What are the best noise-cancelling headphones?

Some of these cost more than a plane ticket and others less than a checked bag, yet every pair promises to make the cabin disappear. Old travel warhorses meet this year's flagships.

1. 1
   Sony WH-1000XM6

   Sony's 2025 flagship over-ears, with a folding design back and the most widely praised noise cancelling of its generation.
   1000pts
2. 2
   Sony WH-1000XM4

   The 2020 model that added multipoint and speak-to-chat and stayed a best-seller for years.
   843pts
3. 3
   Sony WH-1000XM3

   The 2018 model that toppled Bose as the reviewers' default ANC pick.
   745pts
4. 4
   Technics EAH-A800

   Panasonic's audiophile-brand over-ears with a 50-hour battery and natural tuning.
   642pts
5. 5
   Bose QuietComfort 45

   The 2021 successor to the QC35, keeping the classic comfortable Bose design.
   597pts
6. 6
   Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700

   The sleek 2019 Bose headphones with a stainless-steel headband and eleven levels of noise cancelling.
   546pts
7. 7
   Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

   Bose's current flagship over-ears with immersive spatial audio and class-leading noise cancelling.
   545pts
8. 8
   Sony WH-CH720N

   Sony's lightweight budget ANC headphones, a regular best-value pick.
   488pts
9. 9
   Beats Studio Pro

   The 2023 Beats flagship with USB-C lossless audio and strong ANC.
   423pts
10. 10
    Soundcore Space One

    Anker's affordable over-ears that punch far above their price on noise cancelling.
    349pts
11. 11
    Bose QuietComfort 35 II

    The 2017 wireless Bose that became the frequent flyer's standard-issue headphone.
    349pts
12. 12
    Apple AirPods Max

    Apple's aluminium-cupped over-ears with tight iPhone integration and strong noise cancelling.
    349pts
13. 13
    Sonos Ace

    Sonos's first headphones, which can take over a home-theatre soundbar's audio.
    263pts
14. 14
    Focal Bathys

    French high-end wireless headphones with a built-in DAC mode and aluminium drivers.
    263pts
15. 15
    Bowers & Wilkins Px8

    A luxury Nappa-leather flagship with carbon drive units and audiophile tuning.
    263pts
16. 16
    Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3

    Bowers & Wilkins' 2025 slimmed-down over-ears, often named the best-sounding ANC pair.
    263pts
17. 17
    Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

    Sennheiser's 2022 over-ears with a 60-hour battery and a warm, detailed sound.
    263pts
18. 18
    Bose QuietComfort 15

    The wired 2009 classic that brought active noise cancelling to millions of travellers.
    163pts
19. 19
    Sony WH-1000XM5

    The 2022 redesign of Sony's 1000X line, with eight microphones and a lighter, non-folding build.
    0pts

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