Top 5 ANC headphones you can buy today

Wouldn’t it be great if you could magically mute the non-stop, ongoing soundtrack of the world? Traffic honks, coffee shop chatter, loud conversations, construction noise. Impossible though it may seem, you can actually silence all of that with just a pair of good noise-cancelling headphones.

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) today is essential not just to block out the sound, but also to ensure a great overall music listening experience. ANC headphones do cost a bit more than your average headphones but are essential to recreate a studio-like audio experience at home. Whether you’re a frequent traveller battling the airplane hum, a remote worker craving focus, or a music enthusiast demanding pure, uninterrupted sound, ANC headphones are your ticket to an audio utopia.

Wondering where to begin your search? Here’s a curated list of the best noise-cancelling headphones that you invest in today.

5 best noise-cancelling headphones you can buy today

If you’re in the market for the best noise-cancelling headphones, we have a list of the best that you shouldn’t miss out on.

1. Apple AirPods Max

2. Sony WH-1000XM5

3. Bose QuietComfort 45

4. JBL Tour One M2

5. Dyson OnTrac

1. Apple AirPods Max 

A list of the best ANC headphones is rightfully incomplete without the mention of Apple AirPods Max. Apple uses an H1 chip along with up to nine microphones to dynamically adapt to your environment and offer noise cancellation.

ALSO READ: What is Active Noise Cancellation? How does it work?

What’s more, Apple claims that the AirPods Max can cancel up to 2x more noise by countering it with equal anti-noise. Unlike many competitors, AirPods Max uses computational techniques to create a more nuanced noise cancelling experience. It additionally offers a transparency mode for those users who want to engage with their surroundings without taking their headphones off.

2. Sony WH-1000XM5

Great audio is often synonymous with Sony, and the brand’s high-end WH-1000XM5 headphones make noise cancelling an immersive experience. From giving you the ultimate front-row concert experience to creating a sanctuary of peace for you, there are plenty of reasons why these headphones should be high up on your list.

The headphones come with a V1 processor built-in along with a Q1 noise cancelling processor. Both of them work together with eight microphones to effectively block out everything from noisy office colleagues on phones to airplane engines. These ANC headphones also feature a design that is comfortable to wear all day, which is also made possible thanks to the over 40 hours of battery life.

3. Bose QuietComfort 45

Bose QuietComfort 45 are a notch above when it comes to noise cancelling. In fact, the company has packed decades of acoustic research into a sleek, comfortable package. With its dedicated ANC and transparency modes – Quiet and Aware – these headphones offer unprecedented control over your audio environment.

The best noise-cancelling headphones often use unique technology to combat outside sound, and Bose makes sure to eliminate 95 per cent of external sounds using multiple mics. It creates an acoustic shield that is ideal for travellers, remote workers and audio enthusiasts alike.

Unlike previous models, the QC45 balances premium sound quality with a lightweight design, making long listening sessions a breeze. While the price point is competitive, Bose’s unmatched noise-cancellation technology coupled with a long-lasting battery life is the reason why it makes it into our list of the best ANC headphones.

4. JBL Tour One M2

JBL Tour One M2 packs a punch with smart adaptive noise cancelling technology that dynamically adjusts to your environment – from quiet offices to noisy commutes (or vice versa!). It comes with a Pro algorithm that uses advanced signal processing to distinguish between speech and background noise, ensuring clear audio output even in chaotic settings.

The ANC headphones also automatically use four noise-sensing microphones that adjust to your surroundings in real time. JBL also uses this to minimise distractions, making sure you enjoy both bassy music as well as the sound of silence.

If that’s not all, the added Smart Talk feature automatically lowers music volume and activates transparency mode when you start a conversation, making these noise-cancelling headphones as intelligent as they are powerful. In fact, one could even say JBL has created a Swiss Army knife of audio experience that is versatile, smart, and surprisingly also affordable.

5. Dyson OnTrac

If you’re looking for ANC headphones that not only sound good, but look great as well, the Dyson OnTrac is what you should consider. The noise cancellation isn’t just good, it’s intelligent and uses advanced microphone technology to create a personal sound bubble that blocks out all the outdoor chaos.

ALSO READ: Dyson OnTrac review

While the headphones are best known for their customisation options, they also promise excellent noise-cancelling technology. Whether you’re dealing with construction noises or are craving that moment of peace amidst the banter, the Dyson OnTrac headphones are engineered to ensure you focus on only what’s truly important to you – the music.

Noise-cancelling headphones have transformed from luxury to necessity in today’s chaotic times. In fact, ANC headphones aren’t just about blocking sound; they’re about creating that sanctuary of serenity for yourself.

Whether you’re a frequent traveller, a remote worker, or a music enthusiast, brands today are not just selling good audio – they also sell you that much-needed escape.

From Apple’s ecosystem magic to Sony’s precision engineering, each pair of noise-cancelling headphones brings unique features that cater to different needs and budgets. So, whether you’re picking for yourself or someone you love, here’s hoping this list of wireless noise-cancelling headphones helps you bring one home!