Quiet commutes, focused work and long flights: these are the over-ear headphones with the strongest mix of noise cancelling, sound quality, comfort and battery life.
Tap a column heading to sort.
| Product | Score | Best for | Battery | Weight | Codecs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony WH-1000XM6 | 9.4 | Best overall | About 30 hrs (ANC on) | ≈254 g | LDAC, AAC, SBC |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones | 9.2 | Best for comfort | About 24 hrs | ≈250 g | aptX Adaptive, AAC, SBC |
| Apple AirPods Max | 8.8 | Best for Apple users | About 20 hrs | ≈385 g | AAC |
| Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless | 8.9 | Best battery life | About 60 hrs | ≈293 g | aptX Adaptive, AAC, SBC |
| Soundcore Space One | 8.3 | Best budget | About 40 hrs | ≈265 g | LDAC, AAC, SBC |
Best overall
Top-tier ANC, rich customisable sound and polished app features make this the benchmark to beat.
Best for comfort
Plush, light clamping force and superb ANC for long-haul wear.
Best for Apple users
Premium build, seamless iPhone switching and excellent spatial audio.
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Get matched free →Best battery life
Audiophile-friendly tuning with class-leading battery life.
Best budget
Surprisingly strong ANC and features at a fraction of flagship prices.
Each product gets a SuperBest Score out of 10. It is a weighted editorial rating built from manufacturer specs, independent expert testing published by trusted outlets, verified owner feedback and long-term reliability reports. Full methodology.
No. ANC lets you listen at lower volumes in loud places, which can reduce overall exposure. Keep volume moderate and take breaks.
Over-ear models usually block more noise and last longer per charge; earbuds win on portability.
For most listeners on phones, AAC or aptX is plenty. LDAC helps only with high-resolution sources on compatible Android phones.
Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones →
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