ANC wireless headphones

AirPods Max 2, the second generation of Apple’s premium over-ear headphones, brings significant upgrades to active noise cancellation and sound quality, as well as a suite of intelligent new features, including Live Translation powered by Apple Intelligence, the company said Monday. 

“With the incredible performance of H2, AirPods Max are upgraded with up to 1.5x more effective ANC for the ultimate all-day listening experience,” said Eric Treski, Apple’s director of Audio Product Marketing. “The sound quality is remarkably clean, rich, and acoustically detailed — and when combined with capabilities like Personalized Spatial Audio, AirPods Max 2 deliver a profoundly immersive experience.”

Soundcore unveiled its new Space 2 over-ear headphones at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on Sunday. Aimed squarely at travelers and commuters, Space 2 combines advanced noise cancellation, extended battery life and personalized sound tuning — all at a price point that undercuts many competitors — $129.99.

Finding the perfect Sony headphones for iPhone might seem challenging when Apple pushes its own audio ecosystem so heavily. This comprehensive guide examines each model’s features, pros, cons and pricing to help you find the perfect match for your specific needs and budget. Let’s dive into what makes these Sony headphones exceptional companions for your iPhone.

When stripped of branding, features and design, how do premium headphones actually sound? Wired put this question to the test by having audio pros blind-test six popular over-ear headphones.

The results not only shocked the panelists, they validated one of my favorite pairs of “budget” headphones. They won the test, coming out above top contenders from the likes of Sony, Bose and, yes, Apple. 

The new Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 flagship wireless headphones are the best cans the British audio company has ever produced, it said Wednesday. Available now for an eye-watering $799, the premium over-ear headphones feature significant design improvements and enhanced audio capabilities that should make would-be AirPods Max buyers look twice.

 “We are incredibly proud to launch the Px8 S2, the best headphone we have ever created. When we introduced the Px8 in 2022, it redefined what was possible in wireless headphone performance. The Px8 S2 sets the benchmark once again, recalibrating expectations for sound quality, design and craftsmanship,” said Giles Pocock, VP of Brand Marketing at B&W.

“It’s the ultimate expression of our mission: to bring listeners even closer to the artist’s performance — and of course, the beautiful design and finish only adds to that real pride of ownership,” he added.

EarFun Tune Pro noise-canceling headphones knocked my socks off when they came out, rivaling pricier sets like Beats Studio Pro. And now an EarFun Tune Pro headphones deal at Amazon puts them at just $55.99. That’s 38% off the regular price of $89.99.

They’re affordable even at their regular price. But at an incredibly low price of $56, they’re a steal — and worthy of being your audio daily drivers, not just backups.

One of the better pairs of on-ear headphones you can get is now half off at Amazon — Beats Solo 4. The current $99.95 price doesn’t beat what I paid during Prime Day in July, but my miracle deal was only $2 cheaper! And I have zero regrets.

Seriously, these little cans for less than $100 makes for a great deal anytime.

Whether you’re navigating a noisy commute, seeking focus in a bustling office, trying to unwind during air travel or simply blissing out to your favorite tunes, the right pair of noise-canceling headphones can transform your audio experience. These sophisticated devices do more than just play music — they create a mobile personal sanctuary.

Active noise cancellation (ANC) technology has evolved dramatically in recent years, with options ranging from premium over-ear headphones to compact wireless earbuds. The best models excel not just at blocking out unwanted noise, but also deliver exceptional sound quality, comfortable fit and long battery life.

Our comprehensive guide discusses key factors like a model’s noise-reduction capabilities, audio performance, comfort during extended wear and additional features that enhance the user experience. Find help navigating the options to find your perfect audio companion below.

If you’re like me, Amazon Prime Day is partly about scoring cool stuff you otherwise find uncomfortably pricey. I can’t go around buying every set of headphones and earbuds that catch my eye. But with Prime Day headphones deals, maybe I can sneak something sweet-sounding past my sense of guilt, you know?

And so can you! Check out some of the absolute best Amazon Prime Days deals on headphones and earbuds below. I found wishlist-worthy cans and buds with savings of $100 or more (in some cases, much more — even discounts of $305 off primo open-back cans, $315 off top noise-canceling headphones and $150 off some seriously nice earbuds).

Right now you can get the best Amazon Prime Day Beats audio deals on great headphones and earbuds — some pretty close to their lowest prices ever. For example, a fresh price drop on Beats’ awesome flagship headphones, Beats Studio Pro, gives you a whopping $180 discount. At just $169.95, they’re 51% off and just $10 above their lowest-ever price.

Another great example? You can nab a whopping $80 off the excellent Beats Studio Buds+ at just $89.95 — a 47%-off discount! And you get the new Powerbeats Pro 2 sport earbuds for $198.95, or $80 off.

I’ve been amazed lately about how incredibly good affordable headphones from brands like EarFun, Soundcore and Edifier continue to get. When I tested the recently released EarFun Tune Pro cans for a review, I had a hard time telling them apart, in several important ways, from the excellent — and much more expensive — Beats Studio Pro. And now you can get an EarFun Tune Pro headphones deal on Amazon for an even lower price — just $53.99 (for a limited time).

“Budget” headphones keep getting better, and I’ve discovered a pair of over-ear wireless noise-canceling cans you can get for less than $70 that pretty much equal the excellent — and much pricier — Beats Studio Pro. In this EarFun Tune Pro headphones review, I’ll get into how they’re very nearly as good as Beats Studio Pro in every way that truly counts — sound quality, noise cancellation and comfort. And Tune Pro’s epic battery life blows away most headphones, full stop.

At launch, EarFun lists the cans for $89.99 marked down to $69.99, with a further 20% off coupon available on Amazon. That should make them about $56 at checkout before tax.

Sony’s newest flagship over-ear headphones, WH-1000XM6, promise the “best noise cancellation” in the industry and seamless wireless connectivity, the company said Thursday. The $450 cans — not cheap but less than AirPods Max’s $549 list price — should appeal to discerning Apple fans.

And Sony enlisted Post Malone as a pitchman for the new headphones, for what that’s worth. Hardly seems necessary, as this series of cans typically sits at or near the top of many best-headphones lists every year.

EarFun looks set to make some waves in the premium headphones market with its new Tune Pro cans. They could make devotees of AirPods Max and other fancy headphones sit up and take notice. The wireless noise-canceling Tune Pro headphones, scheduled for official release May 20, launch Tuesday with an early-bird deal bringing the already-low list price of $70 down to a stunning $49 for a limited time.

My review of these new headphones is coming soon. I’m already testing them. And I’ll just say this for now: Getting these great cans for under $50 seems like a miracle deal.

In the crowded market of wireless active noise-canceling (ANC) headphones, EarFun’s new Wave Life cans emerge as an intriguing option. They challenge premium brands with good sound quality and a nice array of features. At a typical sale price of $60, I conclude in my EarFun Wave Life headphones review that they make an excellent choice for budget-conscious listeners or as an affordable gift for someone.

In a market dominated by high-priced headphones from Apple, Bose and Sony, EarFun made waves Monday with its latest release of over-ear, close-back headphones. They should appeal to Apple users looking for affordable alternatives without sacrificing much quality. New EarFun Wave Life hybrid active noise-canceling headphones promise premium audio features at just $60. That’s a fraction of what you’d pay for many premium cans. And a launch discount brings that down to an absurdly low $42. If you’re searching for offerup premium deals on high-quality audio gear, check out this review of EarFun Wave Life headphones.

Sennheiser is a legendary name in audio. And right now you can get the German company’s acclaimed Momentum 4 Wireless Headphones — one of AirPods Max’s many excellent competitors — for $130 off, at $249.95 in all five colors, on Amazon. The regular price is $379.95.

If you don’t have big bucks to spend on high-end, audiophile-worthy speakers and headphones to use in your computer setup, you can’t really go wrong with uber-affordable Edifier audio gear. Today’s featured M2 MacBook Pro setup — an exotic entry from Nepal, no less — keeps the tunes flowing through a nice set of Edifier bookshelf speakers and a comfortable pair of over-ear noise-canceling headphones. They simply get the job done well — without breaking the bank.

Sonos has been in the news lately for all the wrong reasons, but that doesn’t mean its audio gear isn’t great. Sonos Ace headphones made a big splash when they came out as an AirPods Max rival, and right now you can grab Ace headphones for $100 off on Amazon. That’s a great deal on great cans.

While I’ve focused on my own workstation just a few times in several years of handling Cult of Mac setups coverage, it’s hard to resist an opportunity to extoll the virtues of my favorite over-ear headphones while they’re deeply discounted for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. I added the headphones to my workstation recently, and right now you can pick up Beats Studio Pro at Best Buy for $159.99. That’s about $10 less than the discount I nabbed on Amazon for the normally $350 cans (although you should not pay that full price because you usually don’t have to).

Update: This fantastic Black Friday deali s still in effect for Cyber Monday!

The new Soundcore Space One Pro headphones are the Anker subsidiary’s most advanced noise cancelling headphones yet, featuring a unique foldable design that reduces their size by half, Soundcore said Thursday. It released the new cans and several other audio products at IFA Berlin, including AeroFit 2 open earbuds and Bluetooth speakers.

The new Beats Studio Pro x Kim Kardashian over-ear headphones came out Thursday in moon, dune and earth colors, broadening the noise-canceling cans’ color palette with some neutral Kardashian hues a la her previous Beats Fit Pro earbuds release. But the over-ear cans in new colors cost full price, at $350, whereas it’s not difficult these days to find the four regular colors on sale for about $180.

“I’m so excited we’re bringing these three popular, chic colors to Beats’ most iconic and advanced headphones,” Kardashian said in press materials. “Beats Studio has always been a fashion statement, so I can’t wait to see how everyone styles them.”

Apple’s vaunted AirPods Max noise-canceling over-ear headphones list for a wallet-bruising $549. They’re sometimes discounted a bit, but not usually like today’s deal on Amazon: $382.70, or 30% off. But it looks like you have to get the pink ones to grab the best deal. Or you could find lesser discounts on other colors, or even opt for the still-deeply-discounted Beats Studio Pro.

Looking for good Bluetooth headphones that won’t throttle your wallet? In this Edifier W830NB headphones review, I look at Edifier’s latest noise canceling set. They might just be your ticket to affordable listening.

Following up on its W820NB model, Edifier packs serious punch for the price in this $80 pair (or $63 for Amazon Prime Day!). Just don’t expect them to beat out top-shelf cans from the likes of Apple and Sony.

Creative Technology’s new Creative Zen Hybrid SXFI over-hear headphones and Creative Zen Air SXFI true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds offer an immersive, three-dimensional soundscape through Super X-Fi technology, the company said.

That’s another way of saying “spatial audio.” And both noise-canceling devices are affordable. Now available for preorder, the cans list for $99.99 and the buds go for $79.99.