Best 2025 Over-Ear Headphones for Active noise cancellation

#1 SONY WH-1000XM6 Headphones
4.9

ANC was the strongest consensus point: reviewers repeatedly called it class-leading, best-in-class, or among the best they had tested.

Pros: Sound quality, Active noise cancellation

Cons: Touch control responsiveness, Spatial audio

#2 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless Headphones
4.8

Reviewers consistently rated ANC as the headline strength, describing unusually strong isolation from city, office, flight, and general background noise.

Pros: Active noise cancellation, Sound quality

Cons: Battery, Immersive audio quality

#3 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Headphones (2nd Gen)
4.7

Active noise cancellation is the product’s strongest consensus win, repeatedly described as elite, best-in-class, or among the best available.

Pros: Active noise cancellation, Comfort during long use

Cons: Value for money, Equalizer customization

#4 Apple AirPods Max 2
4.5

Reviewers generally found ANC substantially improved and often class-leading, though a few considered the improvement incremental versus already-strong rivals.

Pros: Active noise cancellation, Sound quality

Cons: Value for money, Carry case quality

#5 Beyerdynamic Aventho 100
4.4

ANC is one of the most widely praised features, cutting cafe, transit, office, and steady engine noise surprisingly well for an on-ear design. It still trails the very best flagship...

Pros: Battery, Design and Aesthetics

Cons: Clamping force comfort, Soundstage width

#6 JLab Epic Lux Lab Edition Wireless Headphones
4.4

ANC received broad praise, ranging from solid to extremely effective, though one review considered it only average against the best noise-canceling headphones.

Pros: Comfort during long use, Charging

Cons: Spatial audio, Volume output

#7 H2O Audio RIPT Ultra
4.3

ANC was widely praised for suppressing gym clatter, fans, aircraft hum, and office distractions, though a few found it only average. Performance can weaken with silicone pads, and long sweaty...

Pros: Water/sweat resistance rating, Comfort during long use

Cons: Value for money, Workout heat and sweat buildup

#8 Tribit QuietPlus 81
4.3

ANC is good for the price and works best on steady low-frequency noise. Voices, typing, traffic, and sharper sounds can still break through, so it is not flagship-level isolation.

Pros: Value for money, Sound quality

Cons: Button control usability, App

#9 SonoFlow SE HQ31 Wireless Headphones
4.3

ANC was one of the strongest points, repeatedly judged effective for the price, especially against low, steady ambient noise.

Pros: Battery, Sound quality

Cons: Midrange clarity, Button control usability

#10 JBL Tour One M3 Headphones
4.3

ANC was broadly praised as strong to excellent, especially for travel and commuting, but a few reviewers found it behind Bose or Sony or somewhat pressure-heavy.

Pros: Sound quality, Dongle

Cons: Premium feel, Build quality

#12 Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 Headphones
4.1

Reviewers broadly find ANC improved and often very good, though several still place Sony, Bose, or AirPods Max ahead in specific noise scenarios.

Pros: Sound quality, Active noise cancellation

#13 Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE Headphones
4.1

ANC is generally judged good or improved, though not always elite; reviewers praised effectiveness while noting Sony/Bose-class options can still outperform it.

Pros: Overall recommendation, Comfort during long use

Cons: Headband padding quality, Spatial audio

#14 SoundPEATS Cove Pro
3.9

ANC is strong for the money and especially effective on fans, HVAC, engines, and transit rumble, but performance is less consistent with voices, sudden sounds, and very noisy outdoor settings.

Pros: Overall satisfaction, Sound quality

Cons: Carry case quality, Transparency mode quality

#15 CMF Headphone Pro
3.9

ANC is good for the price and strongest against steady low-frequency noise such as engines, fans, and traffic. It is not class-leading, and voices, sudden sounds, and higher frequencies are...

Pros: Sound quality, Active noise cancellation

Cons: Treble clarity, Equalizer customization

#16 Nothing Headphone (1)
3.9

ANC was generally viewed as strong for the price and effective in everyday noise, though several reviewers said Sony, Bose, or AirPods Max still outperform it.

Pros: Sound quality, Battery

Cons: Weight comfort, Soundstage width

#17 Sennheiser HDB 630 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
3.8

ANC is consistently useful and sometimes impressive, but several reviewers say it falls short of the very best Bose, Sony, and Apple options.

Pros: Sound quality, Active noise cancellation

Cons: Premium feel, Multipoint connectivity reliability

#18 Baseus Inspire XH1 Headphones
3.8

ANC drew the widest split: many called it effective or impressive for the price, while others found it merely OK, poor for flights, or well behind premium models.

Pros: Bass performance, Overall recommendation

Cons: Transparency mode quality, Immersive audio quality

#19 Focal Bathys MG Wireless Headphones
3.7

ANC is judged useful and improved, but not class-leading; reviewers say it reduces buses, traffic and office noise while still letting some voices or mids through.

Pros: Comfort during long use, Bass performance

Cons: Value for money, Equalizer customization

#20 Fairphone Fairbuds XL
3.6

ANC is usually described as decent to good, but opinions vary sharply. It reduces commute and room noise effectively for many reviewers, while others find it far behind Sony/Bose or...

Pros: Sustainability and repairability, Sound quality

Cons: Value for money, Transparency mode quality

#21 EarFun Wave Life Wireless Headphones
3.1

ANC is mixed-to-weak overall: it can reduce low-frequency rumble, but multiple reviewers found voices, traffic, or busy spaces still audible.

Pros: Battery, Equalizer customization

Cons: ANC background noise level, Active noise cancellation

#22 Yamaha YH-L500A Headphones
2.0

ANC was a major limitation in L500A reviews because its absence reduced usefulness for travel and noisy environments.

Pros: Overall recommendation, Value for money