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Best Noise Cancelling Headphones 2026: Our Top Picks

Everything you need to know before buying from Sony. Our picks and what to avoid.

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Best Noise Cancelling Headphones 2026: Our Top Picks

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

Best for runners and gym-goers. The go-to choice for its ecosystem.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra — £379

Rating: 9.0/10 | Battery: 24h | ANC: Excellent

Best value for money. You get 90% of the flagship experience at a fraction of the cost.

Sennheiser Momentum 4 — £299

Rating: 8.8/10 | Battery: 60h | ANC: Very Good

Best for Apple users. You get 90% of the flagship experience at a fraction of the cost.

Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) — £499

Rating: 8.0/10 | Battery: 20h | ANC: Excellent

Best for runners and gym-goers. Purpose-built for active use with IP rating and secure fit.

Bose QuietComfort Headphones — £299

Rating: 8.5/10 | Battery: 24h | ANC: Very Good

Best for audiophiles. You get 90% of the flagship experience at a fraction of the cost.

Sony WH-CH720N — £89

Rating: 7.8/10 | Battery: 35h | ANC: 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.