Ever since more and more people started working from home, interest in ANC headphones has surged. Active noise cancellation effectively blocks out background noise—be it a crying toddler, construction on the street, or music and other distractions. But which models are recommended? And what should you consider before buying? We present the best ANC headphones of 2025 and reveal which models are truly worth the investment.
The Best Over-Ear Headphones with ANC
Before buying headphones, the main question is about design type. You can choose between over-ear, on-ear, and in-ear headphones. The name already hints at the differences in fit:
- Over-ear headphones sit over the ears, fully enclosing them.
- On-ear headphones rest on the ears.
- In-ear headphones sit inside the ear canal and, when fitted correctly, provide the best passive noise isolation.
Each style has technical distinctions due to its design. Over-ear models offer the best immersion and insulation from external noise. On-ear models, in contrast, are generally lighter and more compact, though they don’t seal as effectively, allowing a more open, spatial sound that some users prefer.
In-ear headphones, however, fit directly in the ear, providing good external noise shielding—especially with the right ear tips. In-ears are also smaller, making them popular for travel. However, the fit is crucial for comfort, as designs vary significantly among brands.
Buying ANC Headphones: What you should look out for
beyerdynamic AVENTHO 300
With the AVENTHO 300, beyerdynamic ventures into the segment of over-ear headphones with active noise suppression and the debut of the traditional German manufacturer is quite something.
The AVENTHO 300 score with a simple yet high-quality design and impeccable workmanship. This is combined with state-of-the-art features such as Bluetooth 5.4, Multipoint, wearer detection and high-resolution codecs such as aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive and LE Audio.
However, the headphones are particularly impressive from a sound perspective. This is thanks to the STELLAR.45 drivers, which are also used in the legendary studio headphones from Heilbronn. And they also ensure an excellent, lively sound in beyerdynamic’s ANC headphones, which deliver a detailed sound across all genres. ANC and transparency mode are also at a very good level.
Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony has dominated the over-ear ANC headphone market for years, and they’ve extended their lead with the Sony WH-1000XM5. Although released in 2022, this top model still leads in ANC performance.
Alongside its excellent noise cancellation, the WH-1000XM5 offers first-rate sound quality with advanced drivers and an improved signal processor for clear, balanced audio. The bass is deep and precise, while highs remain clear even at high volumes. Sony also includes a feature for personal sound customization via an app, making it easy to tailor the sound to individual preferences.
Comfort has also been significantly improved with soft ear pads and a headband designed for long wear, making the WH-1000XM5 ideal for long flights or extended listening sessions.
Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones
Bose is another top name in ANC headphones, and the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones represent the brand’s current flagship, competing closely with Sony.
The QuietComfort series is renowned for excellent noise cancellation, and the Ultra model takes this to the next level. With advanced ANC and multiple microphones that monitor and adjust to ambient sounds in real time, external noise blocking is highly effective.
A standout feature is the CustomTune technology, which adapts the sound to the shape of your head and ears, delivering a personalized audio experience. This technology balances highs, mids, and lows to reproduce even the subtlest details in music. Additional benefits include high comfort, quality microphones, and multipoint connectivity for pairing with two devices simultaneously.
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
Sennheiser has long been a leader in ANC headphones, and their current top model, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless, is no exception. Though it lacks the distinct design of its predecessors, it adopts a more mainstream look.
Technically, the Momentum 4 stands out for its warm, balanced, and detailed sound with strong bass, clear mids, and refined highs for a harmonious sound profile. Thanks to the aptX Adaptive codec, it supports high-quality Bluetooth transmission, enhancing audio fidelity.
The Momentum 4’s ANC adapts dynamically to surrounding noise, filtering it out effectively. The model is especially noted for its excellent comfort and long battery life: with up to 60 hours of playtime, it lasts significantly longer than most competitors.
Cambridge Audio Melomania P100
New in the lineup of the best ANC over-ear headphones is Cambridge Audio from the UK, with its impressive Melomania P100 headphones. Known for their detailed, clear sound and excellent battery life, these headphones have become a standout option.
They include a built-in Hi-Fi amplifier with Class A/B circuitry to enhance audio quality compared to other over-ear models. Fast Pair from Google allows quick setup on Android, along with voice control via Google Assistant or Apple’s Siri. There’s also multipoint connectivity for pairing with two devices simultaneously and support for aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless codecs for high-resolution 96 kHz/24-bit playback.
An absolute highlight of the P100 is its battery life, offering up to 100 hours without ANC and a solid 60 hours with ANC on. While ANC and comfort might fall slightly short of top competitors, the Melomania P100 excels in sound quality.
Marshall Monitor III ANC
Known for its legendary guitar amplifiers, Marshall also makes waves in headphones with the Marshall Monitor III ANC, a strong contender in the ANC headphone category.
The over-ear model offers rich, dynamic sound across all frequencies and music genres. With an impressive battery life of up to 70 hours with ANC, and up to 100 hours without, these headphones outlast all competitors.
Marshall complements this with superb comfort, an excellent joystick control, and a unique, high-quality leather look for a cohesive package, even though its ANC may not be at the top of the field.
The Best In-Ear Headphones with ANC
Looking for the best ANC in-ear model? Alongside passive noise isolation from the ear canal fit and silicone tips, these models also leverage ANC to further reduce ambient noise.
Top brands known for their over-ear ANC prowess deliver excellent in-ear options as well. Here are some of the best in-ear ANC headphones:
Sony WF-1000XM5
No other manufacturer provides noise cancellation as effective as Sony. The Sony WF-1000XM5 is the brand’s top in-ear model, impressing with a blend of premium sound quality, powerful noise cancellation, and high wearing comfort.
In particular, the Sony in-ears deliver an outstanding listening experience, thanks to the Dynamic Driver X and high-resolution LDAC codec, offering excellent sound quality, exceptional comfort, and a long battery life.
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4
Sennheiser’s flagship model, the Momentum True Wireless 4, is absolutely worth the investment. These high-quality wireless in-ear headphones are known for their excellent sound quality, versatile ANC functions, and lasting comfort. They offer an ideal mix of sound fidelity, comfort, and practical features.
The Momentum True Wireless 4 provides a highly precise, detailed sound, powered by 7-mm TrueResponse drivers. These deliver balanced audio with clear highs, solid mids, and rich bass.
For those focused on a future-proof, modern setup, the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 is an excellent choice. They operate with the new Bluetooth 5.4 standard and are built on the Qualcomm S5 Sound Gen 2 platform with Snapdragon Sound, promising excellent high-resolution sound quality.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Bose rounds out the top three with the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, which impress with their powerful active noise cancellation, easy usability, and excellent sound quality.
Bose is known for its outstanding noise-cancelling technology, and the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds take this to a new level. The ANC adjusts intelligently to ambient noise, allowing users to enjoy optimal sound quality in both quiet and loud environments.
The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds also feature a 3D audio function that makes the listening experience more immersive, creating the impression that sound is coming from multiple directions, making music feel spatial and immersive.
Conclusion: The Best ANC Headphones of 2025
When searching for the best ANC headphones, you have a wealth of options. Finding your ideal choice depends on your preferences and needs. While there isn’t a single perfect model, our tests reveal clear frontrunners, with top-notch quality available for around €150.
