The Best Noise-Canceling Headphones

TL;DR: Bose is a heavyweight in the noise-canceling space, and the QuietComfort Ultra delivers a great listening experience.

Why We Recommend It

The Bose brand has taken its noise-canceling prowess to the next level with the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, which deliver shockingly pristine noise isolation and adaptive, active cancellation.

Sound quality is a crucial focus for the QC Ultra, and that’s obvious in the modern Bluetooth version and Qualcomm aptX Adaptive compatibility.

These headphones also come with lots of sound customization (higher-end definition, bass, and more) in the Bose app.

To my ears, the sound quality is a little heavy on the lower mids, but balances that with richness and definition at the top end.

But the bass isn’t heavy-handed, and I found it particularly effective when listening to my go-to folk and roots music playlists.

As for the design and feel, from the no-click, sliding headband adjustment to the mega-plush ear cups and delicate clamping force, all the way to the eye-catching two-tone design, the Ultra feels truly premium.

However, the padding itself felt just a bit stuffy during long listening sessions.

While the battery life is properly middle of the road, affording up to about 24 hours of use on a single charge, the combination of an upscale look, first-rate sound quality, and precious silence make them a no-brainer for the ANC-focused buyer. 

• Who else recommends it? SoundGuys, Wired, and What Hi-Fi all give the Bose QC Ultra high marks for its premium quality and noise-cancellation. 
• What do buyers think? Over 8,700 Amazon customers have reviewed this headset, and 68 percent of shoppers give it 5 out of 5 stars. Satisfied buyers praise the overall audio quality and comfort.

TL;DR: These full-featured Studio Pro headphones offer solid noise cancellation for Beats fans.

Why We Recommend It

The Beats Studio Pro marks an impressive return to form for the Beats by Dre brand.

While many high-end ANC headphones deliver an uncomfortable, pressurized feel to their ANC, the Studio Pros felt natural—even if they let a bit more background noise, such as low talking or car horns, soak through.

I was also surprised to hear the stock sound quality onboard was decidedly even, bucking the trend that Beats headphones = bass.

What takes that sound up a notch is that the Studio Pros’ USB-C port doubles as both the charging input and a USB-based digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for lossless audio on compatible computers and smart devices.

Beats has even baked in three EQ adjustments on the USB-C DAC mode that let you mold the sound for bass, even response, and spoken word.

While these Beats headphones don’t feature the official Apple chip for AirPods-level connectivity, they sport certifications for both Apple and Google Fast Pair. 

Another plus is the travel-friendly design: The Studio Pro folds up to about the smallest I’ve seen in a modern headphone.

This headset also comes with an ultra-portable neoprene pouch. While not as protective as a hardshell case, it’s undeniably more portable.

Overall, the Studio Pro is a touch muddier and less capable on the ANC front, and have a clamping force that’s slightly less pleasant than competitors.

But for its full array of wired and wireless connectivity and its excellent portability, I think many listeners will be pleased.

• Who else recommends it? CNET, Wired, and RTINGS like this headset for its call and noise-cancellation quality, and remark on this pick as a good contender for commuters.
• What do buyers think? Over 23,000 customers have reviewed the Beats Studio Pro on Amazon, giving it an average 4.5-star rating out of 5 stars. Customers are fans of the ANC, quality materials, and overall look.

TL;DR: Solid noise cancellation and impressively balanced sound make the Soundcore Space One an excellent budget option.

Why We Recommend It

The Soundcore Space One headphones offer an impressive package at a budget-friendly price point.

During testing, the active noise cancellation was perfectly serviceable for most of my daily uses—even if it didn’t do quite as well at suppressing voices and louder background sound.

One really impressive bright spot is the battery life, rated at 40 hours while using active noise cancellation. I was trending even higher than 40 hours, with the ability to extend battery life even further if I left the ANC off.

I also found the color choices pretty refreshing. I got my hands on a Sky Blue pair, which isn’t a shade I’m familiar seeing on virtually any other noise canceling headphone in the space. 

As you might expect with a budget-friendly offering, the build quality of the Space Ones is a bit plasticky.

The plush leathery pads feel nice to wear over time, but folding and opening the headphones is a little creaky and may succumb to stress points over time.

While I am pleased that there’s a carrying pouch included, it’s just a simple, neoprene-style bag so it won’t protect the headphones during heavy drops.

But all of the shortcomings are acceptable thanks to the pleasantly low price point.

• Who else recommends it? SoundGuys, RTINGS, and Gear Patrol all find the price-to-performance ratio to be appropriate for various listeners and genres.
• What do buyers think? Over 12,000 Amazon shoppers have reviewed this headset, giving it an average 4.4-star overall rating. Many buyers like the overall package, including its noise cancellation and design.