The Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones for Travel (And Everything Else)
We’ve all had an in-flight experience where we wished we’d invested in noise-canceling headphones. Maybe it was a podcast drowned out by the blood-curdling cry of a baby, or sleepytime music rendered useless by the chatter of your intoxicated neighbors. If either of those scenarios brings back a painfully vivid memory, perhaps the time has come for you to find a pair of noise-canceling headphones that work for you. Of course, while you’re traveling less often than usual, you can still put these sets to good use during a meditative cleaning session or when you need an escape from the sound of your housemates (or family).
There are plenty of quality noise-canceling headphones on the market, with Sony's recently-upgraded WH-1000XM4's and Apple’s AirPods Pro ranking among the most exciting new releases in the last couple of years. So how do you choose? Beyond price, you’ll want to take into consideration how effective the noise-canceling capability really is, battery life, portability, and comfort—all of which will be especially important when those long-haul flights resume. From earbuds to over-the-ear headphones, here are our picks for the best noise-canceling headphones for 2020.
All products featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
Sony WH-1000XM4 Noise-Canceling Headphones
When we reviewed the Sony WH-1000XM3 Noise-Canceling Headphones upon their release in 2018, we wrote, “it's actually hard to imagine this technology getting any better.” “Challenge accepted,” said Sony. The next generation of their industry-leading headphones, the WH-1000XM4s, take everything that made their predecessors so incredible, and added a handful of very useful bells and whistles. Unchanged are the whopping 30 hours of battery life, comfort that lends itself well to long-haul listening sessions, and noise-canceling technology that will drown out even the loudest seat neighbor on a flight. New features include the ability to pair to two devices at once, an auto-pause capability when the headphones are removed, and a “Speak-to-Pause” feature that will pause the music when you start talking to someone. The mic array has been updated too, making for clearer phone calls. Most importantly of course, the headphones still sound incredible, rendering music the way musicians wanted you to hear it. The best did, in fact, get better. —Sebastian Modak
Battery life: 30 hours
Hits: Superlative comfort, sound quality, and noise-canceling technology; USB-C charging; customizable ambient sound control and noise-canceling settings; multi-device Bluetooth pairing; intuitive touch controls
Misses: Expensive, especially if you’re just upgrading from the previous generation
Buy now: $348, amazon.com
Bose Noise-Canceling Headphones 700
We haven't tested these yet, but the reviews are promising, with some tech critics suggesting they're good enough to take the best noise-canceling headphones crown from Sony. We do know they look sleeker than Bose's QuietComforts, have a four-microphone system that simultaneously isolates your voices for calls while blocking out the noise around you, and feature 11 levels of noise cancellation. If you're loyal to all things Bose, you likely won't be disappointed by the 700—even if they're $50 more than the brand's previous iteration of noise-canceling headphones. —Elaheh Nozari
Battery life: 20 hours
Hits: Intuitive touch controls; sleeker looking than the QuietComfort 35 II
Misses: Notably higher price point
Buy now: $399, amazon.com or $380, bose.com
Marshall Monitor II A.N.C.
Sure, there are less expensive and more effective noise-canceling headphones. But there aren't any that look as cool as these. There’s a reason why Marshall has become such an iconic badge brand: You know exactly what to expect when it comes to design. Released in March 2020, the Marshall Monitor II A.N.C. arrives in a black drawstring denim bag and features a familiar minimal black colorway accented with a leather grain texture and that familiar white, cursive logo on the ear cups, plus a useful gold-accented playback knob. In terms of functionality, these headphones represent the best of Marshall’s offerings by a long shot: unlike older A.N.C. models, they come with over-the-ear rather than on-ear earcups. They’re great for playing music in any setting, built with custom-tuned 40mm dynamic drivers for quality depth of sound plus an adjustable transparency mode that allows in just the right amount of sound when you need to be aware of your surroundings. —Dan Dao
Battery life: 30 hours
Hits: Unique design that makes an immediate statement; solid active noise-canceling capabilities; a useful transparency mode for workouts or commutes; long-lasting battery life; USB-C charging
Misses: Lacks some advanced features offered by other models in a similar price range; microphone isn’t as powerful as it could be
Buy now: $320, marshallheadphones.com
Beats Studio3 Wireless
Apple's Beats Studio3 Wireless headphones deserve a spot on this list because when they're unleashed to their full potential, they're really spectacular: great sound, especially when bumping something bass-heavy; easy-to-use controls; all-encompassing noise-canceling paired with the noise isolation of their tight fit; and, when paired with an Apple device, a seamless, super-solid connection courtesy of Apple's proprietary W1 chip (the same one that makes AirPods so good). But that last feature is where things get complicated. While these work brilliantly if you live in an all-Apple ecosystem, the system really starts to break down when working with basically any other device. Bluetooth initial pairing and the connection is frustrating and spotty with a Chromebook or non-Apple phone, and the headphones’ battery life also suffers when not being used in conjunction with Apple products. For the collector who swears by Apple, these are a good option simply because they are so damn easy to pair and use with iPhones, Macbooks, and iPads—for anyone else, look further up the list. —S.M.
Battery life: 22 hours
Hits: Comfy fit; great for bass-heavy music; wide array of colors to choose from
Misses: Tech starts breaking down when paired with anything outside of the Apple ecosystem; can get a little gross around the ears in hot weather
Buy now: $300, amazon.com or $350, bestbuy.com
Sennheiser MOMENTUM Wireless
Luxurious sheepskin leather earpads, three different noise-cancellation settings, and top-of-the-line bluetooth functionality are some of the defining features of this recent release from Sennheiser. Clearly meant to compete with offerings from Sony and Bose, these sleek, modern headphones are best-in-class when it comes to comfort and sound: music is lush and crystal-clear, offering studio-quality depth and precision. The experience is fully customizable, too: You can use the Sennheiser Smart Control app to adjust the level of noise cancellation, or switch to anti-wind mode when you’re outside. If you’ve got sensitive ears, the anti-pressure mode relieves some of the physical pressure applied by noise-canceling headphones for a slightly more comfortable listening experience. And lastly, a transparent hearing mode allows you to hear just the right amount of ambient sound, like car horns or metro announcements, to be present in the world. The headphones are perfect for folks on the go, with handy features like a built-in Tile tracking device and one-touch access to your Google voice assistant. —D.D.
Battery life: 17 hours
Hits: Three different noise cancellation settings controlled through a mobile app; advanced bluetooth capability; a built-in Tile tracker and a simultaneously luxurious and ergonomic design
Misses: A surprisingly short battery life coupled with a higher price point
Buy now: $400, sennheiser.com
Microsoft Surface Headphones
While most of the brands on this list follow a similar system when it comes to controls—a combination of finger-tap commands or buttons to stop and start music, answer calls, and activate digital assistants—Microsoft took a refreshingly new approach with its Surface headphones. While you tap on either earcup to start and stop music, there are also two dials, one around each earcup, to control volume and the level of noise-canceling. It's precise and easy to use. The noise-canceling dial on the left side runs through 13 different levels, from full-on isolation that comes within striking distance of the best in the business, to audio transparency that picks up every sound around you. Still, a discouragingly low battery life, some issues with comfort, and the continuing disappointment of Cortana, Microsoft's voice assistant (although they work great with Google Assistant and Siri), means the next generation of these will likely be even better. —S.M.
Battery life: 15 hours
Hits: Intuitive dial controls; good-quality sound and noise-canceling; sleek, minimalist design
Misses: Can get a little uncomfortable over long periods; battery life lags behind the competition
Buy now: $179, amazon.com or $180, bhphotovideo.com
Apple AirPods Pro
Signaling a shift toward high-end earbuds or “hearables,” as the industry is calling them, Apple debuted these “pro” AirPods that are vastly superior to the previous model. For just 50 bucks more, you get a snug, ergonomic in-ear fit plus active noise-canceling capabilities. Released in the fall of 2019, the AirPods Pro became an instant must-have for owners of the old AirPods. They’re just that much better. No, they don’t deliver the same level of noise-canceling as their much larger over-ear cousins, but they fit in your pocket and do the trick for day-to-day use. This is especially true for gym sessions, phone calls, and commuting, where having a pair of bulky headphones can be annoying. If you’re willing to skimp on features like a built-in equalizer or an ambient listening mode, we recommend getting a pair. —D.D.
Battery life: 4.5 hours with active noise canceling on, 24 hours factoring in the charging case
Hits: Lightweight and portable; powerful sound quality given the size; useful transparency mode setting; affordable cost; wireless charging; works well with iPhones
Misses: Won’t fully block out sound on a plane or train; comparatively low battery life; impossible to replace batteries, meaning these won’t last as long as others
Buy now: $249, apple.com or $235, bestbuy.com
Jabra Elite 85H
Jabra made a name for itself in the earphone market with its Elite 65T wireless earbuds, and it entered the noise-canceling arena with the Elite 85H on-ear headphones in 2019. They have a Smart Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology that responds to your environment—if it detects too much background noise, the ANC will switch on. I tested these both in our office and on a plane, and while I couldn't hear my co-workers' desk-side conversations at work, let's just say I had a hard time blocking out the sound of my seatmate shelling pistachios on a flight to Utah. Other than that, they are a comfortable, minimalist-looking headphones that come in a sleek leather carrying case with both an Aux and a USB-C cable, and travel adapter. —E.N.
Battery life: 36 hours
Hits: Comfortable headband and great sound quality
Misses: They're on the heavier side, and are better suited for an office environment than a plane
Buy now: $250, amazon.com
Ausounds AU-Stream ANC
Launched in 2019, the startup headphone company Ausounds has debuted true wireless hybrid active noise canceling earbuds that can hold their own against Apple’s Airpods—at a far lower price. There are plenty of similarities between the two: a stick-like design, roughly five hours of battery life, and an automatic phone connection when you take them out of the case. But unlike the white design of the Airpods, these come in a (in my opinion) more pleasant matte black finish. They’ve got USB-C charging, which is useful for charging in transit, and feature 13mm drivers and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity. If you’re not married to Apple, these are the next best bet for earpods. —D.D.
Battery life: 5 hours
Hits: Super-affordable; premium look and feel; not an Apple product
Misses: Audiophiles will find something to be desired in audio quality; the ANC functionality isn’t quite as advanced as those on pricier options
Buy now: $150, ausounds.com
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H9 3rd Gen
At $500, the flagship wireless offering from high-end Danish audio producer Bang and Olufsen is the priciest on this list by a long shot. But technophiles and devotees of the brand alike swear by its pitch-perfect finesse—balancing a nuanced true-to-life musical sound quality with technical noise-canceling performance; reconciling the appeal of analog feel with modern sensibilities. Compared to its competitors, the product offers a more sensitive microphone that eliminates noise in real-time as you speak. Design though, may be the biggest plus here: the sturdy headphones boast a stitched-leather headband, memory foam pads, and ear cups with touch controls. Luxury technology, this is. —D.D.
Battery life: 25 hours
Hits: Unmatched ergonomic design; Danish minimalist craftsmanship; easily accessible Google voice assistant; above average battery life
Misses: A splurge-level price; less technically-advanced active noise cancellation
Buy now: $500, bang-olufsen.com
AKG N700NC
This entrant from Samsung-owned AKG was clearly meant to take on Bose and Sony's dominance over the noise-canceling market—and it puts up a decent fight. The N700NCs are fantastic headphones: sound characterized by punchy bass and clearly defined treble; all the features beyond just great noise-canceling that we've come to expect, including customizable ambient sound enhancement (in this case called “Ambient Aware”); and a comfortable fit for long listening sessions. Unlike their subdued Bose and Sony competitors, these headphones also look pretty wild thanks to a headband with an extra curve and a double-layered design over the ears. Still, the N700NCs don't quite measure up to competitors’ overall balance between performance and comfort, even if the actual sound quality comes pretty darn close—and the carrying case is a little too bulky to just slip into a backpack and go. —S.M.
Battery life: 20 hours
Hits: Cool design; snug fit (if that's what you're into); high-quality sound and noise-canceling; accessories include two-prong plug adapter
Misses: Carrying case is bulkier than it needs to be; the play/pause button is tiny and hard to find on-the-go
Buy now: $82, amazon.com