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Buying guide · Headphones

The best noise-cancelling headphones

This guide is for commuters, flyers and office workers who want over-ear headphones that shut out noise. The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the best choice for most people, with excellent noise cancelling, detailed sound and strong calls. The Sony WH-CH720N is the budget pick, and the Sennheiser HDB 630 is the premium choice if sound quality matters most.

Checked 18 October 2026 5 picks 12 expert sources Prices for your country
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Best overallSony WH-1000XM6about A$500 · 8.7/10 Best valueSony WH-CH720Nabout A$249 · 7.7/10 Best premiumSennheiser HDB 630about A$999 · 8.5/10 Best for noise cancelling and comfortBose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)about A$600 · 8.6/10 Best for iPhone usersApple AirPods Max 2about A$999 · 7.6/10

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Choose what matters most and we'll point you to the right pick.

8.7
Our scoreweighted, out of 10
Best overall

Sony WH-1000XM6

Sony
about A$500approximate street price

What Hi-Fi?, SoundGuys and RTINGS all rank it first, because it pairs top-tier noise cancelling with natural, detailed sound and excellent call quality.

Best forMost people who want one pair for travel, commuting and work calls.
Skip it ifPeople who wear headphones all day, since TechGearLab found the thin headband less comfortable after about seven hours.

What we like

  • Among the strongest noise cancelling tested
  • Clear, detailed sound that you can tune in the app
  • Excellent microphones for calls

Watch out for

  • Thin headband can become uncomfortable on very long wears
  • Pricier than older Sony models that are still on sale
Battery life (ANC on, rated)
30 hours
Weight
254 g
Bluetooth codecs
SBC, AAC, LDAC
Multipoint
Yes
Folding
Yes
Noise cancelling9.3
Sound quality9.0
Comfort8.0
Battery life8.0
Features and calls9.0
Value7.5
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Based on: What Hi-Fi?, SoundGuys, TechGearLab, What Hi-Fi?, RTINGS

7.7
Our scoreweighted, out of 10
Best value

Sony WH-CH720N

Sony
about A$249approximate street price

It has won What Hi-Fi?'s budget noise-cancelling award three years running, and gives you effective noise cancelling, multipoint and long battery life for a fraction of a flagship's price.

Best forStudents and commuters who want real noise cancelling on a tight budget.
Skip it ifFrequent long-haul flyers who want the strongest possible noise cancelling and a carry case.

What we like

  • Very light and comfortable
  • 35 hours of battery with noise cancelling on
  • Multipoint pairing works well

Watch out for

  • Lets more low rumble through than flagships
  • Plastic build, no case and does not fold flat
Battery life (ANC on, rated)
35 hours
Weight
192 g
Drivers
30 mm
Multipoint
Yes
Wired option
3.5 mm jack
Noise cancelling7.0
Sound quality7.5
Comfort8.0
Battery life8.0
Features and calls7.5
Value9.5
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Based on: What Hi-Fi?, TechRadar, What Hi-Fi?, Pickr

8.5
Our scoreweighted, out of 10
Best premium

Sennheiser HDB 630

Sennheiser
about A$999approximate street price

What Hi-Fi? gave it full marks for sound and features, and its included USB-C dongle brings higher-quality aptX Adaptive Bluetooth to iPhones and laptops.

Best forMusic lovers who care most about natural, detailed sound and want very long battery life.
Skip it ifPeople who mainly want the strongest noise cancelling for flights.

What we like

  • Natural, dynamic and detailed sound
  • Up to 60 hours of battery
  • Dongle upgrades Bluetooth quality on almost any device

Watch out for

  • Noise cancelling is good but behind Sony and Bose
  • Plain design for the price
Battery life (ANC on, rated)
60 hours (45 hours using the dongle)
Weight
311 g
Bluetooth codecs
SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive
Included dongle
BTD 700 USB-C transmitter
Wired option
3.5 mm and USB-C
Noise cancelling8.0
Sound quality9.5
Comfort8.5
Battery life9.5
Features and calls8.5
Value6.5
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Based on: What Hi-Fi?, SoundGuys, What Hi-Fi?

8.6
Our scoreweighted, out of 10
Best for noise cancelling and comfort

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)

Bose
about A$600approximate street price

Tom's Guide and TechGearLab both name it their top pick for blocking noise and all-day comfort, and SoundGuys picks it as the most comfortable pair in its guide.

Best forLong-haul flyers and anyone who wears headphones for hours at a time.
Skip it ifListeners who want the most refined sound for the money, where the Sony is ahead.

What we like

  • Class-leading noise cancelling in its strongest mode
  • Light, plush and easy to wear for hours
  • aptX Adaptive and USB-C wired listening

Watch out for

  • Bassy sound until you adjust the EQ
  • Touch controls and app EQ are basic
Battery life (ANC on, rated)
30 hours (24 hours with Immersive Audio)
Weight
250 g
Bluetooth codecs
SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive
Wired option
USB-C audio
Folding
Yes
Noise cancelling9.5
Sound quality8.3
Comfort9.3
Battery life7.5
Features and calls8.5
Value7.0
Check price at Amazon eBay

Based on: Tom's Guide, SoundGuys, TechGearLab, What Hi-Fi?

7.6
Our scoreweighted, out of 10
Best for iPhone users

Apple AirPods Max 2

Apple
about A$999approximate street price

SoundGuys measured the strongest noise cancelling of any pick in its 2026 headphones guide, and its Apple-only features make it the easiest premium pair for iPhone owners.

Best foriPhone, iPad and Mac owners who want premium build and seamless Apple features.
Skip it ifAndroid users, and anyone who wants long battery life or a light pair.

What we like

  • Excellent noise cancelling
  • Smooth, balanced sound and premium metal build
  • USB-C lossless wired audio

Watch out for

  • Heavy at 386 g
  • Only about 20 hours of battery, and the case is unchanged
Battery life (ANC on, rated)
20 hours
Weight
386 g
Chip
Apple H2
Bluetooth codecs
SBC, AAC
Wired option
USB-C, up to 24-bit/48 kHz
Noise cancelling9.0
Sound quality8.5
Comfort6.5
Battery life5.5
Features and calls8.0
Value5.0
Check price at Amazon eBay

Based on: SoundGuys, What Hi-Fi?, SoundGuys

Side by side

Every pick scored on the same criteria. Tap a row to jump to it.

ProductAwardNoise cancellingSound qualityComfortBattery lifeFeatures and callsValueOverallPrice
Sony WH-1000XM6Best overall9.39.08.08.09.07.58.7about A$500
Sony WH-CH720NBest value7.07.58.08.07.59.57.7about A$249
Sennheiser HDB 630Best premium8.09.58.59.58.56.58.5about A$999
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)Best for noise cancelling and comfort9.58.39.37.58.57.08.6about A$600
Apple AirPods Max 2Best for iPhone users9.08.56.55.58.05.07.6about A$999

How we chose

Noise-cancelling headphones live or die on how much low, droning noise they remove, but sound, comfort over a long flight, battery life and call quality matter too. We compared lab measurements and listening tests from SoundGuys and TechGearLab, RTINGS' 2026 ranking, star ratings and head-to-head tests from What Hi-Fi?, and buying guides and reviews from Tom's Guide, TechRadar and Pickr. Every pick is recommended by at least two of these testers, and we gave noise cancelling and sound the most weight. Prices were checked against Australian, US and UK retailers and deal trackers, and they move often.

Noise cancelling30%
Sound quality25%
Comfort15%
Battery life10%
Features and calls10%
Value10%

Bars show how much each criterion counts towards the overall score. Scores are out of 10, built from the testing listed below.

Questions people ask

Are noise-cancelling headphones bad for your ears?

No. Active noise cancelling works by playing an inverted sound wave, and it does not harm your hearing. It can protect your ears, because you do not need to turn the volume up to drown out traffic or engine noise. A few people feel a slight pressure sensation, which most strong ANC headphones let you reduce in the app.

Can I use noise-cancelling headphones with in-flight entertainment?

Yes, as long as you connect with a cable, since most plane seats do not support Bluetooth. Most of our picks take a wired connection, but the AirPods Max 2 need Apple's separate USB-C to 3.5 mm cable. Keep a dual-prong plane adaptor in your bag for older aircraft.

Are over-ear headphones better than earbuds for noise cancelling?

Usually, yes. Over-ear cups seal around the ear and block more high-pitched noise passively, and their larger batteries last longer. Earbuds are smaller and better for the gym, but they rarely match a flagship over-ear pair on a long flight.

Do I need LDAC or aptX for good sound?

Not for most people. iPhones use the AAC codec, which sounds very good, while LDAC and aptX Adaptive need a compatible Android phone or, for the Sennheiser HDB 630, the included dongle. The tuning of the headphones makes a bigger difference than the codec.

Sources

  1. What Hi-Fi?: Best noise-cancelling headphones 2026 (2026-07)
  2. Tom's Guide: The best noise-canceling headphones of 2026: Tested and reviewed (2026-09)
  3. SoundGuys: The best headphones in 2026: Lab-tested by experts (2026-09)
  4. TechGearLab: Best Wireless Headphones (2026-07)
  5. What Hi-Fi?: Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen): which flagship wireless over-ears are best? (2025-12)
  6. What Hi-Fi?: Sennheiser HDB 630 review (2025-12)
  7. What Hi-Fi?: Apple AirPods Max 2 review (2026-03)
  8. SoundGuys: Apple AirPods Max 2 review (2026-05)
  9. TechRadar: Sony WH-CH720N review: impressive and affordable noise-cancelling headphones (2023-06)
  10. What Hi-Fi?: Best cheap noise-cancelling headphones 2026 (2026-03)
  11. Pickr: Sony WH-CH720N ANC headphones review (2023)
  12. RTINGS: The 5 Best Noise Cancelling Headphones of 2026 (2026-10)

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