10 Best Over Ear Anc Headphones 2026 in the United States

The Bose QuietComfort Wireless Headphones are a solid choice if you want effective noise cancellation and comfort for long listening sessions. They combine active noise cancelling with passive noise blocking to quiet outside sounds well, making them great for travel or noisy environments. Bose’s adjustable EQ lets you customize sound to your taste, and the deep bass and clear highs offer a rich listening experience. The plush ear cushions and padded headband provide comfort, even during extended use.

Battery life is impressive, offering up to 24 hours on a single charge, with a quick 15-minute boost giving a couple of hours more, ideal for long days on the go. Connectivity is smooth with Bluetooth 5.2 and multipoint support, so you can switch between devices without hassle. Controls are touch-based and include Quiet and Aware listening modes, adding flexibility to how you hear your surroundings. The build is lightweight and portable, coming with a sturdy leather carrying case, though the headphones aren’t water-resistant, so keep them away from moisture.

The sound quality and noise cancellation are excellent for its category, but users looking for highly customizable sound profiles or a more rugged design might want to explore other options. These headphones suit anyone seeking easy-to-use, comfortable over-ear ANC headphones primarily for music and travel.

The Apple AirPods Max are premium over-ear headphones that excel in noise cancellation and sound quality. Their pro-level Active Noise Cancellation effectively blocks out background noise, allowing you to fully immerse in music or calls, while Transparency mode lets you hear your surroundings when needed. The sound is rich and well-balanced thanks to Apple's custom drivers and spatial audio that adjusts based on how you move your head, creating a more natural listening experience.

Comfort-wise, the knit-mesh canopy and memory foam ear cushions offer a snug, secure fit that seals sound well, although the headphones are somewhat heavy compared to some competitors, which might feel noticeable during very long sessions. Battery life is solid, providing up to 20 hours of playback with noise cancellation active, and quick charging gives about 1.5 hours of listening from just 5 minutes of charge.

Connectivity is smooth with Bluetooth 5.0, especially if you use Apple devices, as pairing is effortless and switching between iPhone, iPad, and Mac is automatic. Physical controls include a Digital Crown for volume and playback, plus a button to toggle noise modes, which many find intuitive and precise. The USB-C charging is convenient and aligns with other modern Apple products. Build quality is premium with a sturdy metal frame and quality materials, but the included Smart Case, while protective, does not cover the headphones fully and offers limited protection. Also, these headphones are not water-resistant, so they are best kept away from sweat or rain. These headphones make an excellent choice if you want top-notch noise cancellation, superb sound, and seamless integration with Apple devices, though their heavier weight, premium price, and lack of water resistance might be a drawback for some users seeking lighter or more rugged options.

The Beats Studio Pro headphones are a solid choice if you want wireless over-ear headphones with strong active noise cancellation (ANC). They offer up to 40 hours of battery life, which means you can use them for long trips or extended listening without worrying about charging often. The sound quality is enhanced by Beats’ custom acoustic platform and lossless audio via USB-C, with three sound profiles and personalized spatial audio that can make music and calls feel immersive.

Connectivity is excellent with Bluetooth 5.3, a long wireless range, and easy pairing especially if you use Apple or Android devices. Controls are versatile, including on-ear buttons, touch, voice commands, and Siri support, helping you manage music or calls without reaching for your phone. The build uses metal, engineered leather, and plastic, and it comes with a protective carrying case and detachable cables, though it’s not water-resistant, so be careful around moisture.

Weighing about 1.4 pounds with an oval earcup shape, these headphones suggest decent comfort for extended use. They suit those who prioritize great sound quality, long battery life, and seamless mobile device integration, especially for everyday use and travel. If you want headphones mainly for workouts or in wet conditions, you might want to look elsewhere.