7 Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones for the Office in 2026

Noise-cancelling headphones have gone from luxury to necessity for office workers. Whether you’re in an open-plan office, a co-working space, or a home office with a noisy household, good ANC headphones let you create silence on demand. The difference in focus and productivity is dramatic — studies show that ambient noise reduces cognitive performance by up to 66% on complex tasks.

This guide covers the best noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds for office use in 2026. We’re focused on what matters for work: ANC quality, microphone clarity for calls, comfort for all-day wear, and battery life. Music quality matters too, but it’s secondary.

Looking for headsets with boom mics specifically designed for calls? Check our best headsets for working from home guide. For the complete desk setup, see our home office setup guide.

Quick Comparison

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1. Sony WH-1000XM5 — Best Overall for Office Use

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We covered the XM5s in detail in our headset guide, but they deserve top spot here too. The noise cancellation is the best in the industry — Sony’s Integrated Processor V1 with eight microphones creates a near-silent bubble that blocks out open-office chatter, HVAC hum, traffic, and the persistent drone of a noisy environment.

What makes the XM5s ideal for office use specifically is the combination of ANC quality and comfort. At 250g with soft, well-padded ear cups and a flexible headband, you can wear them for a full 8-hour workday without discomfort. The 30-hour battery means you charge once a week even with heavy use.

Multipoint Bluetooth connects to your laptop and phone simultaneously — take a call on your phone without disconnecting from your work laptop. Speak-to-Chat automatically pauses music and activates transparency mode when you start speaking, so you can respond to a colleague without removing the headphones.

The microphone is good enough for video calls in reasonably quiet environments but doesn’t match a dedicated boom mic in noisy settings. For most office situations, it’s more than adequate.

Sound quality is warm, full, and slightly bass-forward. The LDAC codec supports high-resolution audio if your source device supports it. The Sony Headphones Connect app provides a comprehensive 8-band EQ for tuning to your preference.

Pros:

• Industry-leading noise cancellation
• 30-hour battery life
• 250g — comfortable for all-day wear
• Multipoint Bluetooth (2 devices)
• Speak-to-Chat auto-transparency
• Excellent sound quality
• Comprehensive app with EQ control

Cons:

• $350 price point
• Microphone adequate but not exceptional
• No aptX codec support
• Touch controls can trigger accidentally
• Ear cups can get warm in hot environments

Best for: The vast majority of office workers who want the best balance of ANC, comfort, and battery life. Our top pick.

Check price on Amazon US → Check price on Amazon UK →

2. Bose QuietComfort Ultra — Best ANC Technology

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The QC Ultra is Bose’s latest flagship, and it’s the first headphone to seriously challenge Sony’s ANC dominance. In some scenarios — particularly with irregular, variable noise like office chatter — the QC Ultra arguably outperforms the XM5s.

Bose’s CustomTune technology scans your ear shape on each wear and calibrates the ANC and sound profile to your specific anatomy. The result is noticeably more effective noise cancellation than one-size-fits-all approaches.

The Immersive Audio feature uses spatial processing to make music sound like it’s coming from around you rather than inside your head. It’s impressive for entertainment but drains battery faster (24 hours without it, 18 with it). For office use, you’ll probably keep it off.

Comfort is on par with Sony — soft ear cushions, 250g weight, moderate clamping force. The design is more understated than the XM5s, which matters if your office has a conservative dress code (yes, some people judge headphone aesthetics).

At $429, it’s $79 more than the XM5s. The question is whether marginally better ANC in some scenarios justifies the premium. For most people, no — the XM5s are the better value. But if you work in a particularly noisy environment and ANC quality is your top priority, the QC Ultra delivers.

Pros:

• CustomTune personalized ANC is exceptionally effective
• Immersive Audio spatial sound (optional)
• 24-hour battery without Immersive Audio
• Comfortable for all-day wear
• Understated, professional design
• Multipoint Bluetooth

Cons:

• $429 — most expensive over-ear option
• Immersive Audio drains battery
• No foldable design
• App is required for full customization
• Microphone is good but not exceptional

Best for: People in the noisiest environments who want the absolute best ANC available and don’t mind paying a premium.

Check price on Amazon US → Check price on Amazon UK →

3. Sennheiser Momentum 4 — Best Battery Life

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If you’re tired of charging your headphones, the Momentum 4’s 60-hour battery life is game-changing. That’s two full work weeks on a single charge. Plug it in on Friday evening and you’re good until the end of the following week.

The ANC is very good but a tier below Sony and Bose — it handles consistent low-frequency noise well but lets more variable sounds through. For a relatively quiet home office, it’s more than sufficient. For a loud open-plan space, the XM5s or QC Ultra will serve you better.

Where the Momentum 4 truly excels is sound quality. Sennheiser’s audiophile heritage shows — these are the best-sounding headphones on this list, with a neutral, detailed audio profile that reveals nuance in music. If sound quality matters as much as ANC to you, the Momentum 4 is the pick.

The design is sleek with a fabric-covered headband and minimal branding. The slider controls on the right ear cup handle volume, playback, and ANC modes. They take getting used to — a swipe forward for volume up, back for down — but become intuitive quickly.

At 293g, they’re slightly heavier than Sony and Bose but still comfortable for extended wear. The ear cushions are plush synthetic leather.

Pros:

• 60-hour battery life — best on the list by far
• Best sound quality for music
• Sleek, understated design
• Good ANC for office environments
• Multipoint Bluetooth
• USB-C quick charge (7 hours from 5 minutes)

Cons:

• ANC not quite Sony/Bose level
• Slider controls have a learning curve
• 293g — slightly heavier
• App could be more intuitive
• No spatial audio feature
• $350 — same price as Sony with weaker ANC

Best for: Audiophiles who want excellent sound and hate charging. Ideal for home offices where ANC demands are moderate.

Check price on Amazon US → Check price on Amazon UK →

4. Apple AirPods Max — Premium Apple Ecosystem

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Covered in detail in our headset guide. At $549, the AirPods Max are the most expensive option here. ANC is excellent, sound quality is rich, and Apple ecosystem integration is seamless. But the weight (386g), price, and non-folding design make them hard to recommend over the Sony XM5s unless you’re deeply invested in Apple products.

The Digital Crown control is more precise than touch panels for volume adjustment. Automatic device switching between Apple devices works reliably. Spatial Audio with head tracking is impressive for entertainment.

Pros:

• Excellent ANC and sound quality
• Seamless Apple ecosystem switching
• Premium aluminum build
• Digital Crown controls

Cons:

• $549 price
• 386g — heaviest option
• 20-hour battery
• No multi-device beyond Apple
• Smart Case doesn’t fully power off

Best for: All-Apple users with budget to spare.

Check price on Amazon US → Check price on Amazon UK →

5. Bose 700 — Best Microphone for Calls

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Also covered in our headset guide. The Bose 700’s eight-microphone system provides the best voice isolation of any over-ear headphone — your voice comes through clearly while background noise is suppressed. The 11 levels of ANC granularity let you dial in exactly how much ambient sound you want.

At $379 with only 20 hours of battery, the 700 isn’t the best value. But if microphone quality during calls is your top priority and you don’t want a boom-mic headset, the Bose 700 is the one.

Pros:

• Best call microphone among headphones
• 11 ANC levels
• Premium design
• Multipoint Bluetooth

Cons:

• 20-hour battery
• $379
• Heavy case, no fold
• Fingerprint magnet

Best for: Remote workers who prioritize call quality and want fine ANC control.

Check price on Amazon US → Check price on Amazon UK →

6. Sony WF-1000XM5 — Best Noise-Cancelling Earbuds

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If you prefer earbuds over headphones, the WF-1000XM5s bring Sony’s class-leading ANC into a tiny package. They’re the best noise-cancelling earbuds available — the ANC performance is genuinely impressive for something this small, silencing most office ambient noise effectively.

Sound quality is excellent with the same warm, full profile as their over-ear siblings. The microphone handles calls well with beam-forming and wind reduction. Battery is 8 hours per charge with another 16 from the case — 24 hours total.

At just 5.9g per earbud, you forget they’re there. They come with multiple ear tip sizes for a secure, comfortable fit. IPX4 water resistance handles gym sessions too.

The trade-offs vs over-ear headphones: ANC is good but can’t match the physical seal of full-size ear cups. Comfort varies by ear shape — some people find in-ear buds uncomfortable after 2-3 hours. Call quality in noisy environments is noticeably worse than over-ear models.

Pros:

• Best ANC in earbuds
• Excellent sound quality
• 24 hours total battery (8+16)
• Tiny and portable (5.9g each)
• IPX4 water resistant
• Multipoint Bluetooth

Cons:

• $300 — expensive for earbuds
• ANC can’t match over-ear headphones
• Comfort varies by ear shape
• Call quality degrades in noisy environments
• Easy to lose

Best for: People who prefer earbuds and want the best possible ANC in that form factor.

Check price on Amazon US → Check price on Amazon UK →

7. Jabra Elite 85t — Best Budget Earbuds with ANC

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The Elite 85t brings solid ANC to earbuds at a more accessible $180. The semi-open design uses an oval ear tip that sits comfortably without the deep-insertion feeling of traditional earbuds. This makes them more comfortable for extended wear, though it does let slightly more ambient sound through than fully sealed buds.

The ANC offers adjustable levels through the Jabra Sound+ app, including a useful HearThrough mode that amplifies ambient sounds when you need awareness. The six-microphone system provides clear call audio — Jabra’s voice isolation technology is among the best in earbuds.

Battery life is 5.5 hours per charge with 25 hours from the wireless charging case. Sound quality is balanced and clear, with customizable EQ presets. The MySound feature tests your hearing and creates a personalized audio profile.

Pros:

• $180 — affordable ANC earbuds
• Comfortable semi-open design
• Adjustable ANC with HearThrough
• Excellent call quality (6 mics)
• 30.5 hours total battery
• Wireless charging case
• Personalized sound profile

Cons:

• ANC weaker than Sony WF-1000XM5
• Semi-open design leaks some sound
• IPX4 only (no swimming)
• Jabra app required for best experience
• Touch controls can misfire

Best for: Budget-conscious buyers who want decent ANC earbuds with strong call quality.

Check price on Amazon US → Check price on Amazon UK →

Our Top Pick

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The Sony WH-1000XM5 is our top recommendation — best ANC, longest battery, lightest weight, and the most comfortable for all-day office wear. For earbuds, the Sony WF-1000XM5 is the clear leader. On a budget, the Jabra Elite 85t offers the best ANC earbuds value.

Buying Guide

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Over-Ear vs Earbuds for Office Use

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Over-ear headphones provide better ANC (physical seal + electronic cancellation), more comfort for extended wear, and better sound quality. Earbuds are more portable, less conspicuous, and better if you wear glasses or find over-ear headphones too warm.

ANC Quality Varies Widely

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Not all noise cancellation is equal. Sony and Bose are genuinely a tier above everyone else for over-ear ANC. Budget “ANC” headphones often provide minimal actual noise reduction. For office use, invest in quality ANC — the productivity gains justify the cost.

Transparency/Ambient Mode

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A good transparency mode is essential for office headphones. It lets you hear colleagues, announcements, or your environment without removing the headphones. All models on this list offer some form of transparency mode.

Microphone Matters for Calls

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If you’re in frequent meetings, microphone quality is as important as ANC. Boom mics (like on the Jabra Evolve2 75) are best; among headphones without boom mics, the Bose 700 leads for call clarity.

FAQ

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Are noise-cancelling headphones worth it for an office?

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Absolutely. If you work in any environment with ambient noise — and that includes most home offices — ANC headphones measurably improve focus and productivity. They’re one of the best investments in your work setup after a good chair and monitor.

Can noise-cancelling headphones damage your hearing?

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No. ANC works by generating inverse sound waves that cancel ambient noise — it doesn’t produce harmful signals. However, you might listen to music louder than needed with ANC off, which can cause hearing damage over time. With ANC on, you naturally listen at lower volumes.

How long do noise-cancelling headphones last?

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Premium headphones typically last 3-5 years with daily use. Battery degradation is the usual lifespan limiter — after 3-4 years, you might notice reduced battery capacity. Most models have replaceable ear cushions, which extend comfort life.

Do I need ANC if I work from home alone?

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Even in a quiet home, ANC blocks low-frequency sounds you don’t consciously notice — refrigerator hum, HVAC, distant traffic — that contribute to listening fatigue. Many WFH workers report that ANC headphones reduce end-of-day tiredness.

Over-ear or on-ear for office use?

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Over-ear (circumaural) is better for extended wear and ANC performance. On-ear (supra-aural) headphones are lighter but less comfortable over long periods and provide less noise isolation.