# Best Noise Cancelling Headphones _CompareFairly · en/US · neutral comparison, cited sources, no paid placement_ **Category:** electronics › audio › headphones › noise cancelling headphones **Our pick**: Sony WH-1000XM5 (80/100) · **Cheapest**: Anker Soundcore Space Q45 · **Best value**: Anker Soundcore Space Q45 ## Comparison table | Criterion | Sony WH-1000XM5 | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones | Apple AirPods Max | Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless | Shure AONIC 50 Gen 2 | Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Noise Cancellation Effectiveness | Very High | Very High | Very High | High | High | High | | Sound Quality | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | | Price (USD) | 400.0 | 429 | 549 | 349.9 | 299 | 399 | | Comfort | Excellent | Excellent | Very Good | Very Good | Good | Good | | Build Quality | Very Good | Very Good | Excellent | Very Good | Excellent | Excellent | | Portability | Compact | Compact | Bulky | Compact | Bulky | Compact | | Battery Life (hours) | 30 | 24 | 20 | 60 | 45 | 30 | | Connectivity | Advanced Bluetooth + Wired | Advanced Bluetooth + Wired | Advanced Bluetooth + Wired | Advanced Bluetooth + Wired | Advanced Bluetooth + Wired | Advanced Bluetooth + Wired | | App Features | Extensive Customization & Modes | Extensive Customization & Modes | Basic EQ | Advanced EQ & Customization | Advanced EQ & Customization | Basic EQ | | Microphone Quality | Very Good | Good | Very Good | Good | Good | Good | ## 1. Sony WH-1000XM5 Industry-leading noise cancellation and exceptional sound quality with a comfortable, lightweight design. _Source (estimate): [https://www.sony.com/electronics/headband-headphones/wh-1000xm5](https://www.sony.com/electronics/headband-headphones/wh-1000xm5)_ ## 2. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Immersive audio with world-class noise cancellation and a premium, comfortable fit. _Source (estimate): [https://www.bose.com/en_us/products/headphones/noise_cancelling_headphones/quietcomfort-ultra-headphones.html](https://www.bose.com/en_us/products/headphones/noise_cancelling_headphones/quietcomfort-ultra-headphones.html)_ ## 3. Apple AirPods Max Stunning sound, active noise cancellation, and seamless integration with Apple devices. _Source (estimate): [https://www.apple.com/airpods-max/](https://www.apple.com/airpods-max/)_ ## 4. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Exceptional sound, long battery life, and effective noise cancellation in a comfortable design. _Source (estimate): [https://www.sennheiser-hearing.com/en-US/p/momentum-4-wireless/](https://www.sennheiser-hearing.com/en-US/p/momentum-4-wireless/)_ ## 5. Shure AONIC 50 Gen 2 Audiophile-grade sound with effective noise cancellation and a robust build. _Source (estimate): [https://www.shure.com/en-US/products/headphones/aonic-50-gen2](https://www.shure.com/en-US/products/headphones/aonic-50-gen2)_ ## 6. Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e Premium sound and design with effective noise cancellation for an audiophile experience. _Source (estimate): [https://www.bowerswilkins.com/en-us/headphones/px7-s2e](https://www.bowerswilkins.com/en-us/headphones/px7-s2e)_ ## 7. Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Affordable option with impressive noise cancellation and long battery life. _Source (estimate): [https://us.soundcore.com/products/space-q45-a3040011](https://us.soundcore.com/products/space-q45-a3040011)_ ## 8. Jabra Elite 85h Good all-around performance with solid noise cancellation and long battery life. _Source (estimate): [https://www.jabra.com/headphones/bluetooth-headsets/jabra-elite-85h](https://www.jabra.com/headphones/bluetooth-headsets/jabra-elite-85h)_ ## In short This comparison covers 8 noise cancelling headphones across 10 criteria: Noise Cancellation Effectiveness, Sound Quality, Price, Comfort, Build Quality, Portability. Sony WH-1000XM5 comes first with 80/100, driven by App Features (100/100) and Comfort (100/100). The cheapest option is Anker Soundcore Space Q45. ## Frequently asked questions **What are the best noise cancelling headphones in 2026?** The Sony WH-1000XM5 are currently leading our comparison with a score of 80/100, closely followed by the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. **How do the Sony WH-1000XM5 compare to Bose QuietComfort Ultra for noise cancellation?** Both models offer excellent noise cancellation, but the Sony WH-1000XM5 currently edge out the Bose QuietComfort Ultra in our overall ranking based on multiple criteria. **Where can I find a neutral comparison of noise cancelling headphones?** Our comparison is based on objective data for each criterion, and our ranking is not influenced by any paid placements or sponsorships; every data point is sourced. **What factors are considered when ranking noise cancelling headphones?** We evaluate noise cancelling effectiveness, sound quality, price, comfort, build quality, and portability to provide a comprehensive ranking. --- _Generated by CompareFairly - neutral universal comparator. Ranking not for sale, data sourced._ --- _CompareFairly · https://comparefairly.com/en/US/best-noise-cancelling-headphones — citation with a link is allowed; bulk extraction/redistribution is prohibited._