Added a bunch of new products here, including the upcoming Sony WH-1000XM6s.February 27, 2025Rewrote the introduction. game aviamaster Added the Bose QuietComfort Headphones and the Panasonic RB-M600, to our ‘also consider’ section. Put score cards under each entry so that readers can quickly see which of the recommendations might suit them best. Simon Lucas has been covering technology as a freelance journalist for almost 20 years, with a special focus on audio and video gear for home entertainment systems. His work has also appeared in publications such as Wired, Metro, the Guardian, HiFi+, GQ, and others. With movies, we found that the sound mix on the Sonos Ace allows speech to come through really clearly, while still providing plenty of power for bassy elements, such as explosions. But everything stays in its own lane – the bass power doesn’t overwhelm other aspects.
Best noise cancelling headphones overall
Below are the best noise-canceling headphones and earbuds you can buy, handpicked and tested by the Reviews team here at WIRED. In terms of their sound quality, the JBL favour a balanced tone that’s not necessarily the most exciting, but we quite enjoyed the sound. They boast a weighty bass, a midrange that is reproduced with clarity avia masters demo mode and a clear and distinct treble performance. We thought that this made them easy to listen to across a range of genres, though the volume needs to be turned up to widen the soundstage and give the bass richness. The sound has a smooth quality to it with an emphasis on bass.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: Best noise-cancelling earbuds
Beyond its call prowess, the L4 offers a solid set of features including support for LDAC and LC3 Bluetooth codecs for high-quality audio streaming from compatible devices, alongside adaptive ANC and 40 hours of battery life. They also deliver a solid audio experience with warm and smooth sound with a clear focus on the midrange. It might not be the most detailed or dynamic, but it’s a pleasant and relaxing sound signature. If you only have around $100 to spend on headphones, check out the Soundcore Space One headphones. The noise cancellation is price-defying, the sound quality is enjoyable, and the fit is comfortable. Plus, the extra features make this set feel far more expensive than it is. Superlative noise cancellation, impressive microphone clarity, excellent sound quality, and a bevy of bonus features make the Sony WF-1000XM5 true wireless earbuds a standout in a very large crowd of competitors. But if you have ears that are very small or sensitive to pressure, you may want to consider alternatives.
Best Budget Noise-Cancelling Headphones: JLab JBuds Lux ANC
We asked John Rule, Senior Engineer at Bose Corporation, to explain noise cancellation. In order to choose the best noise cancelling headphones for you, you’ll need to understand some of the key audio tech terms. Below we’ve collected together some of the most popular and useful ones. If you’re looking for sonic excellence wrapped in a stunning premium design, you’ll find the full package in the Dali IO-8 headphones.
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- Right out of the box, it sounds incredible — among the best we’ve tested.
- That’s right — Sony also makes one of the best overall noise cancelling wireless in-ear headphones too, in the form of the WF-1000XM5.
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We evaluate build quality and comfort by wearing the headphones for extended periods, while headphones with an IP rating will be exposed to rain and sweat. We keep a close eye on playing time to assess manufacturers’ battery life claims. ANC headphones with microphones are used on calls – both over the phone and using web platforms such as Zoom and Teams – while we also make audio recordings to better assess voice pickup and background noise reduction. We would describe the noise cancellation as solid for the price.
Best noise-cancelling headphones 2025: Silence the world with effective ANC
I haven’t come across a pair of wireless earbuds that offers this much value for money since, well, their predecessors arrived in 2023. They sound musical, mature, refined and detailed, and also boast impressive levels of comfort, 8.5 hours of battery life, a rechargeable carry case and, of course, that all-important noise-cancelling functionality. Aviamasters is a unique crash-style game developed by BGaming that puts players in control of a charming red propeller plane. Unlike traditional slots, this game doesn’t feature reels or paylines. Instead, players embark on a thrilling flight adventure where the goal is to accumulate multipliers and cash prizes before safely landing on an aircraft carrier. The game boasts a high RTP of 97% and offers a wide betting range from €0.1 to €1,000, catering to both casual players and high rollers. With its low volatility design, Aviamasters provides frequent, smaller wins, ensuring an engaging and prolonged gaming experience.
Best wireless earbuds in 2025 reviewed and rated
Noise-cancelling headphones let you listen at lower volumes, reducing the impact on your eardrums. Over-ear headphones of the closed-back variety offer the best passive noise-cancellation as their earcups are sealed and envelop your ears. Open-back over-ear headphones actively let sound in, so you won’t find any noise-cancelling headphones with an open-back design. With prices starting from around £50 and soaring to well over £300, there’s a pair of noise-cancelling headphones out there for everyone, no matter their budget. But which style is right for you, and what features should you look for? The answers to both of those questions can be found in the buying guide below. The buds are comfortable and sound good too, though the step-up in sound quality between them and the XM4 isn’t as obvious as it was between those buds and the third-gen model.
Battery life is good for movies and at-home use, but you’ll find much longer options in this list for travel. Enough battery life for most people, but you can do much better these days. Great battery life at up to 100 hours, which makes them a top choice for long journeys. Only a 24 hour battery life, which isn’t necessarily terrible, but is weak compared to rivals. Excellent battery life of up to 100 hours, you’ll still hit 65 hours with ANC on. Bold, dynamic sound with more customization options than ever before. They’re a little on the bulky side, but the fold up well and feel great to wear.
