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Best noise cancelling headphones.
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142 expert reviews and 5,372 comments from owners, researched, analyzed and cross-checked. No lab, no sponsors, no paid placement. Updated October 2026.
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- 01
EXPOWNREL82Apple AirPods Pro 3
Superb noise blocking and comfort, best enjoyed with an iPhone
- 02
EXPOWNREL81Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Best-in-class quiet in a bulky earbud with only average battery life
- 03
EXPOWNREL79Bose QuietComfort Headphones
Supremely comfortable everyday quiet, but calls and battery lag behind
- 04
EXPOWNREL79Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro
Excellent sound and quiet, at their best with a Samsung phone
- 05
EXPOWNREL79Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
Superb battery and comfort, rich sound, but noise cancelling isn't class-best
- 06
EXPOWNREL79Sony WF-1000XM5
Superb sound and strong quiet, as long as they fit you
- 07
EXPOWNREL79Soundcore Sleep A30
Tiny, comfortable sleep earbuds that quiet snoring well, but pricey
- 08
EXPOWNREL78Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
Superb noise blocking and all-day comfort, at a premium price
- 09
EXPOWNREL78Sony WH-1000XM6
Superb noise cancelling and rich sound, with a snug fit and premium price
- 10
EXPOWNREL75Sony WH-1000XM5
Superb noise cancelling and sound, with comfort and durability caveats
- 11
EXPOWNREL73Apple AirPods Max
Superb sound and quiet for Apple fans, if you can handle the weight
- 12
EXPOWNREL68Sonos Ace
Supremely comfortable, strong noise cancelling, with some software quirks
- 13
EXPOWNREL65Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro
Strong noise cancelling and loads of features, but durability worries
If you only read one thing
For most homes, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 is the one to beat: it suits you if you use an iPhone and other Apple devices. If you want the least hassle over the years, look at the Sony WF-1000XM5. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless is the one people are happiest living with.
We researched 142 expert reviews, analyzed 5,372 owner ratings and comments across 30 sources for 13 noise cancelling headphones, and cross-checked them into one verdict, so you don't have to.
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3 models · avg 79
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Questions people actually ask
What is the best noise cancelling headphones?
The Apple AirPods Pro 3, for most homes. It suits you if you use an iPhone and other Apple devices.
Based on: Highest score of the 13 noise cancelling headphones we rank.What is the best noise cancelling headphones for flying?
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless. It suits you if you want long listening sessions and rarely want to think about charging.
Based on: Top of our best noise cancelling headphones for flying ranking (79 for this need).What is the best noise cancelling headphones for sensory overload?
The Apple AirPods Pro 3. It is also our top pick overall.
Based on: Top of our best noise cancelling headphones for sensory overload and misophonia ranking (68 for this need).What is the best noise cancelling headphones for sleep?
The Bose QuietComfort Headphones. It suits you if you want headphones comfortable enough to forget you're wearing them.
Based on: Top of our best noise cancelling headphones for sleeping ranking (83 for this need).What is the most reliable noise cancelling headphones?
The Sony WF-1000XM5. It's the least likely to give you trouble.
Based on: Reliability 81; problems mentioned by 8% of owners.Which noise cancelling headphones are people happiest with?
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless. People who live with it are the most satisfied.
Based on: Owners score 85, from ratings and comments.How much should I spend on a noise cancelling headphones?
The top-rated ones start around $179 and go up to about $299. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 is the lowest-priced of the leaders.
Based on: US prices quoted in expert reviews and at Amazon.com for the six highest-scoring models.