As Ferris Bueller once said, ‘Life moves pretty fast’.
It really does.
And it’s noisy too.
Any chance to get back a bit of an escape from it all is all good. Noise cancellation lets you slip into your own world wherever you are, free from intrusive ambient noise clashing with your favorite songs and podcasts.
This guide covers all the cool things ANC does, and how it’s making life even better for headphone wearers everywhere.
The short version: active noise cancelling uses microphones and a small processor to generate a sound that cancels steady low-frequency noise, like engines and traffic hum. It’s very effective on those and less so on sudden, high-pitched sounds like voices. Padding and a good seal (passive isolation) handle the rest.
In This Guide
What is noise cancellation?
Noise cancellation is a technology you’ll find in modern headphones like the Bose QuietComfort 35 ii that, as the name implies, aims to cancel out ‘noise’ that gets in the way of enjoying your sweet tunes out there in the wide world.
2 main kinds of noise cancellation
There’s two main technologies around at the moment to clean up your audio and get rid of external noise and sound clutter. Active and Passive noise cancellation.
This guide will mainly focus on the active side of things, as that’s what most people are interested in… not to mention it’s the more interesting and cooler of the two options.
Passive noise cancellation
This is an old-school method that audio manufacturers have been using since the dawn of headphones. The idea is simple: build some padding into your headphones that prevents the sound waves from entering into the ear. This, however, is harder to do that it might appear.
Sound waves are notoriously persistent and the human ear can pick up sounds very easily (we’re clever like that).
Active noise cancellation
ANC for short, this is a headphone technology that’s so clever you could pin a tail on it and call it a weasel.
Tiny microphones on the headphones listen to everything that is going on around you. Sounds travel in waves and the microphones detect the sound waves that are coming in to the headphones.
A digital processor then figures out the exact opposite sound wave to the invading one and overlays it over the interference. Doing this cancels out the sound wave resulting (in the best case) in silence.
It works eerily well, and in all kinds of noisy situations. It’s far more effective than the older ‘passive’ kind of noise reduction. There’s pros and cons to each with cost being a main drawback to the Active variety.
Top 5 times you’ll be thankful you’ve got ANC headphones
It’s a noisy world out there. Wouldn’t it be nice to get a few minutes peace with all that chaos going on around you? Here’s some places you can use ANC to get rid of all that noise.
- When all you want to do is enjoy your latte in peace – While most cafes can be an oasis of peace and calm, the truth is they can often be as loud as a bar. Or you get someone with one of those voices on the table next to you… you know the kind.
- On an aeroplane – You’ve downloaded the perfect movie(s) for your flight. On board, all set. Is something wrong? Did you turn it up? There’s no volume! If you’ve ever tried watching a movie on an aeroplane, you’ll know how loud that engine noise is in the cabin. ANC can seriously improve this. It’s particularly good at the deep, constant drone of the engines, which is why so many frequent flyers swear by it.
- Walking around on the street – Wind. Car noise. People shouting across the road. And the language (the kids of today!) Tune it all out and provide your own soundtrack to the day. Just be careful when crossing roads!
- Crowded trains & metros – Who loves the morning rush? Getting crammed into a train full of people getting to work. While we can’t do anything about other people squashing up against you on the tube, you can reduce at least some of the stress with some lovely ANC headphones. Play something motivational to get you going for the day.
- At the gym – Everyone’s got headphones at the gym these days, but a lot of people are missing out on getting some serious ANC in their workouts! Most modern gyms will run classes with music blaring as the instructor yells out to the class. Ugh! Give me a break. Get your noise cancelling headphones on and all you’ll hear is that perfect track to give you an energy boost.
Quick video on how noise cancelling headphones work
Smart noise cancellation
If you’re heading out there with your headphones on, you might be wondering, “what happens if I need to actually hear what someone is saying?” Buying a ticket, getting on a bus, talking to an acquaintance, it’s surprising how many time you’ll need to actually use your ears for something other than listening to a new download.
Thankfully, noise cancelling headphones have thought about this. There’s a range or things they do, depending on which set you go for. The best ones can actually detect when someone is speaking to you and will pause playback until you’re done. Handy!
How effective is it?
Active noise cancellation is at it’s best on constant, repetitive noises like engine noises, or the hum you get on a train. It’s not 100% effective in cancelling all sound waves that are flooding into your ears, but it definitely makes a huge difference. If the military invested in it, there’s got to be something to it.
Why you’ll love active noise cancellation
While there’s always a huge list of clever-sounding specifications and features on any set of headphones you buy in 2026, ANC is one you want to take notice of. It’s actually not a gimmick and the tech works extremely well. Being able to cancel out the noise you hear inside of a jet airplane is no mean feat.
Active noise cancellation works very well at getting rid of loud noises, but it’s not 100% perfect. There will still be some sounds that make it to your ear. But it’s still way better than the alternatives out there.
Things you won’t love about active noise cancelling headphones
There’s a few negative things about headphones that use active cancellation:
- It’s not as cheap as passive methods of keeping noise out. If you’re not looking to invest hundreds of pounds into a good set of ANC headphones, you’re unlikely to find a product that does it justice.
- It does have a certain ‘feeling’ to it not everyone will love – Users describe a certain kind of cabin pressure feeling you get when wearing active noise cancelling headphones. Although people do find you get used to it and it goes away after a day. But the tech does have this and it’s something to be aware of.
- It doesn’t cancel out 100% of intrusive sounds – There’s always going to be some sound leakage with headphones and a completely silent experience is just not possible.
What’s the best noise cancelling headphones?
The two big names in noise cancelling are Bose and Sony, and the choice between them is close. Sony’s WH-1000X range and Bose’s QuietComfort range both deliver excellent noise cancelling, comfort and sound. Apple’s AirPods Pro and AirPods Max are strong options for iPhone users.
If you’re in doubt, go for the Bose QuietComfort 35 ii headphones.
Aside from noise cancellation, this is a sterling set of headphones with just unbeatable sound quality and such a good design. They’re tough, they’re super-easy to wear. Find out more about them here.
Today’s best prices on the Bose QC 35 ii
There’s some pretty good deals out there today on Wednesday the 21st Oct 2026. Below you’ll find the best places to buy your new headphones in the UK. These prices are updated regularly. If you find a cheaper price, please let us know in the comments and we’ll make sure it gets added.
How ANC works in more detail
There are three main designs, and the best headphones combine them.
- Feedforward uses microphones on the outside of the ear cup. They hear noise before it reaches your ear, so the processor can create the cancelling wave in time. It works well on a wide range of sounds but can be affected by wind.
- Feedback uses a microphone inside the ear cup, listening to what actually reaches your ear and correcting it. It’s good at fine tuning, but its range is narrower.
- Hybrid uses both, and gives the strongest and most consistent cancelling. Most of today’s leading headphones use hybrid systems.
Modern headphones also use adaptive ANC, which adjusts the level automatically based on the noise around you, and a transparency (or ambient) mode that uses the microphones to let outside sound in when you want to hear announcements or talk to someone.
What ANC works well on, and what it doesn’t
- Works very well on: steady, low-frequency noise such as aircraft engines, train rumble, air conditioning, bus and car noise, and the hum of an office.
- Works partly on: traffic, general background noise and crowd rumble.
- Works less well on: sudden sounds like a dog bark or a door slam, and high-pitched sounds such as voices or a baby crying. Passive isolation from the ear cups does most of the work here.
That’s why the best noise cancelling headphones also fit well and seal properly. ANC and a good seal work together.
Why does ANC sometimes feel strange?
Some people notice a pressure or “cabin pressure” feeling when they first use noise cancelling headphones. It’s not real air pressure. It’s caused by the sudden absence of low-frequency sound your brain is used to hearing, which feels odd. For most people it fades within a few days, and if not, use a lower ANC level or switch it off, since most headphones allow this. If you feel dizzy or uncomfortable, stop using it.
Does ANC affect sound quality?
The best headphones are designed so that ANC has little effect on the sound. Some cheaper ones can add a faint hiss or alter the bass with ANC on. Try it both ways if you can, and read reviews for how the headphones sound with ANC on and off.
Does noise cancelling protect your hearing?
In noisy places, ANC lets you listen at a lower volume, because you don’t need to turn the music up to drown out the background. That’s a genuine benefit to your ears. It won’t protect you from very loud noise on its own, and you shouldn’t wear it near machinery or in places where you need to hear warnings.
ANC and safety
Noise cancelling reduces your awareness of the world around you. Take care when walking, cycling or crossing roads, and use transparency mode where you need to hear traffic. It’s also sensible to remove or turn down ANC when you need to hear alarms, announcements or someone speaking to you.
Over-ear or in-ear ANC?
- Over-ear headphones usually give the strongest noise cancelling, thanks to bigger cups and more space for microphones and padding. They’re the best choice for flights and commuting. See our comfortable over-ear headphone guide.
- In-ear headphones and earbuds are more portable and good ANC is now common, especially with earbuds that seal well. Apple’s AirPods Pro, for example, are covered in our AirPods guide.
How to choose noise cancelling headphones
- Decide how you’ll use them. Flying and commuting need strong ANC. Home and office use may need less.
- Check comfort. You’ll wear them for hours, so weight and clamping force matter as much as ANC strength.
- Look at battery life. 20 to 30 hours is a good target, with quick charging as a bonus.
- Check for a transparency mode, so you can hear announcements without taking the headphones off.
- Consider call quality if you take calls on them. Good microphones are more important than you might think.
- Check multipoint Bluetooth, which lets you connect to two devices at once.
- Read reviews for ANC performance on the kinds of noise you deal with.
Some interesting things you might like to know about noise cancellation!
You can turn ANC off – If you don’t want to have any noise cancellation, or don’t like the sensation, there’s normally a button on the side of the headphones that let you turn it off.
Thanks for checking out this noise cancelling – how it works guide. Got questions? Got comments? Please let us know, down below.
The technology is not new – The idea of cancelling sound with opposing sound waves dates back to the 1930s. Amar Bose, founder of Bose, began work on a practical headphone version in the late 1970s after finding it hard to hear his music on a flight, and the first noise cancelling headsets were built for pilots in the 1980s. It took until the 2000s for consumer versions to arrive.
ANC was not originally a consumer product – It was a long time before we could get our hands on a pair of headphones that used active noise cancellation. In the beginning it was actually used by airline and military pilots. That’s how good the technology was! Part of the reason for this was how expensive a consumer product would have been.
Noise cancellation FAQ
Can noise cancelling headphones be used without music?
Yes. Many people wear them with nothing playing, to get quiet in a noisy office or on a flight. Some models even have a mode for this.
Does noise cancelling drain the battery?
Yes, a bit, since it uses power for the microphones and processor. Headphone battery figures usually quote life with ANC on, so check which figure is shown.
Is noise cancelling safe for children?
Generally yes, but use headphones designed for kids with a volume limit, and make sure they can still hear their surroundings when outdoors.
Do noise cancelling headphones work on the tube?
Yes, they reduce the rumble of the train well, though the screech of the wheels can still get through. You can also use a lower volume than without ANC.
