Noise cancelling headphones are a great way to enjoy your favorite tunes, podcasts, or audiobooks without being disturbed by the sounds around you. Whether you want to block out the noise of a busy street, a noisy office, or a loud airplane, these headphones can help you create your own personal oasis of sound.
But with so many noise cancelling headphones on the market, how do you choose the best one for your needs and budget? To help you out, we have compiled a list of the top 10 great noise cancelling headphones for 2023, based on their features, performance, design, and price.
#1 Sony WH-1000XM5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is the latest jewel in Sony’s illustrious WH-1000X series, surpassing its predecessor, the WH-1000XM4. Powered by Sony’s QN2 processor and a duo of microphones, it orchestrates a symphony of noise cancellation in real-time.
The headphones boast an adaptive sound control, intelligently adjusting noise cancellation to match your surroundings. Customization reaches new heights with the Sony Headphones Connect app.
The WH-1000XM5 treats your ears to an auditory feast with high-resolution audio formats like LDAC, aptX HD, and AAC. DSEE Extreme technology transforms compressed audio into near-high-resolution quality, while the 360 Reality Audio feature engulfs you in a spatial sound wonderland.
With a marathon-like 30-hour battery life (with noise cancellation), fast charging, and a wireless charging case, Sony WH-1000XM5 is an audiophile’s dream.
Pros
- Improved noise cancellation
- Excellent sound quality
- Long battery life
- Wireless charging case
- Adaptive sound control
- Speak-to-chat feature
Cons
- Pricey
- Lacks IP rating for water resistance
- Folding hinges are absent
#2 Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
Successors to the renowned Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones, the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 elevate the noise-cancelling game. Armed with Bose’s proprietary active noise cancellation technology and eight microphones, they obliterate ambient distractions.
Adjustable noise cancellation offers 11 levels, from complete isolation to full transparency. Customization is a breeze with the Bose Music app. Enjoy pristine sound quality, Bluetooth 5.0, and AAC codecs for wireless streaming, and a conversation mode to pause the music and noise cancellation.
While the battery life reaches up to 20 hours, fast charging provides three hours of playback in just 15 minutes. The sleek design, stainless steel headband, and touch-sensitive controls make a statement.
Pros
- Enhanced noise cancellation
- Crisp, balanced sound quality
- Modern, sleek design
- Conversation mode
- Four beamforming microphones
Cons
- Decent battery life
- No high-resolution audio support
- Absence of folding hinges
#3 Apple AirPods Max
Apple’s debut over-ear headphones, the AirPods Max, blend remarkable noise cancellation with premium design. Employing Apple’s H1 chip and nine microphones, they offer adaptive noise cancellation.
A transparency mode effortlessly lets you tune into your surroundings. Control Center on iOS devices offers noise cancellation customization. Revel in rich, detailed sound with a wide soundstage and spatial audio. Custom 40mm dynamic drivers and a computational audio engine ensure audio perfection.
High-fidelity audio formats like AAC and Apple Lossless shine here, with Dolby Atmos for immersive experiences. A 20-hour battery life, fast charging, and a smart case round up this Apple masterpiece.
Pros
- Impressive noise cancellation
- Rich and detailed sound quality
- Premium design
- Spatial audio and Dolby Atmos support
- Optical and position sensors
Cons
- High price tag
- No 3.5mm audio jack
- Folding hinges are absent
#4 Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
The fourth iteration of Sennheiser’s Momentum series, the Momentum 4 Wireless, redefines noise cancellation, sound quality, and battery life. NoiseGard technology with three microphones ensures superior noise cancellation.
Transparent hearing mode offers awareness at your fingertips, thanks to the Sennheiser Smart Control app. Enjoy balanced, natural sound, customizable with the equalizer feature.
A remarkable 30-hour battery life (with noise cancellation) and fast charging give you control over your auditory journey. The stylish design, leather headband, and touch-sensitive controls make these headphones a fashion statement.
Pros
- Improved noise cancellation
- Excellent sound quality
- Exceptional battery life
- Equalizer feature
- Auto on/off feature
Cons
- No wireless charging
- Lacks water resistance
- No conversation mode
#5 JBL Tune 770NC
The JBL Tune 770NC offers a budget-friendly noise-cancelling experience without compromising on performance. Pure Bass technology and two microphones tackle low-frequency noise.
Ambient aware mode keeps you connected to your surroundings, while the JBL Headphones app lets you tweak your sound preferences. Enjoy bass-heavy sound, ideal for pop, hip-hop, or EDM genres. With 40mm dynamic drivers, Bluetooth 5.0, AAC codecs, and a multi-point connection feature, these headphones deliver quality audio at a fraction of the cost.
These headphones open a window to a world of sonic possibilities. Your auditory sanctuary awaits with the perfect pair of great noise cancelling headphones for 2023. Dive into the realms of superior sound and tranquility like never before.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Effective noise cancellation
- Bass-focused sound
- Multi-point connection
Cons
- No water resistance
- Lacks high-resolution audio support
- No wireless charging
#6 Anker Soundcore Life Q35
Anker Soundcore Life Q35 is an affordable headphone that doesn’t skimp on performance, sound quality, or features. Powered by Anker’s Hybrid ANC technology and armed with four microphones, the Life Q35 effortlessly tames ambient noise, creating a serene audio haven. It also boasts a transparency mode, which lets you keep tabs on your surroundings with a single button press. To add a personalized touch, the Soundcore app grants you the power to fine-tune your noise cancellation settings.
In the sound arena, the Life Q35 serves up a balanced and dynamic auditory treat, thanks to 40mm dynamic drivers that support high-resolution audio formats. With an incredible 40-hour battery life (with noise cancellation active), fast charging, and a robust hard case, these headphones are primed to be your unwavering travel companion.
The Life Q35 exudes sleekness and comfort, featuring a metallic headband and velvety ear cushions. Physical buttons on the earcups make volume adjustments, playback management, voice assistant activation, and noise cancellation mode selection an intuitive affair. Moreover, they come with a wear detection feature that automatically pauses playback when you remove them.
Pros
- Affordable
- Impressive noise cancellation
- Balanced sound quality
- Extended battery life
- Wear detection feature
Cons
- No wireless charging
- No water resistance
- Lacks a conversation mode
#7 Beats Studio Buds
For those with an eye for style and an ear for detail, the Beats Studio Buds are the true wireless earbuds that strike the perfect balance between aesthetics and functionality. Powered by Beats’ Active Noise Cancelling technology and outfitted with two finely-tuned microphones, the Studio Buds carve out a tranquil auditory space, letting you immerse yourself in your favorite tunes. The earbuds also introduce a transparency mode, allowing you to stay connected to your surroundings with a simple button press. For sound customization, the Beats app opens the door to tailored sound settings.
Sound-wise, the Studio Buds serve up a bass-heavy sound signature that harmonizes seamlessly with genres like pop, hip-hop, and EDM. Sporting 8.2mm dynamic drivers, support for Bluetooth 5.2, and AAC codecs, these earbuds ensure that your wireless listening experience is nothing short of extraordinary. Additionally, a spatial audio feature takes your auditory journeys to the next level with a captivating surround sound effect.
Battery life stretches to a commendable five hours with noise cancellation on and eight hours with it turned off. For quick power top-ups, fast charging delivers an hour of playback with just five minutes of charging. The included wireless charging case extends the listening adventure with an additional 10 hours of battery life. These earbuds flaunt a sleek design, an ergonomic fit, and offer three color options: black, white, or red.
Pros
- Stylish design
- Decent noise cancellation
- Bass-heavy sound
- Wireless charging case
- Spatial audio feature
Cons
- Average battery life
- No high-resolution audio support
- No multipoint connection
#8 Jabra Elite 85h
The Jabra Elite 85h headphones stand tall as a premium choice, offering top-notch performance, sound quality, design, and features. These headphones are designed to cater to the needs of discerning listeners who prioritize durability and versatility in their music listening experience. With Jabra’s SmartSound technology and eight advanced microphones, the Elite 85h provides adaptive noise cancellation that seamlessly adjusts to your environment. The headphones also feature a handy hear-through feature, allowing you to stay attuned to the world around you with the press of a button. Customizing your sound settings is a breeze through the Jabra Sound+ app.
When it comes to sound quality, the Elite 85h doesn’t disappoint. Boasting a balanced and natural sound signature, these headphones deliver audio excellence. Dynamic 40mm drivers, Bluetooth 5.0 support, and AAC codecs ensure that your wireless streaming experience is nothing short of exceptional. Additionally, an EQ feature allows you to fine-tune your sound profile to match your preferences.
Battery life is an impressive up to 36 hours with noise cancellation on and up to 41 hours with it off. Fast charging provides a quick five hours of playback with just 15 minutes of charging. The Elite 85h arrives with a sturdy hard carrying case that safeguards the headphones against dust and scratches. Designed for comfort and durability, these headphones feature a fabric headband and memory foam earpads.
The intuitive physical buttons on the earcups put volume control, playback management, voice assistant activation, and noise cancellation mode selection right at your fingertips. With an IP52 rating, these headphones are resistant to water and dust, ensuring they’re up for any adventure.
Pros
- Outstanding performance
- Balanced sound quality
- Impressive battery life
- Durable and comfortable design
- Hear-through feature
Cons
- No wireless charging
- No high-resolution audio support
- No conversation mode
#9 Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro are true wireless earbuds that strike a balance between good noise cancellation, sound quality, design, and features. Sleek design, wireless charging, and spatial audio elevate your listening experience. These earbuds use Samsung’s Intelligent ANC technology and three microphones to provide active noise cancellation that reduces ambient noise by up to 99%. The earbuds also have an ambient sound feature that lets you hear the sounds around you with a press of a button. You can also access the Galaxy Wearable app to customize your sound settings.
The Galaxy Buds Pro deliver good sound quality with a balanced and dynamic sound signature. The earbuds use dual dynamic drivers and support Bluetooth 5.0 and AAC codecs for wireless streaming. The earbuds also have a 360 audio feature that creates a spatial sound effect for a more immersive listening experience.
Battery life is decent, with up to five hours of playback with noise cancellation on and up to eight hours with it off. Fast charging provides one hour of playback with just five minutes of charging. The earbuds come with a wireless charging case that can provide an extra 13 hours of battery life.
Pros
- Sleek design
- Good noise cancellation
- Balanced sound quality
- Wireless charging case
- 360 audio feature
Cons
- Moderate battery life
- No high-res audio
- No multipoint connection
#10 Skullcandy Crusher ANC
The Skullcandy Crusher ANC are great noise cancelling headphones that offer unique performance, sound quality, design, and features for their price range. The Crusher ANC use Skullcandy’s Sensory Bass technology and two microphones to provide active noise cancellation that blocks out unwanted sounds. The headphones also have an ambient mode feature that lets you hear the sounds around you with a press of a button. You can also access the Skullcandy app to customize your sound settings.
The Crusher ANC deliver unique sound quality with a bass-heavy sound signature that can be adjusted using the slider on the left earcup. The headphones use 40mm dynamic drivers and support Bluetooth 5.0 and AAC codecs for wireless streaming.
The headphones also have a personal sound feature that creates a custom sound profile based on your hearing. Battery life is decent, with up to 24 hours of playback with noise cancellation on and up to 40 hours with it off. Fast charging provides three hours of playback with just 10 minutes of charging. The headphones come with a soft carrying case that protects them from dust and scratches.
Pros
- Unique performance
- Unique sound quality
- Powerful and personalized
- Personal sound feature
- Adjustable haptic feedback
Cons
- Decent battery life
- No wireless charging
- No water resistance
Conclusion
These headphones offer an unparalleled listening experience, allowing users to immerse themselves in their music or podcasts while effectively blocking out external distractions. Whether you prioritize audio quality, comfort, portability, or advanced features, there’s a perfect choice for everyone.
As technology continues to evolve, we can anticipate even more innovative features and improvements in noise-canceling headphones. The future promises even better noise isolation, longer battery life, and enhanced sound quality. Ultimately, the best headphones for you will depend on your individual preferences, but one thing is certain: the top 10 noise-canceling headphones mentioned here represent some of the finest options available in the market, each capable of elevating your listening experience to new heights.
So, which auditory adventure will you choose? Whichever you pick, your ears are in for a treat.
