You're on a plane, the engine is roaring, and the person next to you is watching a movie without headphones. Or you're in an open office, and three conversations are happening at once. Noise cancelling headphones aren't a luxury anymore—they're survival gear.

But not all noise cancelling is created equal. Some headphones muffle sound like stuffing cotton in your ears. The best ones make the world disappear while delivering audio that makes you rediscover your favorite songs. Here's what's actually worth your money in 2025.

Flatlay photography of wireless headphones

Top Noise Cancelling Headphones Compared

Headphones ANC Rating Sound Quality Battery Weight Price
Sony WH-1000XM5 Excellent Excellent 30 hrs 250g ~$490 CAD
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Best-in-class Excellent 24 hrs 250g ~$600 CAD
Apple AirPods Max 2 Excellent Excellent 20 hrs 385g ~$770 CAD
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Very Good Best-in-class 60 hrs 293g ~$490 CAD
Sony WH-1000XM4 Very Good Very Good 30 hrs 254g ~$320 CAD
Bose QuietComfort Headphones Very Good Good 24 hrs 240g ~$490 CAD
JBL Tour One M2 Good Very Good 50 hrs 268g ~$420 CAD

Best Overall: Sony WH-1000XM5

The XM5 has been the benchmark for noise cancelling headphones since its release, and it's still the one to beat.

Noise Cancelling Performance

Sony uses eight microphones and two processors to analyze and cancel ambient noise. The result is ANC that adapts in real-time to your environment. On a plane, it cuts engine noise by roughly 90%. In an office, conversations fade to a barely perceptible murmur.

The Adaptive Sound Control feature automatically adjusts ANC based on what you're doing—walking, sitting, or in transit. You can also customize it through the Sony Headphones Connect app.

Sound Quality

The 30mm drivers deliver a balanced, detailed sound signature. Bass is present without being overwhelming, mids are clear, and highs are crisp without harshness. Sony's LDAC codec supports hi-res audio over Bluetooth, which makes a noticeable difference with lossless music files.

Comfort and Battery

At 250 grams, the XM5 is light enough for all-day wear. The headband distributes pressure evenly, and the ear cushions are soft synthetic leather. 30 hours of battery with ANC on means you can fly from New York to Tokyo and back without charging.

  • ANC: 8 microphones, dual processor, adaptive
  • Drivers: 30mm carbon fiber composite
  • Battery: 30 hours (ANC on), 3-min quick charge = 3 hours
  • Codec: LDAC, AAC, SBC
  • Weight: 250g
  • Features: Multipoint (2 devices), Speak-to-Chat, auto-pause
  • Price: ~$490 CAD
The Sony XM5 is the safest recommendation for most people. Great ANC, great sound, great comfort, great battery. It doesn't have a weak spot.

Best Noise Cancelling: Bose QuietComfort Ultra

The ANC King

If pure noise cancellation is your top priority, Bose still wears the crown. The QuietComfort Ultra uses a proprietary system that's marginally better than Sony's at cancelling low-frequency noise—the kind you hear on planes and trains.

Immersive Audio

Bose's CustomTune technology scans your ear shape when you put the headphones on and adjusts the sound profile accordingly. The Immersive Audio feature creates a spatial sound experience that makes music feel like it's coming from around you rather than inside your head.

  • ANC: Best-in-class, CustomTune personalization
  • Drivers: Proprietary Bose drivers
  • Battery: 24 hours (ANC on)
  • Codec: aptX Adaptive, AAC, SBC
  • Weight: 250g
  • Features: Multipoint, Immersive Audio, Aware mode
  • Price: ~$600 CAD

The Trade-off

Six fewer hours of battery compared to the Sony XM5, and $110 CAD more expensive. The ANC advantage is real but marginal. If you fly frequently, the Bose edge in noise cancellation might justify the premium. For everyone else, the Sony is the better value.

Best Premium: Apple AirPods Max 2

The Apple Ecosystem Play

The AirPods Max 2 makes the most sense if you're deep in the Apple ecosystem. Seamless switching between iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV is genuinely effortless—no re-pairing, no fiddling with Bluetooth settings.

Sound and ANC

The 40mm Apple-designed drivers deliver rich, detailed audio with a wide soundstage. ANC is excellent, on par with Sony. The Transparency mode is the best in the business—it sounds so natural you forget you're wearing headphones.

A pair of earbuds in a blue case
  • ANC: Excellent, Adaptive Transparency
  • Drivers: 40mm Apple-designed
  • Battery: 20 hours (ANC on), USB-C charging
  • Codec: AAC (Apple ecosystem optimized)
  • Weight: 385g
  • Features: Spatial Audio with head tracking, Apple ecosystem integration
  • Price: ~$770 CAD
The AirPods Max 2 is the best choice for Apple users who want seamless integration. For everyone else, the Sony XM5 or Bose QC Ultra deliver similar audio quality for $140-280 CAD less.

The Downsides

Heavy at 385 grams—you'll feel them after a few hours. Only supports AAC codec, so Android users miss out on hi-res audio. And the price is steep for what you get compared to the competition.

Best Battery Life: Sennheiser Momentum 4

60 Hours. Seriously.

The Momentum 4 delivers 60 hours of battery life with ANC on. That's double the Sony XM5 and nearly triple the AirPods Max. If you travel frequently or hate charging, this is your headphone.

Audiophile-Grade Sound

Sennheiser's 42mm transducers produce the most detailed, natural sound on this list. The sound signature is neutral and balanced—what audiophiles call "reference quality." If sound quality matters more than anything else, the Momentum 4 wins.

  • ANC: Very good (not quite Sony/Bose level)
  • Drivers: 42mm Sennheiser transducers
  • Battery: 60 hours (ANC on)
  • Codec: aptX, aptX Adaptive, AAC, SBC
  • Weight: 293g
  • Features: Multipoint, EQ customization, auto-pause
  • Price: ~$490 CAD

Best Value: Sony WH-1000XM4

Last Gen, Still Great

The XM4 has dropped to around $320 CAD since the XM5 launched, making it an incredible value. The ANC is still very good (about 85-90% as effective as the XM5), sound quality is excellent, and you get the same 30-hour battery life.

The main differences from the XM5: slightly bulkier design, foldable (the XM5 isn't), and the ANC is a step behind in handling voices and mid-frequency noise. For most people, these differences aren't worth the $170 CAD premium.

  • ANC: Very good
  • Drivers: 40mm
  • Battery: 30 hours (ANC on)
  • Codec: LDAC, AAC, SBC
  • Weight: 254g
  • Price: ~$320 CAD
The XM4 at $320 CAD is the best value in noise cancelling headphones right now. You're getting 90% of the XM5 experience for 65% of the price.

How to Choose Noise Cancelling Headphones

ANC Quality vs Sound Quality

These are different things. Bose leads in pure noise cancellation. Sennheiser leads in sound quality. Sony offers the best balance of both. Decide which matters more to you.

Battery Life Matters More Than You Think

If you travel, battery life is critical. Nothing worse than your ANC dying mid-flight. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 (60 hrs) and Sony XM5 (30 hrs) are the leaders here.

Comfort for Long Sessions

Weight and clamping force determine comfort over long periods:

  • Under 260g: Sony XM5, Bose QC Ultra—comfortable for 8+ hours
  • 260-300g: Sennheiser Momentum 4, JBL Tour One M2—comfortable for 4-6 hours
  • Over 300g: AirPods Max—noticeable after 2-3 hours

Codec Support

If you listen to hi-res music:

  • LDAC (Sony): Best wireless audio quality
  • aptX Adaptive (Bose, Sennheiser): Very good, low latency
  • AAC (Apple): Good for Apple devices, limited on Android

📺 Watch: Best Noise Cancelling Headphones 2026 Compared

Got Questions About Noise Cancelling Headphones? Let's Clear Things Up.

Is noise cancelling bad for your ears?

No. ANC works by generating inverse sound waves that cancel ambient noise—it doesn't add volume. In fact, noise cancelling headphones can protect your hearing by letting you listen at lower volumes since you don't need to compete with background noise.

Can you use noise cancelling headphones without music?

Absolutely. Many people use them just for the silence—on planes, in offices, or while studying. The ANC works independently of audio playback.

How much should I spend on noise cancelling headphones?

The sweet spot is $280-490 CAD. Below $280, ANC quality drops significantly. Above $560, you're paying for brand premium or niche features. The Sony XM4 at $320 CAD or XM5 at $490 CAD represent the best value tiers.

Do noise cancelling headphones work for phone calls?

Yes, but quality varies. The Sony XM5 and Bose QC Ultra have the best call quality with dedicated call microphones and AI-powered noise reduction. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 is adequate but not as strong for calls.

Wired vs wireless noise cancelling—does it matter?

Modern wireless ANC headphones have closed the gap significantly. For casual listening, wireless is more convenient with no meaningful quality loss. For critical listening or studio work, wired still has an edge. Most headphones on this list include a 3.5mm cable for wired use.

The noise cancelling headphone market is stacked with great options right now. The Sony WH-1000XM5 remains the best all-rounder, while the Bose QC Ultra edges ahead for pure noise cancellation. For more specific recommendations, check our best noise cancelling earbuds guide or our best wireless headphones for working out if you need something for the gym.