14 best noise-cancelling headphones for 2021 including AirPods and Bose

Whether it’s to stop outside noise from interfering with your Zoom calls, switching off for a little meditation, or listening to your favourite podcast on your lunchtime walk – a pair of noise cancelling headphones is just what you need to immerse yourself in your own sounds.

With the range of headphones available on the market today, choosing the perfect pair for your needs might require a bit of research, but luckily most of the major tech retailers like Currys and Amazon have a huge range with budget-friendly options for everyone.

Generally, the best kind of noise cancelling headphones are over the ear kinds; they cover your whole ear and help to mask any outside noise.

If you’re still scratching your head, we’ve rounded up some of the best noise cancelling headphones to buy now including the Apple AirPods Pro, Bose, and Sony options.

Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones

Best Overall Noise Cancelling Headphones

If you loved Apple’s AirPods, you’ll love the AirPod Pro’s.

These sweat and water resistant headphones allow you full peace of mind during non water sports and strenuous exercise. There’s also a transparency mode for when you do want to hear the outside sounds – perfect if you need to ask a colleague a question or connect with your surroundings.

A wireless charging case will offer you a full 24 hours of continuous playback.

Best Noise Cancelling Headphones for Comfort

Not only do they include the renowned noise cancellation technology – the Bose QuietComfort 35 II’s also have built-in Google assistant and Alexa for your convenience when you’re out and about.

Enjoy premium sound quality without the hassle of outside sounds, comfy ear cushions provide a layer of comfort as well as an extra seal to cancel noise.

A cable is included to provide you with up to 40 hours of listening and with noise cancelling switched on, you’ll have around 20 hours of wireless listening.

Best Noise Cancelling Headphones for Gaming

These lightweight and stylish headphones from tech giant Sony have super high definition sound, along with impeccable noise cancelling technology.

Block out everything from ambient sounds, to the chatter of work colleagues in the office – if you really need to concentrate and don’t need the extra sounds, these are pretty close to perfect.

As well as a very desirable 30 hours of battery life on a single charge, the headphones are also optimized for Alexa and Google assistants, giving you complete and hands free control.

Best Foldable Noise Cancelling Headphones

A stylish look with an equally stylish price tag.

The compact and foldable design allows you to easily carry them around with you, they also come with a carry case for convenience.

You’ll get 15 hours of play with noise cancelling enabled, this time doubles to 30 hours when switched off or in power saving mode.

Best Noise Cancelling Headphones for Exercise

If you’re looking for a first-class listening experience – you may have already heard of Sennheiser.

Enjoy high quality sound as well as NoiseGard hybrid noise cancellation technology. The foldable design is also perfect for travelling.

Convenient controls like double tapping the ear cup will pause the music for you and all you have to do is tap again to continue exactly where you stopped.

If that wasn’t enough, on a single charge you can enjoy up to 30 hours of wireless listening.

Best Lightweight Noise Cancelling Earphones

Bang & Olufsen’s signature, premium sound along with active noise cancellation technology to immerse yourself fully in whatever you’re listening to.

There aren’t many in-earphones that will do a good job of blocking out external noise. If you’re less of a headphones person and prefer the sleeker look – these are perfect. They also aren’t too bad on the budget spectrum.

Best Budget Noise Cancelling Headphones

If you’re on a budget, but are looking for a great quality pair of headphones with noise cancelling technology – these ones from GOJI are a great contender.

Enjoy a battery life of up to 20 hours on a single charge. Thanks to Bluetooth 5.0, you’ll always get a strong connection with your smartphone. It’s compatible with iOS and Android so will connect to all of your devices efficiently.

Best Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones

These attractive headphones from BEATS will soon become your favourite travel companion.

Pure adaptive noise cancelling technology, actively reduces all of the external sounds that would otherwise disturb your listening experience.

Wireless bluetooth connectivity offers you all day playback to every smartphone or bluetooth enabled device. Enjoy around 22 hours of continuous playback with noise cancelling switched on, or up to 40 with it off.

Best Noise Cancelling Headphones for Sound Quality

Enjoy active noise cancelling technology as well as great quality sound.

The extended battery life will give you up to 30 hours of wireless playback, you can also use your new headphones to connect with your Google assistant or Alexa device.

The headphone also come with a compact carry case, for full convenience when you’re out and about.

Best Luxury Noise Cancelling Earphones

Another option if you prefer the look of in-earphones. Combine the magic and super quality sound of the Sony WF-1000XM3, with the comfort and transportability of in-earphones.

The design is minimalist and super stylish, not only is it rare to find wireless earphone with great noise cancelling abilities, it’s even more rare to get such great quality sound in addition.

Weighing just 70g, you’ll have no problem travelling around with these all day.

Best Noise Cancelling Headphones under £50

If you’re looking for a great pair of headphones under £50, these mid-range noise cancelling Bluetooth headphones are for you. With a wide dynamic range and bass boost at an affordable price, it’s no surprise that these headphones are trending on Google.

The soft padded ear cushions offers all day comfort and they even have a full 40 hours or up to 600 songs playing time. A great option when you’re strapped, but still want great quality headphones under £50.

Best Wired Noise Cancelling Headphones

Enjoy your tunes on the go with these stylish white Beats by Dr. Dre on-ear headphones. They have specially sculpted cups for the perfect, comfortable fit.

The wired 3.5mm jack connection means you simply plug in to listen to your favourite tunes. Noise isolating technology blocks out unwanted sound, so you can always be lost in the music. These headphones also have handy play and pause controls on the wire for easy access and thanks to the built-in microphone, so you’ll have no trouble making or receiving calls.

Best Budget Noise Cancelling Earphones

These lightweight noise-cancelling earphones from UGREEN are perfect for music lovers looking for effective sound on a budget.

Each earbud weighs just 5.2g and thanks to an ergonomic design and form factor, the HiTune X6 will sit comfortably in the ears for long periods of time, even during activity.

You’ll get around six hours of playtime or 5.5 hours in ANC mode, you’ll get 26 hours of battery life with the charging case combined.

The Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling earbuds boast six mics and eliminate 90% of external environmental noise.

Buy now from Amazon ( £35.99 ).

Best Noise Cancelling Headphones under £50

If you’re looking for a great pair of headphones under £50, these mid-range noise cancelling Bluetooth headphones are for you. With a wide dynamic range and bass boost at an affordable price, it’s no surprise that these headphones are trending on Google.

The soft padded ear cushions offers all day comfort and they even have a full 40 hours or up to 600 songs playing time. A great option when you’re strapped, but still want great quality headphones under £50.

Best Plastic-Free Noise Cancelling Earphones

House of Marley, the eco-conscious audio maker created in collaboration with Bob Marley’s family, has announced the launch of its Redemption ANC 2 Wireless Earbuds, now with a new app to manage everything.

With features including Active Noise Cancellation, Echo Noise Cancellation and Audio Passthrough mode, Redemption ANC 2 empower you to have full control of both your music and anything else you have going on.

While powerful playback is a priority – so is the planet. The earbuds are crafted from bamboo, natural wood fibre composite and recycled plastic and include 100% plastic free, recyclable packaging.

Buy now from House of Marley ( £179.99 ).

To keep all of your gadgets adequately charged throughout the day, why not check out the best wireless charging stations, worth considering for your home.