Best Noise‑Canceling Headphones for Focus
If you travel a lot or take public transit often, noise-cancelling headphones can make a huge difference. Blocking out background noise can turn a stressful trip into a relaxing one—and help you actually enjoy your music or podcasts.
Top Pick: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are our top choice for noise cancellation. They’re perfect for frequent travelers who want great performance and comfort.
Bose is known for its top-notch noise cancellation, and the QuietComfort Ultra lets you adjust the noise-cancelling level from 0 to 10, so you can find the right balance for you. They’re lightweight and comfortable enough to wear for hours. Plus, the mix of touch controls and buttons makes them easy to use without looking.
You can also use them in wired mode with the noise cancellation still on—great for in-flight entertainment systems. They fold flat for easy storage in the included case.
That said, they’re not perfect. The sound quality is good but not as sharp as some high-end audiophile headphones. The microphones can act up in noisy places, and the battery life, while not the best we’ve seen, still lasts a solid 24 hours—long enough for even the longest flights.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Headphones
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Best Wireless Noise-Cancelling Earbuds: Sony WF-1000XM5
If you prefer earbuds, the Sony WF-1000XM5 is the best pair we’ve tested. They offer fantastic noise cancellation and sound quality.
These earbuds are small but powerful, blocking out not just low-frequency noise but a wide range of sounds. The sound quality is impressive right out of the box, but you can tweak it using the Sony app. With eight hours of battery life (with noise cancellation on), they’ll get you through most of your day.
Need to hear your surroundings? Just hold a finger to the left earbud to activate transparency mode. Or, you can set it to automatically turn on when you speak.
The touch controls are reliable and handle music, calls, and voice assistants. They even support Alexa and Google, and you can answer or reject calls with a simple nod or shake of your head.
The downside? People with small ears might struggle to keep them in place, even though Sony includes four different tip sizes. Also, like most true wireless earbuds, they don’t have a wired option, so you’ll need a Bluetooth adapter for in-flight systems.
Sony WF-1000XM5 The Best Truly Wireless Bluetooth Noise Canceling Earbuds & in-Ear Headphones
Best Budget Over-Ear Headphones: Soundcore Space One
If you want great noise cancellation without spending a fortune, the Soundcore Space One is a solid choice for around $100.
The active noise cancellation works surprisingly well, and you can adjust the level to your liking. While the sound isn’t as refined as the Bose QC Ultra, it’s still enjoyable and customizable through the Soundcore app.
The headphones are lightweight and comfortable, with full controls for music and calls. They also support dual-device connection and have a transparency mode that you can turn on with a button or set to activate automatically when you speak.
With 40 hours of battery life (55 hours with ANC off), you won’t need to charge them often. And if you do run out of battery, a quick five-minute charge gives you four hours of listening.
You can use them in wired mode, but the noise cancellation and mic won’t work if the battery’s dead. Also, while the mic works fine for calls, voices can sometimes sound a little distant or compressed.
Soundcore by Anker, Space One, Active Noise Cancelling Headphones
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Best Budget Noise-Cancelling Earbuds: EarFun Air Pro 4
For budget-friendly earbuds with solid noise cancellation, check out the EarFun Air Pro 4. They perform almost as well as more expensive models.
The noise cancellation is impressive for the price, and the sound quality is good—though not as detailed as the Sony WF-1000XM5. Calls sound clear even in noisy or windy environments, thanks to the three microphones.
They offer 11 hours of battery life per charge, and the case charges wirelessly or via USB-C. The touch controls are customizable, but they might take some time to get used to—and they can be a bit sensitive to accidental taps.
EarFun Air Pro 4 Adaptive Hybrid Noise Canceling Wireless Earbuds
The fit might be tricky for some people. The stem design isn’t as secure as others, and if you have small or deep-set ears, getting a good seal could be tough.
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