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Buying guide · November 1, 2026

The best noise cancelling headphones of 2026

The quietest pair, the most comfortable pair and the best budget pair are right below. Seven more cover earbuds, iPhone, Android, running and battery life.

By the Where's the Noise editors · Updated · How we choose

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  1. Best overall

    Sony WH-1000XM6

    Why The most noise removed in lab tests, plus a 3-minute quick charge.

    Watch Shallow earcups; some glasses wearers lose the seal.

    Check price on Amazon

  2. Most comfortable for long flights

    Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)

    Why Deeper pads, a gentler clamp and blocking that rivals the Sony.

    Watch Sound comes second to the Sony; Immersive Audio eats battery.

    Check price on Amazon

  3. Best budget over-ear

    Sony WH-CH720N

    Why Real noise cancelling, 35 hours of battery and a 192 g frame.

    Watch Cuts hum, not voices; no folding hinge or hard case.

    Check price on Amazon

Where will you use them?

Find your situation, then jump to the full review.

If you mostly listen…BuyBecauseOr consider
Long flightsSony WH-1000XM6Most noise removed, 30 h rated battery, folds into its caseBose QC Ultra (2nd Gen)
Glasses, or six-plus hours of wearBose QC Ultra (2nd Gen)Deeper pads and a gentler clampSennheiser Momentum 4
Open-plan office and callsSony WH-1000XM6Twelve microphones; laptop and phone connected at onceBose QC Ultra (2nd Gen)
Commuting with something pocketableBose QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)The strongest noise cancelling in earbud formSony WF-1000XM6
iPhone, and everything else is AppleAirPods Pro 3Instant pairing, Find My, IP57, 8 h per chargeAirPods Max 2
Android, sound firstSony WF-1000XM6LDAC and a 10-band EQGalaxy Buds 4 Pro
Running or cycling on roadsShokz OpenRun Pro 2Ears stay open so you hear traffic; IP55Shokz OpenFit 2+
You hate chargingSennheiser Momentum 460 h rated with noise cancelling onSony WH-CH720N
Tight budget, over-earSony WH-CH720NWhat Hi-Fi? Award winner; 35 h; 192 gSony WH-1000XM5
Tight budget, earbudsSoundcore Space A4010 h per charge and LDACSony WH-CH720N

The ten picks, in full

Each review says who it suits, why it is here, what living with it is like, the catch, and what to check on the listing.

1

Best overall

Sony WH-1000XM6

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Type
Over-ear, closed, folds
Battery, ANC on
30 h rated; a little over 31 h in RTINGS's test
Quick charge
3 min for about 3 h (Sony)
Weight
254 g
Codecs
SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3
Multipoint
Yes, 2 devices
Microphones
12 (Sony)
Water rating
None

Where it works (our call)

  • FlightsExcellent
  • Open officeExcellent
  • CommuteExcellent
  • WorkoutsNot for this
  • CallsExcellent

Buy this if you fly, commute or work in an open office and want the most noise gone without thinking about it.

Why it is here

RTINGS currently names the XM6 the best noise cancelling headphones it has tested, and What Hi-Fi? picks it as its best overall pair, replacing the XM5 that held that spot through three award years. Those two outlets test very differently: RTINGS measures isolation on an instrumented head, What Hi-Fi? listens in dedicated rooms. They still land on the same pair, which is about as strong as consensus gets in this category.

Living with it

On a long travel day you will not need the charger: Sony rates 30 hours with noise cancelling on, and RTINGS's continuous playback test ran a little past that. Three minutes on a cable at the gate buys roughly three hours. Unlike the XM5, the XM6 folds again, so it packs flatter into its hard case. Multipoint keeps a laptop and a phone connected at once, so a call on your phone takes over from a video on your laptop without re-pairing, and the Sound Connect app has a 10-band EQ if you want to tame the bass.

The catch

  • The earcups are shallower than Bose's. If your ears touch the inside or you wear thick-framed glasses, the seal suffers, and with it the noise cancelling. Try them with your glasses on the day they arrive.
  • No aptX, which What Hi-Fi? called a shame. iPhones use AAC either way; on Android you get LDAC instead.
  • No USB-C audio and no water rating, according to SoundGuys. It is a travel and desk pair, not a gym pair.

Pick something else if

  • Bose QC Ultra (2nd Gen) if you wear headphones for six hours at a stretch and comfort matters more than the last bit of sound quality.
  • Sony WH-1000XM5 if you want most of this for noticeably less money.

Before you buy

  • Colours are separate listings and are not always priced the same on the same day. Open the other colours before you check out.
  • Make sure the title says WH-1000XM6. WH is the over-ear; WF-1000XM6 is the earbuds.
  • Check that Ships from and Sold by show Amazon or Sony. Warranty claims are simplest with an authorised seller.

Sources: RTINGS, best noise cancelling headphones; What Hi-Fi?, best noise-cancelling headphones; RTINGS, WH-1000XM6 review; SoundGuys, WH-1000XM6 review; What Hi-Fi?, XM6 takes the top spot; maker specifications.

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2

Most comfortable for long flights

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)

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Type
Over-ear, closed, folds
Battery, ANC on
Up to 30 h rated, less with Immersive Audio
Wired listening
USB-C audio supported
Codecs
SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive
Multipoint
Yes
Water rating
None published

Where it works (our call)

  • FlightsExcellent
  • Open officeExcellent
  • CommuteExcellent
  • WorkoutsNot for this
  • CallsGood

Buy this if you wear headphones for hours at a time, wear glasses, or simply want the most comfortable pair that still cancels like a flagship.

Why it is here

What Hi-Fi? rates it as blocking marginally more sound than the Sony, while placing the Sony ahead on sound quality. SoundGuys calls its noise cancelling outstanding and points to support for Snapdragon Sound and aptX Lossless on recent Android phones, which the Sony does not offer.

Living with it

Deep, soft pads and a light clamp are why frequent flyers keep choosing Bose: there is room for your ears and for glasses arms. It folds into a compact case, and it can also play over USB-C, which the Sony cannot; What Hi-Fi? counts the extra wired option in the Bose's favour. Immersive Audio, Bose's spatial mode, is the feature people either use daily or switch off in the first week. Leaving it on costs a noticeable chunk of battery.

The catch

  • Sound quality: What Hi-Fi? puts it second to the Sony, and the Sony's app is more detailed. SoundGuys describes the Bose app as a bit simplistic.
  • Battery is rated at up to 30 hours with Immersive Audio off. With it on, expect noticeably less.
  • The name trap: Bose sells a 1st and a 2nd Gen QuietComfort Ultra, plus a cheaper QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen). The titles are almost identical.

Pick something else if

Before you buy

  • Confirm “Ultra” and “(2nd Gen)” in both the title and the product details.
  • Check Ships from and Sold by. Bose sells through its own storefront on Amazon.

Sources: What Hi-Fi?, best noise-cancelling headphones; SoundGuys, best noise cancelling headphones; What Hi-Fi?, XM6 vs QC Ultra (2nd Gen); RTINGS, QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) review; maker specifications.

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3

Best budget over-ear

Sony WH-CH720N

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Type
Over-ear, closed
Battery, ANC on
35 h rated (50 h with ANC off)
Weight
192 g
Codecs
SBC, AAC
Multipoint
Yes
Wired
3.5 mm socket
Water rating
Not rated

Where it works (our call)

  • FlightsGood
  • Open officeGood
  • CommuteGood
  • WorkoutsNot for this
  • CallsGood

Buy this if you want noise cancelling that actually works on a commute or at a desk, for a fraction of flagship money.

Why it is here

What Hi-Fi? made it a 2025 Award winner and calls its noise cancelling great for the price. It launched at $129 in the US. TechRadar found Sony's 35-hour battery claim accurate, if anything a little conservative.

Living with it

At 192 g it is one of the lightest noise cancelling over-ears you can buy, which is why it disappears on your head at a desk. With 35 hours per charge, most commuters will charge about once a week. Multipoint and a custom EQ in the Sony app are things you usually only get on pricier pairs, and the 3.5 mm socket means you can still plug into an airline seat or a laptop when the battery runs out.

The catch

  • Budget noise cancelling removes engine hum and rumble; it does not mute voices the way the flagships do.
  • No folding hinge and no case in the box, and the plastic feels its price.
  • AAC and SBC only, no LDAC, and no water rating.

Pick something else if

Before you buy

  • Make sure it says CH720N, not CH520. The WH-CH520 has no noise cancelling at all.
  • Sony sells several colours as separate listings; check each one before you buy.

Sources: What Hi-Fi?, WH-CH720N review; TechRadar, WH-CH720N review; maker specifications.

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4

Best noise cancelling earbuds

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)

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Type
In-ear, with stability bands
Battery, ANC on
6 h (4 h with Immersive Audio); 24 h with case
Case
Wireless and USB-C charging
Codecs
SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive
Multipoint
Yes
Water rating
IPX4
In the box
Tips S/M/L, stability bands 1/2/3

Where it works (our call)

  • FlightsExcellent
  • Open officeExcellent
  • CommuteExcellent
  • WorkoutsIt works
  • CallsGood

Buy these if you want the strongest noise cancelling in earbud form and you switch between iPhone and Android, or might.

Why it is here

Expert Reviews calls them the best wireless earbuds available for blocking outside sound, and What Hi-Fi? calls them the complete wireless package. At least one head-to-head found Sony's rival trails these and AirPods Pro 3 on noise cancelling.

Living with it

Bose's CustomTune checks the fit and calibrates the cancellation each time you put them in. Three sizes of tips and three sizes of stability bands come in the box, so you can get a seal without wings digging in. The 2nd Gen case charges wirelessly as well as over USB-C. On a long flight, plan on one top-up in the case.

The catch

  • Six hours per charge is short next to the eight that Sony and Apple quote, and Immersive Audio cuts it to about four.
  • IPX4 only: fine for sweat and splashes, not a rain run.

Pick something else if

  • AirPods Pro 3 if you use an iPhone and want the Apple conveniences.
  • Sony WF-1000XM6 if you are on Android and care most about sound and LDAC.

Before you buy

  • Confirm “(2nd Gen)”. The 1st Gen looks almost identical in photos.
  • Several colours are listed separately; prices can differ between them.

Sources: Expert Reviews, QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) review; What Hi-Fi?, QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) review; Pokde, WF-1000XM6 review; maker specifications.

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5

Best for iPhone

Apple AirPods Pro 3

Search Amazon for this model
Type
In-ear
Battery, ANC on
8 h; 24 h with case
Water rating
IP57, buds and case
Ear tips
Five sizes, XXS to L
Codecs
AAC, SBC
Extras
Heart-rate sensing, Find My

Where it works (our call)

  • FlightsExcellent
  • Open officeExcellent
  • CommuteExcellent
  • WorkoutsExcellent
  • CallsGood

Buy these if you use an iPhone. Nothing else is as easy to live with, and the noise cancelling is now flagship-class.

Why it is here

Apple claims up to twice the noise cancelling of the AirPods Pro 2, and reviewers at Tom's Guide and TechRadar both found a clear step up. RTINGS has measured them as well. Apple kept the launch price at $249, the same as the Pro 2.

Living with it

Open the case near your iPhone and they are paired; they move between iPhone, iPad and Mac on the same Apple Account without you touching a menu. Battery is rated at up to eight hours per charge with noise cancelling, up from six. IP57 covers both the buds and the case, so sweat and rain are fine, and a built-in heart-rate sensor feeds workouts to the Fitness app. Five tip sizes now include an XXS.

The catch

  • On Android you keep playback and noise cancelling but lose the pairing, switching and Find My features people buy AirPods for.
  • The case holds less than before: 24 hours in total, against 30 for the Pro 2.
  • Fit is personal. Some people find the Pro 2's shallower fit more comfortable; run the fit test in Settings and try the XXS tips before deciding.
  • Pro 2 tips do not fit the Pro 3.

Pick something else if

Before you buy

  • Amazon search results mix AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4. Check the title says AirPods Pro 3.
  • Look for Amazon or Apple as the seller. AirPods are a common counterfeit target.

Sources: Tom's Guide, AirPods Pro 3 review; TechRadar, AirPods Pro 3 review; RTINGS, AirPods Pro 3 review; maker specifications.

Search Amazon for this model
6

Best-sounding earbuds for Android

Sony WF-1000XM6

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Type
In-ear
Battery, ANC on
8 h; 24 h with case
Case
Wireless charging
Codecs
SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3
Multipoint
Yes
Water rating
IPX4 (buds only)

Where it works (our call)

  • FlightsExcellent
  • Open officeExcellent
  • CommuteExcellent
  • WorkoutsIt works
  • CallsExcellent

Buy these if sound quality comes first and you are on Android, where LDAC and Sony's app make the most of them.

Why it is here

SoundGuys calls them Sony's best earbuds to date, praising the sound, the noise cancelling and the microphones. Expert Reviews found they lead on noise cancellation and sound quality, with minor compromises on comfort.

Living with it

You get LDAC on Android, a 10-band EQ, multipoint and up to eight hours per charge with noise cancelling, with a wireless-charging case that brings the total to 24. Sony launched them at $329.99 in February 2026.

The catch

  • Fit is the honest weak point, and it is the likely reason this model's customer rating on Amazon trails Sony's over-ears. Pokde found the buds and case bulky with fit issues. Work through every tip size in the first few days and return them inside the window if none seals.
  • In at least one comparison the noise cancelling trails Bose's earbuds and AirPods Pro 3.
  • IPX4 on the buds only; the case is not rated.

Pick something else if

Before you buy

  • WF is earbuds, WH is over-ear. The names differ by one letter.
  • Black and Platinum Silver are separate listings; compare both.

Sources: SoundGuys, WF-1000XM6 review; Expert Reviews, WF-1000XM6 review; Pokde, WF-1000XM6 review; RTINGS, WF-1000XM6 review; maker specifications.

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7

Best value flagship

Sony WH-1000XM5

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Type
Over-ear, closed, swivels flat
Battery, ANC on
30 h rated
Quick charge
3 min for about 3 h (Sony)
Weight
250 g
Codecs
SBC, AAC, LDAC
Multipoint
Yes
Water rating
None

Where it works (our call)

  • FlightsExcellent
  • Open officeExcellent
  • CommuteExcellent
  • WorkoutsNot for this
  • CallsGood

Buy this if you want flagship noise cancelling and would rather spend the difference on the trip itself.

Why it is here

This was What Hi-Fi?'s top noise canceller through three award years before the XM6 replaced it, and it still cancels more noise than anything in the budget tier. With its successor out, it is now the cheapest way into Sony's flagship line.

Living with it

The everyday experience is close to the XM6: Sony rates the same 30 hours with noise cancelling on, the same three-minute quick charge for about three hours, multipoint and LDAC, all in the same app. At 250 g it is light on the head.

The catch

  • It does not fold. The cups only swivel flat, so the case is bigger in a bag.
  • Noise cancelling and call microphones are a step behind the XM6.
  • No water rating.

Pick something else if

  • Sony WH-1000XM6 if you want the quietest possible cabin and the better microphones.
  • Sony WH-CH720N if you want to spend as little as possible on real noise cancelling.

Before you buy

  • Black and silver are different listings and have been priced very differently on the same day. Check both colours before you buy.
  • Check the model number says XM5, and that the seller is Amazon or Sony.

Sources: What Hi-Fi?, best noise-cancelling headphones; maker specifications.

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8

Best budget earbuds

Soundcore by Anker Space A40

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Type
In-ear
Battery, ANC on
10 h; about 50 h with case (Anker)
Case
Wireless charging
Codecs
SBC, AAC, LDAC
App
Soundcore, with custom EQ

Where it works (our call)

  • FlightsGood
  • Open officeGood
  • CommuteExcellent
  • WorkoutsGood
  • CallsIt works

Buy these if you want working noise cancelling earbuds and do not want to spend flagship money.

Why it is here

RTINGS calls the Space A40 the best Soundcore earbuds it has tested, and notes that recent Anker noise cancelling comes close to Bose and Sony on isolation. Its full RTINGS review is worth a look if you want the measurements.

Living with it

Anker rates ten hours per charge with noise cancelling and about 50 with the case, longer per charge than either flagship earbud on this page. LDAC is supported on Android, the case charges wirelessly, and the Soundcore app's EQ lets you rein in the bass.

The catch

  • Budget noise cancelling removes the train rumble, not the announcement. Expect a big improvement, not silence.
  • It is a 2022 design. Newer Soundcore earbuds have arrived since, so it is worth a glance at RTINGS's Anker page before you buy.
  • Several listings of the same model exist. Pick one sold by Soundcore or Amazon.

Pick something else if

Before you buy

  • Several variants of this exact model are listed on the same day. Check which one is sold by Soundcore or Amazon before choosing on colour.

Sources: RTINGS, best Anker headphones; RTINGS, Space A40 review; maker specifications.

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9

Longest battery

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

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Type
Over-ear, closed
Battery, ANC on
60 h rated
Codecs
SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive
Successor
Momentum 5, 56 h rated

Where it works (our call)

  • FlightsExcellent
  • Open officeGood
  • CommuteGood
  • WorkoutsNot for this
  • CallsGood

Buy this if you hate charging things and you buy headphones for the way they sound, not only for the silence.

Why it is here

Sennheiser rates it for 60 hours with noise cancelling on, double the 30 that the Sony and Bose flagships quote. The brand's tuning is the other reason people choose it, and the app's EQ is a full one rather than a token preset list.

Living with it

For a typical commute that means charging once a month. The headband is fabric-covered rather than leather-style, and aptX Adaptive is supported on Android phones that have it.

The catch

  • Noise cancelling is effective on a plane but a step behind the current Sony and Bose flagships.
  • Sennheiser's current model is the Momentum 5, rated for 56 hours. The 4 is the older, cheaper one, which is exactly why it is here.

Pick something else if

Before you buy

  • Check the title says Momentum 4 Wireless, not the Momentum True Wireless 4 earbuds.

Sources: maker specifications.

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10

Best for running and cycling

Shokz OpenRun Pro 2

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Type
Open-ear, bone plus air conduction
Battery
12 h; 5 min charge for 2.5 h
Water rating
IP55
Weight
About 30 g
Multipoint
Yes
Sizes
Standard and Mini

Where it works (our call)

  • FlightsNot for this
  • Open officeIt works
  • CommuteGood
  • WorkoutsExcellent
  • CallsGood

Buy this if you run, ride or walk on roads, or need one ear on the room all day. It is the only pick here that deliberately lets noise in.

Why it is here

Tom's Guide gave it an Editor's Choice for adding real bass to an open design, and TechRadar calls it the ideal runner's headphones, particularly for long-distance and trail running.

Living with it

Bone conduction handles the mids and highs through your cheekbones, and a small air-conduction driver adds the bass older bone conduction models lacked. It weighs about 30 g, is rated IP55 for sweat and rain, runs up to 12 hours, and five minutes on the charger gives about two and a half hours. The band sits behind your head, so it clears glasses and most helmets, and the two microphones are placed to reduce wind on calls.

The catch

  • No noise cancelling at all. In a plane cabin or a loud office it is the wrong tool.
  • Tom's Guide found the 12-hour figure drops if you keep the volume near maximum.
  • Sound is good for open-ear, but it cannot match a sealed earbud for bass or detail.

Pick something else if

  • Shokz OpenFit 2+ if you would rather not have a band behind your head.
  • AirPods Pro 3 if you want sealed earbuds for the gym and an iPhone pairing.

Before you buy

  • Choose the band size: Standard, or Mini for smaller heads.
  • Older OpenRun Pro (1st gen) listings appear alongside this one. Check for “Pro 2”.

Sources: Tom's Guide, OpenRun Pro 2 review; TechRadar, OpenRun Pro 2 review; maker specifications.

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The ten on paper

PickTypeBattery (rated unless noted)CodecsWater ratingBuy
Sony WH-1000XM6Over-ear, closed, folds30 h rated; a little over 31 h in RTINGS's testSBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3NoneAmazon
Bose QC Ultra (2nd Gen)Over-ear, closed, foldsUp to 30 h rated, less with Immersive AudioSBC, AAC, aptX AdaptiveNone publishedAmazon
Sony WH-CH720NOver-ear, closed35 h rated (50 h with ANC off)SBC, AACNot ratedAmazon
Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)In-ear, with stability bands6 h (4 h with Immersive Audio); 24 h with caseSBC, AAC, aptX AdaptiveIPX4Amazon
AirPods Pro 3In-ear8 h; 24 h with caseAAC, SBCIP57, buds and caseAmazon
Sony WF-1000XM6In-ear8 h; 24 h with caseSBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3IPX4 (buds only)Amazon
Sony WH-1000XM5Over-ear, closed, swivels flat30 h ratedSBC, AAC, LDACNoneAmazon
Soundcore Space A40In-ear10 h; about 50 h with case (Anker)SBC, AAC, LDACNot confirmedAmazon
Sennheiser Momentum 4Over-ear, closed60 h ratedSBC, AAC, aptX AdaptiveNot confirmedAmazon
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2Open-ear, bone plus air conduction12 h; 5 min charge for 2.5 hNot confirmedIP55Amazon

Battery figures are the makers’ ratings unless a test is named. Real-world hours drop at high volume and with spatial audio on.

Also worth a look

Good headphones that are right for fewer people, and two that are often bought by mistake.

Before you check out

Make sure it is the real thing

  1. Read the buy box, not the title. On the product page, find Ships from and Sold by. Amazon.com or the brand's own storefront is what you want.
  2. Compare the other listings of the same model. Colours and variants are separate listings. A flagship priced far below every other listing of the same model is the oldest counterfeit signal there is.
  3. Match the model name to the brand's site. Fakes and grey imports often carry a model string the maker never used. Sony, Bose and Apple publish their current model names.
  4. Register the serial number when it arrives. Registration confirms the unit and starts the warranty. If it fails, return it inside the window rather than arguing later.

The five-minute fit test (bring your glasses)

  1. Glasses on first, then the headphones. The arm has to sit under the pad, not fight it. Test in the order you will wear them.
  2. Press each cup gently and listen. If the background drops when you press, the seal is leaking at the arm and you are losing noise cancelling.
  3. Check the pad depth. If your ear touches the inside, the pad is too shallow for you. This is where Bose and Sony differ most.
  4. Walk around for five minutes. Clamp that feels fine sitting down can turn into a headache standing up.
  5. Swap tips on earbuds. Go through every size in the box. A loose tip costs more noise cancelling than any processor can win back.

Do it the day the box arrives, well inside the return window.

How these picks were made

We have not run these headphones through a lab of our own, and we do not write as if we had. Every pick rests on published measurements and long-term reviews from outlets that explain their methods, chiefly RTINGS, What Hi-Fi? and SoundGuys, and each review links the sources it uses. We check every figure against the maker's own specification, label ratings as ratings, and look at how each product is actually listed on Amazon so the “Before you buy” notes catch the generation, colour and seller traps. Product images are illustrations. Read the full method.

Questions we get asked

What are the best noise cancelling headphones in 2026?

The Sony WH-1000XM6. RTINGS names it the best noise cancelling pair it has tested and What Hi-Fi? picks it as its best overall. Choose the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) if comfort over long sessions matters more, the Sony WH-CH720N on a budget, and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) if you want earbuds.

How does noise cancelling actually work?

Microphones listen to the sound reaching the earcup and the headphones play an inverted copy of it, so the two largely cancel. It works best on steady, low-pitched noise, which is why engine rumble disappears and the conversation two rows back does not. The physical seal of the pads or tips does the rest.

What is the difference between noise cancelling and noise isolation?

Isolation is physical: pads and tips blocking sound. Noise cancelling is electronic and works on top of it. RTINGS explains how it measures both together, because that combination is what you actually hear. It is also why worn pads cost you more quiet than any firmware update can give back.

Can earbuds cancel noise as well as over-ears?

The best earbuds now come close for engine and train noise, but over-ears still win on long flights because the pads add isolation and the batteries last days rather than hours. Earbuds win on size, heat and workouts.

Which noise cancelling headphones are best with glasses?

Look for deep pads and a soft clamp. Of our picks, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) is the safest choice; some glasses wearers lose the seal on the Sony XM6's shallower cups. Open-ear sport models avoid the problem entirely.

Can I sleep in noise cancelling headphones?

Not comfortably in any of these. For sleep, foam earplugs cost a few dollars and block more than every pair on this page. We would rather tell you that than sell you a flagship for the job. Our earplug pick is on the accessories page.

Is last year's model worth buying?

Often, yes. The Sony WH-1000XM5 gives up some noise cancelling and the folding hinge to the XM6 but keeps the battery, app and multipoint, and the older Sennheiser Momentum 4 out-lasts its successor on rated battery. Check the current price gap on the day; it moves.

How do I avoid a counterfeit pair on Amazon?

Buy from Amazon itself or the brand's own storefront, compare against other listings of the same model, check the model name against the brand's site, and register the serial number when the box arrives. Headphones are among the most counterfeited products on any marketplace.

Do you test these headphones yourselves?

Not in a lab. Our picks are built on published measurements and long-term reviews from outlets that explain their methods, and we name and link them on every pick. When we measure something ourselves, it is labelled as ours with the date and method. Here is exactly how we choose.

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