The 10 best noise-cancelling headphones we use, love, and recommend
We put the top noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds from Bose, Sony, and Apple to the test. These are 10 we recommend buying.
Determining the top noise-cancelling headphones for 2026 requires testing many models, as the selection continues to expand. Among the best overall value, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) stand out, striking a perfect balance between comfort, sound quality, and ANC. However, if you seek the most advanced active noise cancellation, the Sony XM6 headphones take the lead.
A diverse range of headphones and earbuds were reviewed by Mashable editors and reviewers, from flagship models to budget options, to provide the best choices across all price ranges. Noise-cancelling headphones work by electronically masking surrounding sounds. They employ internal microphones to detect outside noise, then generate inverted sound waves to counteract it, resulting in near-silence.
Over-ear headphones with a tight seal provide an additional layer of passive sound blocking. While cheaper ANC headphones may produce a noticeable hissing sound when active noise cancellation is active, premium headphones generally offer superior performance across the board. However, affordable options also deliver solid noise cancellation.
Notably, newer wireless earbuds, such as the AirPods Pro and Bose QuietComfort Ultra, have progressed in ANC capabilities, rivaling over-ear headphones. For maximum silence, over-ear headphones remain the ideal choice.
Written by urgent.news from Mashable's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
