Which noise cancelling headphones

They're slightly on the warmer side, with deep, powerful bass and nicely detailed treble it has some sparkle to it. They also sound relatively open with a pretty wide soundstage. They fold flat, but their carrying case is wider than the cases you get with the Sony or Bose noise-canceling headphones.

Like the original, there's a lot to like about this second-gen model. While they've lost their hands-free Cortana voice control feature a change no one will lament and the sound quality hasn't improved it's quite good but not stellar , the combination of some small design tweaks, better battery life, upgraded Bluetooth and the new lower price helps bump their rating up and make them more recommendable.

Their multipoint Bluetooth pairing capability allows you to pair them with two devices at the same time, such as a computer and a phone, and quickly switch the audio from each device to the headphones. That's an appealing feature from a work-from-home standpoint, and these also work well for making voice calls. Read our Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 review.

No, the noise canceling and sound aren't as good as you get from the WFXM4 or WFXM3, for that matter , but there's still a lot to like about these buds, including great sound, solid noise canceling and good call quality. It's definitely a nice upgrade over the WF-SPN , which came out in , and the "arcs" sports fins lock the earbuds in your ears. Just make sure you get a tight seal from one of the included ear tips, or else both the sound and noise canceling will be lackluster.

When it comes to premium noise-canceling headphones, Bose and Sony have been the dominant players over the last few years. But Sennheiser's Momentum 3 Wireless , which came out in late , deserve some attention, particularly from fans of the Momentum line.

Not only does this model feature improved noise-canceling features and excellent sound and audio, but it also performs well as a headset for making calls. While in noise cancellation and comfort level the Momentum 3 headphones don't quite measure up to the Sony WHXM4 , I appreciated the nicely padded earcups covered with sheep leather and had no trouble rocking them for a 2-hour music listening session, to say nothing of the battery life.

Read our Sennheiser Momentum 3 first take. Battery life is impressive at around 30 hours with noise-canceling on. The Solo Pro headphones are the first Beats on-ear model to feature active noise cancellation and the first full-size Beats headphones to charge via Lightning. With the tap of a button, you can turn off that noise cancellation to save battery life.

Hit the button a second time to enter an audio transparency mode that allows you to hear the outside world, not just the music you're listening to. Available in multiple color options, these noise-canceling headphones are equipped with six microphones, two of which are beamforming mics that are designed to home in on your voice when making calls or talking to your voice assistant Apple's H1 chip provides always-on Siri.

The sound is smooth and well-balanced with punchy bass that doesn't make music sound boomy. Quite comfortable for an on-ear model, the more compact design travels better than some full-size models on this list.

Read our Beats Solo Pro first take. If you're looking for a very clean-sounding headphone with more of a neutral sound profile, the well-built Shure Aonic 50 is that noise-canceling headphone. The treble is clear and articulate and the bass is well-defined but may be a little underpowered for those who want a little more oomph.

The noise canceling is good but not quite up to the level of top noise-canceling models from Bose and Sony that cost a little less. The headphones fold flat but they're a bit bulky, as is their case. But they work very well as a headset for making calls -- Shure is known for making excellent microphones -- so they're a good work-from-home headphone that's comfortable to wear but might be a little big for some folks.

While the Aonic 50 suffers a bit from being a little too expensive, it's an excellent headphone that seems built to last. Sennheiser updated its well-regarded 4. The new headphone model is called the BT and it has some notable upgrades, including better battery life up to 30 hours with noise canceling on , USB-C charging, Bluetooth 5. The BT headphones don't have quite the clarity or bass definition of Sennheiser's Momentum Wireless 3 headphones, but they cost much less and deliver very good well-balanced sound that's easy to listen to for long periods.

I thought the BT model also worked quite well as a headset making calls, with the sidetone feature that allows you to hear your voice inside the headphones. The only potential downside is that regular headphones may not be the most comfortable for some people.

I have a smaller head, so they worked fine for me, but they do clamp a bit and those with larger heads may find that to be an issue. Also, while the earpads have been upgraded, they're still covered in a faux leather material that doesn't breathe quite as well as some earpad coverings.

The headphones fold up to fit into an included soft carrying case. The company's new PX7, released in the fall of , improves on both fronts, with excellent sound, four noise cancellation settings Automatic, Low, High and Off and well-padded earcups in a sturdy, eye-catching design.

There's also an adjustable ambient transparency mode that allows you to hear the outside world. The headphones are a tad heavy at But these do sound a little better. The sound is rich and detailed, with deep bass that remains well-defined even at high volumes. These are pretty dynamic headphones, with a touch of extra energy in the midhighs. They're not laid-back like the earlier PX5 Wireless and their most direct competitor is probably the Sennheiser Momentum 3 model listed above.

The noise canceling isn't quite at the level of the Bose or Sony in this roundup, but it's not far off -- as I said, it's improved from the original PX model's noise cancellation. Truth be told, these are the in-ear headphones I usually take with me on plane trips.

The noise-canceling earbuds take up very little room in a bag, they don't need a battery so no worrying about battery life and they're good for watching in-flight movies, whether on the airline's in-flight entertainment system or your own device. They offer surprisingly good noise cancellation; just don't forget your headphone adapter dongle if you have a phone or tablet that's missing the headphone jack.

Note that these earbuds have been out for a while. Since the QuietComfort 20 earbuds are wired rather than wireless, it's unclear whether Bose will update them, but look for them on sale. Read our Bose QuietComfort 20 review. Get CNET's comprehensive coverage of home entertainment tech delivered to your inbox. Be respectful, keep it civil and stay on topic. We delete comments that violate our policy , which we encourage you to read. Discussion threads can be closed at any time at our discretion.

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Excellent for making calls Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones The 3D audio setting only makes matters worse by making everything sound like it was recorded in a reverb-heavy metal box.

Additionally, this pair produced a dip in the midrange that made everything sound as if it were inside a box. The ANC has a slight hiss to it, the hinges on the headband creak and crack like cheap plastic, and the sound has recessed mids and harsh, sizzling highs that bury male vocals and shoot snare hits and consonants at you like daggers. This pair comes with a charging stand to store the headphones on your desk or by the TV, and it has a removable boom mic.

Additionally, the build quality, while not overtly fragile, feels a tad creaky, and the app requires you to register before using it—so folks concerned with privacy issues may want to use a throwaway name and email address. Although the sound profile is well-reviewed and adjustable, you can get equal performance from the less-expensive Sony WHXM4. The same also applies to the noise cancellation, which performs well but is not superlative.

Beats Studio3 : Although these headphones remain popular, to our ears and those of many other reviewers , they sound too bassy and boomy, and their noise cancelling is only average. Beyerdynamic Lagoon ANC : These headphones look attractive, their noise cancellation is decent, and their sound is of the quality that you might expect from Beyerdynamic. In our tests, the headband was too big for smaller head sizes, we found a lack of vocal feedback during calls, and the sound, while admirable out of the box, was a bit bloated in the lows and lacking high-end detail.

These are good headphones in a very competitive category. A dedicated button accesses Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, letting you ask questions or send and listen to messages. The downsides: The aggressive noise cancelling produces eardrum suck, a sensation that many people find uncomfortable, and this pair lacks the step ANC adjustment of the Bose Our panel found that the headband was too tight.

The bass was unfocused, and the highs had a sizzling quality on consonants and cymbal hits. The headband had an uncomfortable, pinching fit even on smaller skulls. The boomy bass veiled details in the bass guitar through the male vocal range. The sound quality is a little uneven the default sound profile is hyped in the lows and highs , but listening to the Enduro ANC is nonetheless quite enjoyable.

Plus, the hour battery life is great for folks who forget to charge their headphones regularly. The noise cancellation is middle of the road but effective enough to reduce air-conditioner hum or airplane noise. If you like a brighter sound profile and prefer less intense ANC, this set is recommendable. Cowin E7 Pro ANC Wireless : The noise cancellation on this pair will take the edge off of airplane noise, but the circular earcups might be an uncomfortable shape for larger ears.

The controls on our test pair worked inconsistently, and the sound quality changed with the noise cancellation. The bass was softer in volume with the ANC on, but it became more boomy and blurry with it off. When we turned the ANC off, the low notes had less reverb, but high-pitched sounds such as consonants and strings gained an icy, metallic edge. The fit is comfortable, with a soft, padded headband and ear cups.

Unlike most new Bluetoooth headphones, this pair includes a cable with a single-button remote and microphone; so, if the battery dies, the XL ANC is still functional and can take calls. Should eco-friendly practices be of importance to you, House of Marley has a more environmentally minded business plan than many other electronics companies. With ANC off, the sound is fantastic—balanced and clear.

However, the ANC negatively impacts the sound response, and bass notes sound louder yet duller at the same time, as though someone turned up a subwoofer and tossed a blanket over it.

The microphones are clear over calls, even in mildly windy conditions. We also like that this pair comes with two cables—one coiled and one with a single-button remote—which is handy for folks looking for a pair of headphones that can go from a sound booth to a commute.

The Club One has a hearing-test-based tuning feature in the JBL app, but we found that the sound profile we received was too bass-forward, a touch blurry in the upper lows and mids, and lacking clarity in the highs. With manual EQ, we were able to find something we liked well enough, but your personal sound profile is only accessible via Bluetooth.

There clearly are ANC adjustments occurring as the sounds around you change, but the effect can be off-putting. For example, if there is an air conditioner on your left, the left earcup suddenly blocks more noise than the right one, which feels similar to having a cold and one of your ears is clogged.

Fortunately, this feature can be turned off, and the standard ANC performs consistently and usefully. The sound is pleasantly balanced and adjustable in the JBL app. The combination of touch and physical buttons works well enough, though the volume buttons are very close together and may take some practice to learn to find by touch alone. But if you want something that fits in between the Life Q20 and the Elite 85h in performance and price, this set fits the bill.

In our tests, the sound was pleasant balanced but lacking the clarity and low-end definition of pricier models , the ANC was passable, and the fit was comfortable. The included cable has a remote and mic, which is rare. Plus you can customize the look on the JBL website , which is fun. These headphones are highly recommendable, especially for the price. The controls are easy to use, and the battery life is decent at 28 hours with ANC on.

In our tests, the sound quality was fine: It was a little on the bass-heavy side but not objectionable. That said, if you need an on-ear design to be comfortable and want a budget option, these headphones might be a good fit for you. Marshall Mid A. Marshall Monitor II A. The signature Marshall sound was on the warmer side; Brent enjoyed it , but our other panelists wanted a smidgen more detail in the high end. The hear-through mode muffled the sound, so using it for conversations was difficult.

The problem is that the design is the only way in which these headphones are superlative. The sound quality is solid but not without flaws. The somewhat-forward bass can veil the mids, and the highs have a mildly metallic edge.

For example, we placed the BTANC on a box touchpad-down, and Siri was triggered over and over until we realized what was happening. And the padding on the headband is a bit too squishy, so larger heads will feel the plastic band pushing into their head a little. Panasonic RB-MB : This pair offers haptic bass response that causes you to feel the bass physically through little vibrations.

Phiaton Legacy : Though the looks are sleek, the fit comfortable, and the active noise cancelling decently effective, there is a baffling jagged quality to the sonic tuning in the high-frequency ranges of this pair.

The volume controls cause large jumps in loudness; it takes about six swipes to go from silent to top volume, so any in-between adjustment must be done on your device.

And folks with smaller hat sizes may struggle to keep the earcup pads secure against their faces. The noise cancelling is mild but useful, and the sound quality is fine, but not the best. There is a lack of crispness to the high frequencies that makes cymbals sound unnatural, and a boost in the upper mids that makes female voices sound like they have a bit of a cold. None of these are terrible flaws, but it was enough to keep this pair from being a pick.

Raycon Everyday Headphones : These perform acceptably for the price but are unremarkable. The other sound profiles are too bass- or treble-heavy to be useful for most listeners. This latest version is an improvement, but unfortunately not enough of a shift to maintain competitiveness with the increasing number of new options.

The overall design remains the same, with improved padding on the headband. Basslines blurred together, and cymbals and strings sounded unnatural. Skullcandy Crusher ANC : Although the active noise cancelling here is effective, Skullcandy tried to jam too many features into this pair, and the sum of their parts is a lackluster experience—coarse highs, overly boomy bass even with the hearing-based tuning or haptics turned down , and an audible hiss when the set is powered on.

Skullcandy Venue : These headphones had okay noise cancelling, but their sound was thin and piercing. These headphones cancel noise as well as and sound as good as the Q However, this pair has smaller controls that are harder to use, especially for folks with larger fingers, and the Q30 pair costs more, so unless you really want the bonus features, you can stick with our budget pick. Each version adds a few more features and somewhat better sound, but also increases the price. The Q35 lacks much in the way of physical sound isolation, so this pair struggles to combat sounds in the human vocal range.

The active noise cancelling is able to reduce airplane and traffic noise rather well, however. Out of the box and via the included cable, the Life Q35 sounds bass heavy and muddy.

Tribit Quiet Plus 72 : This pair is affordable, and the noise cancellation is rather effective. This might be forgivable for the price, but the build quality is also lacking. Additionally, the microphone picks up a lot of background noise on calls. But the ear cups are shallow and folded in on our outer ears a bit, which could prove uncomfortable for folks with ears that stick out. The noise cancellation is quite good, and the intensity is adjustable via the V-Moda app—but the fit will affect your experience here.

This should only be a problem for those with small heads. We heard a jagged boost in the sound that caused vocals to be too forward in the mix, which both John and Lauren thought made singers sound strained or shouty. Parents will also want to use caution as the M headphones get incredibly loud at max volume.

Wyze Noise Cancelling Headphones : Folks who value their privacy will be put off by the fact that you must create an email-verified account to use the app. And the app is required to access many bonus features, like choosing between low and high ANC levels as well as EQ adjustment. The noise cancellation is noticeable but largely unimpressive. For 50 bucks, you could do worse, but we far prefer our picks. The sound profile is just okay, as the high frequencies have a sibilant edge that could use some lower-end oomph to balance them out.

EarFun Air Pro 2 : This pair has quite effective ANC, but the earbud shape and long stem made it difficult for our panelists with larger ears to get a seal.

The fit is incredibly comfortable on a broad range of ear shapes, the sound quality is great with a little EQ adjustment, and the microphones especially on the Pro are clear for phone calls.

Marshall Motif ANC : These have above-average noise cancellation, and the transparency mode sounds more authentic than that of most earbuds. We wish the controls included volume and voice command options, and although the sound features the warm mids and lows Marshall is famous for, the highs have a harsh edge that makes strings sound edgy—as though amplified by a cheap speaker. Nothing Ear 1 : These earbuds have a futuristic look and quite good active noise cancellation, but the sound is less impressive.

The microphones are quite good at reducing wind noise for callers, though we wish there were an option for sidetone. Samsung Galaxy Buds2 : These earbuds fit comfortably and securely.

Out of the box, the sound is pretty good, but a little dull. Usually seamless connectivity is the entire reason to buy earbuds in the same ecosystem as your mobile device. Soul Emotion Pro : These fit comfortably in part because of the seven pairs of included tips. The transparency mode sounded more natural than many competitors. However, the noise cancellation is only so-so, and the low frequencies are boosted too broadly.

The sound has an echo-like quality even when playing acoustic guitar, and the app-based EQ was unable to adequately adjust it. Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro : This pair has a lot of fantastic features, so we were extra disappointed when certain aspects fell short. First, the good: the ANC is quite effective, the wind-noise reduction is impressive, and the light-up case is honestly cool.

We initially liked the stabilizing wings because the earbuds felt very secure, but after an hour of wearing, our ears began to ache. And though this pair offers dual-device connectivity, we found that enabling it led to an excessive amount of connection stuttering. The bass is bloated, and the highs have a hissing quality that turns the sound of an exhale into a wheeze, and grand pianos sound like a neglected upright. The noise cancellation is very effective, as is the wind reduction for the microphone.

But we think that, for everyday use, you may want to spend more to get more. If you are a diehard Amazon fan, there are no other earbuds offering this feature, so the Echo Buds 2nd Gen is your only and a totally acceptable choice. However, the Echo-specific benefits like Echo device drop-ins, voice product ordering, Amazon Prime Music, and so forth are accessible via the Alexa app in your phone, regardless of what earbuds you choose.

When evaluated sans-Alexa, the Echo Buds 2nd Gen is an above average pair of earbuds with average noise cancellation. Despite the stabilizing wings and four pairs of tips, the buds themselves might be a little large for smaller ears. The controls are limited, and the five-hour battery life is middling. Apple AirPods Pro : These earbuds represent a major step up over the basic AirPods in both sound quality and versatility. However, a good number of folks are experiencing rattling in one or both earbuds.

We contacted Apple but have not received a response. However, Apple did add this advice for AirPods Pro owners experiencing static and these tips for resolving ANC problems to its support pages. Pros: Engaging, energetic and utterly convincing sound; properly built from high-class materials Cons: No touch control; no voice-assistance; humdrum control app. Happily, JBL is entitled to put a big tick in thick Magic Marker pen in this particular box - Club One is an organised, detailed, engaging and, above all, energetic listen.

The sound is weighty but rapid, focused but not analytical, immediate but not tiring. And the JBLs maintain that winning balance even when active noise-cancelling is engaged.

So you can enjoy a massive night out in the privacy of your own head. But in every other respect, and most importantly where sound quality is concerned, these Shures have nothing to learn from any nominal rival. This level of fidelity is rare at any price. Pros: Big, accurate and endlessly musical sound; outstanding construction; fine app-cum-music-player Cons: Missing a feature or two. Wireless: Yes Battery life: Up to 18h Bluetooth: 5.

And the battery life is nothing special. In every other respect, though - and particularly where the most important aspects of performance are concerned - the Bose are simply outstanding.

Sound quality? The QuietComfort Earbuds sound uber-Bose - and we mean that in the most positive way. And noise-cancelling? Nor are they the most elegant, or the most stamina-packed. Pros: Superb noise-cancelling; chunky, full-scale, detailed sound Cons: Physically quite big; battery life is nothing special. Wireless: No Battery life: 20h Weight: 40g Cable: 1. For instance, the H3s are beautifully constructed from brushed aluminium. Pros: Premium looks and feel; easy to fit; deft noise-cancelling Cons: Not the most vigorous-sounding headphones you ever heard.

Wireless: Yes Battery life: Up to 20h Bluetooth: 5. If the Sonys are too big and the Microsofts are too They're not the absolute last word in wireless sound, hence why they didn't take our top spot, despite the hype, but the s are comfortable and perfectly polished with brilliant, reworked noise-cancelling tech. This isn't to say Bose's new cans sound bad, far from it. They produce a zippy, punchy sound with plenty of clarity and dynamism.

It falls down only at the top end and when it comes to detail, and only when compared to the very best of the competition.

Unfortunately, they lack app support and don't come with sound customization features like an EQ or presets. There is a bass boost feature you can turn on with a button on one ear cup, although they have a very bass-rich sound profile that some may find overwhelming.

That said, these Bluetooth headphones are worth considering if you're looking for good noise isolation at a budget-friendly price. Made the Apple the 'More Comfortable Alternative'.

Aug 13, Checked that picks represent the best recommendations in their categories and that the products are available. Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best ANC headphones to buy for most people in each price range. We factor in the price cheaper headphones win over pricier ones if the difference isn't worth it , feedback from our visitors, and availability no headphones that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere.

If you would like to choose for yourself, here is the list of all our reviews for headphones with an ANC feature. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There are no perfect headphones and the level at which you play your music will naturally drown the ambient noise of lower amplitudes.

Get insider access. Best Headphones. Headphones Recommendations. View all headphones recommendations. All Headphones Reviews Beats. Studio Buds True Wireless. Flex Wireless. Solo3 Wireless. Studio3 Wireless. Solo Pro Wireless. Powerbeats Pro Truly Wireless. BeatsX Wireless. Powerbeats3 Wireless.

WHXM4 Wireless. WHXM3 Wireless. Jib True Wireless. Indy Fuel Truly Wireless. Dime True Wireless. Sesh Evo True Wireless. Indy Evo True Wireless. Jib Wireless. Crusher Evo Wireless. Sesh Truly Wireless. Hesh ANC Wireless. Elite 3 True Wireless.

Elite 85t Truly Wireless. Elite 75t Truly Wireless. Elite Active 75t Truly Wireless. Elite 65t Truly Wireless. Elite Active 65t Truly Wireless. Talk 45 Bluetooth Headset. Elite 85h Wireless. Evolve2 85 Wireless. Evolve2 65 Wireless. Sport Earbuds Truly Wireless.

QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless.