There are two types of noise-cancelling headphones: active and passive. Passive noise cancellation just means blocking out external noises, which is why some companies call it “sound isolation”. Active noise cancellation (ANC) is much smarter, using clever technology - as we’ll explain below - to silence ambient noise, so nothing disturbs your listening pleasure.
There are many models of ANC headphones to choose from; we’ve rounded up some of the best from £70 to £300. If active noise-cancelling is out of your budget, take a look at our roundup of the best Bluetooth headphones and the best wired headphones you can buy today.
What is Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)?
ANC uses tiny outward-facing microphones built into the headphones. These register the ambient sound around you, and digitally generate a soundwave that cancels it out, which is then played into your ears along with the music feed. The result: distracting noises vanish, allowing you to enjoy your music as it was meant to be heard.
ANC is a very impressive technology, but it doesn’t completely wipe out every type of background noise. Since high frequencies have a much shorter wavelength than lower tones, they’re harder to eliminate in real time. The technology is most effective a blocking out lower sounds, such as the rumble of aeroplane engines.
Be aware too that that ANC can very slightly affect the overall sound quality, since the noise-cancelling wave can interfere with the frequencies in the song you’re listening to. The effect is minimal, though, and far preferable to putting up with background noise.
Due to the way the technology works, you might also hear a slight high-pitched hiss in the background when nothing is playing - but again, it’s a small price to pay for the ability to enjoy your music untroubled by intrusive external sounds.
Are there any other advantages of ANC?
ANC doesn’t just help you enjoy your music: it can protect your ears. Without noise-cancelling technology, the only way to escape ambient noise is to crank up the volume and drown it out. Done on a regular basis, this can lead to permanent hearing damage. ANC lets you listen at lower volumes, and in-turn protecting your hearing.
ANC is also useful if you have hypersensitivity, hyperacusis or a similar health condition, as the technology can help reduce the strain on your ears.
Best noise-cancelling headphones 2017
Bose QuietComfort 35: The best ANC headphones on the market
Price when reviewed:£330
Bose is well known for its ANC technology, and its QC35’s are the best noise-cancelling headphones on the market. Battery life lasts around 20 hours over a Bluetooth connection, which means you can take them on a long-haul flight. They’re comfortable enough to wear for that long too, with soft padding and an over-the-ear design.
Sound quality is as fantastic as you’d hope, with tight bass, rich treble and a wide soundstage. The price will certainly put them out of contention for most people, but if you’re in the market for the best ANC headphones on the market, the QC35s are worth every penny.
Read our full Bose QuietComfort 35 review for details
Key specs - Headphone type: Over-ear headset, Built-in microphone and remote, Plug type: 2.5mm headset jack plug (optional), Weight: 310g, Cable length: 1.2m
FIIL Diva: Portable ANC headphones with Bluetooth aptX
Price when reviewed:£146
These headphones aren’t from a well-known brand, but they’re packed with desirable features. You get Bluetooth 4.1 aptX, 3-mode ANC, motion technology to automatically pause your music when they’re off your head, touch-sensitive controls and a foldable design that allows you to conveniently pack the headphones into a bag or pocket when not in use.
Coming in either black and white, the headphones look fantastic, especially with the illuminated FIIL logo by the side of the headphones.
The sound is surprisingly good too. A weighty, rumbling bass makes these great for dance music. The mid-range is not too restrained either, and the highs have a good energetic sound to them. The soundstage meanwhile has a 3D-like presence that will make you think you’re wearing full-sized headphones.
Key specs - Headphone type: On-ear headset, Built-in microphone and music control buttons, Plug type: 3.5mm headset jack plug, Weight: 215g, Cable length: 1.2m
Philips SHB9850NC: Stylish Bluetooth ANC headphones with aptX
Price when reviewed:£110
Don't let the unwieldy name put you off: the Philips SHB9850NC is an excellent set of headphones with a tasteful design. Its build quality is superb - the earphones feel more sturdy than cheaper rivals - and both active and passive noise cancellation are offered.
Sound quality isn’t bad either. The headphones have a slight warmth, punchy bass and a sparkly treble that makes music sound fun and exciting. There’s also a touch-sensitive control surface on the right earphone too, which allows you to control your music without having to fiddle with physical buttons.
Read our full Philips SHB9850NC review for details
Philips SHB9850NC Wireless Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphone (Activeshield Pro, NFC) - Black
Key specs - Headphone type: Over-ear headset, Built-in microphone and remote, Plug type: 3.5mm headset jack plug (optional), Weight: 275g, Cable length: 1.2m
Lindy BNX-60: Top-quality ANC headphones for a reasonable price
Price when reviewed:£80
Much like the Ausdom ANC7, the Lindy BNX-60 is an affordable pair of Bluetooth ANC headphones. The design has better isolation, so even with ANC switched off, you won’t be constantly annoyed by external sounds.
The headphones are comfortable too, with soft earpads that are comfortable for long commutes. The battery is rated for 15 hours of listening over Bluetooth with ANC enabled; you can also attach a cable and enjoy around 30 hours of ANC listening.
Sound quality is very agreeable, with punchy mid-bass and an accurate reproduction of the mids and highs. The BNX-60 also supports the aptX codec, resulting in a top-quality Bluetooth stream. Simply put, they’re the best ANC headphones for under £100.
Read our full Lindy BNX-60 review for details
Key specs - Headphone type: Over-ear headset, Built-in microphone and music control buttons, Plug type: 3.5mm jack plug, Weight: 318g, Cable length: 1.5m
Ausdom ANC7: The most affordable ANC headphones
Price when reviewed:£70
The Ausdom ANC7 is a set of stylish, lightweight, affordable wireless ANC headphones. At 209g, these sit lightly on your head, which means you can use them for long listening sessions or use them on your morning jogs.
On a full charge, the ANC7s last around 20hrs over Bluetooth 4 - enough to last the entire duration of a long-haul flight. You won’t get much isolation with these headphones, but their ANC capabilities provide a good get-away from the outside world.
The ANC7’s most impressive trait is sound quality. With the help of the CD-quality aptX Bluetooth codec, the ANC7’s deliver a fantastic sound. Music sounds warm, with punchy bass and energetic treble. The soundstage is impressive too, providing excellent width and instrument separation. If you’re on a budget, the Ausdom ANC7 are a great choice.
Key specs - Headphone type: Over-ear headset, Built-in microphone and music control buttons, Plug type: 3.5mm jack plug, Weight: 209g, Cable length: 1.2m