Noise-canceling headphones have become a must-have gadget today, where distractions revolve around you—on your daily commute, at an open working space, while traveling by airplane, or even when attempting to focus at home. Not only is this headphone a luxury product but also a necessity product for the majority, as it provides the quiet sound experience of removing distracting ambient noise. Looking ahead to 2025, the demand for quality noise-canceling headphones grows even more, with recent developments offering newer technology, longer lifespan, and enhanced comfort.
In this article, we’ll explore the best noise-canceling headphones for 2025, diving into their features, sound quality, comfort, battery life, and overall performance. Whether you’re a frequent traveler, a student, or simply someone who loves to listen to music without disturbance, there is a noise-canceling headphone suited for your needs.
What Are Noise-Canceling Headphones?
Noise-canceling headphones employ sophisticated technology in eliminating ambient sounds to deliver an even more personalized and intimate listening experience. Noise cancellation technology takes two broad categories of form:
- Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): The latest type of noise cancellation. ANC headphones have internal microphones that capture outside sounds (such as the rumble of an airplane engine or the voices of people at a coffee shop), and then produce sound waves that are anti-phase to the captured sounds in an attempt to cancel them out. ANC headphones are effective at eliminating common, low-frequency sounds.
- Passive Noise Isolation: Passive noise isolation relies on the physical structure of the headphones (over-ear or in-ear) that encloses the ears to prevent outside sound. Although less efficient than ANC, passive noise isolation can even offer remarkable noise reduction.
All these technologies together can provide you with a better listening experience by removing distractions so that you can listen to the music, podcasts, or work you’re listening. Now, let’s look at the best models in 2025.
- Sony WH-1000XM5
Price: $399 (approx.)
Key Features:
- Noise Cancellation: Advanced Adaptive Sound Control
- Sound Quality: DSEE Extreme upscaling, LDAC, and Hi-Res Audio support
- Battery Life: ANC on, 30 hours; ambient sound mode, 40 hours
- Comfort: Padded ear cushions and light weight
- Other Features: Touch controls, several connection points, sound profiles which are adjustable
Sony’s WH-1000XM line has been the gold standard for years when it comes to noise-canceling headphones, and the WH-1000XM5 is no different. In 2025, it’s one of the best noise-cancellation devices on the market, delivering phenomenal sound and one of the most advanced ANC systems around. The headphones also include Adaptive Sound Control, which will adjust noise cancellation according to your environment and activity. Between a quiet room and an airport terminal, the WH-1000XM5 offers clean, uninterrupted sound.
The sound is sensational, thanks to the in-board DSEE Extreme upscaling tech by Sony which reverses the compressed files into full-resolution sound. Support for both LDAC codec and Hi-Res Audio also provides your music in best possible quality and for those that have super hearing.
With up to 30 hours of battery life when ANC is in use and 40 hours in ambient mode, these headphones have plenty of juice to carry you through a day at work or on an airplane. The multi-point connectivity function gives you the luxury of having two devices connected at the same time, ideal for a person who needs to work and be entertained at the same time.
As a whole, WH-1000XM5 is a perfect selection for everyone that requires world’s best sound, industry-best noise cancelation, and class-best comfort.
- Bose QuietComfort 45
Price: $329 (approximately)
Key Features:
- Noise Cancellation: Customizable ANC, latest mic system
- Sound Quality: Entire range of sounds, deep sound
- Battery Life: 24 hours with ANC engaged
- Comfort: Supple ear cushions, lightweight build
- Additional Features: TriPort acoustic design, friendly app, Alexa support
Bose has dominated the noise-canceling headphones space for a long time, and the QuietComfort 45 is the latest in a series of great products. As of 2025, the QC45 remains one of the most comfortable and effective noise-canceling headphones available to purchase. With adjustable ANC and comfortable fit, it achieves a nearly perfect balance of sound quality, noise cancellation, and usability.
The sound signature of QC45 is well-balanced with clear vocals, rich bass, and overall natural sound throughout the frequency range. Bose’s TriPort acoustic architecture helps your sound remain rich and full-sounding even in noisy rooms.
Battery life is decent on the QC45, and it was able to last 24 hours of constant use with ANC turned on. Headphones also come with Alexa integration, so you are able to play a song, listen to your schedule or the news, or even ask questions without releasing the controls from your hands.
If your number one concern is comfort, the Bose QuietComfort 45’s soft ear cushions and light weight will allow you to listen for hours on end in pain, and are thus ideal for marathon listening sessions or plane travel.
- Apple AirPods Max
Price: $549 (approx.)
Key Features:
- Noise Cancellation: Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode
- Sound Quality: Custom-designed drivers, Hi-Fi sound
- Battery Life: ANC has 20 hours with spatial audio
- Comfort: memory foam ear cups, knit mesh canopy breathable
- Other Features: seamless connection between Apple devices, spatial audio support
Apple’s AirPods Max is a high-end choice for the commuters who want the best noise-canceling headphones. The headphones come with active noise cancellation and a Transparency mode, which means you can hear the world when you want.
Sound quality is great with individually tuned drivers and Hi-Fi sound experience, so AirPods Max is an audiophile-grade best-in-class product. The headphones are also supported by spatial audio, which offers 3D listening experience, perfect for movie watching or listening to music optimized for surround sound.
While expensive, AirPods Max has a superior build quality, very detailed memory foam ear cup which is very comfortable to use. Even the headband’s breathable knit mesh canopy helps with weight distribution and combating fatigue while in use for a long duration.
While their high-end construction is superb, battery life does not keep up with some of the remainder of this lineup at best to the tune of 20 hours maximum ANC and spatial audio playback. Otherwise, seamless pairing with Apple products such as the iPhone, iPad, and MacBook make them a great choice for those who belong to the Apple ecosystem.
- Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
Price: $349 (approx.)
Key Features:
- Noise Cancellation: Customizable adaptive noise cancelling with custom profiles
- Audio Quality: Hi-Res Audio certified, customizable EQ to individual taste
- Battery Life: ANC up to 60 hours of battery life
- Comfort: Light soft cushion earbuds
- Special Features: Touch sensors, auto power on/off, multi-point connection
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless earbuds are exactly what you want if you require a smoother, industry-leading noise-canceling experience. The earbuds come preinstalled with adaptive noise cancellation, which can adapt to various settings and your requirements. The customizable EQ enables you to make adjustments to your sound so that your sound experience will be the way you would prefer it.
They are also very light with comfortable ear cushions, so not just easy to wear but even for extended listening hours. They are also touch sensitive, so navigating is simple. The multi-point connection feature allows you to connect two devices at a time, so you do not have to put an important call on hold because you are listening to your tunes.
- Sony WF-1000XM5 (True Wireless Earbuds)
Price: around $299
Key Features:
- Noise Cancellation: Industry-leading Active Noise Cancellation technology
- Sound Quality: Hi-Res Audio certification, customizable EQ settings
- Battery Life: 8 hours of playback with ANC enabled, 24 hours of playback with charging case
- Comfort: Adjustable ear tips, extremely light weight
- Additional Features: Touch controls, water and sweat resistance
Though over-ear headphones are optimal for noise cancellation, genuinely wireless earbuds such as the Sony WF-1000XM5 provide a more portable, convenient option. The earbuds are equipped with industry-best Active Noise Cancellation, which allows small earbuds to effectively eliminate large noise.
The sound quality of the WF-1000XM5 is excellent, with Hi-Res Audio and an EQ that you can adjust yourself so that you can personalize the sound to your preference. The earbuds have touch controls as well, so you won’t need to mess with your phone as you listen to them.
With 8 hours of battery life when using ANC and up to 24 hours with the charging case, these earbuds offer well more than adequate battery life for most everyday uses. They are also sweat- and water-proof, ideal for working out or spending time outdoors.
If earbuds are the choice over over-ear headphones, the Sony WF-1000XM5 is an upscale, noise-canceling experience without compromising sound or comfort.
Conclusion:-
With 2025 within reach, noise-canceling headphones are no longer a luxury but a necessity for many now. Whether traveling, working, studying, or enjoying one’s favorite tunes, the right noise-canceling headphones can truly be the difference-maker.
The following models are the best noise-canceling headphones in 2025, which provide greater sound quality, advanced noise cancellation technology, reasonable battery life, and utmost comfort. Starting from the best-selling Sony WH-1000XM5 to the sleek and premium Apple AirPods Max, every model has its own list of features for different requirements and needs.
When selecting the best noise-canceling headphones for you, think about how sound-tight, comfortable, and durable you would like your pair to be. That will guide you to find the perfect pair that gives you a better listening experience and the power to mask the noise of the world.