The best active noise canceling Bluetooth headphones tested and compared

In this comparison, nextpit has selected the best Bluetooth headsets with active noise reduction tested by the editorial staff. We tested and compared wireless headphones from Sony, Bose or Sennheiser. We offer you the most interesting models in terms of audio quality, noise reduction or autonomy.

The best Bluetooth headsets compared

The best Bluetooth headsets selected by nextpit

Sony WH-1000XM5: The best choice

It is the most complete helmet on the market. The battery life is very good, the audio quality is very good and the recently redesigned Sony application is still as complete as ever. We have lots of features like multipoint, port detection, etc. Active noise reduction is not as good as Bose. But I don’t find the difference obvious enough to make a difference. Especially since the audio rendering of the Sony headset is cleaner than Bose and we benefit from the LDAC codec which the Bose model does not have. In short, it is a balanced model of this selection. Its only flaws are the lack of an IP rating and its lack of transportability.

Bose QuietComfort Headphones: The best alternative

It has all the good points of the Bose QC Ultra Headphones (test), but is sold at half the price. It is the headset with the best active noise reduction on the market and also the most comfortable to wear. Bose is also very strong on the integration of its products into the Android AND Apple ecosystems. You don’t lose any functionality on either side. It is also very transportable. Its only flaws are the lack of IP rating, port detection and HD codecs.

Soundcore Space One Pro: The best value for money

The model below, the Space One, will surely replace this model once I have had a chance to test it. But in the meantime, this “Pro” version offers one of the best quality/price ratios on the market. LDAC codec, 60 hours of battery life, multipoint, almost everything is there. The design is also the most transportable of this selection. You just have to make sure to set the equalizer correctly because the default audio signature is very unbalanced. The headset also suffers from a lack of IP rating and port detection. It’s not the most complete helmet in this selection, but at less than 200 euros, it does as well or even better on certain points than models at 400 euros.

Criteria for comparing Bluetooth headsets with ANC

To compare Bluetooth headsets, we used the following criteria: design, features, audio quality and autonomy. This does not mean that we did not take the rest into account. That’s why there are also full tests of each selected model if you want more details. Here is a quick list explaining the elements taken into account for each of the criteria used in this selection.

Our selection criteria

• Design:
  • IP rating: IP certification is still too rare in the Bluetooth headset market. If you want to play sports with your helmet, it better be water resistant. Ditto if you plan to wear it in the rain since it will be more exposed than headphones.
  • Weight: Obviously, the heavier a helmet, the less comfortable it is in the long run. And the inertia created by its weight can also hinder you when you move.
  • Type of controls: It’s a question of taste and habit, but also of ergonomics. Physical controls are more precise and reliable, but also less customizable, for example.
• Audio quality:
  • Hi-Res Certification: Forget lossless audio with Bluetooth headphones. This is still technically impossible. But with Hi-Res certification, we get a little closer. At least you will be able to listen to files that are a little more HD than mp3.
  • Codecs: The ideal is to have an “HD” codec which allows you to listen to songs in CD quality without too much loss. The LDAC seems quite essential to me in 2024.
• Features:
  • Multipoint: The ability to connect to at least two devices at the same time (smartphone and PC, for example) is a “must”, it is non-negotiable.
  • Wearing Detection: Very handy for pausing music when you remove the headphones and continuing where you left off. This is also a good way to preserve the battery of the Bluetooth headset.
  • Android and iOS compatibility: The idea is to be able to benefit from the same functionalities from one ecosystem to another. Some manufacturers don’t even offer an iOS or Android application, making it impossible to configure your Bluetooth headset.
• Autonomy: Pay particular attention to the autonomy announced with ANC activated. You are looking for headphones with active noise reduction. I assume you will use this feature. Autonomy without ANC is therefore of little interest in your purchasing decision.

Understanding the Active Noise Canceling Bluetooth Headset Market

We are talking about general public and non-audiophile headphones. So don’t worry too much about the specs. In any case, you will never have lossless Hi-Res audio with wireless headphones.

If it’s audio quality that matters most to you, make sure you have Hi-Res headphones. At least that means you’ll be able to listen to songs in CD quality, or even better. Next, check the codecs. LDAC is good, but there’s no point listening to a “Hi-Res” song in AAC or SBC.

Don’t worry too much about these sound signature stories either. Yes, some headsets have fairly strong profiles by default. A helmet may or may not be bassy, ​​for example. But in most cases you can correct the audio signature through the equalizer.

If, like me, you mainly stream mp3s, this is all a bit superfluous. Focus mainly on the comfort of the helmet and the functionality. Multipoint, port detection and a five-band EQ seem essential to me.

Above all, think about how, when and where you plan to use your Bluetooth headset. Do you often change your sound environment? In this case, opt for headphones offering variable or manually adjustable active noise reduction.

Think about the noises you want to cancel out the most. Most headsets are good at attenuating structure-borne noise (serious noise resulting from contact between two surfaces). These noises are the easiest to reduce. Airborne noise (voices, ringtones, alerts, wind) are more difficult to manage because they are more irregular. So if it’s a particular type of noise that bothers you, don’t just settle for just any headset.

What do you think of this selection of the best wireless headphones with active noise reduction? Is ANC an important purchasing criterion for you, as it is for me? Which brand or model do you think deserves a place in this selection?