Best noise-cancelling headphones

If you want the best noise-cancelling headphones, I'd focus on three things: how well they block noise, sound quality, and comfort over long listening sessions. The best choice also depends on whether you're commuting, flying, working in an office, or listening at home.

For most people, I'd start with premium over-ear headphones. They generally offer a better combination of active noise cancellation (ANC), battery life, and comfort than earbuds.

The best noise-cancelling headphones to buy

BEST OVERALL

Sony WH-1000XM6

$450–$460

An excellent all-rounder, with powerful adaptive noise cancellation, detailed sound, useful customization, and strong microphone performance for calls.

Best for: travel, commuting, work, and everyday listening.

My first pick for most buyers.

Shop at Sony

BEST FOR COMFORT AND QUIET

Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen)

$449

Superb noise cancellation, soft ear cushions, and immersive audio make these especially appealing for long flights and noisy environments.

Best for: frequent flyers, office workers, and people who prioritize comfort.

Shop at Bose

BEST VALUE IF DISCOUNTED

Bose QuietComfort Headphones

Often the smarter purchase when you find them well below flagship prices. They're lightweight, comfortable, and effective at reducing everyday background noise.

Best for: everyday use without paying premium flagship prices.

Shop at Bose

BEST FOR APPLE USERS

Apple AirPods Max 2

About $550

Premium build quality, rich sound, spatial audio, and convenient integration with Apple devices make these a compelling luxury option.

Best for: iPhone, iPad, and Mac users who value Apple's ecosystem.

Shop at Apple

Quick comparison

Prices are approximate US retail prices and can vary with sales and color. Current listings put the Sony around $460 and the Bose Ultra (2nd Gen) around $449. 【turn178385product1】【turn178385product2】

Which would I buy?

• For the best all-around headphones: Sony WH-1000XM6.
• For blocking out the world on a plane: Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen).
• For the best deal: Standard Bose QuietComfort, especially on sale.
• For an iPhone-centered setup: AirPods Max 2.

One tip: noise cancellation works best on steady sounds such as airplane engines, fans, and traffic rumble. It won't completely eliminate nearby conversations or sudden noises.

Let me narrow it down for you

1. What's your budget?

Under $150

$150–$250

$250–$450

$450+

2. What's most important?

Maximum noise cancellation

Comfort for long sessions

Best sound quality

Best value for money

Calls and work

3. What device will you use?

iPhone

Android

Windows PC or Mac

Multiple devices

4. Which style do you prefer?

Over-ear headphones

Noise-cancelling earbuds

Either is fine

[Find my best match]

The best active noise-cancelling (ANC) headphones depend on your priority for noise isolation, comfort, or ecosystem integration:

Best Overall / Noise Isolation: Sony WH-1000XM6 deliver class-leading real-time ANC, blocking out deep rumbles and high-pitched office chatter with over 31 hours of battery life. RTINGS.com YouTube

Best for Comfort & Travel: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) offer unmatched all-day ergonomic comfort, pressure-relieving earpads, and stellar spatial audio. CNET

Best for Apple Users: Apple AirPods Max 2 feature the upgraded H2 chip, delivering massive leaps in adaptive noise cancellation, seamless device switching, and top-tier build quality. RecordingNOW.com

• Best Battery & Sound: Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless combine up to 57 hours of playtime, 8-microphone hybrid ANC, and a user-replaceable battery.

Here is a video review comparing the top noise-cancelling headphones:

To help narrow down the right pair, let me know:

What is your budget ?

Will you be using them mostly for travel, work, or the gym ?

Do you prefer an iOS/Android ecosystem?

When looking for the best active noise-cancelling (ANC) headphones, the top choices generally depend on whether you prioritize overall performance, maximum comfort, ecosystem integration, or value.

The standout options available break down as follows:

1. Best Overall: Sony WH-1000XM6

• Price: ~$450
• Battery Life: Up to 30 hours stupidDOPE (with ANC on) stupidDOPE
• Why buy: The Sony WH-1000XM6 are the best all-around noise-cancelling headphones on the market. What Hi-Fi? They strike a near-perfect balance between exceptional sound quality, class-leading noise cancellation, a lightweight, travel-friendly folding frame (approx. 254g), and robust codec support (including LDAC). stupidDOPE
• Skip if: You prefer a looser, deeply cushioned fit that doesn't touch your ears at all. RecordingNOW.com

2. Best for Comfort & Pure Silence: Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen)

• Price: ~$449 stupidDOPE
• Battery Life: Up to 30 hours (approx. 23 hours with Immersive Audio) stupidDOPE
• Why buy: If your priority is maximum quiet or long-term comfort, the Bose QC Ultra 2nd Gen are hard to beat. stupidDOPE They feature some of the plushest ear cushions available, making them ideal for long-haul flights and great for glasses wearers. stupidDOPE Their noise cancellation blocks out deep-engine drone exceptionally well.
• Skip if: You are an Android user looking for high-resolution LDAC support (Bose focuses on aptX Adaptive/AAC). stupidDOPE

3. Best for the Apple Ecosystem: Apple AirPods Max (2nd Gen)

• Price: ~$549 stupidDOPE
• Battery Life: Up to 20 hours stupidDOPE
• Why buy: For Apple loyalists, the AirPods Max offer unmatched integration with iPhones, iPads, and Macs, along with stellar transparency mode features and spatial audio. ANC performance matches the absolute industry peak.
• Skip if: You use Android/Windows devices (features are limited outside of Apple), travel ultra-light (they are heavier at 386g), or want a compact folding case. stupidDOPE

4. Best Sound-First Alternative: Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3

• Price: ~$479 stupidDOPE
• Battery Life: Up to 30 hours
• Why buy: Tailored for audiophiles who want premium acoustic performance first and strong noise cancellation second. stupidDOPE They feature gorgeous industrial design, support high-end codecs like aptX Lossless, and boast incredible fast-charging capabilities (about 7 hours of playback from a quick 15-minute charge). stupidDOPE

5. Best Value / Budget Options

• Sennheiser Momentum 4: Often found heavily discounted now that newer models are out, these offer incredible battery life (up to 60 hours on some variants) and a rich, bass-forward sound profile.
• Sony WH-CH720N: If you want to spend under $100, these lightweight over-ears deliver surprisingly clear sound and decent entry-level ANC.

Which of these features matters most to you? (For example: maximum silence on flights, deep bass for music, seamless switching between Apple devices, or a specific budget?)

The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the best all-around over-ear pick: reviewers praise its strong noise cancellation across low rumbles and voices. If you prefer earbuds, consider the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen); for a budget-friendly option, the Soundcore Space One over-ear headphones are a good pick.rtings.comwhathifi.comnytimes.comau.pcmag.com

The best noise-cancelling (ANC) headphones in 2026 are dominated by Sony's WH-1000XM6 and Bose's QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), with strong value options from Soundcore and earbud picks from the same brands or Apple. www.nytimes.com www.cnet.com www.engadget.com

These picks come from rigorous lab and real-world testing by Wirecutter (NYT), CNET, Engadget, RTINGS.com, and What Hi-Fi? as of mid-to-late 2026. "Best" depends on your priorities: maximum ANC (low-frequency rumble like planes or traffic), sound quality, comfort for long wear, battery life, call quality, or budget. Over-ear models generally outperform earbuds for deep ANC, but true wireless earbuds now deliver impressive isolation too.

Top Overall Picks (Over-Ear)

These excel at blocking constant noise (e.g., office chatter, flights, trains) while letting you hear announcements or music clearly.

• Sony WH-1000XM6 (best overall / most recommended)
  Exceptional ANC (improved with the new QN3 chip and more mics), natural transparency mode, highly customizable sound (app EQ, 360 Reality Audio), great for calls, and ~30 hours battery. Lightweight and comfortable for hours. The ear cups fold for a compact case.
  Price: ~$398–$450.
  Best for: Daily commuters, travelers, or anyone wanting balanced performance. Consistently tops or near-tops lists from Wirecutter, CNET, Engadget, What Hi-Fi?, and RTINGS. www.nytimes.com www.cnet.com www.engadget.com

• Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) (best for pure ANC)
  Industry-leading noise cancellation (Adaptive Sound Control with enhancements for sudden noises), comfortable fit, immersive audio modes, and solid call quality. ~30 hours battery.
  Price: ~$379–$449.
  Best for: Frequent flyers or people prioritizing silence over sound customization. Slightly edges Sony in raw ANC intensity; some prefer its natural transparency. www.nytimes.com www.cnet.com www.engadget.com

Runner-up premium: Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 or Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless (better sound staging if you prioritize audio quality over max ANC).

Best Value / Budget Over-Ear

• Soundcore Space One (Wirecutter's budget pick) or Soundcore Space 2 (CNET's mid-range winner)
  Impressive ANC (adjustable levels), comfortable, ~40 hours battery (Space One), good sound with app EQ. Much cheaper than flagships but punches above its weight.
  Price: $100–$150.
  Best for: Budget-conscious buyers who still want strong ANC and long sessions. Excellent all-rounder without the premium markup. www.nytimes.com www.cnet.com

Other notables: Sony WH-CH720N (~$100–$150, great entry-level from Sony with solid ANC and sound).

Best Noise-Cancelling Earbuds

Earbuds deliver portable ANC but can't match over-ear isolation. Great for workouts or on-the-go.

• Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro (Wirecutter's top earbud pick; RTINGS mid-range leader)
  Outstanding ANC and mic performance (clear calls), secure fit with multiple tips, customizable EQ, IP55 water resistance, ~6.5–7 hours battery + fast charging case. Multi-device pairing.
  Price: ~$170.
  Best for: Active lifestyles or value ANC without premium over-ear bulk.

• Apple AirPods Pro 3 (CNET and RTINGS iPhone-focused pick)
  Top-tier ANC (especially voices), improved sound, heart-rate monitoring, excellent call quality, up to 8+ hours. Seamless Apple integration (spatial audio, auto-switching).
  Price: ~$249.
  Best for: iOS users wanting earbuds with strong ANC and features.

• Sony WF-1000XM6 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) (premium earbud options)
  Sony for balance/features; Bose for ANC intensity.

Budget earbud picks: EarFun Air Pro 4 (Wirecutter) or Anker Soundcore Space A40/P31i (RTINGS) — surprisingly capable for $50–$80.

Quick Buying Advice

• For flights/trains/offices — Go over-ear (Sony or Bose XM6/Ultra).
• For workouts/gym — Prioritize IP-rated earbuds (Liberty 5 Pro or AirPods Pro 3).
• Sound quality focus — Sony XM6, B&W PX7 S3, or Sennheiser.
• Battery & comfort — All flagships hit 30+ hours; check real-user reviews for fit (head shape varies).
• Features — Look for multipoint Bluetooth, app EQ, adaptive ANC, and spatial audio (360 Reality or Apple Spatial).
• Where to buy — Amazon, Best Buy, or brand sites for deals (prices fluctuate; check current sales). Consider return policies for fit testing.

ANC performance varies by environment—test in-store if possible, or read detailed lab scores (e.g., RTINGS for isolation charts). The gap between top models is smaller than ever, so value picks like Soundcore deliver 80–90% of the flagship experience at half the price. If you share more details (budget, preferred form factor, device ecosystem, or main use like commuting vs. workouts), I can narrow it further!