Top Noise Cancelling Headsets for Work & Play

What is a Noise Cancelling Headset?

A noise cancelling headset is designed to minimize unwanted background noise, providing a clearer and more immersive audio experience. There are two primary types of noise cancellation:

• Active Noise Cancellation (ANC):

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is one of the most advanced features available in modern noise cancelling headsets. The technology works by using built-in microphones on the headphones to constantly monitor the surrounding environment for external sounds, such as chatter, traffic, or the hum of machinery. Once the external sound is detected, the system generates a sound wave that is the exact opposite (also known as an “anti-phase” signal) of the unwanted noise. These opposing sound waves cancel out the external noise, resulting in a much quieter listening environment.

• Passive Noise Cancellation:

Passive Noise Cancellation (or Noise Isolation) doesn't rely on electronic technology. Instead, it uses the physical design of the headset to block out external sound. This includes features like thick, cushioned ear cups or padded headbands that form a snug seal around your ears, effectively creating a barrier between you and the surrounding environment.

Overall, while passive noise cancellation provides a simpler and more power-efficient solution, active noise cancellation offers a more high-tech, dynamic approach to blocking out a wider range of environmental noise. Both technologies play an important role in creating a more enjoyable and productive listening experience. 

The combination of both passive and active noise cancellation in certain headsets can give users the best of both worlds—effective noise blocking, no matter the frequency of the external sound. A well-designed noise cancelling headset might incorporate both to give you a quieter experience in nearly any environment, whether you're looking for better focus during a long workday, immersion in a gaming session, or a peaceful, distraction-free flight.

Why Choose a Noise Cancelling Headset?

A headset for noise reduction is designed to block out ambient noise, allowing users to concentrate better on their tasks. Here’s why investing in a noise cancelling headset is beneficial:

• Work Efficiency: Eliminates Distractions During Virtual Meetings

In today’s work-from-home or hybrid environment, virtual meetings have become the norm. However, background noise, like the hum of an air conditioner or distant conversations, can easily disrupt the flow of communication. A noise cancelling headset with mic can help solve this issue. By blocking out these distractions, it ensures that you hear every word clearly and helps your colleagues hear you without interference. This is especially important for important presentations, client calls, or team meetings where clarity and focus are essential. With advanced noise-canceling technology, you won’t have to worry about ambient noises like dogs barking or children playing, allowing you to focus entirely on the conversation at hand.

• Gaming Performance: Clear Communication and Immersive Audio

For gamers, communication is key. Whether you’re strategizing with teammates or coordinating in a multiplayer game, every second counts. A noise cancelling headset helps block out distractions like household noise or street sounds, enabling you to hear game audio and in-game chatter with crystal clarity. In competitive gaming, being able to hear footsteps, gunfire, or the faintest sounds from opponents can give you the upper hand. Additionally, a noise-cancelling microphone headset ensures that your voice is transmitted clearly, free from environmental noise, so your team hears your commands and feedback without any distortion or echo. This clarity can make the difference between a victory and a defeat.

• Travel Convenience: Noise-Free Journeys for Peaceful Travel

Traveling, especially by plane or train, often means dealing with the loud drone of engines, conversations, and other environmental noises that can make it difficult to relax or focus. A noise reduction headset is an essential travel companion. With the right model, you can create a peaceful oasis amidst the chaos. The ANC feature works to filter out low-frequency sounds, like the rumbling of an airplane engine or the chatter of fellow passengers, allowing you to immerse yourself in music, podcasts, or movies without any distractions. Additionally, it’s an excellent tool for making calls or attending virtual meetings on the go, ensuring that your voice is clear and free from background noise. This makes your travel experience much more comfortable, whether you’re in a noisy airport lounge or on a crowded train.

Best Noise Cancelling Headsets of 2025

Bose QuietComfort 45

$154.99

• Noise cancelling wireless headphones – The perfect balance of quiet, comfort, and sound. Bose uses tiny mics to measure, compare, and react to outside noise, cancelling it with opposite signals.
• High-fidelity audio – The TriPort acoustic architecture offers depth and fullness. Volume-optimized Active EQ maintains balanced performance at any volume, so bass stays consistent when turned down and the music remains clear when turned up.
• Quiet & Aware Modes – Choose Quiet Mode for full noise cancelling, or Aware Mode to bring the outside into the around ear headphones and hear your environment and your music at the same time.

Nuroum OpenEar Pro 2

$149.99

• ENC Noise Cancelling & DSP Chip: Wireless headphones with mic are equipped with industry-leading noise cancelling technology to ensure crystal-clear voice transmission. Compressed neural network trained on millions of hours of noise is ported to the HiFi 4 DSP processor to democratize environment noise ENC experience by reducing 99.9% of ambient noise, allowing your voice to stand out during calls. The boom mic allows for easy adjustment near the mouth for calls or storage behind the ear for music enjoyment.
• Ultimate Comfort & Security: Crafted with soft silicone materials, our headphones offer unparalleled comfort during extended wear. Designed to sit delicately in front of each ear, they provide a secure fit without causing discomfort. The silicone neckband gently wraps around your head, ensuring stability even during rigorous activities like running or jumping. Say goodbye to ear fatigue and hello to uninterrupted comfort.
• Bluetooth 5.3 & Dongle Connectivity: Experience stable, low-latency connections with open-ear Bluetooth headphones powered by Bluetooth 5.3 and enjoy freedom of movement up to 10 meters away without worrying about signal drops. The stability of the dongle connection can increase your efficiency. The multipoint connectivity allows for a seamless switching between two devices, from online meetings on PC to phone calls. Compatible with most operating systems including iOS/Android/Window/ Mac/Linux, our open-ear headphones are the perfect companion for work, home office, business trips, driving, workouts and more.

Anker Soundcore Life Q30

¥55.43

• Advanced Noise Cancellation Technology: Maintain your focus with Life Q30’s hybrid active noise cancellation. Dual noise-detecting microphones pick up and filter out up to 95% of low-frequency ambient sound to ensure nothing distracts you from your music.
• Ultimate Noise Cancellation Experience: Customize with 3 modes—Transport minimizes airplane engine noise, Outdoor reduces traffic and wind, and Indoor dampens the sound of busy offices with people talking in the background. Note: ANC is not compatible with an AUX Cable connection.
• Hi-Res Music: Hear every detail of your favorite songs thanks to Life Q30’s 40mm drivers. The highly-flexible silk diaphragms reproduce thumping bass and crisp treble that extends up to 40kHz for improved clarity.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro

$245.31

• Almighty Audio - Experience ultimate clarity and sound quality with Premium High Fidelity Drivers. Fully customize the sound experience with the Sonar Software by using a first-in-gaming Pro-grade Parametric EQ.
• 360° Spatial Audio - Immersive surround sound transports you to the gaming world, letting you hear every critical step, reload, or vocal cue to give you an advantage. *Fully compatible with Tempest 3D Audio for PS5 / Microsoft Spatial Sound.
• Active Noise Cancellation - Immerse yourself in your virtual world as a specialized 4-mic hybrid system designed for gaming tunes out ambient noise. Use Transparency Mode with variable levels to adapt to any situation.

Jabra Evolve2 85

$306.89

• OUTSTANDING NOISE CANCELLATION – Jabra Evolve2 85 wireless headphones offer enhanced memory foam padding and improved ANC that cancels 54% more of the noise around you. Plus, they are made with durable, premium materials for supreme comfort
• BIGGER & BETTER SOUND – This business headset has powerful leak-tolerate 40mm speakers for rich, high definition audio for calls & music. Experience a whole new standard of calls on the go with 10 built-in microphones for absolute clarity, every time
• INDUSTRY-LEADING BATTERY LIFE – The Evolve2 85 telework headset provides up to 37 hours of battery life on a single charge. With a 15-minute charge giving you up to 8 hours of use, it’s a wireless headset designed to help you power through your week

Features to Consider When Choosing a Noise Cancelling Headset

When selecting the right headset for noise reduction, keep the following features in mind:

• Active vs. Passive Noise Cancellation: Active noise cancellation (ANC) uses technology to counteract external sounds, while passive noise cancellation relies on design and materials to block noise.
• Microphone Quality: A noise cancelling microphone headset ensures clear voice transmission, which is essential for calls and gaming.
• Comfort & Fit: Look for cushioned ear cups and adjustable headbands for prolonged use.
• Battery Life: Wireless options should provide at least 20-30 hours of battery life.
• Connectivity: Choose between wired, Bluetooth, or multi-device connectivity depending on your needs.

By considering key features, you can find the ideal headset with noise reduction for your needs. Ready to upgrade your listening experience? Explore these top-rated headsets today!