10 Best Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones 2025 in the United States

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Headphones stand out with strong noise cancellation options, including Quiet, Aware, and Immersion modes, which let you control how much outside sound you hear. This makes them a good pick for travelers or anyone needing to focus in noisy environments. They also offer spatial audio and personalized sound tuning for a rich listening experience, appealing to music lovers who want more immersive sound.

Battery life is solid, providing up to 24 hours on a single charge, which is convenient for long days of use, and fast charging adds a couple of hours with just 15 minutes plugged in. Comfort is a key strength here: soft ear cushions and a well-designed headband mean they can be worn for hours without discomfort. Bluetooth 5.3 ensures a reliable connection up to 30 feet, and the ability to sync with Bose smart soundbars adds versatility. Controls are intuitive with touch-sensitive earcups and motion-based on/off features, plus a companion app keeps the headphones updated and customizable.

On the downside, they are not water resistant, so they’re less ideal for workouts or outdoor use in wet conditions. While the headphones are lightweight and well-built, the price might be a factor for those on a budget. These headphones suit users looking for premium sound, effective noise cancellation, and comfort for daily use, business calls, or travel, but are less suitable for heavy physical activity or exposure to the elements.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are well-regarded for their top-notch noise cancellation, using Dual Noise Sensor technology to effectively block out background sounds. This makes them excellent for noisy environments like commuting or offices. The battery life is impressive, offering up to 30 hours of playback on a full charge and a quick 10-minute charge gives about 5 hours of use, so you won’t need to recharge often. Sound quality is strong, with a 40mm dynamic driver and Sony’s DSEE Extreme tech that enhances compressed music, delivering rich and clear audio.

Comfort is another strong point; their over-ear design has been updated to reduce pressure, making them suitable for long listening sessions. Connectivity is smooth with Bluetooth 5.0 and multipoint pairing, allowing you to connect to two devices at once, which is handy for switching between phone and laptop. Controls are intuitive via touch sensors on the ear cups and include helpful features like speak-to-chat, which pauses music when you start talking, and wearing detection that pauses playback when removed. Call quality is also enhanced with five built-in mics, making your voice clearer on calls.

A drawback is that these headphones are not water-resistant, so they’re less suited for sweaty workouts or use in wet conditions. The plastic build is lightweight but might feel less durable compared to metal alternatives. The WH-1000XM4 represents a solid choice for anyone looking for premium noise-cancelling headphones that balance comfort, excellent sound, and smart features, especially if you want great battery life and clear calls.

The Apple AirPods Max are premium wireless over-ear headphones known for their impressive noise cancellation that blocks out a lot of background noise, helping you focus on your music or calls. They offer about 20 hours of battery life, which is good for long listening sessions without frequent recharging, and a quick 5-minute charge can give you up to 1.5 hours of playback. Sound quality is excellent, featuring Apple’s custom-designed drivers and spatial audio that creates an immersive, 3D-like experience, making music and movies more engaging.

Comfort is a strong point, thanks to soft memory foam ear cushions and a mesh canopy that fits snugly without causing pressure, suitable for extended wear. Connectivity is seamless with Bluetooth 5.0 and effortless pairing especially with Apple devices, plus automatic switching between iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Controls are intuitive, using a Digital Crown similar to the Apple Watch for volume and playback, along with a noise control button, plus voice commands via Siri.

The build feels solid and premium with metal parts and a distinctive design, though the included Smart Case is minimal and doesn’t fully protect the headphones. On the downside, these headphones are quite heavy compared to some competitors, which may affect comfort for very long use. They also lack water resistance, so they aren’t ideal for workouts or use in wet conditions. The price is on the higher side, reflecting their advanced features and Apple ecosystem integration. These AirPods Max are best for users who want top-tier noise cancellation and sound quality, especially if they use Apple devices regularly and value a rich, detailed listening experience in a stylish, comfortable design.