The Best Headphones of 2026: Our Guide to Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones for Every Budget
Our picks for the best wireless noise cancelling headphones of 2026 in the US: best overall, best noise cancelling, best for iPhone, best under $100, best mid-range, best sound quality, best for gaming and best battery life.
Buying guide
Updated November 2026
Good headphones have never been easier to find, and that's the problem. Sony, Bose, Apple, Sennheiser, Bowers & Wilkins and Marshall all refreshed their lineups recently, while brands like Soundcore and JLab keep pushing noise cancelling further down the price ladder. Our team compared this year's over-ear models on noise cancelling, sound quality, comfort, battery life and value, and narrowed everything down to the pairs we'd actually recommend to a friend.
This guide covers over-ear and on-ear headphones only. Below you'll find our quick picks, a closer look at each pair, recommendations by need, and a short guide to what really matters before you buy.
A note on prices: headphone prices drop a lot around Black Friday (November 27) and Cyber Monday (November 30), and older models are often discounted heavily when their successors arrive. We use price ranges: $ (under $100), $$ ($100–$250), $$$ ($250–$450) and $$$$ (over $450). Always check the exact model name and generation before buying.
Our quick picks
| Category | Our pick | Why we like it |
|---|---|---|
| Best headphones overall | Sony WH-1000XM6 | Class-leading ANC, great sound, foldable and comfortable |
| Best noise cancelling | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) | The most intense noise blocking you can buy |
| Best for iPhone users | Apple AirPods Max 2 | Gorgeous build, rich sound, much better ANC |
| Best mid-range | Soundcore Space One Pro | Premium-level sound and ANC for around $200 |
| Best under $100 | JLab JBuds Lux ANC | Real noise cancelling and 40-hour battery for $79 |
| Best for sound quality | Sennheiser HDB 630 | Audiophile sound, with a dongle that upgrades your phone's Bluetooth |
| Best for style & comfort | Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 | Slim, luxurious and superb sounding |
| Best battery life & travel | Marshall Monitor III | 70 hours with ANC on, 100 hours with it off |
| Best for gaming | Razer BlackShark V3 | Low-latency wireless, stellar audio, 70-hour battery |
Sony WH-1000XM6
The pair we'd recommend to most people
- Type:
- Over-ear, wireless, adaptive ANC
- Battery:
- Up to 30 hours (ANC on)
- Codecs:
- SBC, AAC, LDAC
- Weight:
- 254g
- Extras:
- 12 mics, folding design, multipoint, spatial audio
- Price range:
- $$$ ($449 list)
The WH-1000XM6 are the most complete headphones we can recommend right now. Sony's new QN3 processor and a whopping 12 microphones deliver world-class noise cancelling that turns buses, trains and open offices blissfully quiet. Sound is clean and balanced, with punchy bass, detailed mids and sparkling treble, and the Sony app gives you a full EQ, LDAC for higher-resolution wireless audio and adaptive noise control that adjusts to where you are.
Sony also fixed one of our biggest complaints about the previous model: the XM6 fold again, so they pack down into a smaller case. They're light and comfortable for long sessions, calls sound crisp, and a three-minute quick charge gives you about three hours of listening. The trade-offs are a higher price than the XM5 and battery life that's good rather than great.
What we like
- Class-leading noise cancelling
- Excellent, balanced sound
- Lightweight, comfortable and foldable
- Clear call quality
What we don't
- Pricier than the previous model
- 30-hour battery life is only average
- No water resistance
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
The closest thing to silence you can put on your head
- Type:
- Over-ear, wireless, adaptive ANC
- Battery:
- Up to 30 hours (24 with Immersive Audio)
- Codecs:
- SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive
- Wired:
- Lossless audio over USB-C
- Extras:
- Immersive Audio, Cinema mode, folding design
- Price range:
- $$$
If blocking out noise is your top priority, nothing beats the second-generation QuietComfort Ultra. In their Quiet mode they wipe out the deep rumble of planes, trains and buses and most of the mid-range chatter around you, and the ANC automatically reacts to sudden spikes of noise. The transparency mode is just as impressive, letting voices through naturally when you need to hear what's going on.
Bose also improved the features that held back the original: battery life rises to 30 hours, there are extra EQ bands, and you can now listen to lossless audio over USB-C. The new Cinema mode pulls dialogue forward when you watch movies or shows. The sound is rich and bass-heavy out of the box. The app has EQ adjustments.
What we like
- The best noise cancelling available
- Supremely comfortable for long flights
- Better battery life than the original
- Lossless audio via USB-C
What we don't
- Fiddly touch controls
- Sound needs EQ tweaking
- Expensive, and feels a little plasticky for the price
Save money: the original Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are still on sale, often around $300, with almost the same noise cancelling. On a tighter budget, the older Bose QuietComfort Headphones offer surprisingly close ANC and are usually discounted to around $200 during sales.
Apple AirPods Max 2
Luxury headphones that work seamlessly with your Apple devices
- Type:
- Over-ear, wireless, ANC and Adaptive Audio
- Battery:
- Up to 20 hours
- Wired:
- Hi-res playback over USB-C
- Weight:
- 13.6 oz
- Extras:
- Spatial Audio, Live Translation, Digital Crown
- Price range:
- $$$$
The AirPods Max 2 look almost identical to the original, but Apple changed a lot inside. The noise cancelling is much better, silencing city traffic and plane engines far more effectively than before, and Transparency and Adaptive modes let in just the right amount of sound. They sound fantastic, with rich yet balanced bass, detailed mids and very clear highs. You can also listen to hi-res audio over USB-C.
For iPhone, iPad and Mac owners, the integration is the real draw. Setup and controls live right in iOS, Spatial Audio makes movies on a plane feel cinematic, and you get settings like Head Gestures and Live Translation right in iOS. The downsides haven't changed: they're heavy, battery life is still only 20 hours, and Android users get almost none of the smart features.
What we like
- Rich, detailed sound
- Much improved noise cancelling
- Gorgeous aluminum build
- Seamless with iPhone, iPad and Mac
What we don't
- Only 20 hours of battery life
- Weighs nearly a pound
- Very expensive; limited on Android
Also consider: the Sonos Ace Ultra are a great alternative if you own a Sonos soundbar. They offer strong ANC, 35 hours of battery and the ability to swap TV audio from your soundbar to your headphones.
Soundcore Space One Pro
Premium sound and noise cancelling at half the flagship price
- Type:
- Over-ear, wireless, ANC
- Battery:
- 40 hours (ANC on), 60 hours (ANC off)
- Codecs:
- SBC, AAC, aptX HD
- Weight:
- 7.8 oz
- Extras:
- Physical controls, aux input
- Price range:
- $$ ($199 list, often less on sale)
The Space One Pro are our best-value noise cancelling pick. Their noise cancelling is the real star. It does a phenomenal job for the price, focusing on low rumbles, which is perfect for buses and flights, while still handling voices well. The sound is detailed with thumping, infectious bass and clean treble, so they work just as well for hip-hop as for classical music.
They're also very comfortable thanks to soft, plush ear cups, and the 40-hour battery life with ANC on is better than most flagships. The physical controls work well even with gloves. The main compromise is the lack of a hard case in the box, so if you travel a lot, it's worth buying the optional one.
What we like
- Excellent ANC for the money
- Detailed sound with punchy bass
- Very comfortable
- 40-hour battery life with ANC on
What we don't
- No hard case included
- Some low-frequency effects sound a bit muted
- Headband is a little thin
JLab JBuds Lux ANC
Proof you don't need to spend a lot for noise cancelling
- Type:
- Over-ear, wireless, ANC
- Battery:
- 40 hours (ANC on), 70 hours (ANC off)
- Codecs:
- SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive
- Weight:
- 8.2 oz
- Extras:
- Spatial Audio, Dolby Atmos support
- Price range:
- $ (around $79)
For around $79, the JBuds Lux ANC are hard to beat. The noise cancelling blocks a surprising amount of noise: buses, trains and street traffic fade away, and in the office, noisy AC units and colleagues' keyboards disappear. They sound great for the price, they're comfortable, and at first glance you'd never guess how little they cost.
The battery life is a highlight, with 40 hours with ANC on and up to 70 hours with it off. Spatial audio is included. To keep the price down, JLab skips a carrying case and wear detection.
What we like
- Very affordable
- Great battery life
- Great sound quality for the price
- Impressive spatial audio
What we don't
- No carrying case
- No wear detection
- No LDAC support
Other budget options: the 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 offer satisfying, customizable sound for under $100. If you prefer Sony, the WH-CH730N offer a fun, detailed sound, a foldable design and 50 hours with ANC on. They cost more in the US, so they're best bought on sale.
Sennheiser HDB 630
Our pick for wireless sound quality
- Type:
- Over-ear, wireless, ANC
- Battery:
- Up to 60 hours (45 with the dongle)
- Codecs:
- SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive
- Wired:
- USB-C and 3.5mm
- Extras:
- USB-C aptX Adaptive dongle, parametric EQ
- Price range:
- $$$
Wireless headphones are usually held back by your phone's Bluetooth, especially on an iPhone. Sennheiser's clever fix is a USB-C dongle in the box that gives your phone, laptop or iPhone the same hi-res aptX Adaptive codec the headphones use. The result is a natural, dynamic and detailed sound that beats even the Sony XM6, and the HDB 630 sound class-leading even without the dongle.
The app is a tinkerer's dream, with a full parametric EQ, a simpler EQ and presets. Battery life is a generous 60 hours, and the headphones are light and comfortable. Noise cancelling is good, but not as intense as Bose or Sony, and wired listening still drains the battery.
What we like
- Natural, dynamic, detailed sound
- USB-C dongle upgrades any phone, including iPhone
- Up to 60 hours of battery life
- Excellent EQ options and protective case
What we don't
- ANC is good, not class-leading
- Plain design; some rattles in the build
- Touch controls can be inaccurate
Money no object? The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 deliver an open, detailed and dynamic sound in a luxurious build, and the Focal Bathys Mg sound incredible with plenty of style.
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3
Our favorite pair for long commutes
- Type:
- Over-ear, wireless, ANC
- Battery:
- Up to 30 hours
- Codecs:
- SBC, AAC, LDAC, aptX
- Weight:
- 8.32 oz
- Extras:
- Hard carrying case, multiple colors
- Price range:
- $$$
Bowers & Wilkins went back to the drawing board with the Px7 S3, and it shows. They're slimmer, very handsome, and well padded. The sound is the highlight. It's dynamic and well balanced, with impactful bass, excellent mids and clear highs, and it outperforms some much more expensive headphones.
The noise cancelling is a big improvement over older B&W models and blocks plenty of noise, though it doesn't reach Bose or Sony levels. The transparency mode is very good, battery life is solid, and a hard case is included.
What we like
- Slim, premium design
- Incredible, well-rounded sound
- Exceptionally comfortable
- Excellent hard case
What we don't
- ANC is a step behind Bose and Sony
- Pricey
Marshall Monitor III
Headphones you'll almost never need to charge
- Type:
- Over-ear, wireless, ANC
- Battery:
- 70 hours (ANC on), 100 hours (ANC off)
- Codecs:
- SBC, AAC, LDAC
- Weight:
- 8.8 oz
- Extras:
- Hard carrying case, spatial audio
- Price range:
- $$$
Most noise cancelling headphones last 30 to 40 hours. The Monitor III last 70 hours with ANC on and an incredible 100 hours with it off. That makes them perfect for long trips, multi-day travel or anyone who forgets to charge. They're also light and very comfortable thanks to Marshall's new earpad foam, and the hard case in the box is excellent.
They sound really good, with Marshall's signature rock-friendly tuning that emphasizes bass and treble while keeping the mids clear. The ANC does a solid job on public transport and in the office, but it isn't as strong as our top picks. Some parts of the build creak, and the spatial audio mode is best left off.
What we like
- Class-leading battery life
- Excellent sound quality
- Solid noise cancelling
- Brilliant hard case
What we don't
- Build creaks in places
- Ineffective spatial audio
- ANC trails Bose and Sony
Prefer on-ear? The Marshall Milton ANC are our favorite on-ear noise cancelling headphones, with up to 80 hours of battery life, Bluetooth 6.0 and LDAC.
Razer BlackShark V3
A wireless gaming headset that sounds great and costs much less than flagships
- Type:
- Over-ear wireless gaming headset
- Connectivity:
- HyperSpeed Gen-2 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 5.3, USB wired
- Battery:
- Up to 70 hours
- Drivers:
- 50mm TriForce Titanium Gen-2
- Mic:
- Detachable 9.9mm
- Price range:
- $$ ($149 list, often less)
Regular Bluetooth headphones add lag, which is why gamers should use a headset with a dedicated wireless dongle. The BlackShark V3 is our favorite. New drivers deliver clear mids for picking out footsteps and detail, plus improved bass. The low-latency mode cuts the delay to just 10 ms, and you can also connect over Bluetooth to your phone.
At 270g, it's light and comfortable for long sessions, with leatherette and memory foam cups that seal well. Battery life reaches 70 hours, and 15 minutes of charging gives you about six hours. Unlike the pricier BlackShark V3 Pro, it skips active noise cancelling.
What we like
- Stellar audio for a gaming headset
- Ultra-low latency mode
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Much cheaper than the V3 Pro
What we don't
- 10 ms low-latency mode drains the battery faster
- No active noise cancelling
- Razer's Synapse software can be a pain
Best headphones by need
| If you want... | Our pick | Budget alternative |
|---|---|---|
| The best all-rounder | Sony WH-1000XM6 | Soundcore Space One Pro |
| Quiet on flights and trains | Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) | Bose QuietComfort Ultra (1st gen) or Bose QuietComfort Headphones on sale |
| An iPhone, iPad and Mac companion | Apple AirPods Max 2 | Sennheiser HDB 630 (its dongle boosts iPhone sound quality) |
| Hi-res sound on Android (LDAC) | Sony WH-1000XM6 | Marshall Monitor III |
| The best sound quality | Sennheiser HDB 630 | Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 |
| The longest battery life | Marshall Monitor III (70 hours with ANC) | JLab JBuds Lux ANC (40 hours with ANC) |
| Gaming on PC or console | Razer BlackShark V3 | JLab JBuds Lux ANC for casual play (Dolby Atmos support) |
| The lowest price | JLab JBuds Lux ANC (around $79) | 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 |
| On-ear instead of over-ear | Marshall Milton ANC | None |
How to choose headphones: 7 things that actually matter
1. Noise cancelling quality varies a lot
Almost every pair now says "ANC," but performance differs. Bose and Sony lead for blocking out everything. Apple, Sonos and Bowers & Wilkins come close, and budget models like the JLab and Soundcore handle steady low rumbles (engines, traffic, AC units) well but let more voices through. If you fly often, invest in the best ANC you can afford.
2. Comfort and weight
You may wear these for hours, so weight and clamping force matter. The Sony XM6, Bose QC Ultra and Marshall Monitor III are light and easy to wear all day. The AirPods Max 2 are much heavier (nearly a pound). If you wear glasses, look for softer cushions and moderate clamping force.
3. Battery life
Around 30 hours with ANC on is now standard for flagships. Some cheaper or travel-focused pairs go much further: the Marshall Monitor III reach 70 hours with ANC on. A quick-charge feature (a few minutes for a few hours) is very useful if you often forget to charge.
4. Bluetooth codecs and your phone
iPhones only use AAC over Bluetooth, so LDAC and aptX support won't help you there. The Sennheiser HDB 630's dongle is the exception. Android users can get better wireless sound from headphones that support LDAC (Sony, Marshall, B&W) or aptX Adaptive (Bose, Sennheiser, JLab). Many pairs now also support lossless audio over a USB-C cable.
5. Ecosystem features
Apple users get deep iOS integration and settings with AirPods Max 2. Sonos owners can send TV audio to the Ace Ultra. For everyone else, multipoint Bluetooth (connected to your phone and laptop at once) is the feature to look for.
6. Gaming needs a dongle
Standard Bluetooth adds noticeable delay. For competitive gaming, choose a headset with a 2.4GHz wireless dongle, like the Razer BlackShark V3, plus a decent mic for team chat.
7. When to buy
Headphones are among the most heavily discounted products around Black Friday and Cyber Monday. When a new generation launches, the previous model often drops a lot in price, and it's usually still a great buy (the original Bose QC Ultra is a perfect example).
Frequently asked questions
Sony WH-1000XM6 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen)?
Both are excellent. We pick the Sony for most people because it sounds more natural, folds compactly and has great features. Choose the Bose if blocking out noise matters more than anything else, especially on frequent flights.
Are AirPods Max 2 worth it if I have an Android phone?
No. You'll lose most of the smart features and settings. Android users get more for their money with the Sony WH-1000XM6 or the Sennheiser HDB 630.
Is noise cancelling bad for your ears?
No. ANC actually helps protect your hearing because you don't need to turn the volume up as much to drown out background noise. Just keep listening levels moderate and use transparency mode when you need to stay aware of traffic.
Can I use these headphones for gaming?
For casual play and movies, yes. For competitive gaming, Bluetooth delay can be noticeable, so a gaming headset with a wireless dongle like the Razer BlackShark V3 is a better choice.
What are the best cheap noise cancelling headphones?
The JLab JBuds Lux ANC, at around $79, are our favorite under $100. If you can stretch to around $200, the Soundcore Space One Pro come close to flagship performance.