Why noise cancelling headphones?
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) blocks distractions so you can focus—on flights, in the office, or at home. The best models combine strong ANC with great sound, comfort for long sessions, clear microphones for calls, and reliable battery life.
How to choose: features that matter
- ANC quality: Sony WH‑1000XM5 and Bose QC Ultra are leaders for cancellation and ambient control.
- Battery life: Sennheiser Momentum 4 tops the list with up to 60 hours; Beats Studio Pro reaches 40 hours.
- Comfort and materials: AirPods Max offers premium build; Bose and Sony feel lighter for marathon use.
- Call quality: Beamforming microphones help voices cut through busy environments.
- Smart features: Spatial audio (Bose, Apple, Beats), app EQ (Sony, Sennheiser, B&W), easy controls.
- Codecs and connectivity: aptX Adaptive (Sennheiser, B&W) for Android; instant pairing in Apple ecosystem (AirPods Max).
Quick comparison
| Model | ANC strength | Battery | Weight/comfort | Special features | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony WH‑1000XM5 | Excellent | Up to 30h | Very comfortable | Auto NC Optimizer, Alexa | All‑rounder, travel |
| Bose QC Ultra | Excellent | Up to 24h | Soft cushions | Immersive Audio, spatial | Calls, office |
| Apple AirPods Max | Strong | Varies | Premium materials | Personalized spatial, seamless Apple pairing | Apple users, media |
| Sennheiser Momentum 4 | Strong | Up to 60h | Lightweight | aptX Adaptive, long life | Battery endurance |
| B&W PX7 S2e | Strong | Up to 30h | Lux finish | 24‑bit DSP, aptX Adaptive | Sound quality, design |
| Beats Studio Pro | Good | Up to 40h | Comfortable | USB‑C lossless, spatial | Mixed Apple/Android |
When to buy: seasonal savings
Expect real discounts during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, with savings often ranging 15–40% on premium models. Prices can fluctuate daily—use Sweet Deal to confirm a genuine drop and avoid fake “list price” anchoring.
See the handpicked deals
We curated six models with strong current pricing and great real‑world performance. Jump straight to the product page and pick your match.
Save more with Sweet Deal
Install the free Sweet Deal Chrome Extension to see price history, get alerts on limited‑time offers, and compare across major retailers. It works automatically on Amazon, Best Buy, and more.