Best Noise Cancelling Headphones Under £70 (UK 2026)
Reviewed for noise cancelling performance, battery life & value – updated February 2026
🥇 JBL Tune 770NC – Best overall under £70 → Check price on Amazon UK
🥈 JBL Tune 670NC – Best battery life / travel pick → Check price on Amazon UK
🥉 soundcore by Anker Q20i – Best value / cheapest strong ANC option → Check price on Amazon UK
👉 Scroll down to see full reviews and Amazon UK links
Introduction
This guide is for UK buyers who want affordable over-ear or on-ear headphones with active noise cancelling (ANC) for commuting, working from home, studying, travel, office use, and relaxed everyday listening. It’s written for practical buyers — people who want less noise, comfy earcups, stable Bluetooth, and a battery that won’t die mid-week, without paying premium prices. [1]
Budget ANC has improved a lot in recent years. You’ll still get better noise reduction, microphones, and sound tuning if you spend more — but under £70 you can now find models that genuinely take the edge off busy trains, open-plan chatter, and coffee-shop noise, while also delivering modern essentials like USB‑C charging, multipoint pairing (two devices at once), and foldable designs for bags.
How the picks were selected: we prioritised real-world usability (noise reduction, comfort, battery life, and call quality), cross-checked reputable review/testing commentary (including RTINGS and TechRadar), and then verified that each model is currently available on Amazon’s UK store and priced under £70 at time of writing (February 2026). [2]
What Makes a Great Noise Cancelling Headphone Under £70 in 2026
Active Noise Cancelling vs passive isolation: ANC uses microphones and processing to reduce steady background noise, while passive isolation is simply the physical seal created by the earcups. In practice, the best budget sets combine both — a decent seal plus ANC that targets the “constant hum” types of noise you hear on public transport or in offices.
Battery life expectations: in 2026, many budget ANC headphones offer genuinely long runtimes. A practical range to expect is roughly 30–60+ hours depending on whether ANC is on, your volume level, and codecs. Look for clear “ANC on vs ANC off” battery figures so you’re not guessing. [3]
Comfort and weight: under £70, comfort often matters more than “audiophile” sound. Lighter headphones are usually easier for long study sessions and workdays, but clamp force and pad shape matter too — on-ear designs save space but can press on the ears over time, while over-ear models typically feel more forgiving for long wear.
Bluetooth stability: a stable connection is non-negotiable for commuting and video calls. Bluetooth 5.x is now common in budget models, and multipoint pairing is a big quality-of-life upgrade if you switch between laptop and phone.
Microphone quality: under £70, microphones are usually “good enough” for calls, but don’t expect flagship wind filtering. If calls are a priority, prioritise models that reviewers note as clear in busy environments — and remember performance can drop outside in wind. [4]
Foldability and travel convenience: if you’ll throw your headphones in a backpack, foldable designs and detachable cables (or a simple carry pouch) make a real difference.
Realistic ANC expectations at this price: budget ANC can meaningfully reduce noise, but it won’t “delete” everything. You’re mainly buying a calmer environment — less low-frequency rumble and less general background “wash” — rather than silence.
Top 3 Noise Cancelling Headphones Picks (UK 2026)
1. JBL Tune 770NC – Best overall under £70
JBL Tune 770NC - A well-rounded over-ear ANC headphone for commuters and home workers who want long battery life, modern Bluetooth, and a practical foldable design at a genuinely budget UK price.
If you want one “safe choice” under £70, the Tune 770NC is the easiest to recommend. It’s an over-ear design (typically better for long wear than on-ear), it’s relatively lightweight for its class (232g), and it supports features that matter day-to-day: multipoint connection, a foldable/flat-fold design for packing, and the option to use a cable.
From a pure spec-and-use perspective, battery life is the headline strength. JBL rates it at up to 70 hours with ANC off and up to 44 hours with ANC on — more than enough for a full work week of intermittent listening for most people, and reassuring for travel days where you don’t want to worry about charging. It also supports USB‑C charging and fast charge (JBL notes 5 minutes for 3 hours).
Where the Tune 770NC fits best is “everyday noise control”: trains, buses, and busy rooms where you want to lower the volume of the world rather than chase absolute silence. You also get Bluetooth 5.3 and the flexibility to stay connected to more than one device, which is ideal if you take calls on your phone but work on a laptop. [5]
✅ Why this pick
Pros: Huge real-world-friendly battery spec (up to 70h ANC off / 44h ANC on); lightweight over-ear fit at 232g plus foldable/flat-fold design; Bluetooth 5.3 + multipoint and a wired option for backup.
Cons: ANC is strong for the money, but still not “premium flagship” class — expect reduction rather than total silence.
Main standout feature: An unusually strong mix of big-battery endurance (70h max) and a travel-friendly foldable build, while staying under £70 on Amazon UK at time of writing.
Who it’s best for: UK commuters, students, and home workers who want an over-ear headphone that covers the basics extremely well (battery, comfort, and simple ANC) without stretching beyond a strict £70 ceiling.
Amazon UK Check: 👉 Check price on Amazon UK – the Tune 770NC is often listed around £50–£70 on Amazon UK (frequently £55–£65 during deals in February 2026), but prices can move daily.
2. JBL Tune 670NC – Best battery life / travel pick
JBL Tune 670NC - A lightweight on-ear ANC headphone that’s easy to pack, easy to wear on the move, and built around the same “multi-day battery” concept that makes modern budget travel headphones genuinely convenient.
If your priority is travel practicality — something you can wear through a commute, fold into a bag, and keep going for days — the Tune 670NC is the more compact sibling to the 770NC. It’s notably lighter (174g), it folds flat, and the specs emphasise travel-friendly convenience like multipoint connection and a detachable cable for wired listening when you want to save battery or use in-flight entertainment setups.
Battery life is again a major strength: JBL lists up to 70 hours with ANC off and up to 44 hours with ANC on, and it supports fast charging (JBL notes 5 minutes for 3 hours). That combination is ideal for travel because it lowers the chance you’ll get stuck without headphones mid-journey — and the quick top-up is genuinely useful when you’re rushing out the door. [6]
The main trade-off is the on-ear design. On-ear headphones can be brilliant for portability (smaller earcups, less bulk), but they can also become uncomfortable for some people over long sessions because the pads press directly on the ears. If you regularly listen for 4–6 hours at a time, you may still prefer over-ear — but if your headphone use is in shorter blocks (commutes, airport waits, office breaks), the Tune 670NC’s lighter build can feel like a win.
For voice calls, JBL lists two microphones on the Tune 670NC (versus one on the Tune 770NC). That doesn’t automatically guarantee “better”, but it’s a positive sign if call handling matters for you alongside travel.
✅ Why this pick
Pros: Very lightweight at 174g and folds flat for easy packing; excellent battery spec (up to 70h ANC off / 44h ANC on) plus fast charge; Bluetooth 5.3 + multipoint and includes a detachable audio cable.
Cons: On-ear designs can feel less comfortable than over-ear for long listening sessions, depending on your ears and clamp sensitivity.
Main standout feature: A genuinely travel-friendly mix of low weight (174g), foldability, and “forget-about-the-charger” battery life. [7]
Who it’s best for: Frequent commuters and travellers who want a lighter, more compact headphone under £70 — especially if you prioritise packing space and battery life over maximum comfort.
Amazon UK Check: 👉 Check price on Amazon UK – the Tune 670NC is often listed around £50–£70 on Amazon UK (frequently £50–£60 during deals in February 2026), making it a strong “travel spec for the money” option.
3. Soundcore by Anker Q20i – Best value / cheapest strong ANC option
soundcore by Anker Q20i - The easiest “spend less, get the essentials” pick: an over-ear, foldable hybrid-ANC headphone with long battery life, multipoint pairing, and app EQ — often priced far below £70 on Amazon UK.
If you want to spend as little as possible while still getting real ANC (not just passive isolation), the Q20i is the standout value play. At time of writing it was listed at £31.98 on Amazon UK — less than half the price of many mainstream ANC headphones — while still covering the key practical features most buyers want for commuting, working and studying.
On paper, it’s strong for the money: soundcore lists up to 60 hours of playtime with ANC off and 40 hours with ANC on, Bluetooth 5, hybrid ANC, fast charging (5 minutes for 4 hours), and multipoint connection. That means it’s absolutely viable as a daily work/study headset without constant charging anxiety. [8]
Where it punches above its price is in “quiet for cheap”. Lab-style review testing has highlighted that the Q20i delivers good noise reduction and clear-enough calls for the price, even if sound quality isn’t as refined as more expensive options. In other words: it’s the practical choice if your priority is reducing distractions and getting through calls/lectures/commutes — not chasing premium audio detail.
Comfort is generally solid for its class: it’s an over-ear design with padding aimed at longer wear, and Amazon’s listing includes an item weight of 0.57 lb (roughly 259g). Real comfort still depends on head shape and clamp force, but it’s the kind of “put it on and get on with your day” headset most non-audiophiles are after.
The honest compromise is that you’re buying value, not luxury. Expect less premium materials, and don’t expect the absolute strongest ANC against every type of noise — but at ~£30–£40 it’s a very convincing way to make trains, buses and busy rooms feel less intense.
✅ Why this pick
Pros: Outstanding price-to-performance for ANC under £70 (often far under); long battery spec (60h off / 40h on) plus fast charging; Bluetooth 5 + multipoint, with app EQ for easy everyday tuning.
Cons: Sound quality is serviceable rather than “premium”, and you’re paying for practicality over refinement.
Main standout feature: A rare combination of low price and genuinely useful features (hybrid ANC, multipoint, long battery), which is exactly what most budget UK buyers need.
Who it’s best for: Students, commuters, and home workers who want the cheapest credible route to quieter listening — especially if you’d rather spend £30–£40 now than wait for bigger brands to go on sale.
Amazon UK Check: 👉 Check price on Amazon UK – the Q20i is frequently listed around £30–£40 on Amazon UK (often £31–£35 during deals in February 2026), which is exceptional value if you want over-ear ANC on a tight budget.
Comparison Table: Best Noise Cancelling Headphones Under £70 (UK 2026)
| Feature | JBL Tune 770NC | JBL Tune 670NC | Soundcore by Anker Q20i |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-ear | On-ear | Over-ear |
| Battery life | Up to 70h (ANC off), 44h (ANC on) | Up to 70h (ANC off), 44h (ANC on) | Up to 60h (ANC off), 40h (ANC on) |
| ANC type | Adaptive ANC | Adaptive ANC | Hybrid ANC |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Weight | 232g | 174g | ~245g |
| Foldable design | Yes (flat-folding) | Yes (flat-folding) | Yes (foldable) |
| Microphone quality | Average: fine for everyday calls | Average-to-good: clear with 2 mics | Good for the money: clear calls in tests |
| Typical Amazon UK price range | ~£55–£70 (often on sale ~£50–£65) | ~£50–£65 (often on sale ~£45–£60) | ~£30–£45 (frequent deals ~£30–£40) |
| Best for | Most people wanting premium over-ear ANC + huge battery | Travellers needing lightweight, packable on-ear ANC + epic battery | Tight budgets: cheapest solid ANC entry with great value |
JBL Tune 770NC → Check price on Amazon UK
JBL Tune 670NC → Check price on Amazon UK
soundcore by Anker Q20i → Check price on Amazon UK
What to Consider Before Buying
Commute vs home use: if you’re mainly commuting, prioritise portability (folding hinges, lower weight) and a stable seal. For home working, comfort becomes the bigger factor — you may prefer over-ear designs that are gentler over longer sessions. [9]
- Comfort for long wear: don’t underestimate clamp force. On-ear models (like the Tune 670NC) generally pack smaller, but over-ear models often feel better for all-day use. If you wear glasses, look for plush pads and a forgiving fit.
- Wired backup (3.5mm cable): if you want an emergency “no battery” option (or you use airline seat screens), check that a wired cable is supported and included. JBL lists an audio cable as supported on both Tune models.
- Charging type (USB‑C vs Micro‑USB): in 2026, USB‑C is the sensible baseline. It’s easier to share chargers with phones, tablets and laptops, and fast-charge features are genuinely useful day-to-day.
- iPhone and Android compatibility: all three picks work over standard Bluetooth, so they’re compatible with iPhone, Android, tablets and computers. App features vary by brand, but basic pairing and playback are universal.
- Budget ANC limitations: under £70, expect “noticeably quieter” rather than “silent”. The best results usually come from combining ANC with a good physical seal, and keeping expectations realistic in very loud environments.
- Amazon UK return policy: fit and comfort are personal. Many listings include free returns, which makes it safer to try headphones at home and send them back if the clamp/fit isn’t right — always check the specific listing’s return details before you buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Are cheap noise cancelling headphones worth it?
Yes — if your goal is reducing distractions and making noisy places more tolerable, budget ANC can be genuinely effective, even though it won’t match premium flagship models.
Q2: Do budget ANC headphones block aeroplane noise?
They can reduce the constant low “rumble”, but don’t expect total silence. For long-haul flyers, fit and comfort matter just as much as ANC strength.
Q3: Is over-ear better than on-ear for noise cancelling?
Often, yes — over-ear designs typically seal better and feel more comfortable for long sessions. On-ear can be more portable, but comfort varies more by person.
Q4: Can I use these with iPhone and Android?
Yes. They use standard Bluetooth, so they’ll pair with iPhone, Android, and most laptops/tablets.
Final Verdict
In 2026, the choice of which noise cancelling headphones under £70 is “best” depends entirely on your needs:
- JBL Tune 770NC is the best all-round pick if you want an over-ear design with big battery and modern everyday features → Check price on Amazon UK
- JBL Tune 670NC is the best travel pick if you prioritise lighter weight and packability without sacrificing battery life → Check price on Amazon UK
- Soundcore by Anker Q20i is the best value option if you want the cheapest credible ANC headphone that still covers the essentials → Check price on Amazon UK
We update our comparisons regularly to keep everything accurate, up to date, and UK-focused.