Best Headphones for Commuting: Our Top Picks for 2026
We've tested dozens of options to bring you our top headphone picks for 2026.
What to Look For
- Noise Cancellation: Look for adaptive ANC that adjusts to your environment
- Sound Quality: Consider your preferred sound signature — warm, neutral, or bass-heavy
- Battery Life: 30+ hours is standard for over-ears
- Comfort: Weight and clamp force matter for long sessions
- Codec Support: LDAC and aptX Adaptive offer higher quality than AAC alone
Our Top Picks
Sony WH-1000XM5 — £299
Rating: 9.2/10 | Battery: 30h | ANC: Excellent
Our top pick for most people. You get 90% of the flagship experience at a fraction of the cost.
Bose QuietComfort Headphones — £299
Rating: 8.5/10 | Battery: 24h | ANC: Very Good
Best for runners and gym-goers. You get 90% of the flagship experience at a fraction of the cost.
Sony WF-1000XM5 — £259
Rating: 9.1/10 | Battery: 8h (24h case) | ANC: Excellent
The budget-friendly champion. Exceptional sound quality meets industry-leading ANC.
Apple AirPods Pro 2 — £229
Rating: 8.7/10 | Battery: 6h (30h case) | ANC: Very Good
The budget-friendly champion. A brilliant all-rounder that excels in every category.
How We Test
We use every product for at least two weeks in real-world conditions before making our recommendations.