The QuietComfort headphones have microphones around each earcup that constantly pick up sounds from the outside world and they make sound waves that are opposite to the noise that is coming in, which cancels it out before it gets to your ears. This active noise cancellation works over a wide range of frequencies and gets rid of everything from the low rumble of airplane engines to the mid-frequency chatter of people talking in an office.
One of the best in the market today is Sony's flagship noise-canceling model, the WH-1000XM5. Known for their exceptional sound and comfort, these headphones offer a premium listening experience that's hard to match. Currently, they're available at a great price as one of Amazon's early Black Friday deals, with discount of $62 off. Normally priced at $460, the platinum silver, black, and midnight blue versions are now reduced by 13%, bringing them down to just $398.
While generally well-received for their sound quality, there's often a gotcha or two that keep them from being top picks. These are areas where similarly priced competitors are notably further ahead, like active noise cancellation or where Yamaha's design gets in the way (like long-term comfort). For a good example of what I'm talking about, check out WIRED's review of Yamaha's premium YH-E700B wireless headphones, which earned only 6/10.