Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for Work in 2024

Noise-canceling headphones are the single best investment for focus and professional calls.

What to Look For

Top Picks

Sony WH-1000XM5 — Best Overall

Price:     $350
ANC:       Excellent (best on the market)
Battery:   30 hours
Mic:       Very good
Comfort:   Excellent — lightweight
Weight:    250g

Pros: Best noise cancellation, comfortable for all-day wear, great sound quality.

Cons: Can’t fold flat, case is bulky, no IP rating (not sweatproof).

Best for: Open offices, coffee shops, frequent calls.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra — Best Comfort

Price:     $430
ANC:       Excellent
Battery:   24 hours
Mic:       Excellent (best call quality)
Comfort:   Best in class — lightest
Weight:    220g

Pros: Most comfortable ANC headphones, best microphone for calls, immersive audio.

Cons: Expensive, no wired mode for high-res audio, app is mediocre.

Best for: All-day wear, heavy call users, long flights.

Apple AirPods Max — Best for Apple Ecosystem

Price:     $550
ANC:       Excellent
Battery:   20 hours
Mic:       Excellent
Comfort:   Heavy but well-padded
Weight:    385g

Pros: Seamless Apple device switching, excellent build quality, spatial audio.

Cons: Very heavy, $550 is expensive, Lightning charging (not USB-C on older models), case is a joke.

Best for: Apple users who prioritize ecosystem integration.

AirPods Pro 2 — Best Earbuds

Price:     $250
ANC:       Very good (for earbuds)
Battery:   6 hours (30 with case)
Mic:       Excellent
Comfort:   Good — multiple ear tip sizes

Pros: Portable, great ANC for earbuds, excellent call quality, Find My integration.

Cons: Battery life limited (need to recharge during the day), easy to lose.

Best for: Portability, calls on the go, Apple users.

Anker Soundcore Space Q45 — Best Budget

Price:     $130
ANC:       Good (not class-leading)
Battery:   50 hours (!)
Mic:       Good enough
Comfort:   Good

Pros: 50-hour battery life, 90% of the ANC at 40% of the price, decent sound quality.

Cons: ANC isn’t as good as Sony/Bose, microphone is average, plastic build.

Best for: Budget-conscious buyers, long battery needed.

Comparison Table

My Recommendation

If you can afford it: Sony WH-1000XM5 or Bose QC Ultra If you want earbuds: AirPods Pro 2 If you’re on a budget: Anker Soundcore Q45

Don’t buy $20 ANC headphones. They don’t work and sound terrible.

For Calls Specifically

If you take many calls, microphone quality matters more than ANC:

1. Bose QC Ultra — best mic
2. AirPods Pro 2 — excellent mic, portable
3. Sony XM5 — good mic, better ANC

Wired Alternative

If you need a single headset for all purposes (gaming + calls + music):

Sennheiser PC38X — $180, wired, open-back (natural sound), excellent microphone.

Related: Set up your ergonomic workspace and learn video call etiquette.