These earbuds and headphones from Apple, Bowers & Wilkins, Sony, and Soundcore deliver on both noise cancellation and sound quality
CR has more than 100 models in our noise-canceling headphone ratings.
By Allen St. John
Do you listen to music or podcasts in a noisy environment? If you need relief from the hubbub on a commuter train or in an office with chatty co-workers, a pair of noise-canceling headphones will almost certainly help.
Our testers report that today’s models work really well. Our lab has evaluated dozens of noise-canceling options, including earbuds and conventional over-the-ear and on-ear headphones. The tests reveal high-end and less expensive models that work to mute background noise very effectively.
But great noise cancellation doesn’t matter very much if your headphones or earbuds don’t sound good.
So every pair in this roundup is recommended by our test team for both sound quality and noise-blocking performance. Our picks are all wireless Bluetooth headphones, and many have appealing features like variable noise cancellation or a transparency mode that allows you to pipe in outside noises when you’re out walking, running, or simply pausing on the street for a quick conversation.
Consumer Reports buys every product we test from the same stores where consumers shop. So there are no freebies or cherry-picked samples for us. For a full breakdown of the more than 100 noise-canceling headphones we’ve reviewed, CR members can explore our headphone ratings.
Best Noise-Canceling Headphones
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e
Bowers & Wilkins, aka B&W, might not be a household name, but this British company has been making audiophile-grade speakers and headphones for decades.
And the beautifully built PX7 S2e delivers effective noise cancellation and superior sound quality. Our testers find that the PX7 serves up solid, impactful bass and a largely distortion-free midrange. The noise-cancellation tech earns top grades as well.
The fit is a mixed bag. Some users with large ears find that the earcups sit on rather than over the ears, which reduces the bass and adversely affects the noise cancellation. Other users find that the headphones feel unstable and shift when you lean far forward. These fit flaws are typical of many over-the-ear headphones, but it makes sense to buy from a retailer with a good return policy.
Among the other contenders in this category are the Apple AirPods Max (which is quite expensive), the Dyson OnTrac (which is quite heavy), and the Sonos Ace, the first headphone from a company known for its multiroom speakers.
Best Noise-Canceling Earbuds
Sony WF-1000XM5
The standout feature of the Sony WF-1000XM5 is its truly superb sound quality; these earbuds deliver so much musical detail that you simply hear your favorite songs in a different way. Our testers find a definite family resemblance between the XM5s and their predecessor, the Sony WF1000XM4s, which had been the only noise-canceling earbuds to earn our top sound quality rating. They do note that the newer model is just a bit more "neutral." That’s a good thing, meaning you hear more of what’s on a recording and less sonic coloration from the earbuds themselves. The noise-canceling performance of the XM5s is top-notch, too.
Like its predecessor, the XM5 has plenty of features, including variable noise cancellation, which you can adjust to let in more or less sound; an ambient sound mode to actively pipe in audio from your surroundings (useful when you’re out for a run and want to hear what’s going on around you); and Speak-to-Chat, which can automatically pause the music when someone starts talking.
Best Noise-Canceling Apple AirPods
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe Case (USB-C)
The latest version of the AirPods Pro has a unique suite of hearing-aid features available to users via a free online update.
The first step is a clinical-level hearing test that takes about 5 minutes to assess your hearing. If you have hearing loss, the app tweaks the volume at various frequencies to make it easier to hear content like music and podcasts, as well as conversation. Finally, there’s an app that provides hearing protection when you’re in a noisy environment like a concert hall or within earshot of a power tool. We had a colleague with hearing loss evaluate the AirPods (and compare them to expensive custom hearing aids) and overall she was impressed with the performance. If you don’t like it, it’s easy enough to turn off the hearing aid functionality.
The AirPods Pro also sound really good, although true wireless earbuds from other manufacturers (like the Sony WF-1000XM5) perform better. The noise-canceling technology is also terrific, with an effective transparency mode that pipes in outside sound to allow you to hear what’s going on around you.
Best Cheap Noise-Canceling Headphones
Soundcore Life Q20
Shopping for noise-canceling headphones on a budget doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice performance. Case in point is the Anker Soundcore Life Q20. You can pick up this model for just around $60, and our tests show it beats models that cost hundreds more.
The Soundcore Life Q20 has great sound quality and outstanding noise cancellation. It doesn’t sound quite as good as top-rated models, and you won’t get sought-after features like adjustable levels of noise cancellation. But at this price, those may be sacrifices worth making.
Best Cheap Noise-Canceling Earbuds
Soundcore Space A40
If you want a pair of noise-canceling earbuds at a budget price, check out the Soundcore Space A40s.
Our testers report that the sound quality is solid—and better than many more expensive models. The bass packs some wallop, and the overall sound is warm, which makes the A40s pleasant to listen to over a long period of time. The noise cancellation gets top marks from our testers as well. It has a transparency mode that allows you to monitor your surroundings, such as when you’re out running or walking down a busy street.
The A40s come with five eartips in different sizes to help customize the fit. Our test team found the fit to be fine, although users with small ears might find the earpieces to be a bit bulky.
Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2024, Consumer Reports, Inc.
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