The steady hum of a plane engine, the chatter of a busy coffee shop, the clamor of an open-plan office—our world is filled with noise. While these sounds are part of daily life, they can also be major sources of distraction, making it difficult to focus, relax, or simply enjoy your favorite music. This is where active noise-cancelling (ANC) technology comes in. By creating a bubble of personal quiet, the best noise-cancelling headphones empower you to take control of your auditory environment. Whether you’re a frequent traveler, a remote worker seeking deep focus, or an audiophile craving an immersive listening experience, finding the right pair is a game-changer.
This guide is designed to help you navigate the crowded market of ANC headphones. We’ve spent countless hours testing, comparing, and analyzing the top models of 2025 to bring you a definitive list. We will dive deep into each product, examining their noise-cancelling performance, sound quality, comfort, battery life, and unique features. From industry-leading giants to innovative challengers, we’ll give you all the information you need to make a confident and informed decision.
How We Chose the Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Our selection process is rigorous. We don’t just look at spec sheets; we live with these headphones. Our team evaluates each pair based on a core set of criteria essential for a superior user experience.
- Noise-Cancelling Effectiveness: The primary function. We test how well the headphones block out a range of frequencies, from the low rumble of public transport to higher-pitched sounds like human voices.
- Audio Quality: ANC is great, but the sound has to deliver. We assess for balanced audio, clarity, a wide soundstage, and faithful reproduction across genres.
- Comfort and Design: Headphones are worn for hours. We evaluate clamping force, earcup material, weight, and overall ergonomics to ensure they remain comfortable during long sessions.
- Battery Life: A dead battery defeats the purpose. We test real-world battery life with ANC enabled to see if they live up to the manufacturer’s claims.
- Features and Connectivity: We look at bonus features like multipoint Bluetooth, customizable EQs, companion app quality, and call performance.
Now, let’s explore the top 10 noise-cancelling headphones that are setting the standard in 2025.
1. Sony WH-1000XM6
Best Overall Noise-Cancelling Headphones
For years, Sony’s WH-1000X series has been the benchmark for ANC headphones, and the XM6 continues that legacy with authority. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel but refines an already near-perfect formula. The noise cancellation is simply astonishing, creating a profound sense of silence that few competitors can match. Sony has improved its algorithm to better tackle mid-range frequencies, making them even more effective at silencing office chatter and street noise.
The audio remains exceptional, with a warm, detailed, and engaging sound signature that makes music come alive. High-Resolution Audio support via LDAC ensures that wireless listening is as close to wired quality as possible. The design is lighter and more comfortable than its predecessor, with plush new earpads that make all-day wear a breeze. With features like Speak-to-Chat, multipoint connectivity, and an impressive 30-hour battery life, the Sony WH-1000XM6 is the undisputed champion for those who want the absolute best.
- Features: Industry-leading ANC, High-Resolution Audio with LDAC, Speak-to-Chat, DSEE Extreme, 30-hour battery (ANC on), multipoint connection.
- Pros: Unbeatable noise cancellation, superb audio quality, exceptional comfort, long battery life.
- Cons: Premium price point, design is iterative rather than revolutionary.
- Price Range: $420 – $450
Expert Opinion: “The XM6 once again proves Sony’s mastery of noise cancellation. The subtle improvements to an already class-leading product keep it firmly at the top of the pack. It’s the gold standard.”
2. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
Best for Comfort and Noise Cancellation Prowess
Bose pioneered consumer noise-cancelling technology, and the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones show they are still masters of their craft. These headphones deliver a level of silence that is both deep and incredibly natural. Where they truly excel is in comfort. The iconic QC design is refined here with a perfect clamping force and luxuriously soft materials that make you forget you’re even wearing them. They are the ideal companion for long-haul flights or extended work sessions.
The QC Ultra also introduces Bose Immersive Audio, a spatial audio technology that creates a wide, multi-dimensional soundstage, making music and movies feel more engaging. While Sony might have a slight edge in pure audio fidelity for purists, the overall experience of comfort and top-tier noise cancellation makes the QuietComfort Ultra a formidable contender. If your top priorities are silencing the world and all-day comfort, look no further.
- Features: World-class noise cancellation, Bose Immersive Audio, CustomTune technology, multipoint Bluetooth, 24-hour battery (ANC on).
- Pros: Unrivaled comfort for long-term wear, outstanding noise cancellation, immersive spatial audio feature.
- Cons: Battery life is good but not class-leading, default sound signature might be too bass-heavy for some.
- Price Range: $400 – $430
3. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
Best for Audiophile Sound Quality
Sennheiser has always prioritized sound quality, and the Momentum 4 Wireless is a testament to that focus. While its noise cancellation is very strong—easily handling airplane drones and cafe buzz—its true standout feature is its stunning audio performance. The sound is incredibly detailed, balanced, and expansive, with a natural character that will please even the most discerning audiophiles. It supports multiple high-resolution codecs, including aptX Adaptive, ensuring a high-quality stream from compatible devices.
What’s truly remarkable is its battery life. The Momentum 4 boasts a staggering 60 hours of playback on a single charge with ANC active. That’s double what most of the competition offers. The design has shifted from its retro predecessor to a more modern, lightweight build that prioritizes comfort. For those who place sound quality and battery life above all else, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 is in a class of its own.
- Features: Audiophile-grade sound, aptX Adaptive support, 60-hour battery life (ANC on), customizable EQ, lightweight design.
- Pros: Best-in-class battery life, exceptional and detailed audio, very effective ANC, comfortable for long sessions.
- Cons: The minimalist design may feel less premium than competitors, carrying case is a bit bulky.
- Price Range: $350 – $380
4. Bowers & Wilkins Px8
Best Luxury Noise-Cancelling Headphones
For those who demand uncompromising luxury and build quality, the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 delivers in spades. Crafted from premium materials like Nappa leather and cast aluminum, the Px8 feels every bit the high-end product it is. They are as much a style statement as they are a piece of audio equipment. The sound is equally premium, with custom-designed Carbon Cone drive units that produce a rich, precise, and powerful audio experience.
The noise cancellation is highly effective, successfully blocking out most ambient distractions to let the superb audio shine through. While it may not reach the absolute silence of the Sony or Bose, it’s more than capable for daily commutes and travel. The Px8 is for the user who values craftsmanship and design just as much as performance. It’s an investment in a listening experience that looks and feels as good as it sounds.
- Features: Premium Nappa leather and aluminum build, custom Carbon Cone drivers, aptX Adaptive support, 30-hour battery, excellent call quality.
- Pros: Stunning, luxurious design and materials, outstandingly clear and dynamic audio, very good noise cancellation.
- Cons: Very high price point, slightly heavier than competitors.
- Price Range: $650 – $700
5. Apple AirPods Max
Best for Apple Ecosystem Users
The Apple AirPods Max continues to be the ultimate choice for anyone deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem. The magic is in the seamless integration. Switching between your iPhone, iPad, and Mac is effortless. The noise cancellation is powerful and effective, and the Transparency Mode is arguably the best in the business, making it feel as though you’re not wearing headphones at all.
The audio is superb, featuring a balanced and crisp sound profile that works well with all genres. Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking adds a cinematic, three-dimensional feel to supported movies and music. The build quality is uniquely Apple, with an aluminum and stainless steel construction that feels substantial and premium. While the high price and proprietary Lightning connector are notable downsides, for a dedicated Apple user, the convenience and performance of the AirPods Max are unmatched.
- Features: Excellent ANC, industry-leading Transparency Mode, seamless device switching for Apple users, Spatial Audio with head tracking, premium build.
- Pros: Flawless integration with Apple devices, fantastic audio and ANC performance, best-in-class Transparency Mode.
- Cons: Extremely expensive, heavy, impractical smart case, uses Lightning instead of USB-C.
- Price Range: $500 – $550
User Testimonial: “As someone who uses a MacBook for work and an iPhone on the go, the AirPods Max are a dream. The way they switch between devices automatically is something you can’t get anywhere else. The sound and noise cancelling are just the icing on the cake.”
6. Anker Soundcore Space Q45
Best Budget Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Proving that great noise cancellation doesn’t have to break the bank, the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 offers incredible value. Its adaptive noise-cancelling system performs surprisingly well, effectively reducing low and mid-frequency noises to a significant degree. While it can’t create the vacuum-like silence of the premium models, it’s more than sufficient for most commutes, flights, and noisy environments.
The sound quality is also impressive for the price, with support for the LDAC codec for high-resolution audio. The default sound is a bit bass-forward, but it can be easily tailored to your liking using the robust EQ in the Soundcore app. With a 50-hour battery life (ANC on) and multipoint connectivity, the Space Q45 packs in features typically found on headphones costing two or three times as much.
- Features: Adaptive ANC, LDAC high-res audio support, 50-hour battery (ANC on), multipoint connection, fully customizable EQ.
- Pros: Outstanding value for money, very good noise cancellation for the price, massive battery life, hi-res audio support.
- Cons: ANC isn’t as effective with higher-frequency sounds, build quality feels less premium than top-tier options.
- Price Range: $130 – $150
7. Technics EAH-A800
The Battery Life King with Excellent Calls
The Technics EAH-A800 is a dark horse in the ANC headphone race, offering a compelling blend of features. Its standout characteristic is its excellent microphone performance for voice calls. Using a suite of eight mics and advanced wind suppression, the A800 delivers some of the clearest call quality on the market, making it a fantastic choice for professionals who spend a lot of time in virtual meetings.
The noise cancellation is very competitive, holding its own against the top brands. Audio is detailed and clean, benefiting from LDAC support for hi-res wireless streaming. Battery life is also a strong point, coming in at around 50 hours with ANC enabled. While the design is a bit understated, the Technics EAH-A800 is a workhorse that excels in call quality and endurance.
- Features: Superior voice call quality, LDAC support, 50-hour battery (ANC on), multipoint connectivity, comfortable fit.
- Pros: Best-in-class microphone performance for calls, excellent battery life, detailed and balanced sound.
- Cons: Noise cancellation is a step behind Sony and Bose, design is somewhat generic.
- Price Range: $300 – $350
8. Master & Dynamic MW75
The Designer’s Choice
Master & Dynamic is synonymous with style, and the MW75 continues this tradition. It combines a sophisticated, retro-inspired design with luxurious materials like lambskin leather and anodized aluminum. It’s a headphone that looks as impressive as it feels. The audio performance is equally refined, with custom beryllium drivers delivering a sound that is rich, warm, and expansive.
The MW75 features three modes of active noise cancellation, allowing you to adapt the level of silencing to your environment. While it doesn’t match the isolating power of the leaders, it’s very effective for most situations. This is a headphone for the style-conscious consumer who wants a beautiful object that also happens to sound fantastic and quiet the world around them.
- Features: Elegant design with premium materials, custom beryllium drivers, adaptive ANC, aptX Adaptive support, 28-hour battery (ANC on).
- Pros: Gorgeous design and superb build quality, rich and detailed sound profile, very comfortable.
- Cons: Expensive, ANC is good but not top-tier.
- Price Range: $550 – $600
9. Final Audio UX3000
For the Audio Purist on a Budget
Final Audio is a Japanese brand revered by audiophiles for its dedication to pure sound. The UX3000 is their entry into the world of ANC headphones, and it carries the brand’s DNA. The focus here is squarely on audio fidelity. The sound is natural, spacious, and exceptionally clear, avoiding the over-processed sound that can plague some ANC headphones.
The noise cancellation is solid and effective, though not as powerful as more expensive competitors. It does a good job of reducing constant environmental noise. Where the UX3000 shines is in providing a high-quality, audiophile-tuned listening experience with the added benefit of noise cancellation at a very accessible price point. If music is your absolute priority and ANC is a welcome bonus, the UX3000 is an outstanding choice.
- Features: Audiophile-tuned sound, aptX Low Latency support, 25-hour battery (ANC on), unique Shibo finish.
- Pros: Exceptional sound quality for the price, natural and clear audio signature, comfortable and lightweight.
- Cons: ANC is effective but not class-leading, basic feature set compared to others.
- Price Range: $150 – $180
10. Shure AONIC 50 (Gen 2)
The Studio Heritage Choice
Shure has a legendary reputation in the world of professional audio, and the AONIC 50 (Gen 2) brings that studio heritage to consumers. The second generation improves significantly on the first, with enhanced spatialized audio and much-improved noise cancellation that now competes with the big names. The sound signature is what you’d expect from Shure: incredibly accurate, flat, and neutral. This makes them a fantastic tool for creators, musicians, or anyone who wants to hear their music exactly as the artist intended.
The AONIC 50 (Gen 2) supports a wide array of codecs, including aptX Adaptive and LDAC, and boasts a massive 45-hour battery life. The ShurePlus PLAY app offers deep customization, including a parametric EQ for precise sound-shaping. For those who value sonic accuracy above all, the AONIC 50 (Gen 2) is a studio-grade monitor for the outside world.
- Features: Studio-quality neutral sound, Spatialized Audio, supports all major codecs including LDAC, 45-hour battery (ANC on), customizable hardware EQ.
- Pros: Superb sonic accuracy and detail, great battery life, extensive codec support, excellent build quality.
- Cons: Neutral sound may not be for everyone, can be a bit bulky for some users.
- Price Range: $350 – $400
Conclusion: Finding Your Perfect Silence
Choosing the right pair of noise-cancelling headphones depends entirely on your personal priorities. The market in 2025 offers a fantastic range of options tailored to different needs and budgets.
- For the ultimate all-around performer, the Sony WH-1000XM6 remains the king, blending top-tier noise cancellation, excellent audio, and great features into one unbeatable package.
- If all-day comfort and powerful ANC are your main goals, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are unmatched.
- For audiophiles and battery-conscious users, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless delivers incredible sound and an epic 60-hour runtime.
- On a tighter budget, the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 provides phenomenal value with features and performance that punch well above its price tag.
Ultimately, any headphone on this list represents the best of what noise-cancelling technology has to offer. By identifying what matters most to you—be it sound quality, comfort, battery life, or budget—you can confidently select a pair that will bring a welcome dose of peace and high-fidelity audio to your daily life.
