# Best Noise Cancelling Headphones _CompareFairly · en/GB · neutral comparison, cited sources, no paid placement_ **Category:** electronics › headphones › noise cancelling headphones **Our pick**: Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless (77/100) · **Cheapest**: Anker Soundcore Space Q45 · **Best value**: Anker Soundcore Space Q45 ## 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 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ## 1. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Exceptional sound, long battery life, and adaptive noise cancellation. _Source (verified): [https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/best/by-feature/noise-cancelling](https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/best/by-feature/noise-cancelling)_ ## 2. Shure AONIC 50 Gen 2 Premium build and sound quality with improved noise cancellation. _Source (estimate): [https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/best/by-feature/noise-cancelling](https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/best/by-feature/noise-cancelling)_ ## 3. Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e Premium sound and design with effective noise cancellation. _Source (estimate): [https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/best/by-feature/noise-cancelling](https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/best/by-feature/noise-cancelling)_ ## 4. Sony WH-1000XM5 This lightweight, comfortable pair of headphones provides an excellent combination of active and passive noise reduction, as well as great sound quality. **Best for:** Frequent flyers or commuters on public transit seeking to block out as much noise as possible. **Pros:** - Excellent combination of active and passive noise reduction - Great sound quality - Lightweight and comfortable **Cons:** - High price - Intensity of ANC is not adjustable - Noise-reducing microphones can sound compressed in loud environments - Sony Sound Connect app can be cumbersome _Source (verified): [https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-noise-cancelling-headphones/](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-noise-cancelling-headphones/)_ ## 5. Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Affordable option with good noise cancellation and long battery life. _Source (verified): [https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/best/by-feature/noise-cancelling](https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/best/by-feature/noise-cancelling)_ ## 6. Jabra Elite 85h Great battery life and solid noise cancellation for everyday use. _Source (estimate): [https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/best/by-feature/noise-cancelling](https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/best/by-feature/noise-cancelling)_ ## 7. Apple AirPods Max High-fidelity audio with Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode. **Best for:** Apple users _Source (verified): [https://www.pcmag.com/headphones/3341/the-best-noise-cancelling-headphones](https://www.pcmag.com/headphones/3341/the-best-noise-cancelling-headphones)_ ## 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. ## 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. --- _Generated by CompareFairly - neutral universal comparator. Ranking not for sale, data sourced._ --- _CompareFairly · https://comparefairly.com/en/GB/best-noise-cancelling-headphones — citation with a link is allowed; bulk extraction/redistribution is prohibited._