Table of Contents
Do noise-cancelling headphones actually work?
What are the best noise-cancelling headphones to buy?
– Best for adjustable ANC: Bose 700
– Most comfortable headphones: Bose QuietComfort Ultra
– Best for audiophiles: Sony WH-1000XM5
– Best for bass lovers: Sony ULT Wear
– Best noise-cancelling earbuds for Apple users: Apple AirPods Pro
– Best sounding earbuds: Sony WF-1000XM5
– Best mid-range earbuds: Beats Studio Buds+
– Best budget earbuds: Anker Soundcore Life P3i
How we tested the best noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds
Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you work from home, find yourself on an airplane more often than not, or simply want to turn down the volume of the outside world, noise-cancelling headphones can be exactly the tool you need. Even the best value headphones will feel lacking if they don’t come equipped with halfway decent noise cancellation. Besides, there are simply too many headphones on the market for you to pay hundreds only to get subpar ANC. If you’re spending some cash on noise-cancelling headphones, you should feel more than happy with your investment.
To help you pick the right model, Mashable editors and reviewers tested dozens of headphones and earbuds and picked out the best noise-cancelling headphones of 2024 (so far).
Do noise-cancelling headphones actually work?
There’s a big difference between outside noise being blocked and music simply being loud enough to drown it out. Active noise-cancelling headphones electronically cover up the sounds coming from your surroundings by using internal microphones that listen to what’s happening in the world around you, then invert the noise and send it to the speakers. The idea is that both the output and the input will cancel out, leaving you with near-silence. Over-ear headphones can also create a tight seal around your ears that adds another layer of sound blocking.
If you’ve tried a pair of noise-cancelling headphones before and haven’t been impressed, it is possible to get headphones that quiet the hum of people talking around you, or noises from the street that invade your home office. While headphones that completely silence the world around you don’t exist quite yet, we’ve found the ones that get pretty close.
What are the best noise-cancelling headphones to buy?
Bose and Sony are both top names when it comes to any type of audio, but especially when it comes to noise cancellation. Both brands feature industry-leading ANC on top of superb sound quality. There are also some other brands and models worth checking out, so if you want to tune out ambient sound, we’ve laid everything out for you below.
– Best for adjustable ANC: Bose 700
– Most comfortable headphones: Bose QuietComfort Ultra
– Best for audiophiles: Sony WH-1000XM5
– Best for bass lovers: Sony ULT Wear
– Best noise-cancelling earbuds for Apple users: Apple AirPods Pro
– Best sounding earbuds: Sony WF-1000XM5
– Best mid-range earbuds: Beats Studio Buds+
– Best budget earbuds: Anker Soundcore Life P3i
How we tested the best noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds
Frequently Asked Questions
Overall, when it comes to noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds, it’s important to find a pair that suits your needs and preferences. With so many options on the market, there is sure to be a model that fits your budget and provides the level of noise cancellation you desire.