The 5 Best Noise Cancelling Headphones Under $200 - Spring 2025

The best noise cancelling headphones under $200 we've tested are the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless. These over-ears are a newer version of the Anker Soundcore Life Q35 Wireless and feature an adaptive ANC system that adjusts to your environment. When set to 'Transport' mode, their ANC does an outstanding job isolating you from ambient sound, including the low rumble of bus engines and background chit-chat. You can also manually adjust the system's strength for a more personalized feel.

The headphones provide a comfortable fit for long flights and days at the office, though their headband and hinges are a point of weakness in their build. Their battery lasts for just under 28 hours of continuous use, so you don't need to recharge every day, and they're equipped with an auto-off timer to help save power. Out of the box, they have a V-shaped sound profile that adds intense rumble and punch to your audio, while vocals and instruments are clear but sound a bit forward and harsh. Fortunately, you can adjust their sound with a graphic EQ and presets in the companion app.

If you want similar ANC performance at a cheaper price, check out another entry from this manufacturer, the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless. They have a bass-heavy sound signature that isn't for everyone, so they can be divisive, but they match the Space Q45 in comfort, build quality, and stability. That said, the Life Q30 let in a bit more noise in the mid-range, so some louder office chatter may be barely audible, even with ANC on. On the plus side, they have a longer 44.3-hour battery life.

If you're looking for good sound from noise cancelling headphones, check out the Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus. These over-ears have a sound profile similar to that of the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless; they have an elevated bass and a well-balanced mid-range, so voices and instruments are present and clear. They're suitable for a variety of genres out of the box, but their companion app offers a parametric EQ and presets to help you adjust their sound to your liking. Their ANC system is weaker than the Q45's, especially when cutting down the low rumble of plane engines. However, they still effectively tackle office noise, such as chatty coworkers and squeaky reclining chairs.

You can connect these headphones with up to two devices at a time, and they support the aptX Adaptive codec, which allows your device to switch between high-quality and low-latency modes depending on your usage requirements. They have a well-built design, too, but while they're lightweight and don't clamp very hard, they lack padding on the periphery of their headband—those with larger heads may find them uncomfortable.

If you aren't too picky about the colorway, you can occasionally find the Beats Studio Pro Wireless within budget, but their price varies considerably at different retailers. The Beats outperform the Sennheiser in noise isolation and deliver a balanced sound that works for pop, hip-hop, and various other genres. Plus, you can use their integrated digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for lossless audio via their USB-C connection. That said, they don't offer the same degree of sound customization.

The Sony ULT WEAR are good for calls, as they block out a significant amount of noise across the whole sound range. Their ANC performs amazingly, though they attenuate slightly less bass-range noise than our top pick, the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless—meaning rumbly bus engines will be slightly more audible. If you're taking a call from a noisy environment, the Sony's mic will separate your voice from background noise, ensuring you're intelligible and decently clear; it even outperforms our top pick in reproducing your voice as full-bodied and natural-sounding. 

They have a bass-forward sound profile; you can pile on even more bass by toggling bass-boosting modes with their dedicated ULT button. The ULT modes are great for listening to thumpy music between calls, like hip-hop and EDM, and you can cycle through them easily. If you find the headphones' bass overwhelming, you can also adjust their sound to your liking using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets. Their design is comfortable overall, with good build quality and a 44-hour battery life, making them a good choice for the office, especially if you're on calls throughout the day. If you run out of battery, you can even use them wired in a pinch, though you'll lose out on mic functionality.

If you prefer the portability and comfort of on-ears, then the JBL Live 460NC Wireless are right up your alley. They're well-built and lightweight and have a decently comfortable fit, although they do clamp on your ears, which can be a little uncomfortable for long listening sessions. Their ANC system also does an alright job of blocking out background noise, but it pales in comparison to the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless. It's a sacrifice you'll have to make if you want an on-ear fit above all else.

With their ANC on, they last nearly 30 hours continuously, and they're even equipped with an auto-off timer if you forget to turn them off. They have a fairly balanced sound out of the box, making them a versatile choice for most types of audio content. If you want more control over their sound, their companion app offers a parametric EQ and presets. These cans even support multi-device pairing, so you can connect to your laptop and smartphone simultaneously. 

If you want the peace and quiet ANC offers without the bulkiness of over-ear headphones, check out the Technics EAH-AZ80. Since the release of their successor, the Technics EAH-AZ100, their price has dropped below our price threshold. Their impressive ANC system effectively mitigates noise from rumbling bus engines to clinking glasses in a cafe. Thanks to their IPX4 rating, they can stand up to some moisture, so they're a good choice for long sessions in the gym.

With a continuous battery life of just over seven hours with ANC enabled, they'll make it through most of a workday if you pop them back in the case (which holds two additional charges) when not needed. Plus, they support three-way Bluetooth multi-point if you need to juggle connections between multiple devices. While their mic's recording quality and background noise handling isn't the best, your voice won't get drowned out by a truck going past your window. If your budget is a bit tighter, the Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless offer solid performance for the price. The Anker actually have slightly better noise isolation than the Technics, but the improved performance comes at the cost of stability and worse overall microphone performance.

If you're looking for more earbuds with ANC, check out our picks for the best noise cancelling earbuds.