When you need to focus, relax, or disconnect from the world around you, a pair of Active Noise Canceling Headphones (also known as ANC) can be a boon. Of course, as with any headset, you'll want to consider sound quality, comfort, and other features like Bluetooth connectivity. But when you're looking for a pair that specifically offer noise cancellation, you want mostly headsets that block distractions.
We have chosen 14 pairs to try and try to find the best, based on reading reviews and our editorial experience in the market, and extensive testing.
In total, we rated them in six categories and 23 subcategories. Like our process for determining the best headphones, we identified two characteristics as the most important and weighted them accordingly: sound quality and ANC performance. And while ANC is a primary focus for this hands-on review, we weigh sound quality a little more than noise-canceling capabilities. After all, if headphones play your music poorly, ANC alone isn't worth that much. Also, we consider comfort, controls and battery life.
After hundreds of hours listening to music, using headphones in noisy environments, and running battery tests that ran into the wee hours of the morning, we are ready to share our top three choices.
The best noise-canceling headphones
- Best Overall Noise Canceling Headphones: Beats Solo Pro
- Second Place: Sony WH-1000XM3
- Best Value: Anker Soundcore Life Q20
The short version
The Beats Solo Pro absolutely dominated ANC quality, and they excelled in most of our other test categories as well, such as design and sound quality. At $ 299.99, they have a lot to offer. That said, the Sony WH-1000XM3 stepped on their heels as close finalists.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 (our winner of the best headphones) deliver great sound that even beats the Beats Solo Pros in bass performance. Its ANC functionality is also excellent, but the ANC quality of the Solo Pros is seen slightly above in our tests. Priced at $ 349.99, they are a comfortable device with many winning features.
The Soundcore Life Q20s appeared as our best value for money pair. At just $ 60, they offer surprisingly powerful noise cancellation capabilities that compete with much more expensive devices, plus excellent comfort and sound quality.
The long version
Best Overall: Beats Solo Pro
Why we love it in one sentence: Beats Solo Pros silence your environment with high-performance ANC combined with long-lasting battery life and exceptional sound.
Despite being headphones, the Beats Solo Pro really tore the competition apart at ANC. And while the Sony WH-1000XM3 had a better battery with ANC enabled, the Solo Pros outperformed them in pure ANC quality at a lower price.
We can't overstate our satisfaction with the Beats Solo Pro's ANC performance. In test after test, they managed to cut out many of the lower sounds you would normally hear in a variety of settings. For example, during a workout on a treadmill with a movie blasting, the hum of the machine was almost eliminated. Even the sound of the footfall was muffled, as were the mid-range frequency sounds of the tape belt and a movie blasting out on a television.
To simulate wind conditions, we use them alongside a large fan, and the deep, low hum of the fan simply left our audio space. Higher frequency sounds, such as fan oscillation, were also barely noticeable. Both are good signs for those who fly frequently or have noisy air conditioning units in their homes.
The Solo Pros also performed admirably when we tested them against the public environment. The bustle of a crowded public space (simulated with loud loudspeakers nearby) was barely audible with these headphones on. Speech, both near and far, was also significantly reduced, with an overall large reduction in ambient volume.
For those occasions when you need to listen to the sounds around you, these headphones have a transparency mode that amplifies the ambient sound, so it can be heard, for example, when someone calls you. The Solo Pro did not perform as well as the Sony WH-1000XM3 in this category, but they still amplified nearby sounds well and also improved the volume of distant sounds.
While ANC is the primary focus of this review, sound quality was important in our testing, too, and the Beats Solo Pros didn't disappoint. Listening to "Bad Guy" by Billie Eilish gave us the clear impression that he whispered in our ears. And during Bruce Springsteen's "I'm on Fire," we were able to really make out where the instruments were on the soundstage during the performance. This quality was only matched by the Sony WH-1000XM3 in our tests.
The only place where the Solo Pro did not achieve sound quality and did not perform as well as the Sony WH-1000XM3s was in the bass. Playback just wasn't that deep, and its sound was noticeably less impactful than other headphones. This is something to keep in mind if you listen to music with prominent bass.
The call quality, on the other hand, was one of the best on the list. Very clear at both ends, and without noticeable problems like echoes.
As for battery life, the Solo Pros performed best with the ANC turned off, reaching a staggering 40 hours. And while they only came in 21 hours with noise cancellation turned on, this is a testament to the hard work they do with the feature.
Controls are good, almost completely contained in the right earbud. Like other Beats headphones, the controls take the form of a disc, where the center activates playback and calls, and the upper and lower control volume. (Note, however, that it must support a plastic clicking sound when using them.) Off-device controls via iOS and iPadOS let you control ANC and transparency mode from your device's Control Center. On Android, you can download the Beats app and find similar control options.
The only other button in this very simple interface is one that is used to toggle ANC mode and transparency mode. Apple-style, Beats has completely removed the audio jack, which we can't say we love, and instead of a “power” button, all you have to do to activate them is deploy them, a very good feature.
These headphones are very well built, made of high-quality plastic on the outside and a solid metal skeleton on the inside; This metal runs through the entire design, from the cups to the headband. They fold easily and have very few seams. The cushions also feel durable and of high quality, although they may not be comfortable for people with large heads. Even at their full extension, they didn't fit perfectly on larger heads, creating awkward pressure after a while.
Visually, the headphones are stunning, in a variety of colors including light blue, red, dark blue, ivory, and black.
Overall, the Beats Solo Pro outperformed the competition in ANC quality, plus they deliver crisp, accurate sound in a crisp, well-designed device.
Finalist: Sony WH-1000XM3
Why we love it in one sentence: The Sony WH-1000XM3 excels at ANC and shines in terms of its top bass, though they're also priced higher than our top pick.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 were not far behind the Beats Solo Pros in our tests. They actually outperformed the Beats in several categories, including the quality and comfort of the bass. At ANC, they only fell short when presented with less consistent sources of ambient sound.
The ANC of the Sony WH-1000XM3s eliminated almost as much static sound as the Beats Solo Pros. On any good pair of ANC headphones, as a sound's frequency increases, it goes from being muted to just muffled, and the WH-1000XM3 underwent this transition a little earlier than the Beats Solo Pros. In our treadmill test, we were able to better hear the hum of the machine below with the WH-1000XM3, and the footfall was more audible by a small margin. However, the WH-1000XM3 fared better than the Solo Pros in the fan test, as both the low hum and the high-pitched sound of the fan oscillation remained largely inaudible.
After testing the ANC of the WH-1000XM3 with a restaurant's soundtrack (imitating a cacophony of voices, silver-plated doors that open and close) playing close by, we began to notice a pattern in performance. In tests that involved constant buzzing and sound, the Sony and Beats headphones almost tied. The differences were notable when comparing their performance in inconsistent environmental conditions: for example, they both did very well in silencing the hum of a crowd of people. But the Solo Pros were noticeably better at reacting to random spikes in sound - specific voices, door closings, cutlery drops - at mid and high frequencies.
Still, the ANC performance of the WH-1000XM3 was generally commendable against restaurant sounds. The volume was suitably lowered, and the bass sounds were removed with similar efficiency as the Solo Pros.
We were also very satisfied with the sound quality. (In fact, as proof of this, the Sony WH-1000XM3 is our pick for the best headphones, in a guidebook where we focus more on sound quality.) We love its crisp sound; Listening to "I'm on Fire" by Bruce Springsteen and "Jazz Crimes" by Joshua Redman, the instruments from the saxophone to the guitar and the piano were very clear. The drums rang with stunning, realistic quality, reaching us from all directions and creating a real 3D sound sensation. The voices echoed as if we were in the same room, and the positions of the instruments were clear in a wide variety of songs. When we released Billie Eilish's “Bad Guy” , it was obvious that they were among the best bass players in our test group (joined only by the equally deep and intense bass of the Bowers & Wilkins PX7). The Sony Equalizer The Headphones Connect app lets you boost the bass even further, really maximizing performance. Audio was also decent on both sides for a phone call. Nothing special, but clear enough to do the job.
Battery life is another strength of the WH-1000XM3. With noise cancellation turned on, they lasted about 30 hours, which is actually nine more than the Beats Solo Pros.
We wish that Sony had opted for the buttons as control triggers. Instead, the entire right cup is a touch pad for playback and call controls. And while it's simple to learn them, we also found it a bit too easy to accidentally skip a song or inadvertently change the volume. Also, longer hair tends to interfere with touch controls in a major way. Fortunately, you can choose to control music through the Sony Headphones Connect app (for Android and iOS), which simply features the play, pause, track skip, and volume buttons. Similarly, you can always take out your phone to control calls. But in terms of controls on the device, the touch interface may not be for everyone.
The WH-1000XM3 have the best transparency mode among all the ones we tested, significantly enhancing nearby sounds and making even silent and distant sounds much more audible.
The design is elegant and traditional; visually, there is little that we do not like. Like the Solo Pros, they have a deceptively simple design. However, while the Solo Pros give off a modern aura, the WH-1000XM3 appear to have a more traditional design, due to their large ovular ear muffs, compartmentalized headband cushioning, and asymmetrical arms. Simply put, they feel more classic, a distinction that doesn't make them better or worse.
Its only design drawbacks are the metal frame and plastic, which feel somewhat lower in quality than the Solo Pros. They're remarkably comfortable, though, thanks in large part to a lightweight 9-ounce frame and generous cushioning. Plus, the headband extends more than the Solo Pros, making them better for people with bigger heads. Overall, they're very stylish, and come in either black or silver, which looks more like a champagne color, but doesn't stand out as much as the Solo Pros, with its vibrant color options and big Beats logo on the cups.
Best price / quality ratio: Anker Soundcore Life Q20
Why we love it in one sentence: In the ANC category, Anker Soundcore Life Q20 devices repeatedly beat their price, with equally impressive sound quality, comfort and battery life at an incredible value.
The Soundcore Life Q20s performed better than we would expect from such an affordable pair of headphones, at just $ 60. In fact, they did almost as well as the Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700s in pure ANC at less than a sixth of the price.
The Soundcore Life Q20s provided solid noise cancellation, significantly damping the low hum made during our tape test. However, the deep sound range they removed was less than that of the Sony WH-1000XM3s. In other words: the Q20s reduced the volume of sounds muted by the other two selections. In terms of tread on the treadmill, we saw similar results: The deep, rhythmic sound of the bumps was muffled, but our winning choices cut it even further. The volume of the higher pitched sounds such as the treadmill and television in the background were also well controlled by the Q20s. And while this reduction was not as dramatic as that of the Sony WH-1000XM3s and Beats Solo Pros, it almost paired with the more expensive Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700s.
During our fan test, the Soundcore headphones impressed once again. They reduced the volume well, to the point where the oscillation of the fan was barely audible. (Meanwhile, the Solo Pro and WH-1000XM3 completely muted this particular sound.) However, controlling the Q20s from the low hum of the fan gave the Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700s a run for their money. During our restaurant environment test, the low hum of the crowd was largely eliminated by the Q20s. The sounds that remained were very well reduced in volume, actually outperforming the more expensive devices like the Bose QuietComfort 35 II.
The Soundcore Life Q20s scored below average in sound quality. This was due in part to its call quality, which featured decent clarity, but unlucky spikes in volume. That said, this pair tied for the more expensive Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2s, and among a list of high-end devices, an almost average score is no small feat. Listening to Joshua Redman's “Jazz Crimes,” which features a high-pitched saxophone and intense drums, we were never hit with an uncomfortably loud note or a confusing bass. The voices were on point too: during Bruce Springsteen's "I'm on Fire," his voice felt authentic, like we were on stage. Overall, its performance matched that of the Bowers & Wilkins PX7s, which sell for much more. The sound space suffered somewhat, however. Songs like "I'm on Fire" just felt a little less three-dimensional than our top picks. However, this was a minor problem: the positions of the voices and instruments on stage still played quite well.
These headphones really excelled at bass handling, reproducing the deep, booming tones of Billie Eilish's “Bad Guy,” with just a $ 500 Beoplay H9 hair. Unfortunately, these headphones experienced a rare bug that affected our listening experience when it arose. During some songs, the bass ended by slightly silencing the rest of the track, quickly returning to normal volume after each beat. This fact was rare and minor, which will not be a problem for most users. Audiophiles, on the other hand, may want to look elsewhere.
One of our favorite features of these headphones was the battery performance. The Soundcore Life Q20s recorded an incredible 40 hour battery life with ANC activated. This is simply the best of all the devices we tested, the next best is the $ 250 Jabra Elite 85hs with 36 hours of battery life. They also offer impressive fast charging capabilities, completing four hours of battery life with just five minutes of charge.
These headphones feature the popular three-button row organization, where a play and call control button is flanked by two volume buttons, which are raised for tactile feedback and not as loud as the controls on the Beats Solo Pros. . On the opposite cup are the power button and an ANC toggle button. Unfortunately, these headphones do not have the transparency mode.
These headphones are not flimsy in any way, although the quality of the plastic certainly feels less resistant than that of the WH-1000XM3 or Beats Solo Pros. They feel more solid than some pairs we tested, such as the Sony WH-CH710N, which cost $ 140 more. Visually, they share similarities with the Sony WH-1000XM3. Available in black and silver, they have few seams and few details to speak. But overall, they look less stylish because of the shiny plastic and geometrically generic headphones.
The Q20s performed outstandingly in comfort. The cushions are soft and airy, resting gently on both the headband and ear muffs. There is a generous amount of cushioning that, combined with its weight similar to that of the WH-1000XM3, causes little or no build-up of pressure. Without a doubt, it is easy to forget that you wear them while you make your day.
In summary
Our top two choices were closely matched in this testing process. The vibrant Beats Solo Pro finally took the crown for its superior ANC and excellent sound. But if the bass of the Sony headphones and the more comfortable grip are more attractive, you will surely get better value for your money. Each has qualities the other lacks, and while we ultimately recommend the Solo Pros for noise cancellation, in any case, you'll have an excellent pair of headphones.
When it comes to value, the Soundcore Life Q20 beat its price, offering high-quality noise cancellation and impressive sound quality at a fraction of the cost compared to most headphones in our test group.
Note: The above prices reflect the price at the time of article posting.
