Soundcore Q20i
The cheapest here and an easy first pair of ANC headphones.
Check Price on Amazon Read the full reviewThe 10 Best Noise-Canceling Headphones of 2026, Ranked
Our verdict: The best noise-canceling headphones in 2026 are the Soundcore Q20i. It tops our ranking with 9.2 out of 10.
Our noise-canceling headphone picks
Fewer picks than usual: nothing cheaper than the No. 1 is a better buy.
Sony WH-1000XM6
The all-rounder most reviewers name first.
Check Price on Amazon Read the full reviewAll 10 noise-canceling headphones, compared
We compared 18 over-ear noise-canceling headphones sold in the US and ranked ten by how happy owners are with them. They run from budget Bluetooth pairs to premium flagships from Sony, Bose, Apple, Sonos and Sennheiser, from the cheapest here to the priciest. Every product links to its full review below.
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1
Soundcore Q20iBest Choice
9.2 out of 10
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2
Sony WH-1000XM6Best Premium
9.0 out of 10
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3
Soundcore Space One
9.0 out of 10
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4
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
9.0 out of 10
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5
Bose QuietComfort Headphones
8.9 out of 10
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6
Sony WH-1000XM5
8.9 out of 10
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7
Apple AirPods Max 2
8.9 out of 10
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8
Soundcore Space One Pro
8.8 out of 10
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9
Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
8.7 out of 10
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10
Sonos Ace Ultra
8.6 out of 10
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Why No. 1 beats No. 2
The Soundcore Q20i (9.2) beats the Sony WH-1000XM6 (9.0) because it leaves owners a little happier and has been rated by more owners. No. 2 is the newer design, but not by enough to close the gap. It takes our Best Premium badge instead.
The full noise-canceling headphone reviews
1.Soundcore Q20i
The cheapest here and an easy first pair of ANC headphones. It cuts steady noise such as fans and engines, though not to flagship levels.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are1st of 10
- How many rated it1st of 10
- How new it is8th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- Hybrid ANC that handles steady commute and office noise
- Up to 40 hours with ANC on, and 60 hours with it off
- Foldable, light at about 260 g, with multipoint pairing
- Hi-Res audio over the AUX cable and a free app
Keep in mind
- Noise canceling is weaker than the premium models, especially on voices
- A single mic for calls lets background noise through
- Bluetooth 5.0 with no LDAC
2.Sony WH-1000XM6
The all-rounder most reviewers name first. Its noise canceling handles voices as well as engine rumble, and it folds back down into a case.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are5th of 10
- How many rated it7th of 10
- How new it is4th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- Strong noise canceling on both low rumble and voices, with a big improvement over the XM5 on speech
- Folds flat into a hard case, which suits carry-on bags
- Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC for Android phones, multipoint pairing and a detailed app with EQ
- Around 30 hours of battery with ANC on, and a 3.5 mm cable for wired use
Keep in mind
- Among the priciest options here
- Call quality drops in loud places such as busy streets
- No USB audio, so wired listening goes through the 3.5 mm jack only
3.Soundcore Space One
The budget pick that gets close to premium noise canceling. Owners report a real drop in engine and office hum for a low price.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are2nd of 10
- How many rated it2nd of 10
- How new it is7th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- Adaptive ANC that reviewers say beats most headphones at this level
- 40 hours of battery with ANC on
- SBC, AAC and LDAC codecs, plus the app with EQ
- Light at about 260 g, so it stays comfortable for long wear
Keep in mind
- Mics are fine for calls but pick up background noise
- Plastic build and no wired USB audio
- ANC on voices is only moderate
4.Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
The comfort and noise-canceling pick for frequent flyers. Reviewers put its ANC at or near the top of the category, and the deep ear cups suit long wear.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are6th of 10
- How many rated it8th of 10
- How new it is3rd of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- Noise canceling that reviewers rank at or near the top on engines, trains and office HVAC
- Deep, plush ear cups and a light clamp that suit long flights and glasses wearers
- Lossless audio over USB-C, plus aptX support on compatible Android phones
- Folds into a travel case and has natural-sounding Aware mode
Keep in mind
- A flagship price, though the Sonos and Apple models cost more
- About 30 hours of battery with ANC on, behind the Sennheiser, Sonos and Soundcore models
- The glossy finish picks up fingerprints
5.Bose QuietComfort Headphones
Bose comfort and strong noise canceling without the Ultra extras. A sensible step down for travelers who want the Bose fit.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are4th of 10
- How many rated it4th of 10
- How new it is6th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- Noise canceling that handles plane and train rumble well
- Soft ear cups and moderate clamp force, comfortable for hours
- Multipoint pairing so it can hold a phone and laptop at once
- Quiet, Aware and Custom modes in the Bose app
Keep in mind
- About 24 hours of battery with ANC on, shorter than the budget picks
- All-plastic build that feels less premium than the Ultra
- No spatial audio
6.Sony WH-1000XM5
The previous Sony flagship, now priced well below its successor. Noise canceling is still excellent, and it remains the safer buy for anyone who does not need the newest chip.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are3rd of 10
- How many rated it3rd of 10
- How new it is9th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- Excellent noise canceling that owners still rate among the best
- Light and soft on the head, so it stays comfortable through long flights
- LDAC, multipoint pairing and a full app with EQ and adaptive controls
- About 30 hours of battery with ANC on, plus a 3.5 mm cable for wired use
Keep in mind
- The headband does not fold flat, so the case is bulkier than the XM6 case
- Voices and sharp sounds get through more than on the newer model
- Mic quality in wind and crowds trails the newest headsets
7.Apple AirPods Max 2
The iPhone owner's headphone. The H2 chip improves noise canceling over the original, and pairing, device switching and spatial audio work best inside Apple's ecosystem.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are9th of 10
- How many rated it9th of 10
- How new it is2nd of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- Strong ANC and a natural-sounding transparency mode
- Instant pairing and automatic switching between iPhone, iPad and Mac
- Wired USB-C lossless listening with the included cable
- Metal build with replaceable ear cushions
Keep in mind
- Heavy, which owners notice on long flights
- About 20 hours of battery with ANC on, less than most rivals
- Android phones get AAC and SBC only, with no LDAC and no app for EQ
8.Soundcore Space One Pro
Mid-range ANC at a price well under the big brands. A foldable build, LDAC and a long battery make it the pick for shoppers who want most of the flagship features.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are7th of 10
- How many rated it4th of 10
- How new it is5th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- Adaptive ANC with six microphones and five selectable levels
- Up to 40 hours with ANC on, and a 5-minute charge gives about 8 hours
- LDAC on Android, Bluetooth 5.3 and multipoint pairing
- Light at about 10 oz, with a foldable FlexiCurve band
Keep in mind
- ANC is best on low rumble and weaker on high-pitched sounds
- LDAC does not work on iPhone or alongside multipoint
- Build and ear pads feel less premium than the Bose and Sony models
9.Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
The battery champion of the group, with a warm, detailed sound. Choose it for long trips and music more than for the strongest noise canceling.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are8th of 10
- How many rated it6th of 10
- How new it is9th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- Up to about 60 hours of battery with ANC on
- Sound quality that reviewers rank among the best here
- Comfortable on the head, with a case and airplane adapter in the box
- Wired 3.5 mm option and a Smart Control app with EQ
Keep in mind
- Older design, with Bluetooth 5.2 and a 2022 launch
- Noise canceling trails Sony and Bose, especially on voices
- Touch controls take some getting used to
10.Sonos Ace Ultra
A new flagship with doubled noise canceling over the first Ace. It makes the most sense for anyone who already owns a Sonos soundbar or speaker.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are10th of 10
- How many rated it10th of 10
- How new it is1st of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- Adaptive ANC with ten microphones, a clear step up from the original Ace
- Up to 35 hours of battery with ANC on, and a quick charge gives hours of playback
- Bluetooth 6.0 with aptX lossless on compatible phones and lossless over USB-C
- Can pick up audio from Sonos speakers and soundbars
Keep in mind
- Few long-term owner reports yet because it launched recently
- At about 0.71 lb it is heavier than the Sony and Bose models
- Its best features need other Sonos gear
Before you buy a noise-canceling headphone
Are noise canceling headphones worth it?
For flights, commutes and open offices, yes. Active noise canceling cuts steady low sounds such as engines, trains and HVAC far more than passive padding alone, and you can listen at a lower volume. If you mostly listen in a quiet home, the benefit is smaller and a cheaper model is usually enough.
Is 100% noise cancellation possible?
No. ANC works best on constant low-frequency sound, and it is much weaker on voices, keyboard clicks and sudden noises. The best models remove most of a plane's rumble, and the budget ones remove a fair share. A good seal from the ear pads, which matters for glasses wearers, does a lot of the work.
Which is better, Sony or Bose noise canceling headphones?
Both are at the top. Bose is the one reviewers praise for comfort and deep ear cups, while Sony offers the stronger app, LDAC for Android phones and better value if you buy the older XM5. The Sony XM6 handles voices well, and the Bose Ultra is the one many frequent flyers pick for long wear.
What are the best noise canceling headphones for airplanes?
Look for strong ANC on engine rumble, light weight, soft pads and a case that folds flat. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra and Sony XM6 fit that brief, while the Sennheiser Momentum 4 offers about 60 hours of battery for long-haul trips. Bring a 3.5 mm cable where one is supported, since seatback systems may still need a wire.
Do noise canceling headphones work without music playing?
Yes. ANC uses microphones and does not need audio, so you can switch it on in silence to cut background noise. With a dead battery, most models stop working, and only models with a cable fall back to wired listening, without ANC.
Are noise canceling headphones bad for your ears?
There is no evidence that ANC itself harms hearing. Some people feel a pressure sensation, which is a comfort issue and not damage. The real benefit is that you can keep volume lower in noisy places, which protects your ears. Over-ear models are also easier to keep clean than in-ear ones, and if you prefer buds see the wireless earbuds guide on VettedTen.
How we ranked these ten noise-canceling headphones
Every score here comes from our ranking model; no editor sets the order. We haven't read the review sites for this guide yet, so for now it is led by owners. It ranks products by how happy owners are, holding back any product few owners have rated until more agree. How many rated it and how new it is only settle close calls, and value for money earns its own badge rather than a higher place. We compared 18 models for this guide before settling on these ten.
Brands can't pay to be included or to move up. We last checked these picks in November 2026.
How we rank, in fullOur No. 1 noise-canceling headphone
Soundcore Q20i
The cheapest here and an easy first pair of ANC headphones. 9.2 out of 10.