Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones (2025): Over-Ear, Wireless Earbuds, Exercise Pairs

Now that most new headphones and earbuds offer at least a modicum of noise cancellation, it would be impossible (and unproductive) to list all of our favorites above. If you haven’t found your fit yet, here are some favorites to consider.

Soundcore Life Q30 for $60-85: Anker’s Soundcore line is nothing if not value-conscious, and the Life Q30 offers an embarrassing array of extras for their often bargain-basement prices. You’ll get clear and warm sound, great features, tons of battery life, and noise cancellation that gets the job done even on a long flight, even if it can’t keep up with flagship pairs. It’s hard to complain when they cost hundreds less, especially with sale prices that sometimes drop more than $50.

Soundcore Space A40 for $60: Another great buy from Anker’s Soundcore lineup, the Space A40 (8/10, WIRED Recommended) are some of our favorite cheap earbuds, especially as their price continues to drop. You’ll find high-end design, lots of features, quality sound, and loud noise cancellation in its class.

Apple Beats Fit Pro for $199: The Beats Fit Pro buds are old but still stand out, with great sound, easy-to-reach buttons, and strong sound canceling to boot. Add to that six hours of battery life, surround sound compatibility with Apple Music and other services, and you’ve got one of the best pairs of earbuds ever “designed in California.”

Sony WF-1000XM4 for $290: Sony’s WF-1000XM4 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) still have the best noise reduction we’ve heard in earbuds and offer the same highly customizable sound we love from Sony headphones. These are getting harder to find, and are too big for smaller ears but the extra size allows for great battery life.

Amazon Echo Buds for $45: Amazon’s second-generation Echo Buds (8/10, WIRED Recommends) don’t offer the same quietness as the top earbuds on our list, but they’re still a good, low-cost option. Amazon’s built-in Alexa voice assistant lets you set timers, check the weather, and control your buds hands-free. Buds also sound good, which makes them worth considering for several years.

Epos/Sennheiser Adapt 660 for $152: Looking for great sound, a comfortable fit, and high-quality noise-cancelling technology for less than you’d pay for Sony or Bose headphones? Check out this collaboration between Epos and Sennheiser. The Epos/Sennheiser Adapt 660 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) sound great, and are some of the lightest sound-enhancing headphones I’ve ever worn. They also include an excellent microphone for maximum silence on calls and Zooms.