Over-ear noise-cancelling headphones remain the most effective way to quiet down airplane cabins, train noise, or a loud open office, simply because their larger ear cups create a better physical seal than earbuds can. The flagship models from Sony, Bose, and Apple keep trading the top spot in review roundups year over year. Here is where the 2025 consensus landed.
Sony WH-1000XM6
Multiple outlets name the WH-1000XM6 the best ANC headphones of 2025, noting it leapfrogged its predecessor with stronger active noise cancellation performance, solid feature set, and decent sound quality, and some reviewers have replaced long-standing Bose recommendations with this model after direct testing.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
Still a top pick for outlets including Digital Trends and Tom’s Guide, the QC Ultra is described as having incredible noise cancelling and the best sound quality Bose has produced in this line, though it carries a premium price around $449 and battery life that drops further with Immersive Audio mode enabled.
Apple AirPods Max 2
Apple claims up to 1.5x more active noise cancellation than the original AirPods Max, and some reviewers say it currently edges out the Sony and Bose flagships for raw ANC strength, making it the top pick specifically for Apple ecosystem users who already rely on iPhone and Mac integration.
Sennheiser Momentum 4
A consistently well-regarded alternative for listeners who prioritize sound signature and comfort for very long wear sessions, the Momentum 4 pairs strong ANC with Sennheiser’s characteristic tuning, which some reviewers prefer over the brighter Sony sound profile.
1More SonoFlow
Named as a notable budget option among noise-cancelling headphones, the SonoFlow brings respectable ANC performance and battery life to a price point well below the flagship tier, making it a sensible pick for anyone trying noise-cancelling headphones for the first time.
For frequent flyers, prioritize ANC strength and a comfortable long-wear clamping force over sound signature, since even a modest 6-to-8-hour flight will reveal fit problems that a 20-minute store demo never will.
Beats Studio Pro
Beats Studio Pro brings Apple-ecosystem features like one-tap pairing and Find My support to an over-ear design, with reviewers noting it as a strong middle-ground option between the premium Sony and Bose flagships and more budget-friendly alternatives, particularly for anyone already invested in Apple devices but wanting an over-ear fit rather than AirPods Max’s specific design.
What actually determines ANC performance on a long flight
Active noise cancellation works by generating an inverse sound wave to cancel incoming noise, and it is most effective against steady, low-frequency sounds like jet engine hum, which is exactly the dominant noise profile on a commercial flight. The physical seal of the ear cup matters almost as much as the electronic processing — glasses, hair, or an ill-fitting cup can break the seal and let noise leak in regardless of how advanced the ANC chip is. Battery life claims are also typically measured with ANC on at a moderate volume, so heavy use, high volume, or cold cabin temperatures common on long flights can meaningfully shorten real-world battery life compared to the advertised number.
Frequently asked questions
Is active noise cancellation safe to use for an entire flight?
Yes — ANC headphones are approved for in-flight use during all phases of flight on major airlines (unlike older restrictions on some wireless devices during takeoff and landing), and there is no established health concern with extended ANC use, though some users report mild ear pressure sensitivity after many consecutive hours.
Do noise-cancelling headphones block out voices as well as engine noise?
Not as effectively — ANC is tuned primarily for steady low-frequency noise like engine hum, and higher-frequency, irregular sounds like nearby conversation are harder to cancel electronically, which is why most flagship headphones pair ANC with simple passive sound isolation from the ear cup itself to handle the gap.
Should I buy over-ear headphones or earbuds for frequent travel?
Over-ear models generally win for pure noise cancellation and comfort on long flights since their larger ear cups seal more completely than earbuds, but earbuds pack smaller for carry-on luggage and are easier to use while moving through an airport, so frequent short-trip travelers sometimes prefer earbuds despite the modest ANC tradeoff.
Do noise-cancelling headphones need to be recharged before every flight?
Not usually — flagship models like the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra rate 20-30-plus hours of battery life with ANC on, which comfortably covers even long-haul international flights on a single charge, though it is still worth topping up before a trip since cold cargo-hold-adjacent cabin temperatures and heavy ANC use can draw down a partially charged battery faster than expected.
Is it worth buying a hard carrying case for travel headphones?
Yes — most premium over-ear models including the Sennheiser Momentum 4 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra ship with a semi-rigid case specifically because folding hinges and ear cup padding are vulnerable to being crushed loose in a backpack, and a cracked hinge or dented ear cup is one of the more common reasons a otherwise-working pair of travel headphones gets retired early.
Can noise-cancelling headphones be used in wired mode if the battery dies?
Most flagship models, including the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra, include a 3.5mm input that works passively even with a fully dead battery, though you lose active noise cancellation and any Bluetooth-only features in that mode, so it is worth packing the included cable on long trips as a backup rather than relying on battery life alone.
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