XM6. You could be wearing these headphones in a busy cafe with plates clattering, babies fussing and coffee machines steaming, and you’d still be able to lock in with your own personal bubble.

This improved ANC sits on top of the real star of the show which is the sound profile that Sony brings to the table. The company has always gone for that crowd-pleasing sound that gives weight and volume to all aspects of a song and it’s much the same here. You could be listening to stadium rock or the latest Billie Eilish track and it’ll all sound great, making the headphones a solid choice for music fans who love to float between genres.

Of course, if you do have a particular soundscape that you enjoy then you can always dive into the equaliser settings in the Sound Connect app. You can still get a solid 30-hours of battery here with the ANC turned on, so you won’t have to worry about running out of juice mid-flight, although there are fast charging capabilities here too for getting the battery topped up quickly.

The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 headphones are some of the best-sounding and best-looking headphones on the market.

Launching in Black and Tan leather versions, both colourways look classy and feel very sturdy in terms of build quality. We felt they were comfortable to wear over long periods of time, with the oval shape helping to assist in presenting a more natural soundstage.

These headphones come with adaptive ANC and we felt they were effective at suppressing noise on the underground, hushing voices and managing wind noise to acceptable levels, without needing to sacrifice audio quality. Even in noisy environments, the Px8 headphones condense the volume of a crowd into a more manageable sound, being robust enough to usher in a sense of calm wherever you are. The noise-cancellation is better than the similarly priced Focal Bathys and Master & Dynamic MW75.

With 40mm dynamic full-range carbon cone drive units, these headphones offer a large and expansive soundstage, a big improvement on their predecessor, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7. Bass frequencies have massive definition and punch, with a sharp and open midrange that complements a lot of genres. High frequencies are distinctive and bright, making the B&W Px8 a clean, precise and dynamic pair of headphones.

Call quality here is also nothing to sniff at. While they are not as clear as the Sony WH-1000XM5, they were among the best on the market at the moment, with voices coming across clearly and background noises being kept to a minimum thanks to the dedicated call microphones.

With the AirPods Pro 2, Apple has made one of the best noise-cancelling true wireless available for Apple users.

The design is not too different from the original AirPods Pro, but they feature an extra ear-tip size (XS) to fit a wider range of ears. The force sensor also has the ability to tweak volume levels, though we found it’s not always the most reliable option. IPX4 resistance against moisture remains, so these earphones could be used for exercise as well as listening to music.

And in terms of sound quality, they’re an improvement over their predecessor. Bass has a richness and warmth, but there’s still good clarity to vocals within the soundstage and instruments are defined with more detail.

The star of the show is the AirPod Pro 2’s noise-cancelling prowess. Used on the underground and compared to the WF-1000XM4, they edged the Sony buds with how much high-frequency noises and rumble of the train they removed.

The noise cancellation is adaptive, ramping up and down depending on how much noise is detected. The same is true of the improved transparency mode. We found it piped through a clearer, more realistic impression of the world around us. The lack of control over the noise cancelling/transparency remains a bugbear though.

Battery life is good at six hours per bud and 30 hours overall. That’s a better figure overall than the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II (6 and 24 hours) and around similar to the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 (7 and 28 hours). There are much cheaper noise-cancelling buds, such as the JBL Live Pro 2, that offer more longevity (10 and 40 hours).

If you’re an iOS user in need of a ANC true wireless then arguably no other integrates as well as the AirPod Pro. Non-iOS users will want to look elsewhere, as many of the features such as Spatial Audio are exclusive to the iOS ecosystem.

There are always caveats with budget noise-cancelling headphones. They’re not as powerful as expensive models, but as long as you are aware of it, the WH-CH720N are one of the best value noise-cancelling headphones you can buy.

We would describe the noise cancellation as solid for the price. It focuses on reducing low-frequency sounds and clearing away ambient noise, and while we wouldn’t say that these headphones clear every loud bang or big vehicles, we did find that they made daily commutes less intense and disruptive. They’re effective against large groups of people, though when faced with individuals, we did notice that they made people’s voices more noticeable.

The noise-cancelling is better than the similarly priced Soundcore Space One and Earfun Wave Pro, though the Monoprice BT-600ANC (available in the US) edges it out for ANC.

The sound has a smooth quality to it with an emphasis on bass. Bass is delivered with punch, the midrange is clear and detailed, and the upper frequencies sound bright and clear. The Final UX300 offer a more insightful performance (with its noise-cancelling off, however), but they aren’t as affordable or boast as many convenient features.

Sony claims 35 hours of battery life, our tests showed they could go as far as 40 with noise-cancelling on, which is more than the Soundcore Space One. As well as the hybrid active noise-cancellation, there’s a transparency mode, Bluetooth multipoint, customisation through the Sony Headphones app support and voice assistants in Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.

The headphones’ frame and earcups are made from recycled plastic, and we found there were no noticeable creaks or groans when we bent the frame. The use of plastic also keeps the headphones lightweight at 192g, and moreover we didn’t experience periods of discomfort thanks to the padding on the headband and earcups.

There’s a growing number of affordable ANC headphones but the Sony puts in the best overall performance.

The JBL Live Pro 2 are of the best noise-cancelling earbuds around the £100 mark, better than the Beats Studio Buds.

Walking through Westminster tube station, we found background noise was reduced to little more than inconsequential rustle. The JBL is good at numbing people’s conversations, and subduing bigger crowds in busy areas. It’s a very impressive performance for its price.

These buds proved very comfortable to wear over long periods of time, our reviewer didn’t note any discomfort during use. The IPX5 water makes them more robust than most noise-cancelling earbuds, so they can be used during a workout or when it’s raining.

There are a few issues with the Live Pro 2 buds, namely their wireless performance and call quality. We experienced a choppy connection in busy areas like Victoria train station, but it also occurred in areas when there was fewer people were around. We didn’t feel they fared too well with phone calls, especially in busier areas. Despite their noise-cancelling prowess with calls they have a tendency to let noise in like the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II, making it harder for the person on the other end of the phone to hear what’s being said.

In terms of their sound quality, the JBL favour a balanced tone that’s not necessarily the most exciting, but we quite enjoyed the sound. They boast a weighty bass, a midrange that is reproduced with clarity and a clear and distinct treble performance. We thought that this made them easy to listen to across a range of genres, though the volume needs to be turned up to widen the soundstage and give the bass richness.

The Dyon Ontrac headphones are certainly among the best-looking on the market right now. The CNC copper colourway we received for review is undeniably eye-catching with an impressive level of customisation, offering interchangeable outer caps and earpads in a range of finishes – over 2000 according to Dyson. This allows for unparalleled personalisation of your headphones, even if the individual components are rather pricey.

It’s not just customisable though; while the cans are undeniably bulky with a substantial presence that might not suit everyone’s tastes, we found them surprisingly comfortable to wear. That’s largely down to the ample padding on offer, as well as well-distributed weight that means pressure doesn’t build up in any one particular area, even in extensive listening sessions.

Beyond looks, the Dyson Ontrac cans offer clear and detailed audio quality with a balanced sound profile that prioritises neutrality. While that may mean that some will find it lacking in excitement, its technically proficient performance should appeal to those seeking an accurate reproduction of their music. Battery life is also pretty solid at 55 hours, and while the noise cancellation is good enough to quieten everyday noises, it’s not quite enough to be class-leading.

If you’re constantly chatting on the phone and want a pair of over-ear cans that won’t let you down, look no further than the Philips Fidelio L4. The ANC-enabled cans truly excel in the call quality department, with noise cancellation tech effectively minimising background noise to ensure a clear voice at the other end of the phone, even in challenging outdoor environments. It’s particularly adept at filtering out wind and traffic sounds, making it ideal for those who make calls on the go.

Beyond its call prowess, the L4 offers a solid set of features including support for LDAC and LC3 Bluetooth codecs for high-quality audio streaming from compatible devices, alongside adaptive ANC and 40 hours of battery life. They also deliver a solid audio experience with warm and smooth sound with a clear focus on the midrange. It might not be the most detailed or dynamic, but it’s a pleasant and relaxing sound signature.

It’s arguably the design that lets the cans down most. While the cans sport a similar design to the Fidelio L3 with a 10% lighter build and softer synthetic leather on the earcups, we found that the L4 sat a bit more on top of our ears than the L3, leading to some discomfort over longer listening sessions. The touch panel used for controlling music wasn’t always perfectly responsive either.

Particularly in the Western markets, Technics isn’t quite as well known as Sony or Bose, but the company has been around since 1965 and if you’re feeling adventurous enough to take a chance on brand that you might not have come across, then you’ll be rewarded tenfold with the Technics EAH-AZ100. These are some of the best ANC earbuds you can buy right now, and it’s not even close.

Admittedly, it’s taken Technics some time to put out a pair of earbuds that can truly rival the latest and greatest, but that’s exactly what it has achieved with the EAH-AZ100. First and foremost, the soundscape is really something to be proud of, and it’s gone down a similar route to Sony in terms of offering a balanced audio experience that just has a sense of energy, the type that’ll get you moving almost instinctively. 

Of course, with these buds having a spot on this list, it isn’t just about the sound profile. Noise-cancelling performance is right up there with what Bose has been able to achieve on the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, which is no mean feat given that it can be just as good as a pair of over-ear headphones at times.

There’s a case to be made that the EAH-AZ100 will feel right at home for anyone who needs earbuds for a professional setting. The black, understated look that these buds adhere to ensure that they don’t stand out in a gaudy way, and there’s excellent call quality for when you need to have an important chat over the phone.

The EAH-AZ100 are also able to connect to up to three devices at one time, so if you need to jump between a laptop, a tablet and a phone at your desk then you can do so without having to constantly dive into the Bluetooth settings of each device. We could say plenty more about the EAH-AZ100 but the headline here is that Technics has done itself proud with a pair of earbuds that can stand with the best.

It took quite a while for a successor to the original PowerBeats Pro to come to market but the wait was more certainly worth it as the Beats PowerBeats Pro 2 are far and away our go-to pick right now for runners and gym-goers who need earbuds to keep up with their routine. In fact, there’s a case to be made that these Beats buds present a more tantalising option than the latest AirPods.

For starters, they have a more eye-catching design, especially if you pick up a pair in the Electric Orange colourway that we had in for review, and the included ear-hook does a solid job of keeping the buds in place during a workout. Even if you’re running at a sprint, these buds will still stay where you want them, so if you’ve had issues with less sturdy options going walkabout in the past then these should be your next upgrade.

The big update this time around is the fact that the PowerBeats Pro 2 can track your heart-rate without any extra help. This data can then be synced with a handful of apps, so if you prefer not to use a smartwatch when working out then these buds can offer an alternative to help you see how your body reacts to certain exercises.

As you would expect from an audio product that has had Apple’s involvement, the noise-cancelling on offer is of a very high quality. If you’re using these at the gym then you won’t have to worry about being distracted by nearby conversations or the sound of the radio, giving you the freedom to focus on your go-to playlists and your workout of choice.

What’s most impressive above all is that the PowerBeats Pro 2 can really go the distance between charges. With the charging case factored in, these buds can run for up to 45-hours in total (36-hours with ANC toggled) which is a great deal longer than most true wireless earbuds. This is great for anyone looking to run a marathon or endurance event and needs a long-lasting pair of earbuds to keep up.