The Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones
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Ryan V. Editor-in-Chief
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The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the pair that the most rigorous testers put first. RTINGS ranks it the best noise-cancelling headphone it has measured, What Hi-Fi? made it its overall pick and gave it an Award, and SoundGuys calls it the best for most people. Three independent top spots, from two measurement labs and one expert listening panel, is the strongest consensus in this category.
Its noise cancelling sits right at the top. TechRadar ran the leaders through four real-world noise scenarios and scored the XM6 28 out of 30, half a point behind Bose. RTINGS found it clearly better than the XM5 at cutting mid-range noise like office chatter. Where Sony pulls ahead is everything around the ANC. What Hi-Fi? calls it the most detailed, dynamic and open sound Sony has put in a wireless flagship, and TechRadar found it the best for calls of any standard noise-cancelling pair it tested.
The design fixes the XM5's biggest complaint. The hinge folds again, Engadget calls the fit supremely comfy, and 12 microphones feed Sony's QN3 processor. You get 30 hours of rated battery with noise cancelling on, and SoundGuys measured 37.
What It Won't Do
If blocking noise is the only thing you care about, Bose still edges it: TechRadar and Tom's Guide both give the QuietComfort Ultra a slight win on raw cancellation. RTINGS found the shallow ear cups don't always seal well with glasses, and Tom's Guide says they can get warm and the hinges feel fragile. SoundGuys flags a 10kHz spike that is hard to EQ away. There is no aptX and no audio over USB-C, and Sony has nudged the list price up to $459.99.
The Sony WH-CH720N has won What Hi-Fi?'s best cheap noise-cancelling Award three years in a row, and the reason is in the verdict: it matched, and at points beat, significantly more expensive pairs. Engadget named it its best budget pick with above-average noise cancelling for the price, and SoundGuys lists it as a notable mention.
The numbers back it up. You get 35 hours of rated battery with noise cancelling on, which What Hi-Fi? says works out to about a week of use per charge. It weighs 192 g, the lightest pair here, and it supports multipoint and Sony's app EQ. Sony lists it at $179.99, but it regularly sells for well under $100. Amazon had it at $61.45 when we checked.
What It Won't Do
The noise cancelling is good for a commute but not in the XM6's league. Engadget found it struggles in some environments, so long-haul flyers will hear more engine drone. The build is mostly plastic, it doesn't fold, and there is no case in the box. What Hi-Fi? also finds the bass a little over-enthusiastic out of the box, though the app EQ can tame it.
Who Should Buy Which
Sony WH-1000XM6
The most complete noise-cancelling headphone: near-top ANC, the best calls, and a detailed sound
- You fly or commute daily and want near-top noise cancelling
- You take a lot of calls on your headphones
- You want detailed, balanced sound without spending audiophile money
- You switch between a laptop and phone and need multipoint
- You want a pair that folds into a compact case for travel
Sony WH-CH720N
Three-time What Hi-Fi? Award winner that brings real noise cancelling in well under $100 on sale
- You want real noise cancelling for under $100 on sale
- You commute by bus or train more than you fly
- You want light headphones for long wear
- You care about battery life more than premium materials
- You are buying for a student or a second pair