Given all this, it’s little surprise that many people have turned to noise-cancelling headphones to reduce some of the distracting ambient noise in their everyday lives. Whereas many headphones simply reduce noise, noise-cancelling headphones actively block it out using a feature called “active noise cancellation.” When noise-cancelling headphones detect a noise source, they release a soundwave of their own to drown that source out. This doesn’t result in absolute silence, but it can cut down on distractions. This makes noise-cancelling headphones a great pick for workdays, meditation sessions, and other activities that would be better off sans distractions. Here are the best noise-cancelling headphones on the market. The headphones are crafted from lightweight stainless steel, which makes them comfortable to wear. And since they’re water- and sweat-resistant, you can take them to the gym without giving it a second thought. On a full charge, the headphones can last for up to 20 hours at a time. Price at time of publication: $379 Since the headphones are equipped with a built-in microphone system, they’re great for phone calls. And their IPX5 rating means they’re more sweat- and water-resistant than a lot of comparable noise-cancelling headphones. A full charge will get you 20 hours of use with active noise cancellation off and 15 hours of use with active noise cancellation on, while just 10 minutes of charge time will earn you three hours of battery life. Price at time of publication: $115 The ear cups on these headphones are crafted from memory foam, so they’ll contour to your head every time you put them on. These headphones can last a whopping 40 hours with active noise cancellation on. And if you flip active noise cancellation off, they can last you even longer—up to 60 hours at a time. Price at time of publication: $60 The headphones boast an IP55 rating, which means they’re not just water-resistant but they’re dust-resistant, too. A full charge gets you five hours of battery life, but you can get an additional 10 hours when you put them in their wireless charging case. And just 15 minutes of charge time should earn you an hour of battery life. Price at time of publication: $95 These headphones will last you a full 24 hours when carried in their wireless charging case, making them a particularly good choice for travel. And since they recharge quickly (just ten minutes of charge time will earn you 90 minutes of battery life), they’re great to plug in during layovers and pitstops. Price at time of publication: $159 The headphones come with three different earbud options, so you can select the size and shape that best suit your ears. A single charge will keep your headphones going for 6 hours at a time. And if you carry them in their wireless charging case, you can get an additional 12 hours of battery life. Price at time of publication: $199 The headphones boast one-touch Bluetooth pairing, so they should be easy to set up. A full charge will keep your little one going for up to 22 hours with active noise cancellation off, or up to 16 hours with active noise cancellation on. Price at time of publication: $129 These headphones come equipped with adaptive technology that automatically tunes music based on the shape of your ear, so you can rest assured knowing the sound you’ll hear will always be crisp and clear. With an IPX4 rating, the Airpods Pro are sweat-resistant (and suitable for your workouts). And if you keep them in their wireless charging case, they can last up to 24 hours at a time. Price at time of publication: $249
Active Noise Cancellation Settings
Some headphones boast more active noise cancellation settings than others. Some higher-tech options will allow you to scale the intensity of your active noise cancellation up and down, while others simply come with an active noise cancellation mode that you can switch on and off.
Battery Life
If your headphones are wireless or truly wireless, they’ll likely need to be charged between uses. Pay attention to the battery life and charge time different options offer. Some headphones can last up to 24 hours on a full charge, while others will need to be charged more frequently.
Why Trust Verywell Mind
As a seasoned health and wellness writer, Lindsey Lanquist understands how vital quality product recommendations can be. She is careful to recommend products that are reliable, comfortable, and genuinely well-reviewed by those who’ve tried them. But because noise-cancelling headphones do dull the sounds around us, it’s never advised to wear them while driving or navigating high-traffic areas on foot, which can impact alertness. The main thing to consider is comfort. If you tend to toss and turn while you sleep, over-the-ear headphones might not stay put. At the same time, certain wireless headphones can result in sore ears come morning, so it’s important to go with a style that works for you. If a good night’s sleep is all you’re aiming for, opting for headphones designed with sleep in mind could make a world of difference. Low-quality models will only muffle surrounding noise, whereas headphones using active noise-cancellation technology will more effectively block outside sounds. This capability often requires power, though, so keeping your headphones charged is important.
