Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones of 2026: 9 Picks Worth Buying

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Shopping for the best noise cancelling headphones in 2026 mostly comes down to three questions: how much quiet you need, how long you wear them in one sitting, and which phone you use. Sony and Bose still trade blows at the top, Apple owns the luxury corner for iPhone users, and the budget tier has gotten good enough that most commuters don’t need to spend $400. Our picks are based on specs, manufacturer documentation, warranty terms, independent review consensus and owner-feedback patterns.

Quick picks

Product	Best for	Our verdict	Typical price
Sony WH-1000XM6	Best all-round ANC	Buy	about $399–$459
Sony WH-1000XM5	Travel and commuting	Buy	about $330–$400
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)	Comfort on long flights	Buy	about $379–$449
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones	Long flights	Buy	about $380–$430
Bose QuietComfort Headphones	Value Bose comfort	Buy	about $199–$349
Sony WH-CH720N	Budget noise cancelling	Buy	about $100–$150
Soundcore by Anker Space One	Budget pick	Buy	about $69–$99
Apple AirPods Max	Apple users	Consider	about $450–$550
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C)	iPhone owners who want premium	Consider	about $449–$549

Prices move often, so check the current price before you buy.

The best noise-cancelling headphones in 2026

The XM6 is the safest recommendation for most people who fly, commute or work in a noisy office. Sony’s noise cancelling is excellent on planes and trains, and the multi-mic array gives it clear call quality, which matters if you take meetings from airports or open-plan desks. Battery life is rated at up to 30 hours with ANC on, and a three-minute USB-C top-up gives you about three hours of playback, which is handy when you realize at the gate that you forgot to charge.

The big practical change from the previous model is that the folding design returns, along with a slimmer case. At about 9 oz (254 g) it stays comfortable for long sessions. The trade-off is price: it costs more than the XM5 it replaces, and it is not rated for sweat or rain, so it is not a gym pair. If you want headphones for workouts, an open-ear or sport earbud design is a better fit.

In short, the XM6 does almost everything well and has no serious weakness for a traveler. That balance is why it sits at the top of this list rather than any single standout feature.

Skip it if you mostly listen at home on the couch. You would be paying for travel features you won’t use, and a cheaper pair like the Bose QuietComfort Headphones will serve you well.

The XM5 is the older model in Sony’s flagship line, replaced by the Sony WH-1000XM6. It still offers excellent noise cancelling, a light and comfortable fit, up to 30 hours with ANC on and multipoint Bluetooth, so it can stay connected to a laptop and phone at once. For many travelers it remains a great pair.

The reason it ranks second is the design. The XM5 folds flat but does not fold inward, so its case takes up more bag space than the XM6’s. It is also still a premium-priced pair.

Because it is the older generation, the XM5 is worth buying only at a clear discount compared with the XM6. If the gap is small, get the newer model. If you see the XM5 well below its usual price of about $330–$400, it is one of the best deals in noise cancelling.

Skip it if bag space is tight or you need the most compact case. Also skip it if the price difference to the XM6 is under about $50, since the newer model’s folding design and slimmer case are worth that gap for frequent travelers.

Bose has long been the comfort brand, and the second-generation QuietComfort Ultra keeps that reputation. Owners consistently describe it as comfortable for hours, which is exactly what you want on a long-haul flight. The noise cancelling is on par with the best, and Bose rates the battery at up to 30 hours.

It also adds useful wired options: lossless audio over USB-C and a 2.5 mm cable for in-flight entertainment systems. Immersive Audio mode makes movies feel wider and more spacious, though using it drains the battery faster. You can switch it off when you want maximum runtime.

The ideal buyer here is someone who wears headphones for six, eight or ten hours at a stretch: long-haul flyers, people who work in loud shared offices, and anyone who has found other pairs pinch after an hour or two.

This is the newer of the two QC Ultra models on this list. The main reasons to skip it are price and priorities: it is expensive, and if you want the longest battery or the lowest price for great ANC, the Sony XM6 or a budget pick will suit you better.

If you are choosing between this pair and the XM6, think about how you use headphones. Lots of calls and tight bag space point to Sony. Long, uninterrupted wear points to Bose. Both are excellent at blocking noise, so there is no wrong answer between them.

The original QuietComfort Ultra is the older generation of the pair above. It is very comfortable, has strong noise cancelling, folds into a compact case and includes the same Immersive Audio idea for movies and music.

Its weak spot is battery life. Bose rates it at up to 24 hours, compared with up to 30 hours for the second-generation model and the Sony flagships. Since the typical price of about $380–$430 overlaps with the newer version, it is worth buying only at a clear discount. If both are close in price, the 2nd Gen is the better buy.

Skip it if battery life is your top priority. Sony lasts longer per charge, and you will feel that difference on multi-leg trips. For an occasional flyer who charges every night, though, 24 hours is still plenty, and the comfort is the reason people pick Bose in the first place.

If you want the famous Bose comfort and strong noise cancelling without flagship pricing, this is the pair. It is light and comfortable, folds into a compact case and has noise cancelling that is strong for the price. Battery is rated at up to 24 hours, charging over USB-C.

What you give up compared with the Ultra models is spatial audio, and the design is plainer and older looking. Call quality is fine for most people but not the best in this list.

Its typical price range is wide, about $199–$349, so it pays to watch the current price. Near the bottom of that range it is one of the easiest recommendations here for commuters and office workers. Skip it if you want spatial audio or the very best call quality; the Sony WH-1000XM6 is the better call-taking headset.

For a home office or a daily train ride, this pair gets you most of what people love about Bose for far less money. It is the one we would point a first-time noise-cancelling buyer toward if their budget tops out around $250.

The CH720N is Sony’s affordable noise-cancelling pair, and its biggest strength is weight. It is very light, which students and commuters will appreciate during long days. The noise cancelling is good for the price, and battery life is long.

The trade-offs are what you would expect at about $100–$150. The build is plastic, and the noise cancelling is a step below the flagships, so it will not quiet a jet engine the way the Sony WH-1000XM5 does.

Skip it if you fly often and want flagship-level quiet. For a daily bus or train ride, though, it covers the basics well and leaves room in the budget for other gear.

It is also a sensible choice for teenagers or anyone who tends to lose or break headphones, since replacing it is far less painful than replacing a $400 flagship. If you can spend about $70 less, compare it with the Soundcore Space One, which offers longer rated battery life.

The Space One is the pair to buy if you want real noise cancelling and long battery life for well under $100. Its noise cancelling is strong for the price, and its rated battery of up to 40 hours with ANC on is the longest in this list. It supports Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC for higher-quality wireless audio on compatible Android phones, and the companion app includes a customizable EQ.

The compromises are the plastic build and call quality. Calls can sound thin in wind, so it is not ideal if you take many calls outdoors.

Skip it if you want premium materials or top-tier call quality. For students, commuters and anyone buying a backup travel pair, it is the best value here. It also makes a smart second pair to keep in a work bag so your flagship headphones can stay home.

The AirPods Max is the older version of Apple’s over-ear headphones, now replaced by the USB-C model. Its appeal is the premium aluminum build, seamless switching between iPhone, iPad and Mac, spatial audio and an excellent transparency mode.

The downsides are hard to ignore. It is heavy, the case is minimal, and the battery is rated at up to 20 hours, the shortest in this list. It is also very expensive at about $450–$550.

Because it is the older generation, it is worth buying only at a clear discount. Skip it if you want light headphones or use Android; Android users get little of what makes it special. If you find it at a steep markdown and you already own several Apple devices, it can still make sense, but check that you are comfortable with the older charging port.

The USB-C model is the newer AirPods Max and the one to choose if you live in the Apple ecosystem. You get instant pairing, easy switching across Apple devices, spatial audio, strong noise cancelling and superb build quality, now with USB-C charging.

The weaknesses are the same as before. At about 13.6 oz (385 g) it is the heaviest pair here, battery life is rated at up to 20 hours, and the odd Smart Case offers little protection, so plan on a separate case for travel.

Skip it if you want the best value, a folding design or a battery that outlasts the Sony and Bose flagships. If you want an Apple pair mainly for convenience, the Sony WH-1000XM6 still works well with an iPhone and costs less.

How to choose noise-cancelling headphones

The right pair depends less on brand and more on where and how long you wear it. These are the decisions that actually separate the models above.

Noise cancelling strength

All the pairs here reduce steady noise like engines and air conditioning. The difference is how much they reduce it. If you fly several times a year, buy a flagship: the Sony WH-1000XM6 or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen). If your noise is a bus ride or a chatty office, the Soundcore by Anker Space One or Sony WH-CH720N is enough. For more background, see our noise-cancelling headphones buying guide.

Comfort and weight

A pair that hurts after two hours is a bad pair, no matter how quiet it is. Bose is the comfort pick for long wear. Weight matters too: the AirPods Max models are noticeably heavier than the Sony and Bose flagships. If you are sensitive to clamping force or head weight, lean toward the Bose models or the light Sony WH-CH720N.

Battery life

Rated battery life with ANC on ranges from about 20 hours to 40 hours in this list. For long trips with connections, 30 hours or more is comfortable. Fast charging also matters; the XM6’s three-minute top-up for about three hours is a real convenience.

Folding design and case

If your headphones live in a backpack, the case matters. The XM6, the original QC Ultra and the QuietComfort fold into compact cases. The XM5 folds flat but not inward. The AirPods Max’s Smart Case offers little protection, so many owners add a hard over-ear headphone case.

Phone ecosystem and calls

If you use an iPhone, iPad and Mac, the Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) gives you the smoothest switching. On Android, the AirPods Max loses most of its advantages, and the Space One’s LDAC support is a plus. If you take many calls, the XM6’s multi-mic array is the strongest choice here.

Sound, EQ and extras

Every pair here sounds good enough that sound quality is rarely the deciding factor; noise cancelling, comfort and battery usually matter more. Still, extras help. App EQ, available on the Space One and the major brands’ apps, lets you tame bass or brighten vocals. Bose’s Immersive Audio and Apple’s spatial audio add a wider sense of space for movies. Lossless audio over USB-C, offered on the Bose QC Ultra (2nd Gen), is a niche bonus for people who listen from a laptop.

Budget tiers

Under about $100, the Soundcore by Anker Space One is the clear pick. Between roughly $100 and $200, look at the Sony WH-CH720N or watch for the Bose QuietComfort Headphones near the bottom of its range. From $300 up, you are buying flagship noise cancelling, and the XM6 and QC Ultra (2nd Gen) are where the money goes furthest. Above $450, you are paying for Apple’s build and ecosystem rather than better noise cancelling.

Older vs newer models

This list includes three pairs of older and newer models: Sony XM5 and XM6, Bose QC Ultra and QC Ultra (2nd Gen), and AirPods Max and AirPods Max (USB-C). In each case, the newer model is the default pick. The older model is worth it only at a clear discount, since it is typically priced close to its replacement.

Frequently asked questions

Are noise-cancelling headphones worth it for flights?

Yes, for most travelers. Active noise cancelling is most effective on steady, low-pitched sound like engine drone, which is exactly what you hear on a plane. That lets you listen at lower volume and arrive less tired. For frequent flyers, a flagship like the Sony WH-1000XM6 or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) is worth the extra cost over budget pairs.

Sony or Bose: which is better?

Both make excellent noise-cancelling headphones, so the choice comes down to priorities. Sony’s XM6 is the stronger all-rounder with better call quality and a folding case. Bose leads on comfort for long sessions, which is why the QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) is our comfort pick. If you can, try both on, or buy from a retailer with an easy return policy.

What are the best noise cancelling headphones under $100?

The Soundcore by Anker Space One is our pick. Its typical price is about $69–$99, it has strong noise cancelling for the price, up to 40 hours of rated battery life with ANC and app EQ. The Sony WH-CH720N is a lighter alternative if you can stretch a little past $100. Check current prices, since both often move within their ranges.

Can I use noise-cancelling headphones with an airplane entertainment system?

Usually, if the pair supports wired listening. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) includes a 2.5 mm cable, and many pairs accept a standard headphone cable. Some planes use a two-prong jack, so a small airplane headphone adapter is worth packing. Check your model’s documentation for which cables it supports.

Do AirPods Max work with Android?

They connect over Bluetooth like any headphones, so you can play music and use noise cancelling. You lose the features that make them special, though: automatic switching between Apple devices, easy pairing and some settings. Given the high price and weight, Android users are better served by the Sony WH-1000XM6 or a Bose model.

How long do noise-cancelling headphones last?

With normal care, a good pair should serve for several years. The parts that wear first are usually the ear pads and the battery. Pads flatten and crack over time, and many models accept replacement ear pads. Batteries slowly lose capacity with charge cycles, so a pair with a long rated battery, like the Space One or XM6, will still feel adequate after years of use.

The bottom line

For most people, the Sony WH-1000XM6 is the best noise-cancelling headphone to buy in 2026. It pairs excellent noise cancelling with clear calls, long battery life and a folding case that fits easily in a bag. Choose the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) if comfort is your top priority, and the Soundcore by Anker Space One if you want strong ANC for under $100.

If you are still deciding between earbuds and over-ears, our guide to the best wireless earbuds covers smaller options, and the best open-ear headphones suit runners who need to hear traffic.

Check price on Amazon: Sony WH-1000XM6
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