When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more When listening to music, there's nothing worse than annoying background noise drowning out your favorite songs. That's why noise-canceling headphones are so popular.
Using built-in microphones and audio processing, the best noise-canceling headphones block ambient sounds so you can focus on your playlist without pesky distractions. Our experts tested several top models to pick the six best noise-canceling headphones you can buy. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra over-ear headphones are a real standout and deliver the most impressive active noise cancellation (ANC) we've come across.
But if you prioritize overall sound quality, we recommend the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless, which are on sale for $90 off and deliver excellent audio performance. Below are all six of our recommendations for the best noise-canceling headphones. Each pick has been selected with different needs and budgets in mind, but they all provide a great listening experience.
Our top picks for the best noise-canceling headphones Best overall: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Over-Ear - See at Amazon Best sounding: Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless - See at Amazon Best on a budget: Anker Soundcore Life Q30 - See at Amazon Best features: Sony WH-1000XM5 - See at Amazon Best in-ear: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds - See at Amazon Best for gaming: SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless - See at Amazon Best overall Bose’s QuietComfort Ult.