Sony WH-1000XM6
Class-leading ANC with 12 microphones, a foldable build and up to 30 hours of battery.
- QN3 processor
- 12 mics
- 30 h battery
Audio
The best noise-cancelling headphones
Best noise-cancelling headphones: Sony WH-1000XM6. Why it wins: Class-leading ANC with 12 microphones, a foldable build and up to 30 hours of battery. Also see best budget: Soundcore Space One; best premium: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen).
Our pick is the Sony WH-1000XM6: excellent noise cancelling, a foldable design and strong call microphones. If comfort on long flights is your priority, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) is the premium alternative. On a budget, the Soundcore Space One delivers real ANC and long battery life for far less.
Based on RTINGS · CDC · Sony +2 more
Which one should you buy?
Soundcore Space One
Real active noise cancelling and 40 hours of ANC playback at a budget price.
- 40 h ANC
- LDAC
- App EQ
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
Plush comfort, superb ANC and immersive spatial audio for long-haul listening.
- 30 h battery
- Spatial audio
- Plush fit
We don't list prices because they change daily; Amazon shows the current price and stock when you click. We earn a commission on purchases, which never decides a pick. How we choose.
The short answer: Sony WH-1000XM6 for most people; Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) if comfort is the priority; Soundcore Space One if you want strong ANC for much less.
How do the top noise-cancelling headphones compare?
Swipe the table sideways to see all three →
| Spec | Best overallSony WH-1000XM6 | Best budgetSoundcore Space One | Best premiumBose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise cancelling | Excellent (adaptive) | Very good for the price | Excellent |
| Battery (rated) | Up to 30 h | Up to 40 h (ANC on) | Up to 30 h |
| Folds | Yes | Folds flat | Yes |
| Codecs | LDAC, AAC, SBC | LDAC, AAC, SBC | aptX Adaptive, AAC, SBC |
| App | Sony Sound Connect | Soundcore app | Bose app |
| Best for | Most people | Budgets | Comfort-first listeners |
| Price & stock | Check price | Check price | Check price |
Why pick Sony WH-1000XM6?
Sony’s XM line has been a reference point for noise cancelling for years, and the XM6 adds a new QN3 processor and 12 microphones that adapt cancelling to your surroundings and improve voice pickup on calls.
Unlike the XM5, the XM6 folds, which makes it easier to pack. Battery life is rated up to 30 hours, enough for several long flights between charges.
Great if you
- Commute or fly often
- Take calls on headphones
- Want strong app EQ and features
Skip it if you
- Prioritize lightness above all
- Want the softest clamp
- Are on a tight budget
Key specs
- Noise cancelling
- Adaptive, HD NC Processor QN3
- Microphones
- 12
- Battery
- Up to 30 hours (rated)
- Design
- Foldable
- Model
- WH-1000XM6
Sony WH-1000XM6Opens Amazon; the live price and stock are shown there.
Check price on Amazon Why pick Soundcore Space One?
Anker’s Soundcore Space One gives you most of what matters in premium ANC headphones: effective cancelling of engine and traffic rumble, a comfortable fit and very long battery life, at a fraction of the price.
You give up some refinement: cancelling of voices and higher-pitched noise is weaker than the Sony or Bose, and build materials feel more basic.
Great if you
- Want ANC without premium pricing
- Value long battery life
- Use Android with LDAC
Skip it if you
- Need the best voice cancelling
- Want premium materials
- Take many work calls in noisy places
Key specs
- Battery
- Up to 40 h with ANC (rated)
- Codec
- LDAC Hi-Res wireless
- Controls
- App with EQ
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- Maker
- Anker (Soundcore)
Soundcore Space OneOpens Amazon; the live price and stock are shown there.
Check price on Amazon Why pick Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)?
Bose built its reputation on comfortable noise-cancelling headphones, and the QC Ultra line continues that with soft cushions and an even clamp that suits long flights.
The 2nd Gen extends rated battery to 30 hours and keeps Bose’s Immersive Audio spatial mode. It costs more than the Sony, and which sounds better is largely taste.
Great if you
- Wear headphones for hours at a time
- Fly long-haul
- Like spatial audio
Skip it if you
- Want the lowest price
- Use LDAC on Android
- Prefer a lighter clamp-free design
Key specs
- Battery
- Up to 30 hours (rated)
- Audio
- Bose Immersive Audio
- Design
- Foldable
- Generation
- 2nd Gen (2025)
- Color tested listing
- White Smoke
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)Opens Amazon; the live price and stock are shown there.
Check price on Amazon What should you look for in noise-cancelling headphones?
Where you need quiet
Planes and trains are mostly low-frequency rumble, which all good ANC handles. Offices and cafes are voices, where premium models pull ahead.
Comfort decides keepers
A small difference in clamp or cushion is the most common reason people return headphones. Check weight and return policies.
Codecs and your phone
iPhones use AAC. Android phones may support LDAC or aptX for higher bit rates. Pick headphones that match your phone.
Calls
If you take calls, prioritize microphones and wind handling over sound tuning.
Sony WH-1000XM6Opens Amazon; the live price and stock are shown there.
Check price on Amazon Frequently asked questions about noise-cancelling headphones
Are noise-cancelling headphones safe for your ears?
ANC can make listening safer because you don’t need to turn volume up to drown out noise. Keep volume moderate and take breaks.
Sony XM6 or Bose QC Ultra?
Both are excellent. Sony folds, has strong call mics and LDAC; Bose is often preferred for comfort and spatial audio. Choose by comfort and phone.
Is the XM5 still worth buying?
If you find it deeply discounted, yes, but the XM6 folds and has improved processing and mics.
Do budget ANC headphones work on planes?
Yes. Engine rumble is the easiest noise to cancel. Budget pairs struggle more with voices.
Can I use them wired?
Most premium ANC headphones support wired listening; check the box contents and whether audio over USB-C is supported.
Do noise-cancelling headphones block voices?
Only partly. Active noise cancelling works best on steady low-frequency sound such as engine drone and air conditioning. Voices and sudden noises are higher-pitched and change quickly, so they are reduced mostly by how well the ear cushions seal.
How did we pick these noise-cancelling headphones?
We compared rated battery life, noise-cancelling technology, microphones, codecs, design and app features from manufacturer specifications, and cross-checked how each performs in independent lab measurements published by RTINGS.
We have not hands-on tested these products; we compare published specifications, independent measurements and manufacturer documentation, and we update this page when models change. Read the full methodology.
What sources did we use?
- Sony: WH-1000XM6 product page (accessed October 23, 2026)
- Bose: QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (accessed October 23, 2026)
- Soundcore: Space One (accessed October 23, 2026)
- RTINGS: noise-cancelling headphone measurements (accessed October 23, 2026)
- CDC: What noises cause hearing loss? (accessed October 23, 2026)