Noise-cancelling headphones: our picks for every budget

Noise-cancelling headphones range from about the price of a dinner out to the price of a phone. The good news is that you no longer need the most expensive pair to get useful noise cancelling. The right choice depends on where you will use them, how long you wear them at a time and which phone you use.

We chose the five models below by applying the checklist from our guide on how to choose noise-cancelling headphones: the type of noise cancelling, comfort and weight, battery life with noise cancelling switched on, multipoint pairing and call features. We also checked that each one was in stock for US delivery on Amazon when we published this page. These picks are research-based — built from specifications and manufacturer information — and we have not used them ourselves.

Our picks

Which one is right for you?

• You want useful noise cancelling without spending much: the Soundcore Q20i uses hybrid noise cancelling — microphones inside and outside each ear cup — and lists up to 40 hours of playback with noise cancelling on. That is more than most premium models.
• You wear headphones all day or on long commutes: weight matters more than people expect. Sony lists the WH-CH720N at 192 g, its lightest noise-cancelling headband, which makes it easier to forget you are wearing it.
• You fly often or work in noisy places: the flagship models are where noise cancelling is strongest. The Sony WH-1000XM6 pairs Sony's newest noise-cancelling processor with twelve microphones. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd gen) is Bose's top model and adds wired audio over USB-C, which is handy on a plane or at a desk.
• You mostly use an iPhone and want something pocketable: AirPods Pro 3 trade the long battery of over-ear headphones (up to eight hours with noise cancelling) for a much smaller case and close integration with Apple devices, including heart-rate sensing for workouts.

Before you buy

1. Check the return policy. Fit is personal, and the best noise cancelling only works if the ear cups or tips seal well on your head.
2. Compare battery figures with noise cancelling on. Manufacturers often quote the longer figure with it switched off.
3. Think about calls. If you take meetings on your headphones, multipoint pairing and good microphones matter as much as noise cancelling.
4. Look at codec support on your phone, not only on the headphones. A codec helps only when both devices support it.

Prices for these models change often, and sales are common. That is why we do not show prices on this page: follow the links to see the current price and availability on Amazon. If a pick goes out of stock or a newer model replaces it, we update this page.