Best Noise Cancelling Headphones of 2026: 6 Top Picks Compared
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Updated October 2026. Noise-cancelling headphones have changed a lot since this guide was first written. Sony replaced the WH-1000XM5 with the WH-1000XM6, Bose launched the second-generation QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, Apple finally updated the AirPods Max with the H2 chip, and Sennheiser released the Momentum 5 Wireless with a replaceable battery. At the budget end, Sony’s new WH-CH730N doubles the battery life of many rivals.
We have rebuilt this guide around the models you can actually buy today. Whether you need silence on a long-haul flight, focus while working from home or a calmer commute, one of the six pairs below should suit you. If you prefer something pocketable, see our guide to the best noise-cancelling earbuds instead.
Quick Comparison
Sony WH-1000XM6
Over-ear ANC, up to 30 hours with ANC on, 12 microphones, LDAC and multipoint, folds for travel
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
Class-leading ANC, up to 30 hours of battery, aptX Adaptive, lossless audio over USB-C, folding design
Apple AirPods Max 2
Apple H2 chip, up to 1.5x stronger ANC than the original, Adaptive Audio, USB-C lossless, up to 20 hours
Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless
Up to 57 hours with ANC on, 42 mm driver, aptX Lossless and Adaptive, user-replaceable battery
Sony WH-CH730N
Up to 50 hours with ANC on (75 off), 207 g, Bluetooth 6.0, multipoint, foldable
Soundcore by Anker Space One
Adaptive ANC, up to 40 hours with ANC on (55 off), LDAC, multipoint, app EQ
Specs at a Glance
Manufacturer-rated specifications for each pick. Battery figures are maximums and drop at high volume or with extra features switched on. “n/a” means the figure is not published or we could not confirm it.
| Image | Model | Battery (ANC on) | Weight | Bluetooth codecs | Folds | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Sony WH-1000XM6 | Up to 30 h | About 254 g | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 | Yes | Best overall |
 | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) | Up to 30 h | About 250 g | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | Yes | Strongest ANC |
 | Apple AirPods Max 2 | Up to 20 h | About 386 g | SBC, AAC | No (Smart Case) | iPhone users |
| Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless | Up to 57 h | About 290 g | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless | Flat only (no fold-up) | Battery and sound | |
 | Sony WH-CH730N | Up to 50 h | About 207 g | SBC, AAC, LC3 | Yes | Budget ANC |
 | Soundcore by Anker Space One | Up to 40 h | n/a | SBC, AAC, LDAC | Yes | Under $100 |
Our Picks in Detail
1. Sony WH-1000XM6 – Best Overall
The WH-1000XM6 is the safest all-round recommendation for most people. Sony’s flagship pairs very strong noise cancelling with a warm, detailed sound you can adjust with a full equaliser in the Sony Sound Connect app. It folds again for travel, which the XM5 did not, and it supports multipoint so it can stay connected to a phone and a laptop at the same time.
Call quality is a strength too: Sony uses a total of 12 microphones, some for noise cancelling and some for picking up your voice. Android users also get LDAC for higher-bitrate Bluetooth. Choose the XM6 if you want one pair that does flights, offices and music equally well.
2. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) – Strongest Noise Cancelling
If blocking the most noise is your priority, the second-generation QuietComfort Ultra is the one to beat. Several major review outlets rate its Quiet mode as the most effective noise cancelling on sale in 2026, and Bose’s soft ear cushions and light clamping force make it one of the most comfortable options for glasses wearers.
Battery life is rated at up to 30 hours, Bluetooth 5.4 supports aptX Adaptive on compatible Android phones, and you can now listen to lossless audio over a USB-C cable. Bose’s Immersive Audio (its version of spatial audio) works well for films. Note that wired listening still needs some battery charge.
3. Apple AirPods Max 2 – Best for iPhone Users
Launched in spring 2026, the AirPods Max 2 keep the aluminium and knit-mesh design of the original but add Apple’s H2 chip. Apple says noise cancelling is up to 1.5 times stronger than the first generation, and the H2 brings Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, Voice Isolation and Live Translation with a compatible iPhone.
With an iPhone, iPad or Mac they are effortless: instant pairing, automatic switching and personalised Spatial Audio with head tracking. The downsides are weight (about 386 g) and battery life of up to 20 hours, the shortest here. Android users lose most of the smart features, so they are better served by Sony or Bose.
4. Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless – Best Battery Life and Sound
Sennheiser’s Momentum 5 Wireless, released in June 2026, are for people who care about sound first. Sennheiser says the 42 mm driver takes inspiration from the HD 600 studio headphones, and the tuning is more natural than the bass-forward sound of most rivals. Support for aptX Lossless and aptX Adaptive gives compatible Android phones a better connection.
Battery life is the other headline: up to 57 hours with noise cancelling on, nearly double the Sony and Bose. Sennheiser also made the battery user-replaceable, so the headphones should last longer than the usual two or three years. Noise cancelling is much improved over the Momentum 4, though Bose still blocks a little more.
5. Sony WH-CH730N – Best Budget Noise Cancelling
The WH-CH730N replaced the popular WH-CH720N in September 2026 and fixes its main weakness: it now folds for travel. It is light at about 207 g, and battery life is huge at up to 50 hours with noise cancelling on, or 75 hours with it off. A three-minute charge gives around an hour of playback.
Noise cancelling is moderate rather than class-leading, so it will not silence a plane cabin like the Bose. For commuting, studying and office work, though, it does the job for well under half the price of a flagship. The older WH-CH720N is still worth buying if you find it heavily discounted.
6. Soundcore by Anker Space One – Best Under $100
If your budget stops at around $100, the Space One gives you the most for the money. Adaptive noise cancelling handles engine rumble and office hum well, LDAC is available for Android phones, and the Soundcore app includes a customisable equaliser.
Battery life is rated at up to 40 hours with noise cancelling on. It does not match the premium models for build quality or call clarity, but it is a sensible first pair of noise-cancelling headphones. For more options at this price, see our best wireless headphones under $100.
How We Chose These Headphones
We compared manufacturer specifications, published lab measurements from established review sites, feature sets and typical selling prices, and gave priority to headphones from brands with a long track record and good support. Where a model has been replaced, we say so, because the previous generation is often good value when discounted. We have not listed exact prices because they change often; use the buttons to check today’s price.
How to Choose Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Noise cancelling strength
Active noise cancelling (ANC) uses microphones to measure outside sound and plays an inverted signal to cancel it. Every model here handles steady low noise such as engines well. The differences show with voices and sudden sounds, where Bose, Sony and Apple are ahead of cheaper pairs.
Comfort and weight
You will wear these for hours, so weight and clamping force matter. Pairs around 250 g, such as the Sony and Bose, are easier to wear all day than the 386 g AirPods Max 2. If you wear glasses, softer and deeper ear cushions make a clear difference. Colour is a matter of taste, but if you are unsure, our guide to choosing the best headphone color may help.
Battery life
Thirty hours with ANC on is now the norm for flagships, and several budget models go much further. Frequent flyers should look for quick charging and a cable option, in case the battery runs out mid-journey.
Codecs, multipoint and apps
LDAC and aptX Adaptive give Android users a higher-quality Bluetooth connection; iPhones use AAC. Multipoint lets the headphones stay connected to two devices, which is useful when you switch between a laptop and a phone. If a pair ever refuses to connect, our guide on how to reset Bluetooth headphones covers the main brands.
Over-ear or earbuds?
Over-ear headphones usually cancel more noise and last longer, while earbuds are easier to carry and better for exercise. For the gym, see the best over-ear headphones for working out or consider earbuds.
Getting the Best Noise Cancelling
- Adjust the headband so the cushions seal fully around your ears; gaps let noise in.
- Run the fit or optimisation test in the companion app if there is one.
- Update the firmware, because manufacturers often improve ANC and connection stability after launch.
- Use transparency or aware mode, rather than taking the headphones off, for quick conversations.
Related: if you prefer wired listening on the go, see our best IEMs under $200; for gaming, see best wireless gaming headsets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts
For most people the Sony WH-1000XM6 is the best noise-cancelling headphone to buy. Pick the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) for the most silence and comfort, the AirPods Max 2 if you live in Apple’s ecosystem, or the Sennheiser Momentum 5 if sound quality and battery life come first.
On a budget, the Sony WH-CH730N offers huge battery life and decent noise cancelling, while the Soundcore Space One is the pick under $100.
Related guides: Best Noise-Cancelling Earbuds | Best Wireless Headphones Under $100 | Best Headphones for Working From Home | Open-Back vs Closed-Back Headphones
Specifications are taken from manufacturer information and can change between production runs or firmware updates. Prices and availability vary, so check the current listing before you buy.
Image credits: Apple AirPods Max 2 photo by SimonWaldherr, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Other product images courtesy of the manufacturers.
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