Greatest noise-cancelling headphones of 2024

Whether or not you’re sporting them for the morning commute, whereas touring, or in case you’re merely looking for some peace and quiet whereas working at house, noise-canceling headphones are a extra important piece of equipment these days than ever earlier than. And also you’ve obtained a slew of nice choices to select from; it’s exhausting to make a nasty alternative.

There are the longtime heavyweights like Bose and Sony to select from. Apple has shortly carved into the market with the luxurious AirPods Max. And in case you’ve obtained an ear that calls for the very best audio high quality, headphones from Bowers & Wilkins and Sennheiser may attraction to you greater than the mainstream contenders.

Not everybody loves the texture of earbuds, and there are situations the place over-ear and on-ear headphones are simply easier or make extra sense than wi-fi buds — notably if prolonged battery life issues to you.

Irrespective of the way you’re utilizing them, the factors for selecting the very best noise-canceling headphones haven’t modified.

The “greatest” headphones for you’ll differ primarily based on which of these elements you prioritize and care about most, however our general choose for the very best noise-canceling headphones stays Sony’s WH-1000XM5. They provide a mix of sound high quality, consolation, and nice noise cancellation that’s exhausting to beat.

Battery life: 30 hours / Multipoint: Sure / Audio codecs: LDAC, AAC, SBC Connectors: USB-C (charging), 3.5mm headphone jack (audio)

Sony’s WH-1000XM5s have a very totally different design from their predecessors. The modifications lead to larger consolation whenever you’re sporting them in your head for prolonged durations of time — like on a flight or in case you’re on the workplace.

Noise cancellation has been additional improved from the already-stellar efficiency of the M4, placing Sony on the entrance of the pack in comparison with all main rivals. Sound high quality is extra detailed and balanced than the older 1000XM4; the low finish remains to be punchy however tighter and fewer boomy than earlier than. The M5 provide the very best voice name efficiency within the 1000X sequence to this point, and so they can join to 2 units concurrently, so you may keep clued in to what’s occurring in your cellphone whenever you’re working away in your laptop computer or pill. 

Sony’s headphones additionally embrace distinctive options like “converse to speak,” which mechanically pauses your music and pipes in ambient audio everytime you begin speaking. Or you may maintain one hand over the best ear cup to activate fast consideration mode, which is handy when grabbing a espresso or listening to airport bulletins. And like different high-end headphones, the 1000XM5 can detect once they’ve been eliminated out of your ears for auto-pause.

The principle draw back of the WH-1000XM5 is that at $399.99, they’re costlier than prior fashions. That’s an enormous purpose to contemplate the 1000XM4, which have been our earlier prime choose for noise-canceling headphones. They continue to be a part of Sony’s lineup and may typically be discovered on sale.

Learn my full evaluation of Sony’s WH-1000XM5.

Battery life: 24 hours / Multipoint: Sure / Audio codecs: aptX Adaptive, AAC, SBC Connectors: USB-C (charging), 2.5mm headphone jack (audio)

Bose’s QuietComfort Extremely Headphones are principally a mix of the corporate’s prior Noise Canceling Headphones 700 and QuietComfort 45 that borrow the very best traits from each — whereas throwing in a brand new “immersive audio” listening mode. Like previous Bose cans, they’re very gentle and cozy in your head, even when worn for lengthy stretches of time. Better of all, not like the Noise Canceling Headphones 700, these will be folded to make them simpler to journey with.

Their 24-hour battery life is greater than ample, and Bose has added assist for the aptX Adaptive Bluetooth codec for improved audio constancy on Android units.

The immersive audio function works properly on some songs, however much less so on others. It’s value experimenting with, however even in case you go away it off completely, you’re left with best-in-class noise cancelation, pleasing sound, and a useful “conscious” transparency mode.

Learn my full evaluation of Bose’s QuietComfort Extremely Headphones.

Battery life: 20 hours / Multipoint: No / Audio codecs: AAC, SBC Connectors: Lightning (audio and charging)

There was undoubtedly some sticker shock when Apple launched a $549 set of noise-canceling headphones in 2020. The AirPods Max price considerably extra money than any of our different suggestions. However Apple’s construct high quality is on one other stage: these commerce the plastic you’ll discover in lots of noise-canceling headphones for metal and aluminum, and the ear cups are a breathable mesh cloth. They’re hefty headphones, there’s no denying that. However other than Apple refusing to incorporate a headphone cable within the field, there’s nothing concerning the AirPods Max that feels low cost. And I recognize the simplicity of utilizing the digital crown for controls as a substitute of counting on hit-or-miss gestures like faucets and swipes. 

A very powerful half is that the AirPods Max ship audio high quality that’s up there with the very best high-end Bluetooth headphones. They’ve an immersive, vast soundstage and unbelievable dynamics, and also you’ll end up hopping round your music library simply to listen to what they bring about out in your favourite songs.

Apple’s noise cancellation is on par with Sony and Bose, and nobody does transparency mode higher; at instances, it could possibly make you assume you’re not sporting headphones in any respect. Further options like Spatial Audio (encompass sound for motion pictures and TV reveals) and computerized switching between Apple devices assist make it a bit simpler to swallow their daunting value.  

However the AirPods Max do have faults. The carrying case is abysmal, battery life is barely common for the class, and identical to common AirPods, they’re designed with Apple’s ecosystem in thoughts. It will get a lot tougher to justify dropping $550 on them in case you dwell outdoors the iPhone and Mac universe.

Rumors recommend that Apple might introduce a brand new pair of the AirPods Max with a USB-C connector — however few different modifications — through the firm’s iPhone 16 occasion on September ninth. So in case you’re desirous to rid your lifetime of Lightning, it may be value holding out till after the occasion. Then once more, generally it’s exhausting to withstand a standout deal.

Learn my full evaluation of the AirPods Max.

Battery life: 30 hours / Multipoint: Sure / Audio codecs: aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC / Connectors: USB-C (audio and charging)

If sound high quality is precedence primary, then Bowers & Wilkins has you coated with the PX7 S2e headphones. They exhibit very good, detailed sound high quality that some folks desire to the AirPods Max. The Bowers & Wilkins cans are true to the corporate’s legacy and elegance, with a fine-crafted design that exudes high quality. And the newer “e” variant has a revamped digital sign processing that may carry out the very best audio high quality from streaming music.

I desire their bodily buttons over the faucet/swipe ear cup gestures of Sony’s 1000XM5. With 30 hours of battery life, they’re greater than aggressive with mainstream, cheaper picks. And the sound profile is delightfully heat and can carry out essentially the most out of your favourite music. The principle draw back of the PX7 S2e is that there’s no conventional 3.5mm or 2.5mm output for a headphone cable. You may nonetheless hear wired over USB-C, nonetheless.

Learn my full evaluation of the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2.

Battery life: 60 hours / Multipoint: Sure / Audio codecs: aptX Adaptive, aptX, AAC, SBC / Connectors: USB-C (audio and charging), 2.5mm headphone jack (audio)

Sixty hours. They’ll final for as much as 60 hours on a single cost. That’s actually all you’ll want to know concerning the Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones in case you’re in search of an endurance champ. However in addition they sound terrific and show extraordinarily snug over lengthy listening durations. This mixture doesn’t come low cost, however yow will discover some good occasional offers on them.

Sennheiser’s Momentum 4 Wi-fi headphones edge out Bowers & Wilkins on consolation due to their lighter design, and the noise cancellation is barely higher. Subsequent to the Sonys and Bose’s QC Extremely Headphones, it doesn’t get a lot cozier. These are headphones you may put on for a number of hours with none fatigue or strain in your ears.

Sennheiser’s sound signature is a little more expressive and places extra emphasis on bass than B&W, however that higher treble vary nonetheless comes by way of crystal clear. My solely actual nitpick with the Sennheisers is that they have an inclination to often energy on contained in the case for no apparent purpose and mechanically connect with my cellphone.

Each the B&W and Sennheiser headphones assist multipoint connectivity and a variety of Bluetooth codecs, together with SBC, AAC, aptX, and aptX Adaptive.

Learn my full evaluation of Sennheiser’s Momentum 4 Wi-fi.

Battery life: 60 hours / Multipoint: Sure / Audio codecs: aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC Connectors: USB-C (charging), 3.5mm headphone jack (audio)

Marshall’s wi-fi headphones have confirmed surprisingly fashionable, and the corporate’s most costly pair can be its greatest but. The Monitor II ANC headphones are priced at $320, which places them on the identical enjoying area as Bose, Sony, and different tech corporations which were making premium noise-canceling cans for a few years.

Marshall falls wanting these manufacturers in sound high quality and ANC, however the Monitor II nonetheless present heat, textured sound and carry out decently at chopping down on ambient noise. However they undoubtedly stand out from the pack in seems to be, with a design that speaks to the corporate’s heritage. The headphones fold up for simple carrying, and Marshall’s signature gold joystick makes the Monitor II easy to regulate.

They’ll additionally last as long as 30 hours with NC enabled or as much as a staggering 45 hours in case you’re already someplace quiet and may do with out the function. That spectacular longevity beats our major picks. A scarcity of AAC codec assist at this value stings, however I’ve loved the Monitor II each time I’ve put them on. They’re extra than simply an amp model stamped onto a median pair of headphones. 

Replace, August twenty seventh: Up to date to replicate present pricing and Apple’s upcoming “Glowtime” occasion in September.