Let’s face it, life is noisy. Whether commuting through traffic, working in a busy environment, or just relaxing at home, a pair of good Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) headphones is just the right thing to cancel out that noise. Because of this, many people are on the hunt for the best headphones they can find.

We break down the five best headphones that are popular on the market. Each one of them has its own personality, strengths, and ideal user. Let’s walk through them and help you choose the best headphones for your use case.

The “gold standard” for noise-cancellation headphones…

The Sony WH-1000XM5 has up to 30 hours of battery with noise canceling on. It supports Bluetooth 5.2 with very high-quality codecs (LDAC, AAC, SBC). It feels comfortable and lightweight with a weight of only 250 g. In addition, you can connect multiple devices at once; for instance, you can have your phone connected and your laptop connected at the same time.

Another great feature of these headphones is that Sony has packed some nice smart features. They have automatic noise control that adapts to your surroundings. ”Speak-to-Chat” pauses music when you talk, allowing you to have clear conversations, then turns back the music when you are done. Cool… You can download the Sony app for the headphones, which features some great equalizer settings. This is a great choice if you want the best headphones overall, with great sound, top-tier noise cancellation, and smart features.

Pros

• Industry-leading noise-canceling
• Clean, detailed sound
• Smart features that actually work

Cons

• Expensive
• Touch controls can be a little sensitive

The comfort King……..

Bose has been making noise-cancellation headphones for a long time, and the QC45 just proves they still know what they are doing. The QC45 supports Bluetooth 5.1, and the battery can go for 24 hours on a full charge. Bose has gone for physical buttons on this one; there are no touch controls, but the buttons feel smooth and easy to use.

The headphones feel unbelievably comfortable on the head. You can wear them all day without feeling pressure or fatigue. This makes them ideal for traveling long distances or for remote workers. If you are looking for headphones that are comfortable for those long flights or long days of work or study, then the Bose QuiteComfort 45 are the best headphones for your case.

Pros

• Extremely comfortable
• Very strong noise-canceling
• Simple, reliable controls

Cons

• Fewer sound-customization options
• Battery life is good, not amazing

The Value Hero…..

The Anker Soundcore Life Q35 is our value hero on our list, you get app-based equalizers, solid noise cancellation, and great battery life for a much lower price than the Bose or Sony brands.

The Q35 can go for 40 hours with Active Noise-Cancellation (ANC), this is an impressive battery life for a lower price. It has Bluetooth 5.0 with LDAC support; LDAC’s bitrate is much higher than what standard Bluetooth codecs offer. This means you will get a much “cleaner” sound than with other Bluetooth codecs. It offers multiple ANC modes (outdoor, indoor, and transport). The Q35 is for the budget-conscious buyers who still want the best headphone experience.

Pros

• Excellent battery life
• Customizable sound with app-based EQ
• Very affordable

Cons

• Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is not as powerful as premium models
• The size is a bit bulky

This is for the sound lovers…..

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 has a rich bass, clear mids, and crisp highs—all while offering strong adaptive noise cancellation. The sound from these headphones is fantastic, and that is the reason why they are loved by audiophiles.

They pack an impressive 60 hours of battery life and support Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX, AAC, and SBC. Overall, if you care more about sound than absolute silence, these could easily be the best headphones for you.

Pros

• Incredible battery life
• Excellent sound quality
• Premium wireless codecs

Cons

• Noise canceling slightly weaker than Sony/Bose
• Touch controls take getting used to

The budget-friendly pick…..

These are good for a basic noise-cancellation headphone without breaking your wallet. They are a solid entry into the world of the best headphones on the market. The JBL Tune 760NC is ideal for people who do not want to spend much but still want a decent sound experience.

It has about 35 hours of battery life, standard Bluetooth with SBC/AAC, and a lightweight over-the-ear design. These headphones are simple, affordable, and give you real noise cancelling.

Pros

• Low price
• Long battery life
• Easy to use

Cons

• ANC is modest
• Sound isn’t as detailed