The Best Noise-Canceling Headphones
Shaking off the world and sinking into a new album can feel like a train ride through the countryside … unless you're sharing that seat with two young toddlers. Or if your neighbor's dog is barking. Come to think of it, there are a lot of sounds that can ruin a good song in the work-from-home era. That's why we have headphones that isolate and cancel out noise. Below are the best noise-canceling cans and buds you can buy, handpicked and tested by the Gear team here at WIRED.
Not seeing something you like? Be sure to check out our other guides, like the Best Wireless Earbuds, Best Workout Earbuds, Best Cheap Headphones, and Best Wireless Headphones.
Updated July 2022: We've added the Sony WH-1000XM5 and the QuietOn 3 sleep earbuds.
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- Photograph: Apple
The Absolute Best
Apple AirPods MaxIf you use an iPhone and you are willing to pay $550, Apple's noise-canceling over-ears (8/10, WIRED Recommends) are the best choice. They are probably the best wireless headphones you'll have ever heard, but astonishing fidelity isn't the only reason to buy Cupertino's flagship cans. Excellent pairing and connection with Apple devices, Bose-beating noise reduction, and some of the finest build quality you'll find this side of $1,000 make these a great pair for most people.
The only thing not to like about the AirPods Max? The included soft case, which does very little to protect the headphones when they're not on your head.
- Photograph: Sony
A Close Second
Sony WH-1000XM5Sony redesigned the exterior of its popular flagship headphones for the fifth generation (9/10, WIRED Recommends), making them a bit sleeker and more competitive with Apple and Bose in looks. What didn't go away is the company's excellent noise cancellation, super customizable sound, and fantastic battery life. They're pricier than previous generations, but the sound is more absorbing, with a more energetic feel than the less dynamic models that came before.
- Photograph: Sony
Still Great
Sony WH-1000XM4This isn't the newest model, but Sony's WH-1000X lineup has produced some of the best noise-canceling headphones for nearly a decade, and the previous-generation WH-1000XM4 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) are no exception. Sleek, businesslike looks and 30-hour battery life match its successor, and this version sports better noise cancellation and audio upscaling than its predecessors, both of which contribute to a cleaner overall sound signature. The high-quality microphones don't make you sound like you're underwater in Zoom meetings, which is an essential upgrade in the post-Covid world. It periodically goes on sale for under $300, so avoid buying it at full price.
- Photograph: Bose
Best for the Office
Bose Noise Canceling 700The ever-popular Bose QC35 II (8/10, WIRED Recommends) remains a fantastic noise-canceling option, but Bose’s Noise Canceling 700 take our top spot for business users. They have excellent noise reduction that quiets clacky keyboards or chatty roommates better than ever, plus slightly better sound quality and battery life than the QC35 II. But the real reason to buy the 700s is for call quality. They use advanced signal processing and four microphones to limit the sound of the world around you on phone calls. The person you're calling will think you’re in a library even when you’re in a rowdy living room.
- Photograph: Sony
Quietest Buds
Sony WF-1000XM4Sony's WF-1000XM4 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) have the best noise reduction we've heard from a pair of earbuds. The company's excellent digital signal processing pairs with form-fitting foam ear tips to block out most sounds. From rumbling HVAC to loud coworkers, the WF-1000XM4 perform extremely well, and they offer the same super-customizable sound we love from Sony's over-ear flagship headphones. These are a bit too large for smaller ears—WIRED senior associate editor Adrienne So found them too snug, preferring the fit of the AirPods Pro—but the extra size is rewarded with industry-leading eight-hour battery life.
- Photograph: Beats
Best for iOS
Beats Fit ProThe Beats Fit Pro (9/10, WIRED Recommends) are easily my top choice in noise-canceling earbuds for iPhone owners. Not only are they sleeker and more comfortable than the older AirPods Pro (8/10, WIRED Recommends), but they also have better sound and physical buttons on the outside of each bud for easy access under ski and bike helmets. Add to that an AirPods Pro-beating six hours of battery life, plus spatial audio compatibility with Apple Music and Netflix (among others), and you've got one of my favorite pairs of earbuds ever “designed in California.”
- Photograph: Apple
Still Decent for iOS
Apple AirPods ProI hate the middling sound and uncomfortable fit of the original AirPods, but Apple's AirPods Pro (8/10, WIRED Recommends) are wildly different. They feature comfy ear tips that improve the fit and therefore improve the sound. They have a better overall design and some of the best noise-canceling tech you'll find in a pair of earbuds. It's absolutely worth the extra hundred bucks you'll spend over the standard non-Pro model. (They're also often on sale for around $175.)
They're best used with an iPhone or another Apple device, but they'll work with Android phones too (albeit with fewer available features). The case in this version supports MagSafe, meaning you can magnetically attach it to MagSafe wireless chargers for more precise charging.
- Photograph: Bowers & Wilkins
Cleanest Lines
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 Carbon EditionFor a small premium over Sony's models, the PX7 Carbon (8/10, WIRED Recommends) bring a bit more musical clarity and style. They've got similarly great noise reduction and lightweight head feel, but the PX7 are just a touch more upscale, which makes them a good option for those who like great performance but don't mind spending a bit more to stand out from the crowd.
- Photograph: Jabra
Most Rugged
Jabra Elite 85HI’m not easy on headphones! I break headbands, snag cables, erode ear pads, and wear headsets out in the Oregonian rain while walking my dog. That’s why I like the Jabra Elite 85H. They have a water-resistant coating, replaceable ear pads ($20), and a robust, understated design that holds up to abuse. Their active noise-canceling abilities aren't the absolute best, but you’ll only notice it in the loudest of environments. With 36 hours of battery life with ANC turned on, you rarely have to charge them.
- Photograph: Best Buy
Best for Workouts
Jabra Elite 7 ActiveWe've loved Jabra's rugged workout earbuds for years, and it's no surprise that its latest flagship pair are our new favorites. They're 16 percent smaller than their predecessors and are super comfortable on a wide variety of heads. Eight hours of battery life means they'll last you through an ultramarathon or ski day, and an IP57 rating means they'll look brand-new after a quick rinse. If you want to save a little money and don't mind slightly worse specs, we also really like the Jabra Elite 4 Active ($120).
- Photograph: EPOS Audio
Great Value
Sennheiser Adapt 660Want excellent sound, a comfortable fit, and high-quality noise-canceling tech for less than what you'd pay for Sony or Bose headphones? Check out this collaboration between Epos and Sennheiser. The Epos/Sennheiser Adapt 660 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) sound fantastic, and are some of the lightest noise-canceling headphones I've ever worn. They also feature excellent microphones for great silence on calls and Zooms. I highly recommend value shoppers check them out—they're easily some of the highest-performing wireless cans you'll find for the money.
- Photograph: Amazon
Best Cheap Buds
Amazon Echo Buds (2021)The second generation of Amazon's Echo Buds (8/10, WIRED Recommends) don't provide quite the same silence as the best from Sony, Apple, and Bose, but they're also nearly half the price. Amazon's Alexa voice assistant is built into the buds, which allows you to set timers and check the weather without looking at your phone. In fact, you don't ever really need to hit the touch controls if you don't want to—just ask. They sport either a wired or wireless charging case (the latter is worth the $20 upcharge, in my opinion), and you'll get an AirPods Pro-beating five hours per charge. They sound pretty good too, with a relatively flat profile, pretty wide soundstage, and a good fit thanks to comfy silicone tips.
- Photograph: QuietOn
Sleep Buds
QuietOn 3Perfect for co-sleepers who may need that little extra peace and quiet to get through the night, these tiny buds drown out any auxiliary noise, be it the sound of the highway outside your window, or the snores of your spouse right next to you. As soon as I popped them in, the world was totally silent. The QuietOns are sleek and petite and come with different-sized ear tips for customization. Plus, the battery lasts for 28 hours, so you only have to charge them every few days based on an eight-hour sleep schedule. It is worth noting that if you’re sensitive to active noise canceling and experience the eardrum suck phenomenon (where you feel intense inner ear pressure), or earbuds just aren’t that comfortable for you in general, these may not be your best option. They don’t play music, you can’t listen to a guided meditation, and best of all … you really can’t hear anything, though they're more expensive than passive earplugs.
Check out our Best Sleep Gadgets and Best Earplugs guides for more sleep recommendations.
Scott Gilbertson
Parker Hall
Adrienne So
Julian Chokkattu
Stinson Carter
Tim Barber
Reece Rogers
Adrienne So
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