




Noise-canceling headphones are our ear armor against the hustle & bustle of the city, the streets, and pretty much everywhere. Most of us consider this as essential because of the convenience it brings during a rough journey, or maybe a bad flight. Using noise-canceling headphones even helps you improve your focus when doing your activity!
But really, how do we choose the best noise-canceling headphones? In this article, we list down our top 10 best noise-canceling headphones in the market from well-known brands like Sony noise-canceling headphones to the cheapest noise-canceling headphones you could find! Also, be sure to stay tuned for our buying guide to help make your search easier.
Quick List - Top Noise-Canceling Headphones

Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
Every mybest article is crafted with hours of in-depth research and interviews with experts. Each month, we are continually expanding our database of products based on our research. By emphasizing user insight and reliable information, we deliver trustworthy content to readers.
We all know how ordinary headphones work. We plug it into our devices, wear it, and listen to our playlists or podcasts. It emits sounds from the ear cups and acts as a private sound system to whoever wears it.
Most of the time, the problem with ordinary headphones is that they cannot reduce external ambient sounds and noises. As a result, you'll have to raise the volume of your device to cancel them out. It might bring discomfort because it can cause your music to be too loud. This is where noise-canceling headphones shine.
Not only do noise-canceling headphones reduce the ambient noise with their physical earcups, but they also cancel out the soundwaves electronically. While these headphones do their magic with reducing the outside noises, they also give you an incredible and immersive sound experience!
Here are some key points to consider:
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
We imagine that much like your smartphone, you’re going to be using your headphones a lot. So, better choose one that can keep you comfortable even after hours of listening. You can pick between over ear or on ear headphones for this.
Over ear headphones completely cover your ears, so you get to have a more immersive listening experience as you get to completely block out your environment. This also means a more comfortable fit though they can be a bit too bulky.
On the other hand, on-ear headphones rest directly on your ears and have smaller earcups. It is easier to bring with you, although prolonged use can sometimes cause discomfort on your ears.
Ever since Bluetooth headphones came up on the scene, a majority have opted to go wireless. And why not? Going wireless means moving around freely without snagging or tangling your cables, great for those on-the-go. However, a wireless connection is more prone to interference and static and it is also more expensive.
Meanwhile, wired noise-canceling headphones are pretty much traditional. And being connected by a wire means it produces better sound quality than its wireless counterpart. That said, the downside of going wireless, is it limits you from moving around as much.
To enjoy your non-stop listening for the whole day, make sure to look for noise-canceling headphones with long battery life. Generally, the charging time of noise-canceling headphones could take you 2 to 2.5 hours on average though there are ones that have quick-charge features that take only 15 minutes.
Moreover, more and more brands are producing longer-lasting noise-canceling headphones with a known average battery life of 25 hours, and some up to 40 hours! So, it is all a matter of finding the right one for you.
Noise-cancelation pertains to the kind of technology used to block out external sounds in your environment. And it can take on different types such as active, adaptive, and passive noise-cancelation. Keep scrolling to see which one would be the right fit for you.
The sounds in our environment produce frequencies, and active-noise cancelation (ANC) works by playing an opposite sound to counter external noise. The sound produced by the microphones and speakers in the headphones’ earcups “cancels” that unwanted noise and creates silence instead.
It is the most common type of noise-cancelation, and it is used to protect your ears from hearing loss, making them particularly beneficial in trains and airplanes. Do note that since this is a type of technology, it can drain your headphones’ battery faster.
Adaptive noise-cancelation operates on the same principle as active noise-cancelation. However, it can adjust the intensity of the noise-cancelation depending on the loudness of the external sound.
Think of it this wayーif you are in a quiet environment, your noise-canceling headphones will work at a lower strength. And if you are in a loud environment, then the noise-cancelation will produce a louder frequency to counter that noise.
Also known as passive noise-cancelation, noise isolation refers to the physical features of the headphones themselves that work to block outside noise. For instance, if your headphones have thick, padded earcups, they will function like an earplug and prevent you from hearing anything besides the one coming from your device. Moreover, it is the only type of noise-cancelation that doesn’t use technology.
The goal is to experience next-level noise-canceling while also being able to dwell on the immersive quality of sound. With so many brands available in the market, you have to look for noise-canceling headphones that also excel in terms of good sound quality.
The standard for a good headphone is that it produces bass, which gives the proper tone to the lowness of sound and treble, providing you with high notes of music. Look for headphones that give good bass friction and clear treble regardless of how high your music, streaming, and gaming volume is.
Another mark of an immersive sound experience is spatial audio. Spacial sounds were made to help the audience have an immersive sound experience. It makes you feel as if music is all around you. Aside from making music more alive, it will give a unique experience to movie and game audios.
Aside from the noise-canceling technology, look for headphones with a built-in microphone system. This makes them more convenient, especially if you are always on the go, attending online classes, or participating in Zoom meetings.
Another feature to check is the equalizer option, which is recommended for musicians, sound engineers, or people who know how to adjust the frequency for a more technical sound experience. For extra convenience, you may also look for noise-canceling headphones that can link with online device assistants such as Siri, Alexa, and Google assistant.
Lastly, opt for noise-canceling headphones that can be folded. For travelers, or for those who are out on an adventure, you would want noise-canceling headphones that can be stashed in the bag when not in use.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | Details | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Type | Connectivity | Battery Life | Noise-Cancelation Type | Noise-Canceling On/Off Switch | Additional Features | |||||
1 | Sony WH-1000XM5 | ![]() | Ultimate Silence, Pure Sound Awaits | Over-Ear | Wireless | 30 Hours | Active, Adaptive | Touch Controls, Multi-Device Pairing, DSEE Extreme, Speak-to-Chat | ||
2 | Edifier W830NB | ![]() | Immersive Sound, Featherlight Comfort, Endless Play | Over-Ear | Wireless | 94 Hours (ANC Off), 54 Hours (ANC On) | Active | Hi-Res Audio, LDAC, AI Call Mics, App EQ | ||
3 | Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 4 | ![]() | Signature Sound, 60-Hour Adaptive Bliss | Over-Ear | Wireless | 60 Hours | Active, Adaptive | 5-Band EQ, Transparency Mode, AptX Adaptive, Wind Noise Reduction | ||
4 | Sony WH-CH720N | ![]() | Immersive Sound With Lightweight Comfort and Long Battery Life | Over-Ear | Wireless | 35 Hours (ANC On), 50 Hours (ANC Off) | Active | DSEE, Voice Assistant, USB Charging, Bluetooth 5.2 | ||
5 | Baseus H1 (Bowie H1) | ![]() | Immersive HiFi Sound With Long-Lasting Comfort and ANC | Over-Ear | Wireless | 70 Hours (ANC Off), 40 Hours (ANC On) | Active | AAC Codec, Bluetooth 5.2, Type-C Charging, ENC Mics | ||
6 | Rock Space O3 ANC | ![]() | Budget-Friendly ANC With Balanced Sound and Comfort | Over-Ear | Wireless | 15 Hours | Active | 40 mm Drivers, Foldable, Wired Option | ||
7 | JBL Tour One M3 | ![]() | Spatial 360 Immersion, 70-Hour ANC Mastery | Over-Ear | Wireless | 70 Hours (ANC Off), 40 Hours (ANC On) | Active, Adaptive | Spatial 360 Sound, LDAC, Personi-Fi 3.0, Smart Tx | ||
8 | Baseus Bass 30 Max | ![]() | Bass Amplified, 50-Hour Endurance Unleashed | Over-Ear | Wireless | 50 Hours | Passive | Foldable Design, ENC Mics, 40 mm Drivers | ||
9 | SoundPEATS Space | ![]() | Endless Hi-Res Noise-Free Zone | Over-Ear | Wireless | 123 Hours (Normal), 61 Hours (ANC) | Active | Hi-Res Audio, App EQ, 65 ms Low Latency | ||
10 | Apple AirPods Max | ![]() | Spatial Audio Crown With Elite Noise Mastery | Over-Ear | Wireless | 20 Hours | Active | Spatial Audio, Adaptive EQ, H1 Chip, USB-C | ||
| Type | Over-Ear |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Wireless |
| Battery Life | 30 Hours |
| Noise-Cancelation Type | Active, Adaptive |
| Noise-Canceling On/Off Switch | |
| Additional Features | Touch Controls, Multi-Device Pairing, DSEE Extreme, Speak-to-Chat |
| Type | Over-Ear |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Wireless |
| Battery Life | 94 Hours (ANC Off), 54 Hours (ANC On) |
| Noise-Cancelation Type | Active |
| Noise-Canceling On/Off Switch | |
| Additional Features | Hi-Res Audio, LDAC, AI Call Mics, App EQ |
| Type | Over-Ear |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Wireless |
| Battery Life | 60 Hours |
| Noise-Cancelation Type | Active, Adaptive |
| Noise-Canceling On/Off Switch | |
| Additional Features | 5-Band EQ, Transparency Mode, AptX Adaptive, Wind Noise Reduction |
| Type | Over-Ear |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Wireless |
| Battery Life | 35 Hours (ANC On), 50 Hours (ANC Off) |
| Noise-Cancelation Type | Active |
| Noise-Canceling On/Off Switch | |
| Additional Features | DSEE, Voice Assistant, USB Charging, Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Type | Over-Ear |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Wireless |
| Battery Life | 70 Hours (ANC Off), 40 Hours (ANC On) |
| Noise-Cancelation Type | Active |
| Noise-Canceling On/Off Switch | |
| Additional Features | AAC Codec, Bluetooth 5.2, Type-C Charging, ENC Mics |
| Type | Over-Ear |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Wireless |
| Battery Life | 15 Hours |
| Noise-Cancelation Type | Active |
| Noise-Canceling On/Off Switch | |
| Additional Features | 40 mm Drivers, Foldable, Wired Option |
| Type | Over-Ear |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Wireless |
| Battery Life | 70 Hours (ANC Off), 40 Hours (ANC On) |
| Noise-Cancelation Type | Active, Adaptive |
| Noise-Canceling On/Off Switch | |
| Additional Features | Spatial 360 Sound, LDAC, Personi-Fi 3.0, Smart Tx |
| Type | Over-Ear |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Wireless |
| Battery Life | 50 Hours |
| Noise-Cancelation Type | Passive |
| Noise-Canceling On/Off Switch | |
| Additional Features | Foldable Design, ENC Mics, 40 mm Drivers |
| Type | Over-Ear |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Wireless |
| Battery Life | 123 Hours (Normal), 61 Hours (ANC) |
| Noise-Cancelation Type | Active |
| Noise-Canceling On/Off Switch | |
| Additional Features | Hi-Res Audio, App EQ, 65 ms Low Latency |
| Type | Over-Ear |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Wireless |
| Battery Life | 20 Hours |
| Noise-Cancelation Type | Active |
| Noise-Canceling On/Off Switch | |
| Additional Features | Spatial Audio, Adaptive EQ, H1 Chip, USB-C |
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
Although the sound waves produced by noise-canceling headphones cancel external noises, they can still produce low-frequency vibrations that may cause disequilibrium in your ear canals. And it may lead to headaches, jaw pain, dizziness, and even nausea.
That said, don’t be so quick to put down your pair of noise-cancelation headphones. It would still depend on the individual as some people are more prone to experiencing these effects than others.
It is not recommended to sleep with noise-canceling headphones, headphones, or earphones in general. For one thing, it can lead to wax build-up due to the lack of air circulation, as well as tinnitus or the redness and swelling of the external ear canal.
Moreover, its noise-cancelation function means it may make you miss safety hazards like fire alarms or your baby crying, among others. That said, if you do sleep with headphones on to help you sleep better, remember to keep the volume low and to do it in moderation.
Noise-canceling headphones are actually designed to protect against hearing loss. In fact, it is used by pilots to protect their ears against the loud engine. But, any headphones or earbuds, regardless of whether it is a regular or noise-canceling one, can be damaging if the volume is not kept at a reasonable level.
We can also enjoy music and sounds in a different way. Here are our other suggested topics for you to check!
Author: J. Geluz
Re-Editor: Angelica Sy, J. Cuizon
No. 1: Sony |WH-1000XM5
No. 2: Edifier |W830NB
No. 3: Sennheiser |Momentum Wireless 4
No. 4: Sony |WH-CH720N
No. 5: Baseus |H1 (Bowie H1)
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.

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