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Home / Electronics / Noise-Cancelling Headphones / Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones of 2026

Compare the Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones of 2026

Seven over-ear headphones, bought at retail, measured on the same ear simulator against recorded aircraft, train and office noise, then worn for a week of commuting each. Prices are list, checked weekly.

Last Updated: Sep 2026 · prices checked weekly
Suggested noise-cancelling headphones for you
SSony WH-1000XM6 Very Good 8.8
Best combined noise cancelling and call quality...Learn More
We Recommend
SSennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Very Good 8.9
Most accurate frequency response measured; won t...Learn More
BBose QuietComfort Headphones Very Good 8.6
Lightest pair in the test at 240 g, with Bose's...Learn More
All 7 Headphones for travelHeadphones for iphoneNoise-Cancelling Headphones Under $400Headphones with long battery lifeSounding noise cancelling headphones
1

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless (Black) - The best-sounding pair in the ranking with a 60-hour battery — noise cancelling is good, not class-leading Tested Aug 2026 by Team RankingRight

  • Most accurate frequency response measured; won the blind listening
  • 58 hours measured with ANC on — twice the field
  • aptX Adaptive for Android
Very Good 8.9 See Price
$379.95 · checked Sep 11 60 h 293 g
2

Sony WH-1000XM6 (Black) - Sony's 2025 flagship brings back the folding hinge, adds a faster processor and 12 microphones, and edges Bose on voices and wind Tested Aug 2026 by Team RankingRight

  • Best combined noise cancelling and call quality in the test
  • Folds again — the XM5 did not
  • LDAC and a 10-band EQ in the app
Very Good 8.8 See Price
$449.99 · checked Sep 11 30 h 254 g
3

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2023) - The classic QuietComfort: most of the Ultra's cancelling and all of its comfort for $100 less, with physical buttons Tested Aug 2026 by Team RankingRight

  • Lightest pair in the test at 240 g, with Bose's cushions
  • Cancelling within 3 dB of the Ultra
  • Physical buttons and a 2.5 mm cable for planes
Very Good 8.6 See Price
$349 · checked Sep 11 24 h 240 g
4

Sony WH-1000XM5 (Black) - Last year's flagship at this year's discount: nearly the XM6's cancelling and calls, without the folding hinge Tested Aug 2026 by Team RankingRight

  • Within 2 dB of the XM6 on cabin noise
  • Regularly $100–$150 below list since the XM6 launched
  • Same excellent call quality and LDAC
Very Good 8.6 See Price
$399.99 · checked Sep 11 30 h 250 g
5

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd gen) - The strongest low-frequency cancelling we measured, the most comfortable headband, and Immersive Audio that works without a special track Tested Aug 2026 by Team RankingRight

  • Deepest cut of aircraft rumble in the test
  • Lightest clamp and softest cushions — best after two hours
  • Immersive Audio spatialises any source
Very Good 8.6 See Price
$449 · checked Sep 11 30 h 250 g
6

Anker Soundcore Space One (Black) - Real adaptive noise cancelling, 40 hours of battery and LDAC for under $100 — the budget pair that embarrasses some $300 ones Tested Aug 2026 by Team RankingRight

  • Cut 22 dB of cabin noise — more than some $300 pairs
  • 40 hours with ANC; 55 without
  • LDAC, multipoint and a full EQ app
Fair 7.9 See Price
$99.99 · checked Sep 11 40 h 265 g
7

Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) - The iPhone pick: instant pairing, spatial audio with head tracking, lossless over USB-C — heavy, pricey, and a step behind on cancelling Tested Aug 2026 by Team RankingRight

  • Best integration with iPhone, iPad and Mac
  • Spatial audio with head tracking is the best implementation here
  • Lossless and low-latency audio over USB-C
Fair 7.7 See Price
$549 · checked Sep 11 20 h 385 g

Frequently asked questions about noise-cancelling headphones

Which headphones cancel the most noise?
On our ear simulator the Bose QuietComfort Ultra and Sony WH-1000XM6 cut the most recorded cabin noise, within a decibel of each other. Bose is slightly stronger on low rumble; Sony handles voices and wind better.
Are AirPods Max worth it?
On an iPhone they are the most seamless — instant pairing, spatial audio with head tracking, Find My. They are also the heaviest here, the most expensive, and their noise cancelling measured a step behind Bose and Sony. Worth it for Apple households who value the integration.
How long should the battery last?
With ANC on we measured 24–60 hours across the ranking; the Sennheiser Momentum 4 lasted longest at 58 hours. Anything over 25 hours covers the longest flight with a full recharge to spare.
How do you test headphones?
Same ear simulator, same recorded aircraft, train and office noise played through a speaker array, attenuation measured with ANC on. Frequency response is measured against a target curve; then two listeners rate the same 20 tracks blind. Battery is timed at 50% volume with ANC on.

*Scores: Noise cancelling 30 · Sound quality 25 · Comfort & build 15 · Battery & features 15 · Value 15; score = Σ ÷ 10, ties break on the earlier test date. Prices shown were checked on the date beside each and may change. Affiliate links are added only after a score is locked and can never change it. How we rank.

#1 Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless8.9 · $379.95
See Price