CompareFairlyBest Noise Cancelling Headphones 2026
Our pick : Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless (77/100) · Cheapest : Anker Soundcore Space Q45 · Best value : Anker Soundcore Space Q45
In short
This comparison covers 7 noise cancelling headphones across 10 criteria: Active Noise Cancellation, Sound Quality, Battery Life, Price, Comfort, Build Quality. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless comes first with 77/100, driven by Battery Life (100/100) and Sound Quality (100/100). Shure AONIC 50 Gen 2 follows at 77/100 and beats it on Build Quality. The cheapest option is Anker Soundcore Space Q45. Sourced data: 4/7 options; the remaining values are estimates, flagged as such.
Comparison table
| Criterion | Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless | Shure AONIC 50 Gen 2 | Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e | Sony WH-1000XM5 | Anker Soundcore Space Q45 | Jabra Elite 85h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancellation | High | High | High | High | High | High |
| Sound Quality | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Battery Life (hours) | 60 | 45 | 30 | 30 | 50 | 36 |
| Price (GBP) | 299 | 329 | 329 | 349 | 149 | 199 |
| Comfort | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Build Quality | Mixed Materials | Premium Materials | Premium Materials | Premium Materials | Mixed Materials | Mixed Materials |
| Portability | Foldable | Foldable | Foldable | Foldable | Foldable | Foldable |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.0+ | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Microphone Quality | Good | Good | Good | Good | Average | Good |
| App Support | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Frequently asked questions
What are the best noise cancelling headphones in 2026?
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless currently leads our ranking with a score of 77/100, closely followed by the Shure AONIC 50 Gen 2. Our rankings are based on objective data across Active Noise Cancellation, Sound Quality, Battery Life, Price, Comfort, and Build Quality.
How do you rank noise cancelling headphones?
We rank headphones based on a comprehensive analysis of key features including Active Noise Cancellation, Sound Quality, Battery Life, Price, Comfort, and Build Quality. Our methodology ensures a neutral and unbiased comparison, with all data sourced transparently.
Are the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless worth the price?
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless are highly rated for their performance across all our comparison criteria, including excellent noise cancellation and battery life, making them a strong contender for the best value.
What's the difference between Sennheiser Momentum 4 and Shure AONIC 50 Gen 2?
While both offer excellent noise cancellation, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless currently scores slightly higher overall, particularly in battery life and comfort, according to our latest 2026 review.
Methodology and transparency
Ranking: options are sorted on measured, sourced criteria. No position is ever sold, and no advertiser pays to appear here.
Scope: this comparison is not exhaustive. It presents the options our sources document, not every offer on the market.
Earnings: some outbound links may be affiliate links that earn us a commission. This never affects the ranking, the scores or the data.
Data: every value is linked to its source and refreshed automatically; the collection date is shown.