# 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.

*By YPB Team · Published October 29, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/what-are-the-best-noise-cancelling-headphones*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Sony WH-1000XM6** — score 1000/1000
   Sony's 2025 flagship over-ears, with a folding design back and the most widely praised noise cancelling of its generation.
2. **Sony WH-1000XM4** — score 843/1000
   The 2020 model that added multipoint and speak-to-chat and stayed a best-seller for years.
3. **Sony WH-1000XM3** — score 745/1000
   The 2018 model that toppled Bose as the reviewers' default ANC pick.
4. **Technics EAH-A800** — score 642/1000
   Panasonic's audiophile-brand over-ears with a 50-hour battery and natural tuning.
5. **Bose QuietComfort 45** — score 597/1000
   The 2021 successor to the QC35, keeping the classic comfortable Bose design.
6. **Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700** — score 546/1000
   The sleek 2019 Bose headphones with a stainless-steel headband and eleven levels of noise cancelling.
7. **Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones** — score 545/1000
   Bose's current flagship over-ears with immersive spatial audio and class-leading noise cancelling.
8. **Sony WH-CH720N** — score 488/1000
   Sony's lightweight budget ANC headphones, a regular best-value pick.
9. **Beats Studio Pro** — score 423/1000
   The 2023 Beats flagship with USB-C lossless audio and strong ANC.
10. **Soundcore Space One** — score 349/1000
   Anker's affordable over-ears that punch far above their price on noise cancelling.
11. **Bose QuietComfort 35 II** — score 349/1000
   The 2017 wireless Bose that became the frequent flyer's standard-issue headphone.
12. **Apple AirPods Max** — score 349/1000
   Apple's aluminium-cupped over-ears with tight iPhone integration and strong noise cancelling.
13. **Sonos Ace** — score 263/1000
   Sonos's first headphones, which can take over a home-theatre soundbar's audio.
14. **Focal Bathys** — score 263/1000
   French high-end wireless headphones with a built-in DAC mode and aluminium drivers.
15. **Bowers & Wilkins Px8** — score 263/1000
   A luxury Nappa-leather flagship with carbon drive units and audiophile tuning.
16. **Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3** — score 263/1000
   Bowers & Wilkins' 2025 slimmed-down over-ears, often named the best-sounding ANC pair.
17. **Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless** — score 263/1000
   Sennheiser's 2022 over-ears with a 60-hour battery and a warm, detailed sound.
18. **Bose QuietComfort 15** — score 163/1000
   The wired 2009 classic that brought active noise cancelling to millions of travellers.
19. **Sony WH-1000XM5** — score 0/1000
   The 2022 redesign of Sony's 1000X line, with eight microphones and a lighter, non-folding build.

Tags: brands, headphones, audio, gadgets