Noise-canceling headphones have become essential accessories for those seeking solace in the chaos of our modern world. These advanced audio gadgets effectively block out ambient noise, allowing you to immerse yourself in your favorite music or podcasts.
To help you find the perfect pair of noise-canceling headphones, we have compiled a list of the best options available in 2024. So, let’s dive in!
5 Best Noise-canceling Headphones
1. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless are the top-performing noise-canceling headphones we’ve tested. These premium over-ear headphones come equipped with CustomTune technology, allowing them to adapt their sound and noise-canceling performance based on your hearing abilities and surroundings. As a result, they effectively reduce a significant amount of ambient noise, including bus engines, office chatter, and computer fan sounds. With active noise cancellation (ANC) turned on, they provide an impressive 29 hours of continuous battery life. However, they require power to be used wired via USB and do not support passive playback.
With a bass-heavy sound profile, these headphones emphasize thump, rumble, and boom in music mixes. For those who prefer a different sound experience, the companion app offers a graphic equalizer (EQ) and presets. They also support multi-device pairing, allowing simultaneous connection to both your PC and smartphone. Additionally, they feature aptX Adaptive, a Bluetooth codec that automatically adjusts to your content, ensuring low latency and optimal audio quality.
2. Soundcore Space A40
If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Soundcore Space A40 is an excellent choice for noise-canceling earbuds. While their active noise cancellation is not as extensive or effective as the Sony WF-1000XM5, these earbuds still rank highly in our tests.
Out of the box, they deliver enjoyable sound quality. However, if you prefer a personalized sound experience, the Soundcore app provides various options for fine-tuning. These lightweight and comfortable earbuds offer an impressive 10 hours of battery life per charge, with the additional convenience of a compact charging case that provides an extra 40 hours of power and supports wireless charging.
The six built-in microphones ensure clear phone calls, and the dual-device connectivity allows seamless switching between listening to music on your laptop and taking calls on your phone. The touch-based controls are reliable and customizable through the app. It’s important to note that, like all true wireless earbuds, these cannot be used with a cable and require a Bluetooth transmitter for compatibility with certain in-flight entertainment systems.
3. Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless
For those seeking noise isolation at a more affordable price point, the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless is worth considering. These over-ear headphones feature an adaptive ANC system designed to detect your environment and adjust its performance accordingly. As a result, they effectively block out noise across the spectrum, allowing you to enjoy your commute or cafe visits in peace. The companion app offers five different levels of manual ANC adjustment, providing customization options. Additionally, you can use ANC while connected via analog.
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These headphones deliver a V-shaped sound profile, making them an excellent choice for rock and pop music enthusiasts, as they emphasize thump and boom while maintaining crispness for higher-pitched instruments like cymbals. Through the companion app’s graphic EQ and presets, you can further fine-tune the sound to match your preferences. With over 27 hours of continuous battery life, multi-device pairing capability, and a more affordable price, they remain a compelling option for noise cancellation.
4. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Consider the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless headphones if you prioritize a high level of noise isolation. This model’s ANC system excels at blocking out low-frequency noises such as bus engines, office chatter, and computer fan sounds, making them ideal for on-the-go use. Compared to our top pick, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless, they also provide superior noise reduction in the bass range. With ANC activated, these headphones offer an impressive continuous battery life of over 37 hours.
Featuring an auto-off timer to conserve battery life and the option of using them wired, these over-ear headphones provide versatility. Their default sound profile is bass-heavy, delivering powerful thump, rumble, and boom in music mixes. However, if the bass dominates vocals and lead instruments, the companion app offers a graphic EQ and presets for customizing the sound to your liking.
5. Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal headphones are renowned for their high-end audiophile models, which do not include noise cancellation. However, for those who value audio quality alongside a casual and wireless design, the Focal Bathys Wireless is an excellent choice. These premium headphones strike a balance between superior sound and a relaxed user experience. While they may not provide the same level of noise isolation as our top pick, they still deliver a commendable overall performance. Additionally, they offer a wired DAC mode, enabling higher-quality audio than their default wireless mode. When using Bluetooth, you can take advantage of aptX Adaptive for streaming hi-res audio with minimal latency.
These over-ear headphones offer a fairly neutral sound profile that suits various audio content. While vocals and instruments may sound slightly veiled, the companion app provides a graphic EQ and presets for sound customization. Their comfortable fit allows extended wear without significant fatigue, and with ANC turned on, they provide over 29 hours of continuous battery life. They are an excellent choice for audiophiles who value distraction-free listening experiences while on the move.
Final Words
With the help of our guide, we hope you can find the best noise-canceling headphones to suit your needs and experience the joy of uninterrupted audio bliss in 2024. Remember that noise-canceling headphones don’t completely eliminate all noise and may be less effective against inconsistent sounds. However, they provide excellent performance in reducing constant low-frequency noises like airplane engines or fans.
