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Frank's pick
Sony WH 1000XM6 Wireless
★★★★☆ 4.5/5$449
Why 4.5/5: Strong, consistent praise across our credible sources. Main caveat reviewers raised: I can't bear to wear the Sony WH-1000XM6 Poor comfort prevents the WH-1000XM6 from being my daily driver.
Backed by 18 credible sources. What reviewers liked: They sound very good, have excellent ANC, and are equipped to handle demanding users. The main drawback they noted: I can't bear to wear the Sony WH-1000XM6 Poor comfort prevents the WH-1000XM6 from being my daily driver.
Prices checked August 2026
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Prices were last checked 2026-08-10 and can change — confirm the current price at the retailer before buying.
#1
Sony WH 1000XM6 Wireless
Sony
Best for noise-cancelling headphones topi
Why 4.5/5: Strong, consistent praise across our credible sources. Main caveat reviewers raised: I can't bear to wear the Sony WH-1000XM6 Poor comfort prevents the WH-1000XM6 from being my daily driver.
- ●Evidence Weight
- 12.1
- ●Sources
- 18
Backed by 18 credible sources. What reviewers liked: They sound very good, have excellent ANC, and are equipped to handle demanding users. The main drawback they noted: I can't bear to wear the Sony WH-1000XM6 Poor comfort prevents the WH-1000XM6 from being my daily driver.
Pros
- They sound very good, have excellent ANC, and are equipped to handle demanding users.
- the older pair still provides excellent sound in a comfortable and stylish package.
- check out our picks for the best noise-cancelling headphones TOPICS Lewis Empson Senior Staff Writer Lewis Empson is a Senior Staff Writer on What Hi-Fi?.
Cons
- I can't bear to wear the Sony WH-1000XM6 Poor comfort prevents the WH-1000XM6 from being my daily driver.
Specifications
- hours
- 30 hours
- mm
- 2.5 mm
- wh
- 2025 WH
- hour
- 1 Hour
- "
- 630 "
Best for buyers prioritizing specific tradeoffs
Why 4.5/5: Strong, consistent praise across our credible sources. Main caveat reviewers raised: their style does offer an alternative to the largely indistinct, blocky look adopted by the Sony XM6 and Sennheiser HDB.
- ●Evidence Weight
- 12.1
- ●Sources
- 18
Backed by 18 credible sources. What reviewers liked: They offer superb noise cancellation and a comfortable build The main drawback they noted: their style does offer an alternative to the largely indistinct, blocky look adopted by the Sony XM6 and Sennheiser HDB
Pros
- They offer superb noise cancellation and a comfortable build
- the earpads and headband are well-cushioned, ensuring a comfortable fit and good seal.
- the Sony XM6 remains a class leader at this premium price.
Cons
- their style does offer an alternative to the largely indistinct, blocky look adopted by the Sony XM6 and Sennheiser HDB
- though the juicepack does take a hit when the power-hungry Immersive Audio mode is used, dropping to 23 hours.
- the QC Ultra 2 is that they come up against Sony's Award-winning WH-1000XM6, which aren't just different sounding but categorically better sounding, and by a fair margin.
Specifications
- hours
- 30 hours
- mm
- 2.5 mm
- wh
- 2025 WH
- hour
- 1 Hour
- "
- 630 "
#3
Bose QC Ultra Headphones
Bose
Best for buyers prioritizing specific tradeoffs
Why 4.5/5: Strong, consistent praise across our credible sources. Main caveat reviewers raised: No wired audio listening via USB-C.
- ●Evidence Weight
- 5.8
- ●Sources
- 8
Backed by 8 credible sources. What reviewers liked: is really well implemented, and we find them to be intuitive and easy to manage. The main drawback they noted: No wired audio listening via USB-C
Pros
- is really well implemented, and we find them to be intuitive and easy to manage.
- The Momentum 5's ANC isn't on the same level as the excellent Sony WH-1000XM6 or Bose QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
- Bose has also updated the proprietary algorithm so ANC automatically kicks in to prevent sharp spikes of noise from drowning out your music.
Cons
- No wired audio listening via USB-C
- Don't fold away as neatly
- The QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are more expensive, being newer
Specifications
- hours
- 30 hours
- mm
- 2.5 mm
- "
- 630 "
Best for several years
Why 4/5: Well-reviewed overall, with only minor trade-offs. Main caveat reviewers raised: I can't bear to wear the Sony WH-1000XM6 Poor comfort prevents the WH-1000XM6 from being my daily driver.
- ●Evidence Weight
- 13
- ●Sources
- 19
Backed by 19 credible sources. What reviewers liked: As these are the top-of-the-line when it comes to contemporary ANC headphones, both the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen.) and Sony WH-1000XM6 represent some of the best experiences you can get with that category. The main drawback they noted: I can't bear to wear the Sony WH-1000XM6 Poor comfort prevents the WH-1000XM6 from being my daily driver.
Pros
- As these are the top-of-the-line when it comes to contemporary ANC headphones, both the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen.) and Sony WH-1000XM6 represent some of the best experiences you can get with that category.
- Fast forward to the present day, and it has a handful of options from the range still on sale
- In either case, a little bit of discipline and good charging habits should keep your headphones out of the landfill for several years.
Cons
- I can't bear to wear the Sony WH-1000XM6 Poor comfort prevents the WH-1000XM6 from being my daily driver.
Specifications
- hours
- 30 hours
- mm
- 2.5 mm
- wh
- 2025 WH
- hour
- 1 Hour
- "
- 630 "
#5
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Headphones
Sennheiser
Best for excellent sound
Why 4/5: Well-reviewed overall, with only minor trade-offs. Main caveat reviewers raised: The latest iteration of this line, the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless, has a lot of stiff competition in its category from Bose, Sony, and Apple.
- ●Evidence Weight
- 9.4
- ●Sources
- 14
Backed by 14 credible sources. What reviewers liked: Sennheiser Momentum 4 MSRP: USD299.99 8 Check price Pros Cons Positives Excellent battery life Excellent sound quality Connectivity options Price USB-C listening Negatives Middling ANC Mic noise rejection Read more... The main drawback they noted: The latest iteration of this line, the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless, has a lot of stiff competition in its category from Bose, Sony, and Apple.
Pros
- Sennheiser Momentum 4 MSRP: USD299.99 8 Check price Pros Cons Positives Excellent battery life Excellent sound quality Connectivity options Price USB-C listening Negatives Middling ANC Mic noise rejection Read more...
- Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless: Praised for excellent sound, long battery life, and strong ANC.
- Sennheiser Momentum 4 If you're looking for a slightly more affordable set of ANC headphones in comparison to the Bose or Sony offerings: the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless is not a bad way to go.
- If you're looking for a slightly more affordable set of ANC headphones in comparison to the Bose or Sony offerings: the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless is not a bad way to go.
Cons
- The latest iteration of this line, the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless, has a lot of stiff competition in its category from Bose, Sony, and Apple.
- Fixing Sennheiser Momentum 4 Sound Issues (Popping and ....
- Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless known issues: Firmware update 3.35.6 reportedly ruined the experience for some users (Reddit community).
- As these headphones use a plastic band instead of metal like their predecessors, the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless isn’t heavy enough to cause significant strain over a period of several hours.
Specifications
- mm
- 2.5 mm
- hours
- 56 hours
- "
- 630 "
- hr
- 57 hr
#6
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
Bose
Best for buyers prioritizing specific tradeoffs
Why 4/5: Well-reviewed overall, with only minor trade-offs. Main caveat reviewers raised: You couldn't listen to them wired over USB-C.
- ●Evidence Weight
- 6.8
- ●Sources
- 9
Backed by 9 credible sources. What reviewers liked: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen): Best-in-class noise cancelling, comfortable, highly portable, great sounding, and offers spatial audio. The main drawback they noted: You couldn't listen to them wired over USB-C
Pros
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen): Best-in-class noise cancelling, comfortable, highly portable, great sounding, and offers spatial audio.
- The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen.) are a solid set ofheadphones that compete well with the current ANC leaders.
- they sound more solid and musically tighter.
Cons
- You couldn't listen to them wired over USB-C
- their battery life fell short of that delivered by their closest rival
- their spatial audio was unconvincing
Specifications
- hours
- 30 hours
- mm
- 2.5 mm
- "
- 630 "
Best for including a fantastic case
Why 4/5: Well-reviewed overall, with only minor trade-offs. Main caveat reviewers raised: The XM5's lack of a folding mechanism was a dealbreaker for me, so I was thrilled to see Sony create a workaround that meant the slick new design was also functional.
- ●Evidence Weight
- 6
- ●Sources
- 8
Backed by 8 credible sources. What reviewers liked: They have excellent sound quality and noise canceling capabilities, decent durability, potentially eliminating the fragile hinge from the XM5, a proper folding design, and intuitive touch controls. The main drawback they noted: The XM5's lack of a folding mechanism was a dealbreaker for me, so I was thrilled to see Sony create a workaround that meant the slick new design was also functional.
Pros
- They have excellent sound quality and noise canceling capabilities, decent durability, potentially eliminating the fragile hinge from the XM5, a proper folding design, and intuitive touch controls.
- Sony also gets bonus points here for including a fantastic case.
- The magnetic clasp is satisfyingly snappy, and it allows for quick access to the headphones
Cons
- The XM5's lack of a folding mechanism was a dealbreaker for me, so I was thrilled to see Sony create a workaround that meant the slick new design was also functional.
- albeit not as rich or full
- bulky carry case and fragile design
Specifications
- hours
- 30 hours
- mm
- 2.5 mm
- "
- 630 "
#8
Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700
Bose
Best for buyers prioritizing specific tradeoffs
Why 3.5/5: A solid, usable pick — but not the best in its class.
- ●Evidence Weight
- 3.4
- ●Sources
- 4
Backed by 4 credible sources. What reviewers liked: Sennheiser’s estimates have historically been accurate or conservative, so we expect the final result to land close to or above that figure. No specific criticism surfaced in the sources we read — not proof none exists, so check recent reviews before buying.
⚠ Why some reviewers rated it low
This scores below 4★ and we couldn’t surface specific, credible criticism — treat the rating cautiously and read recent buyer reviews before purchasing.
Pros
- Sennheiser’s estimates have historically been accurate or conservative, so we expect the final result to land close to or above that figure.
Specifications
- hours
- 30 hours
- mm
- 2.5 mm
- "
- 630 "
Best for buyers prioritizing specific tradeoffs
Why 3.5/5: A solid, usable pick — but not the best in its class. Main caveat reviewers raised: My second and only other gripe is more of a personal preference, and it's to do with touch controls.
- ●Evidence Weight
- 1.2
- ●Sources
- 2
Backed by 2 credible sources. What reviewers liked: Naturally, I was eager to have a quick demo to see if they could tempt me away from my beloved XM4 headphones. The main drawback they noted: My second and only other gripe is more of a personal preference, and it's to do with touch controls.
⚠ Why some reviewers rated it low
The main caveat reviewers raised is noted above. We didn’t surface additional specific criticism — read recent buyer reviews before purchasing.
Pros
- Naturally, I was eager to have a quick demo to see if they could tempt me away from my beloved XM4 headphones.
- Unsurprisingly, they turned out to be really quite good
- good enough that I started to question if it was time to take the leap and upgrade.
Specifications
- hours
- 10 hours