Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones Under $400

What separates the best noise cancelling headphones under 400?

Four pairs sit in this ranking, and the scores run from 8.9 down to 7.9. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless leads at 8.9 for $379.95, mostly on sound: it had the most accurate frequency response measured and won the blind listening. Its 58 hours measured with ANC on is twice the field. The trade-off is cancelling that trails Bose and Sony by 5–6 dB, and it does not fold.

The Bose QuietComfort Headphones and Sony WH-1000XM5 both score 8.6. Bose is $349 and the lightest pair in the test at 240 g, with cancelling within 3 dB of the Ultra and physical buttons plus a 2.5 mm cable for planes. Sony is $399.99, within 2 dB of the XM6 on cabin noise, and regularly $100–$150 below list since the XM6 launched. The Anker Soundcore Space One is $99.99 and scores 7.9, cutting 22 dB of cabin noise — more than some $300 pairs — with 40 hours with ANC and 55 without.

What should you check before buying?

Scoring weights noise cancelling at 30, sound quality at 25, comfort and build at 15, battery and features at 15, and value at 15. So cancelling matters most, but it is not the whole score.

• Battery: the Bose runs 24 hours, the shortest here apart from AirPods Max. The Sennheiser runs 58 hours with ANC on.
• Codecs: the Sennheiser has aptX Adaptive, the Sony and Anker have LDAC, and the Bose has neither aptX nor LDAC.
• Folding: the Sennheiser and Sony do not fold. The Bose and Anker do.
• Build and fit: the Anker uses a plastic build and its cushions get warm. The Bose is 240 g with Bose's cushions.
• Sound out of the box: the Anker is bass-heavy until you use its EQ app.

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless — for sound first

Pick this if you want the most accurate tuning measured and the longest battery, and you can live with cancelling that trails Bose and Sony by 5–6 dB.

Bose QuietComfort Headphones — for comfort and buttons

Pick this if you want the lightest pair at 240 g, cancelling within 3 dB of the Ultra, physical buttons and a 2.5 mm cable, and you do not need aptX or LDAC.

Sony WH-1000XM5 — for calls and Android

Pick this if you want cancelling within 2 dB of the XM6 on cabin noise, LDAC and the same call quality, at a price that has sat $100–$150 below list.

Anker Soundcore Space One — for a tight budget

Pick this if $99.99 is the ceiling. You get 22 dB of cabin noise cut, 40 hours with ANC, LDAC, multipoint and a full EQ app.

For sound quality and battery life, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless is the pick. For the lightest fit and physical controls, choose the Bose QuietComfort Headphones. The Sony WH-1000XM5 suits Android users who want LDAC and strong call quality, and the Anker Soundcore Space One is the one to get if $99.99 is your limit.