Best noise cancelling headphones for all budgets 2022: From Apple to Sony and Sennheiser

Best: Overall

Rating: 9.5/10

Thanks to the Bose NC 700s, the brand is still the king of ANC. The noise cancellation capability is the best on the list, and noise is impressively dampened even at half power. Cleverly, input microphones also work alongside the ANC to reject background noise and isolate your voice during phone calls. The sound from the NC 700s is among the best we tested, too, and the look of the headphones matches the sophistication found inside. If you’re in the market for lightweight wireless headphones with supreme noise cancellation, you’d be hard-pressed to find better.

Read the full Bose noise cancelling headphones 700 review

Best: Wireless noise-cancelling headphones

Rating: 9.5/10

These are brilliant headphones: in fact, one of the best examples of wireless headphones we’ve ever tested. The sound profile is delicate and impressive, with options for EQ tweaking in the corresponding Sony app if you want a little more oomph, and the battery life is a massive 30 hours. The PNC does a lot of heavy lifting itself, but the ANC is supreme, immediately shutting off almost all ambient noise, and leaving you with your own thoughts and your music. If you’re a fan of Sony audio, or want more control over your listening experience, then it’s a no-brainer.

Read the full Sony WH-1000XM4 review

Best: Sound

Rating: 9/10

Apple’s first over-ear product doesn’t disappoint. These are among the best NC headphones out there. From the super-premium build and feel, to the intricate, stunning audio, to the impressive ANC, the AirPods Max really do head straight to the top of the tree. They’re pricey, the accompanying case is laughably pointless, and as always, you’ll ideally need an Apple product to pair with, but as this is all we can come up with against them, you can tell that we’re struggling. A technically superior pair of headphones, with the best sound on the list.

Read the Apple AirPods max vs Sony WH-1000XM4 review

Best: Budget noise-cancelling headphones

Rating: 8/10

The tune 750s are the definition of good value. There are headphones on this list that have better sound, more versatile and powerful ANC and a sturdier, more premium feel. However, to the majority of listeners, the tune 750s are bang on the money. They’re light, fit nicely over the ears, and the ANC is much more effective than we were expecting. The sound is a little bass-heavy, but mightily impressive for how much you’re paying. Battery life comes in at around 15 hours, which is paltry when compared to higher-end models, but we can cope with a little more forward planning as a payoff.

The red and blue colourways are currently out of stock, although you can sign up for emails to be alerted when they’re back. Or you can get the black pair for just £49 (Currys.co.uk).

Read the full JBL tune 750BTNC review

Best: Throwback

Rating: 9/10

Sennheiser’s reputation for the very best audio precedes it every time the brand releases a new product, and each time, that reputation is entirely justified. It’s no different with the momentum 3 wireless headphones. They produce a level of audio intricacy not seen elsewhere at this level, they look like a classic pair of Eighties cans, and the ANC is almost second to none – especially the “anti pressure” mode that lessens the vacuum effect. Well worth the investment, especially for those who want old-school looks with new-age tech.

Read the full Sennheiser momentum 3 wireless review

Best: For luxury

Rating: 8.5/10

The HX headphones are perhaps the best-looking on the list, with a slimline sophistication, amazingly lightweight feel and chrome finish, alongside a massive 35-hour play time. They also happen to produce one of the best sounds around. The flip side of this is that the ANC, when switched on, doesn’t block out as much as other premium models here: however, if we had to choose between blocking out every sound around us and getting to listen to Bang & Olufsen’s class-leading audio performance, B&O would win out every time.

Read the full B&O beoplay HX review

Best: For balance

Rating: 8.5/10

The PX7s have a joyful sound to them. Everything is finely balanced, dealing with complicated tracks easily, especially when it comes to pairing treble with bass. The design is also unique, and a refreshing take on wireless headphones. Noise cancellation works very well, and is super versatile, with three levels of NC available. They look and feel great, with a sophistication not seen often, even at the upper end of the market. A formidable pair of headphones.

Read the full Bowers & Wilkins PX7 review

Best: Looks

Rating: 8.5/10

The solo pro headphones are characteristically Beats, just all grown up. Apple’s H1 chip makes the headphones snappy when connecting and keeps the audio in perfect sync. The look is sleeker than ever before, and the sound output is the most considered it’s been in a Beats product thus far, with parred back bass giving terrible and mids room to breathe. The ANC is also premium, helped by the headphones’ on-ear design. A pair of headphones to convert any ardent Beats cynic.

Read the full Beats solo pro review

Best: Battery life

Rating: 8/10

Inhabiting the middle ground of the market, The Elite 85h headphones manage to offer plenty of features that place them alongside more expensive choices. The ANC is decent, and the Jabra app offers multiple noise-cancelling options, with varying levels of transparency. The sound is, understandably, not at the level of headphones such as the Bose NC 700s or Sennheiser momentum 3, but still gives the listener plenty of clarity and richness. The battery life is also a huge 30 hours with ANC switched on, impressive at any price.

Read the full Jabra elite 85h review

Best: Rival to over-ear

Rating: 9/10

A subsidiary of Panasonic, Technics is most noted as a brand that produces some of the best turntables in the world, most notably the industry-standard SL-1200. The company has taken its turntable and audio knowhow and put it into the EAH-AZ70W, a pair of earbuds that produces phenomenal sound, full of character and scale. The EAH’s noise cancellation works wonders, with two different options, and the controls are as easy as a few taps. A worthy investment if you’re looking for an in-ear ANC competitor.

Read the full Technics EAH-AZ70W review

Best: Noise-cancelling headphones under £100

Rating: 8.5/10

The RZ-S500W offer noise cancellation to rival many over-ear efforts. The trade off for this is that they’re quite big and bulky for earbuds, jutting out pretty significantly, but that’s a minor issue compared to its advantages. Touch controls are easy to get the hang of, and the audio output is impressively clear and balanced, especially when you play about with the EQ and ambient noise levels. A great in-ear option for NC enthusiasts.

Read the full Panasonic RZ-S500W review

Best: Newcomer

Rating: 8.5/10

While Marshall’s Mode II earphones don’t offer ANC, the noise dampening effects of their shape give the listener plenty of cancellation. Ultimately, you’re buying a Marshall product for the sound it puts in your ear, not the sound it blocks out, and when it comes to the former, these earphones deliver. Audio clarity is as pure as you’ll find in an earbud, with the characteristic Marshall sound present in abundance. They look great and sound even better.

Read the full Marshall mode II review

Best: For audiophiles

Rating: 8.5/10

Another set of non-ANC earbuds whose passive noise cancellation pairs with their sound to deserve a spot on this list. Audiophiles love Grado. The family-run brand has been making its products in the same small Brooklyn factory for 65 years, and has enjoyed praise across the audio world since the beginning. The GT220s are another worthy submission to the story. They’re particularly pricey, seriously impressive earphones: the shape might look odd, but it results in a secure, comfortable fit and help the PNC perform brilliantly. Features are sparse, but the sound is almost perfect, with a fullness difficult to top. The bass rattles your brain. In a good way.

Read the full Grado GT220 review

Best: For Apple users

Rating: 9/10

The AirPods Pro are still among the best in their class. Both passive and active noise cancellation (along with transparent mode) are close to pristine, they fit comfortably and the audio is quintessentially Apple: although there are some rivals that might edge them, the AirPods Pro are clear, clean and intricate, with very little to pick up on. The AirPods Pro 2 are rumoured to be coming out at the start of 2022, but it’s difficult to see where Apple’s designers will go to improve the originals.

Read the full Apple AirPods pro review