Best overall
Sony WH-1000XM5
Nothing else cancels low-frequency noise this well. If you fly often or work in an open-plan office, this is the one that actually solves the problem.
Best of · updated 9 September 2026
The best noise cancelling headphones
Two picks that cover almost everyone: the quietest cabin money buys, and the pair that gets you most of the way there for a quarter of the price.
| Pick | Product | Our rating | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Sony WH-1000XM5 | 9.2/10 | $348 as of 9 September 2026 | Check price for Sony WH-1000XM5 on Amazon, opens in a new tab |
| Best value | Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC | 8.4/10 | $79 as of 9 September 2026 | Check price for Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC on Amazon, opens in a new tab |
Noise cancelling splits cleanly into two questions. How quiet do you actually need it, and how much are you willing to pay for the last ten percent of quiet? Almost nobody needs to spend more than the first pick here, and a lot of people should spend far less.
Best value
Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
Gets you roughly eighty percent of the cancelling for under a quarter of the money. For commuting rather than long-haul flights, this is the sensible buy.
Our verdict. Buy the Anker unless you fly long-haul regularly or work somewhere genuinely loud. The Sony is better, and for most people it is not four times better.