Remote work has made our homes double as offices, classrooms, and meeting rooms, which often means dealing with noise from family, neighbors, and street traffic. Noise-cancelling headphones can help create a quiet bubble so you can focus, sound professional on calls, and feel less drained by constant background sound. The challenge is deciding which models are truly worth it. Choosing between several proven options can help you focus and thrive in everyday remote work.
Sony WH-1000XM5: Balanced for Focus and Calls
Sony’s WH-1000XM5 over-ear headphones are widely praised for strong active noise cancellation (ANC), comfortable design, and a solid mix of work-friendly features.
For remote work, the XM5s stand out because they handle both constant background hum and variable noise, like conversations or keyboard clicks, reasonably well. Call quality tests show that voices stay clear, which is important if you spend a lot of time in video meetings.
Their light weight and cushioned ear cups make them comfortable for long stretches, and the quick attention / transparency modes let you briefly hear your surroundings without taking the headphones off.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra: Best for Maximum Quiet
If your main priority is blocking out noise, Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are frequently ranked among the very best for ANC performance.
For remote workers, that level of cancellation can make the difference between struggling to stay focused and being able to lock in on a task. The QC Ultra’s sound profile is tuned for easy listening—clear voices and balanced music—so they work well for both meetings and background playlists.
Bose also puts a lot of effort into comfort. The headband and ear pads are soft, and the clamp force is gentle, which helps if you wear them through back-to-back calls. One trade-off is that the headphones are not designed for rough outdoor use or workouts, so they’re best viewed as a dedicated work and travel pair rather than all-purpose sports gear.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen): Great for Apple-Centric Setups
For people who work mostly on a Mac, iPad, or iPhone, the AirPods Pro (2nd generation, USB-C case) are a strong option.
In a remote-work context, they shine when you move around during the day—switching from laptop to phone to tablet. The AirPods Pro can automatically hand off audio between Apple devices, which is convenient if you jump from a Zoom call on your Mac to a phone call on your iPhone.
Their in-ear fit is also lighter and less bulky than over-ear headphones, which some people prefer for long meetings. On the other hand, if you’re sensitive to in-ear tips or you want the deepest possible isolation, over-ear models like Sony or Bose may feel more comfortable and immersive for full-day use.
Jabra Evolve2 75: Built Specifically for Calls
While many ANC headphones are designed mainly for music, the Jabra Evolve2 75 is aimed squarely at people who live in meetings. It’s a wireless on-ear / over-ear style headset with strong ANC and a boom-style mic system tuned for speech clarity.
The Evolve2 75 supports unified communications platforms like Microsoft Teams and Zoom, includes a dedicated hear-through mode , and is designed for all-day office use. If your main pain point is sounding clear in noisy environments—rather than blocking every bit of noise for yourself—this kind of work-focused headset can be a better choice than music-centric headphones.
How to Choose the Right Headphones for Remote Work
The “best” noise-cancelling headphones will depend on how you actually work during a typical day. If you want the deepest overall quiet and long listening comfort, Bose QuietComfort Ultra or Sony WH-1000XM5 are strong candidates. Sony leans slightly more toward feature richness and customization, while Bose leans toward simple, excellent ANC and comfort.
If you’re embedded in the Apple ecosystem and move between devices all day, AirPods Pro (2nd gen) make a lot of sense thanks to seamless switching and strong ANC in a compact form. And if calls are the center of your job—sales, customer support, or management meetings—a business-oriented headset like the Jabra Evolve2 75 can provide clearer voice pickup and better integration with meeting software.
Whichever route you choose, pay attention to comfort, call quality, and how well the ANC handles the specific noises in your environment—keyboard clicks, kids, traffic, or HVAC rumble.
Matching the Headphones to the Workday
Top noise-cancelling headphones can transform remote work by turning a noisy home into a more focused, professional workspace. Sony’s WH-1000XM5 and Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Headphones excel at overall quiet and comfort, AirPods Pro (2nd gen) fit smoothly into Apple-heavy setups, and Jabra’s Evolve2 75 targets call clarity above all else.
By thinking about where you work, how often you’re in meetings, and which devices you rely on, you can pick a pair that genuinely supports your daily routine instead of just adding another gadget to your desk.