If you find yourself using your headphones outdoors or at your workplace, you’ll definitely understand the appeal of a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones. They are capable of drowning out background noise, hence the name, allowing you to enjoy your music without any interference. So, without much further ado, let’s take a look at some of our picks for the best noise-cancelling headphones that you can buy in 2026.
Overview of the Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones in 2026
We tried, tested, and rated this list for the best noise-cancelling headphones in 2026, and here’s a quick overview of all our selections along with their limitations and pricing.
Best Noise Cancelling Headphones Best Suited for Limitations Pricing Sony-WH1000XM6 People who want class-leading noise-cancelling headphones, comfortable fit, rich sound quality Limited EQ tuning options $458 Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2) Those looking to cancel most environmental noise, comfortable for long usage, detailed sound Only 24 hours ANC battery life $449 Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 Anyone looking for clean, rich and detailed sound signature with extremely effective noise-cancelling Extremely high price tag $799 Sennheiser Momentum 4 Value for money headphones with long battery life, excellent noise cancelling and neutral sound Touch controls can be a hassle to deal with $236.99 Nothing Headphone (1) Anyone who wants a uniquely designed pair of noise-cancelling headphones with ridiculous battery backup Bass leaning sound might not be for everyone, limited EQ customization $269 Sony WH-CH720N Students, commuters, and anyone looking for a budget-friendly pair of headphones without compromising on comfort Lacks advanced EQ features, build quality feels plastic-y $179.99 Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Those looking for a good pair of noise cancelling headphones under $100 Noise cancellation is not as good as other, more premium headphones $99.99 JBL Tune 770NC Cheapest noise cancelling headphones without compromising sound quality and a decent fit ANC lacks depth, bass overwhelms other frequencies $79.95
What is Noise Cancellation?
Noise Cancellation is a new technique in sound technology that reduces the ambient sound around your surroundings. It blocks out all kinds of noise, including high-pitched and low-pitched sounds, using microphones.
Basically, the microphone picks up the unwanted noise, and then the headset generates an inverted sound wave to cancel out the unwanted noise. This way, noise around you will be actively neutralized before it reaches your ear.
Best Over-Ear Noise-Cancelling Headphones
From the Sony-WH1000XM6 to the B&W and Sennheiser Momentum, we tried out the best noise-cancelling headphones that are available in the market, and here are our top picks. Let’s start with the top-of-the-line, over-the-ear noise-cancelling headphones, which offer the best isolated experience, but come at an equally extravagant price.
Sony WH-1000XM6
At the top of our list is the new Sony WH-1000XM6, which is the best ANC headphone overall as it offers good noise cancellation capabilities, quality audio output, up to 30 hours of battery life, and a sleek design. The over-ear headphones feature large 30mm drivers that sound phenomenal, and they’ve got some really comfortable ear cups that ensure that you won’t feel any fatigue after long stretches.
The active noise cancellation (ANC) of the Sony-WH1000XM6 is one of the best out there, and Sony includes a bunch of additional features that add a significant amount of value to the product. I especially like the touch-sensitive volume/playback controls on the earcups. All-in-all, the Sony-WH1000XM6 is the best noise-cancelling headphone you can buy right now, but they’re a bit on the expensive side.
PROS CONS Best ANC experience Limited sound tuning without app 30-hour battery life Not completely water resistant Rich sound output and balanced signature Premium price tag Comfortable ear cups and premium build
Price: $458
Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2)
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 takes the second spot on this list, but don’t take it the other way. Its noise-cancelling capabilities are as good as Sony’s, and sometimes outperform it by a margin. However, the audio is where Sony takes the cake, as Bose has an emphasis on the warmer tones, instead of delivering a balanced sound stage.
The headphones feature excellent earcups, making them one of the most comfortable noise-cancelling headphones out there, and they’re rated for up to 24 hours of continuous playback with ANC turned on. However, despite costing almost the same, the Bose QC Ultra 2 doesn’t offer as many features as Sony’s, which is another reason they are a spot behind the XM6. Still, if your priority is just the best over-ear noise-cancelling experience, then get these over anything else.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Comfortable earcups for long usage | Premium price tag |
| Rich sound quality with a V-shaped signature | Limited EQ customization options |
| Up to 24 hours of battery life | Battery life could be better |
| Benchmark noise-cancelling capability |
Price: $449
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2
The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 are another pair of solid over-ear noise-cancelling headphones that deliver a premium listening experience with refined comfort, excellent battery life, and comfortable padding. These cans offer a rich, detailed sound quality, with deep bass and clear mids that make music feel alive.
Noise cancelling is effective whether you are sitting in an office or commuting through a crowded metro. This makes them great for travel and busy environments. Comfort is good too, as the plush earcups and balanced clamping force mean you can wear them for hours without fatigue.
Battery life is strong, easily lasting a full day of use with ANC on. However, the $799 price tag can make even the dedicated audiophiles sweat. But the B&W quality is something I would say is worth the extra cash.
PROS CONS Detailed sound with impactful bass Very high price tag Strong noise cancellation across environments Limited sound customizations in the app Good battery life with ANC on Excellent comfort for long sessions
Price: $799
Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones for Travel
If you happen to commute often or find yourself on the road regularly, then you need a pair of noise-cancelling headphones that can last you all your tiring trips. And here are our best picks.
Sennheiser Momentum 4
If comfort and long-time usability are some things that you prioritize over other factors, then you should consider getting the Sennheiser Momentum 4. These are a great pair from the German manufacturer that is by far the best noise-cancelling headphones for travel. Thanks to their 60 hours of battery backup, that should easily last any trip or layover.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless offers amazing noise-cancelling capabilities, a clean design, and some of the most comfortable earcups you’d find on any headphones. On top of that, the headphones also pack some of the most balanced and rich sound quality, all at a price that makes them the top contender for anyone looking for the best value for money noise-cancelling headphones.
PROS CONS Pretty good active noise cancellation Does not have proper support for hi-res wireless codecs Comfortable earpads Touch controls need improvement Battery backup up to 60 hours on a single charge
Price: $236.99
Nothing Headphone (1)
If you are looking for a pair of headphones to not just take with you on travels, but also come in handy as a conversation starter, then the Nothing Headphone (1) is for you. It stands out as a stylish and capable pair of ANC headphones that impressed us with its solid active noise cancellation that noticeably reduces ambient noise, especially in environments like offices and traffic on the road.
However, the reason we picked it as the best noise-cancelling headphone for travel is because of its ridiculous 80 hours of playback. I couldn’t think any headphone can outdo the Sennheiser, but Nothing takes the cake by a mile. The whacky retro-futuristic design is also unique, and the sound is decent. You can tweak it further in the companion app; these might seem bulky over long usage, as I have explained in my Nothing Headphone (1) review.
PROS CONS Out-of-the-box transparent design Companion app does not offer extreme EQ customization Solid ANC and transparency mode Fit may feel bulky to some users Bass leaning sound output 80 hours of continuous playback battery backup
Price: $269
Best Budget Noise-Cancelling Headphones
To experience interruption-free music, you don’t need to pay a premium. There are some good budget noise-cancelling headphones out there, and we have selected the best ones.
Sony WH-CH720N
Coming to the best budget noise-cancelling headphone, we have the Sony WH-CH720N, which delivers a surprisingly strong value for its price. It delivers effective active noise cancellation that handles everyday noise well. Sound quality is clear and punchy, with a balanced signature that goes well with most genres.
Despite being cheap, Sony has not compromised on comfort. The comfort is solid for medium listening sessions thanks to lightweight clamping and cushioned earcups. Battery life is also respectable, lasting up to 30 hours with ANC on, which is excellent for this segment. All these factors combined make the Sony CH720N an easy recommendation from our end.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Good ANC performance for the price | ANC is not as powerful as premium models |
| Balanced and clear sound signature | Build quality feels cheap |
| Up to 30 hours long battery life with ANC |
Price: $179.99
Anker Soundcore Space Q45
Users on a tight budget can consider the Anker Soundcore Space Q45, a decent pair of wireless noise-canceling headphones that have a lightweight and sturdy design, decent audio quality for the price, and good battery life. The headphones are rated for up to 50 hours of wireless playback with noise cancellation at a stretch, which is amazing for the price.
You can even extend the battery life by up to 65 hours just by switching to the normal mode. The Anker Soundcore Space Q45 also features 40mm drivers for a nice bass response and crisp treble, but they might not appeal to some users. However, if you’re looking for a decent budget noise-cancelling headphone, you can’t go wrong with the Anker Soundcore Space Q45.
PROS CONS Best ANC experience at affordable price Sound signature may not be for everyone Exceptional battery life ANC is not as good as premium options Sturdy design and decent build quality Touch controls can be overly sensitive Delivers bass heavy soundoutput
Price: $99.99
JBL Tune 770NC
Rounding off the list is the JBL TUNE 770NC, the company’s budget wireless noise-cancelling headphones that pack a mean punch. As with most JBL audio products, the Tune 770NC delivers punchy bass-heavy audio, with a companion app that allows you to further customize the sound profile as per your liking.
The headphones are rated for 70 hours of continuous playback, which is tremendous for the price. However, their noise-canceling capabilities aren’t as great as some of the other headphones on this list. Even though I dig the design with the large comfortable earcups, I would only recommend the JBL TUNE 770NC to those who are either JBL fans or like bass-y headphones more than flat-sounding ones.
PROS CONS Quite good ANC for the price Bass-centric tuning may not suit all Bass-heavy audio Decent fit, and comfortable cups Superior battery life, up to 80 hours
Price: $79.95
How to Choose the Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones?
A good pair of noise-cancelling headphones can really be a great purchase for several reasons, and since they’re mostly high-end headphones, you’ll also notice an overall improvement in sound quality if you’re currently using just any other regular pair of headphones.
Before choosing a noise-cancelling headphone, you must check if the brand has done substantial work in sound technology, as it directly affects your ANC experience. For example, Sony and Bose are the industry leaders, so their techniques to cancel out ambient noise are far better than those of other companies.
Apart from that, battery life is a key factor, and an ANC headphone should at least have 15 hours of battery life. The more the better. Next, you should definitely check out how comfortable the headset is for long sessions. In addition, if the headphone allows you to access a voice assistant, change tracks, and other cool features, then that is a bonus.
So, that rounds up our list of the best noise-canceling headphones you can buy in 2026. Have you tried any of these headphones before? Which one would you go for, depending on your particular use case? Let us know in the comments section below.
Absolutely. If you generally live or travel in a noisy environment, then noise-cancelling headphones can completely change how you perceive sound. You won’t experience any kind of noise unless it’s a significantly high-pitched sound.
I would blindly recommend the Sony WH-1000XM6, but if you want other options, you can check out the Bose QuietComfort Ultra and the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 if you are on a budget.
No. If there is a considerably high-pitched sound, then even the best noise-cancelling headphones can’t sufficiently block the sound.
No. In fact, it can protect your ears if you generally live in a noisy environment. That said, keep in mind that some users notice a hissing sound while ANC is turned on. It can get irritating for some users.
No. But then ANC headphones are not designed in a way that you can wear them while sleeping.
