Foreign media Esquire released the "Best Noise Cancelling Headphones in 2024", ranking and commenting on the top noise cancelling headphones on the market.
The article says we've come a long way since Apple released AirPods in 2016 to disrupt the world of wireless audio. Nowadays, there are more wireless Bluetooth headphones on the market than ever before.
What once felt futuristic is now commonplace. According to market research firm Statista, we have a soft spot for headphones, with more than 3100 million pairs. Apple may still be the dominant player in this category of headphones, but we've seen strong models from Jabra, Sony, Bose, and more.
Compact headphones with a battery that lasts for days? Impressive audio reproduction in a sleek design? Fast charging? Active noise cancellation comparable to over-ear headphones, giving you the tranquility you deserve? Anything is possible, and we've rounded up the best noise-cancelling headphones for you.
Here are our compilation of the best noise-cancelling headphones you can buy right now:
Best Comfort Noise Cancelling Headphones
If you play a lot at work and have headphones in the office that you use, we bet they must be made by Jabra. The company is known for its reliable work kits and is also one of the oldest brands in the field of wireless Bluetooth headphones. Jabra's flagship pair feels very sophisticated, meeting all of our headset features and outperforming all of our competitors in terms of comfort.
We tend to wear these headphones all day long, so trust us, even the best headphones can get a little tired after wearing them for a long time until the Jabra Elite 10 comes along. This headset has become our daily go-to because we know that we can wear it for hours on end without worrying about earache or discomfort. The headphones feature an ultra-soft silicone outer layer and comfortable oval-shaped ear tips that can be attached to the ears without going deep into the ears. Jabra calls this style of wearing"Semi-open", but we don't feel the slightest sense that they will fall out – they are safe and comfortable.
For the best noise-cancelling experience in a small form factor, the Jabra Elite 10 is unbeatable. This earbud does an excellent job of blocking out outside sounds, and it's lighter and more portable than its predecessor. Whether you're commuting to work, on a plane, working out at the gym, or working at a café, they'll give you unparalleled silence.
It's hard to hear ourselves in the cacophony of noise before putting it on, but once you put it on, you'll be able to work in complete silence. We wore it to the supermarket, in the office, in a café, etc. - in real tests, they easily beat all opponents.
On top of that, it also sounds great and has excellent head-tracking spatial audio capabilities. We love the wide soundstage and the abundance of detail. It's impressive that you can tell the difference between vocals, drums, and guitar sounds in tracks like Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain" or Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight."
They now also have Bluetooth multipoint capability for reliable multipoint connectivity.
Best New Noise Cancelling Headphones
Bose has unveiled a newer, shinier pair"ultra"The earbuds, noise cancellation and comfort of these headphones are outrageously good, although they still don't have wireless charging.
However, we can't underestimate the amazing power of this headset when it comes to noise cancellation. We usually wear the headphones for multiple commute tests on the London Underground** line, but to challenge this headset even further, we tested it on a large stretch of the road on the Northern Line (the line on which Londoners complain about the most noise).
Its salient features are:"customtune "Technology. It uses a built-in microphone and audio ringtones to tailor the sound to the shape of the ear canal. This is something you won't find in older headphones.
The customization made through the app is also excellent. You can create a profile for your surroundings and choose the level of noise cancellation you want, ranging from 1 (low) to 10 (high). On the train journey in London, we turned the noise cancellation level to the highest, but when working from home, we used another profile to lower the noise cancellation level.
Ultras now has better support for high-resolution codecs and"Immersive"Audio mode, both of which can make a subtle difference in use. This headset is a top-of-the-line competitor and we recommend it to users who are looking for noise-canceling headphones.
While the touch controls may not appeal to everyone, and it's a shame that the headphones don't have wireless charging, those are the only drawbacks.
Best Design Noise Cancelling Headphones
We know we shouldn't have favorites, but if you ask us which headphones are the most used in our lives in this list, we'd go with the Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9. We're fans of AirPod-style headphones, but this one is more refined, less plastic, and more understated. The two-tone shade of black and dark copper is also eye-catching, but not noticeable.
They're non-slip when gripped, self-cleaning with UV light in the charging case, and there's touch and key controls on each earbud for the best of both worlds. There are a variety of different ear tips (12 in different lengths and sizes) included in the box for you to choose from. In practice, it's easy to find the perfect earbuds, and once you're in the app, the headphones are the most customizable we've ever used.
Are they audiophile's headphones? Yes, definitely. We watched everything from Kendrick Lamar to Mozart and heard the best in stereo imaging, detail, dynamics, and overall sound quality. TWX9 performs on par with many of our favorite products. When it comes to environmental control, the TWX9 isn't far behind, although it's not quite on par with the Jabra, Boses, Apple, and Sonys of the world.
Their advantage lies in the extra control. We will ANC"Optimization"Functions are mapped to dual buttons, rather than relying on adaptive noise cancellation to do all the work. This allows us to adjust the volume to each new environment before using the precise controls to adjust the volume. A real benefit of this approach is that ANC works better than several competitors, and the sound is still delicate at low volumes, so it doesn't cause the eardrum to burst.
While the TWX9 has a few quirks, we can all take it, and we love its sleek, sleek design and excellent customization features. For us, this attention to detail is exactly what we strive for.
Best travel noise-cancelling headphones
Need an all-rounder for your travel needs? We think you need to prioritize excellent noise cancellation, long-lasting battery life, sleek design, and a compact charging case. This upgraded version of the Sony headphones ticks all the boxes, and they're 25% smaller and 20% lighter than their predecessors.
Our ** sound energetic when it comes out of these little headphones, and they also capture a lot of detail in our ** tracks. Sony headphones support a wider range of codecs and have better battery life than Bose headphones, but we think Bose headphones are better suited for customization. Sony headphones come with a mix of foam materials, which some people may find uncomfortable.
You can control many of the features by tapping on the outside of the headset, including perception and ANC functions, but these controls are hard to remember and not as customizable as competitors. We find this a bit disappointing, but the rest of the app does offer a ton of settings to make them work for you, and you can also tweak the equalizer to find the settings you want.
As with the LinkBuds S, one of our favorite features is Sony's amazing ability to automatically switch between noise cancellation and perception based on your activity. When you sit down on the train to work, it keeps you alert to your surroundings before transitioning to ANC.
Best audiophile noise-cancelling headphones
We know what you're thinking – this product looks different. Yes, they may not be off the beaten path, and the charging case is undoubtedly huge compared to their counterparts. But let's be clear: Japanese audio brand Final isn't just about convenience. These headphones are for serious** audiophiles who crave unmatched sound quality and exceptional fidelity.
We were impressed with the original ZE8000 earlier this year, and we were pleased to see that the MK2 received some noticeable upgrades. It improves the sealing of in-ear headphones and provides more powerful noise cancellation performance. In addition, the MK2 features multi-point dual connectivity. But the sound is the selling point, and that's where this headset outperforms all its competitors. We haven't heard true wireless earbuds have such a layered soundstage, or such a transparent and detailed sound.
We couldn't fully understand the touch control system, so we ended up closing it to focus on **. From The Chemical Brothers to Missy Elliot, from The Hold Steady to Billie Eilish, this product sounds great. They are the perfect companion for revealing the hidden nuances and subtle details of the instrument in familiar songs. The depth and control of the sound is outstanding, pushing the limits of what Bluetooth can convey.
The experience is further enhanced by Final's app, with a comprehensive equalizer, refined volume controls, and further improvements"8K sound"Mode. Don't worry about the jargon, you just need to know that it makes the headphones sound better and sound clearer at low volumes.
Now, recommending the ZE8000 to the average listener becomes trickier. Not being portable is a significant drawback, and the headphones themselves are also quite bulky, protruding significantly from the ears.
However, if sound quality is your top priority, then these headphones are your first choice. The ZE8000 MK2 caters to the needs of audiophiles with subtle yet balanced characteristics. Yes, the ZE8000 Mk2 isn't for everyone, but audiophiles should be ready to fall in love with it.
Best Noise Cancelling Headphones for iPhone Users
Apple's new generation of AirPods Pro may look exactly the same as its predecessor, but it is superior in all conceivable ways.
* Pro outperforms the rest in noise cancellation, with a smarter transparency mode, longer battery life, and improved headphone controls, including satisfying swipe gestures to adjust volume. The charging case comes with a built-in speaker and several ingenious ones"Find My"features to ensure you never misplace your earbuds again.
For iOS and iPhone users, AirPods Pro brought it to us"They just work"At the same time, it also brings a significant improvement in sound quality. The soundstage is wider, the nuances of the bass are enhanced, and the sound quality is more impactful and clear.
We love listening to 360 degrees for Apple Music with this earbud"Spatial audio"And optimized tracks, as well as listening to movies and shows with cinematic surround sound effects on platforms like Disney+ and Apple TV+, like Andor and Severance. During testing, we were particularly impressed with the enhanced bass detail in The XX and Massive Attack songs.
Disappointing with the battery life of your older AirPods? The Active Noise Cancellation feature of AirPods Pro lasts up to 6 hours – an impressive improvement. AirPods Pro also support a variety of chargers, including charging them with an Apple Watch charger.
**10,000 Fans Incentive Plan