Shaking off the world and sinking into a new album can feel like a train ride through the countryside … unless you’re on an actual train with a loud talker next to you. Or a baby crying. Or wheels that make that really bad squeal when they brake. Come to think of it, there are a lot of sounds that can ruin a good song, and that’s why we have headphones that isolate and actively cancel out noise. Below are the best noise-canceling headphones you can buy, handpicked by the Gear team here at WIRED.
Not seeing something you like? Be sure to check out our guides to the best wirefree earbuds, best workout earbuds, and best wireless headphones.
Updated for Autumn 2019: I added the Bose Noise Cancelling 700, Sony WF-1000XM3, Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 3, Jabra Elite 85H, Master & Dynamic MW65, and Taotronics Active Noise-Canceling Headphones to the guide.
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Photograph: Sony
The Very Best
Sony WH1000XM3
The WH-1000XM3 may have an incredibly dull name, but wearing them puts you right in the front row (8/10, WIRED Recommends). Sony’s active noise canceling is best in class (on par with Bose), and the sound comes to life more than most other models, which is why they also got our nod as the Best Wireless Headphones.
Wearing them is like attending a private concert—even if you’re actually in a crowded airplane with a baby screaming a few rows back—and there’s plenty of time for multiple encores with 30 hours of battery on a charge.
Amazon
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Photograph: Bose
Best for the Office
Bose Noise Cancelling 700
The ever-popular Bose QC35 II (8/10 WIRED Recommends) remain a fantastic noise-canceling option, but Bose’s new flagship headphones, the Noise Cancelling 700, take our top spot for business users. The 700 have excellent noise reduction that quiets clacky keyboards or chatty coworkers better than ever, and they have slightly better sound quality and battery life than the QC35 II.
The real reason to buy the 700 is for call quality. They use advanced signal processing and four microphones to limit the sound of the world around you on calls. It feels like you’re in a library when you’re actually in a bustling coffee shop. You probably find yourself on a conference call more often than an airplane. You’ll want these headphones for both.
Amazon
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Photograph: Sony
Best Earbuds
Sony WF-1000XM3
The WF-1000XM3 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) are a little bulky compared to other wirefree earbuds, but they have killer sound and a dedicated active NC processor that quiets everything to an almost eerie degree. They’re also packed to the gills with features like touch controls (that are actually usable!), adjustable EQ, and the ability to let in sounds from the outside world when working out in public.
You’ll also never run short on juice, with 6 hours of battery life and 18 more with the battery-filled case. This kind of battery life is no small feat, especially when you consider that Apple’s new AirPods Pro clock in at just 4.5 hours.
Amazon
