If you seek tranquility, we have what you need.
By Bethany Allard on March 25, 2026
All products featured are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you purchase something through our links, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.
Whether you work from home, spend a lot of time on planes, or just want to reduce the outside world’s noise, noise-cancelling headphones are a good investment. However, they are costly, as the latest flagship noise-cancelling headphones from Bose and Sony are priced at $450.
Yet, there are ways to get high-quality performance without the high price. Check our top picks for noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds with price cuts during Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, from March 25 to March 31.
SEE ALSO: Best noise-cancelling headphones and earbud deals from Amazon’s Big Spring Sale.
**What are the best noise-cancelling headphones of 2026?**
Even the top value headphones might disappoint if they lack good noise cancellation. There are many headphones on the market, so spending hundreds shouldn’t result in subpar ANC.
For most, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) provide excellent value with comfort, sound quality, and ANC. For the best active noise cancellation, the Sony XM6 headphones excel.
To help you choose from top brands like Apple, Beats, Bose, Sony, and Sonos, Mashable editors and reviewers tested many headphones and earbuds. From flagship models to budget options, we found the best at every price range.
SEE ALSO: How we test headphones and earbuds.
**The Good & The Bad and Our Review Sections**
For our full review on some of the best noise-cancelling headphones, please see these detailed sections and our take on each product.
**Who It’s For**
Each headphones type has a target audience considering factors like price, noise cancellation, sound quality, comfort, and added features.
**Why We Picked This**
Rationale on what makes each headphone shine, what improvements have been made, and if they are worth the price.
**Battery Life and Other Features**
Each selection further dives into specifics like battery life, color options, app connectivity, and more.
**Overview**
These are the tech, tools, and products from headphones to e-readers, from earbuds to robovacs, and more, that Mashable ranks best in class.
Table of Contents: Best noise-cancelling headphones, How we tested, and FAQs.
**How do noise-cancelling headphones work?**
Cheap headphones can block some noise or allow you to turn up the music, but active noise-cancelling headphones electronically mask incoming sounds with internal microphones that inversely output the surrounding noise to provide near-silence. The best over-ear headphones form a tight seal for additional isolation.
Though previous early headphones might not have impressed some with their ANC performance, new technology headphones have increasingly better ANC, even in wireless earbuds, though over-ear models are often superior due to their design.
For specific tips and detailed comparisons, check under each product section.
**Recent testing updates**
Stay up-to-date with the latest noise-cancelling technology and find out more about upcoming models and changes in preferences or market performance.
**Frequently Asked Questions**
Explore the FAQs to gain a better understanding of the details regarding noise-cancelling headphones, their worth, performance, daily use, and brand comparisons to help you make a better-informed buying decision.
Bethany Allard is a Los Angeles-based shopping reporter at Mashable covering beauty tech, dating, sex and relationships, and headphones.