Best Headphones With Long Battery Life

What separates the best headphones with long battery life on this page?

Battery is the first split. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless measured 58 hours with ANC on, and the Anker Soundcore Space One runs 40 hours with ANC and 55 without. The Sony WH-1000XM6, Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones sit in the same general range, so the choice there comes down to cancelling, sound and comfort rather than runtime.

Scores follow the same criteria: noise cancelling 30, sound quality 25, comfort and build 15, battery and features 15, value 15. The Momentum 4 Wireless scores 8.9 at $379.95, with the most accurate frequency response measured and a blind listening win, but its cancelling trails Bose and Sony by 5–6 dB and it does not fold. The Sony WH-1000XM6 scores 8.8 at $449.99, folding again after the XM5, with 12 microphones and the best combined cancelling and call quality in the test. The Sony WH-1000XM5 scores 8.6 at $399.99 and stays within 2 dB of the XM6 on cabin noise, though it does not fold and handles wind worse. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones score 8.6 at $449, with the deepest cut of aircraft rumble measured and the lightest clamp. The Anker Soundcore Space One scores 7.9 at $99.99, cutting 22 dB of cabin noise with LDAC and multipoint.

What should you check before buying?

Match the pair to the noise you actually face. If low-frequency rumble on planes is the problem, the Bose cut is the deepest measured. If voices and wind matter more, the XM6 leads there.

• Folding: the XM6 folds; the XM5 and Momentum 4 do not, and the Momentum 4 ships in a large case.
• Tuning: the XM6 is warm out of the box and needs the 10-band EQ; the Space One is bass-heavy out of the box.
• Comfort over hours: the Bose has the lightest clamp and softest cushions; the Space One's plastic build and warm cushions are the trade-off at $99.99.
• Codecs: LDAC on both Sonys and the Space One, aptX Adaptive on the Momentum 4.

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

For listeners who want the most accurate sound and the longest measured battery, and can live with cancelling that trails the leaders.

Sony WH-1000XM6

For frequent flyers and callers who want folding, 12 microphones and the best combined cancelling and call quality in the test.

Sony WH-1000XM5

For buyers who want near-XM6 cabin noise performance and the same call quality and LDAC for less, and do not need the hinge.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

For long-haul flyers who prioritise the deepest low-frequency cut and the most comfortable fit over fine detail.

Anker Soundcore Space One

For anyone spending under $100 who still wants adaptive cancelling, 40 hours with ANC, LDAC and multipoint.

Pick the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless if sound quality and the 58-hour measured battery matter most. The Sony WH-1000XM6 suits flyers and callers who want folding and the best combined cancelling and call quality, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 gets close on cabin noise for less. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are for the deepest low-frequency cut and the lightest clamp, and the Anker Soundcore Space One covers adaptive cancelling and LDAC under $100.