Editor’s note: Black Friday doesn’t officially take place until Friday, November 28th; however, if you want to shop ahead of time, we’ve rounded up the best early Black Friday deals you can already get. Whether you’re wearing them for the morning commute, while traveling, or if you’re simply trying to find some peace and quiet while working at home, noise-canceling headphones are more essential now than ever. You have plenty of great options, making it hard to make a bad choice.
Brands like Bose and Sony have long been favorites, and Apple has quickly made a name for itself with the luxury AirPods Max. If you prioritize top-notch audio quality, headphones from Bowers & Wilkins and Sennheiser might catch your interest more than the big-name brands.
Not everyone is a fan of earbuds, and there are situations where over-ear and on-ear headphones are simply more user-friendly—especially if lengthy battery life matters to you. Regardless of how you use them, the criteria for picking the best noise-canceling headphones remain consistent.
What we’re looking for
How we test noise-canceling headphones
We spend hours testing our top picks for noise-canceling headphones. Since their ability to reduce background noise is crucial, we use them in different environments—like busy city streets, offices, coffee shops, and public transport—along with quieter settings for focused listening at home. We evaluate their transparency mode to see how well outside sounds come through and if it’s easy to chat while wearing them. We also have friends and family try them on to gather feedback on fit and comfort. And of course, we listen to our favorite albums and playlists repeatedly to assess sound quality and the listening time you can expect from a single charge.
Comfort
If headphones leave your head aching, they’re of little use no matter how good they sound or how well they cancel out noise. Generally, lighter headphones tend to be more comfortable for long listening periods. Manufacturers can enhance comfort by carefully selecting materials for ear cups and headbands. Clamping force is another key consideration; while some headphones fit snugly for exercise, that’s not ideal if all you want to do is relax and tune out the world.
Noise cancellation
Virtually all our picks excel at offering distraction-free listening during flights, at work, or while navigating busy streets. Noise-canceling headphones use built-in microphones to pick up surrounding sounds and invert those soundwaves to drown out everyday noise.
Sound quality
Having robust noise cancellation used to mean sacrificing sound quality, but that’s no longer the case. Most flagship ANC headphones today deliver rich, dynamic sound. They support various Bluetooth audio codecs, with some (like Sony’s LDAC and aptX HD) offering higher bitrates compared to standard codecs like AAC and SBC. However, focus less on codec details and more on how well-tuned headphones can make your music sound fantastic.
Battery life
One advantage of headphones over earbuds is significantly longer battery life. While most earbuds need to be popped back into their cases after about five hours, wireless headphones can typically go around 20 hours on a single charge, with some recent models lasting up to 40 hours.
Multipoint pairing
As multitasking becomes essential, multipoint Bluetooth connectivity is a must-have for headphones. This feature allows your noise-canceling headphones to connect to two devices simultaneously. So, whether you’re taking a call on your phone or jamming out on your laptop, you can switch seamlessly without fiddling with Bluetooth settings.
Bonus features
Headphones are increasingly adopting unique features tied to specific manufacturer ecosystems. For instance, the AirPods Max can utilize head-tracking spatial audio and features like audio sharing—though these only work seamlessly with Apple devices like iPhones, Macs, or iPads.
The best wireless headphones for most people $248
The Good
– Even better active noise cancellation
– More balanced, tighter sound
– Improved voice call quality
The Bad
– Design feels plasticky for $400
– No major new features over the 1000XM4
– Bulky and awkward carrying case
Battery life: 30 hours | Multipoint: Yes | Audio codecs: LDAC, AAC, SBC | Connectors: USB-C (charging), 3.5mm headphone jack (audio)
Sony’s WH-1000XM5 features a completely different design from their predecessors, resulting in greater comfort for extended wear—whether on a flight or at work.
Noise cancellation has been further improved, making Sony a leader in the market. Sound quality is more detailed and balanced compared to the older XM4 model; the bass is punchy yet tighter and less overwhelming. The XM5 also excels in voice call quality and connects to two devices at once, keeping you in the loop on your phone while you work on your laptop or tablet.
Available in black and white, Sony’s headphones feature useful options like “speak to chat,” which pauses your music and lets in ambient sound whenever you start talking. You can also quickly activate ambient mode by cupping the right ear cup with your hand. Plus, the XM5 can detect when you remove them to auto-pause playback.
Sony recently launched the WH-1000XM6, which offers minor improvements over the XM5 but retails at a higher price of $449.99. Given their performance-to-price ratio, the XM5 is a better choice and they remain a top recommendation.
Read our full WH-1000XM5 review.
The best noise-canceling headphones for travel $298
The Good
– Exemplary comfort
– Top-tier noise cancellation
– Improved transparency mode clarity
– Better voice call quality than NCH700
The Bad
– Immersive Audio can be hit-or-miss
– Immersive Audio drains battery faster
– No USB-C audio support
– Case has annoying indentations
Battery life: 24 hours | Multipoint: Yes | Audio codecs: aptX Adaptive, AAC, SBC | Connectors: USB-C (charging), 2.5mm headphone jack (audio)
Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Headphones blend features of the company’s earlier Noise Canceling Headphones 700 and QuietComfort 45 models, incorporating the best traits of both—plus a new immersive audio mode. They’re very light and comfortable, making them perfect for extended wear. Unlike the NCH700, these can also fold for easier transport.
With a 24-hour battery life, they cover most usage needs, and Bose has added aptX Adaptive Bluetooth codec support for better audio quality on Android devices.
The immersive audio feature works better on some tracks than others, but even without it, you’re left with top-notch noise cancellation, impressive sound, and a useful transparency mode.
Read our full Bose QC Ultra Headphones review.
The best wireless headphones for iPhone owners $430
The Good
– Luxurious design
– Excellent, balanced sound quality
– Highly effective noise cancellation
– Dependable controls
– Spatial audio for immersive entertainment
The Bad
– Heavier than many competitors
– No 3.5mm jack
– Wired listening requires a $35 cable
– Carrying case is a letdown
– Lacks latest AirPods Pro features
Battery life: 20 hours | Multipoint: No | Audio codecs: AAC, SBC | Connectors: Lightning (audio and charging)
Apple shocked everyone with the launch of the $549 AirPods Max in 2020, as they were significantly pricier than any of our other recommendations. However, Apple’s build quality stands out. These headphones swap out the plastic found in many others for durable steel and aluminum, and the ear cups are made from breathable mesh fabric.
Despite their weight, the AirPods Max feel luxurious. The control of the digital crown is straightforward compared to finicky gestures like taps and swipes.
In terms of audio quality, the AirPods Max rank among the best high-end Bluetooth headphones, offering an expansive soundstage and impressive dynamics, making your favorite tracks sound even better.
Apple’s noise cancellation rivals that of Sony and Bose, and the transparency mode can be so effective that you might forget you’re wearing headphones. Added features like Spatial Audio (for movies and shows) and seamless switching between Apple devices make the steep price a bit easier to digest.
That said, the AirPods Max do have drawbacks. The carrying case is subpar, the battery life is only average, and they’re heavily tailored for Apple’s ecosystem. If you don’t own iPhone and Mac devices, it becomes harder to justify the $550 price tag.
Note that in September, Apple introduced a new AirPods Max model with USB-C charging and five new colors. We’re currently testing the latest version, but we don’t expect major performance changes. However, this model does support lossless audio and ultra-low latency due to a recent firmware update, unlike the Lightning version.
Read our full Apple AirPods Max review.
The best-sounding wireless headphones $269
The Good
– Stylish, standout design
– Exceptional sound quality
– Supports wired USB-C audio
The Bad
– No traditional headphone input
– Lacks LDAC support
– May cause ear sweat
Battery life: 30 hours | Multipoint: Yes | Audio codecs: aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC | Connectors: USB-C (audio and charging)
If sound quality is your top priority, the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2e headphones are an excellent choice. They deliver superb, detailed sound quality that some users may prefer over the AirPods Max. The PX7 S2e maintains the brand’s legacy of high-quality design and craftsmanship, featuring an updated digital signal processing system for optimal sound quality during streaming.
I prefer their physical buttons over the touch controls on the Sony WH-1000XM5. With a battery life of 30 hours, they compete well with cheaper models, and their sound profile is beautifully warm, enhancing the listening experience.
The main downside is the absence of a traditional 3.5mm or 2.5mm output for a headphone cable—you can still listen wired using USB-C, though.
Read our full Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 review.
The noise-canceling headphones with the best battery life $180
The Good
– Significantly improved comfort
– Better noise cancellation than before
– Amazing 60-hour battery life
The Bad
– Very basic design
– No physical button controls
– May power on unexpectedly
Battery life: 60 hours | Multipoint: Yes | Audio codecs: aptX Adaptive, aptX, AAC, SBC | Connectors: USB-C (audio and charging), 2.5mm headphone jack (audio)
Sixty hours. That’s how long the Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones can last on a single charge. That fact alone makes them a standout option if you need long-lasting battery life. Not only do they sound great, but they’re also incredibly comfortable for extended wear.
Though slightly pricier, you can sometimes find them on sale. The Momentum 4 headphones edge out the Bowers & Wilkins option in terms of comfort because they weigh less, and their noise cancellation is a bit more effective. They are perfect for long listening sessions without discomfort.
While they lack the vintage aesthetics of older Sennheiser models, the Momentum 4 brings a modern design that prioritizes comfort. Sennheiser tends to favor a bass-heavy sound, but they maintain a clear upper treble range. My only significant issue is that they sometimes power on inside the case and connect to my phone unexpectedly.
Both Bowers & Wilkins and Sennheiser headphones support multipoint connectivity and various Bluetooth codecs, including SBC, AAC, aptX, and aptX Adaptive.
Read our full Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless review.
Update, November 24th: Updated to reflect current pricing / availability and reference the newer Sony WH-1000XM6.
Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
Chris Welch
Close
Chris Welch
Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.
Follow
Follow
See All by Chris Welch
John Higgins
Close
John Higgins
Senior Reviewer, TVs & Audio
Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.
Follow
Follow
See All by John Higgins
Buying Guides
Close
Buying Guides
Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.
Follow
Follow
See All Buying Guides
Gadgets
Close
Gadgets
Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.
Follow
Follow
See All Gadgets
Headphone Reviews
Close
Headphone Reviews
Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.
Follow
Follow
See All Headphone Reviews
Headphones
Close
Headphones
Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.
Follow
Follow
See All Headphones
Reviews
Close
Reviews
Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.
Follow
Follow
See All Reviews
Tech
Close
Tech
Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.
Follow
Follow
See All Tech
Verge Shopping
Close
Verge Shopping
Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.
Follow
Follow
See All Verge Shopping
