Discover the ultimate escape with the top noise-canceling headphones of 2024—where silence meets sound quality!
The Ultimate Guide to Noise-Canceling Headphones in 2024
Whether you need to minimize distractions while working from home, find peace while traveling, or simply collect your thoughts, quality noise-canceling headphones are essential. Fortunately, the market is brimming with outstanding options, making it an ideal time to upgrade your audio gear.
How Noise Cancellation Works
Noise-canceling headphones utilize built-in microphones to detect external sounds. They employ advanced technology to generate a sound wave that effectively cancels out background noise in real time. This innovative feature often comes with a higher price tag than standard headphones, but the investment can be worthwhile.
Key Considerations When Choosing Headphones
Sound Quality and Noise Cancellation
Investing in premium noise-canceling headphones typically yields superior sound quality along with enhanced noise isolation. Brands like Bose and Sony offer models that can create a nearly silent environment, making them perfect for frequent travelers or those in bustling workplaces. If you’re considering a gift for someone who fits this description, a high-end pair can truly enhance their daily experience.
Another vital feature to consider is ambient mode, which allows you to stay aware of your surroundings without needing to remove your headphones. This functionality is particularly useful for commuting and traveling, helping you catch important announcements or engage in brief conversations.
With immersive spatial audio and lossless high-fidelity formats becoming increasingly popular, look for headphones that support these features—especially if you’re making a significant investment. Many leading streaming services now offer compatible content.
Companion Apps
In today’s tech landscape, having a companion app for your headphones is nearly essential. These apps often provide intuitive tools for adjusting sound settings and noise cancellation, as well as easy access to virtual assistants. If you’re an Apple user looking at AirPods or Beats, you'll find that integration with iOS simplifies the experience.
Connectivity
Ensure your headphones feature the latest wireless technology, such as Bluetooth 5.0 or higher, to guarantee a stable, low-latency connection with your devices. Multi-point connectivity is another crucial feature, allowing you to connect to multiple devices at once—ideal for seamlessly switching between phone calls and streaming music during work.
Battery Life
Aim for headphones that offer at least 20 hours of playback time with noise cancellation activated. The longer the battery life, the better the experience, especially for long trips or extended work sessions.
Testing Process
With a decade of experience testing headphones and earbuds, I’ve seen the landscape shift significantly. Great noise-canceling options are now available at various price points, including budget-friendly models with lowest price. My testing process includes an in-depth evaluation of sound quality and noise cancellation in real-world settings.
I focus on assessing audio performance across a wide range of frequencies and test each pair's effectiveness in blocking out ambient noise. Listening to various genres on platforms like Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Tidal helps gauge their bass, treble, and midrange capabilities. I also evaluate voice clarity during podcasts.
Living above a busy street in Midtown Manhattan provides the perfect environment to test noise-canceling features. Additionally, I explore the effectiveness of ambient noise settings while commuting or walking outdoors. With remote work becoming the norm, I also assess call quality during phone and video conferences, making sure the microphones perform reliably.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones
Sony’s range-topping WH-1000XM5 noise-canceling headphones are deservedly the product category’s leader and a worthy follow-up to a fantastic product. The over-ear cans perfectly balance sleek design, a lightweight build with top-notch ergonomics, outstanding sound, superb noise cancellation, and dependable battery life. By performing admirably across the board, the WH-1000XM5 headphones were frequently my go-to, even though I wasn’t short on solid alternatives.
Compared to its excellent predecessor, the Sony WH-1000XM4 , this sequel brings a more elegant design, slightly better sound (especially while listening to lossless content), stronger noise cancellation, and superior performance during calls.
Available in silver or black, the WH-1000XM5 also impressed me with a fast USB-C charging connector that could provide 3 hours’ worth of playback after only 3 minutes. You can order the premium can in silver, black, or blue with a matching storage case. Every color option together with its case rocks gold accents — a calling card for years for top-shelf Sony headphones and earbuds.
2. 1MORE SonoFlow Pro WIreless Noise-Canceling Headphones
At this gift-friendly price point, you’ll get a set of over-ear wireless headphones with a nicely understated design, good ergonomics, futureproof Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity, high-quality sound, robust noise cancellation, and outstanding battery life.
Sound-wise, the SonoFlow Pro performed like a pricier set of headphones during my testing. I was pleasantly surprised by the Hi-Res Audio-capable (wired and wireless) cans' balanced sound, which is customizable via their companion app. Depending on the content I played, I could bump up the bass, enhance the vocals, or add more clarity to the treble by choosing from available presets or creating my own.
The quality of the SonoFlow Pro’s noise cancellation is great for its price point, but it’s important to note that the headphones can’t block ambient noise as well as higher-end models. I like that the core functionality is available for both wired and wireless playback.
With up to an estimated 65 hours of audio playback with noise cancellation between charges, the SonoFlow Pro easily outperformed its pricier rivals. I spent an entire week using the headphones at work without the need to charge them. Switching the core feature off extends the product’s battery endurance to an even more astounding 100 hours between powerups.
You can order the 1More SonoFlow Pro in black or navy colors. The cans' retail package includes a hardshell storage case with a zipper closure.
3. Soundcore Space One Pro Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones
The Soundcore Space One Pro wireless headphones by Anker are the best and a great buy for value-seeking upgraders. Starting a penny below two Benjamins before additional deals and discounts, the over-ear cans impressed me with their sleek design, durable build, uncompromising comfort, price-defying sound quality, futureproof connectivity, and amazing battery life. Thanks to a unique folding setup, the cans are also the most compact and easiest to pack when you don’t use them.
Unlike many similarly priced rivals, the Space One Pro can deliver audiophile-grade lossless audio over a wired and wireless connection. As always, the Soundcore mobile app has an amazing selection of customization tools, including HearID 2.0—a cutting-edge feature that tailors the sound to your hearing.
The headphones’ noise cancellation is also stellar, if not quite on the same level as the silence provided by costlier Bose and Sony offerings. Its strength is adjustable via the app, and that’s a really impressive option to have in this price range.
Overall, the Space One Pro are the noise-canceling headphones to get unless you are willing to drop on a new set. The value-packed cans are available in black, white, or blue with a matte finish. Every color option comes with a matching storage pouch. Strangely, there’s no hardshell case in the box, even though Anker’s lower-priced Soundcore Space Q45 and other headphones come with one.
4. Sony ULT WEAR Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones
The ULT Wear wireless noise-canceling headphones — Sony’s latest addition to this highly contested product category — are among the best price can buy and a must-have for bass aficionados. Their low-key looks hide an audio powerhouse capable of delivering thunderous bass at the press of a button. Located on the left ear cup, the promptly branded ULT key offers two distinct levels for enhancing the bass, each accompanied by an audio prompt when you activate it.
Pressing the cans’ ULT button once clearly enhanced the bass while maintaining a balanced mid-range and crisp treble. Another press of the key delivered a sonic boom whose verve resembles the energy you’d experience while attending a music festival. Maxing out the ULT feature made bass-heavy tracks, action-packed movie scenes, and intense video game sequels more invigorating.
Thankfully, the Sony ULT Wear headphones are not a one-trick pony that’s all about the bass. Disabling their namesake feature gets you a harmonious sonic experience that’s customizable via the Sony Headphones app. The headset’s noise cancellation is also stellar, though its strength is not on par with that of costlier products.
I really like the toned-down design of the Sony ULT Wear headphones and their hardshell storage case because it masterfully hides their playful nature and functionality. You can order the headphones in black, white, or gray.
5. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones
If you’re seeking top-notch spatial audio and customizable noise cancellation, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra wireless headphones deserve a spot in your shopping cart. These headphones offer an immersive audio experience that stands out in today’s market.
I was particularly impressed by the multi-dimensional sound that the Bose QuietComfort Ultra delivers, especially while streaming my favorite live albums during testing. With proprietary technology known as Bose Immersive Audio, these headphones enhance any audio content, not just Dolby Atmos tracks, creating a lifelike listening experience at the touch of a button.
While the Bose QuietComfort Ultra has a shorter battery life compared to its Sony competitor, the investment is worthwhile for those who prioritize immersive sound.
One standout feature of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra is the ability to customize noise cancellation to fit various environments—be it work, commuting, or air travel. You can easily switch between different modes using a dedicated shortcut button, allowing for tailored listening experiences in any setting.
As expected from Bose, the QuietComfort Ultra headphones offer exceptional comfort and intuitive button controls. They are available in sleek colors, including black, sandstone, and white smoke, ensuring a stylish look alongside superior functionality.
6. Beats by Dre Studio Pro Wireless Headphones
The Beats Studio Pro noise-canceling headphones are an ideal choice for Apple users, offering seamless connectivity with iPhones, iPads, and Macs. They deliver immersive Dolby Atmos sound through personalized audio profiles created using the iPhone’s TrueDepth camera. With impressive audio quality, effective noise cancellation, and features like a digital-to-analog converter for lossless audio, they stand out in both performance and value. Available in multiple colors, the Studio Pro also works well with Android devices, making them a versatile option for anyone seeking premium sound without breaking the bank.
7. Focal Bathys Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones
The Focal Bathys wireless headphones are undeniably expensive but capable of delivering a high-fidelity sonic experience over a wired or Bluetooth connection worth investing in. The cans’ French-made audio drivers presented my go-to testing tracks with even more detail when I put them through their paces. These are the noise-canceling cans to get if you prioritize audio quality over everything else and have a big upgrade budget.
You can customize the headphones’ sound to your liking via a companion app with an elaborate selection of tools. The noise cancellation of the Bathys is also top-notch, but frankly, the sound quality should be the main reason you spend big on these headphones.
In a manner befitting their hefty price tag, the Focal Bathys headphones also have a striking design with a built-in light into each earcup and a decidedly luxurious build. The materials used in their making include aluminum, magnesium, and leather, ensuring the interactions with your headphones are as memorable as their sound. Every pair of Focal Bathys headphones comes bundled with a stylish storage case.
8. Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e over-ear wireless headphones combine elegance with quality, making them a reliable alternative to similarly priced Bose and Sony models. With a sophisticated design featuring leather, fabric, and metal, the Px7 S2e offers exceptional audio quality and superior button controls. While it delivers impressive stereo sound, it lacks the spatial audio capabilities and complete noise cancellation of its competitors. The headphones are available in several colors and come with a companion app for basic audio adjustments. Bowers & Wilkins also offers the premium Px8 model, and all headphones include a two-year warranty.
9. Sony WF-1000XM5 Wireless Noise-Canceling Earbuds
The Sony WF-1000XM5 wireless earbuds are the best in their class , just like the tech giant’s excellent headphones. A follow-up to a fantastic product that was a favorite of ours, the new iteration delivers incredible sound and noise cancellation you can customize via an app. The high-tech earphones have Sony’s super convenient speak-to-chat functionality, allowing them to pause audio playback and noise cancellation upon detecting your voice.
Compared to the excellent Sony WF-1000XM4 , the new version brings superior sound and stronger noise cancellation. Best of all, the WF-1000XM5 is smaller and comfier without sacrificing battery life. Believe it or not, the buds’ audio playback can reach 12 hours between charges if you turn off noise cancellation. Having the essential feature on will get you 8 hours’ worth of tunes—more than big-name rivals from Apple and Bose, among others.
Like the previous version, Sony offers the WF-1000XM5 earbuds in black or silver with contrasting gold accents. The earbuds storage case has a matching finish and wireless charging compatibility.