Best 2025 Headphones & Earbuds for Active noise cancellation

#1 SONY WH-1000XM6 Headphones
4.9

ANC was the strongest consensus point: reviewers repeatedly called it class-leading, best-in-class, or among the best they had tested.

Pros: Smart Pause performance, Award recognition

Cons: Cable quality, USB-C

#2 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
4.9

Reviewers strongly agree that ANC is the standout feature: it removes airplane, subway, traffic, keyboard, cafe, and other ambient noise better than most or all earbuds they tested, with only...

Pros: Active noise cancellation, Volume output

Cons: Preset EQ profile quality, Equalizer customization

#3 Apple AirPods Pro 3 Wireless Earbuds
4.8

ANC is the clearest consensus win: reviewers repeatedly call it excellent, impressive, stronger than before, and among the best in earbuds.

Pros: Audio-video sync accuracy, Transparency mode quality

Cons: aptX, LDAC

#4 Sony WF-C710N Earbuds
4.8

ANC was the clearest consensus strength, repeatedly described as highly effective, above its price class, and unusually strong for budget earbuds.

Pros: Weight comfort, Android compatibility

Cons: Lossless audio support, Ear tip size options

#5 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless Headphones
4.8

Reviewers consistently rated ANC as the headline strength, describing unusually strong isolation from city, office, flight, and general background noise.

Pros: Volume output, Active noise cancellation

Cons: Water/sweat resistance rating, USB-C

#6 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Headphones (2nd Gen)
4.7

Active noise cancellation is the product’s strongest consensus win, repeatedly described as elite, best-in-class, or among the best available.

Pros: Award recognition, ANC sound impact on audio

Cons: Water/sweat resistance rating, LE Audio readiness

#7 Apple AirPods Max 2
4.5

Reviewers generally found ANC substantially improved and often class-leading, though a few considered the improvement incremental versus already-strong rivals.

Pros: Button control usability, Design and Aesthetics

Cons: Water/sweat resistance rating, Included accessories

#8 Sony INZONE H9 II Wireless Gaming Headset
4.5

Reviewers consistently liked ANC, often calling it strong for a gaming headset, though one found it merely good rather than headphone-class.

Pros: Weight comfort, Comfort during long use

Cons: Xbox compatibility, Smudge resistance

#9 SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite
4.5

ANC is one of the most consistently praised features, with reviewers calling it class-leading for gaming headsets, though a few compare it less favorably to consumer ANC flagships.

Pros: Maximum volume clarity, Multipoint connectivity reliability

Cons: Portability/foldability, USB-C

#10 JLab Epic Lux Lab Edition Wireless Headphones
4.4

ANC received broad praise, ranging from solid to extremely effective, though one review considered it only average against the best noise-canceling headphones.

Pros: Award recognition, Audio-video sync accuracy

Cons: ANC sound impact on audio, ANC effect on sound signature

#11 Technics EAH-AZ100 Earbuds
4.3

ANC is broadly strong and often near flagship level, though several reviewers say it still falls short of the very best Bose-style silence.

Pros: Volume output, Maximum volume clarity

Cons: aptX, Auracast support

#12 SonoFlow SE HQ31 Wireless Headphones
4.3

ANC was one of the strongest points, repeatedly judged effective for the price, especially against low, steady ambient noise.

Pros: Battery, ANC sound impact on audio

Cons: 3.5mm analog input availability, Treble clarity

#13 JBL Tour One M3 Headphones
4.3

ANC was broadly praised as strong to excellent, especially for travel and commuting, but a few reviewers found it behind Bose or Sony or somewhat pressure-heavy.

Pros: Immersive audio quality, ANC background noise level

Cons: Replaceable pads/headband, Replaceable earpads

#14 Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE Earbuds
4.3

Most reviewers rate ANC highly, with several calling it excellent or top tier, though one subway-focused test found it only barely adequate in very loud environments.

Pros: Volume output, Audio-video sync accuracy

Cons: Multipoint connectivity reliability, LDAC

#15 Edifier WH950NB Gen 2 Wireless Headphones
4.2

Reviewers generally found ANC effective for daily noise and low-frequency sounds, though one reviewer said it does not block everything.

Pros: Instrument separation, USB-C

Cons: Button control usability, Maximum volume clarity

#16 Razer BlackShark V3 Pro
4.1

ANC drew strong praise from many reviewers for blocking fans, AC, transit, or household noise, but some found it weaker or dependent on seal and pad design.

Pros: Audio-video sync accuracy, Multi-platform compatibility

Cons: Cable quality, Preset EQ profile quality

#17 Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 Headphones
4.1

Reviewers broadly find ANC improved and often very good, though several still place Sony, Bose, or AirPods Max ahead in specific noise scenarios.

Pros: Frequency response accuracy, Multipoint connectivity reliability

Cons: LDAC, Wear detection performance

#18 Edifier NeoBuds Planar Earbuds
4.1

ANC is broadly seen as good to impressive for everyday noise, though several reviewers note it is not the strongest at this price or for deep low-frequency rumble.

Pros: Instrument separation, Codec support

Cons: Spatial audio, Volume output

#19 Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE Headphones
4.1

ANC is generally judged good or improved, though not always elite; reviewers praised effectiveness while noting Sony/Bose-class options can still outperform it.

Pros: Codec support, aptX

Cons: LDAC, Water/sweat resistance rating

#20 LG xboom Buds by will.i.am
4.1

Noise cancellation is one of the clearest strengths, with reviewers praising how effectively it dulled or blocked low-frequency and everyday noise for the price.

Pros: Charging, Portability/foldability

Cons: aptX, LDAC

#21 Status Pro X Wireless Earbuds
4.1

ANC is usually praised as strong or flagship-adjacent, but wind handling is the repeated weakness and some reviewers rate it behind the very best.

Pros: Maximum volume clarity, Sound quality

Cons: Spatial audio, Software/setup simplicity

#22 JBL Vibe Beam 2
4.0

Noise cancellation drew the widest spread, from top-tier and excellent for the price to merely decent or not great.

Pros: Audio-video sync accuracy, Weight comfort

Cons: Sidetone adjustment quality, Microphone noise reduction

#23 Nothing Headphone (1)
3.9

ANC was generally viewed as strong for the price and effective in everyday noise, though several reviewers said Sony, Bose, or AirPods Max still outperform it.

Pros: Smart Pause performance, App

Cons: Wear detection performance, Wear detection auto-pause

#24 Sennheiser HDB 630 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
3.8

ANC is consistently useful and sometimes impressive, but several reviewers say it falls short of the very best Bose, Sony, and Apple options.

Pros: Instrument separation, Charging

Cons: Xbox compatibility, Water/sweat resistance rating

#25 Baseus Inspire XH1 Headphones
3.8

ANC drew the widest split: many called it effective or impressive for the price, while others found it merely OK, poor for flights, or well behind premium models.

Pros: Maximum volume clarity, Headband adjustability

Cons: Cable quality, Smart Pause performance

#26 Focal Bathys MG Wireless Headphones
3.7

ANC is judged useful and improved, but not class-leading; reviewers say it reduces buses, traffic and office noise while still letting some voices or mids through.

Pros: ANC effect on sound signature, Multi-platform compatibility

Cons: LE Audio readiness, Auracast support

#27 Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 Earbuds
3.7

Reviewers broadly found ANC useful, especially for steady noise, but several said it trails the best earbuds, depends on seal, or struggles with wind and voices.

Pros: Audio-video sync accuracy, Smudge resistance

Cons: Multipoint connectivity reliability, Equalizer customization

#28 Google Pixel Buds 2a Earbuds
3.7

ANC is usually praised as strong for the price and useful for commutes or steady noise, but reviewers repeatedly note it is not top-tier and one review reported an uncomfortable...

Pros: Comfort during long use, Audio-video sync accuracy

Cons: aptX, Lossless audio support

#29 Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW Earbuds
3.3

ANC performance was the most divided feature: some reviewers found it strong or effective, while several called it average, mediocre, or disappointing versus leaders.

Pros: Battery, Software/setup simplicity

Cons: Sensors, Voice assistant integration

#30 EarFun Wave Life Wireless Headphones
3.1

ANC is mixed-to-weak overall: it can reduce low-frequency rumble, but multiple reviewers found voices, traffic, or busy spaces still audible.

Pros: Stability, Bluetooth

Cons: Smudge resistance, Smart Pause performance

#31 Edifier LolliClip Earbuds
2.9

ANC is the most split attribute: it helps with drones or lower frequencies for some, but many call it weak or modest for real noise blocking.

Pros: Weight comfort, Interchangeable left/right bud design

Cons: Smudge resistance, Voice assistant integration

#32 JBL Endurance Race 2 Earbuds
2.7

ANC was useful only to a point: it cut some chatter or treadmill noise, but reviewers agreed it lagged far behind premium buds.

Pros: Stability, Battery

Cons: Volume output, Cable quality

#33 SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Gaming Headset
2.5

ANC was a weakness because reviewers noted its absence and framed that omission as disappointing or baffling at this price.

Pros: Charging, Weight comfort

Cons: Sound leakage, Cable quality

#34 Fractal Design Scape Headset
2.2

ANC was one of the clearest omissions, with reviewers repeatedly saying they would prefer to have it at this price.

Pros: Spatial audio, Software/setup simplicity

Cons: Xbox compatibility, Sidetone adjustment quality

#35 Shokz OpenFit 2
2.0

ANC is absent or not competitive, and reviewers frame that as a limitation for commuting, isolation, and all-scenario use.

Pros: Microphone noise reduction, Bluetooth

Cons: Active noise cancellation, Codec support

#36 Yamaha YH-L500A Headphones
2.0

ANC was a major limitation in L500A reviews because its absence reduced usefulness for travel and noisy environments.

Pros: Audio-video sync accuracy, Clamping force comfort

Cons: Transparency mode quality, Sustainability and repairability

#37 SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gen 2
1.8

The headset lacks ANC, and reviewers framed that as expected at the price but still a limitation versus some alternatives.

Pros: Connectivity versatility, Multi-platform compatibility

Cons: Transparency mode quality, Active noise cancellation

#38 Shokz OpenFit 2+
1.3

Reviewers consistently framed ANC as absent or unsuitable for noise-cancellation seekers, treating the product as intentionally awareness-first instead.

Pros: Clamping force comfort, Battery

Cons: Active noise cancellation, Noise isolation (passive)

#39 Soundcore AeroClip Earbuds
1.3

Reviewers consistently noted the lack of ANC as a limitation for users who want noise cancellation or a shut-out-the-world earbud.

Pros: Android compatibility, Software/setup simplicity

Cons: Active noise cancellation, Noise isolation (passive)