The best cheap noise canceling headphone deals for January 2023

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With more people working from home than ever before, owning a good pair of noise canceling headphones has become more appealing than ever. However, they can be expensive and difficult to buy due to the range of models available, many of which cater to different lifestyles and priorities. Some are better suited for long-haul flights, for example, while others are ideal for multitasking and marathon listening sessions.

That’s why we’ve curated this list of the best deals on noise-canceling headphones. Here, you’ll find discounts on all kinds of on-ear and over-ear headphones, all of which are designed to cancel out external noise, but have their own strengths and weaknesses. And if you want to do even more research before you decide to buy, we’ve put together a guide to the best noise-canceling headphones that can help you determine which ones are right for you.

$279

Bose’s QuietComfort 45 headphones update the company’s popular, ultra-comfortable design with USB-C, improved noise cancellation, and longer battery life.

Bose QuietComfort 45, our pick for the most comfortable noise-canceling headphones, are a pair frequent travelers are sure to appreciate. They are lightweight and foldable, so you can easily carry them with you, and ear fatigue is unlikely, thanks to their oval ears. Battery life is now up to 24 hours, which means you don’t have to worry about constantly charging them. The new transparency mode, meanwhile, comes in handy when you need to be more aware of your surroundings, like when you’re about to cross the street, while a firmware update introduced earlier this year lets you adjust the bass, midrange, and other aspects of EQ. The USB-C-equipped headphones don’t offer the same bass response as Sony’s 1000XM4s, but if comfort is what you’re after, the QC45 delivers in plenty.

The Bose QuietComfort 45 retails for $329, but you can currently get it for $279 from Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. Read our review.

$480

Apple’s AirPods Max feature exemplary build quality, amazing sound, and keep up with the best in noise cancellation.

If you’re looking for the best sound quality you can get in a pair of noise-canceling headphones, we recommend the AirPods Max. The headphones pair seamlessly with other Apple devices and sound great, especially when paired with Apple’s spatial audio feature, which allows for a more immersive experience when listening to or watching compatible content. They also boast the best transparency feature of any headset on our list, and boast incredible build quality thanks to a luxurious design that opts for aluminum, steel, and fabric over plastic.

With an MSRP of $549, AirPods Max can be quite expensive, but they often go on sale. Right now, for example, the headphones are currently on sale for $479.99 at Amazon and Best Buy. If you live near a Micro Center, you can also purchase them for $474.99. Read our review.

A photo of Sennheiser's Momentum 4 wireless headphones on a table.

$289

With a marathon 60-hour battery life and exceptional comfort, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless noise-canceling headphones also contribute to the company’s reputation for detailed, extended sound quality.

If you’re looking for a pair of noise-canceling headphones with amazing battery life, Sennheiser’s Momentum Wireless 4 is your best choice. These headphones can last up to 60 hours on a single charge. They also sound great and pair comfortably with the Sony WH-1000XM5, our favorite noise canceling headphones. They may not boast the physical controls or sleek, retro-inspired design of their predecessor, but they do offer improved noise cancellation (though still not quite up to par with rivals like Sony or Bose).

The Momentum Wireless 4 normally retails for $349.99, but right now you can get it in black on Amazon for $289.41. You can also buy them for around $299.98 at Best Buy and $299.95 at Macy’s. Read our review.

$300

Marshall noise canceling headphones stand out for their unusual looks and easy-to-use joystick for controlling your music. They are also tops in battery life with up to 45 hours of playback.

For those shopping for a stylish pair of noise canceling headphones, you’re sure to get attention with Marshall Monitor II ANC. The Monitor IIs stand out for their unique look and feature a gold joystick that makes it easy to control your headphones. They offer a warm, textured sound and adequately silence ambient noise. While they may not match some of the other headphones on this list in terms of noise-cancelling effectiveness or sound quality, they can last up to 45 hours with noise-cancellation turned off. With it on, they still last up to 30 hours, beating many of their rivals.

Right now, you can get the Marshall Monitor II ANC for $299.99 instead of $319.99 from Best Buy. This is a modest discount and not an all-time low, but still a rare price drop.

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$226

Microsoft’s Surface Headphones 2 have the same smart controls as the originals for volume and noise cancellation, but offer better sound quality and battery life at a cheaper price.

Multitaskers will appreciate Microsoft Surface Headphones 2, as they offer amazing Bluetooth multipoint support, which allows you to pair them with multiple devices and switch between them with ease. The headphones also offer intuitive dial controls for both volume and noise cancellation, as well as improved sound quality and battery life over their predecessor. While Microsoft’s noise-canceling technology isn’t as effective as Bose and Sony’s, the Surface Headphones 2 still drown out outside noises enough so you can focus.

Right now, antonline (via their eBay storefront) is selling the headset in gray for $225.80 instead of the standard asking price of $249.99, while Amazon and B&H Photo are selling it for around $233. Read our review.

$349

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 noise-canceling headphones feature a luxurious design, amazing sound quality, and physical controls instead of awkward touch and swipe gestures.

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 are, according to reviewer Chris Welch, the best-sounding noise-canceling headphones. They have a detailed, warm sound quality that some prefer over the AirPods Max. Chris is also a fan of natural buttons and their luxurious design. The 30-hour battery life is more than adequate, as is the noise cancellation, even if it’s not on par with Sony or even Apple. Just be aware that they don’t have traditional 3.5mm and 2.5mm outputs for a headphone cable, so you’ll have to use USB-C if you prefer to listen to these wired. Also, while the voice quality is decent, it’s not particularly impressive.

However, if those things don’t matter much to you, these are a good pair of headphones that you can pick up right now for $349 instead of $399 at Best Buy and B&H Photo. Read our review.

$200

Beats Studio 3 features Apple’s W1 wireless chip, allowing them to quickly connect and switch between any Apple device you may have. The wireless over-ear headphones connect via Bluetooth and also support 3.5mm for wired connection.

While we couldn’t recommend them to anyone outside the Apple ecosystem, the Beats Studio 3 Wireless could be a decent alternative if you want a pair of headphones for an Apple device but find the AirPods Max too expensive. Beats Studio 3 are comfortable to wear, fold inward for easy storage, and feature Apple’s latest generation W1 wireless chip, which still lets you quickly connect and switch between Apple devices. Note, however, that unlike those built with Apple’s newer H1 chip, the headphones lack Siri hands-free support. They also charge via a Micro USB port instead of a Lightning or USB-C port.

The Beats Studio 3 are showing their age at this point — the headphones came out in 2017, after all — but they’re currently on sale at Amazon for $228.31 ($122 off) and Best Buy for $249.99. Read our review.

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