10 Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for Focus in 2025

10 Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for Focus in 2025

July 17, 2025

Overview

In a world saturated with distractions, finding focus can feel like an uphill battle. Our comprehensive guide to the 10 best noise-canceling headphones of 2025 is designed to help you reclaim your concentration and boost productivity. We've meticulously researched and tested a range of headphones, considering factors like noise cancellation effectiveness, sound quality, comfort, and battery life to bring you the top picks for silencing the chaos and creating a sanctuary of sound. Whether you're working from home, studying in a busy environment, or simply seeking moments of peace, these headphones offer a pathway to enhanced focus and a more tranquil state of mind. Prepare to immerse yourself in pure audio bliss and unlock your full potential in 2025.

Philip O'Riley

In this guide

โ€ขHeadphones for the Remote Workerโ€ขPremium Headphones: The Best Sound Qualityโ€ขBest Budget Noise-Canceling Headphones

Our picks

The Best Noise-Canceling Headphones: Our Top Pick: Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones, $449.99

The Best for Remote Workers: Boost Home Office Focus: Space Q45 Headphones, $149.99

The Most Premium Experience: Ultimate Noise Cancellation: AirPods Max - Midnight, $549.00

Top-Tier Noise Cancellation: Our Top Picks

Explore our curated list of headphones with the best-in-class noise-canceling technology.

8.5

Listful
Score

Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones

$449.99

Sony's WH-1000XM6 Headphones scored an impressive 8.5/10, blending outstanding noise cancellation with excellent sound quality. The modern connectivity options, including Bluetooth 5.3, make them a standout for tech-savvy users. Despite a 30-hour battery life, which we found average among competitors, and minor comfort issues noted during extended wear, these headphones continue to be a favorite for noise-canceling efficiency and rich sound across varied environments.

Sony logo

$449.99

at Sony

The Good

โ€ข Exceptional noise cancellation effectively minimizes external noise across various environments.

โ€ข Sound quality is rich and immersive, with a balanced tuning and expansive soundstage.

โ€ข Supports advanced connectivity options including Bluetooth 5.3, LE Audio, and Auracast.

The Bad

โ€ข Battery life of 30 hours with ANC on is average compared to some competitors offering longer playtime.

โ€ข Comfort may be an issue for users with larger ears due to shallow earcups and thin padding.

โ€ข Lacks support for audio playback via USB-C, limiting wired listening options.

Noise Cancellation: true / Sound Quality: Excellent / Battery Life: 30 hours / Comfort Level: Comfortable

Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for Travel

Find the perfect headphones for a tranquil journey and on-the-go focus.

9.5

Listful
Score

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

$449.00

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are a top-tier choice for those who prioritize noise cancellation and comfort, scoring an impressive 9.5/10. Their exceptional noise reduction capabilities and lightweight design excel in creating a distraction-free experience. However, during our review, we noted the 24-hour battery life is shorter than some competitors' offerings. Despite this, their multipoint Bluetooth connectivity and extremely comfortable design make them an easy favorite for long listening sessions.

The Good

โ€ข Exceptional noise cancellation effectively reduces background noise in various environments.

โ€ข Lightweight design with well-cushioned ear cups ensures comfort during extended use.

โ€ข Multipoint Bluetooth connectivity allows pairing with multiple devices simultaneously.

The Bad

โ€ข Battery life of 24 hours is shorter compared to some competitors.

โ€ข Immersive Audio feature may not meet expectations for all users.

โ€ข Lacks an official IP rating for water and dust resistance.

Noise Cancellation: true / Sound Quality: Excellent / Battery Life: 24 hours / Comfort Level: Extremely Comfortable

Headphones for the Remote Worker

Enhance your home office with noise-canceling headphones designed for productivity.

8

Listful
Score

JBL Tour One M2 Headphones

$299.95

The JBL Tour One M2 Headphones stand out with excellent active noise cancellation and clear sound quality, earning a high score of 8/10 in our review. Great for those who need to focus in noisy environments, they'll keep distractions at bay. Nevertheless, their heavier weight might be uncomfortable during extended wear, and the lack of high-res codec support is a downside. Despite this, the comfortable design and 30-hour battery life make them a strong contender for your pick.

The Good

โ€ข Excellent active noise cancellation effectively reduces ambient noise.

โ€ข Sound quality is very good, delivering clear and detailed audio.

โ€ข Comfortable design suitable for extended use.

The Bad

โ€ข Lacks support for high-resolution audio codecs like LDAC or aptX.

โ€ข Spatial audio feature can negatively impact sound quality.

โ€ข Heavier weight may cause discomfort during prolonged use.

Noise Cancellation: true / Sound Quality: Very Good / Battery Life: 30 hours / Comfort Level: Comfortable

Noise-Canceling Headphones for Students

Stay focused and productive with these headphones, ideal for study sessions.

6

Listful
Score

Wyze Noise Cancelling Headphones

$98.98

Wyze Noise Cancelling Headphones provide a budget-friendly entry into the noise-canceling world, with a price tag of $98.98. Our experience showed that their noise cancellation is effective up to 40 dB, and the memory foam earpads enhance comfort. However, they could have performed better with a disappointing microphone quality and bulky design that isn't very travel-friendly. Despite these limitations, dual Bluetooth connectivity offers users flexibility in managing multiple devices.

The Good

โ€ข Effective active noise cancellation up to 40 dB.

โ€ข Comfortable design with memory foam earpads.

โ€ข Supports dual Bluetooth device connections.

The Bad

โ€ข Integrated microphone has poor recording quality.

โ€ข Bulky design may not be ideal for on-the-go use.

โ€ข Leatherette padding traps heat, causing discomfort during extended use.

Noise Cancellation: true / Sound Quality: Good / Battery Life: 20 hours / Comfort Level: Comfortable

Premium Headphones: The Best Sound Quality

Discover headphones for audiophiles seeking top-tier audio and noise canceling.

8.5

Listful
Score

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Headphones

$256.95

For those seeking great battery life with sound performance, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Headphones impressively pack 60 hours of stamina. Rated 8.5/10, these headphones balance excellent sound quality and effective noise cancellation, though touch controls may take some getting used to. We noticed that the non-folding design can be a bit cumbersome for portability, yet their top-tier comfort level makes them a fantastic choice for long listening and working from anywhere.

The Good

โ€ข Exceptional 60-hour battery life with ANC enabled.

โ€ข Effective active noise cancellation that rivals top competitors.

โ€ข Comfortable design suitable for extended use.

The Bad

โ€ข Touch controls can be inconsistent and require a learning curve.

โ€ข Noise cancellation may not match the highest standards set by some competitors.

โ€ข Design does not fold up into the headband, affecting portability.

Noise Cancellation: true / Sound Quality: Excellent / Battery Life: 60 hours / Comfort Level: Very Comfortable


7.5

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Score

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 Headphones

$449.00

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 Headphones bring exceptional sound quality to the forefront, boasting emotional depth and fine detail that's hard to match. Despite receiving a 7.5/10 score due to moderate noise cancellation capabilities, their 30-hour battery life and comfortable design were standouts during our evaluation. They're ideal for audiophiles who prioritize sound, but some features require an app setup, and their inability to fold flat may hinder travel convenience.

The Good

โ€ข Exceptional sound quality with emotional depth and fine detail.

โ€ข Comfortable design suitable for long listening sessions.

โ€ข Impressive 30-hour battery life with quick charge feature.

The Bad

โ€ข Active noise cancellation is solid but not best-in-class for high-frequency noise.

โ€ข Does not fold flat, limiting travel compactness.

โ€ข Some features require initial app setup to unlock their full potential.

Noise Cancellation: true / Sound Quality: Excellent / Battery Life: 30 hours / Comfort Level: Very Comfortable

Best Budget Noise-Canceling Headphones

Affordable options that provide excellent noise cancellation.

6.5

Listful
Score

Space Q45 Headphones

$149.99

The Space Q45 Headphones offer effective noise cancellation that rivals pricier models at a budget-friendly $149.99. In our testing, the headphones impressed with their comfortable design, ideal for long hours of use. However, the sound quality fell short with limitations in low and high frequencies, and the call quality often sounded artificial. Despite these drawbacks, the 50-hour battery life and Bluetooth connectivity make them a solid choice for balancing price and performance.

The Good

โ€ข Effective noise cancellation comparable to higher-priced models.

โ€ข Comfortable design suitable for extended wear.

โ€ข Excellent call quality with clear voice transmission.

The Bad

โ€ข Sound quality may lack definition in low and high frequencies.

โ€ข Included charge cable is too short for practical usage.

โ€ข Call quality can be mediocre, with conversations sounding artificial and flat.

Noise Cancellation: true / Sound Quality: Good / Battery Life: 50 hours / Comfort Level: Very Comfortable


5

Listful
Score

Jabra Link 950

$40.99

The Jabra Link 950, priced at $40.99, offers practical connectivity for office environments, switching between desk phones and softphones seamlessly. However, in our review, we noted it lacks dedicated noise cancellation, making it less suited for focus-oriented uses emphasized in this guide. It necessitates an additional power supply for some Jabra headsets, adding to the cost. Although niche, it's perfect for streamlined communication setups without noise-canceling needs.

The Good

โ€ข Enables seamless switching between desk phone and softphone using a single USB headset.

The Bad

โ€ข Requires an additional power supply for certain Jabra headsets, increasing overall cost.

Noise Cancellation: false / Sound Quality: Not Applicable / Battery Life: Not Applicable / Comfort Level: Not Applicable

Our Pick for Best Overall Noise Canceler

Our editors pick for the ultimate noise canceling headphone experience in 2025.

7

Listful
Score

AirPods Max - Midnight

$549.00

Apple's AirPods Max - Midnight provide premium sound and build quality with exceptional noise cancellation, ideal for audiophiles with a flair for style. However, they're on the heavier side, which might impact comfort during longer use, and without a 3.5mm jack, wired listening is not an option. Priced at $549.00, they deliver quality but require a commitment level that's supported by excellent sound and comfort as noted in our testing.

The Good

โ€ข Exceptional sound quality with clear highs, warm mids, and punchy lows.

โ€ข Effective active noise cancellation that significantly reduces external noise.

โ€ข Premium build quality with comfortable ear pads and fabric headband.

The Bad

โ€ข Heavier than many competitors, which may affect comfort during prolonged use.

โ€ข Lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack, limiting wired connectivity options.

โ€ข The included Smart Case offers minimal protection and lacks functionality.

Noise Cancellation: true / Sound Quality: Excellent / Battery Life: 20 hours / Comfort Level: Very Comfortable

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