The best noise-cancelling headphones in Australia for 2024

The best noise-cancelling headphones are designed to step in and limit the interference of ambient sounds so you can enjoy your music, podcast or movie-on-the-go to the fullest.

Yet not all noise-cancellation tech is equal, with different brands offering varying degrees of ANC, thus making your choice of noise-cancelling headphones that much harder. 

Fortunately for you, we've tested many of the best noise cancelling headphones, looking at their sound quality, noise-cancellation ability, battery life, price and all other factors to come to a conclusion on our picks for the pairs most worth your money. Whatever your needs might be, you’re sure to find the right option for you below. And, if you're not keen on the over-ear or on-ear fit, then be sure to check out our round-up of the best noise-cancelling earbuds you can buy right. 

Our current top pick of the best noise-cancelling headphones is the Sony WH-1000XM4. They might be a few years older than other headphones in this guide, but this means you can often find them with dramatic discounts whereas newer headphones have been rising in price. So if you’re after the best value for money, consider the Sonys. We’ve also included other affordable headphones, several more premium options, and other devices that’ll appeal to different budgets and preferences.

The quick list

The best noise-cancelling headphones in Australia for 2024

Below you can find more in-depth reviews of our choices for the best noise-cancelling headphones, and you can click through the full reviews of each, written by TechRadar's team of audio experts.

The best noise-cancelling headphones overall

Not surprisingly, the headphones that top our list for the best headphones overall manage to achieve the same feat here as the best noise-cancelling headphones. The Dual Noise Sensor tech of the WH-1000XM4 makes use of two mics in each ear-cup to take sound in for analysis with the QN1 noise cancelling processor, which then allows the headphones to adjust noise cancellation response at a swift, dynamic piece and tailor to your needs.

Elsewhere, the audio quality offered by the WH-1000XM4 headphones is exceptional, particularly thanks to their support for Sony’s 360 Reality Audio format, which delivers spatial audio on stereo headphones, plus the LDAC codec that can send a bitrate of up to 990 kbps. Vocal clarity, bass levels and dynamic recreations of instrumentals seal the deal to make the sound quality of the WH-1000XM4 nothing short of top notch.

Unfortunately, these headphones can be prone to some sound leakage, making them not necessarily the best options for listening at higher volumes in quiet settings. And the lack of water resistance means that they also aren't suitable options for the gym.

Still, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones do not fail to impress in every category and particularly with noise-cancellation, and coming at a lower price to the newer Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones while maintaining most of the same features and assets sees them take top spot.

Read our full Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Headphones review

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The best budget noise cancelling headphones

The 1More Sonoflow over-ear headphones prove that you can get great ANC for under AU$200, making them our top pick if you're on a budget but still want to experience immersive sound – and drown out the world while you're at it. The 1More app is easy-to-use despite it being sparse when it comes to features compared to competitor apps. It's mainly used to turn ANC on and off or adjust the EQ using presets. One of the most impressive features of the 1More Sonoflow headphones is its battery life, coming in at a huge 70 hours with ANC off and a still amazing 50 hours with ANC on – a five minute charge can also deliver more than 4.5 hours of extra listening.

Now, these aren’t the best noise cancelling headphones you can buy, but for the price you’re getting a great experience and we think most people would be impressed by how well they perform. Sound isn't high-end, but during our testing we were impressed with the powerful bass and detailed, crisp highs on offer, made capable thanks to the Sonoflow’s dual 40mm drivers. There’s support for Sony’s LDAC hi-res audio format too, but you do need a device that supports it as well as audio that offers a hi-res bit rate. 

These headphones have a simple design, quality hinges and there’s a matte-like finish to the plastic casing. The cups themselves are adjustable and are made from a super soft memory foam, which were comfortable to wear and lightweight at only 250g. You'll find physical buttons on the earcups for various controls. Some may prefer touch-based gesture controls, but unfortunately that's nowhere to be found here.

The 1More Sonoflow over-ear headphones are great value for money. We highly rated the battery life and comfort levels. They feel more high-end than they should, which is thanks to their matte finish, sturdy case and minimal design. You'll find better ANC and sound but, crucially, not for this price. 

Read our full 1More Sonoflow review

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The best premium noise cancelling headphones

Sony has downsized the 40mm driver in the WH-1000XM4 headphones at the top of our list to the new 30mm driver in its latest WH-1000XM5 headphones. It's also changed the design. The XM5s no longer fold up completely. We were initially worried about these choices. Would the signature dynamism and space be lost with the smaller driver? Why change a design that's worked so well so far? Those fears were unfounded – they sound pretty much just as good as the exemplary XM4s, though we must admit they don’t sound dramatically better, either.

Sony’s again leaning on a one-two punch of both LDAC codec and DSEE Extreme support here to offer the best possible sound quality from your connected devices. LDAC is your hi-resolution audio option, and it's good: when Sinead O’Connor sings Nothing Compares 2 U she might as well be in the room with you, from forceful chorus to trembling bridge, these Sony cans pick up each inflection and sibilant cry with wondrous effect. 

The noise cancellation here is without a doubt the best in the business, but the XM4s are still our favorite choice for most people. The XM5s are a solid option if you can afford a premium price tag and only the latest tech will do. 

Read our full Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones review

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The best mid-range noise cancelling headphones

It's not just the premium market where Sony shines best, as it proves it can go toe-to-toe in the equally competitive mid-range space. This pair of Sony WH-CH720N cans delivers impressive noise cancellation, considering the price you're paying. Don't go expecting it to trouble the brand's own XM4 or XM5 headphones further up, but if you're on a budget and you want a pair of headphones to drown out external sounds, they do a fine job. 

This is a pair of headphones that really do benefit from various tweaks in companion smartphone app too, as we found out the box, the default setting made them sound a little too brash. A quick change of some settings, however, and we were delighted with what we listened to. Songs are afforded good energy, and we were able to happily while away the hours listening to our favourite tracks – which was also easy since they're so lightweight, coming in under 200g on the scales. 

Read our full Sony WH-CH720N review

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The best noise cancelling headphones for battery life

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless have incredible battery life, extensive feature set, and zealous sound that'll have you nodding your head happily wherever you go, not to mention some very talented noise cancellation that adapts to your surroundings.

These are an evolution to the November 2019-issue Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless headphones, which we commended for their excellent sound, feature set and active noise-cancellation (ANC) while feeling disappointed by its underwhelming 17-hour battery life. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless now boast a whopping 60-hour battery life even with ANC deployed, eliminating our main downside to the third generation Sennheiser Momentum headphones entirely.

The sound quality and battery life are excellent here and the ANC truly shines, particularly as it is so easily adjustable with the ability to control it by 'pinching' the right ear cup in the same way you would to pan in and out of photos on your smartphone. If you want fantastic noise-cancelling in a design that boasts strong battery life, these are for you.

The Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 are a worthy alternative here with a mammoth 100-hour battery life, but they're hard to come by in Australia right now. If that changes, they'll earn themselves a spot on this list.

Read our full Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless review

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The best noise cancelling headphones for Bose fans

They don't quite beat the options above them in terms of battery life or price, but the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones continue Bose's winning streak when it comes to blocking out external noise. 

In fact, the active noise cancellation here is so good, that the QC Ultra Headphones could certainly stake a claim for the top spot on this list. But, such is the quality of the Sony WH-1000XM4, coupled with their very attractive price, that we're keeping that pair on top for now. 

New to the QC Ultra Headphones over their Noise Cancelling 700 predecessor is Immersive Audio, which is Bose's take on the recent fad for 3D audio – such as Apple's Spatial Audio or Sony's 360 Degree Reality Audio – but without discriminating by audio source. The idea is no matter what you're listening to, or whatever you're listening to it on, you'll be treated to an expanded soundstage. It definitely works, but the jury is still out as to whether it should be used for all songs, or whether it should be activated only in certain moments. 

Whether you do or don't activate it, either way your ears will be treated to a lively, energetic presentation chock full of detail. They're easily Bose's best-sounding headphones yet. 

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The best noise cancelling headphones for Apple fans

If you're an Apple user and you want a pair of noise cancelling headphones that cover up your ears, the Apple AirPods Max are simply sublime. Not only are they effective noise cancellers, but they sport a design that sets them apart from most other pairs on the market. During our testing we were truly impressed by these headphones, but admit they're not for everyone.

Audio performance is exceptional and class-leading ANC impresses, but they're let down by their eye-watering price, lack of support for Hi-Res Audio codecs and lack of a 3.5mm audio port – audiophiles will be disappointed. If you're an Android user, then you can still revel in their impressive audio and ANC performance, but we don't think their high price would make them totally worth it. 

However, if you've already bought into the Apple ecosystem, you have a lot of money to burn, and you don't care about hi-res audio, you won't find headphones that sound better or are easier to use than the AirPods Max.

Read our full Apple AirPods Max review

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The best noise cancelling headphones for sound

The Focal Bathys over-ear headphones are a top pair of wireless over-ear headphones that sound fantastic when used wirelessly, but listen in wired USB-C DAC mode for 24bit/192kHz decoding and you'll get exceptional sound, which is why they're our top pick for audiophiles. They cost just a bit more than the Apple AirPods Max, but their ability to support high-resolution audio (combined with superb sound) makes their price tag more justifiable. 

There's a five-band EQ, which includes presets or you can tweak it manually. We'd have expected a little more battery life, but 30 hours does beat some of the top rivals on this list, including the Bose NCH 700.

We'd ultimately recommend listening to the Focal Bathys via USB-C wired DAC mode for glorious hi-res audio whenever you can. But, if you want to go down the wireless route, you're still in for a treat. Removing the cable still sees the Bathys bringing detail, refinement, expanse and clarity to your favourite tracks. They really are a delight for sound quality, although ANC isn't the best of the bunch. Having said that, they do block out some sounds, they just don't wrap you in a cocoon of silence like other rivals on this list. 

Read our full Focal Bathys review

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The best noise cancelling headphones for design

When it comes to sound, Bowers & Wilkins knows how to achieve premium audio quality and their flagship wireless headphones are proof of that. As we said in our review, the PX8 are the headphones to beat sonically. Yes, the ANC is OK rather than wonderful, but noise nixing does feature – what we mean is, these cans boast the kind of sound quality that normally means you have to forego ANC entirely. The agile, detailed and completely immersive sound they can produce is a level above just about everything else out there. It's exceptional and well worth the extra money if you value sound over all else. 

The listening experience is much more than just audio quality though and this is where the Bowers & Wilkins PX8 shine above the rest. They marry subtlety and flair in a way that we've not heard other over-ear headphones do, with beautiful die-cast aluminium arms, diamond-cut bright metal detailing and a comfortable Nappa leather headband. It's not just style over function either, as the drivers inside the chunky ear cups have been angled to sit parallel to your ears (rather than parallel to the outside of the earcups) for seamless timing and precise sound. 

The only really let down about the PX8s is the premium price tag that's attached to them. With even Apple's AirPod Max coming in less than them, these headphones are not cheap. But if you're prepared to pay extra for class-leading sound that comes in a super-stylish package, here you go. 

Read our full Bowers & Wilkins PX8 review

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Best for smaller heads

Sennheiser's February 2024-issue over-ears sit nicely between the company's entry-level Accentum and flagship Momentum 4 Wireless listed above – and if you're stuck trying to decide which to get, allow us to tell you that sonically and for active noise cancellation, these represent excellent value for money. 

As with their Momentum 4 bigger brother, we're not totally sold on the design, but as we've also shown in this guide, you need to spend Bowers & Wilkins-like money to get something truly beautiful.

What you do get is aptX compatibility, a whopping 50 hours of battery life – which is excellent for the price – and a 3.5mm jack for wired listening. Considering we loved their more expensive siblings, this is very very good news. 

Any issues? Well, that depends. Some of us often struggle to find over-ears that don't fall off or head down to the back of our crown at their earliest convenience. That won't happen here – in fact, if your skull is on the smaller side you will love these. Larger headed? You may find the clamping force just a little heavy here. 

Read our full Sennheiser Accentum Plus review

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The best noise cancelling headphones for movies

Sonos' very premium headphones come with some very premium features that have earned them their place on this list: in particular, their highly effective noise cancellation, and their superb head-tracked spatial audio. The Sonos Ace deliver the best sound balance for watching movies, based on our testing that directly compared them with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and the AirPods Max. And they do this over Bluetooth from any source that decodes Dolby Atmos, or using a special connection to any of Sonos' current crop of soundbars.

With movies, we found that the sound mix on the Sonos Ace allows speech to come through really clearly, while still providing plenty of power for bassy elements, such as explosions. But everything stays in its own lane – the bass power doesn't overwhelm other aspects. And the feeling of surround sound is really strong, with elements moving around the room around your head convincingly. Tied to that, the head-tracking is accurate and lag-free.

The fact that there's a button to instantly switch from listening via Bluetooth to the Sonos soundbar connection makes it really convenient as well – just grab and instantly to your TV to watch movies or play games with really dynamic and big sound, without disturbing anyone else (or being disturbed by them, thanks to the ANC). The only thing to note is that the 30 hours of battery life over Bluetooth drops to around just 10 hours (based on our measurements) when connected to a Sonos soundbar.

Beyond this, the Sonos Ace are very well-featured headphones, packing in lossless Hi-Res Audio over USB-C, aptX Adaptive for CD-quality wireless audio, and a transparency mode (that's very transparent, a little too much in our opinion). The design feels very very premium and is generally extremely comfortable, though we found that glasses wearers had a harder time than others.

However, the music playback quality isn't quite where it needs to be, considering the high price. It's very good, but it should be amazing. The noise cancellation is also weaker than the Bose Ultra headphones, though is better than almost anything else. So, as the ranking in this guide suggests, we'd steer most people towards the Bose Ultra, but if movies are a particular priority, the Ace are worth serious consideration.

Read our full Sonos Ace review

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How to choose the best noise-cancelling headphones for you

When it comes to headphones of any description, getting an accurate idea of your needs and what you hope to find from your new headphones is an essential first step to helping you track down the right pair for you.

For those who expect to wear their headphones for longer periods, design and comfort will be important factors to consider, making the best over-ear headphones the top candidates for consideration. Being designed to sit over the ear rather than on them or pressed into them, over-ear headphones have an edge from the get-go when it comes to comfort. And when it comes to noise-cancellation, there's a good reason many of the top over-ear headphones are also some of the best noise-cancelling headphones. 

Over-ear headphones by virtue of their design generally offer the most effective and impressive noise-cancellation, with the closed, over-ear design working in concert with the built-in noise cancelling technologies to more totally close off your listening experience from the interference of exterior noise.

But over-ear headphones might not necessarily be the best for everyone, particularly if they're hoping to have a pair of noise-cancelling headphones they can take with them while exercising. For this purpose, earbuds are typically the better pick in being smaller and therefore less intrusive while also not overheating your ears during exercise (or trapping in sweat).

The best noise-cancelling earbuds might also be the preferred pick for those who expect to need their headphones while constantly on the move, as they'll save on space both wherever you need to store them and also while you're using them.

Beyond the design, another important factor to consider when picking the best pair of noise-cancelling headphones for you is your budget, with top options coming in at a variety of price points. Ultimately, to help you find the right option for you, we've put together the list above to get you across all the relevant details and what they offer.

The best noise-cancelling headphones: FAQ

How we test the best noise-cancelling headphones

We've tested every pair of the best noise-cancelling headphones on this list and to include them here, we were looking for each product to excel at a number of things. 

The first, of course, is effective noise-cancellation. We tested for headphones that were able to block out sound effectively, no matter whether you're on a daily commute or simply taking a walk. We also looked at additional features like multiple noise cancellation modes or how well their transparency mode worked. 

Audio performance was a key consideration too. Good noise cancellation should never have to mean poor sound quality – and we made sure to check thoroughly until we were satisfied that each pair of headphones here offer clear and powerful sound, irrespective of the deployment of ANC. 

From there, we looked at Bluetooth connectivity. We tested for stable and reliable connections. After all, there's nothing worse than losing a track just as it reaches the good bit.

Next up, we wanted to ensure the headphones were designed with comfort and style in mind. We tested how comfortable they were for long periods of time and assessed their looks, too, from minimal to suitably stylish, while appreciating that everyone has different taste.

We also considered additional features, such as voice assistant integration and app support. Not all of the headphones in this list have perks such as these, but it's nice to know which extras you can pick up, regardless of your budget.

Talking of budget, we also considered whether the noise-cancelling headphones in this list were good value for money. That doesn't mean we only looked at budget headphones – far from it – but we wanted to make sure that each pair offered something that made their price worthwhile. 

Our ultimate goal is to make sure you buy a set of noise cancelling headphones you'll be over the moon with. We want them to furnish you with good quality music, free of extraneous noise, for years to come. We hope we've achieved this