TOP 5 BEST NOISE CANCELING HEADPHONES IN 2024

No matter where you are, the best noise-canceling headphones will provide you with immersive, high-quality music, greatly enhancing your listening experience. A good set of noise cancelling headphones may act as a sonic barrier between your ears and the outside world, blocking out sounds from loud, fast-paced offices, hectic commutes, and airplane cabin talk.

We've tested the ANC, battery life, comfort levels, features, and sound quality of several of the top noise-canceling headphones throughout the years, weighing their value for the money. Based on these thorough evaluations, we've selected only the best headphones for our guide below. We've concentrated on the best over-ear headphones with integrated noise cancellation technology. See our guide to the best noise-canceling earbuds if you'd prefer a different style.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 is currently our top choice for noise-cancelling headphones. Even though they are a few years older than the other headphones in this book, their age implies that, in contrast to current headphones, their price is usually much lower. Therefore, give the Sonys some thought if you're looking for the best deal. In addition, we've added a few more high-end choices, more reasonably priced headphones, and additional products to suit a range of spending levels and tastes.

1. SONY WH-1000XM4

Best noise cancelling headphones for most people

Strong noise cancellation and great sound quality are provided by the lightweight, cozy Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones. Despite being an older model (the Sony WH-1000XM5 has since replaced them), these are still our top choice because of a price reduction and their consistent availability at such a low cost. These are still the best noise-cancelling headphones we believe most people will require, with features like multipoint pairing, DSEE Extreme upscaling, conversational awareness, and auto-play/pause.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 are excellent wireless noise-canceling headphones in every way. In any given category, they can be defeated, but not in all categories at the same cost. They provide overall satisfaction and, above all, there are no complaints regarding the sound quality. We listened to Janelle Monae's incredible hit song “Make Me Feel” during our exams. With the WH-1000XM4 headphones, everything seemed incredibly strong, from the pre-chorus' wall of sound to the percussion's bop.

2. 1MORE SONOFLOW

Best cheap noise cancelling headphones

We recommend the 1More Sonoflow over-ear headphones if you're on a tight budget but yet want to enjoy immersive sound and block out the outside world at the same time. These headphones demonstrate that you can get excellent ANC for much under $100/£100. The 1More app has few capabilities but is straightforward to use. However, there is a preset EQ and an ANC feature that you may toggle on and off. The 1More Sonoflow headphones have an incredible battery life of 70 hours when ANC is turned off and an even more impressive 50 hours when it is turned on. An additional five hours of listening may be obtained with a quick five-minute charge.

Although these aren't the greatest noise-canceling headphones available, they offer a wonderful experience for the money, and we believe most people would be impressed with their performance. Although the sound quality isn't high-end, the two 40mm Sonoflow speakers pleased us during testing with the clear, detailed highs and strong bass that are available. Higher-resolution audio files in the Sony LDAC format are also supported, but you'll need a device that can handle both high-resolution audio files and bit rates.

These headphones include a matte-like plastic housing, a straightforward design, and high-quality hinges. The adjustable cups themselves are composed of incredibly soft memory foam, making them lightweight (only 250g) and easy to wear. The earcups have buttons on them. Although it's unfortunate that you can't manipulate them, you're in luck if you prefer physical buttons over capacitive on-ear touch controls.

3. BOSE QUIETCOMFORT ULTRA HEADPHONES

Best noise cancelling headphones for ultimate noise-stopping

The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones provide the best active noise cancellation available if that's all you're searching for. Furthermore, it is paired with what is unquestionably Bose's finest sound quality to date—a quality we described in our complete review as “electrifying” Although they cost a lot less than the Focal and Bowers & Wilkins headphones on this list, these are nonetheless pricey headphones—as our review also notes, “from the moment you start using them, they feel worth every penny.” But be sure to check out our Bose discount codes if you're trying to save some cash.

We tried them in as many diverse noisy settings as we could, including the TechRadar office, domestic and international travel, local busses, and strolling around a major metropolis. They suppress sound in every situation more successfully than anything else we've tried, so if quiet and concentration are what you're after, these are highly recommended. We will note, however, that the less expensive Bose Quiet Comfort Headphones are essentially just as good for this component.

4. SONY WH-CH720N

The best mid-range noise cancelling headphones

With active noise cancellation that genuinely cuts down on outside noise so you can hear your music (or podcast, or whatever) more clearly and Sony's signature superbly balanced sound, the Sony WH-CH720N strikes a terrific mix between affordability and performance.

Well, you're definitely sacrificing some quality for about half the price of the Sony WH-1000XM4, which is ranked #1 on our list; these aren't exactly miracle workers. Active noise cancellation is more effective at reducing the level of outside sounds than it is at truly creating that bubble of silence since it leaks in noticeably more sound in the lower end, which is usually where it is most effective. We discovered that in order to hear a movie on an airplane, we had to set the volume up to 60%, but at least we could hear the talk. Additionally, we discovered that, in a less taxing situation than attempting to view a movie on an aircraft, it means you don't have to turn the volume up as loud, for instance, while strolling through city traffic.

5. SENNHEISER MOMENTUM 4 WIRELESS

Sennheiser’s fourth-generation cans shine sonically, despite their plain looks

These headphones have an amazing battery life of 100 hours, which is why they are our top choice. You did really read correctly. But that's without ANC, and if you're reading this tutorial, we're assuming you need noise cancellation badly. If that is the case, you will receive 60 hours from them, which is still really remarkable when compared to competitors.

The sound quality of the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 left us incredibly thrilled, and we praised their “lively, detailed and confident presentation”. The greatest experience with them will come from 16bit/44.1kHz FLAC files from services like Tidal or Qobuz. However, as we stated in our assessment, “give them what you have and they'll do their best with it; they don't judge.”

FAQS OF TOP 5 BEST NOISE CANCELING HEADPHONES IN 2024

1. Sony WH-1000XM4
   Q1: What does Sony WH-1000XM4 possess that makes it the best noise-cancelling headphone in the market?
   A1: Sony WH-1000XM4 possesses industry-leading noise cancellation features using advanced algorithms along with dual noise-sensing technology that ideally helps block the ambient noises of varied natures.
   Q2: For how many hours does the battery last in Sony WH-1000XM4?
   A2: It runs up to 30 hours with ANC on and gives you about 38 with ANC off. You get 5 hours with a 10-minute quick charge.

Q3: Does the Sony WH-1000XM4 support voice assistants?
A3: Yes, the WH-1000XM4 supports Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri for hands-free voice control.

Q4: Does it support the Sony WH-1000XM4 with connections to multiple devices?
A4: Of course, it does; it's fitted with multi-device pairing ability which will allow you to switch seamlessly between two connected devices, say from your phone to your laptop.

Q5: How does it sound on the Sony WH-1000XM4?
A5: The WH-1000XM4 offer class-leading sound out of the box thanks to LDAC, DSEE Extreme, and 360 Reality Audio, which provide an extremely rich and immersive audio experience.

2. 1MORE SonoFlow
   Q1: What is the 1MORE SonoFlow known for?
   A1: The 1MORE SonoFlow is known for excellent value-real strong noise cancelation, great sound, and long battery life for a real budget price.

Q2: How is the noise cancellation on the 1MORE SonoFlow?
A2: Noise cancelation on SonoFlow is pretty effective, if considering its price, with hybrid ANC technology claims tamping down the background noise in a variety of settings.

Q3: How many hours does the battery of the 1MORE SonoFlow last?
A3: The 1MORE SonoFlow manages up to 70 hours of playback with noise cancellation off and 50 hours with ANC on, which already puts it ahead of other headphones.

Q4: Does the 1MORE SonoFlow have support for high-quality audio codecs?
A4: It uses LDAC for high-resolution wireless, so you can trust that the sound over Bluetooth will be superior.

Q5: Is it comfortable for long listening sessions?
A5: Yes, they were designed with comfort in mind: plush ear cushions and an adjustable headband make for comfortable wear over long periods.

3. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
   Q1: What's special about the Bose QuietComfort Ultra?
   A1: QuietComfort Ultra features Bose premium noise cancellation, assuring outstanding noise isolation together with adaptive sound performance for crystal clear audio.

Q2: How long does the battery last on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra?
A2: QuietComfort Ultra may be used with ANC on for up to 24 hours. You get up to 3 hours of playback with a quick charge of only 15 minutes.

Q3: Is noise cancellation on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra adjustable?
A3: Yes, the noise cancellation level is adjustable; you can even use the “Aware Mode” if you want to allow ambient sounds in.

Q4: Does the Bose QuietComfort Ultra support voice assistants?
A4: Yes, it works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for hands-free voice control.

Q5: How is the comfort of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra?
A5: Lightweight headphones include soft, plush ear cushions that are comfortable enough to wear all day for extended listening. 

4. Sony WH-CH720N
   Q1: What makes the Sony WH-CH720N a good budget-friendly option for noise-cancellation?
   A1: Sony WH-CH720N remains one of the best options in budget buying, offering effective noise cancellation and great audio at much more ‘pocket-friendly' prices.
   Q2: How long does the battery life of Sony WH-CH720N last?
   A2: WH-CH720N brings for itself up to 35 hrs of battery life with ANC on, and a 10-minute quick charge can give you up to 60 minutes of playtime.
   Q3: Is Sony WH-CH720N comfortable to wear for extended periods?
   3: Yes, it features lightweight construction and soft ear pads, making it comfortable for long listening sessions.

4: Does the Sony WH-CH720N support voice assistants?
4: Yes, it supports Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice commands.

5: How good is the noise cancellation on the Sony WH-CH720N?
5: Although it isn't as good as on more premium models, like the WH-1000XM4, the WH-CH720N will get the job done pretty well with solid ANC performance that can notably reduce most of the ambient noise.

5. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
   Q1: What does the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless feature?
   A1: The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless adaptive noise cancellation, quality sound from drivers custom-tuned, and a battery that lasts for a considerable 60 hours, makes it among the best choices in 2024.

Q2: How good is the noise cancellation on the Sennheiser Momentum 4?
A2: Momentum 4 uses adaptive noise cancellation, wherein, dependent on one's surroundings, the amount of ambiance one lets in automatically changes. This gives an incredibly pure audio experience.

Q3: How long does the runtime give in the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless?
A3: You get as much as 60 hours with ANC on, which is pretty long among its peers.

Q4: Does Sennheiser Momentum 4 feature high-quality audio codecs?
Q4: Does Momentum 4 support aptX Adaptive, AAC, and SBC codecs for high-resolution audio streaming?
A4: Yes, Momentum 4 features aptX Adaptive, AAC, and SBC codecs for high-resolution audio streaming.

Q5: The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless-is it comfortable for long periods of using?
A5: Yeah, the Momentum 4 remains comfortable during an extended period because of the memory foam material on its earcups and due to the lightweight frame the buds are fitted with.

These FAQs provide a general view of the features, strengths, and performance of different top noise-canceling headphones available within the year 2024 to help buyers make informed choices.