Best Noise Cancelling Headphones for Gaming: 10 Compared (2026)

The best noise cancelling headphones for gaming are the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless for a complete gaming setup, the Audeze Maxwell for sound quality and low-latency wireless audio, and the Sony WH-1000XM5 for travel, work, and everyday listening.

There is no single winner because active noise cancellation, microphone quality, wireless latency, comfort, and battery life rarely peak in the same model. The right choice depends on whether you need a dedicated gaming headset, a music-first ANC headphone, or one device that can cover both jobs.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

#1 Pick

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Multi-System Gaming Headset – Black

Check Price on Amazon →

#2 Pick

Audeze Maxwell Wireless Gaming Headset for Xbox, PS, Mac, & PC

Check Price on Amazon →

#3 Pick

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Headphones (2nd Gen), Wireless Headphones with Spatial Audio, Over Ear Noise Cancelling with Mic, Up to 30 Hours of Play time, Black

Check Price on Amazon →

#4 Pick

Sony WH-1000XM5 Premium Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones, Black

Check Price on Amazon →

Top 3 picks at a glance

Best overallSteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Multi-System Gaming Headset - BlackCheck price

Runner-upAudeze Maxwell Wireless Gaming Headset for Xbox, PS, Mac, & PCCheck price

Also greatBose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Headphones (2nd Gen), Wireless Headphones with Spatial Audio,...Check price

Best noise cancelling headphones for gaming at a glance

Noise-reduction figures are best treated as comparisons rather than laboratory constants. Results change with ear shape, seal, glasses, hair, firmware, and the frequency being measured. ANC usually performs best against steady low-frequency sounds such as an air conditioner, fan, engine, or nearby traffic. It is less effective against voices, keyboard clicks, and sudden high-pitched sounds.

Head-to-head: which type suits your setup?

For PC and console gaming in a noisy room: SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless

The Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is the most complete choice when you need real gaming features rather than merely headphones that happen to connect to a console. Its wireless base station supports game/chat mixing, multiple connections, and quick switching between sources. The 2.4 GHz link is designed for gaming, while Bluetooth can handle a phone or second device.

Its ANC is useful for reducing fans, air conditioning, and household hum, though it is not as isolating as the best travel-focused headphones. The retractable boom microphone is also more appropriate for multiplayer chat than the built-in microphones on most music headphones. The main compromise is battery capacity: each battery lasts roughly 20 hours, but the spare can be charged while the other is installed. That makes battery life effectively continuous if you remember to swap cells.

Choose the Nova Pro Wireless if you want one desk-centered headset for PC, PlayStation or Xbox, depending on the specific version. Check the platform version before buying: console compatibility is not identical across editions.

For the best sound and long battery life: Audeze Maxwell

The Audeze Maxwell is a gaming headset rather than an ANC headphone. It does not use active noise cancellation, but its closed-back earcups provide passive isolation and its planar-magnetic drivers deliver unusually detailed, powerful sound for gaming and music. The 2.4 GHz wireless connection provides the low-latency behavior gamers expect, and Bluetooth is available for everyday listening.

Its detachable boom microphone is one of its strongest features. It generally gives teammates a more natural voice than the small built-in microphones used by Sony, Bose, or Sennheiser travel headphones. The battery is also exceptional: Audeze rates it for up to about 80 hours, so charging once a week is realistic for many players.

The cost is weight. Maxwell is noticeably heavier than a typical travel headphone, and its passive isolation cannot remove low-frequency room noise as effectively as ANC. It is the better decision for a quiet or moderately noisy room where sound quality, chat clarity, and battery life matter more than maximum isolation.

For flights, shared offices, and casual gaming: Bose QuietComfort Ultra

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra, now in its 2nd Gen version, is the strongest option when noise cancellation is the main requirement. It is particularly effective against continuous low-frequency noise, making it well suited to aircraft cabins, trains, HVAC systems, and busy offices. Its earcups and headband are comfortable for long listening sessions, although fit remains personal.

For gaming, the limitation is connectivity. Bluetooth introduces more delay than a dedicated 2.4 GHz gaming receiver, and platform support can vary. The 2nd Gen adds USB-C audio, which gives a lower-delay wired connection on a PC, but reviews note that the built-in microphone does not work in wired mode, and the headset does not provide the same game/chat controls or boom microphone as a dedicated gaming model. Its built-in microphone is adequate for occasional calls, not ideal for competitive team communication in a noisy room.

Pick Bose when you play mostly single-player games, use a separate desktop microphone, or prioritize travel and office use over wireless competitive gaming.

For the best all-round everyday headphone: Sony WH-1000XM5

The Sony WH-1000XM5 remains a strong hybrid choice because it combines very good ANC, low weight, comfortable earcups, long battery life, multipoint Bluetooth, and a balanced sound profile that works for music, video, and games. Its ANC is especially effective with steady background noise.

It is less convincing as a multiplayer headset. The microphone can sound clear in a quiet room, but built-in microphones are more vulnerable to keyboard noise, fans, and room echo than a close-positioned boom mic. Bluetooth gaming latency also depends on the device, codec, operating system, and game. A wired connection is safer for rhythm games, competitive shooters, and any application where lip-sync or input timing matters.

Choose the XM5 if gaming is one activity among several and you do not need a dedicated wireless gaming link.

For exceptional battery life at a lower range: Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

The Momentum 4 is worth considering when battery life and music quality are more important than maximum ANC. Its rated battery life of up to about 60 hours is far beyond most ANC competitors. It is also comfortable and supports wired listening, Bluetooth, and USB audio.

Its ANC is good enough for commuting and office noise, but it generally does not suppress deep continuous noise as aggressively as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra or Sony WH-1000XM5. The built-in microphone is suitable for calls, but the headset is not a substitute for a boom mic in competitive gaming.

More noise cancelling headsets worth considering

The five models above cover the classic split between dedicated gaming headsets and travel ANC headphones. Since they launched, several gaming brands have released headsets that combine proper hybrid ANC with a 2.4 GHz dongle and a boom microphone, narrowing the gap between the two categories. These six cover the strongest current options at different budgets, plus Sony’s newest travel flagship.

For lightweight comfort on PS5 and PC: Sony INZONE H9 II

#5 Pick

Sony INZONE H9 II Wireless Noise Cancelling Gaming Headset, Black

Check Price on Amazon →

The INZONE H9 II is the headset that most directly answers the question this guide asks: what if a gaming headset had travel-headphone noise cancelling? Sony uses the same 30 mm carbon fiber composite driver found in the WH-1000XM6, hybrid ANC with an ambient mode, and a detachable cardioid boom microphone with AI noise reduction. It was developed with the esports team Fnatic and targets PlayStation 5 and Windows PC.

Connectivity covers a 2.4 GHz USB-C dongle for low-latency game audio, Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio support, and a 3.5 mm cable. You can use the dongle and Bluetooth at the same time, which lets you keep a phone call or music going while gaming. The standout spec is weight: about 260 g without the mic, which makes it one of the lightest ANC gaming headsets available, and reviews consistently highlight its gentle clamp and comfort over long sessions.

The main compromise is battery life. Sony rates it at up to 30 hours with ANC off, and runtime drops noticeably with ANC on, which is modest next to the Audeze Maxwell’s rating of about 80 hours. There is also no USB audio mode, and Xbox users are limited to the 3.5 mm cable rather than wireless.

Choose the H9 II if you play on PS5 or PC in a moderately noisy home and want the comfort of a travel headphone with a real boom mic. It is a lighter alternative to the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, with less elaborate base-station controls.

For competitive PC gaming with ANC: Razer BlackShark V3 Pro

#6 Pick

Razer BlackShark V3 Pro Wireless ANC Gaming Headset for PC, Black

Check Price on Amazon →

The BlackShark line has long been a favorite among esports players, and the V3 Pro is the first version to add hybrid active noise cancellation, using four microphones with ANC, ambient and off modes on a dedicated button. It keeps the series’ focus on competitive play: Razer’s HyperSpeed Wireless Gen-2 runs over a USB-A 2.4 GHz dongle with a claimed latency of around 10 ms, and Bluetooth 5.3 can run at the same time for a phone.

It is unusually flexible on connections, with 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, USB-C and analog all supported. The 50 mm bio-cellulose drivers are tuned for clarity in shooters, and the detachable 12 mm microphone uses a unidirectional pattern with a 48 kHz sampling rate. Razer rates battery life at up to 70 hours with ANC off, though real-world figures with ANC and higher volumes are lower.

Strengths: low-latency wireless, a wide range of inputs, strong battery life for an ANC headset, and a sound profile suited to footstep detection. Drawbacks: it is heavier than the INZONE H9 II at roughly 360 g, mic quality reviews are mixed, and PC, PlayStation and Xbox versions are sold separately, so you must buy the correct one.

Choose the BlackShark V3 Pro if you mainly play competitive titles on PC and want ANC without giving up esports-grade wireless.

For ANC on a tighter budget: JBL Quantum 810 Wireless

#7 Pick

JBL Quantum 810 Wireless – Wireless over-ear performance gaming headset with Active Noise Cancelling and Bluetooth, up to 43 hours of battery life, Hi-Res 50mm drivers (Black)

Check Price on Amazon →

The Quantum 810 Wireless is one of the more affordable ways to get real active noise cancelling in a gaming headset. It is not a headset with only a noise-cancelling microphone, which many budget models advertise; it has proper ANC for the earcups, plus a TalkThru mode for quick conversations without removing the headset.

It connects over 2.4 GHz wireless for PC, PlayStation and docked Switch, over Bluetooth 5.2 for phones, and over a 3.5 mm cable for everything else, including Xbox, which does not support its wireless modes. The 50 mm drivers support DTS Headphone:X spatial audio on PC, and there is a game-chat balance dial on the earcup. JBL rates battery life at up to 43 hours with RGB lighting off, but only about 8 hours with RGB on, so the lighting should stay off for daily use.

Strengths: genuine ANC and dual wireless at a mid-range price, long battery with RGB off, and a cardioid boom mic suited to team chat. Drawbacks: it is heavy at around 418 g, its ANC is not as strong as the Bose or Sony travel headphones, and it is an older model with Bluetooth 5.2 rather than the latest standards.

Choose it if you want the core features of the Nova Pro Wireless, ANC, 2.4 GHz and a boom mic, without paying premium prices. Turn RGB off on day one.

For multiplatform players with swappable batteries: Turtle Beach Stealth Pro

#8 Pick

Turtle Beach Stealth Pro Multiplatform Wireless Noise-Cancelling Gaming Headset for PS5, PS4, PC, Mac, Mobile – Swappable Batteries – Black

Check Price on Amazon →

The Stealth Pro takes the same approach to batteries as the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless: two swappable battery packs, with one charging in the wireless transmitter while the other is in use. Each pack is rated for 12 or more hours, and the packs sit under a magnetic earcup plate for quick swaps without dropping the connection. This multiplatform version covers PS5, PS4, PC, Mac, Switch and mobile.

Turtle Beach lists adjustable ANC with around 25 dB of noise reduction at low frequencies, and independent reviews disagree on how effective it is, ranging from unimpressive to very strong. It connects over 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth 5.1 at the same time, has 50 mm drivers, and uses a removable boom mic alongside built-in mics, with flip-to-mute and background-noise reduction.

Strengths: practically unlimited runtime with battery swaps, simultaneous wireless modes, and a detachable mic for when you are listening on the go. Drawbacks: each pack’s runtime is short, the headset is on the heavy side, and it has now been succeeded by the Stealth Pro II, which uses larger packs. If you find the original at a good price, it remains a capable alternative to the Nova Pro Wireless.

Choose the Stealth Pro if you play for long stretches, dislike charging interruptions and switch between console and PC.

For long battery life and Dolby Atmos on PC: Corsair Virtuoso MAX

#9 Pick

Corsair Virtuoso MAX Wireless Bluetooth PC PS5 Gaming Headset – Black

Check Price on Amazon →

The Virtuoso MAX is Corsair’s premium wireless headset and its first Virtuoso with active noise cancellation and a transparency mode. It uses 50 mm graphene-coated drivers, an aluminum frame and memory-foam ear pads, and it supports Dolby Atmos spatial audio on PC along with Sonarworks SoundID tuning.

Connectivity is a Slipstream 2.4 GHz dongle plus simultaneous Bluetooth, with separate volume wheels for each source on the earcups, and it can also be used wired. Corsair rates battery life at up to 60 hours with RGB off and about 30 hours with RGB on. The detachable omnidirectional microphone supports NVIDIA Broadcast for AI noise removal on compatible PCs. This version targets PC and PS5; Xbox requires the separate Xbox edition.

Strengths: long battery life for an ANC headset, rich sound, and genuinely useful simultaneous wireless controls. Drawbacks: at roughly 430 g it is one of the heavier headsets here, reviews note that comfort suffers over long sessions, and its software suite is not universally liked. An omnidirectional mic also picks up more room noise than a cardioid one unless you use software noise removal.

Choose the Virtuoso MAX if you game mostly on PC, value sound quality and battery life, and have a quieter room or software mic processing.

For the best travel ANC that can still game: Sony WH-1000XM6

#10 Pick

Sony WH-1000XM6 The Best Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones, Black

Check Price on Amazon →

The WH-1000XM6 is the successor to the XM5 covered above, released in 2025. Sony increased the number of noise-cancelling microphones to 12, added a faster QN3 processor and an adaptive optimizer that adjusts ANC to fit and surroundings, and kept a light build of about 254 g. Battery life is rated at up to 30 hours with ANC on and up to 40 hours with it off.

For gaming, the limits are the same as for most travel headphones. Connection is via Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC, AAC, SBC and LC3 codecs and two-device multipoint, or a 3.5 mm cable. There is no 2.4 GHz dongle and no USB-C audio; the USB-C port is for charging only. Reviews also note that the built-in microphone does not work over the analog cable, so wired gaming with voice chat needs a separate mic.

Strengths: class-leading ANC for flights and offices, excellent comfort, and strong call quality over Bluetooth thanks to a six-mic beamforming array. Drawbacks: Bluetooth latency for fast games, no console game audio over Bluetooth on PlayStation or Xbox, and premium pricing.

Choose the XM6 if your headphones need to be a travel and work tool first and a gaming headset second, and pair it with a desk microphone for PC play.

Latency: what matters for gaming?

Bluetooth latency can range from barely noticeable to clearly distracting depending on the codec and operating system. A dedicated 2.4 GHz receiver normally provides a more consistent low-latency connection, which is why the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless and Audeze Maxwell are safer choices for competitive play.

• Competitive shooters and rhythm games: use a 2.4 GHz receiver or wired connection.
• Single-player games and strategy titles: Bluetooth is usually acceptable if audio-video sync is correct.
• Console gaming: verify platform support before buying; many Bluetooth headphones cannot connect directly to consoles for game audio.
• PC gaming with a separate microphone: travel ANC headphones become more practical, especially over USB or analog cable.

Do not assume USB-C automatically means low latency. On some headphones, USB-C is used only for charging; on others it carries digital audio. Check the manufacturer’s connection modes and whether microphone input works over that connection.

Battery life in practical use

Advertised runtime is normally measured at moderate volume and may fall when ANC, a microphone, high-volume playback, or an immersive audio mode is active. A simple planning calculation helps: if you play for three hours per evening, five evenings per week, that is 15 hours weekly. A 24-hour headphone needs charging roughly every one to two weeks if used only for gaming, while a 60-hour model can often last three to four weeks.

For example, the Nova Pro Wireless uses two batteries rated at approximately 20 hours each. One battery gives around 20 hours of play, but the system can provide roughly 40 hours between full charging cycles if the spare is charged during use. The practical advantage is not just total capacity; it is avoiding a forced shutdown during a session.

Decision matrix

Comparison of the additional picks

Prices fluctuate with promotions and console editions, so use the tiers as a guide to positioning rather than a quote.

How to choose noise cancelling headphones for gaming

Check that it has real ANC, not just a noise-cancelling mic

Many budget gaming headsets advertise “noise cancelling” when they only mean the microphone filters background sound for your teammates. That does nothing to block the noise around you. Look specifically for “active noise cancellation” or “ANC” on the earcups, ideally hybrid ANC, which uses microphones both inside and outside the earcup to handle a wider range of low-frequency noise.

Decide which matters more: isolation or a gaming link

Travel headphones from Sony and Bose generally lead on pure noise reduction, but they use Bluetooth and lack boom mics. Gaming headsets with ANC, such as the INZONE H9 II, BlackShark V3 Pro and Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, have slightly weaker isolation but add a low-latency dongle and a proper microphone. If you play competitive online games, the gaming link matters more. If you mostly play single-player games on a PC and also travel, a travel headphone plus a desk mic can make more sense.

Match the edition to your console

Gaming headsets often come in separate PlayStation, Xbox and PC editions because Xbox uses its own wireless protocol. Several headsets in this guide, including the BlackShark V3 Pro and Virtuoso MAX, sell distinct Xbox versions. Buying the wrong edition usually means falling back to a 3.5 mm cable on the controller.

Weight and clamp force

ANC hardware and batteries add weight. The lightest models here, the INZONE H9 II and WH-1000XM6, sit around 250 to 260 g, while several gaming headsets with large batteries or metal frames weigh 400 g or more. For sessions over two hours, every extra 50 g is noticeable, especially combined with strong clamp force. If you wear glasses, prioritize soft pads and moderate clamp.

Microphone pickup pattern

ANC keeps noise out of your ears, but your mic still hears the room. A cardioid or unidirectional boom mic placed close to your mouth rejects keyboard and fan noise far better than omnidirectional or built-in mics. If your headset has an omnidirectional mic, use software noise suppression in your chat app or GPU suite.

Battery features beyond the headline number

Swappable batteries, fast charging and the ability to play while charging all matter more than a single rated figure. Rated runtimes are usually measured with ANC and RGB off at moderate volume; with both on, expect substantially less. RGB lighting in particular can cut runtime dramatically on some models.

Getting the most from ANC while gaming

• Get the seal right first. ANC depends on a good seal around the ear. Glasses arms, hair and loose pads let low-frequency noise in and reduce effectiveness. Thin-armed glasses help.
• Use ambient or transparency mode for household awareness. If you need to hear a doorbell or a child, switch to ambient mode rather than removing one earcup, which unbalances positional audio.
• Do not raise the volume to beat noise. Turn ANC on first, then set a comfortable level. ANC lets you play quieter, which is better for your hearing over long sessions.
• Disable ANC if you feel ear pressure. Some people feel a slight pressure sensation with strong ANC. Lower ANC levels or switch it off in quiet rooms.
• Update firmware. Manufacturers regularly adjust ANC, mic processing and battery behavior through companion apps.
• Turn off RGB lighting. On headsets like the Quantum 810 and Virtuoso MAX, lighting is the single biggest drain on battery.

How active noise cancellation works, and why it suits some noises better

ANC uses small microphones to sample incoming sound and then plays an inverted signal through the drivers to cancel it. Feedforward ANC places microphones outside the earcup and reacts to noise before it reaches you; feedback ANC places microphones inside the earcup and corrects what actually reaches the ear. Hybrid ANC combines both, which is why most of the stronger headsets in this guide use it.

Because the system has to predict and cancel sound waves, it works best on steady, repetitive, low-frequency noise: fans, PC coolers, air conditioning, engines and traffic rumble. Fast, irregular sounds such as speech, mechanical keyboard clicks and a dog barking change too quickly to cancel fully. The earcups’ passive isolation does most of the work on those higher frequencies, so pad material and seal still matter even on the best ANC models.

Recommended setups by situation

Shared living room with a console

Choose a gaming headset with ANC and a dongle for your platform, such as the INZONE H9 II for PS5 or the correct console edition of the BlackShark V3 Pro. Use ambient mode when you need to talk to people in the room, and keep the boom mic close to your mouth so TV and conversation do not leak into chat.

PC in a room with a loud fan or air conditioner

This is the ideal case for ANC. The Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, Virtuoso MAX and BlackShark V3 Pro all combine ANC with low-latency wireless. If your PC is the main noise source, also check fan curves; a quieter system reduces what the ANC and your mic have to deal with.

Student dorm or small apartment on a budget

The JBL Quantum 810 Wireless gives you ANC, 2.4 GHz and a boom mic at a mid-range price. Keep RGB off for the full battery rating and use TalkThru for short conversations.

Commuter who also plays on PC at home

A travel headphone such as the WH-1000XM6 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra is the better daily companion. At home, connect it by cable for lower delay and pair it with a USB desk microphone for voice chat, since built-in mics are weak in games and may not work over the analog cable.

Marathon sessions without charging breaks

Swappable batteries solve this better than any single large battery. The Arctis Nova Pro Wireless and Turtle Beach Stealth Pro both let you keep a spare pack charging while you play.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Confusing ANC with a noise-cancelling mic. Read the product details carefully; many budget headsets only filter the microphone.
• Buying the wrong console edition. PlayStation, Xbox and PC versions of the same headset often use different dongles. Check the edition before ordering.
• Expecting Bluetooth to be gaming-ready. Bluetooth delay varies by codec and device. For shooters and rhythm games, use a 2.4 GHz dongle or a cable.
• Leaving RGB on. Lighting can cut battery life by more than half on some gaming headsets.
• Judging ANC in a quiet shop or room. ANC differences show up with steady background noise; try it next to a fan or air conditioner to understand what you are paying for.

Buying recommendation

Buy the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless if your priority is a complete gaming system with ANC, game/chat mixing, and a proper microphone. Buy the Audeze Maxwell if you can accept passive isolation and want the strongest combination of sound quality, boom-mic clarity, low-latency wireless, and battery life. Choose the Bose QuietComfort Ultra or Sony WH-1000XM5 when travel and everyday noise cancellation matter more than competitive gaming features. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 is the battery-life specialist and often the sensible value choice when ANC only needs to be good rather than exceptional.

Before purchasing, confirm three things: the exact console or PC connection you need, whether the microphone must handle keyboard and fan noise, and whether you prefer maximum isolation or a lighter headset. Those checks matter more than a small difference in advertised battery life or driver specifications.

Frequently asked questions

Is noise cancelling good for gaming?

Yes, especially in rooms with steady background noise such as fans, air conditioning or traffic. ANC lowers that noise so you can hear quiet game cues at a lower volume. It is less effective against sudden sounds and voices, so it will not fully replace a quiet room.

Does ANC affect positional audio or footsteps?

Modern hybrid ANC focuses on low frequencies and has little effect on the mid and high frequencies that carry footsteps and directional cues. Some players hear a slight change in tone with ANC on; if so, compare the same game area with ANC on and off and keep the setting that lets you locate sounds most reliably.

Can I use Sony or Bose noise cancelling headphones with a PS5 or Xbox?

Not for game audio over Bluetooth, since neither console supports standard Bluetooth headphones for game sound. You can connect them with a 3.5 mm cable to the controller, but the built-in mic on many travel headphones does not work over the analog cable. For consoles, a gaming headset with a matching wireless dongle is simpler.

What is the difference between ANC and a noise-cancelling microphone?

ANC uses microphones and processing to reduce noise you hear. A noise-cancelling microphone reduces background noise your teammates hear. Some headsets have both, but many budget headsets only have the microphone feature.

Does ANC drain the battery quickly?

It does reduce runtime, though by how much varies by model. Sony, for example, rates the WH-1000XM6 at about 30 hours with ANC on and 40 with it off. RGB lighting usually costs more battery than ANC on gaming headsets.

Are noise cancelling headphones safe for long gaming sessions?

They can be safer than standard headphones because lower background noise lets you keep the volume down. Take regular breaks, keep the volume moderate and choose a lighter headset if you play for many hours at a time.