Active noise cancelling (ANC) headphones use an 'active' combination of hardware (microphones) and firmware to make external sounds or noises sound quieter when you’re listening to your favourite music or podcasts.
Unlike passive noise isolation, which just reduces sounds by creating a seal around your ear, active noise cancellation detects background noises and uses smart audio technology to "cancel" these potentially disruptive sounds. For a more in-depth explanation see ANC explained.
Spending time on a noisy airplane, commuting on a crowded train, or trying to read in a bustling café makes it clear just how essential a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones can be.
Some of the best noise-cancelling headphones in Australia can isolate any impacting or distracting noises, making it all the easier to unwind from the world around you. ANC headphones have made significant progress in recent years, with many models offering improved audio performance compared to their predecessors, while also incorporating the latest features such as Spatial Audio and 360 Reality Audio.
The selection of models below showcases the best ANC headphones across all types, including over-ear and in-ear options. Over-ear headphones usually deliver better noise-cancelling performance due to the earcups sealing around the ears.
Alright, let's get straight to it — here are the best noise-cancelling headphones in Australia for every budget.
Top 3 best noise-cancelling headphones
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The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones represent a big step forward with best-ever ANC, Immersive Audio and improved battery life. The all-new lightweight design is comfortable enough to be worn for hours, too.
Boasting an impressive 60-hour battery life, this Sennheiser pair stands out and sets a high benchmark for ANC models, earning its place as one of the most practical ANC headphones we've ever tested.
Sony's latest noise-canceling headphones are a step up from the previous model, and they bring better noise-canceling too. It's not quite enough to unseat the Bose, but it's still very, very good.
The best noise-cancelling headphones you can buy right now
Best ANC over-ear headphones
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are the best ANC headphones overall. As the replacement for the Bose 700, the company has raised the bar yet again for active noise-cancelling headphones, effectively silencing the outside world around you. The new model throws in Immersive Audio tech and plenty of extras including Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint connectivity, aptX Adaptive support, and touch volume control. This all comes in an all-new modern and lightweight design that's comfortable enough to be worn for hours.
There are multiple levels of noise cancellation to balance the level of quiet with Aware mode (transparency) to suit your surroundings. Battery life has been extended to give up to 24 hours, while changes made to the controls and design make usability more practical and seamless. While the Bose 700 headphones are a great alternative option to consider (and can regularly be found discounted in early best headphone deals), the QC Ultra raise the game and are as close to perfect as you’re going to get in the noise-cancelling headphones category.
Read the full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones review.
Although the revamped design of Sennheiser's fourth generation Momentum Wireless headphones doesn't stand out quite like their classic-looking predecessor, the 60-hour battery life is a real crowd pleaser and makes this pair the one to beat. Add in the easy-going Sennheiser sound and effective noise cancelling, and the Momentum 4 are one of the most practical pairs of wireless headphones we've seen, perfectly built for a life on the road where regular charging could prove difficult.
Sennheiser's smooth and enjoyable house sound handles a wide range of music content, from pounding beats to more mellow tunes with aplomb. It has Bluetooth 5.2 and aptX Adaptive support, and there's a supplied 3.5mm cable for audiophile wired connections. ANC performance is effective, and auto Wind Noise Reduction is very impressive when stood on a windy train platform on daily work commutes.
Read our full Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless review.
We’re now on the sixth iteration of Sony’s noise-canceling headphones, and they’ve been getting better with each new update. The XM6 improves on some of the biggest bugbears that we had with the previous model — they fold now, and the sound is better — while bringing important updates to the noise canceling and the fit.
The biggest departure between the old and the new headphones is the case — it features a new magnetic clasp as opposed to the expected zipper. They also fold now, so they fit more easily into smaller spaces. They’re more comfortable than the XM5 as well, thanks to a wider and softer headband.
But they’re really here because their ANC is very close to best in class. They have gotten closer to Bose’s all-conquering ANC, in part thanks to the new dynamic noise canceling that Sony has brought to the table. They read the environment around you, work out how loud it is, and then block the noise accordingly. There are more microphones this time around for better ANC, and we found that it is better than the ANC in the XM5.
They’re more expensive than the older model, which makes them a slightly harder buy to justify when you’re looking for the best noise canceling possible. The vocal clarity in the sound is much better than the Bose competition, and the battery life is superior — but ANC wise, the Bose option takes the cake.
Read the full Sony WH-1000XM6 review.
The Sonos Ace are the company's first pair of noise-cancelling headphones. While I've been impressed by their sound and ANC performance, what sees them rank here is their impressive spatial audio support. Sonos has been a strong supporter of spatial audio content, and its Era 300 is one of the few speakers I've encountered that maximizes the listening experience.
The Sonos Ace headphones support Dolby Atmos and Sony 360 Reality Audio content, meaning that they're compatible with spatial audio mixes on the best music streaming services. They are an excellent-sounding model and have accurate Dolby head tracking to help you make the most of the immersive listening experience.
Even with spatial audio turned off, these headphones produce a wide, spacious sound that's more involving than most. The bass is nicely extended, and voices have some of the best clarity we've heard from a pair of noise-cancelling headphones.
Read the full Sonos Ace review.
The Soundcore Space One boasts a variety of premium features, including adaptive active noise cancellation, Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC codec support, customizable sound, multipoint technology, and some of the strongest quick charging out there. Lengthy playtimes, personalized listening modes, and safe volume settings add to the lengthy list of features.
The reviewer noted that the Space One offers deep bass, but Anker has adjusted the sound profile to create a balance between mids and highs, with the ANC on enhancing the low end. Adding to its dynamic sound quality, the Space One features adaptive ANC, which can be personalised and used in various ways.
There is Adaptive Noise Canceling for adjusting performance to your surrounding noise levels or Customize Noise Canceling for setting noise neutralisation to 1 of 5 levels. These are a great budget option available in jet black, latte cream and sky blue colourways.
Read the full Anker Soundcore Space One review.
Expensive they most certainly are, but despite the high price, there is much to love about Apple's first foray into over-ear noise-cancelling headphones. The noise-cancellation on offer only has one level (compared to the adjustable level seen on other pairs) but it works like a charm.
These cans do a great job of blocking out ambient sounds, especially at the lower end of the frequency spectrum. In fact, we'd say it’s almost as good as Bose’s ANC, which is a fine showing for Apple’s first pair of over-ears.
It's not just with noise-cancellation that the AirPods Max excel with, but they sound great too, especially with the surround-sound spatial audio feature switched on. And of course, in typical Apple fashion, the design standard and build quality of the AirPods Max is so high you can almost forget that these headphones cost AU$899.
That’s a lot more than the Sony and Bose headphones higher up the list, so yes, this is a luxury purchase but can very much be a worthwhile one.
See our full Apple AirPods Max review.
As the more affordable Bose noise-cancelling option, the QuietComfort Headphones were quietly ushered in to replace the QC45 in October 2023. The new version looks similar and boasts many of the same hallmarks including companion app support with personalization, excellent active noise cancellation, and great comfort.
While we loved the strong always-on noise-cancelling performance of the QC45 which was highly effective at blocking out close to 90% of unwanted sounds, QC Headphones wearers get the same effective level of noise cancellation but can now customize ANC performance by creating multiple modes with set noise control levels. You can also enable the Wind Block feature to increase wind resistance when ANC is on. Along with an uptick in sound quality, battery life has also been given a boost. A full charge generates 24 hours of ANC playtime, which is only 2 hours more than the QC45, but greatly appreciated.
Read the full Bose QuietComfort Headphones review.
Like the Cleer Enduro ANC (above), Anker's Soundcore Space Q45 are quite the bargain with a remarkable set of features and effective ANC performance. They offer remarkable battery life, quality ANC, and superb sound powered by upmarket specs and special features. Sound quality has a liveliness that pulls listeners to the front row of the performance of whatever music they're listening to. The sonic soundstage is wide and immersive, and has a ramped up low end, rich mids and crisp highs.
Anker engineered the Space Q45 with a versatile Ambient Sound mode that features dual settings for both Noise Cancellation and Transparency. And they all work well when used in proper situations. These headphones are not without some flaws, it must be said, but nevertheless they have compelling sound and noise neutralisation for half the price of Bose and Sony’s flagship models and are well worth tracking down.
Read the full Anker Soundcore Space Q45 review.
How to choose the best noise-cancelling headphones for you
The first item to check off the list when shopping for the best noise-cancelling headphones is active noise cancellation, which shouldn’t be confused with passive noise cancellation. What are the differences?
Active vs. passive noise cancellation: ANC uses advanced circuitry and microphones to pick up noise signals and create inverse waves that cancel out these sonic disruptions, whereas PNC physically isolates high-pitched sounds through the headphone design and materials. Most headphones advertised with noise cancellation are categorised under ANC.
Battery life: Noise-cancelling headphones have a reputation for sucking up lots of power, so you’ll want a pair that holds a charge long enough to get you through a long business flight or weekly commutes. Thanks to the arrival of Sennheiser's Momentum 4 Wireless over-ear headphones, battery life standards have increased up to 60 hours, although more typical figures are anywhere between 15 to 30 hours. Noise-cancelling wireless earbuds are usually rated for 4.5 to 8 hours.
Sound quality: ANC technology can compress sound and reduce dynamics, which may affect audio performance when turned on. In some cases, you’ll notice a background hiss when listening to music. However, there are noise-cancelling headphones out there that limit these disruptions to deliver full, crisp sound.
Design: The look, build and feel of a pair of headphones is massively important when selecting the best noise-cancelling headphones, so consider how it looks and feels and whether the style is right for you. The type of headphone is also important when it comes to the most effective noise cancelling models. Over-ear headphones tend to give the best noise cancellation, though some of the more recent wireless on-ear and in-ear models are proving to be just as effective.
Pricing considerations: Obviously, price is a big consideration when looking for the best noise-cancelling headphones. Although there are always exceptions, big-name brands will typically command a bit extra, but generally speaking, the less you spend on a pair of headphones the greater the chance that sound and features will be compromised. Going for a budget option isn't always the best choice, as any money you save on your purchase won't do you much good if you're constantly needing to recharge your audio gear, or the sound quality is poor.
As the saying goes: timing is everything; and right now many of our favourite models are being discounted by online retailers, meaning you can bag a bargain for even less. Bookmark our best headphone deals page to keep track on the latest price drops.
How we test the best noise-cancelling headphones
We've judged the best noise-cancelling headphones on several factors: audio performance, battery life, Bluetooth range, call quality, comfort and fit, and the effectiveness of the noise cancellation. We also weigh up special features, such as included apps, and how easy they are to use.
During the testing phase, our reviewers wear each pair of headphones for 2 hours at a time throughout the course of a week, to test comfort over time.
ANC, meanwhile, is tested in both indoor and outdoor environments where ambient sounds are produced at high levels. This includes airplanes, city parks, convenience shops, offices, and public transportation. ANC headphones programmed with transparency modes are also tested thoroughly to determine how well the listener can hear their surroundings.
For sound quality, we listen to many different sample tracks and span as many music genres as possible, including hip-hop, rock, jazz, classical and R&B, while evaluating volume, clarity and fullness. Find out what we listen for during our testing process and how to get the best headphone sound for you.
And now that more streaming music services are offering high-resolution audio, be sure to read our audio codec FAQ for all you need to know about FLAC files, MP3s and everything in between.
Once we complete our testing, we rate headphones based on our five-point system (1 = worst, 5 = best). If a product hits nearly every mark, it’s awarded an Editor's Choice badge.
Contributions from: Alex Bracetti, Simon Lucas
More: Find out how we test for more information on our reviewing procedures.
Next: We're maintaining a separate list of the best noise-cancelling earbuds as well as the best over-ear headphones.
Plus: Many ANC headphones can even help you get a better night's sleep by blocking out disruptive sounds while you're getting some shut-eye.
