Noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds: how to choose

Good noise cancelling turns a flight, a train commute or an open-plan office into something much calmer. Here's what actually makes a difference.

Over-ear or earbuds?

Over-ear headphones usually cancel more noise, last longer on a charge and are comfier for long flights. Earbuds fit in a pocket, suit the gym and are easier to sleep with. Many people own one of each.

How good is the noise cancelling?

The top models from Sony, Bose, Apple and Sennheiser all cancel low engine and traffic rumble very well. Differences show up with voices and sudden sounds. Fit matters as much as the chip: an earbud that doesn't seal properly will never cancel well, so try the different ear tip sizes.

Comfort beats specs

Clamp force, weight and how warm the ear cushions get matter more over a long day than a small difference in sound. If you wear glasses, softer cushions help.

Codecs and your phone

iPhones use AAC; many Android phones support higher-bitrate codecs such as LDAC or aptX. If sound quality is your priority, check the headphones support a good codec on your phone.

When to buy

Headphones often drop sharply when the next version launches, and the outgoing flagship is usually still excellent. The price history on each product page shows whether today's price is genuinely low.

The most compared headphones and earbuds

Browse everything: all headphones and earbuds A to Z.