The Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones of 2025, Tested and Ranked
In the hustle and bustle of 2025, silence has become the ultimate luxury. Whether you’re on a crowded flight, trying to focus in a noisy open office, or simply want to enjoy your music without interruption, a great pair of noise-cancelling headphones is no longer a niche gadget—it’s an essential tool for modern life.
The technology for Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) has become incredibly effective, with the top contenders now able to erase everything from the drone of a jet engine to the chatter of a busy coffee shop. But who does it best?
We’ve spent weeks testing the flagship models from the biggest names in audio, judging them on their noise-cancelling prowess, sound quality, comfort, and features. After countless hours of listening, here are the best noise-cancelling headphones you can buy in 2025.
Honorable Mention: The Best Budget Pick – Anker Soundcore Space Q55
Before we get to the flagships, let’s acknowledge the best value on the market. The Anker Soundcore Space Q55 continues the brand’s tradition of offering features that belong on headphones twice the price. The noise cancellation is surprisingly effective, blocking out a significant amount of low-end drone. While it can’t compete with the likes of Sony or Bose on sound quality or silencing voices, it offers 80% of the performance for less than half the cost. For anyone on a budget, this is an easy recommendation.
3. Apple AirPods Max 2
- Best For: The dedicated Apple user who values build quality and seamless ecosystem integration above all else.
- Price: $549
After years of waiting, Apple finally released the second generation of its premium headphones, and they are exactly what you’d expect: a masterful refinement of an already excellent product. The AirPods Max 2 feature a new, lighter design and a slightly improved H2 chip for more powerful computational audio. The noise cancellation remains top-tier, and the Transparency Mode is still the most natural-sounding on the market.
Their killer feature remains the flawless integration with the Apple ecosystem. Switching between your iPhone, iPad, and Mac is instantaneous and magical. While they are still the most expensive option and now use a USB-C port (goodbye Lightning), for those living entirely inside Apple’s world, their convenience is undeniable.
2. Bose QuietComfort Ultra II
- Best For: The frequent flyer and anyone who prioritizes comfort and the absolute quietest experience.
- Price: $429
Bose has been the king of comfort and quiet for decades, and the new QuietComfort Ultra II continues that legacy. These are, without a doubt, the most comfortable over-ear headphones you can buy. They are incredibly lightweight, with plush earcups that you can wear for a 10-hour flight without any fatigue.
Bose’s noise-cancellation technology is legendary for a reason. While Sony has caught up, Bose still feels like it has a slight edge in eliminating a wider range of frequencies, creating a bubble of near-total silence. The sound signature is clear and balanced, though perhaps less exciting than Sony’s. For the traveler whose number one priority is turning a noisy airplane cabin into a quiet sanctuary, the Bose QC Ultra II is still the undisputed champion.
1. Sony WH-1000XM6
- Best For: The all-around user who wants the best combination of noise cancellation, sound quality, and smart features.
- Price: $399
The king stays the king. The sixth generation of Sony’s flagship headphones takes everything that made the XM5s great and perfects it. The new design is lightweight and comfortable, and the noise cancellation is now powered by dual processors, putting it on equal footing with Bose for silencing the outside world.
Where the WH-1000XM6 pulls ahead is in its feature set and sound quality. The audio is rich, detailed, and energetic, with deep bass that can be customized to your exact taste in the excellent companion app. But it’s the smart features—like “Speak-to-Chat,” which automatically pauses your music when you start talking, and its ability to connect to two devices simultaneously—that make it the most intelligent and versatile headphone for everyday life.
It offers the silence of Bose, audio quality that rivals the best, and a suite of smart features that no one else can match, all at a competitive price. For the best overall package in 2025, the Sony WH-1000XM6 is once again the headphone to beat.
