9 Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones of 2024 in Australia
Block out noisy co-workers and background noise with these top-rated headphones shoppers can’t get enough of.
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If you’re looking to improve your listening experience, noise-cancelling headphones are a worthy investment.
While typically more expensive than regular headphones, noise-cancelling models use active noise cancellation (ANC) technology to help reduce or block out ambient sounds and general background noise.
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Not only does this allow you to better immerse yourself in your music or podcasts, but it can also help you to concentrate better in noisy environments, making it ideal for students and those working in open plan offices.
So, whether you’re looking for a quality pair of over-ears or a reliable pair of buds, we’ve got you covered with the top options for all needs and budgets.
Please note: products are in stock and prices are correct at time of publishing.
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In this article
EDITOR’S PICK: BEST NOISE-CANCELLING HEADPHONES
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, $595, Amazon Australia
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
Tried and tested by Lauren Chaplin, Consumer Technology Reporter
If you’re anything like me and get overwhelmed by the chitchat of co-workers or the chaos at the airport, a quality pair of noise-cancelling headphones can be life changing. Bose’s Headphones 700 have long been my top pick here for one simple reason: where most headphones only offer a few levels of noise-cancellation, the 700s bring 11 different levels.
At the touch of a button you can choose between three preset levels, or access all 11 directly from the Bose Music app. Even on the lowest setting, noise-cancellation isn’t turned off entirely, but rather thinly veils background noise while helping you to stay aware of your surroundings.
On the highest setting, the headphones offer an isolation effect that’s the best I’ve tested, so they’re great for those after a focused listening experience. In fact, the noise-cancellation is so good that I’ve used it on its own, without any music, to mask the sounds of a noisy office – and it’s been an absolute lifesaver.
The 700s also deliver the well-balanced sound Bose is renowned for, along with an eight-microphone system that allows for incredibly clear phone calls. Thanks to their lightweight nature and soft ear pads, the pair are also comfortable to wear for extended periods.
While they do fall slightly short of their biggest competitors with up to 20 hours of battery life off a single charge, they remain the best option for tuneable active noise-cancellation.
Sony WH-1000XM4, $395, The Good Guys
Sony WH-1000XM4 Headphones
What you need to know
When it comes to crowning the top-tier pair of noise-cancelling headphones, audiophiles are often torn between Sony’s WH-1000XM4s and the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 (above).
While the Bose 700s offer more control over the level of noise-cancellation you get, the XM4s offer up to 30 hours of battery life, which is 10 more than the 700s. They also deliver a more competitive sound profile and a cheaper price tag.
The pair bring clear and crisp sound with powerful bass, along with a wide soundstage that allows you to appreciate the details of your favourite tunes. They have a bunch of great features too, including DSEE Extreme upscaling, conversational awareness and customisable graphic EQ and presets in the companion app.
Similar to the previous WH-1000XM3s, users have been quick to note that the call quality of the WH-1000XM4s is lacking, especially when compared to the Bose 700. Given that this is one of the only recurring complaints about the pair though, the model remains hard to beat.
BEST NOISE-CANCELLING EARBUDS
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II, $365.46 (down from $429.95), Myer
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
What you need to know
If you prefer in-ears to over-ears, you won’t do much better than Bose’s QuietComfort Earbuds II. Delivering exceptional noise cancellation, the earbuds are a great choice for everything from working in a noisy office to trying to get some shut eye. They also have an Aware mode, which is great for those who want to focus on their music while staying conscious of their surroundings.
While they are a little bulky, they have a winged design that sits snugly in your ear, and arrive with three sizes of ear tips and three stability bands (both small, medium and large). There’s also adjustable EQ and simple touch controls, making them an all-round great buy.
The battery life is limited to up to six hours which, while not overly impressive, is fairly standard for in-ear buds. They’re also very pricey, but they could be worth the splurge if you’re looking for the best noise-cancelling true wireless experience you can get.
BEST PREMIUM NOISE-CANCELLING HEADPHONES
Sony WH-1000XM5, $549, The Good Guys
Sony WH-1000XM5
What you need to know
Sony’s XM4s may be the better choice for most people thanks to their lower price point, but if you’re willing to invest, the XM5’s offer some notable improvements.
The fifth generation headphones excel in noise-cancellation and have a more refined sound straight out of the box. The audio can also be further finetuned thanks to presets and a graphic EQ in the companion app.
On the features front, the XM5s shine with functions like Speak-To-Chat (which pauses music during conversations), automatic pause when you remove them, built-in Alexa voice assistance, and an impressive 30-hour battery life.
The non-foldable design does make the pair less portable for those on the move, while the larger earcups and longer headband are a little less snug for those with smaller heads. However, there’s very little else to dislike about them.
The Sony XM5s have raked up a solid 4.6 out of five rating from more than 4600 reviews on Google Reviews, making them a compelling choice for those willing to invest in their audio experience.
BEST NOISE-CANCELLING HEADPHONES FOR AIRPLANE
Bose QuietComfort 45, $424.96 (down from $499.95), Myer
Bose QuietComfort 45
Tried and tested by Tahnee-Jae Lopez-Vito, Shopping Writer
I’m totally in love with these Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones. They do a fantastic job at dulling outside noise and offer good sound quality. The model offers a decent battery life and can last a few days before it needs to recharge, depending on my usage.
The ear cups are also pretty large and provide super soft padding, making them comfortable and fine to use for long periods.
Featuring a six-mic array, the headphones block out ambient noise and allow for crisp calls, so long as the environment isn’t too noisy. They aren’t the most bass-heavy pair of over-ears out there, but they do offer a neutral sound profile and a very good overall performance. Sound can also be tweaked to suit your preferences through presets and graphic EQ in the companion app.
Noise isolation performance is excellent, though it is worth noting there’s no way to turn off active noise cancellation to conserve the battery, which is a little disappointing. Battery life is meanwhile decent, with Bose estimating around 24-hours of use per charge, making them a great option for regular travellers.
BEST NOISE-CANCELLING HEADPHONES FOR BATTERY LIFE
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless, $445, The Good Guys
Sennheiser Momentum 4
What you need to know
If you prioritise battery life over everything else, Sennheiser’s Momentum 4 Wireless Headphones truly excel. Offering an impressive 60 hours of playback even with active noise-cancellation enabled, they easily surpass all other models on this list.
The pair deliver a solid, neutral sound profile and come with adjustable EQ settings and presets through the companion app for a personalised audio experience. On top of that, they boast Bluetooth 5.2 and aptX Adaptive support, along with user-friendly on-ear controls and a comfortable fit.
When it comes to making phone calls, the microphone can struggle to isolate your voice from background noise, which could make them less than ideal for those taking regular calls in noisy environments. In all other aspects though, these headphones are sure to please most users.
The Momentum 4s have been reviewed by more than 900 people on Google Reviews and hold a current rating of 4.5 out of five.
BEST NOISE-CANCELLING HEADPHONES FOR APPLE USERS
Apple AirPods Max, from $709 (down from $899), Amazon Australia
Apple AirPods Max
What you need to know
Apple’s AirPods Max are the most expensive headphones on this list but, if you’re willing to splash out, you’ll ultimately get what you pay for. Equipped with impressive spatial audio and adaptive EQ settings, the AirPods Max are among the best pairs of over-ears I’ve tried when it comes to audio quality.
The highly-rated pair are both relatively lightweight and comfortable, thanks in part to their breathable mesh ear cushion design. The battery life is decent too, if not as competitive as some other models on this list, with around 20 hours of life off a single charge. You can also get around one and half hours of listening time off a five minute charge, which is handy when you’re about to jump on the train or head out on your daily walk.
They do only offer one level of active noise cancellation which does still put the AirPods Max behind rivals like the Bose 700s. If you’re happy to forgo the additional control though, the pair come highly recommended, albeit at a very premium price.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), $345 (down from $399), Amazon Australia
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
What you need to know
While any pair of Bluetooth headphones can be linked to an iOS device, Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) are made to work seamlessly with other products in the ecosystem, making them a top choice for Apple diehards.
While there’s little difference between the original AirPods Pro and AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) in terms of design, the new generation comes with better audio capabilities and double the noise cancellation power. The 2nd Gen buds also come with Spatial Audio, a Transparency mode, a MagSafe Charging case and four different ear tip sizes.
They also boast up to six hours of listening time on their own (up from 4.5 hours on the originals) or up to 30 hours with the charging case (up from 24 hours on the originals), make them a great choice for both sporting and leisure.
BEST NOISE-CANCELLING HEADPHONES FOR SPORT
Beats Fit Pro, from $248 (down from $299.95), Amazon Australia
Beats Fit Pro
What you need to know
With active noise cancellation, Transparency mode, spatial audio, and Apple’s H1 chip, the Beats Fit Pro buds closely mirror the features of the AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), all for $100 less.
However, the form of the Fit Pros is catered more towards athletes, with flexible secure-fit wingtips designed to keep them in place. On a single charge, the pair offers up to six hours of battery life with ANC turned on, which is the same as the AirPods Pro (Gen 2). Similar to the Pros, this run time can also be bumped up to 24 hours with the accompanying charging case.
Despite their similarities, the Beats Fit Pro do lack a few of the features found on the AirPods Pro, such as Adaptive EQ and Enhanced Find My mode. For those after a more sport-centric, budget-friendly alternative to the AirPods Pro though, the Beats Fit Pro are a superb choice.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST NOISE-CANCELLING HEADPHONES
With plenty of noise-cancelling headphones available to choose from, you can narrow down your options by considering a number of factors. Firstly, you’ll want to decide between over-ear and in-ear options. While in-ears tend to be better for sports, over-ear headphones typically offer longer battery life, better audio quality and more impressive noise-cancelling technology.
You’ll also want to compare the battery life of each model to find one to best suit your lifestyle. For instance, if you just want a pair of headphones to take with you on your daily walk or run, a lower battery life should be sufficient. But if you travel often, you’ll likely want a pair that can last an entire flight or long train ride.
Sound quality is another important factor, especially if you’re something of an audiophile. While there are a lot of high-quality audio headphones available, particularly in the premium price bracket, it pays to read customer reviews before making a purchase to gauge audio depth and clarity.
Lastly, you will of course want to consider the noise cancellation technology itself. While many headphones only offer one of two levels of noise cancellation, there are some models, like the Bose 700s, that offer multiple levels to give you more control. These models are especially great for travelling or for use in a busy office environment, as you can set them to a lower level when you need to engage with those around you and then put them in full isolation mode when you want to hear less background noise.
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