If you spend a lot of time in a busy place or are a frequent commuter, noise cancellation is a useful feature to have (אוזניות ביטול רעשים). It can also help you focus on the music you're listening to, as it blocks out unwanted ambient sounds.

Active noise-cancellation (ANC): Most headphones with ANC use advanced processors and microphones to identify unwanted sounds, and then cancel them out. This can cut down on annoying traffic noise, sirens and even loud subway commotion.

Adaptive EQ: Headphones that automatically adjust their sound based on the seal and fit of your ears offer an incredibly comfortable listening experience. It's also important to note that you don't need to spend a fortune on a pair of headphones that can offer this feature, as there are plenty of options in the mid-range.

The Bose QuietComfort 45: These are the latest earbuds from Bose and they're a great choice if you're looking for the best noise-canceling headphones. They're lightweight, super comfortable and come with new-age features like USB-C charging and longer battery life.

Master & Dynamic MW75: These are M&D's newest flagship noise-cancelling headphones, and they are fantastic. They look great, have a sophisticated design and are super-clear to listen to with excellent sound quality.

Sony WH-XB910N: The Sony WH-XB910N are great headphones if you're on a budget and want the very best noise cancellation. They're a little more bass-heavy than the Sony WH-1000XM5 below, but they still deliver impressive sound. They're a great choice if you enjoy heavy rock or pop music, and they're compatible with all of your devices, including iOS phones.

Anker Soundcore Life Q35 Wireless: These over-ears have a good noise isolation performance, thanks to their adjustable ANC, but they're not as good as our top pick. They can block out a variety of noises, including bus engines and chatter, but they create a lot of ear pressure when the ANC is on.

Earfun Air S: If you're looking for a pair of over-ear headphones that don't break the bank, the Earfun Air S are one of our favourites. They're super-lightweight, offer a comfortable fit and last for up to seven hours with the noise-canceling turned on.

B&W Px7 S2: These are a step up for B&W, offering a more neutral and detailed sound than the 2020-released PX7. They're a solid option for anyone who wants to dig in and analyse their music.

Apple AirPods Pro 2: The new AirPods Pro have a lot going for them, from noise-canceling to longer battery life and more in-app personalisation features. They're also a good option for those who use iOS and want to take advantage of the Siri voice assistant.

The AirPods Max aren't as impressive as the Sony WH-1000XM5, but they're the best audio-quality headphones in the category and the latest model from Apple, so we recommend you give them a try. They're a bit more expensive than the Sony WH-1000XM5, and they won't have as many features, but they will provide a truly pristine sound experience.

The Best Noise Cancelling Headphones of 2021

A pair of good noise cancelling headphones can take your listening experience to the next level, whether it's on a noisy commute or in an office. Typically, the best models will have active noise-cancellation technology that isolates unwanted sounds and neutralises them using hi-tech circuitry.

However, not all noise-canceling headphones sound the same. The best will not only block external noise but also deliver crisp, clear vocals and punchy bass.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 is the latest flagship noise cancelling headset from Sony. It's comfortable, sound good, and comes with a lot of useful features.

One of the best features is Sony's Adaptive Sound Control, which adjusts noise cancellation based on your location and actions. It also allows you to tune the headphones' sound to your preferences.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45

The Bose QuietComfort 45 is the latest pair to carry the company's legacy of noise-canceling headphones. It's a worthy upgrade that performs as well or better than its predecessors.

Sound quality isn't perfect, but it's good enough to make it a solid choice for many listeners. The QC45 handles all genres well, offering crisp highs, robust mids and deep bass when necessary.

3. Sony WH-1000XM4

The Sony WH-1000XM4 is the fourth-generation model of one of the best noise-canceling headphones in the business. It features a better algorithm, a new Bluetooth system on chip, and Sony's DSEE Extreme audio technology that helps restore detail lost in lossy compression formats.

It's also easier than ever to pair with multiple devices, thanks to the new multipoint connection feature. The app can also access a suite of smart features like custom EQ profiles, Sony 360 Reality Audio, and ambient sound control that creates different noise cancelling settings for each environment you're in.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 3

If you're looking for a pair of headphones with smart features that are easy to use, the Sennheiser Momentum 3 is a great choice. It features a comfortable design, good sound quality, and a handy battery life of 17 hours.

The headband and ear pads of the headphones are crafted from genuine leather, which ensures a comfortable fit for long listening sessions. The earcups feature a sliding mechanism that minimizes rotation for maximum comfort.

5. B&W PX7

Bowers & Wilkins' PX7 is a top-tier pair of headphones that combines good noise canceling with a great sound. Its aptX Adaptive Bluetooth codec is compatible with hi-res audio and works seamlessly with your mobile device for crystal clear calls, while a single battery charge offers 30 hours of uninterrupted music playback.

This is a fantastic pair of headphones that will surprise you with its ability to wring out detail from even the best music files. It's a dynamic headphone too, communicating an impressive sense of timing and space.

6. Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 (PS231)

The Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 (PS231) is a much better pair of headphones than the original version, with a longer battery life and improved audio quality. They're also a good price.

These are ANC headphones, which means they use beamforming microphones and beamforming software to cancel out background noise. They don't quite beat Sony and Bose's best noise-canceling headphones, but they're cheaper.

7. AirPods Max

AirPods Max are the perfect balance of exhilarating high-fidelity audio and effortless magic, delivering a personalized listening experience you'll love. Using Adaptive EQ to continually adjust the sound based on the fit and seal of your ear cushions, they deliver rich audio that's as immersive as the movies you're watching.

The AirPods Max use active noise cancelation to block outside sounds, and the ear cups are designed to optimize the fit for many head shapes. The headphones also offer a unique adaptive EQ feature that analyzes real-time microphone input and changes the sound to reflect the situation.

8. Nuraphone

The Nuraphone is a unique pair of headphones that don’t look like your standard over-ear model. Instead, they have a proboscis-like protrusion that nestles in your ear canal.

The company claims it “listens” to your otoacoustic emissions to create a sound profile that is tailored to your listening preferences. Then it can personalise the music you listen to by adjusting the volume and bass levels to fit your needs.

However, while the technology works well, it isn’t perfect and there are a few issues that need to be addressed before they become a go-to choice.