The Absolute BEST Noise-Cancelling Headphones in 2021

What are the best Bluetooth noise-cancelling headphones in 2021? Let's find out.

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⏱ TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Intro
01:02 - Quick Verdict
02:40 - Comfort
05:42 - Sound Quality
08:36 - Noise Cancellation
11:56 - Portability
13:49 - Battery Life
15:10 - Cool Extra Features
19:44 - Final Verdict

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🎞 SPECIAL THANKS
Video clips supplied by Getty Images

[dandiaz]

"For me, budget is not a huge consideration". We get it, manggg. You're ballin'.

[JoepHeki]

I bought a Sony WH-1000XM3 a few weeks ago, absolutely amazing quality and noise cancelling. Would recommend 1000%, best headphones I've ever had.

[axolotal]

Fun fact - I can't afford them but still watching this video 😅

[Q_Rated]

Excellent review. Just a recommendation to say more of the products’ names as opposed to “these” . I have realised recently that poor sighted and blind do listen to ur videos and will find your topics immensely beneficial.

[danieldusentrieb]

I've had the Sony WH-1000XM3 for two years, now I use the Bose 700. The Sony's had the better sound quality and battery in my opinion, but the Bose's have a better built quality, design and comfort. I think the most people will be happy with both.

[elliotpadfield]

The XM4 is the best pair of headphones I’ve owned. Super comfortable fit, excellent noise cancelling, and a really good sound quality. Dual device connection is great as well. Wired connection is pretty good as well and always use them when I’m flying as they’re much better than the Bowers & Wilkins you get on board.

[Garhobson]

The Sony has a Cool Extra Feature that was not mentioned, the Speak to Chat feature will pause the music and turn on transparency mode when it detects that you are speaking. Useful when you have to interact with the world while out and about, something I wish the Max has without having to reach for the Crown AND Transparency button in two steps.

[roudy]

I think the type of music you listen to plays a big role in your choice. I bought the XM4 few weeks ago and it's a bit underwhelming sound quality wise for

[coal_]

I own the xm4 and I love them. I am an apple guy and would love to try out the airpods max. But even as an apple fan, I am not willing to pay so much more for basically the same features. I don‘t understand why they made the airpods max so much more expensive. I mean the airpods pro are around the same price as other great noice cancelling in ears (Sony).

[yodamuppet]

I really like my AirPods Max, but I still think they’re overpriced. Honestly, I think $350-375 is probably a more appropriate price range for them. The battery life is great though.

[ericcheah]

The headphone that won't hurt the ear is the one i ever need. Tried lot of them and most of them squeeze the ear badly after 1-2 hours of usage.

[JoergPelzer]

After long deciding process, I decided to get a pair of Bose 700, I already use for years Beyerdynamic 770 and 990s and I must say these are really nice and clear and I could make a mix with them. I dont need boomy bass and other artificial things, I need neutral and clear and yes Bose has it. I can pair them with two devices at the same time, they have included cable, are super light and have extreme noise cancellation abilities. The microphone for calls in noisy environment no of the others can reach :-)

[tpeasetiger]

Thomas be like: “Uncomfortably heavy? Nah bro, I work out my neck…so I can handle it.”

[aodoemela]

Didn't even talk about the dial on the surface headphones in the cool extra features section. Didn't talk about any of the touch controls or automatic stopping when you talk on the sony's. Didn't mention anything about codecs. I think the special features section was definitely lacking because that is where these headphones really differ. And you didn't at all mention mic quality which is huge as well. The Sonys don't have great microphones and have problems pairing with PCs. Your info on the headphones was very apple heavy. I get it they are your favourites but yeaaah not that helpful for someone whos looking for a different use case to yours and potentially doesn't have as much money as you.

If you are with apple and have money then go for the airpods max obvs
If you just want to listen to high-quality audio go with ony.
if you want the all-around best headphones for calls and pairing with windows devices then go with the surface headphones.

[Avenzrk]

I've never been an 'over the ear' headphone person. but I bought the original Surface Headphones, and they've been fantastic. The dynamic noise cancellation (and ambient noise amplification (when desired)) are great for my work-from-home use and music alike. the touch-controls are really convenience to not hunt for buttons you can't see. the price was practical. would recommend them to anyone (Microsoft eco system or not).

[fantakouyate]

I bought the Sony headphones today and I can attest they’re incredible. I fell asleep with them on and awoke because of a sound notification and looked around my bed for them for 5 minutes without ever realizing they were on my head! They’re that comfortable! This makes me consider returning these for the airpod maxes but after the iPhone 13 I’m ready to extract myself from the apple universe.

[CaseyBurnsInvesting]

Watching on the QC-35 but they’re falling apart. Needed this video to keep my focus. I’ll be trying the Apple headphones. You and Brian Jung have said you love them.

[Nat.]

You know the thing about forgetting that you are wearing the Bose QC 35's actually happens to me with the 700's too. In fact, with the 700's I often don't even think about it. With their 20 hour battery life and the great comfort I can simply put them on in each morning when I wake up, wear them all day, then put them on the charger when I go to bed. All with no risk of running out of battery or or my ears beginning to hurt.
Also dispite my 700's being more than a year old and are regularly charged overnight (which tends to lead to over charging) the battery life has not been noticeably depleted and still lasts all day even now.
Edit: By the way, this comment isn't meant to dispute your verdict. I simply want to give people a basis on which to judge the other headphones

[TheMatemator]

Why you didn’t change battery to new-one in Bose?

[bomcabedal]

Have owned these WH-1000M2s bought around Christmas 2017. Threw away the case (pretty grubby by then) about six months later and they've been in my bag without a case ever since. Still as tight and almost as well-sounding as the day I purchased them.