15 Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones for Muting the World in 2026

The headphone market is a crowded space, but when you try out a pair of the best noise-cancelling headphones, you'll quickly come to realize that there's a lot of crap out there. To help you figure out what to prioritize in terms of features, comfort and sound quality, we put a whole bunch of noise-cancelling headphones to the test, so you can listen to your podcasts, late-night Youtube videos, and favorite albums, all while tuning out the stuff you absolutely don't want to hear. There are some legacy brands like Bose and Sony that you’d probably expect to see, but there are also some brands that might not immediately spring to mind when thinking of headphones in this category.

Whether you’re looking for super stylish, leather-lined headphones, or customizable sound options, we’ve pulled together the best bets. At the very least, we’ll definitely help you narrow down your selection and save you from the dreaded state of analysis paralysis.

The Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones, According to GQBest Overall

Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra 2

Read MoreBest for Gaming

SteelSeries Artis Nova Elites

Read MoreBest for Apple Users

Apple Apple Airpod Max

Read MoreBest for Musicians

Marshall Monitor III

Read MoreBest Overall Noise-Cancelling Headphones: Bose Ultra Quiet Comfort 2 (Gen 2)

Bose has always been an exceptional brand when it comes to audio products, and it's years in the business have only solidified its place in the Mount Rushmore of headphones. the Quiet Comfort Ulta 2 are beautifully designed with quality materials, like soft leather and polished aluminum. With top-tier sound quality, they have some of the best active noise-cancellation (ANC) out there. Storage is a breeze since they fold up into a leather case that’s incredibly soft and compact. They also have the newest Bluetooth LE, which helps extend the battery life for up to 30-hours of use. Plus, with four modes—quiet, aware, immersion and cinema—they are capable of meeting lots of different sound and activity needs.

Colorways4 (black, midnight violet, driftwood sand and white)Battery Life30 hoursComfortSuper comfortable thanks to the soft leather earcaps and headband that prevents them from squeezing too tightSound QualityThanks to a technology called CustomTune, these headphones deliver sound based on the anatomy of your ear. They also have new immersion and cinema modes, and new drivers—and the result is the clearest and most balanced audio you’re likely to find.Build QualityPremium look, feel, and materials help the case for the best overall

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