10 Best Noise-Canceling Headphones of 2023

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Finding moments of peace and quiet can be challenging in a world filled with noise and distractions. That’s where noise-canceling headphones come in, offering a way to escape the chaos and enjoy uninterrupted audio. But with so many options out there, finding the right pair that suits your needs can be difficult.

Don’t worry; we’re here to help. In this article, we’ve handpicked the 10 best noise-canceling headphones available today, making your search a whole lot easier. Whether you need them for work, travel, or to relax, we’ve got you covered. Our in-depth guide on how noise-canceling headphones work breaks down everything you want to know about the noise-reduction technology.

We understand that choosing the perfect noise-canceling headphones involves considering things like sound quality, comfort, battery life, and price. That’s why we’ve done the research for you, so you can make an informed decision without the hassle. Get ready to find your perfect pair as we uncover the 10 best noise-canceling headphones that cater to your unique preferences.

Best Noise-Canceling Headphones

Here are the best noise-canceling headphones available right now:

Bose QuietComFort 45

Bose QuietComFort 45

  • 9.9 Comfort
  • 9.9 Noise Reduction
  • 9.9 Battery Duration

The Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones are a remarkable choice for those seeking an immersive and tranquil audio experience. Read our Bose QuietComfort 35 II review. Bose world-class noise-canceling technology successfully eliminates outside noise and enables complete immersion in your music or calls.

The headphones deliver exceptional sound quality with rich, well-balanced audio reproduction across the frequency range. Thanks to their plush earcups and lightweight design, they are incredibly comfortable to wear, ensuring long listening sessions without discomfort.

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Pros

  • Excellent noise-canceling performance
  • Comfortable fit and secure in-ear design
  • Impressive sound quality
  • Good battery life

Cons

  • Expensive compared to some competitors
  • Limited customization options
  • No wireless charging case
Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony WH-1000XM5

  • 9.8 Comfort
  • 9.9 Noise Reduction
  • 9.8 Battery Duration

The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones offer outstanding audio quality and impressive noise cancellation. With a balanced soundstage and rich detail, they provide an immersive listening experience. Thanks to its auto noise cancellation optimizer, the headphones block out external distractions, creating a captivating experience that lets you fully engage with your audio.

The headphones also boast a long battery life of up to 30 hours, a comfortable design, and intuitive touch controls, making them a top choice for those seeking excellent sound and noise cancellation in a stylish package. Read full review.

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Pros

  • Excellent noise cancellation
  • Outstanding audio performance
  • Bluetooth multipoint
  • Very long battery life
  • Smart ambient features

Cons

  • New design doesn’t fold
  • Bulky carrying case
  • Pricier than previous model
  • Not waterproof
Apple AirPods Max

Apple AirPods Max

  • 9.7 Comfort
  • 9.9 Noise Reduction
  • 9.8 Battery Duration

The Apple AirPods Max is a luxurious and high-quality option for audio enthusiasts. With their sleek design, premium build quality, and exceptional sound performance, these over-ear headphones offer an immersive listening experience. The active noise cancellation mode is superb, blocking out ambient noise and allowing you to focus on your music.

The AirPods Max also features spatial audio technology, creating a realistic and enveloping audio environment. The headphones integrate seamlessly with Apple devices, providing effortless pairing and convenient controls.

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Pros

  • Impressive sound quality with a wide soundstage
  • Excellent active noise cancellation performance
  • Premium build quality and stylish design
  • Intuitive integration with Apple devices
  • Spatial audio feature provides an immersive experience

Cons

  • Expensive compared to most other headphones
  • Heavy and bulky design can be uncomfortable for extended use
  • Limited compatibility with non-Apple devices
  • Lacks customization options
  • No physical power button

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

  • 9.8 Comfort
  • 9.8 Noise Reduction
  • 9.8 Battery Duration

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless headphones offer a premium audio experience in a sleek and stylish package. The adaptive noise-canceling feature is exceptional, effectively eliminating external distractions and providing a truly immersive soundstage.

The headphones deliver impressive sound quality with rich, detailed audio reproduction, delivering deep bass and clear highs. The Momentum 4 Wireless boasts an impressive battery life, allowing for extended listening sessions, and the comfortable fit ensures a pleasurable experience even during extended periods of use.

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Pros

  • Excellent sound quality with detailed and balanced audio
  • Adaptive noise cancellation works well
  • Comfortable fit with plush ear cushions
  • Premium build quality and stylish design
  • Long battery life

Cons

  • Expensive compared to some other options
  • Bulky design may not be suitable for everyone
  • Limited touch controls compared to some competitors
  • Lacks advanced features like multipoint pairing
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700

Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700

  • 9.8 Comfort
  • 9.8 Noise Reduction
  • 9.7 Battery Duration

The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 offer an exceptional combination of noise cancellation technology, sleek design, and impressive audio performance. You can completely personalize your environment thanks to its 11 levels of noise cancellation.

The headphones provide a well-balanced sound signature with clear vocals and rich bass, ensuring an enjoyable listening experience across various genres. The 700s feature a modern and minimalist design, along with intuitive touch controls and customizable sound options through the Bose Music app.

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Pros

  • Outstanding noise cancellation technology
  • Clear and balanced sound quality
  • Sleek and modern design
  • Intuitive touch controls and customizable settings through the app
  • Good call quality with adaptive microphones

Cons

  • Relatively high price point
  • Some users may find the headband to be less comfortable
  • Battery life could be better
  • Limited compatibility with non-Bose audio codecs

Anker Soundcore Space Q45

  • 9.7 Comfort
  • 9.7 Noise Reduction
  • 9.8 Battery Duration

The Anker Soundcore Space Q45 headphones provide excellent value for those looking for a budget-friendly option without compromising performance. The sound quality is surprisingly good, with clear and balanced audio reproduction across various genres.

The noise-canceling feature is effective in reducing ambient noise, allowing for a more immersive audio experience. The Q45 headphones offer a comfortable fit with an adjustable headband and soft ear cushions, making them suitable for extended listening sessions.

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Pros

  • Affordable price with good value for money
  • Decent sound quality with deep bass
  • Effective noise cancellation for the price range
  • Comfortable fit and lightweight design
  • Long battery life

Cons

  • Build quality feels less premium
  • ANC performance may not be as effective as higher-end options
  • Limited customization options and features
  • Bluetooth range could be improved
  • Less established brand compared to others

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2

  • 9.7 Comfort
  • 9.8 Noise Reduction
  • 9.8 Battery Duration

The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 deliver an exceptional listening experience in a compact and wireless form factor. These earbuds excel in noise cancellation, effectively blocking external distractions and allowing you to fully engage with your music or calls.

The sound quality is impressive, providing rich, detailed audio with deep bass and clear highs. The earbuds offer a comfortable fit with multiple ear tip options and a secure in-ear design, ensuring a snug and personalized fit.

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Pros

  • Excellent noise cancellation in a truly wireless earbud form
  • Clear and detailed sound quality
  • Comfortable and secure fit
  • Intuitive touch controls and customizable settings through the app
  • Good battery life

Cons

  • Higher price compared to some competitors
  • Bulky design may not be suitable for everyone
  • Lack of advanced features like multipoint pairing
  • Limited water resistance compared to some other earbuds
  • Some users may experience connectivity issues

Apple AirPods Pro 2

  • 9.8 Comfort
  • 9.8 Noise Reduction
  • 9.8 Battery Duration

The Apple AirPods Pro 2 is an excellent upgrade to its predecessor. It offers a seamless blend of convenience, impressive audio quality, and advanced features. The sound quality is top-notch, delivering rich and detailed audio reproduction across various genres.

The active noise cancellation feature minimizes external sounds, creating a captivating experience that immerses you in your audio. The AirPods Pro 2 feature a comfortable and customizable fit with different ear tip sizes and an adaptive EQ that automatically tunes the sound to your ears.

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Pros

  • Seamless integration with Apple devices
  • Active noise cancellation with transparency mode
  • Good sound quality and improved bass response
  • Compact and comfortable design
  • User-friendly controls and easy setup

Cons

  • Relatively high price point
  • No design change
  • No USB-C
  • No hi-res audio support
  • Lacks features when connected to Android/Windows
Sony WF-1000XM4

Sony WF-1000XM4

  • 9.7 Comfort
  • 9.8 Noise Reduction
  • 9.8 Battery Duration

The Sony WF-1000XM4 true wireless earbuds set a new standard for audio quality and noise cancellation in their category. Active noise cancellation is highly effective, successfully eliminating external noise.

These earbuds deliver exceptional sound with a wide and detailed soundstage, providing an immersive listening experience. The WF-1000XM4 also boasts a comfortable fit thanks to its ergonomic design and multiple ear tip options, ensuring a secure and personalized fit.

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Pros

  • Excellent sound quality with balanced audio
  • Top-tier active noise cancellation performance
  • Comfortable fit and sleek design.
  • Impressive battery life
  • Advanced features like multipoint pairing and customizable EQ

Cons

  • Higher price compared to some competitors
  • No official water resistance rating
  • App interface could be more intuitive

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro

  • 9.7 Comfort
  • 9.7 Noise Reduction
  • 9.8 Battery Duration

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro offers a compelling audio experience with many impressive features. The sound quality is excellent, providing a well-balanced sound signature with crisp highs and punchy bass. The active noise cancellation feature works efficiently to eliminate external distractions.

The Buds 2 Pro also feature a comfortable fit with different ear tip sizes and a compact design that makes them easy to carry. The Buds 2 Pro also offers seamless integration with Samsung devices, providing convenient controls and customizable sound options through the Galaxy Wearable app.

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Pros

  • Good sound quality with clear audio and solid bass response
  • Active noise cancellation effectively blocks out external noise
  • Compact and lightweight design for comfortable wearing
  • IPX7 water resistance for protection against water and sweat
  • Long battery life and fast charging capabilities

Cons

  • Limited compatibility with non-Samsung devices
  • Some users may find the fit less secure during intense physical activities
  • ANC performance may not be as strong as some competitors
  • Customization options through the app are limited compared to other brands
  • The touch controls may require a learning curve for precise operation

Also Read: How to Choose the Right Headphones for Your Needs

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Author
David Smith is the senior editor and reviewer for TechGadgetLife, covering the consumer tech industry. He has been writing about technology for over a decade. Prior to founding TechGadgetLife, David served as a senior correspondent covering Apple, Android, and portable audio products.