If you work from home or travel a lot for work or pleasure, then a pair of Wireless Noise-Cancelling (ANC) Headphones is almost a necessity. I know I refuse to go on a trip without having a pair in my bag and judging from the sheer amount of folks I see wearing them on the plane, I’m not the only one.
When talking about the Best Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones, most tech websites will point you to the mainstream favorites of Bose and Sony. While they have outstanding ANC performance, we feel that audiophile-oriented sound quality isn’t a focal point for either brand.
To that end, we present this list comprised of ANC headphones (like our current favorites, the Technics EAH-A800) that prioritize audiophile-level sound quality above everything else while at the same time providing excellent noise-canceling and other features you would expect from the top wireless ANC headphone models. So, if you want a pair of headphones that deliver exceptional detail, soundstage, and dynamics, check out the headphones on this list!
We have over 20 years of experience evaluating and reviewing hi-fi components, and we listen to tons of gear, so you don’t have to! Check out our list of The Best Wireless Noise-Cancelling (ANC) Headphones For Audiophiles (2022)!
Want to learn more about both wired and wireless Audiophile Headphones? Check out our Audiophile Headphones Buyers Guide (2022)!
Have a question about building an affordable hi-fi system? Drop us a line at info@hifitrends.com! We may feature your question on the site!
Here’s our shortlist of The Best Wireless Noise-Cancelling (ANC) Headphones For Audiophiles (2022):
- The Best All-Around Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones For Audiophiles: Technics EAH-A800 ($347.99)
- The Best Sounding Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones For Audiophiles: DALI IO-6 ($499.00)
- The Best Value Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones For Audiophiles: Philips Fidelio L3 ($179 at the time of writing)
- The Best All-Around Wireless Noise-Cancelling (In-Ear) Headphones For Audiophiles: Technics EAH-AZ60 True Wireless Earbuds ($229.99)
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The List:
The Best All-Around Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones For Audiophiles: Technics EAH-A800 ($347.99)
The Technics EAH-A800 Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones are an excellent package. The marketing materials promise superior audio, exceptional comfort, and sparkling call quality, and they deliver.
I loved their comfort and call quality in my review, and I feel the sound quality slightly edges the current class leaders. In addition, they have class-leading active noise canceling, and the companion app is excellent. The Technics EAH-A800 also gives you a choice of 3 Bluetooth audio codecs (SBC, AAC, LDAC), with LDAC capable of providing CD-Quality sound.
They don’t quite have the resolution provided by the DALI IO-6, which I consider to be the best-sounding wireless ANC headphones out there. On the other hand, the DALI headphones don’t quite match the Technics’ in bass dynamics and ANC.
I feel the EAH-A800s are the best wireless ANC headphones out right now. So if you’re looking for a good set of ANC cans for travel or work, you need to check them out! Highly Recommended!
For: Those who want the best blend of audiophile-oriented sound quality, comfort, and excellent noise canceling.
Specs:
- Driver Unit (mm): 40 mm (1-9/16 in)
- Impedance: 34Ω
- Sensitivity: 105 dB/mW @1kHz
- Frequency Response (Power ON): 4 Hz -40k Hz
- Mic: Monaural, MEMS Mic
- Playback Time with Battery (LDAC): Approx. 40 hours (NC ON)
Approx. 50 hours (NC OFF) - Playback Time with Battery (AAC): Approx. 50 hours (NC ON)
Approx. 60 hours (NC OFF)
What we love:
- Awesome ANC
- Comfortable Fit
- Warm and Natural Sound
What to think about:
- Lacks A Little Bit Of Air and Bass Dynamics
Buy: Amazon
The Best Sounding Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones For Audiophiles: DALI IO-6 ($499.00)
The DALI IO-6 Premium Wireless Over-The-Ear Anc Headphones are the venerated speaker company’s first ANC headphones, and they did a great job from a sound quality standpoint. The ANC doesn’t match the noise canceling performance of our all-around favorite Technics EAH-A800, but they’re just a little more transparent and detailed.
Both tasteful and luxurious, they’re quite easy to use besides being lightweight and comfortable. Battery life is long (rated for about 30 hours of playback per charge), and If you run out of juice, you can use them passively with the 3.5mm cable if your device has a headphone jack.
The list of excellent specs continues with Bluetooth 5.0 and the support of aptX, aptX HD, and Apple AAC codecs. If your phone supports it, AptX HD can send full CD-Quality music streams from your phone to your headphones.
As far as drivers go, it should be no surprise that a company known for using superb paper/wood fiber cone drivers in their speakers would use something similar in their headphones.
The IO-6’s custom drivers use large 50mm paper cone diaphragms designed for minimal coloration and low distortion, just like the wood fiber reinforced woofers in DALI’s speakers. In addition, they mate the drivers to a neodymium magnet system.
For: Those who want the most detailed and transparent ANC headphones, period.
Specs:
- Full Range Driver: 50 mm free edge paper fibre cone
- Frequency Range (+/-3 dB) [Hz]: 10 – 20,000
- Maximum SPL [dB]: 100
- Connection Input: Bluetooth™ 5.0, 3.5 mm Mini Jack, USB-C
- Wireless Input(s): Bluetooth 5.0, AAC, aptX, aptX HD
- Noise Reduction: Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
- Battery Playback Time: Up to 30 hours
- Battery Charge Time: 2.5 hours
- Accessories Included: USB-C cable, 3.5 mm stereo cable, Flight adaptor, Travel case
What we love:
- Awesome Looks/Build Quality
- Best In Class sound
- Long Battery Life
What to think about:
- ANC Is Not The Strongest
- Loses Bass Punch with ANC Off
Buy: Amazon
The Best Value Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones For Audiophiles: Philips Fidelio L3 (on sale for $179 at the time of writing)
The Phillips Fidelio L3 Headphones are amazingly well built with a detailed dynamic sound and superb active noise canceling. They also have lighting, fast pairing, and great battery life. In addition, the luxurious leather and aluminum construction sets them apart from the competition. When it comes to BT Audio Codecs, the Fidelio L3 uses ACC, aptX, and aptX HD for “Hi-Res Wireless” audio.
If you have a large head (like mine), comfort may be an issue since they have a tight clamp. I also found the touch controls confusing to operate at times. The pronounced mid-bass boost may also be distracting for certain genres.
That said, their sound is cleaner and more detailed than most ANC headphones out there, plus they have some of the best noise-canceling on the market. Since they frequently go on sale (well below the $349 list), these are the best-value ANC headphones I have come across. You can get a flagship quality headphone for the price of an entry-level model.
For: Those who want luxury-oriented, sophisticated-sounding headphones with remarkable ANC for a value price.
Specs:
- Frequency Response: 7 Hz to 40 Hz
- Sensitivity: 103 dB at 1 kHz
- Maximum Power Handling: 20 mW
- Supported Audio Codecs: AAC, SBC, aptX, aptX HD
- Bluetooth Profiles: A2DP, AVRCP, HFP
- Bluetooth: 5.1
What we love:
- Great Build Quality
- Fast & Strong Connections
- Natural, Detailed Sound
What to think about:
- A Little Too Much Boost In The Upper Bass
- So So Comfort For Larger Heads
Buy: Amazon
The Best All-Around Wireless Noise-Cancelling (In-Ear) Headphones For Audiophiles: Technics EAH-AZ60 True Wireless Earbuds ($229.99)
The Technics EAH-AZ60 is a great-looking set of True Wireless Earbuds with great comfort, responsive touch controls, superb ANC, excellent call handling, and a slick app that lets you customize features to your liking. They also sound great (especially in LDAC mode) with a rich midrange that brings your music to life.
We wish the mid-bass was toned down slightly out of the box, but you can adjust it with the app-based EQ. Nevertheless, the AZ60 does provide a top-notch sound experience and competes well with the competition from Apple, Sony, and Samsung, especially if you like deep bass. They are worth checking out if you’re looking for an alternative.
For: Those who want comfortable wireless ANC earbuds with a rich, open sound and top-notch Active Noise Cancelling
Specs:
- Bio-cellulose 8mm drivers with harmonizer and acoustic control chamber
- Bluetooth 5.2
- Multipoint pairing for switching between two devices
- IPX4 earbud water resistance
- Supported BT Codecs: AAC, LDAC, SBC
- Playback time 7 Hours (BT+ANC)
What we love:
- Beautiful Design
- Warm, Natural, Detailed Sound
- Extraordinary ANC and Call Clarity
- Full-Featured Companion App
What to think about:
- Has LDAC but No aptX
- Bass overpowers the mix at times
Buy: Amazon
More:
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I’m an audio writer who started as a young audio salesman/consumer electronics professional back in the late 90s. That’s where I discovered the magic of 2-Channel sound. My hunger for great sound has led me on a delightful music quest that continues today.
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