The 9 best deals on noise-canceling headphones we’re seeing for Black Friday

Most Comfortable: Bose QuietComfort 45 for $279 ($329) at Amazon, Target, Best Buy

The Bose QuietComfort 45 are worth considering if you prioritize comfort above all else. This deal matches the best price we've tracked.

These headphones distribute their light weight well, with a low clamping force on the head, just the right amount of plush padding, and earcups that give even larger ears ample room to breathe. They are greatly pleasing to wear for hours-long commutes or long workdays.

They have a more neutral sound than the XM4 by default, and they use reliable physical controls instead of touch inputs. The integrated mic is superior for calls, too. Their ambient sound mode is effective, if not world-beating, and they support multi-device pairing. But their noise canceling, while good for most needs, isn't as capable as our top picks. They'll last a little over 20 hours until they need a charge, which is a good ways less than the XM4. They also lack a handful of the useful features that set Sony's pair apart: there's no customizable EQ, no auto-pausing when you take the headphones off your head, and nothing like the XM4's "speak-to-chat" function. They also come with a 2.5mm cable for wired listening, which is more of a pain to replace if lost.

None of this makes the QuietComfort 45 a bad headphone by any means, but you have to really want the lightweight design and more balanced default sound.

As an aside, the QuietComfort 45 is one of two premium noise-canceling headphones in Bose's lineup. The other is the Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, which aren't on sale at the moment. They share most of the same shortcomings when compared to our top pick, the XM4.

Bose QuietComfort 35 II for $179 ($275) at Target, Amazon

The QuietComfort 45's predecessor, the QuietComfort 35 II, is still worth considering if you're looking for something more affordable. The story here is similar to the one above: the QuietComfort 35 II is supremely comfortable and has a more neutral sound profile than Sony's pair, but it lacks many of the XM4's more useful features, and its battery doesn't last as long. Compared to the QuietComfort 45, the older pair's build quality isn't as nice, its microphone quality isn't as clear, and it lacks an ambient sound mode. It also charges over an ancient Micro USB port.

Nevertheless, the QuietComfort 35 II's noise canceling is still highly effective—though not as much as the XM4—and some of its omissions are more acceptable at this deal price, which matches an all-time low.

Apple AirPods Pro for $159 ($205) at Amazon, Walmart

They're a couple of years old, but if you're looking for an in-ear pair of noise-canceling headphones, Apple's AirPods Pro remain a top choice. They sound great for their form factor, with a profile that doesn't overemphasize any one frequency range and generally sounds accurate. While its active noise cancellation isn't as strong as the over-ear pairs above, it's more effective than most wireless earbuds I've tried.

An accompanying ambient mode sounds crisp and clean as well. They're superlight in the ear, with a highly portable wireless charging case and IPX4 water resistance. And like all AirPods, they pair easily and support a range of bonus features ("Find My" tracking, "Hey Siri" voice controls, fast device swapping, et al.) with other Apple devices.

If you don't own an iPhone, though, many of those extra perks go out the window. The AirPods Pro's "force sensor" control panels aren't the most intuitive either, and the earphones' mic quality isn't great. Continuous battery life tops out at five hours per charge, which is on the lower end for quality wireless buds, though the case holds about five full recharges.

This deal marks the lowest price we've tracked, so if you're fully living in Apple World and prefer the true wireless design, they're a good value. That said, I'm currently in the process of testing the new Beats Fit Pro, which promise many of the same benefits of the AirPods Pro, only with a sportier, more compact design and a more bass-forward sound profile. That pair isn't currently on sale and retails for $200, but it's worth a look. Bose's QuietComfort Earbuds are discounted at $199, though I haven't been able to test those yet.