Independent testing · 2026 edition

Headphones, honestly reviewed.

We buy, stress-test and live with every pair we review. No sponsored scores, no affiliate fluff — just clear verdicts on the best noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds of the year.

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8products tested

120+hours of listening

0sponsored scores

Editor's Choice · 2026

Sony WH-1000XM5

Still the best all-round noise-cancelling headphones money can buy.

9.4 / 10

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Top three

Our 2026 award winners

Every pair below earned its spot after weeks of daily use, commutes, flights and critical listening sessions.

#1 · Editor's Choice

Sony WH-1000XM5

$399 · Over-ear ANC

9.4

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#2 · Best ANC

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

$429 · Over-ear ANC

9.3

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#3 · Best Sound

Sennheiser Momentum 4

$379 · Over-ear ANC

9.1

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The full lineup

All reviews

From flagship noise-cancellers to budget sleepers — sorted by overall score.

Editor's Choice 9.4

Sony WH-1000XM5

$399 · Over-ear

Read review

Best ANC 9.3

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

$429 · Over-ear

Read review

Best Earbuds 9.2

Apple AirPods Pro 2

$249 · In-ear

Read review

Best Sound 9.1

Sennheiser Momentum 4

$379 · Over-ear

Read review

Earbuds 9.0

Sony WF-1000XM5

$299 · In-ear

Read review

Premium 8.9

Apple AirPods Max

$549 · Over-ear

Read review

Best Value 8.6

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

$149 · Wired studio

Read review

Budget Pick 8.3

Soundcore Space One

$99 · Over-ear

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Side by side

Comparison table

The specs that actually matter, without the marketing noise.

Model	Price	Type	ANC rating	Battery (ANC)	Weight	Best for	Score
Sony WH-1000XM5	$399	Over-ear	9.8	30 hrs	250 g	Everything	9.4
Bose QuietComfort Ultra	$429	Over-ear	9.6	24 hrs	254 g	Silence & travel	9.3
Apple AirPods Pro 2	$249	In-ear	9.5	6 + 24 hrs	5.3 g	Apple ecosystem	9.2
Sennheiser Momentum 4	$379	Over-ear	8.9	60 hrs	293 g	Audiophiles	9.1
Sony WF-1000XM5	$299	In-ear	9.3	8 + 24 hrs	5.9 g	Android users	9.0
Apple AirPods Max	$549	Over-ear	9.4	20 hrs	385 g	Build quality	8.9
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x	$149	Wired studio	—	Wired	285 g	Studio & mixing	8.6
Soundcore Space One	$99	Over-ear	8.5	55 hrs	263 g	Budget buyers	8.3

Before you buy

The 4-minute buying guide

Skip the spec-sheet paralysis. Here's what actually separates a great pair from a regret.

ANC depth beats ANC marketing

A great noise-cancelling pair silences the rumble of engines and HVAC before you ever touch a volume slider. Test it on a street corner, not in a quiet store.

Pick a sound signature, not a brand

Sony leans warm and bass-forward, Sennheiser stays neutral and precise, Bose prioritises effortlessness. Decide whether you listen to podcasts or piano before you buy.

Battery life is a lifestyle feature

20 hours means charging twice a week; 60 hours means forgetting the cable exists. If you travel weekly, long battery life quietly matters more than a 0.2 ANC score.

Weight and clamp are the hidden spec

The heaviest pair on our list (AirPods Max, 385 g) sounds superb — and still ends up on our necks less. Comfort is the spec you can't return a headache for.

Earbuds vs over-ear is a trade-off

Earbuds win portability and calls; over-ear wins soundstage, battery and all-day comfort. Only buy earbuds "for the ANC" — over-ear is almost always quieter.

Don't overpay for a badge

A $99 Soundcore does 85% of what a $429 Bose does. Spend more only when a specific feature — comfort, codecs, integration — is something you'll actually use daily.

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