Best Back to School Headphones

Right now, the idea of heading back to school means different things for different people. For some, it means returning to a full-time schedule on a conventional campus or classroom. For others, it’s attending a virtual classroom or participating in some variation of remote learning. But regardless of what "back to school" means to you, there are plenty of great headphone options to address all your wants and needs.

One of the most important features that all of these headphones share is excellent noise cancellation performance, which is part of what makes them a great fit for back to school. When you’re working or studying from home, or in your dorm room, noise-canceling headphones will help get rid of unwanted background sounds.

Here are some of our top choices for the best back to school headphones.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones are a great choice for students who want a stylish pair of over-the-ear headphones with great active noise cancellation. Sony tweaked the design of the XM5s to achieve a more streamlined look than its predecessor, the WH-1000XM4 headphones (which are still a fantastic pair of headphones and a good alternative to the XM5s, especially if you can find them on sale).

Although they don’t exactly carry a "student-friendly" price tag, the Sony WH-1000XM5s are worth every penny, thanks to unbeatable sound quality, some of the best active noise cancellation in the world, a 30-hour battery (with ANC on), and much more. Again, these aren’t the most fiscally conservative headphones available, but in terms of the absolute best, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is definitely in the running.

We also like: Apple AirPods Max

As long as we’re in the "premium performance for a premium price" category, we should talk about the Apple AirPods Max, which are about as luxurious a pair of headphones as it gets. Like the Sony WH-1000XM5, the AirPods Max excel at audio performance and noise cancellation. They also offer one of the most comfortable wearing experiences we’ve ever tested and, arguably, the best software interface if you’re using them with an iOS device. Those features, plus many more, make the AirPods Max one of the best over-the-ear headphones you can buy, but at a fairly steep cost.

Still, we can't talk about the AirPods Max and not mention that it’s long overdue for an update. Apple released these in 2020 and, despite going on sale frequently, they still retail for upwards of $400, which is a big ask for headphones that seem to be aging out. Regardless, if they’re within your budget, the AirPods Max from Apple are a top choice for students who want a great-looking and comfortable pair of headphones that offer tight integration with Apple devices.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

For the Bose loyalists out there, we think there is a whole lot to love about the QuietComfort Ultra. They've replaced the QuietComfort 45s as our favorite pair from the audio behemoth. Design-wise, Bose seems to have adopted an "if it ain’t broke" approach to their flagship headphones. The Ultras' design more than less looks quite similar to previous iterations and that's because these are simply hard to beat comfort-wise.

The Ultras maintain Bose’s well-earned reputation for delivering outstanding noise-cancellation. They introduce new features as well, including CustomTune technology, which helps the Ultras to fine-tune sound performance based on the unique shape of your ears. Combined with the superior sound quality Bose is known for, and a very solid 24-hour battery life, the QC Ultras are another great all-day listening option, especially for students looking for that extra degree of comfort.

We also like: Bose QuietComfort Headphones

We’re also big fans of the Bose QuietComfort Headphones, which are similar to the Ultras in that they offer great audio performance and are incredibly comfy. What separates the regular QCs from the Ultras is a slightly inferior build quality, but the noise-cancelling performance is still top notch.

Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4

These Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless headphones are a bit of a sleeper hit on this list. They're incredibly impressive headphones, and an excellent value. The overall sound is fantastic, noise cancellation is powerful, the design is simple but clean and, above all, the Momentum 4’s standout feature is its hefty 60-hour battery life (and that's with ANC on). That's more than double Sony's XM5s, for example, while still being in the same ballpark pricewise. These are some of the best practical headphones you can buy today and if you’re the student who needs something that's going to carry you through those long grind sessions, these are a great fit. They are available in black or white.

We also like: Anker Soundcore Space Q45

With some of the best active noise cancellation at its price range, great sound quality, and a battery life rivaling the Momentum 4s, the Soundcore Space Q45s from Anker are definitely worth mentioning on this list.

The Q45s deliver excellent bang for your buck, especially if battery life is one of your top concerns. These long-lasting headphones offer up to 50 hours of playtime—and that’s with active noise cancellation on. The Q45s are perfect for marathon study sessions and other periods of long-term wear.

AirPods Pro 2

The Second-Generation AirPods Pro, from Apple, are an excellent pair of headphones bar none. They really need no recommendation on our part. Sure, they'll never sound as great as their over-ear peers on this list, but the significantly improved noise-canceling capabilities paired with their convenient form factor and Apple's trademark seamless integration, make the AirPods fantastic daily headphones for Apple users.

The updated design also includes new audio features, such as Adaptive EQ and Apple’s new spatial audio feature with dynamic head tracking. These new features support the AirPods' already outstanding overall audio performance. They feature some of the best in-ear designs of any true wireless earbuds, one that ensures they always remain comfortably in your ears. The sound quality is arguably more well-rounded than the Studio Beats+, and they include several features such as spatial audio, as well as active noise cancellation.

We also like: Sony WF-1000XM5

The Sony WF-1000XM5 offer some of the best noise cancellation you can get from a pair of in-ear headphones. Top-tier ANC combined with a solid, well-rounded sound, 8-hour battery life, and water-resistant design are all reasons why the XM5s are so popular among active users.

Regardless of what "back to school" means for you and your family, odds are a solid pair of headphones will be of some benefit in one way or another. The headphones listed in this article represent some of our top choices for students, but in no way are they the only choices.

If none our favorites fill your particular bill, we invite you to drop a comment or ask a question below, so we can help find the best pair of headphones for you.