We Tested 53 Noise-canceling Headphones on City Streets, Subways, and Flights-These Are Our Favorites

"This type of wearable tech uses tiny built-in microphones to pick up ambient noise and sound waves, and then cancels them out with its own sound waves. This process is called active noise cancellation (ANC), and it helps drown out noise, especially consistent, low-frequency sounds like a plane engine or people murmuring around you in busy airports. Most noise-canceling headphones also have a transparency or pass-through mode for when you want to be more aware of your surroundings,"

"These are my go-to headphones to travel with. I also own the previous S2e model, and the S3 model has an upgraded design with a slimmer silhouette, a more comfortable fit, and memory foam ear cups. I've worn these on international flights from New York City to London and Reykjavík, and they were comfortable to wear for hours without ever feeling like they were squeezing my head or adding weight."

Noise-canceling headphones use built-in microphones to detect ambient sounds and cancel them with inverse sound waves via active noise cancellation (ANC). ANC effectively reduces consistent, low-frequency noises such as airplane engines and murmuring crowds while many models offer transparency or pass-through modes for situational awareness. Comparative evaluation covered 53 pairs across brands including Bowers & Wilkins, Sony, Apple, Bose, JBL, and Soundcore, assessing sound quality, features, reliability, comfort, and battery life. The S3 model updates the S2e with a slimmer silhouette, memory-foam ear cups, additional microphones, and upgraded mechanical and acoustic components to enhance fit, ANC performance, and clarity. An included audio jack enables connection to in-flight entertainment.

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