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BEST NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES OF 2026

Updated
Updated
BEST OF THE BEST
Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony
WH-1000XM5
Top-tier Sound Quality
Offers unparalleled noise-cancelling performance paired with high-resolution audio quality, making it a top choice for audiophiles and frequent travelers.
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Pros & Cons
PROS
  • Exceptional noise-cancelling performance
  • High-resolution audio quality
  • Comfortable for long periods
CONS
  • Premium price point
  • Touch controls can be sensitive
BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK
Bose QuietComfort 45
Bose
QuietComfort 45
Superior Comfort Fit
Combines industry-leading noise cancellation with exceptional comfort, making it ideal for extended listening sessions and travel.
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Pros & Cons
PROS
  • Outstanding noise cancellation
  • Extremely comfortable
  • Quick charge feature
CONS
  • Higher price range
  • No customizable EQ settings
Apple AirPods Max
Apple
AirPods Max
Premium Build Quality
Apple AirPods Max deliver a premium audio experience with active noise cancellation and spatial audio, wrapped in a luxurious design.
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Pros & Cons
PROS
  • Premium sound quality
  • Luxurious and comfortable design
  • Seamless integration with Apple devices
CONS
  • Heavier than competitors
  • Expensive
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
Sennheiser
Momentum 4 Wireless
Crystal Clear Audio
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless headphones offer crystal clear audio with adaptive noise cancellation and a sleek design.
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Pros & Cons
PROS
  • Excellent sound quality
  • Adaptive noise cancellation
  • Long battery life
CONS
  • Touch controls can be finicky
  • Higher price range
Jabra Elite 85h
Jabra
Elite 85h
Best for Calls
Jabra Elite 85h headphones are ideal for calls with excellent noise cancellation and crystal-clear microphone quality.
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Pros & Cons
PROS
  • Superb call quality
  • Long battery life
  • Water-resistant design
CONS
  • Bulky design
  • No customizable EQ settings
BEST OF THE BEST
Sony WH-1000XM5
Top-tier Sound Quality
Driver size: 40mm
Battery life: Up to 30 hours
Weight: 254 grams
Wireless range: Up to 30 feet
Codec support: LDAC, AAC, SBC

The Sony WH-1000XM5 is the latest iteration in Sony’s acclaimed noise-cancelling headphone lineup. Featuring advanced noise-cancelling technology, these headphones effectively block out ambient sounds, allowing you to immerse yourself in your music or calls.

The sound quality is superb, with rich bass, clear mids, and crisp highs, thanks to the 40mm drivers and Sony’s proprietary LDAC codec, which supports high-resolution audio streaming. Additionally, the WH-1000XM5 comes with touch-sensitive controls, voice assistant integration, and an impressive battery life of up to 30 hours.

Comfort is also a key feature, with plush ear pads and a lightweight design that makes them suitable for extended use.

PROS
  • Exceptional noise-cancelling performance
  • High-resolution audio quality
  • Comfortable for long periods
CONS
  • Premium price point
  • Touch controls can be sensitive
BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK
Bose QuietComfort 45
Superior Comfort Fit
Driver size: 40mm
Battery life: Up to 24 hours
Weight: 240 grams
Wireless range: Up to 30 feet
Charging time: 2.5 hours

Bose has long been a leader in noise-cancelling technology, and the QuietComfort 45 is no exception. These headphones offer some of the best noise cancellation available, effectively muting outside noise so you can focus on your music, podcasts, or calls.

The sound quality is well-balanced, with deep bass and clear highs. One of the standout features is the exceptional comfort provided by the plush ear cushions and lightweight design, making them perfect for long listening sessions.

Additionally, the QuietComfort 45 comes with intuitive controls, a durable build, and a long battery life of up to 24 hours. They also support quick charging, giving you 3 hours of playback with just a 15-minute charge.

PROS
  • Outstanding noise cancellation
  • Extremely comfortable
  • Quick charge feature
CONS
  • Higher price range
  • No customizable EQ settings
Apple AirPods Max
Premium Build Quality
Driver size: 40mm custom-built
Battery life: Up to 20 hours
Weight: 385 grams
Wireless range: Up to 30 feet
Charging time: 2 hours

The Apple AirPods Max are designed to offer a premium listening experience, featuring high-fidelity audio and active noise cancellation. The over-ear headphones come with custom-built drivers that deliver deep bass, accurate midrange, and crisp high frequencies.

One of the standout features is spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, which provides a theater-like experience for movies and TV shows. The design is luxurious, with a stainless steel frame and memory foam ear cushions for a comfortable fit.

The headphones also support seamless integration with Apple devices, making them a great choice for iPhone users. The battery life is impressive, offering up to 20 hours of playback time with noise cancellation and spatial audio enabled.

They also come with a Smart Case that puts the headphones in an ultra-low-power state to preserve battery life.

PROS
  • Premium sound quality
  • Luxurious and comfortable design
  • Seamless integration with Apple devices
CONS
  • Heavier than competitors
  • Expensive
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
Crystal Clear Audio
Driver size: 42mm
Battery life: Up to 30 hours
Weight: 298 grams
Wireless range: Up to 30 feet
Charging time: 2 hours

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless headphones combine high-quality audio performance with adaptive noise cancellation, making them an excellent choice for discerning listeners. The headphones feature Sennheiser’s signature sound quality, with deep bass, natural mids, and detailed highs.

The adaptive noise cancellation adjusts to your surroundings, providing an immersive listening experience no matter where you are. The design is sleek and modern, with comfortable ear cushions and a foldable design for easy portability.

The Momentum 4 Wireless also includes intuitive touch controls, voice assistant support, and a long battery life of up to 30 hours. These headphones are built to last, with a durable construction and premium materials.

PROS
  • Excellent sound quality
  • Adaptive noise cancellation
  • Long battery life
CONS
  • Touch controls can be finicky
  • Higher price range
Jabra Elite 85h
Best for Calls
Driver size: 40mm
Battery life: Up to 36 hours
Weight: 296 grams
Wireless range: Up to 30 feet
Charging time: 2.5 hours

The Jabra Elite 85h headphones are designed with professionals in mind, offering excellent call quality and noise cancellation. These headphones feature Jabra’s SmartSound technology, which automatically adjusts the audio based on your environment.

The active noise cancellation effectively blocks out background noise, making them perfect for use in noisy environments. The eight-microphone system ensures that your voice is heard clearly during calls, even in windy or noisy conditions.

The sound quality is impressive, with rich bass and clear highs. The Elite 85h also boasts a long battery life of up to 36 hours with noise cancellation on, and quick charging capabilities provide 5 hours of playback with just a 15-minute charge.

The headphones are also water-resistant, making them durable enough for everyday use.

PROS
  • Superb call quality
  • Long battery life
  • Water-resistant design
CONS
  • Bulky design
  • No customizable EQ settings

How our picks compare

SpecificationSony WH-1000XM5Bose QuietComfort 45Apple AirPods MaxSennheiser Momentum 4 WirelessJabra Elite 85h
Driver size40mm40mm40mm custom-built42mm40mm
Battery lifeUp to 30 hoursUp to 24 hoursUp to 20 hoursUp to 30 hoursUp to 36 hours
Weight254 grams240 grams385 grams298 grams296 grams
Wireless rangeUp to 30 feetUp to 30 feetUp to 30 feetUp to 30 feetUp to 30 feet
Codec supportLDAC, AAC, SBC----
Charging time-2.5 hours2 hours2 hours2.5 hours