Best noise cancelling headphones of 2021

Music fans and audiophiles rejoice! If you value your music’s sound quality or hang on every word of your new favorite podcast, then noise cancelling headphones are for you. Rock out at home or take them on the road. These babies really are the best thing to ever happen to your listening experience.

Whatever the background buzz you’d rather do without - the loud hum of an airplane engine, your kid’s new video game soundtrack, a roommate singing in the shower - noise-cancelling headphones silence the outside world so you can focus on your tunes. They blow much of their competition out of the water, making your music sound simply exceptional.

By eliminating environmental distractions and ambient noise, noise cancelling headphones allow you to hear the nuance and subtlety in your favorite music. It makes an incredible difference when high standards of audio quality intersect with the elimination of all unnecessary noises. You can dive in and experience songs you’ve heard a thousand times all over again in a completely new light.

And the best news is, these awesome pieces of modern technology don’t have to break the bank! There are noise-cancelling headphone options for everyone. Read on, because we’re about to tell you everything there is to know about noise-cancelling headphones.

Black Friday is approaching

There are three certainties in life: death, taxes and fantastic post-Thanksgiving deals on popular products. Amazon Prime Day discounted a number of noise-cancelling headphones, signaling some possibilities for upcoming Black Friday deals. There were some really good ones available, and we expect to see more in the same vein as the end of November approaches.

Bookmark our headphone bargains on Black Friday to stay up-to-date on the latest deals!

Today’s best steals for noise-cancelling headphones

Before we get into our extended list, let’s check out a few of the more exciting deals on headphones we’ve seen today.

Our list of the best noise cancelling headphones

Noise-cancelling headphones aren’t like cars. You might have to pay extra to get a moonroof, but you don’t have to cough up the extra cash just to get the noise-cancelling technology. The sound-improving designs are an integral part of all models, from the affordable basics to the more expensive bells and whistles.

We’re here to present you our list. We looked for products that offered the best audio quality, the best designs and the best bang for the buck.

These lightweight headphones are the best noise cancelling headphones of 2020.

Considering every measurement, these headphones exceed their performance expectations. They look similar to their prior model but have upgraded their features with several new, useful capabilities. Their noise-cancellation is superb, they are comfortable to wear and they offer incredible sound quality.

New features include DSEE Extreme, speak-to-chat technology and auto controls. The automatic features are particularly incredible and definitely make it fun to own a pair of these headphones.

Audio quality

The Sony WH-1000XM4 now offers DSEE Extreme upscaling. This means that your lossy audio files (like mp3s) will be uncompressed to restore much of their original quality and nuance.

These stereo headphones pan and texturize to create spatial audio. They also support 990 kbps bitrate through the LDAC codec.

Design and additional features

The Sony WH-1000XM4 now pair with multiple Bluetooth devices simultaneously, a convenient addition for the now-typical music lover who owns more than one device.

Through speak-to-chat technology, these headphones detect when you’re having a conversation and automatically reduce the music volume. They also include a microphone so you can make phone calls and control Alexa with your voice, and a touch sensor to control playback, adjust volume and answer the phone.

The predecessor of the Sony WH-1000XM4 narrowly concedes a first-place finish and takes the number-two spot. These noise-cancelling headphones were ranked the best noise cancelling headphones in past years. Although they’ve been overtaken by their comrades in arms this year, these are still incredible headphones worthy of your purchase.

Audio quality

If you still utilize aptX or aptX HD, this previous Sony headphone model is the one for you because the Sony WH-1000XM4 have eliminated their compatibility with those codecs.

The ANC is fantastic in this model, as is the audio quality.

Design and additional features

Tap controls allow you to take phone calls and control audio.

Voice assistance is a helpful tool that is also included with these headphones. You can utilize both Alexa support and Google Assistant.

These are foldable headphones and have ear cups that swivel.

These headphones are the best noise cancelling headphones of all the Bose options. The price and battery life aren’t quite as stellar as the Sonys, but they’re still a great option for noise-cancelling headphones and have a chic and stylish appearance.

Because the battery life isn’t as good as the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones, you should go for the Sonys if you’re trying to decide between these two. That’s especially true because the Sonys also cost less. However, the Boses have a lot of great qualities. You wouldn't regret it if you wound up with a pair of them.

Audio quality

These headphones have incredible noise-cancellation capabilities. Music played in these headphones really pops. There is a dynamic, nimble quality to the audio and a balanced spectrum that immerse you in sound.

Design and additional features

These headphones are by far the best option for making phone calls. That’s because most noise-cancelling headphones don’t account for the person on the other end of the call -- while you can comfortably hear them without distraction, they still hear every bit of your noisy surrounding environment. But Bose keenly applies noise-cancelling to phone calls in addition to music listening, making these headphones true innovations in the world of noise-cancelling technology.

These headphones are an excellent choice for people who love using voice commands. Almost indistinguishable to its predecessor, the Bose QuietComfort 35, the II has upgraded to include Google Assistant. Now, you can get the amazing audio quality and noise-cancelling capabilities of Bose, combined with the convenience of voice assistance.

Commuters and travelers will especially love this model of Bose noise-cancelling headphones, which are fantastic options for a mainstream audience that strike a balance between quality and price.

Bose recently released a new model of noise-cancelling headphones that really ups the ante. These headphones came in the number-three spot in our list of 2020’s best noise cancelling headphones: the Bose Noise-Cancelling Headphones 700. These are definitely worth investigating as another purchase option.

Audio quality

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones offer an expansive spectrum of sound with clear and crisp audio quality. The noise cancellation is industry-leading.

Design and additional features

These headphones include active EQ, which might not be for everyone. They also have a relatively plain appearance, but the price is right.

Very rarely do you find earbuds with a closed acoustic design, let alone with high enough sound quality to make best noise cancelling headphones lists. But here we are! These Sony earbuds are “true” wireless, which means they have no need for any wires because their batteries and controls are built into the buds themselves.

Audio quality

Earbud noise-cancellation can’t match isolation levels that over-ear headphones can reach. But considering these are earbuds, their noise cancellation is top-notch. They offer fantastic audio quality in the earbud world, as well.

Design and additional features

These earbuds are a subtle and low-key alternative to the larger full-size headphones.

It’s taken them a minute, but we’re happy to see Shure jump on the wireless noise-cancellation train. The Shure AONIC 50s are priced to give our number-one and number-three choices a run for their money.

Unfortunately, these headphones don’t include any touch controls. However, they are built to last.

Audio quality

Of all noise-cancelling headphones, the Shure AONIC 50 have nearly the best audio quality out there. If you want your music to sound the very best it can, these headphones feature a vast, realistic soundstage and will not disappoint.

The Jabra Elite 85H offers some of the longest battery life of any noise-cancelling headphones. However, they lack quality codec support, which might be a deal breaker for some audiophiles out there. This is Jabra’s first stab at wireless noise-cancelling headphones, so it will be interesting to see where they go next.

The Jabra Elite 85H have a certain futuristic stylishness about them.

Audio quality

While the Jabra Elite 85H’s sound quality isn’t bad, the somewhat-flat bass profiles left us a little underwhelmed. Although, listeners are able to customize sound profiles -- a great feature that not every wireless ANC headphone designer thinks to include.

The newest release from Apple is a serious step up from the old Apple AirPods. They fit better, sound better and feature ACN. It’s understandably appealing to have devices all optimized to work together seamlessly, so if you’re an Apple fan and have other Apple products, these are a great option for you. However, they are pricier than their competition, which outperforms them.

Audio quality

Apple definitely improved the overall sound quality since their last AirPods release. These earbuds will make pop-music fans happy, but jazz and classical fans may find themselves wanting.

The addition of more microphones has made the noise cancellation more effective compared to the last AirPods, too. This is how active noise-cancellation works -- microphones detect the sound waves of environmental noise, and the headsets then emit sounds that are the exact phase inversions of those sound waves, rendering them completely silent.

Design and additional features

Apple AirPods Pro feature a transparency mode, which effectively cancels the noise-cancellation. If you’re one to listen to music while playing sports, running in your neighborhood or bike-commuting to work, transparency mode will let outside sound in so you can be safe and know what’s going on around you.

These active noise cancellation headphones are the best noise cancelling headphones Marshall has ever released. They offer high sound quality, are comfortable to wear and are an overall excellent value. These headphones come with an app that makes them easy to control. Consider them as a possible option if you’re also considering the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones.

The visual design of these headphones do a fantastic job of referencing the iconic rock music brand’s legacy. They definitely have a long history of delivering quality audio equipment!

Audio quality

These ANC headphones offer quality noise cancellation and a well-balanced soundstage, albeit one that could further be broadened. They have a solid punch and power about their presentation that will do any rock music serious justice.

Their overall audio quality isn’t winning them any awards, but it’s still an above-average choice very worth considering.

While these slick noise-cancelling headphones are one of the most expensive models on our list, they are serious contenders with their rival brands.

Audio quality

The Bowers and Wilkins PX7s have the best sound quality of any noise-cancelling headphones on the market. Between that tidbit and their awesome noise cancellation, these headphones should be an option on the table for even the most prudent of audiophiles.

The streaming quality of these headphones are a cool 24-bit with aptX HD.

Design and additional features

The Bluetooth capabilities of the Bowers and Wilkins PX7s are somewhat of a marvel. They boast an extremely stable connection and fantastically low latency between headphones and device, due to aptX Adaptive technologies.

While their ear cups don’t collapse, these headphones have a polished, classy appearance and they’re built to last. There’s not much to not like about the Bowers and Wilkins PX7s.

These Sennheisers have fantastic audio quality that is in equal competition with our number-one choice, the Sony WH-1000XM4s. It may be lacking in a few main features like battery life. But what it lacks, it makes up for with very smart design decisions.

Audio quality

There is nothing harsh about the sound these headphones produce. They sound broad and sparkling and convey the nuance and warmth of music.

The Sennheiser Momentum 3s feature incredibly good noise cancellation that is customizable but still isn’t quite up to snuff when compared with the WH-1000XM4s.

Design and additional features

A big selling point of the Sennheisers is their Tile Bluetooth tracking. Register your headphones and find them in seconds with any device that can pair to them.

The sturdy and sleek metallic design is another reason to consider purchasing these fantastic headphones.

These JBLs are the lowest-priced headphones on our list. JBL has become a trusted and dependable name in the world of Bluetooth audio and headphones. The company once again gets the job done with their Tune 750 headphones.

This newest model from JBL outperforms its predecessor. These headphones boast solid sound quality and effective noise cancellation.

Design and additional features

Some features that other higher-ranked models excel in are noticeably missing from the JBLs, such as waterproofing and battery life. However, JBL always seems to design a practical and quality device. These headphones fit great, look stylish and are an absolute steal considering their price.

You’ll be bumping along with the bass in these new-and-improved Microsoft noise-cancelling headphones. This recent model upgrade from Microsoft is a noticeable improvement from their first attempt in the original Surface Headphones. The Surface Headphones 2 are also cheaper than their cousins. The new guys are the clear winner if there’s any question of which version to purchase.

Audio quality

While there’s some room for a more nuanced soundscape, the Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 deliver audio with good presence, smoothness and breadth.

Design and additional features

There are many useful controls on these headphones. There are dials on each ear for adjusting the active noise cancellation and the playback controls. This is one feature that Microsoft chose to keep from their original ANC headphones.

Since their inaugural noise-cancelling headphones release, Microsoft has also improved the battery life and designed their Surface Headphones 2 to be more comfortable to wear.

There are a lot of positives to this headphone model, although the visual appeal is fairly bland.

Our second Sennheiser option of the day, these earbuds live up to their reliable company name. With incredible sound quality, slick design and long battery life, they give the Sony WF-1000XM3s a run for their money.

Audio quality

The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2s support high-resolution audio. Their frequency response is quite impressive for earbuds, and the levels of noise cancellation and full, vibrant sound are truly astounding.

Design and additional features

Occasionally, these earbuds didn’t comfortably fit people with smaller ears. But other than that, these Sennheiser Momentums are quite simply a fantastic option for noise-cancelling true wireless earbuds.

Heads up, early adopters. The Nura Nuraphone is quite the experiment in true noise isolation.

These headphones are a combination between over-ear and earbud styles. The idea is that much less sound can reach your ears if there are effectively two walls between you and your outside environment.

Audio quality

The Nura Nuraphone headphones deliver some great sound quality that has a depth and fullness to it. And the noise-cancelling qualities are quite fantastic.