The Best Noise-Canceling Headphones

It bears repeating: Bose is the absolute master of active noise-canceling technology. The QuietComfort Ultra earbuds are just the latest demonstration of the company’s expertise. Get these earbuds positioned just so, set them up to your satisfaction using the excellent control app, and the outside world need never bother you again. It almost goes without saying that the sound you’ll enjoy is big, bold, and vivid—which is something else Bose knows all about. —Simon Lucas

JBL’s third pair of Tour One headphones (8/10, WIRED Recommends) have a lot going for them, from a crazy comfy fit to top-notch call quality. JBL's noise canceling has always been solid, but this version is special, matching some of the best pairs I’ve ever tested, with only Bose’s QC Ultra as a notable upgrade. They pair that with clear and stylized sound, LDAC streaming, and plenty of EQ presets to toy around with. As usual, JBL piles on the features, with options like spatial audio, Smart Talk voice pausing, and volume limiter settings to promote hearing health.

The most intriguing get is JBL’s new Smart Tx transmitter, which transmits audio over virtually any plugged-in source. You can stream to the M3, of course, but Auracast lets any compatible speaker or pair of headphones join in, which could be handy for a long flight with your SO. Auracast is still rare in the space, and the M3 demand a high price compared to the M2, but their loaded layout and future-proofing features make them a unique option at the front of the noise-canceling pack. —Ryan Waniata

The Powerbeats Pro 2 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) are a full-scale update, which includes modern touches like a heart rate monitor based off the Apple Watch and standards that were lacking in the original, like transparency mode and—of course—noise canceling. Their solid cancellation skills can't match the very best like Bose's QuietComfort Ultra, but the buds hold their own against plenty of rivals at this price and above, including Sony's WF-1000XM5.

Thanks to the H2 chip, they work brilliantly with Apple gear with features like iCloud device switching, Find My functionality, and hands-free Siri, while Android extras include a dedicated app and one-touch pairing. You'll also get convenient (if touchy) controls, excellent battery life, and a flashy new acoustic architecture for brash sound with a side of hi-fi. Maybe most importantly, their ironclad fit is graciously comfy, making them excellent for working out, checking out, and everything in between. —Ryan Waniata

If you use an iPhone and you are willing to pay a premium, Apple's noise-canceling over-ears (8/10, WIRED Recommends) are a fantastic choice. They are probably among the best wireless headphones you'll have ever heard, but astonishing fidelity isn't the only reason to buy the company's flagship cans. Excellent pairing and connection with Apple devices, top-notch noise reduction, and some of the finest build quality you'll find this side of $1,000 make these a great pair for most people. The only thing not to like about the AirPods Max? The included soft case does very little to protect the headphones when they're not on your head.

(Note: We're in the process of testing the latest model's new lossless audio USB-C cable connection and will update this post with the results.)

AirPods are middling, but the AirPods Pro (8/10, WIRED Recommends) are a different story. This is the second generation of the buds, and they have the same great fit and noise-canceling tech as the first generation, with better audio quality. One of their best features is constant improvement, including OTA additions like Adaptive Audio, which transitions between noise canceling and transparency mode based on your environment, and a new hearing aid feature. This version also has an improved codec, in case you end up using it with your new Vision Pro headset, as well as USB-C charging.

Sony may rule the “premium wireless noise-cancelers” roost, but that doesn’t mean it’s ignored the less well-off among us. The WH-CH720 are sensational value for the money: properly built and finished, with accomplished active noise-canceling skills and big, burly sound quality. Yes, it would be nice if they folded up and/or came with a protective case, but you can’t expect everything when you’re paying such a competitive price. If you want more than a taste of the high end of the market without actually having to pay for it, you really can’t go wrong here. —Simon Lucas

The Sonos Ace (8/10, WIRED Recommends) launched with lofty expectations, yet their mix of luxe comfort, smooth sound, and top-tier noise canceling still caught us off guard. Their significant skills put them in regal company with the likes of Bose and Sony. Those points aside, their most intriguing feature, the ability to instantly swap TV audio from a Sonos soundbar, was buggy at launch (along with the rest of the Sonos app).

Since then, Sonos has put in the work, and I've been able to seamlessly “swap” sound between the Ace and the Sonos Arc and Arc Ultra soundbars with minimal latency. The natural transparency mode and head tracking effectively mimic a home theater experience, and Sonos has added support for the Beam and Ray soundbars. It's still not the Wi-Fi experience we were hoping for, but even on their own, the Ace's serious skills make them well worth considering. —Ryan Waniata

If money is no object, this pair from French hi-fi brand Focal (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is the best. The magnesium and aluminum headphones—with custom French-made drivers and super soft ear cups and headband—offer listeners some of the best wireless audio I have ever heard. From deep lows to crisp highs, these resemble their more expensive, corded brethren but allow you to listen in planes, trains, and automobiles without toting along an external digital-to-analog converter or special audio player.

Noise canceling is great, as is comfort while traveling, with the soft leather ear cups keeping me cozy for everything from short trips out of town to long international flights. The included DAC mode is a great option for higher-end listeners who don't want to bring accessories for a fantastic listening experience on the go. I even like the adjustable lights on the outside of each ear cup.

Technics' AZ100 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) offer middle-rung noise canceling for their price point, but that's still more than enough for most situations. They effectively quell annoyances like construction clamor, lawn mowers, and HVAC hum. They have a bit more trouble with higher-register noises, but their fabulous sound quality makes up for it, thanks to new ferro-fluid magnetic drivers that dig deep into instrumental textures and plenty of bass. Features like three-device multipoint pairing and up to 10 hours of playback with noise canceling make these stylish buds a sweet ride. —Ryan Waniata

Sony's fifth-generation flagship earbuds (7/10, WIRED Recommends) slim down while stepping up. These buds are smaller and slicker (maybe too slick when it comes to grabbing them) than the previous XM4 buds. As before, they provide great sound and noise canceling that outduels most buds not made by Bose. In true Sony style, they serve up a truckload of adaptive features and EQ controls while retaining a solid eight hours of playback time per charge with ANC and 12 hours without it. —Ryan Waniata

You'll get 15 hours of noise canceling before needing to return this pair of Audio-Technica buds to their wireless charging case. They have a surprisingly comfortable design despite bulky battery compartments on the outside of each bud, with a cool pair of magnets that allows you to stick the buds together to enter standby mode if you don't want to lug along the case. The sound and noise canceling quality are decent but not as good as the best from Sony and Bose, though passive noise isolation is some of the best I've tested, thanks to long trunks that seal off your ear canals to the world.

(Note: These buds have been in and out at Amazon, so check the AT website if you can find them there.)

These unassuming buds from Soundpeats offer surprisingly good noise canceling and features for the money. That's a great start, but their real superpower is stellar sound quality, which helped earn them a perfect 10/10 review score. Using a combination dynamic driver for bass and a next-gen xMEMS driver for the midrange and treble, you'll find gloriously rich, clear, and balanced fidelity across your catalog. They fill things out with solid battery life and a helpful app for a great experience at a surprisingly low price. —Ryan Waniata