The 11 best noise-cancelling headphones we use, love, and recommend...

If you're looking for peace and quiet, we've got you.

on December 3, 2025

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hip young woman in yellow sunglasses wearing Sony headphones on city street

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Whether you work from home, spend a lot of time on airplanes, or simply want to turn down the volume of the outside world, noise-cancelling headphones are a worthwhile investment. They're also an increasingly expensive investment. The new generation of flagship noise-cancelling headphones from Bose and Sony cost $450. The best noise-cancelling earbuds cost almost as much. So, our headphones and audio experts put the top models at every price point to the test.

Overview

Even the best value headphones will feel lacking if they don't come equipped with halfway decent noise cancellation. Besides, there are simply too many headphones on the market (our testing pool gets bigger by the month) for you to pay hundreds only to get subpar ANC. So, which brand comes out on top?

For most people, we think the new Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) offer the best overall value, with the ideal blend of comfort, sound quality, and ANC. However, if you're looking for the best active noise-cancellation overall, we have to give it up to the Sony XM6 headphones. Fortunately, there are no bad choices here.

To help you wade through the top options from brands like Apple, Beats, Bose, Sony, and Sonos, Mashable editors and reviewers tested dozens of headphones and earbuds. From flagship models to budget buds, we picked out the best options at every price range.

Our Pick

bose qc ultra headphones 2 and case on table

The Good & The Bad

The most comfortable headphones on the market (for most people)
Good and adjustable noise cancelling
Great sound quality
Ear cups fold in, making the headphones easier to take on the go
All day-battery life, even with ANC on
Plenty of color options available
Improvements on Bluetooth connection and multipoint pairing over previous generation
Replaceable ear cups help with future proofing

On-ear controls could be better
Noise-cancelling isn't as strong for higher pitched sounds
Immersive audio is just OK (as it was in the first generation headphones)

Our review

Read our full review of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones (2nd gen).

Who it's for

For the best possible blend of active noise cancellation, sound quality, and comfort, you don't have to look any further than the newly released Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd gen). Though they're pricey — and though we narrowly give Sony the edge on ANC quality — their solid construction and excellent performance are sure to carry you through years of use.

Why we picked this

The first-generation Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones have been one of our favorite headphones since their release in 2023, so the second-generation headphones had big shoes to fill. While the upgrades aren't earth-shattering, Bose does fix the most glaring issues with the first-generation earbuds.

For the most part, the noise-cancelling and sound profile remain unchanged. There are minor improvements in both: the sound profile comes across slightly richer, the adaptive noise cancelling is slightly more effective, and the 10 levels of adjustable noise cancellation are easier to access through the companion app. While we do find the ANC on the Sony XM6 headphones to be slightly more effective, the adjustability of Bose's headphones can't be beat.

The design also remains similar aesthetically, with the main changes coming in the form of a shiny metal accent piece in the headband. They are also, somehow, a bit more comfortable than the first-gen Ultras, especially in the ear cup area. Like the first-gen headphones, the ear cups are still removable, making them easier to clean and replace years down the line.

In combination with the above features, the folding ear cup design of Ultras has long made them one of the best headphones for travel, but Bose made them even better this time around. The battery life is now 30 hours, up from 24, and the headphones support passive playback with the auxiliary cable, meaning they don't need to be powered on to play audio. The USB-C charging cable can also be used to play audio, though the headphones do need to be powered on for this feature to use.

Bose also improved the wear detection of these headphones and added a lay flat mode, which automatically disconnects the headphones from Bluetooth and puts them into a low power mode when laid down on a flat surface. Overall, these headphones feel even more premium than the previous generation, and at the same price point, the first gen was available for — $449.

Details

black bose earbuds on white notebook with pen

The Good & The Bad

Incredible noise cancellation
Comfortable enough for all-day wear
Sound on par with other premium earbuds
Wireless case charging
Spatial audio emulates sound of a live performance
Improved vocal clarity on calls over previous generation

Not too different from previous generation
Battery life isn't the best
Multipoint pairing doesn't match price point

Our review

Check out our full review of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen).

Who it's for

The second-generation Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds are for anyone who wants ANC earbuds that block noise better than most over-ear headphones. They're an investment, but they bring together the best features of earbuds and premium noise-cancelling headphones.

Why we picked this

Step one to finding the best noise-cancelling earbuds: Find the earbuds that physically block out the most noise. For us, that choice was simple thanks to the second-gen Bose QC Ultra earbuds. The noise-blocking power came as no surprise considering how much we loved the first-gen earbuds, and though the ANC isn't significantly stronger on the newer buds (first-gen users don't need to upgrade), it does help these earbuds live up to the QuietComfort name.

The other half of that name, of course, is comfort, and the Ultras deliver there, too. The separate stabilizer band and ear tip design allowed us to find a secure fit that never felt too snug or caused any soreness. Though the wear and ANC are where these earbuds shine most, their sound quality is nothing to scoff at, handling Sabrina Carpenter's "Tears" as adeptly as it does a Rachmaninoff piano concerto (especially with the immersive spatial audio).

For all they have going for them, these earbuds do have a couple of flaws we wish weren't present at their $299 price point. One, their multipoint connection can be a little spotty when more than one device is paired. Two, their battery life tops out at six hours with ANC on, which, while not terrible, is falling behind the more common seven-to-eight-hour standard we're seeing these days.

Still, for the best ANC and comfort you can find on a pair of earbuds, the Bose QC Ultra second-gen buds are still well-rounded enough for us to recommend them as our favorite noise-cancelling earbuds.

Details

sony wh-1000xm6 headphones on desk

The Good & The Bad

Incredibly balanced sound
Excellent equalizer in companion app (even for folks who aren't audio savvy)
Comfortable enough for all day wear
Great battery life
Ear cups fold in
Great call clarity thanks to 12 microphones

Price increase from previous generation
Very minimal customization for on-ear button controls with app
ANC isn't the absolute top of the line

Our review

Read our full review of the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones.

Who it's for

Looking for the headphones with the best active noise cancellation in the industry? This is it.

We loved the Sony WH-1000XM4s, we loved the XM5s, and now we love the XM6s. They come with a higher price point of $450, so these are for anyone genuinely interested in premium-quality audio and ANC. If you already own a pair of XM5s, however, we wouldn't say these are different enough to justify an upgrade.

Why we picked this

Between these headphones and the Bose QC Ultras, our top pick is a bit better at blocking out sound, but we're comparing the highest levels of ANC. And for what it's worth, the XM6s still do an excellent job with significantly blocking or dampening environmental sounds, whether you're near a busy street or working in an office space, thanks to their 12 microphones (which also help with call clarity).

That said, Sony headphones tend to shine the most in the sound category, and the XM6s are no exception. Whether we listened to classical music, classic rock, or electronic music, the XM6s brought a level of clarity, balance, and depth that few other headphones in this price range match. Out of the box, they sound great, but with a little fine-tuning on their equalizer, they sound excellent.

Like the XM5s, they come with the same long-lasting 30-hour battery life. Unlike the XM5s, the earcups fold up, in a return to form of the XM4 model. For anyone who regularly takes their headphones on the go, this genuinely makes a difference — the XM6 case is noticeably smaller than the XM5 case, both in height and depth. Sony also gave the power button a small upgrade with a circular design, making it easier to differentiate by feel alone from the other on-ear noise cancellation button.

Details

close-up of man holding panasonic technics az100 earbuds in hand

The Good & The Bad

Makes use of Panasonic Technic's legendary audio technology
Very impressive audio quality and active noise cancellation
Design features premium materials
Seamless multi-point pairing for up to 3 devices
Incredibly clear sound

Metal components make the buds heavy, and ear fatigue can be a problem
Pricey

Our review

Read our full review of the Panasonic Technics AZ100 noise-cancelling earbuds.

Who it's for

If you care about audio quality above all else, then you won't find a better-sounding pair of earbuds anywhere. With the AZ100, Technics developed a new type of magnetic fluid driver, which provides unparalleled clarity. For true audiophiles, these are the best noise-cancelling earbuds in the world right now.

Those who want to hear HiFi music as it was meant to be heard, but still benefit from the wireless form factor, won't find a better pair of noise-cancelling earbuds or headphones right now.

Why we picked this

Originally released in January 2025, these are still the best earbuds in the world in terms of audio quality. They even outperform all but the most elite headphones. Not only do they offer true high-fidelity, reference-class sound — something you rarely see in the consumer audio space — but they also have stellar ANC. And if that's not enough, they offer three-way multipoint connectivity that works seamlessly.

Unlike earbuds from Apple, Bose, and Sony, they use premium metal components for a more sophisticated design, though that comes with a tradeoff. They're less comfortable for long periods of wear than Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds, and ear fatigue can set in after a few hours.

Details

Sony WH-CH720N Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones on red fabric

The Good & The Bad

Surprisingly good ANC and audio for the price
Sony app lets you adjust EQ settings easily
Extra-long 50 hours of battery life
Dependable connectivity
Almost always on sale for under $100

Sony's signature all-plastic construction
Mediocre build and call quality
Limited colorways available

Who it's for

Have you heard the bad news? The latest generation of noise-cancelling headphones now cost a minimum of $450. All we can say to that is, "Yikes." And as much as we love the new XM6 noise-cancelling headphones from Sony, we know a lot of people aren't looking to spend more than $100.

For a pair of headphones under $100, these Sony cans have shockingly good ANC and overall sound.

Why we picked this

These headphones feature Sony's signature all-plastic design, which we don't love, but it feels much more appropriate in a pair of headphones in this price range. We recently re-reviewed these cans for our guide to the best Sony headphones, and overall, we were very impressed with the amount of value they offer for their price.

As our reviewer wrote at the time, "the ANC is fantastic." On top of that, "The WH-CH720 employs 30mm drivers and exclusive brand technologies to broaden sound performance. Expect a vibrant mix of impactful bass with striking mids and highs. Turning on DSEE raises fidelity on poor-quality recordings, which many luxury headphones can’t do. You can tweak the sound to your liking via the EQ, though the headphones sound great on their default setting."

Details

bowers and wilkins px8 s2 headphones on pile of books

The Good & The Bad

High-fidelity audio for true music lovers, audiophiles, and professionals
Beautiful design with premium leather and metal components
Supremely comfortable
Incredible ANC

Incredibly expensive

Our review

Read our review of the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 headphones.

Who it's for

Audiophiles who want to spare no expense in their search for the best-sounding, most comfortable headphones in the world. While the $799 price tag is painful, these headphones really do look, sound, and feel a cut above the competition.

Why we picked this

Our tech editor Timothy Werth tested the new flagship noise-cancelling headphones from British audio brand Bowers & Wilkins. Upon their release, he wrote that they're the most beautiful pair of headphones he's ever tested, with sophisticated details like premium, full-grain leather and metal components around the band and ear cups. When you compare the design of these headphones to Sony's all-plastic XM6 headphones, they're clearly in an entirely different league.

But headphones have to offer more than good looks to justify a $799 price tag. And while that price will simply be out of reach for most people, these headphones really are phenomenal. Not only are they incredibly comfortable, but they also sound like a pair of $799 headphones, with high-fidelity audio that makes your favorite tracks and albums come alive. Their noise cancellation is also very impressive, though Sony still has the edge in the battle for the best ANC.

"Personally, I can't afford to pay $800 for headphones, no matter how good they are," writes Werth. "But I can tell you this — after testing the Px8 S2 headphones, switching back to my XM6 headphones is painful. Honestly, I don't know if I can ever go back."