The best noise-cancelling headphones combine effective noise reduction, great sound quality, comfort, and extra features like long battery life or Bluetooth connectivity. As of 2025, here are some top contenders across different categories:
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
- Best for overall performance
- Noise Cancellation: Industry-leading active noise cancellation (ANC) that adapts to your environment.
- Sound: High-quality sound with a customizable EQ.
- Comfort: Lightweight, soft earcups for extended wear.
- Battery Life: 30 hours with ANC on.
- Additional Features: Multi-device pairing, touch controls, and voice assistant integration.
2. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
- Best for voice quality and clarity
- Noise Cancellation: Excellent ANC, adjustable to different levels.
- Sound: Balanced sound, clear vocals, and good bass.
- Comfort: Premium, plush ear cups for a comfortable fit.
- Battery Life: 20 hours with ANC on.
- Additional Features: 8 built-in microphones for clear calls, intuitive touch controls.
3. Apple AirPods Max
- Best for Apple ecosystem users
- Noise Cancellation: Very effective ANC, with transparency mode for situational awareness.
- Sound: Rich, deep bass and excellent high-end clarity, especially for Apple devices.
- Comfort: Premium build with memory foam ear cups, but can feel heavy for long wear.
- Battery Life: 20 hours with ANC on.
- Additional Features: Spatial audio support, seamless integration with Apple devices.
4. Sennheiser Momentum 4
- Best for sound quality
- Noise Cancellation: Effective ANC that blocks out most ambient sounds.
- Sound: High-resolution sound, great for audiophiles who want clear, balanced audio.
- Comfort: Well-cushioned ear cups, light for extended listening sessions.
- Battery Life: Exceptional 60 hours with ANC on.
- Additional Features: Adjustable ANC, custom EQ options, and robust build quality.
5. JBL Club One
- Best for bass lovers
- Noise Cancellation: Strong ANC, though not as advanced as Sony or Bose.
- Sound: Excellent bass with punchy, rich sound, suitable for bass-heavy music genres.
- Comfort: Comfortable over-ear design, but slightly bulkier.
- Battery Life: 45 hours with ANC on.
- Additional Features: Customizable sound settings, immersive sound modes, and premium materials.
6. Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95
- Best for luxury and design
- Noise Cancellation: Top-tier ANC with great isolation from ambient noise.
- Sound: Signature B&O sound – clean, warm, and rich.
- Comfort: Exquisite build with luxurious materials like lambskin leather and aluminum.
- Battery Life: 38 hours with ANC.
- Additional Features: Customizable ANC, premium craftsmanship, and intuitive touch controls.
7. Shure AONIC 50
- Best for professional-grade sound
- Noise Cancellation: Excellent, adjustable ANC.
- Sound: Audiophile-grade, clear sound with studio-quality precision.
- Comfort: Firm, comfortable over-ear design.
- Battery Life: 20 hours with ANC on.
- Additional Features: Premium build quality, adjustable sound signatures, and aptX HD support for high-quality streaming.
8. Sony WF-1000XM4 (True Wireless)
- Best for true wireless
- Noise Cancellation: Industry-leading ANC for in-ear headphones.
- Sound: Exceptional sound quality for true wireless earbuds.
- Comfort: Ergonomically designed for a secure fit, comes with multiple ear tip sizes.
- Battery Life: 8 hours of playback with ANC on, 24 hours with the case.
- Additional Features: Excellent call quality, IPX4 water resistance, and a customizable EQ.
Each of these headphones excels in specific areas, so choosing the best one depends on your preferences (e.g., sound quality, comfort, additional features, etc.). For overall performance, Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose 700 are hard to beat, but audiophiles might prefer Sennheiser Momentum 4 or Shure AONIC 50.
