Noise canceling headphones cut down background noise in loud environments and significantly enhance the quality of your music.
For the true audiophile, noise canceling headphones are an absolute must-have. Not only are they great for cutting down background noise in loud places like planes, buses, or busy offices, but they also significantly enhance the sound quality of your music.
Instead of your favorite song being muddied by excessive background noise, these headphones keep the listening experience as pure as possible.
What is Active Noise Canceling?
Active noise canceling (ANC) technology works via tiny microphones that process the outside noise frequencies and then immediately emit the exact opposite frequency through the headphone drivers. When these two opposing sets of sound waves collide, it decreases air molecule movement, which significantly reduces or “cancels out” perceptible sound.
In reality, there’s no consumer technology that completely eliminates noise from the outside environment, but high-quality ANC headphones can get pretty close.
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Over-the-Ear Headphones vs. Earbuds
Now that you have a better understanding of the technology, the next step is to determine which style of headphones is best for you. There are two main options to choose from: in-ear earbuds and over-the-ear headphones.
Over-the-ear headphones tend to be more effective due to their larger size: They can house larger components and create a seal around the ear that further reduces outside noise. Even so, ANC technology with earbuds continues to improve, and in-ear models have the advantage of being much smaller and more portable—ideal for travel or working out.
There’s no shortage of noise canceling headphones on the market, so choosing the right one can be a challenge. To save you time, we researched top options and compiled this list of 10 top-rated ANC headphones that cover a range of different budgets and styles.
No matter if you’re looking to enhance your focus, enjoy improved sound quality, or score a stylish pair of headphones, these models are sure to satisfy.
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The Best Noise Canceling Headphones of 2023
1. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
While the comfortable fit, superior sound quality, and excellent adaptive noise canceling technology are all great features on the Momentum 4, the 60-hour battery life (with ANC) steals the show. These headphones offer users terrific value along with a high-quality listening experience.
A 42mm transducer system pumps clear audio into your ears, while sound personalization settings allow you to adjust the audio to your liking. Sennheiser’s ANC technology fully immerses you into the music, but the Momentum 4 also features a transparency mode, so you can hear ambient sound and get better situational awareness when you need it. Extra cushioning on the headband and earpads offers long-lasting comfort, and the quick charging capability—six hours of listening after only 10 minutes of charging—is perfect for those who forget to plug in.
[$350; sennheiser-hearing.com]
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2. Sony WH-1000XM4
Consistently rated among the top of their class, the WH-1000XM4 headphones do a superior job of nullifying exterior sound thanks to dual noise sensors (microphones) on each ear cup and an advanced processor that can adjust to music and noise signals over 700 times per second. This results in an enhanced listening experience in any environment. Users will also enjoy impressive battery life (up to 30 hours), multi-device pairing, personalization of sound settings in a companion app, and adaptive sound control that adjusts to your environment.
[$350; electronics.sony.com]
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3. Anker Soundcore Space Q45
A tried-and-true headphone that’s become a staff favorite here at Men’s Journal, the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 is a stellar value. These headphones use a three-stage noise canceling system to block out ambient noise, while a double-layer diaphragm driver pumps out audio with clear sound and strong bass. It uses AI to precisely pick up your voice during calls and can stay connected to two devices simultaneously, which allows you to quickly switch between calls, videos, and music on different devices without hassle. These headphones boast 50 hours of battery life with ANC turned on or 65 hours with ANC turned off, and they only require a five-minute charge for four hours of use.
[$150; us.soundcore.com]
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4. Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95
High-end headphones that sound even better than they look, the Beoplay H95 from Bang & Olufsen represents the pinnacle of the luxury headphone market. The attention to detail is evident in this design: Luxurious ear cups are crafted from soft lambskin leather, the pads are made with memory foam cushioning, and they’re paired with a sleek aluminum frame. Custom titanium drivers are precisely tuned to tight tolerances for crisp sound, and you can toggle between five levels of adaptive active noise cancellation just by turning the built-in ear cup dial. There are six color options to choose from, but Lunar Red is our favorite.
[$899; bang-olufsen.com]
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5. Beats Studio3 Wireless
The Beats Studio3 Wireless headphones feature Apple’s W1 headphone chip. While it's compatible with both Apple and Android devices, the W1 chip is particularly helpful for Apple users. It enables you to wirelessly share audio with another set of Beats headphones or Apple AirPods—perfect for watching a movie or sharing a playlist on the plane, for example. In addition to excellent ANC technology, these headphones support spatial audio for a surround-sound experience wherever you go.
[$350; beatsbydre.com]
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6. Raycon The Everyday Headphones
A great value for audiophiles on a budget, The Everyday Headphones don’t disappoint. Raycon’s ANC technology blocks out sound when you don’t want it, or you can choose to let some noise in with awareness mode. High-fidelity audio will have you rocking, while six built-in microphones ensure clear phone calls. The IPX4 water resistance rating means you can break a sweat without causing damage, and the 38-hour battery life lets you tune out and groove out all day.
[$100; rayconglobal.com]
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7. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are low profile but high powered. These little earbuds silence the outside world with a combination of silicone ear tips that passively block noise and ANC technology that mutes the rest via tiny microphone sensors. The ability to switch from full quiet mode to aware mode with a double tap makes it easy to quickly hear your surroundings when crossing a street or listening to PA announcements, for example. These earbuds are also sweat and weather resistant, making them an ideal companion for jogging, biking, or staying locked in at the gym.
[$199; bose.com]
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8. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
Apple has made big strides with its ANC technology in the second-gen AirPods Pro—they now offer double the noise cancellation compared to the first-gen model. An upgraded chip provides superior audio quality through the combination of enhanced noise cancellation and personalized spatial audio that fully immerses users in their music. Four included silicone ear tip sizes ensure an ideal fit, and users can groove to tunes for six hours on a single charge or up to 30 hours when supplemented with the MagSafe Charging Case.
[$249; apple.com]
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9. JBL Tune 230NC TWS
Great sound at a great price: These noise canceling earbuds from JBL are a smart value. 10mm drivers provide impressive bass for such a small package, while the internal ANC technology blocks external noise for minimized distractions. The Ambient Aware mode is ideal for when you want to hear what’s going on around you, while TalkThru is a clever feature that lets you have a conversation without having to remove your headphones. Four mics deliver crystal clear call audio, and the battery life is excellent for this price range: eight hours of listening time with an additional 24 hours stored in the case.
[$100; amazon.com]
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10. Samsung Galaxy Buds2
Lightweight and comfortable, the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 are designed for those with an active lifestyle. Two-way dynamic speakers provide balanced audio, ANC technology blocks unwanted external sound, and three different sizes of flexible silicone tips ensure a comfortable, precise fit. Users will also enjoy clear call audio thanks to the combination of three microphones, a curved design to reduce wind noise, and AI technology that filters out unwanted static.
[$150; samsung.com]
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