For regular flyers or users of public transportation, minimizing surrounding noise can significantly impact whether a journey feels tolerable or enjoyable. Being enveloped in the silence created by high-quality noise-cancelling headphones, along with the opening notes of your favorite tune, can relax your muscles quicker than cuddling under a weighted blanket. Plus, they are much more portable.
1. The Sony WH-1000XM6
If your goal is to eliminate as much sound as possible, the Sony WH-1000XM6 offers an impressive mix of active noise cancellation to tackle low-frequency, continuous sounds (such as airplane hum or road noise) and passive noise isolation to mitigate higher-frequency noises (like screeching train brakes). When you do need to be aware of your surroundings, the hear-through and quick-attention modes allow you to listen to traffic or take part in discussions effortlessly.
These headphones deliver outstanding sound quality, featuring clear highs and rich bass, and you can customize the audio settings to fit your preferences via the app. Your callers will hear you distinctly, thanks to a set of beamforming microphones equipped with advanced noise reduction. You can comfortably wear this lightweight pair for extended periods without discomfort or pressure, and the blend of touch-sensitive and physical controls is user-friendly and intuitive.
The XM6 is compatible with various operating systems and features a voice-activated assistant, allowing hands-free access to digital assistants on any device, along with the ability to manage some basic features without needing an internet connection. With an impressive 30-hour battery life, you won’t have to worry about depleting the battery.
That said, there are a few drawbacks. The strength of active noise cancellation is fixed, and the microphones intended for noise reduction may sound compressed in particularly loud surroundings. Additionally, the Sony Sound Connect app can be clunky, and we wish the WH-1000XM6 included Auracast Bluetooth support.
2. Sony WF-1000XM5
The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds may be compact, but they pack quite a punch. This model merges outstanding active noise cancellation with passive isolation to effectively block out all surrounding noises, not just the lower frequencies. The audio quality is impressive right from the start, and you can tweak it even further using the Sony app. With eight hours of battery life (while ANC is on), these earbuds can easily last through an entire day of use.
To hear the sounds around you, just press your finger to the left earbud, activating the hear-through mode (which is also known as awareness or transparency mode). Alternatively, a convenient feature triggers hear-through automatically when you begin to talk, making it useful for those who often have their hands busy. The large touch controls manage all aspects of music playback, answering calls, and activating digital assistants, and they are less likely to misfire or miss taps compared to controls on other earbuds we’ve tried.
The XM5 comes equipped with numerous useful features, such as voice activation for Alexa and Google, the ability to connect to two devices simultaneously, noise-canceling microphones, and even the option to accept or decline calls with a nod or shake of your head.
These earbuds are relatively small. Sony provides four different sizes of ear tips, but they might still be tricky to fit securely for individuals with smaller ears or those who are very active. Additionally, the distinctive foam and silicone tips can create a feeling of fullness in the ears, which might be uncomfortable for some users. Lastly, like all true wireless earbuds, these cannot be used in wired mode, so if you want to connect them to certain in-flight entertainment systems that need a wired connection, you’ll require a Bluetooth transmitter.
3. Soundcore Space One
If you’re looking for an unexpectedly excellent set of wireless noise-cancelling headphones around the $100 mark, we suggest the Soundcore Space One. In our evaluations, the active noise cancellation proved to be very effective, with adjustable levels. Though the sound quality isn’t as refined as that of the Sony WH-1000XM6, it remains pleasurable and can be tailored to your liking through the Soundcore app. The design is lightweight and comfortable for prolonged use, featuring complete controls.
It supports dual-device connectivity, and you can activate a hear-through mode by pressing a button or automatically when you start speaking. With a 40-hour battery life while using ANC (55 hours without it), you might only need to charge these headphones once a week or even less.
The Space One includes a cable for wired use during flights or when the battery depletes, but keep in mind that the ANC and microphone won’t function when the battery is dead. Fortunately, the quick-charge feature provides four hours of listening time with just five minutes of charging.
While this model is equipped with three noise-reducing microphones, we noticed that voices may sound compressed and slightly distant to callers, especially in comparison to higher-end headphones.
4. Bose QuietComfort Headphones
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones were previously our top recommendation for the best noise-cancelling headphones. This model features the slightly warm audio signature that Bose is famous for, along with a lightweight and comfortable build. The active noise cancellation (ANC) effectively diminishes a significant amount of noise in the airplane frequency range, but its overall effectiveness is limited to a narrower spectrum of sounds compared to the Sony WH-1000XM6, which excels at cancelling midrange noise and isolating against higher-pitched sounds such as hissing pipes or engine noises.
Additionally, the Sony headphones include appealing features that the Bose model does not offer, like the OS-agnostic always-listening voice activation and the ability to nod or shake your head to answer or decline calls. However, this Bose option provides three adjustable levels of active noise cancellation, while the Sony version is limited to one, making this set a solid choice if you prefer the flexibility to reduce the ANC at times.
5. Apple AirPods Max
The Apple AirPods Max over-ear headphones deliver excellent sound quality and provide the highest noise cancellation in the airplane frequency range compared to any other models we’ve tested. However, the strong active noise cancellation isn’t adjustable, which can lead to a sensation of pressure in the ears. Additionally, the design of the headphones is quite bulky with a tight clamping force, making it uncomfortable for all-day wear due to the extra weight and pressure.
The AirPods Max is compatible with Dolby Atmos and Apple’s spatial audio but does not support lossless audio on Apple Music or any high-resolution audio services. The quality of calls is outstanding, but in noisy environments like busy streets, the hear-through mode can become overwhelming and is not adjustable.
The case’s design is questionable, as it neither protects the headband nor prevents debris from entering the earcups, yet it is necessary for putting the headphones into standby mode (although third-party cases are an option). This limitation is inconvenient since if the battery runs out, you cannot use the headphones at all, as they require a charge to operate even with a wired connection. We appreciate the eco-friendliness of the replaceable battery; the $79 service fee might be a worthwhile investment to keep these headphones functioning for an extended period.
Conclusion
If you frequently fly on planes or commute daily by bus or subway, a pair of ANC headphones will be advantageous for you. Conversely, if you only need a solution to minimize the background noise from your coworkers or people at Starbucks, traditional headphones are likely to perform similarly to noise-cancelling models, often at a lower price.
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