What to know before you spend
Noise cancelling sounds like magic, so it helps to know what it really does. Tiny microphones on the outside of the ear cups listen to the room. The headphones then play a mirror-image sound that cancels much of it out. It works best on steady, low rumbles such as a train engine, a bus, a plane cabin or the hum of an air conditioner. It works less well on sudden or high sounds, like a chatty colleague or a clinking spoon.
That is why the best pair depends on where you sit. A commuter wants strong cancelling and comfort for an hour at a time. An office worker wants clear call microphones and a transparency mode, which lets the outside in so you can hear a colleague without taking the headphones off. A traveller wants battery life and a case that survives a rucksack.
Four things matter more than the spec sheet: fit, comfort, battery and call quality. A good seal around your ears is what lets the cancelling do its job, so glasses, hair and ear shape all play a part. Battery life of 24 hours or more means charging once a week, not every night. And look for multipoint, a feature that lets the headphones stay connected to your phone and laptop at once.
Quiet is not about silence. It is about the moment your shoulders drop.
Our three picks
Best all-rounder
Sony WH-1000XM5
Light at about 250 grams, with up to 30 hours of battery and very good cancelling. Calls sound clear, and the app lets you tune things to taste.
Likes
- Comfortable for long journeys
- Strong on engine and fan noise
- Excellent battery life
Dislikes
- Does not fold flat
- Case takes up bag space
Best for comfort
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
Plush cushions and a gentle fit make these the pair you can leave on all day. Cancelling is strong, with up to 24 hours of battery.
Likes
- Very soft ear cushions
- Natural-sounding transparency mode
- Foldable design
Dislikes
- Premium price
- Shorter battery than Sony
Best for iPhone owners
Apple AirPods Max
A metal build, quick pairing and smooth switching between Apple devices. Sound is polished and cancelling is very capable.
Likes
- Seamless with iPhone, iPad and Mac
- Premium materials
Dislikes
- Heavier than rivals
- Case gives little protection
- Expensive
Three everyday tests
The commute test
Picture the 7:42 train. You want the rumble gone, the music clear at a low volume, and no sore spots after 50 minutes. Wear any pair you are considering for at least half an hour at home first. If your ears ache, the specs do not matter.
The desk test
In an open-plan office, voices are the problem. No headphones remove them entirely, but good ones turn them into a murmur. Take a test call before the return window closes and ask the other person how you sound.
The travel test
On a plane, cancelling shines. Look for a hard case, a fold or swivel design, and a battery that outlasts your longest flight. A cable in the box helps when the seat-back screen needs plugging in.
Before you click buy
- Check the return policy and keep the box for the first two weeks.
- Wear them for 30 minutes with your glasses on, if you wear any.
- Check that they work with your phone and laptop at the same time.
- Look at the current model number, as makers often release successors.