The world is a noisy place. Crying babies, office chit–chat, and the engines of trains, planes, and automobiles can all interrupt your music listening. Thankfully, there's a solution: headphones with active noise cancellation (ANC). The best noise-cancelling headphones help isolate you from disruptive noise around you, ensuring you can enjoy your playlists and podcasts uninterrupted.
Sony's latest wireless noise-cancelling headphones are the best-value pair and our favorite overall. It can be tricky for a manufacturer to push the sound performance of a product consistently from generation to generation, but that is what Sony has managed to do with the WH-1000XM5 headphones. Despite some initial skepticism about their redesign, the XM5 has exceeded expectations with superior sound quality and ANC performance.
The What Hi-Fi? Award-winning Sony WH-CH720N are the best over-ear ANC headphones at an affordable price. These headphones performed exceptionally well in both controlled environments and real-world use, offering clear, direct sound and decent ANC. The WH-CH720N proves that excellent noise-cancelling headphones don’t have to be expensive.
Apple's AirPods Max justified their higher price with superior sound quality, a gorgeous design, and unique spatial audio support. Despite some drawbacks like a limited battery life and an ineffective case, they remain the best choice for Apple users seeking top-tier ANC headphones.
The Mark Levinson No. 5909 offers exceptional wireless performance and very decent ANC, justifying their high price tag. They deliver an unmatched sound quality that rivals wired headphones, making them a top choice for audiophiles who want the convenience of wireless without compromising on sound quality.
Sony's WF-C700N earbuds provide excellent value with detailed, dynamic sound and decent ANC. They offer a comfortable fit and a range of features, including adaptive sound control and DSEE for upscaling audio quality, making them a fantastic choice for budget-conscious buyers.
Started my career in Automotive Journalism in 2015. Even though I'm a pharmacist, hanging around cars all the time has created a passion for the automotive industry since day 1.
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