TOP 5 Noise Cancelling Headphones 2024

Enhancing your auditory experience, top-notch noise cancelling headphones immerse you in audio bliss across various settings – be it a bustling commute or a lively office environment. Who wouldn’t appreciate a delightful auditory shield from the outside world?

After rigorously testing numerous noise cancelling headphones, we’ve meticulously evaluated their sound quality, ANC performance, battery longevity, comfort, and additional features, all weighed against their affordability. The curated list below showcases only the crème de la crème, focusing on traditional over-ear designs with a headband. For alternative noise cancelling options, explore our guides on true wireless earbuds and noise cancelling earbuds. Seeking premium hi-res audio? Dive into our wired headphones buying guide.

Tailored for specific needs, you’ll also discover noise cancelling solutions in our guides for running headphones and workout headphones. Alternatively, if you’re on a budget, our guide to budget headphones features some stellar noise cancelling picks.

Irrespective of your budget, style preferences, or feature requirements, we’ve handpicked the finest noise cancelling headphones currently available. Our selections prioritize value, aesthetics, and audio excellence, ensuring there’s a perfect match for everyone.

QUICK LIST

Last update on 2024-02-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

TOP 5 Noise Cancelling Headphones 2024

 1.Sony WH-1000XM4

Last update on 2024-02-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

The 1More Sonoflow over-ear headphones exemplify how exceptional active noise cancellation (ANC) can be achieved at a remarkably . This makes them our top choice for budget-conscious individuals seeking an immersive audio experience while effectively blocking out external disturbances. While the 1More companion app is straightforward with limited features, it allows for toggling ANC on/off and provides EQ presets.

Impressively, the 1More Sonoflow headphones boast an extensive battery life of up to 70 hours with ANC deactivated and a still commendable 50 hours with ANC activated. Furthermore, a mere five-minute charge can provide over 4.5 hours of additional listening time.

While these headphones may not rank as the absolute best in noise cancellation technology, they deliver a remarkable experience given their price point, likely leaving most users impressed by their performance. Although the sound quality may not reach audiophile-grade standards, our testing revealed robust bass and articulate highs, attributed to the Sonoflow’s dual 40mm drivers. Additionally, support for Sony’s LDAC high-resolution audio format enhances the listening experience, contingent upon device compatibility and source material quality.

The design of the 1More Sonoflow headphones is understated yet functional, featuring quality hinges and a matte-like finish on the plastic construction. The adjustable cups, crafted from plush memory foam, offer exceptional comfort and weigh a mere 250g, ensuring prolonged wearability. While physical buttons adorn the earcups, it’s unfortunate that they lack control functionality; however, those who prefer tactile buttons over capacitive touch controls will appreciate this design choice.

In summary, the 1More Sonoflow over-ear headphones represent outstanding value for money. We particularly commend their impressive battery life and comfort levels, which contribute to a perception of higher-end quality. While superior ANC and sound quality may be found elsewhere, it’s important to note that such features typically come at a significantly higher price point.

2.1More Sonoflow

Last update on 2024-02-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

The 1More Sonoflow over-ear headphones offer excellent ANC performance at a surprisingly affordable price point, making them our top choice for budget-conscious consumers seeking an immersive listening experience. The 1More companion app, while simple, allows for basic functionality such as toggling ANC and adjusting EQ presets. With an impressive battery life of up to 70 hours with ANC off and 50 hours with ANC on, these headphones also feature quick charging capabilities, providing over 4.5 hours of additional listening time with just a five-minute charge.

While they may not boast the top-tier ANC technology found in more expensive models, the Sonoflow headphones deliver a satisfying audio experience with powerful bass and detailed highs, thanks to their dual 40mm drivers. Additionally, support for Sony’s LDAC high-resolution audio format enhances audio quality, provided your device and audio files support it.

Despite their understated design, the Sonoflow headphones feature quality construction with adjustable cups made from plush memory foam, ensuring comfort during extended wear. Weighing only 250g, they are lightweight and comfortable for prolonged use. The presence of physical buttons on the earcups may be preferred by some users over touch controls.

Overall, the 1More Sonoflow over-ear headphones offer exceptional value for money, with commendable battery life and comfort levels that surpass their price point. While there may be options with superior ANC and sound quality available, the Sonoflow headphones stand out for their affordability without compromising on performance.

3.Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

Last update on 2024-02-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

If you’re in pursuit of unrivaled active noise cancellation, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones stand out as the pinnacle choice. Pairing this exceptional feature with Bose’s most impressive sound quality yet, these headphones offer an electrifying auditory experience, earning every penny of their price tag.

In our comprehensive testing across various noisy environments—from bustling cities to international flights—the QuietComfort Ultra headphones consistently outperformed competitors, delivering unparalleled noise suppression. For those seeking tranquility and focus, these headphones come highly recommended. Notably, the more affordable Bose QuietComfort Headphones offer comparable noise cancellation effectiveness.

Beyond their superb noise cancellation, the music quality of the QuietComfort Ultra headphones is truly outstanding, even with ANC activated, surpassing Bose’s other headphone models and rivaling Sony’s offerings. Our review describes the sound as alive, exciting, textured, and deeply engaging, setting a new standard for wireless headphone audio performance.

Despite these remarkable qualities, there are a couple of drawbacks to consider. The 24-hour battery life falls below the industry average, with competitors like Sony typically offering 30 hours of playback and the Sennheiser headphones at #5 on our list boasting 60 hours. Additionally, the lack of support for standard aptX or LDAC codecs and absence of USB-C audio input for fully Hi-Res Audio may disappoint audiophiles seeking maximum audio fidelity.

However, if these limitations are acceptable to you, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones unequivocally live up to their name, offering an unparalleled combination of noise cancellation prowess and audio excellence.

4.Sony WH-CH720N

Last update on 2024-02-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

The Sony WH-CH720N strike an impressive balance between affordability and performance, offering active noise cancellation that notably reduces external noise, allowing for clearer audio enjoyment, all while delivering Sony’s signature well-balanced sound.

Despite being priced around half that of the top-ranked Sony WH-1000XM4 on our list, the WH-CH720N understandably doesn’t match the same level of quality. While its active noise cancellation is effective, it does allow more external sound leakage, particularly in the low and high frequencies, resulting in a reduction rather than complete elimination of outside noise. However, even in challenging environments like planes, where some noise can still penetrate, the headphones offer improved clarity without requiring excessively high volume levels. In less noisy scenarios like city traffic, they notably reduce the need for elevated volume levels, enhancing the listening experience.

In terms of sound quality, the WH-CH720N doesn’t match the richness of the WH-1000XM4, particularly in bass depth and mid-to-high frequency layering. Nonetheless, the sound remains well-tuned within its dynamic range, providing music with accurate representation and ample detail, ensuring sharpness and clarity when required. While it may feel slightly confined compared to pricier models, it still delivers an enjoyable listening experience.

While lacking support for LDAC, a feature found in some mid-range competitors, the WH-CH720N compensates with multipoint Bluetooth functionality for seamless switching between two devices, along with a 3.5mm jack for wired audio when necessary. Additionally, their lightweight construction contributes to their overall comfort during extended use.

In summary, the Sony WH-CH720N headphones offer commendable performance at an attractive price point, providing effective noise cancellation and well-balanced sound, albeit with some compromises compared to higher-end models.

5.Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Last update on 2024-02-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless headphones offer a comprehensive package, boasting exceptional battery life, a user-friendly app, an array of features, convenient on-ear controls, and captivating sound quality, complemented by adaptive noise cancellation that adjusts to your environment.

While the design may appear somewhat uninspired, transitioning from Sennheiser’s distinctive aluminum headband to a more conventional black plastic and fabric aesthetic, the headphones’ sonic performance quickly overshadows any aesthetic reservations.

In our assessment, we noted the headphones’ ability to deliver open, detailed, expansive, neutral, and crisp sound across various music genres, consistently offering a transformative listening experience compared to other premium models like the Sony WH-1000XM5. The Sennheisers excel in uncovering nuances within tracks, providing an immersive musical journey.

The active noise cancellation capabilities of the Momentum 4 Wireless headphones are commendable, surpassing those of the Sony WH-1000XM4 but falling slightly short of the WH-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones.

Moreover, the impressive battery life sets these headphones apart, offering a substantial 60 hours of playback with noise cancellation activated, doubling the duration provided by Sony’s offerings. The headphones also feature customizable noise cancellation and EQ settings, multipoint pairing, aptX high-quality wireless streaming, and USB-C audio support for Hi-Res Audio compatibility, further enhancing their appeal.

While the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless headphones typically command a higher price tag than the Sony WH-1000XM4, their comprehensive feature set and superior sound quality make them a compelling option for discerning listeners. However, for many consumers, the Sony model’s better value proposition may remain the preferred choice.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES

A decent pair of noise-canceling headphones must be comfortable for extended listening sessions, so design is crucial. For the best comfort, seek for padded earcups and headbands made of memory foam.

In addition, padded earcups aid in passive noise cancellation by physically preventing sound from entering your ears. Together with active noise cancellation, this reduces outside noise, and the finest noise-cancelling headphones combine the two techniques to maximize noise reduction.

Do you dislike the over-ear headphones? Only headphones—cups that rest over or on top of your ears and are connected by a band that goes over your head—are covered in the tutorial above. Instead, check out our guide to the best noise-cancelling earbuds. You can buy genuine wireless earbuds with strong noise cancellation built in.

Even if your concentration is on shutting out the outside world, good sound quality is still required from headphones, just like with any other pair. Your personal preference will determine how you define good sound quality. Which type of sound is more appealing to you—a warm, well-rounded sound or extremely high-fidelity audio that lets you hear every nuance of your song? Do you have a strong affinity for bass music or classical music?

To help you know what to look for, consider what works best for you. If you’re not sure what matters most to you, the variety of noise-cancelling headphones available can be daunting.

What is noise cancellation?

With the combination of analogue and electronic techniques, noise-cancelling headphones filter out surrounding sounds so you can enjoy uninterrupted music listening. The majority of noise-cancelling headphones employ one of two methods:

There are several ways to achieve passive noise cancellation, which is the process of physically preventing outside sound from entering your ears using headphones. Over-ear headphones with built-in noise cancellation usually feature thickly cushioned earcups, whereas in-ear headphones must fit tightly within your ears to form a tight seal that blocks outside noise.

Active noise cancellation blends “anti-noise” frequencies into your music playback by using built-in microphones to detect and analyze outside noise. This effectively cancels out the sound of your surroundings using analogue or digital filters.

Is it worth buying noise cancelling headphones?

It depends on how significant noise-cancellation is to you, just like with any purchase. Most people want to be able to hear what they’re listening to through their headphones without being distracted by background noise.

A genuine set of noise-cancelling headphones can block out undesirable sounds more successfully without lowering the sound quality of the music or podcast you’re listening to, even though turning up the volume might help a little.

You’ll be shocked at how quickly you get used to using noise-cancelling headphones and taking pleasure in the almost total quiet when you’re alone.

HOW WE TEST THE BEST NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES

Obviously, the first is noise canceling that works. Whether you’re going for a stroll or your regular commute, we looked for headphones that could successfully block out noise. We also examined other elements, such as the number of noise reduction settings and the effectiveness of their transparency mode.

Another important factor was the audio performance. We made sure to extensively check each pair of headphones here to ensure that they produce clear and powerful sound regardless of the activation of the active noise cancellation feature. Good noise cancellation should never have to equate to bad sound quality.

Next, we examined Bluetooth connectivity. We looked for dependable and steady connections. Nothing is worse than losing track just before something positive happens, after all.

Next, we wanted to make sure that comfort and style were taken into consideration during the design process. We evaluated their styles, ranging from understated to appropriately trendy, and examined how comfortable they were for extended periods of time—keeping in mind that individual preferences vary.

We also took into account extra features like app support and voice assistant integration. While not every headphone on our list offers these kinds of benefits, it’s still helpful to know which add-ons are available, regardless of price range.

Budget-wise, we also thought about how affordable the noise-canceling headphones were that made our list. That doesn’t mean we only looked at budget headphones – far from it – but we wanted to make sure that each pair offered something that made their price worthwhile.

Our main objective is to ensure that you get a pair of noise-canceling headphones that you will love. We want them to provide you with high-caliber music for years to come, devoid of unnecessary noise.

conclusion

Design plays a crucial role in the comfort of noise-cancelling headphones, particularly for extended listening sessions. Look for headphones with padded earcups and headbands, preferably made of materials like memory foam, to ensure optimal comfort. These features not only enhance comfort but also contribute to passive noise cancellation by physically blocking external sounds from entering your ears. When combined with active noise cancellation, this dual approach effectively eliminates outside noise.

While our guide focuses on headphones with over-ear designs, it’s worth noting that true wireless earbuds with noise cancellation capabilities are also available. If you prefer this style, consider exploring our guide dedicated to noise-cancelling earbuds.

In addition to comfort and noise cancellation, sound quality is paramount. The definition of good sound quality varies based on personal preferences. Consider whether you prefer a warm, well-rounded sound or ultra high-fidelity audio that accentuates every detail of your music. Are you drawn to deep bass or are you more inclined towards classical music?

Understanding your preferences will help narrow down the options amidst the vast selection of noise-cancelling headphones available. By identifying what matters most to you, whether it’s comfort, noise cancellation effectiveness, or sound quality, you can make a more informed decision when choosing the right pair of headphones.