Noise-cancelling headphones have gone from luxury to everyday essential. Whether you commute, fly often or work in an open-plan office, the right pair can give you back hours of focus. But the choice is wider than ever — here is how to narrow it down.
Over-ear or in-ear?
Over-ear headphones surround your ears, which helps them block more sound passively before the electronics even start working. They usually offer longer battery life and a bigger, more spacious sound.
True wireless earbuds are the better pick if you value portability, work out, or wear glasses for long periods. Today’s best models cancel noise remarkably well for their size.
What to look for
- Adaptive noise cancelling that adjusts to your surroundings
- At least 20 hours of battery life (over-ear) or 6 hours per charge (earbuds)
- Multipoint Bluetooth so you can switch between laptop and phone
- A transparency mode for announcements and conversations
- Comfortable, replaceable ear cushions or tips
The best headphones are the ones you forget you are wearing — try the fit before you fall for the specs.
Codecs, briefly
If you use an Android phone, support for LDAC or aptX Adaptive gives you higher-quality wireless audio. On iPhone, AAC is what matters, and Apple’s own earbuds add spatial audio with head tracking.
Still unsure? Our specialists are happy to help on chat, by phone or in store — and you can return anything within 30 days.
