Better for credit: pay off 2 cards and get rid, or keep with low/no balance?

I have two cards that have carried a balance for a while. I'd like to get the balance down or just pay off totally. The way I see it, I have a few options:

Pay them down to 0, and cancel them altogether?

Pay them down to 0, but leave open with no activity?

Pay them down to close to 0, and use them throughout the month, but pay off each month?

I have never really used them all that much. I've mostly paid for everything outright on purchases, but recently made some big purchases and used the cards.

Just wondering what would be the best option credit wise.