Who’s ready to cancel some noise, headphone style?! When you do, you’ll want to rock one of the following pairs. Let’s get into it. Here is a list of the 18 best noise-cancelling headphones.

Bose’s latest and greatest picks up where the iconic QuietComfort 35 II left off. The improvements to fidelity, call handling, and noise cancellation are perceptible, albeit not substantial. One nifty feature is that the headphones apply noise cancellation to calls on both ends, meaning the person with whom your speaking won’t get distracted by external noises either. Meanwhile, the visual layout is top of the line.

If only the best wireless noise-cancelling headphones will suffice, look no further than Sony’s WH-1000XM3. Improving upon its predecessor in any number of ways, these optimal beauties deliver prime ergonomics, a long battery life, stunning sonics, brilliant isolation, and so much more. This is everything you want in a pair of noise-cancelling headphones and at a price that can’t be beat.

As if being some of the world’s most popular wireless buds wasn’t enough, the Apple AirPods Pro also features active noise cancellation. In addition to that, they’re cleverly discreet and indisputably convenient. Oh, and did we mention the improved bass and exceptional call quality? Sure, the battery degrades over time and the price is relatively high, but you knew all that as soon as you saw the word “Apple.”

Want to stick it to the standard Apple AirPods? Then pick up the Sony WF-1000XM3, which features powerful acoustics, a handsome aesthetic, an all-day battery life, and active noise cancellation, amongst other things. We think these could be the best wireless earbuds option for you if you’re looking for quality noise cancellation.

These noise-cancelling headphone feature specially-designed 40mm titanium drivers, a custom DSP, and up to 38 hours of battery life with active noise cancellation turned on. Also copping aluminium dials inspired by a camera’s focus rings that allow you to adjust volume, noise-cancellation levels, and transparency, it’s not hard to see why bang & Olufsen’s latest release is among the best noise-cancelling headphones right now.

No discussion of premium audio gear is complete without the name Sennheiser, who knocked one out of the park with the Momentum 3. Sporting plush pads of sheepskin leather, these wireless headphones amount to love at first use. Sealing the deal are features such as customisable noise cancellation, superior acoustics, long-lasting battery, and built-in Tile tracker. As a slightly inferior (and way more expensive) alternative to the Sony WH-1000XM3, this one will do just fine.

If you’re not already familiar with these iconic headphones, the words “quiet” and “comfort” should get you up to speed. True to form, the seminal stunners deliver superb noise-cancellation, swift access to Google Assistant, and so much more. For global travellers and daily commuters and anyone in between, you can do no wrong in picking up a pair. This is the timeless art of aural isolation.

If you’ve seen HBO’s “The Defiant Ones,” then you know that Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine created Beats as a direct response to noise-cancellation and its tune-out template. A few years and a few billion dollars later, the brand has released its first pair of on-ear headphones with pure active noise cancellation, which can be turned off with the tap of a button. These are also the first full-size Beats headphones to charge via lightning. Find your colour and get rolling in superior style.

Bang & Olufsen makes beautiful products and the Beoplay H9 is certainly no exception. Now in its 3rd generation, these luxurious cans tout a 25-hour battery life, one-touch voice assistance, and all sorts of cushy flourishes. Naturally, that’s joined by some of the best noise cancellation money can buy…lots and lots of money. What, you thought these things would be cheap?

Over on the (far) more affordable side of the spectrum, we have the dependable JBL Live 650BTNC. Expect some genuine bang for your buck from these clean-looking bad boys, which rank among the best wireless noise-cancelling headphones for their respective price range.

It might come as a surprise, but the Beats Studio3 Wireless does indeed feature ANC…not that anyone really uses it. You’re more likely to snag these stylish headphones for the impressive sound, cosy fit, and respectable battery life. But hey, the extra perks don’t hurt.

You can never have too much of a good thing in this world, and by that we mean you can never have too many pairs of Sennheiser headphones. The best part? These wireless noise-cancelling headphones are quite affordable. They’re comfortable, too.

One might describe the AKG N60NC as the Goldilocks of on-ear headphones, in that they’re not too big and not too small. Further bolstered by crystal clear acoustics and high-performing ANC, they’re just right indeed.

Compact, foldable, comfortable, and long-lasting, the Philips Fidelio NC1 delivers first-class sound with a first-class look to match. Equipped with four microphones, it uses a highly unique ANC system, which combines two separate feeds to cover the widest possible frequency range. These headphones might not be wireless or all that recent, but don’t let that stop you from snagging a pair.

There’s more than first meets the eye to the PX Wireless from Bowers and Wilkins, which automatically adapts when you throw it on or take it off. Also featured is great sound, adaptive noise cancellation, and a 22-hour battery life. While a little late to the party, these headphones jumped ahead of the pack by way of the USB-C charging port.

Packing powerful bass, intuitive touch controls, clean acoustics, and terrific call quality into a minimalist profile, the Microsoft Surface Headphones stack up well against their better-known counterparts. The noise cancellation works best when you’re listening to music.

Melbourne’s own Nura crafted these wondrous headphones, which launched to fame on the back of a wildly successful Kickstarter campaign. Winner of Best of Innovation at the 2019 CES, Nuraphone customises the aural experience based on each listener’s specific hearing profile. And that’s merely scratching the surface in terms of what this audio gear has in store. We can’t promise they’ll be the best wireless noise-cancelling headphones in your arsenal, but they’ll certainly be the most unique and by a wide margin.

An impressive newcomer, the Jabra Elite 85h checks all the necessary boxes and then some. Quick to charge and built to last, it uses SmartSound technology to automatically adapt to your external surroundings and then apply ANC. Throw on these sleek and comfortable cans for a personalised and powerful experience. They just might very well become your favourite pair of Bluetooth headphones.

We all know how intrusive the outside world can be, especially when we’re trying to have a conversation, think clear thoughts, or fall asleep. Whirring fans. Airplane engines. Construction workers. Annoying meatheads. They can all create potential and perennial distractions. That’s exactly where noise cancellation comes in.

As with all modern gadgets, headphones can take a variety of forms, including wireless. That’s especially true nowadays, as the best wireless noise-cancelling headphones continue to surge in both their effectiveness and popularity. With cables or without them, there are a few types of noise-cancelling headphones from which you can choose. They are as follows:

These are the key factors to consider when buying noise cancelling headphones so it is important to consider how the product performs in these areas: