Sony vs Bose vs Sennheiser: Which Brand Deserves Your Money?
Based on hundreds of hours of listening, we present 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 noise cancellation. Exceptional sound quality meets industry-leading ANC.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra — £379
Rating: 9.0/10 | Battery: 24h | ANC: Excellent
The budget-friendly champion. Exceptional sound quality meets industry-leading ANC.
Sennheiser Momentum 4 — £299
Rating: 8.8/10 | Battery: 60h | ANC: Very Good
Best for audiophiles. 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.