The best noise-cancelling headphones in 2025

The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones aren't just our pick for best noise cancelling headphones — they're arguably the best pound-for-pound headphones in any given category right now, with superb tech and sound performance that matches up to audiophile standards.

In terms of the ANC, these deliver Sony's best ever performance — though they're not a major upgrade on the previous gen model in this range. The headphones use a impressive combination of tech — four microphones in each ear cup plus two processors and Auto NC Optimizer — to monitor your environment and external noise and adjust the sound accordingly.

They also have Adaptive Sound Control, a smart function that can learn your daily routine and adjust the ANC, such as pumping up up the noise cancelling levels on your commute or dialling it down when you're in the office.

If you need to stay engaged with people around you, switch on Speak-to-Chat feature, a feature that automatically pauses the music whenever you start up a conversation. Be warned, though: Speak-to-Chat is super sensitive and will stop music if you sing along to your tunes too loudly.

Other handy features include multipoint pairing, which allows you to connect them to multiple devices at once, plus ambient awareness mode, on-ear swipe controls, and voice assistant connectivity. If there's a quibble, it's that these don't fold away for easier portability, but it's a small problem, and one that's counter balanced by other hugely convenient features, such as fast charging and 40 hours of battery with the ANC switched off.

The Apple AirPods Max fit seamlessly into Apple’s roster of devices and combine superb performance and style. They're not just an evolution of the AirPods, but part of that ongoing evolution of Apple's entire range.

The AirPods Max have stunning sound, top performing ANC, and extra iOS features. The quality build means they’re much heavier, though you’d barely know it once they’re on. That's thanks to the efficiency of their construction. There are good colours options too, a rarity in many high-quality headphones. Elsewhere, it comes equipped with just two buttons — one for the ANC and a multi-functional dial for volume and playback options.

The battery life is a bit average at 20 hours. That's especially disappointing when compared to other headphones in a similar price range and spec. But they do go into an automatic low power mode when you put them in the carry case (the case doesn’t do a very good job of protecting the headset, though).

Don't get us wrong — the AirPods Max are ace. But they're definitely best suited to Apple users. Android users will find them an excellent pair of noise cancelling headphones, of course, but they’ll be missing out on certain features and paying a big price for the pleasure. But if you are an Apple user and you don't mind the price tag, these are arguably the best headphones around.

There's a reason that most of the headphones on this list come at a premium price: It takes high-end technology to deliver top-level ANC. But JBL, which has emerged as one of the most popular headphones brands, excels at the mid-level. That's why we're recommending the JBL Tune 770NC, a great example of JBL's low-cost, high-performance noise cancellation cans. 

The wireless JBL Tune 770NC headphones look the part, with a more premium design and hard-wearing plastic. Large, over-ear cups create a comfortable seal that blocks out external sound — even without the ANC switched on.

But let’s get to the important bit — performance. The sound is solid and packed with bass (some might even say too much, if you’re finicky about refined mids and highs). And the ANC is as good as it gets at this price, with True Adaptive Noise Cancelling tech and a Smart Ambient function to stay in tune with the outside world. Just push a button to activate the ANC or ambient modes.

On that note, the buttons on JBL headphones, which are located on the ear cups, can be slightly fiddly — they're not quite as intuitive as we’d like and all feel a bit similar — but you’ll soon feel your way around them. 

As for connectivity, they have multi-point pairing. Some reviewers have noted bugs when connecting the Bluetooth on JBL headphones, but this listener has never had a problem. And while JBL promises up to 65 hours of battery life, it's more like 40 hours with the ANC switched on.

The German-built Sennheiser is well known for building some of the most durable, best-sounding headphones on the market. Take, for instance, the Sennheiser Momentum 4, the most up-to-date iteration of the brand's signature headphone range.

The ANC itself is very good, with adaptive technology that reacts to external noise and adjusts the ANC levels in real time. There's a transparency mode that you can activate with a double tap on the ear cup. The ANC isn't quite as good as Sony's version but it's still very good. In addition to that high-end ANC, the sound quality is excellent. That comes as no surprise with Sennheiser. The family-run brand has been perfecting the art of audio for generations.

The sound comes courtesy of an "audiophile-inspired" 42mm transducer system. It comes with a built-in EQ, presets, and sound modes, though you can control the EQ levels within the Sennheiser Smart Control Plus app. There's also a Sound Personalization feature, which optimises the audio to the specifics of your individual hearing. That means tailor-made sound.

The real sweetener, as far as we're concerned, is the immense battery life of 60 hours — double what Sony is offering at this level. And while we're used to seeing battery performance depleted by using ANC, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 maintain 60 hours when you've got the ANC switched on. That's seriously impressive. And while they're not the most attractive headphones on this list, that's an issue of personal taste.

If headphones for you are more than just some audio tech to wrap around your head — a fashion accessory that makes a statement as well as delivering sound — the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2e are the pair for you. 

Style-wise, they're very high-end — a combo of contemporary and timeless in the framework and soft fabric finish. Slipping them on will be like proudly wearing a pair of box-fresh trainers. They’re comfortable too, with memory foam on the ear cups and headband, along with a nice selection of colours. Fortunately, the style is matched by audio quality.

These are actually an evolution of the regular Px7 S2 headphones — indeed, the “e” stands for evolved — and they take “learning and inspiration” from the more expensive Px8. But the reason we're here, of course, is noise cancellation. The PX7 S2e use “hybrid” noise cancellation technology, which means they have interior and exterior mics that seek out and cancel ambient noise. There's also a "passthrough" transparency mode for letting in ambient sounds, though there's no adaptive ANC like you find on other premium headphones.

The ear cups swivel flat but they don’t fold inwards for extra portability. You’re better off keeping these around your head and neck at all times. But they look way too good for that to be a problem. Other features include adjustable EQ settings and automatic pause when you take the headset off.  

The brilliance of Bose is no secret. Everyone knows about the audio brand. One of the reasons people rave about Bose is that its active noise cancellation is of such a high quality. Not to mention the fact that Bose pretty much invented the noise cancellation headphone category. And right now, the Bose headphones that most reviewers are raving about are the Bose QuietComfort Ultra.

These headphones have an ANC upgrade that makes these as good as any premium noise-cancelling cans available. They have three different ANC modes — Quiet (for regular noise cancellation), Aware (which lets in ambient noise), and Immersion (which combines ANC and Bose Immersive Audio). You can even create your own ANC modes in the Bose Music app, along with adjusting your EQ levels.

The Immersive Audio, which is Bose's name for spatial audio, is another bonus — essentially a 3D sound technology and one of the big buzz words in premium headphones right now. The QuietComfort Ultra also boast CustomTune technology, a clever feature that customises the sound by analysing your ears and tweaking the audio performance to suit their specific shape.

If there's a downside it's the battery, which is disappointing for this price. Bose promises 24 hours of juice but you can expect 18 hour with ANC usage. However, it doesn't need to be a dealbreaker. These headphones are so slick and feature-packed that we can just about overlook the need for regular charging.

Not everyone wants to spend hundreds of pounds on a pair of headphones. Indeed, if there's one thing thing that sounds sweeter than sharp audio with noise cancellation, it's a great bargain. And that's what you get with the Sony WH-CH720N, highly-rated headphones that deliver huge value.

What you get with these headphones is an overall solid performance — solid sound, solid noise cancellation, solid build — if not exceptional. You can rely on Sony, of course — the Japanese manufacturer does this stuff better than anyone — though there's obviously better audio and ANC available elsewhere. That's always the kicker when you're shopping at the budget level.

But these have some nice extras. You get multipoint pairing, which removes the hassle of switching between devices, plus the option to refine the sound and ANC in the Sony Sound Connect app settings.

They also pack more battery than you'll find on some of the more expensive models, and some reviewers report than they even exceed 35 hours with ANC on. Sony claims they last as long as 50 hours without ANC, too.

The ANC is powered by Dual Noise Sensor technology, with the option to customise the ambient sound across 20 different levels. You'll also find the on-ear control buttons pleasingly tactile — particularly in this age of fiddly swipe controls that always take some effort to master. Overall, these are excellent value headphones at an impressively low price.