QUESTION

What are the best noise cancelling headphones?

21 upvotes0 downvotes

Asked May 15, 2026Last updated June 6, 2026

Answer92% confidence

Best overall: Sony WH-1000XM6. It’s the safest top pick for most people because it is repeatedly rated at or near the top for noise cancelling and premium over-ear performance.

Shortlist:

Sony WH-1000XM6 — best overall noise cancelling headphones.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen — best if comfort is your top priority.
Apple AirPods Max — best for Apple users who want tight iPhone/iPad/Mac integration.
Sony WH-1000XM4 — best value-style pick if you find it discounted.
Sennheiser HDB 630 — worth considering if you care about Sennheiser’s sound and want a current premium alternative.

If you mostly need headphones for office calls rather than music/travel ANC, consider a dedicated office headset instead; Yealink HA64 Pro is a call-focused option mentioned for noise-cancelling office use.

Our pick

Sony WH-1000XM6

Best for most people

Maars picked this for most people who want top-tier noise cancelling: it is the clearest current overall recommendation.

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At a glance

Compared picks

Swipe to compare

	Sony WH-1000XM6	Bose QC Ultra 2nd Gen	Apple AirPods Max	Sony WH-1000XM4	Sennheiser HDB 630	Yealink HA64 Pro
Best use	Best overall ANC headphones	Comfort-first over-ear ANC	Apple ecosystem use	Discounted Sony alternative	Premium Sennheiser alternative	Office calls and headset use
Main strength	Outstanding noise isolation	Very strong comfort reputation	Apple device integration	Proven older Sony model	Sound-focused premium option	Call clarity in noisy work settings
Main tradeoff	Likely premium pricing	Check how it compares with Sony on ANC and features	Best value only if you use Apple devices	Older model, so check current price carefully	Less broadly supported here than Sony or Bose	Not the best choice for music-first travel ANC

Also compared

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Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen

Best for comfort-first buyers

Maars picked this for long-wear comfort: it is a strong choice if fit and fatigue matter as much as noise cancelling.

Search on Amazon

Apple AirPods Max

Best for apple users

Maars picked this for Apple users who want noise cancelling with smooth device switching and familiar Apple convenience.

Search on Amazon

Sony WH-1000XM4

Best for deal hunters

Maars picked this for deal hunters who want a proven Sony ANC model without necessarily paying for the newest version.

Search on Amazon

Sennheiser HDB 630

Best for sennheiser fans

Maars picked this for buyers who want to compare a current Sennheiser premium option against the usual Sony, Bose, and Apple choices.

Search on Amazon

Yealink HA64 Pro

Best for office calls

Maars picked this for office workers who care more about call noise control than music-focused travel headphones.

Search on Amazon

Alternatives

Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen
For maximum comfort
A good pick if you wear headphones for long flights, commuting, or workdays and comfort matters as much as ANC.
Apple AirPods Max
For Apple users
Best suited to people already using iPhone, iPad, or Mac who value ecosystem convenience.
Yealink HA64 Pro
For office calls
Better fit if your main need is clearer calls in noisy offices rather than music-focused travel headphones.

What could change this answer

Newer headphone models, firmware updates, or revised rankings can change the top pick.
Comfort, sound signature, and app/ecosystem preferences are personal, so the best option can differ by user.
Prices, discounts, and availability can shift which model is the best value.

Found this helpful?

More buying options

May include affiliate links

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Our pick

Sony WH-1000XM6

Best for most people

Maars picked this for most people who want top-tier noise cancelling: it is the clearest current overall recommendation.

Search on Amazon

At a glance

Compared picks

Swipe to compare

	Sony WH-1000XM6	Bose QC Ultra 2nd Gen	Apple AirPods Max	Sony WH-1000XM4	Sennheiser HDB 630	Yealink HA64 Pro
Best use	Best overall ANC headphones	Comfort-first over-ear ANC	Apple ecosystem use	Discounted Sony alternative	Premium Sennheiser alternative	Office calls and headset use
Main strength	Outstanding noise isolation	Very strong comfort reputation	Apple device integration	Proven older Sony model	Sound-focused premium option	Call clarity in noisy work settings
Main tradeoff	Likely premium pricing	Check how it compares with Sony on ANC and features	Best value only if you use Apple devices	Older model, so check current price carefully	Less broadly supported here than Sony or Bose	Not the best choice for music-first travel ANC

Also compared

Search on Amazon

Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen

Best for comfort-first buyers

Maars picked this for long-wear comfort: it is a strong choice if fit and fatigue matter as much as noise cancelling.

Search on Amazon

Apple AirPods Max

Best for apple users

Maars picked this for Apple users who want noise cancelling with smooth device switching and familiar Apple convenience.

Search on Amazon

Sony WH-1000XM4

Best for deal hunters

Maars picked this for deal hunters who want a proven Sony ANC model without necessarily paying for the newest version.

Search on Amazon

Sennheiser HDB 630

Best for sennheiser fans

Maars picked this for buyers who want to compare a current Sennheiser premium option against the usual Sony, Bose, and Apple choices.

Search on Amazon

Yealink HA64 Pro

Best for office calls

Maars picked this for office workers who care more about call noise control than music-focused travel headphones.

Search on Amazon

Alternatives

Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen
For maximum comfort
A good pick if you wear headphones for long flights, commuting, or workdays and comfort matters as much as ANC.
Apple AirPods Max
For Apple users
Best suited to people already using iPhone, iPad, or Mac who value ecosystem convenience.
Yealink HA64 Pro
For office calls
Better fit if your main need is clearer calls in noisy offices rather than music-focused travel headphones.

What could change this answer

Newer headphone models, firmware updates, or revised rankings can change the top pick.
Comfort, sound signature, and app/ecosystem preferences are personal, so the best option can differ by user.
Prices, discounts, and availability can shift which model is the best value.

Found this helpful?

More buying options

May include affiliate links

Search Amazon Search eBay

What are the best noise cancelling headphones?

Sony WH-1000XM6

Compared picks

Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen

Apple AirPods Max

Sony WH-1000XM4

Sennheiser HDB 630

Yealink HA64 Pro

What could change this answer

Sony WH-1000XM6

Compared picks

Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen

Apple AirPods Max

Sony WH-1000XM4

Sennheiser HDB 630

Yealink HA64 Pro

Alternatives

What could change this answer

Tags

Sony WH-1000XM6

Compared picks

Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen

Apple AirPods Max

Sony WH-1000XM4

Sennheiser HDB 630

Yealink HA64 Pro

What could change this answer

Sony WH-1000XM6

Compared picks

Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen

Apple AirPods Max

Sony WH-1000XM4

Sennheiser HDB 630

Yealink HA64 Pro

Alternatives

What could change this answer

Tags

Sony WH-1000XM6

Compared picks

Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen

Apple AirPods Max

Sony WH-1000XM4

Sennheiser HDB 630

Yealink HA64 Pro

What could change this answer

Sony WH-1000XM6

Compared picks

Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen

Apple AirPods Max

Sony WH-1000XM4

Sennheiser HDB 630

Yealink HA64 Pro

Alternatives

What could change this answer

Sony WH-1000XM6

Compared picks

Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen

Apple AirPods Max

Sony WH-1000XM4

Sennheiser HDB 630

Yealink HA64 Pro

What could change this answer

Sony WH-1000XM6

Compared picks

Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen

Apple AirPods Max

Sony WH-1000XM4

Sennheiser HDB 630

Yealink HA64 Pro

Alternatives

What could change this answer

Ask Maars another question

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Tags

Ask Maars another question

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