Best Noise-Canceling Headphones — Summary & Buying Guide (2025)
Whether you work in a noisy office, commute on a packed train, or need focus at home, a good pair of noise-canceling headphones can make all the difference. The best models block distractions while delivering strong sound and all-day comfort. Below is a concise guide to choosing ANC headphones, how we test them, top models, and where to find them.
How to choose
Design
Over-ear headphones are most effective for ANC because they fully cover your ears. Look for memory-foam ear cups, an adjustable headband, and lightweight materials if you’ll wear them for long sessions. Color and finish options are plentiful if aesthetics matter.
Type of noise cancellation
Hybrid ANC uses both internal and external microphones to cancel more noise at a steady level. Adaptive ANC adjusts cancellation dynamically to changing environments and performs better with wind. For top performance, look for hybrid or adaptive ANC systems.
Customization
Many headphones offer adjustable ANC levels or presets in companion apps. These let you balance noise blocking and battery life and sometimes fine-tune ANC for specific environments.
How we test
We test headphones by wearing them across a week or two while listening to music, podcasts, and making calls. Battery tests run with looping audio at a comfortable volume. For ANC testing, we use noisy locations (coffee shops, transit), simulate aircraft cabin noise with white-noise sources, and check performance against voices and wind. Companion apps and feature sets are also evaluated.
Top models (availability & Amazon search links)
- Apple AirPods Max — Available on Amazon: Search AirPods Max on Amazon
- Beats Studio Pro — Available on Amazon: Search Beats Studio Pro on Amazon
- Master & Dynamic MH40 (2nd gen) — Available on Amazon: Search MH40 (2nd gen) on Amazon
- Bowers & Wilkins Px8 — Available on Amazon: Search Px8 on Amazon
- Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 — Available on Amazon: Search Px7 S3 on Amazon
- Dyson On-Trac — Not found on Amazon / limited availability
- Sonos Ace — Not widely available on Amazon
- Sony ULT Wear — Not found in mainstream Amazon listings (Sony’s WH-1000XM series are common alternatives)
- Noble Audio FoKus Apollo — Not found on Amazon
FAQs
Does noise cancellation block all noise?
No — ANC reduces most ambient sounds significantly but doesn’t eliminate everything.
Wired vs wireless?
Sound differences are minimal when specs match; wireless adds convenience and mobility.
Does ANC affect sound quality?
ANC can slightly change tonal balance but often improves perceived detail by cutting ambient noise. Audiophiles may notice small fidelity differences with ANC enabled.
Notes
This summary is based on a review-style article originally appearing on Engadget (link removed per request). Amazon links provided are search queries with an affiliate tag. I cross-checked availability with recent listings; availability can change over time.
For a quick shop link: Search noise-canceling headphones on Amazon