18 best noise-cancelling headphones for an immersive listening experience
When it comes to investing in a decent pair of headphones, good quality noise-cancelling is a must. But as there are two types of noise cancellation – passive and active – it can be hard to know where to start.
Firstly, we have to distinguish between PNC and ANC. While the former is a physical element, whereby the shape of the headphones dictates how much ambient sound can sneak in, ANC brings tech into the equation. More on that later...
Either way, these noise-cancelling techniques can heighten your listening experience. Although, as ANC senses external frequencies and negates them by matching them in your ears, this can have an effect on the music you’re listening to: after all, tracks will most likely have frequencies that match with the outside world.
And not all ANC headphones and earphones are created equal, with various degrees of success across the market. No headphones cancel out all noise (yet), but to most ears, this doesn’t really matter – it’s an odd sensation to look down at yourself typing, only to hear nothing coming back at you. And the less said about people sneaking up on you, the better.
There are many brands that now offer genuinely good noise cancellation, along with quality sound output. After hours of testing, and getting sick of at least three of our favourite albums, we’ve put together a list that’ll please any ear.
How we tested
When testing noise-cancelling headphones, it’s important to try each pair in a variety of scenarios, some more obvious than others. Yes, we tested them in busy cafés and beside main roads, but we also took care to test ANC (where applicable), for instance, in a quiet room. This is due to ANC’s tendency to sometimes emit a small hiss when working, something that could begin to grate on your nerves after a while in an empty office.
We tested each pair of headphones by accosting them with a smorgasbord of different audio sources: from the deep rumbles of Billie Eilish’s “bury a friend”, to the complicated delicacy of Jacob Collier’s “Flow Freely”, with Yo-Yo Ma, Childish Gambino and Kaho Nakamura thrown into the mix. We made sure to listen to our favourite podcasts to check for vocal clarity, and rang friends and family so much to test microphone quality that nobody wanted to Zoom us for a month.
The best noise-cancelling headphones for 2022 are:
Best noise-cancelling headphones overall – Sony WH-1000XM5 noise-cancelling headphones: £379, Johnlewis.com
Best noise-cancelling headphones for ANC performance – Bose noise cancelling headphones 700: £259, Johnlewis.com
Best noise cancelling headphones revamp – Philips fidelio L3 noise-cancelling headphones: £239, Selfridges.com
Best noise-cancelling headphones for sport – Beats fit pro noise-cancelling headphones: £179.99, Johnlewis.com
Best noise-cancelling headphones for call quality on a budget – Nokia clarity rarbuds pro Noise-cancelling headphones: £67.99, Robertdyas.co.uk
Best noise-cancelling headphones for high-end value – Sony WH-1000XM4 noise-cancelling headphones: £279, Johnlewis.com
Best noise-cancelling headphones for sound – Apple AirPods max noise-cancelling headphones: £469, Johnlewis.com
Best budget noise-cancelling headphones – JBL tune 750BTNC noise-cancelling headphones: £49.55, Amazon.co.uk
Best noise-cancelling headphones with throwback design – Sennheiser momentum 3 wireless noise-cancelling headphones: £301.11, Amazon.co.uk
Best noise-cancelling headphones for luxury – B&O beoplay HX noise-cancelling headphones: £449, Bang-olufsen.com
Best noise-cancelling headphones for balance – Bowers & Wilkins PX7 noise-cancelling headphones: £246.61, Amazon.co.uk
Best noise-cancelling headphones for looks – Beats solo pro noise-cancelling headphones: £249, Ao.com
Best noise-cancelling headphones for battery life – Jabra elite 85h noise-cancelling headphones: £199.99, Amazon.co.uk
Best rival to over-ear headphones – Technics EAH-AZ70W noise-cancelling headphones: £152.24, Amazon.com
Best noise-cancelling headphones under £150 – Panasonic RZ-S500W noise-cancelling headphones: £149.99, Panasonic.com
Best noise-cancelling headphones with old-school looks – Marshall mode II noise-cancelling headphones: £159, Selfidges.com
Best noise-cancelling headphones for audiophiles – Grado GT220 noise-cancelling headphones: £179.95, Amazon.co.uk
Best noise-cancelling headphones for Apple users – Apple AirPods pro noise-cancelling headphones: £189, Currys.com
Sony WH-1000XM5 noise-cancelling headphones
Last year’s WH-1000XM4 headphones were marginally pipped to the post by the Bose NC 700s (£259, Johnlewis.com), but the marginal gains made by Sony’s latest world-beating cans means there’s a new pair at the top. The WH-1000XM5s provide smaller improvements when compared to the stunning evolution of the XM4s, and there’s a design refresh that won’t be to everyone’s taste (the omission of hinges that would enable the headphones to fold up like the XM4s is a personal bugbear).
However, “smaller improvements” doesn’t mean that you won’t discern the leap – there’s a precision with the XM5s that builds on the previous generation’s class-leading clarity and gives it a nitrous boost, taking them to the top spot on this list.
Read our full review of the Sony XM5’s
Buy now £379.00, Johnlewis.com
Bose 700 noise cancelling headphones
Thanks to the Bose NC 700s, the brand is still the king of ANC. The noise cancellation capability is the best on the list, and noise is impressively dampened even at half power. Cleverly, input microphones also work alongside the ANC to reject background noise and isolate your voice during phone calls. The sound from the NC 700s is among the best we tested, too, and the look of the headphones matches the sophistication found inside. If you’re in the market for lightweight wireless headphones with supreme noise cancellation, you’d be hard-pressed to find better.
Read our full review of the Bose 700’s
Buy now £259.00, Johnlewis.com
Philips fidelio L3 noise-cancelling headphones
The Philips fidelio L3s are among the most sophisticated Bluetooth headphones available. The brand, formerly known as Philips Electronics, might’ve dropped the second half of the name in 2013, but its fidelio range of headphones is a strong standard bearer for its technological heritage.
They’re high-end, cultured headphones, looking the part for any would-be Business Class passengers. They deliver, too: from the impressive range of listening options, both in terms of multiple EQ options and elite ANC, to the intuitive touch controls and supreme comfort (thanks to the cloudy cushioning of memory foam). Basically, the L3s tick the boxes the top end of the market now rightly insists upon.
Philips might be more in the healthcare game these days, but its audio department has a worthy champion in the fidelio L3s.
Here’s our full review of Philips’ fidelio L3 headphones
Buy now £239.00, Selfridges.com
Beats fit pro noise-cancelling headphones
Beats has long left behind its reputation as all-talk-no-trousers sort of audio brand. Gone are the days when flashy advertising and nice looks were all you got from a pair of Beats: the solo pros (£249, Ao.com) have done plenty to shake off this image. But another pair are continuing the revolution, this time on the earbud side of the market.
The Beats fit pro are characteristically sleek, yes, but deliver a considered, sophisticated experience alongside. They’re potentially the most comfortable earbuds we’ve ever worn, thanks to the ergonomic shape and clever little wingtips that you place inside instead of around the ear (trust us, it works). The most important aspect – the sound – is joyously full, especially for earbuds, and the class-topping ANC saps away even the loudest alpha grunts in the gym.
Read our full review of the Beats fit pro earbuds
Buy now £179.99, Johnlewis.com
Nokia clarity earbuds pro Noise-cancelling headphones
Nokia has joined the earbud game with its Clarity Earbuds, offering some high-end features at a slice of the price. The base clarity earbuds offer echo cancelling and noise suppression, meaning close to crystal clear chats alongside a solid performance when it comes to music and audio reproduction. While echo cancelling and noise suppression sound impressive, our advice would be to stump up the extra fiver for the earbuds pro, which offer proper ANC at a tempting price.
Buy now £67.99, Robertdyas.co.uk
Sony WH-1000XM4 noise-cancelling headphones
These are brilliant headphones: in fact, one of the best examples of wireless headphones we’ve ever tested. The sound profile is delicate and impressive, with options for EQ tweaking in the corresponding Sony app if you want a little more oomph, and the battery life is a massive 30 hours. The PNC does a lot of heavy lifting itself, but the ANC is supreme, immediately shutting off almost all ambient noise, and leaving you with your own thoughts and your music. If you’re a fan of Sony audio, or want more control over your listening experience, then it’s a no-brainer.
Read our full review of Sony’s XM4
Buy now £279.00, Johnlewis.com
Apple AirPods max noise-cancelling headphones
Apple’s first over-ear product doesn’t disappoint. These are among the best NC headphones out there. From the super-premium build and feel, to the intricate, stunning audio, to the impressive ANC, the AirPods Max really do head straight to the top of the tree. They’re pricey, the accompanying case is laughably pointless, and as always, you’ll ideally need an Apple product to pair with, but as this is all we can come up with against them, you can tell that we’re struggling. A technically superior pair of headphones, with the best sound on the list.
Read our full review of the Airpods Max
Buy now £469.00, Johnlewis.com
JBL tune 750BTNC noise-cancelling headphones
The tune 750s are the definition of good value. There are headphones on this list that have better sound, more versatile and powerful ANC and a sturdier, more premium feel. However, to the majority of listeners, the tune 750s are bang on the money. They’re light, fit nicely over the ears, and the ANC is much more effective than we were expecting. The sound is a little bass-heavy, but mightily impressive for how much you’re paying. Battery life comes in at around 15 hours, which is paltry when compared to higher-end models, but we can cope with a little more forward planning as a payoff.
Read the full JBL tune 750BTNC review
Buy now £49.55, Amazon.co.uk
Sennheiser momentum 3 wireless noise-cancelling headphones
Sennheiser’s reputation for the very best audio precedes it every time the brand releases a new product, and each time, that reputation is entirely justified. It’s no different with the momentum 3 wireless headphones. They produce a level of audio intricacy not seen elsewhere at this level, they look like a classic pair of Eighties cans, and the ANC is almost second to none – especially the “anti pressure” mode that lessens the vacuum effect. Well worth the investment, especially for those who want old-school looks with new-age tech.
Read our full review of the Sennheiser momentum 3 wireless headphones
Buy now £301.11, Amazon.co.uk
B&O beoplay HX noise-cancelling headphones
The HX headphones are perhaps the best-looking on the list, with a slimline sophistication, amazingly lightweight feel and chrome finish, alongside a massive 35-hour play time. They also happen to produce one of the best sounds around. The flip side of this is that the ANC, when switched on, doesn’t block out as much as other premium models here: however, if we had to choose between blocking out every sound around us and getting to listen to Bang & Olufsen’s class-leading audio performance, B&O would win out every time.
We’ve also reviewed B&O’s beoplay portal headphones
Buy now £449.00, Bang-olufsen.com
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 noise-cancelling headphones
The PX7s have a joyful sound to them. Everything is finely balanced, dealing with complicated tracks easily, especially when it comes to pairing treble with bass. The design is also unique, and a refreshing take on wireless headphones. Noise cancellation works very well, and is super versatile, with three levels of NC available. They look and feel great, with a sophistication not seen often, even at the upper end of the market. A formidable pair of headphones.
Read the full Bowers & Wilkins PX7 review
Buy now £246.61, Amazon.co.uk
Beats solo pro noise-cancelling headphones
The solo pro headphones are characteristically Beats, just all grown up. Apple’s H1 chip makes the headphones snappy when connecting and keeps the audio in perfect sync. The look is sleeker than ever before, and the sound output is the most considered it’s been in a Beats product thus far, with parred back bass giving terrible and mids room to breathe. The ANC is also premium, helped by the headphones’ on-ear design. A pair of headphones to convert any ardent Beats cynic.
Read our full review of the Beats solo pros
Buy now £249.00, Ao.com
Jabra elite 85h noise-cancelling headphones
Inhabiting the middle ground of the market, The Elite 85h headphones manage to offer plenty of features that place them alongside more expensive choices. The ANC is decent, and the Jabra app offers multiple noise-cancelling options, with varying levels of transparency. The sound is, understandably, not at the level of headphones such as the Bose NC 700s or Sennheiser momentum 3, but still gives the listener plenty of clarity and richness. The battery life is also a huge 30 hours with ANC switched on, impressive at any price.
Here’s our full review of the Jabra elite 85h headphones
Buy now £199.99, Amazon.co.uk
Technics EAH-AZ70W noise-cancelling headphones
A subsidiary of Panasonic, Technics is most noted as a brand that produces some of the best turntables in the world, most notably the industry-standard SL-1200. The company has taken its turntable and audio knowhow and put it into the EAH-AZ70W, a pair of earbuds that produces phenomenal sound, full of character and scale. The EAH’s noise cancellation works wonders, with two different options, and the controls are as easy as a few taps. A worthy investment if you’re looking for an in-ear ANC competitor.
Read our full review of the Technics AZ70W here
Buy now £152.24, Amazon.com
Panasonic RZ-S500W noise-cancelling headphones
The RZ-S500W offer noise cancellation to rival many over-ear efforts. The trade off for this is that they’re quite big and bulky for earbuds, jutting out pretty significantly, but that’s a minor issue compared to its advantages. Touch controls are easy to get the hang of, and the audio output is impressively clear and balanced, especially when you play about with the EQ and ambient noise levels. A great in-ear option for NC enthusiasts.
Read our full review of the Panasonic RZ-S500W headphones
Buy now £149.99, Panasonic.com
Marshall mode II noise-cancelling headphones
While Marshall’s Mode II earphones don’t offer ANC, the noise dampening effects of their shape give the listener plenty of cancellation. Ultimately, you’re buying a Marshall product for the sound it puts in your ear, not the sound it blocks out, and when it comes to the former, these earphones deliver. Audio clarity is as pure as you’ll find in an earbud, with the characteristic Marshall sound present in abundance. They look great and sound even better.
Read the full Marshall mode II review
Buy now £159.00, Selfidges.com
Grado GT220 noise-cancelling headphones
Another set of non-ANC earbuds whose passive noise cancellation pairs with their sound to deserve a spot on this list. Audiophiles love Grado. The family-run brand has been making its products in the same small Brooklyn factory for 65 years, and has enjoyed praise across the audio world since the beginning. The GT220s are another worthy submission to the story. They’re particularly pricey, seriously impressive earphones: the shape might look odd, but it results in a secure, comfortable fit and help the PNC perform brilliantly. Features are sparse, but the sound is almost perfect, with a fullness difficult to top. The bass rattles your brain. In a good way.
Read our full review of the Grado Gt220’s
Buy now £179.95, Amazon.co.uk
Apple AirPods pro noise-cancelling headphones
The AirPods Pro are still among the best in their class. Both passive and active noise cancellation (along with transparent mode) are close to pristine, they fit comfortably and the audio is quintessentially Apple: although there are some rivals that might edge them, the AirPods Pro are clear, clean and intricate, with very little to pick up on. The AirPods Pro 2 are rumoured to be coming out at the start of 2022, but it’s difficult to see where Apple’s designers will go to improve the originals.
Read our full review of the Apple AirPods pro here
Buy now £189.00, Currys.com
Noise-cancelling headphones FAQS
What is the difference between PNC and ANC?
Passive noise cancellation (PNC, or sound isolation) is a physical element, whereby the shape of the headphones dictates how much ambient sound can sneak in. PNC can be enough for many people, as headphone designs are more sophisticated than ever, and designers regularly conceive of ingenious ways of putting a barrier between your ear and the outside world. This is, therefore, the most effective way of protecting your ears against loud, sudden noises, such as explosions or jet engines.
Active noise cancellation (ANC) brings tech into the equation. A series of microphones within the headphones listen out for any nuisance noise in your surroundings. Then, speakers match the frequencies of those sounds, cancelling out this noise and giving you the blissful sound of silence. ANC technology usually needs a few moments to settle and note the various sounds in your surroundings, working most efficiently in settings with consistent ambient sound.
Is noise cancelling bad for ears?
Some people experience a little dizziness or a vacuum effect when first wearing ANC headphones, as the technology removes sound and frequencies that our brains would expect to hear or feel. This isn’t harming your hearing at all. In fact, noise-cancelling headphones can actually protect against hearing loss, dampening external noise instead of having you just turn the volume up to potentially dangerous levels.
The verdict: Noise-cancelling headphones
This was one of the hardest decisions we’ve had to make. Each pair we tested had its own superior elements, from Apple’s signature sound, to the supreme noise cancellation from Bose, to Sennheiser’s audio intricacy. However, Sony currently edges it with the WH-1000XM5. From sophisticated sound, to some of the best noise cancelling tech around, to hours-long comfort, these headphones are as close to the complete package as you can get.
Looking for more headphone recommendations? Here’s our list of the best wireless headphones in 2021
