Noise cancelling headphones: what to buy
Good noise cancelling (ANC) makes commutes, flights and open-plan offices far more bearable. Here's what actually matters.
Over-ear or earbuds?
- Over-ear: usually the strongest noise cancelling and longest battery. Best for flights, trains and long sessions.
- Earbuds: pocket-sized and great for the gym and quick trips, but battery is shorter and they're easier to lose.
- On-ear: lighter than over-ear but tend to leak sound and block less noise.
What to check before buying
- Battery: 30 hours or more is common on over-ear models now; earbuds are typically 5 to 8 hours plus the case.
- Your phone: AirPods pair most smoothly with iPhones; Sony, Samsung and others work best with Android, though all work with both.
- Calls: if you take lots of calls, look for reviews of microphone quality, not just music.
- Multipoint: lets you connect to a phone and laptop at the same time. Handy if you work from home.
Saving money
- When a new model launches, the previous one often drops sharply and is still excellent.
- Headphones go on sale a lot, so "was" prices are often inflated. Check each deal's price history on our site.
Our advice is based on product specifications, prices and common trade use. We don't do hands-on product testing.
