Gadgets
The best noise-canceling headphones (2023)
Serious about your headphones? Noise-canceling is the way to go.
Active noise cancellation (ANC) technology is an important feature that helps cut down on background noise.
If you are in the market for ANC headphones, we’ll show you some of the best noise-canceling headphones available below.
ANC technology has been around for ages, but recent improvements have made it better and cheaper than ever.
The technology is perfect for traveling, office work, or tuning out the sound of your A/C during the summer.
Not every pair of ANC headphones will perform the same. More expensive options are more likely to have better-performing ANC.
That’s not always a hard rule, as some of the more affordable sets are also capable contenders. We’ll break it all down below.
Here are some of the best noise-canceling headphones to choose from
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Headset
For the gamers out there, SteelSeries is a brand that continuously delivers solid peripherals, including headsets.
The Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is the company’s premium gaming headset. It’s versatile with its ability to play across platforms and connects to multiple devices at once via Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless.
It offers great sound and a premium build quality that’s lightweight and comfortable during those long gaming sessions.
And with its active noise canceling, you can game in peace without having to worry about any outside interruptions. We loved the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless when we reviewed them in 2022.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Headset
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro wireless headset is the perfect headset for gamers playing across multiple platforms. It offers the familiar, premium sound quality from SteelSeries with features that aim to elevate your gaming experience.
- This is a perfect headset for gamers looking to upgrade their gaming setup. And it's great if you play games on both a computer and console.
- Great sound quality with active noise canceling or ambient transparency modes
- Wireless base station allows you to connect and manage the device seamlessly
- Incredibly comfortable and lightweight build
- A little more expensive than your average gaming headset
Monoprice Monolith M1000ANC Bluetooth Headphones
Monoprice offers a relatively affordable pair of headphones with active noise canceling. The Monoprice Monolith M1000ANC headphones offer good noise canceling for a fraction of the price of some competitors.
The M1000ANC headphones offer a slew of features, including touch controls, ANC and ambient sound mode, spatial audio, and more.
They have a massive 60 hours battery life to keep you listening for days at a time. They come with Bluetooth 5.0, making it easy to connect the headphones to just about any device.
The one downside to these headphones is that they’re not as loud as other options. If you’re someone who likes to listen to music full blast, they might not be the best option for you.
Monolith M1000ANC Bluetooth Headphones
- These headphones are great for someone looking for tons of features packed in to a relatively affordable package. The 60-hour battery life makes them a great option for people constantly on the go.
- The lightweight design is comfortable for long listening sessions
- Packed with features like ANC, touch controls, spatial audio, and more
- 60-hour battery life is incredibly impressive
- They're not as loud as some other headphones
EPOS H3Pro Hybrid headset
Another option for gamers that we loved is the EPOS H3Pro Hybrid headset. EPOS is a brand known for premium sound, and the H3Pro Hybrid is no different.
It features a detachable magnetic microphone to quickly go from a gaming headset to a sleek pair of headphones. And its active noise canceling helps you immerse in whatever you’re listening to.
The H3Pro Hybrid has dual connection capabilities with a dedicated 2.4 GHz dongle and Bluetooth connection.
That lets you listen to two different sources at the same time, making this an incredibly versatile headset. Check out our full review for more information.
EPOS H3PRO Hybrid Wireless Headset
The H3Pro Hybrid is a wireless gaming headset with impressive active noise canceling. It features multi-device connectivity and a detachable mic to turn it into a nice pair of headphones.
- This headset is perfect for gamers looking for great sound and active noise canceling. And the versatile detachable mic turns the headset into a sleek pair of headphones.
- Detachable mic turns the headset into a sleek pair of headphones with ease
- Multi-device connection lets you listen to two different things at once
- Incredibly comfortable design for long gaming sessions
- They lack the color options that you can find in other EPOS products
Avantree Aria Me Noise-Canceling Headphones
If you’re looking for a mid-level solution that isn’t going to hurt your bank account, we highly suggest considering this option from Avantree.
At the time of writing this, these headphones boast a nearly perfect rating on Amazon. And after testing these, I can see why.
When it comes to creating the perfect audio profile, most headphones don’t give you the option to customize what comes through the speakers.
In Avantree’s case, you have complete control of everything. Download the Avantree Audio app, and in seconds you have the option to calibrate the headphone’s audio to your liking.
But that’s just the beginning. With these headphones, you get high-definition quality, active noise canceling, complete comfort, and an overall pleasant listening experience. By the way, you get all this for under $150.
Avantree Aria Me Noise Canceling Headphones
The Avantree Aria Me noise-canceling headphones They're equipped with Bluetooth 5.0 and aptX low latency audio for less lag when listening. Plus, they have an included microphone for hand-free calls.
- Anyone looking for high-quality headphones with active noise canceling that won't break the bank. They're great for watching TV, thanks to the aptX low-latency connection.
- Really affordable for headphones with active noise canceling
- Great for watching TV
- Customizable for hearing loss compensation in each ear
- They don't provide the same level of noise canceling as some higher-end headphones
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
We loved the original PX7 at release in 2020, and now the company has released a second version. The PX7 S2 headphones maintain some of the best looks in the business with all that woven fabric covering.
Light, comfortable fit thanks to the carbon fiber arms. Up to 30 hours of battery life on a full charge and 7 hours with just 15 minutes of charging. Tack sharp sound, tack sharp looks, what’s not to like?
You also get some premium features, like sensors on the earcups that will pause your tunes if you lift one off your ear.
You can use Bluetooth, USB-C, or 3.5mm aux for connecting to your devices, although the mic won’t work without Bluetooth connected.
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Over-Ear Headphones
The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a lightweight set of wireless headphones with Bluetooth, USB, and 3.5mm audio connections. They have long battery life for up to 30 hours on a single charge and a lightweight frame for comfortable, long-term use.
- This is a high-end set of headphones great for audiophiles and music lovers. Their customization is great for those looking to dial in the perfect sound.
- Excellent sound with high-quality drivers and audio processing
- Comfortable, lightweight design with soft leather earpads and lightweight polymer arms
- Advanced features like ambient noise pass-through mode and touch controls
- Some users noticed sound leakage, which could be an issue when listening in quiet places
Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless Headphones
When it comes to audio quality, Bose will always be one of the most mentioned brands, so it’s not surprising to see the Bose QuietComfort 45 wireless headphones high up in the charts.
These headphones are a bit pricey, but you’re paying for a remarkable value.
The QuietComfort 45 can put all other noise-canceling headphones to shame. These headphones have three active noise-canceling levels that can be used for different purposes.
Whether you’re gaming, listening to your favorite music, or editing audio, you will surely benefit from the multi-level noise-canceling functionality these headphones have to offer.
Bose QuietComfort 45 Bluetooth Headphones
Bose's QuietComfort 45 wireless headphones offer industry-leading active noise canceling. They drown out even the most persistent background noises and offer clean sound with a comfortable design for those long listening sessions.
- These are great for anyone who needs to block outside noise. They have high-quality sound which is ideal for music lovers and would even be good for gaming thanks to the low-latency Bluetooth connection.
- Excellent noise canceling for blocking out even the most persistent background noises
- Several cool features like voice control, customizable buttons, and more
- Comfortable design with lightweight frame and soft ear cushions
- No software equalizer so it's tougher to dial in the perfect sound across frequencies
Skullcandy Hesh ANC
Skullcandy has long been a favorite around the office, with a price-to-performance ratio that’s hard to beat.
The Hesh ANC’s sweet looks come with large, comfortable earcups, 22 hours of battery life, and ambient mode so you can hear what’s going on.
40mm drivers pump out the bass, four microphones power the active noise cancellation, and you get one feature we’ve not seen anywhere else – built-in Tile tracking.
Skullcandy Hesh ANC Headphones
Skullcandy's Hesh ANC headphones offer a sleek and stylish pair of affordable headphones. They have 22 hours of battery life and 40mm drivers for a bass-heavy soundstage with active noise canceling.
- Time-Proven Sound Quality: Powered by 40mm drivers, the Hesh ANC delivers high-quality audio with impressive bass and exceptional acoustics.
- Impressive Battery Life: Enjoy up to 22 hours of battery life with active noise cancellation for uninterrupted listening.
- Advanced Noise Cancellation: Experience top-notch noise cancellation with the 4 Mic digital technology for a distraction-free audio experience.
- Comfortable and Portable: The Hesh ANC features a comfortable fit with a soft headband and plush cushion ear pads. It is also foldable for easy portability.
- Convenient Tracking with Tile: Never lose your headphones with built-in Tile technology. Use the Tile app to locate your headphones effortlessly.
Beats Studio3
The latest pair of Beats Studio over-ear headphones are an absolute powerhouse of performance.
Featuring Apple’s W1 chip for the best connectivity and sound when used with Apple devices, they deserve a listen.
With up to 22 hours of battery life, Siri compatibility, spatial audio, and adaptive noise canceling, they’re the whole package. And Android users still get most of the same performance thanks to BlueTooth 5.0.
Finally, the Beats Studio headphones include a hard case, allowing them to go basically anywhere.
Beats Studio3 Wireless Headphones
The latest Beats Studio3 headphones offer great performance and features. With adaptive active noise canceling, Siri compatibility, and spatial audio, they're one of the best ANC headphones options on the market today.
- These are great for anyone looking for great sound with a bass-heavy sound and active noise canceling. They're also some of the most stylish headphones available.
- Strong adaptive noise canceling to block out stubborn background noise
- Fast charging gives you up to 3 hours of battery in just 10 minutes
- Comfortable earcups and headband for listening for long periods of time
- Slightly heavier and bulkier than average headphones
Sony WH-1000XM4
Before I dive into the specs, I’d like to point out that at the time of writing, over 36,000 people reviewed these on Amazon, 83% of which gave them five stars. That’s a ridiculous number of positive reviews.
Maybe that shouldn’t be a shock. These feature the best ANC on the market, as they’ve leapfrogged Bose again.
Bassheads will love the XM4s, as will anyone who wants the best quality that Bluetooth can supply via LDAC.
One reviewer on Amazon had a handy tip: use the Sony app to apply a 3 or 4dB cut to the 400 Hz band. Your ears will thank you.
Sony WH-1000XM4 Headphones
Sony's WH-1000XM4 are some of the best premium headphones on the market today. They offer best-in-class active noise canceling and an amazing, bass-heavy soundstage. With a 30-hour battery life, touch sensor controls, and superior call quality microphones, these are truly premium Bluetooth headphones.
- These headphones are great for audiophiles who are looking to drown out as much background noise as possible. They're also good for anyone on the go, thanks to the 30-hour battery life.
- Best-in-class active noise canceling for ultimate peace when you're listening
- Big battery for up to 30 hours of playback on a single charge
- Comfortable, lightweight design for long-lasting comfort
- Premium options and features come with a premium price tag
Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700
The second pair of Bose headphones on this list, the 700’s are sleek, stylish, and superpowered. They feature Bose’s awesome active noise canceling.
With that, you get 11 levels of noise canceling, enough for any environment or your personal preferences. And even with ANC powering away external noise, you still get deep, full bass and crisp detailed sound.
Other specs include a microphone array to cut background noise or wind when you’re on calls and easy access to voice assistants so you can stay in the moment.
Bose 700 Noise Canceling Bluetooth Headphones
The Bose 700 headphones offer Bose's signature premium sound with deep, full bass. You can control them with your Alexa or Google Assistant voice assistants or touch controls, and they integrate perfectly with iOS devices and Spotify.
- These are great if your looking for top-tier noise canceling alongside premium sound quality across different genres of music. They also great voice pickup for Bluetooth phone calls.
- Top-tier customizable noise canceling for blocking out background noise
- Voice assistant integration for control with Alexa or Google Assistant
- Comfortable fit with lightweight design
- More expensive than your average pair of ANC Bluetooth headphones
Soundcore by Anker Space Q45 Headphones
Anker’s previous Soundcore models were on this list, and the latest Q45 is also deservedly here. Amazon reviewers love it, and it’s not hard to see why.
You get stylish headphones with memory foam padded earcups, for all-day comfort. Add custom silk-diaphragm drivers for accurate music reproduction and multi-mode noise canceling using two microphones on each earcup.
Then you get LDAC, the most detailed of all the Bluetooth codecs, to feed quality music to those drivers. Rounding out the ensemble are beamforming microphones for clear, crisp voice calls.
Plus, you get all of that for a relatively affordable price.
Soundcore by Anker Space Q45 Headphones
Anker's Soundcore Space Q45 headphones offer good active noise canceling at an affordable price. They come with incredibly long battery life and a foldable design that makes them easy to transport and store.
- These are a good choice for people looking for good sound quality and active noise canceling at a relatively affordable price. And the long battery life makes them a good option for people always on the go.
- Good sound quality paired with good active noise canceling
- Amazing battery life for up to 50 hours of playback with ANC
- Lightweight, comfortable fit for all-day listening
- No built-in voice assistant or touch controls, just basic physical buttons
Atune Analog Bluetooth Wireless Headphones
The Atune Analog wireless headphones are designed for five-star-level comfort. They’re a step up from basic noise-canceling headphones without the extra cost.
At first glance, you may think that the Atune Analog is just another run-of-the-mill commercial headphone, but first impressions can be deceiving! The thick and ergonomic earpads will keep you relaxed and focused.
Audio-wise, the Atune Analog doesn’t fall behind. These headphones have Hi-Fi surround-sound capability and deep bass reproduction – best for gaming and jamming!
Atune Analog Wireless Headphones
The Atune Analog wireless headphones are a relatively affordable pair of headphones with active noise canceling. They feature a comfortable design with a lightweight build and soft earcups that are ideal for long periods of listening.
- These headphones are ideal for those on a strict budget but still looking for wireless headphones with ANC. They also feature a built-in microphone that's great for professionals working in loud environments.
- Comfortable design with thick, soft earpads and lightweight build
- Affordable price offering ANC much cheaper than most headphones
- Good sound quality with 45mm drivers and Hi-Fi surround sound
- No ambient sound mode to let in external sounds
Conclusion
Finding the best noise-canceling headphones of the year can be difficult. Now, though, you can mull over and choose from the top choices presented in this list. All these options are the highest rated by Amazon shoppers.
However, don’t limit yourself: pick headphones that can be used for all types of purposes like gaming, listening to music, and analyzing audio. Headphones that offer added versatility are excellent choices!
Editors’ Recommendations:
- The best gaming keyboards (2023)
- The best wireless earbuds (2023)
- Review: Meze 99 Neo – a more affordable option from Meze
- The best cleaning gadgets for your home
Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. Click here for more.
Follow us on Flipboard, Google News, or Apple News
Buying Guide
The best wireless earbuds (2023)
Buying Guide
Here are the best STEM toys on the market today
Powerful ideas in 15 minutes
Join now and start upleveling your small talk game. Get access to over 5,000 book titles alongside 20 million other readers.
Trusted by 80,000+ businesses globally.
Elevate your scheduling with Calendar.com, your ultimate team tool. Create custom time slots, share your unique link, and let contacts book meetings with ease.
Turn your Airtable or Google Sheets into modern business tools you need.
Softr lets you stop waiting for developers. Build software without devs. Blazingly fast. Trusted by 100,000+ teams worldwide. Stop waiting for developers..
Learn AI in 5 Minutes a Day
We'll teach you how to save time and earn more with AI. Join 70,000+ free daily readers for trending tools, productivity-boosting prompts, the latest news, and more.
