The Audiophile's Guide to Noise Cancelling Headphones

Based on hundreds of hours of listening, we present our top headphone picks for 2026.

What to Look For

Noise Cancellation: Look for adaptive ANC that adjusts to your environment
Sound Quality: Consider your preferred sound signature — warm, neutral, or bass-heavy
Battery Life: 30+ hours is standard for over-ears
Comfort: Weight and clamp force matter for long sessions
Codec Support: LDAC and aptX Adaptive offer higher quality than AAC alone

Rating: 9.2/10 | Battery: 30h | ANC: Excellent

The budget-friendly champion. Purpose-built for active use with IP rating and secure fit.

Rating: 8.8/10 | Battery: 60h | ANC: Very Good

Best for Apple users. A brilliant all-rounder that excels in every category.

Rating: 9.0/10 | Battery: 24h | ANC: Excellent

Best for Apple users. Exceptional sound quality meets industry-leading ANC.

We use every product for at least two weeks in real-world conditions before making our recommendations.