I remember sitting in a media briefing for Bose's QC3 headphones back in 2006. At a fancy hotel in the Sydney CBD, the Bose team played the sound of an aircraft from some Bose speakers – quite loudly – then got us to put on the QC3 on-ear headphones.
The difference was remarkable, and kickstarted my long-lasting love affair with noise-cancelling headphones.
Now, almost 20 years later, noise cancelling is at a whole, other level. Today's best noise cancelling headphones not only remove external sounds, but do it wirelessly.
I've tested 12 pairs of noise cancelling headphones and earbuds since I started BTTR, and probably a couple of dozen more before that.
Right now, I have a very clear favourite when it comes to noise cancelling headphones.
It's not going to be the best pick for everybody, so I've also suggested some other excellent pairs of noise-cancelling headphones. I've also got a comprehensive buying guide on what to look for when you're buying a new pair of noise-cancelling headphones if that's helpful for your buying journey.
What do you think? Are these the best noise-cancelling headphones? Let me know in the comments below!
The best noise cancelling headphones I've tested
Sony WH-1000XM6
I expected big things from the Sony WH-1000 XM6 before I took them out of the box, but even so I wasn't expecting to be quite so impressed.
The noise cancellation on these headphones is incredible. During my review, I found myself sitting on the foreshore at Circular Quay in Sydney, about 20 metres from a busker playing the violin. With my music playing about mid-volume, I couldn't hear her playing at all.
Closer to home, I used the XM6 several times while cooking. Even with my rangehood cranked to full power – which is so loud I can't hold a conversation with anyone else in the house if I'm standing next to it – I couldn't actually hear it on while I was wearing these headphones.
But the flipside of noise cancellation is transparency mode, and Sony nails this too. With a press of a button, you can suddenly hear a clearer version of your surroundings.
With the volume up, it can still be hard to hear people talking to you, but Sony solves for that as well. With a setting in the app, you can have the headphones dial down your music volume almost entirely when it detects you speaking.
That setting isn't perfect – sometimes it muted my music when it thought I was talking but wasn't. But it was right most of the time, which made it very useful.
Couple the God-tier noise cancellation with some exceptionally well-balanced audio, and these headphones are (in my experience at least) impossible to beat.
You do have to pay for the privilege though. At $699.95 RRP, the WH-1000 XM6 are not cheap.
But I still think, based on performance alone, they are exceptional value for money.
Nick Broughall
For the home theatre lover: Sonos Ace
While Sonos's first pair of headphones didn't really match the expectations of the market thanks to a somewhat broken app update, these are still some of my favourite headphones.
And what makes them truly special is the connection they have with Sonos soundbars.
With a single long press of a button, the Ace headphones will transfer whatever sound is coming from a partnered Sonos Soundbar. Even better, it will then give you a Dolby Atmos surround experience for one, letting you immerse yourself in the atmospheric audio environment of the film, TV show or game you are enjoying.
Switch on the superb noise cancellation features while you do this and suddenly you are living in the entertainment.
Since I reviewed the Sonos Ace, there has even been an update that lets you connect two pairs of the headphones to a single soundbar, so you and your partner can enjoy immersive surround sound entertainment quietly, without disturbing the rest of the house.
The support for head tracking spatial audio is one of the key areas the Sonos outperforms the Sony WH-1000 XM6. Don't get me wrong, I think Sony has the edge in terms of noise cancellation, but Sonos' headphones are an incredible offering if you also have a Sonos soundbar in your living room.
Nick Broughall
For those in the Apple ecosystem: AirPods Max
I don't think any other headphones I've tested come close to the premium build quality of the Apple AirPods Max.
With its aluminium earcups and stylish colour options, these are a premium pair of headphones.
It's not just for show, either. The AirPods Max sound fantastic, with well balanced sound and support for spatial audio playback in Apple Music.
The noise cancellation is among the best available, with even more impressive transparency modes.
But they can get uncomfortable – there's a pretty significant clamping pressure, and if you wear glasses, then you will definitely feel them pressing into your temples.
Nick Broughall
For those who prefer in-ear: Apple AirPods 4
Noise-cancelling typically works better with over-ear headphones, but you can also get pretty good in-ear noise cancelling earbuds.
When the AirPods 4 launched last year in two different versions: one with ANC and one without, I was skeptical the ANC version would deliver.
But I'm glad I was wrong. The AirPods 4 have an open design, which makes noise cancellation tricky. The AirPods 4 somehow manage to deliver robust noise cancellation, without jamming your earholes with a special tip.
I admit, though, that there are likely going to be better noise-cancelling earbuds on the market. But among the models I've tested over the past couple of years, the AirPods 4 have been my favourite.
Nick Broughall
How I chose the best noise cancelling headphones
I've reviewed a lot of headphones in my 20+ career as a technology writer and journalist. It's hard to put my finger on an exact number, but easily more than 50, probably more than 100.
In that time, I've realised that there's no single "best" product for anything. Individual tastes and opinions matter.
So this guide is purely based on my personal opinions and hands on experience with headphones. I've tested a whole heap of models for BTTR, so you know that this guide is based on documented experience, not just what I think you want to read.
Headphones I've reviewed at BTTR for this guide
What to look for when choosing the best noise cancelling headphones
Whether you're after one of the models listed above or something completely different, the decision factors you need to consider when buying noise cancelling headphones is the same.
The noise cancellation
If noise cancellation is important to you, then understanding it is the most important purchase decision.
You need to understand the difference between active noise cancellation (sometimes referred to as ANC) and passive noise cancellation (sometimes called noise isolating).
Passive noise cancellation is when the headphones' design and materials to block out noise through a tight fit and naturally sound-resistant materials.
Active noise cancellation is where the headphones use a microphone, a special processor and software to actively counter the incoming noise.
When we talk about noise cancelling headphones, we are referring to the active type. But you should always make sure that's what's on offer when shopping around.
Comfort
There are three main types of headphone design: in-ear, on-ear or over-ear.
Noise cancellation models are available in all three varieties, so it's important to understand which type you find most comfortable when deciding which model to buy.
If you are planning a long-haul flight and want to wash away ambient noise for 24 hours, then you need to know your ears aren't going to start hurting an hour after takeoff.
Sound quality
There's no point blocking out all outside sound if the quality you are listening to isn't any good.
Generally speaking, the audio quality from recognised brands is pretty high, so this shouldn't be too much of an issue. Unless you're shopping in the extremely cheap sections of the Internet ,buying brands nobody has really heard of before.
Battery life
Most noise cancelling headphones offer wireless functionality, and that means you need to think about battery life.
ANC can make a big difference to how long you can listen to music for. If you expect to leave it on all the time, make sure you won't end up with no sound at all when the juice does run out.
Features and functions
Noise cancelling headphones typically have their own set of features to look out for, particular at the premium end of town.
Consider the ability to passthrough outside audio on demand, or even set different levels for different situations (like maximum ANC on the train, but low cancellation while walking so you can hear the cars driving past).
Also consider a fallback to use a cable and headphone jack in case the battery dies – this is crucial on long-haul flights.
Price
As with anything, price is a key component. The best noise cancelling headphones are expensive, so make sure you understand your budget before purchasing anything.
Join readers supporting BTTR! One-time tip or monthly subscription - you choose how to fuel independent reviews.
