Best noise-cancelling headphones for blocking out the outside world

Read our full review of the Bose 700 headphones.

The Bose 700s(opens in a new tab) are top tier. They feature 11 levels of active noise cancellation. The sound quality is the excellence you expect from Bose, and the headphones' microphone has unrivaled voice pickup, so people on the other end of your calls will hear you and not the passing cars or windy background.

These headphones have built-in voice assistants for music, navigation, weather, and more controls. The coolest feature, though, is that if you're using an iOS device, you can tap and hold the right earcup and it will resume your last Spotify session without you having to pull out your phone and open the app.

Noise cancellation isn't one size fits all, and Sony's flagship headphones are especially clutch for traveling. The 1000XM4 headphones(opens in a new tab) automatically detect the noise in your environment and balance the blockage accordingly. The HD Noise Canceling Processor QN1 chip is apparently four times more powerful than that of the 1000XM2 (which was already really good), and the updated algorithm from the 1000XM3 allows for better ANC in a wider variety of environments. Frequent flyers will appreciate the atmospheric pressure optimizer, designed to nix droning sounds at high altitudes.

You can control stuff without getting your phone out, too. Hovering over the right ear cup lets you control songs, volume, and microphones for phone calls. One standout feature is Quick Attention mode, which lets you hear background noise (like an announcement in the airport) without completely stopping your music. Touching the ear cup is also how you access Google Assistant and Alexa.

If you're constantly mishearing song lyrics, this is the clear, punchy audio you've been waiting for. While Bose tends to be more neutral, Sony's signature sound is rich, boomy, and takes details to the next level. 

Bowers & Wilkins has been on that speaker game since the 1960s, mastered wired headphones first, then brought the expertise to wireless noise-canceling headphones with the PX(opens in a new tab), and have updated them even further with the PX7s(opens in a new tab). 

If you're concerned about Bluetooth headphones sounding inauthentic, know that the PX7 headphones have angled units that are derived from the P9 signature — one of B&W's most beloved wired headphones. It's the solid performance you'd expect, surrounding your ears with super roomy, powerful audio. Rock and electronic music particularly shine here, but softer vocals may leave you wanting more.

Spacial sound will have you in the zone, and the eminent noise blocking of the PX7 headphones will ensure that distractions are prevented at all costs. The tunnel vision (er, sound) is achieved by using sensors to adapt to your surroundings and customize the type of blockage, made even more specific with noise-cancellation modes like "flight," "city," and "office." The buttons take some getting used to, but sound can also be controlled with the PX app or by lifting up the ear cups.

The physical design also deserves some kudos. Large headphones can quickly cross into obnoxious territory, these have a sleek aesthetic. An included carrying case is always a bonus, but it's even better when it's this nice and protective (and not a dinky drawstring bag.) Unfortunately, the PX headphones are known to get tight after bouts of long wear. 

Beats by Dr. Dre(opens in a new tab) get hyped up by audiophiles and casual listeners alike, and the Apple-owned company nailed noise cancellation with the Beats Studio3(opens in a new tab) model.

For iPhone users, Apple's W1 chip is the one major advantage Beats have over all other over-ear headphones. Any headphones with the chip will skip pairing and automatically connect between any devices signed into your iCloud account. The chip also sees improved connections over distances and improved battery life — some walls or a few flights of stairs won't cause your music to flinch, and 10 minutes of charging gets you three hours of listening.

There's a reason you can't get on public transportation without seeing a pair of these, and it's not just because of the clout that comes with Beats. The Pure Noise Cancellation uses microphones that continually scan your environment and block low-frequency sounds, putting a soundproof bubble around you even in the loud-as-shit subway. The Pure ANC also analyzes how your headphones fit and adjusts the sound to prevent leakage.

Beats are known for that EDM subwoofer sound, but the Studio3s have turned it down (thankfully) for a clearer, more balanced presentation. Apparently, the speakers measure and calibrate audio up to 50,000 times per second to minimize distortion and achieve accurate timing. Beats' punchy signature sound is definitely still present, and it's more of a surround-sound feeling than ever.

Every pair of noise-canceling headphones is either really nice and $300 or really shitty and $50. There is usually no in between. The exception: the Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2 headphones. They're a fantastic value alternative to Bose and Sony that won't require you to give up decent specs.

The second generation BackBeat Pro headphones use sensors to detect when you've removed them, which will trigger the music to stop. Switching between devices is easy, the Bluetooth aptX HD connection is flawless, and button placement is extremely sensible. There's even a switch for ambient noise mode to hear what's around you without completely shutting ANC off — a convenience you'd usually only find in premium competitors. 

The ANC won't freeze every nearby voice, but it's definitely enough to get you through a loud city commute or studying through construction outside your window. The sound is fun and energetic (albeit bass-heavy), with slightly muted highs for pleasant extended listening sessions. And if you won't be using them all day, every day, you could easily get a week's worth of use on one charge.

Read our full review of the AirPods Pro.

While the original AirPods did not have noise cancellation, the AirPods Pro(opens in a new tab) do. The silicone tips create a seal while the internal microphone counteracts outside noise to bring you active noise cancellation in a pair of wireless earbuds. You won't get the same level of ANC or the same sound quality as headphones with larger speakers, but the AirPods Pro are seriously impressive and portable.

Holding down an earbud's stem activates transparency mode that lets you hear outside noise if you need to be aware of what's going on around you. You can also play/pause music and skip or go back to songs by squeezing the stem. When you open the AirPods Pro's case, they should automatically connect to your iPhone, which adds a nice level of convenience. 

If you prefer earbuds to over-ear headphones, the Bose QuietComfort 20 headphones(opens in a new tab) are an option that tune out your environment while staying inconspicuous. We know, we know — they're not wireless and they have to be recharged. But you get great sound quality and don't have to worry about losing them the way you would with wireless earbuds.

Noise cancellation this downsized is achieved by housing two tiny microphones in each compact bud. All four work together to pick up external sound, constantly determining the proper amount of low tones required to tune things out. Though over-ear headphones have a size advantage by covering the entire ear, the snug fit of the StayHear+ tips do a good job of keeping out distractions. There's an "aware" button to let you partially tune into the outside world, plus a button to totally turn noise-cancellation off. Once the rechargeable battery dies, they pretty much just work like regular headphones.

Kickass speakers were squeezed into the earbuds as well. Sound is smooth and relatively dynamic for how small the buds are, and the quality gets an extra boost when the NC is on. They use Bose's Triport technology, which uses little vents and holes to act like ports on a speaker, giving the illusion of deeper bass inside the headphones. Cover one with your finger and you can hear the difference.

Read our full review of the Sennheiser PXC 550-II headphones.

Block out the world and get an entire new listening experience with the Sennheiser PXC 400 II over-ear headphones. Not only are they great for listening to music, movies, podcasts, and more, but they also have multiple noise cancellation levels.

The main two are max and user. Max is complete noise cancelling for the most intense coverage. User is more customizable. You can control and customize your ANC in the Sennheiser app and even specify your headphones to block out wind sounds.

There's also transparency mode for when you need to listen to announcements or other sounds you might want to tune into. With any of the noise cancellation settings turned on, you can still hear necessary sounds like car traffic or sirens.

Now for the cons: The design is a little clunky and the Sennheiser PXC 400 II are not best for taking calls. But, if you want noise cancelling headphones with great sound and customizability, these are for you.