10 Best Noise Canceling Headphones 2025 in the United States

The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are a solid choice if you're looking for high-quality noise-canceling headphones. Their Active Noise Cancellation is among the best, using multiple microphones and smart processors to adjust noise blocking based on your environment and how you wear them. This makes them excellent for travel, work, or noisy places. The sound quality is rich and clear, thanks to Sony’s advanced audio processor, providing a great listening experience across music and calls.

Wearing comfort is another strong point; the headphones are lightweight with soft leather padding, making them comfortable for long use. Battery life is impressive, offering up to 30 hours of playback on a single charge, and a quick 3-minute charge can give you 3 hours of listening, which is very convenient. Controls are intuitive with touch sensors on the earcups, letting you manage music and calls easily, plus voice assistant support like Alexa adds hands-free convenience. Portability is well thought out, with a compact carrying case included, though these are larger over-ear headphones so they might feel a bit bulky for some.

Call quality is clear due to four microphones designed for precise voice pickup, which works well for hands-free calls or meetings. On the downside, these headphones are not water-resistant, so they aren’t ideal for workouts or use in wet conditions. Also, while they offer multipoint connection to switch between devices, setting this up can be a little tricky for some users. The Sony WH-1000XM5 is best suited for those who prioritize top-notch noise cancellation, sound quality, and long battery life, especially for commuting, office use, or travel.

The Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Headphones in Twilight Blue are a strong choice if you want comfort and good noise cancellation in a stylish package. Their active noise cancellation works well with passive blocking to reduce outside sounds, helping you focus on your music or calls. The sound quality is clear and rich, with customizable EQ settings so you can adjust bass and treble to your liking. Wearing comfort is excellent thanks to soft ear cushions and a padded headband, making them suitable for long listening sessions.

You get up to 24 hours of battery life, which is enough for daily use, and a quick 15-minute charge adds a couple more hours. Controls are touch-based and intuitive, plus the multi-point Bluetooth lets you easily switch between devices. If battery runs low, you can still use them wired with the included cable. Call quality and microphone performance are decent, although not the very best for very noisy environments.

These headphones are fairly portable with a protective case but aren't water-resistant, so best to avoid heavy sweat or rain. They are well suited for travelers, commuters, or anyone wanting reliable noise cancellation with balanced sound and comfort.

The Beats Studio Pro headphones are a strong choice for anyone looking for wireless noise-canceling headphones with rich sound and long battery life. Their custom acoustic platform delivers immersive audio, enhanced by personalized spatial sound that creates a 360-degree listening experience, which is a nice touch for music lovers. The fully-adaptive Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) works well to block out distractions, and the Transparency mode lets you hear your surroundings when needed. Comfort is good thanks to the over-ear design and lightweight feel, making them suitable for extended wear.

Battery life stands out with up to 40 hours per charge, and a quick 10-minute charge gives about 4 extra hours, so you won’t be frequently interrupted to recharge. Controls are user-friendly, combining touch, button, and voice commands, including easy access to Siri. The headphones also support lossless audio via USB-C, which helps improve sound clarity if you connect with a cable. Portability is decent with a foldable design and included carrying case, although they are not water-resistant, so caution is needed in rainy or sweaty conditions.

Call quality is crisp, thanks to voice-targeting microphones that reduce background noise, making these headphones a solid pick for phone calls and virtual meetings. Some users might find the fit a bit snug depending on head size, and while the Bluetooth 5.3 offers strong wireless range, occasional connection dropouts can happen in dense wireless environments. These headphones balance impressive sound, noise cancellation, and long usage time, making them well-suited for daily commuting, work-from-home, and casual listening on both Apple and Android devices.