The Best Headphones in 2026
Wirecutter’s best noise-cancelling headphones are the Sony WH-1000XM6 ($458). The Soundcore Space One ($100) is its budget pick. In its ANC measurements, AirPods Max 2 (27 dB) and Bose QC Ultra 2nd Gen (26.9 dB) edge the Sony (26.2 dB).
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How this page was made: this is a research-based guide built from manufacturer spec pages, official prices and published lab measurements from the outlets we name and link. We haven’t tested these products ourselves, and we don’t invent scores. Our methodology.
Quick answer
Wirecutter’s best noise-cancelling headphones are the Sony WH-1000XM6 ($458). The Soundcore Space One ($100) is its budget pick. In its ANC measurements, AirPods Max 2 (27 dB) and Bose QC Ultra 2nd Gen (26.9 dB) edge the Sony (26.2 dB). Best overall: Sony WH-1000XM6, $458. Best for comfort and ANC: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), $449.
Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026
Key facts at a glance
| Pick | Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Sony WH-1000XM6 | most people | $458 |
| Best for comfort and ANC | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) | comfort-first listeners | $449 |
| Best for iPhone | Apple AirPods Max 2 | iPhone owners | $549 |
| Best budget | Soundcore Space One | budgets around $100 | $100 |
| Best battery life | Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless | long battery life | $449.95 list |
| Best wired | Sennheiser HD 600 | wired home listening | $329.95 |
This hub page uses Wirecutter’s[1] September 2026 noise-cancelling headphones guide and its ANC measurements, plus maker prices and SoundGuys[4] battery figures (prices checked October 2026). It links to our deeper guides for travel, budgets, gaming and wired listening.
Which should you buy? Our quick picks
How do they compare?
| Headphones | Price | Type | Wirecutter ANC (dB) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony WH-1000XM6 | $459.99 list; $458 at Amazon | Wireless ANC | 26.2 | Most people |
| Bose QC Ultra (2nd Gen) | $449 list | Wireless ANC | 26.9 | Comfort-first listeners |
| AirPods Max 2 | $549 | Wireless ANC | 27 | IPhone owners |
| Soundcore Space One | $100 | Wireless ANC | 22.0 | Budgets around $100 |
| Sennheiser Momentum 4 | $449.95 list; often about $200 | Wireless ANC | Not listed | Long battery life |
| Sennheiser HD 600 | $329.95 | Wired open-back | None | Wired home listening |
The picks in detail
1. Sony WH-1000XM6
Best for: most peopleWirecutter’s[1] top pick. It’s light and comfortable and combines strong active and passive noise reduction with great sound. Wirecutter measured 26.2 dB of average noise cancellation. $459.99 list at Sony; Wirecutter saw $458.
Price (Oct 2026): $458 Source
Pros
- Excellent all-round ANC
- Great sound
- Comfortable
Cons
- Expensive
2. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
Best for: comfort-first listenersBose’s second-gen QC Ultra measured 26.9 dB of noise cancellation in Wirecutter’s[1] tests, slightly more than the Sony. $449 list. Compare them in Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra.
Price (Oct 2026): $449 Source
Pros
- Top-tier ANC
- Plush fit
Cons
- Expensive
3. Apple AirPods Max 2
Best for: iPhone ownersWirecutter[1] recommends AirPods Max 2 to Apple devotees willing to pay more for top ANC: they averaged 27 dB, a little below the original’s 29.4 dB but better than most over-ears. They add the H2 chip and lossless audio over USB-C. $549 at Apple.
Price (Oct 2026): $549 Source
Pros
- Best measured ANC here
- Apple features
Cons
- Most expensive pick here
4. Soundcore Space One
Best for: budgets around $100Wirecutter’s[1] budget pick: impressive noise cancelling for the price, great sound, comfort and long battery life. It measured 22 dB of ANC. $100.
Price (Oct 2026): $100 Source
Pros
- Cheap
- Strong ANC for the price
Cons
- Less ANC than flagships
5. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
Best for: long battery lifeSoundGuys[4] measured about 56 hours of battery life, so you can go days between charges. The $449.95 list price often drops to about $200. See best headphones for travel.
Price (Oct 2026): $449.95 list Source
Pros
- Huge battery life
- Frequent big discounts
Cons
- Full price is high
6. Sennheiser HD 600
Best for: wired home listeningA long-running open-back reference headphone for listening at a desk. It leaks sound and has no ANC, and it benefits from a headphone amp. $329.95 at Sennheiser. See HD 600 vs HiFiMAN Sundara.
Price (Oct 2026): $329.95 Source
Pros
- Natural sound
- Replaceable parts
Cons
- Wired only
- Leaks sound
Also considered
Sony WH-CH720N: Sony’s budget ANC pair, $149.99 list and often under $100.
JBL Tour One M3: Measured 25 dB of ANC in Wirecutter’s[1] tests.
More headphone guides
Headphones or earbuds?
Over-ear headphones are usually more comfortable for long sessions and last longer per charge. Earbuds are smaller, and Wirecutter’s[1] best ANC result overall came from the Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds (30.4 dB). See best noise-cancelling earbuds.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best headphones in 2026?
What are the best cheap headphones?
Which headphones have the best noise cancelling?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- Wirecutter: The best noise-cancelling headphones (updated September 2026) (nytimes.com)
- Sony: WH-1000XM6 (electronics.sony.com)
- Apple: Buy AirPods Max 2 (apple.com)
- SoundGuys: Best noise-cancelling headphones for airplanes (soundguys.com)
- Sennheiser: HD 600 (us.sennheiser-hearing.com)
Related
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