REVIEWED: Top 5 Noise Cancelling Headphones (The Wireless Headphones King is Back)
Choosing the perfect pair of wireless headphones means finding the sweet spot between what you can spend and what you need them to do. Use this guide to help you decide which top-ranked over-ear model is right for you.
Buying Guide:
Choosing the perfect pair of wireless headphones means finding the sweet spot between what you can spend and what you need them to do. Use this guide to help you decide which top-ranked over-ear model is right for you.
What to Look For: Your Wireless Headphone Checklist
The decision comes down to these four critical areas:
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): This is how well the headphones silence the outside world. It’s best at cancelling out consistent low-frequency sounds, like plane engines or traffic hum. The leaders here are the Apple AirPods Max (up to 88% reduction) and the Bose QC Ultra (87% reduction).
Sound Quality: This covers audio clarity and richness. If you like to fine-tune your sound, look for models with app-supported EQ customization, like the Sony WH-1000XM6. For pure sonic performance, the AirPods Max are often cited as superior.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Comfort: If you plan on long listening sessions, comfort is vital. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra is specifically designed for long wear and is incredibly lightweight, while the JLab JBuds Lux is noted for being comfortable for people who wear glasses.
Value: This is the feature-set you get for the price. If you’re prioritizing budget, the JLab JBuds Lux ANC is an excellent choice at only $79.99. Premium models like the AirPods Max and SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite require a higher investment.
Find Your Ideal Match
For the Ultimate Silence Seeker: Go with the Apple AirPods Max. Its ANC capability is arguably the best available, blocking out nearly 9 out of 10 external sounds.
For the Road Warrior: The Bose QuietComfort Ultra is designed for commuters and travelers. It’s lightweight for all-day comfort and provides powerful noise isolation whether the ANC is on or off.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite
For the Serious Gamer: The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite is an unbeatable command center. It offers high-res audio, lets you seamlessly mix audio from multiple sources (OmniPlay), and guarantees zero downtime with its hot-swappable dual battery system.
For the Savvy Spender: The JLab JBuds Lux ANC offers amazing value. For under $80, you get solid ANC performance, customizable sound via a 10-band EQ, and great battery life.
For the Everyday Listener: The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the most balanced choice. It offers outstanding ANC, newly improved sound quality, and useful smart features like Speak-to-Chat for simple daily use.
