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I'm a Bluetooth headphones junkie, and this list includes the best ANC (active noise canceling) cans I've used. I've owned Apple's AirPods Max for years, as well as Sennheiser's Momentum 3s and then the 4s. I also used Sony's XM3s, before upgrading to the XM6s. I'm new to the Bose range. One thing that is clear with all the leading ANC, Bluetooth headphones out there – each one has strong pros and slight weaknesses. But I do believe there is an ideal one for everyone, so let's find yours!
Even though I've scored the two Sennheiser offerings the highest, I am no brand loyalist – I just love their full package, and excellent sound. But it's not all about that – if you want the best budget audiophile headphones out there, check out my guide. I've scored each pair of cans for comfort, build, sound and value, to help you figure out which are right for you.
Sennheiser HDB 630
Comfort: The earpads of these cans have been thoroughly cushioned, making long listening sessions a joy. The clamping pressure is well-judged, providing a secure fit without exerting too much pressure. 5/5
Build: While they're not the lightest headphones, they're sturdy and solidly made, with a premium feel to the materials. The touch controls are reasonably intuitive, and Sennheiser has gone big on battery life, with 60 hours playtime! 5/5
Stock/EQ sound: Out of the box, you get that classically neutral Sennheiser sound. The bass punches through without being overbearing, and mids and trebles are clear and distinct. Hi-res 24-bit/96kHz audio meets a wide selection of Bluetooth codecs. The EQ is where things get interesting; new Parametric EQ allows for incredibly precise fine-tuning of your sound, allowing you to customise it completely to your tastes using the app. For audiophiles, it doesn't get better. 5/5
ANC: Sennheiser’s Adaptive Noise Cancellation system generally works very well, monitoring background noise levels and adjusting accordingly. There's also a transparency mode if you need to retain some awareness of your surroundings. 4.5/5
Cost: At an asking price of around $500, these are the most expensive cans on my list. Having tested them, I do think they're worth it, but there are other options if your budget won't stretch. 4.5/5
Total score: 24/25
Sennheiser Momentum 4
Comfort: While Sennheiser's more affordable headphones look a bit plainer than the HDB 630s, they still offer buckets of comfort, with a wide headband that exerts a sensible level of pressure for comfy listening. 5/5
Build: While they're arguably lacking in aesthetic flair, it's hard to fault the Momentum 4 headphones for being everything they need to be. The on-cup touch controls work reliably well, and once again you get that 60-hour battery. 4.5/5
Stock/EQ sound: There's a LOT of sub bass in the out-of-box sound of these headphones. It may not be to everyone's tastes, but proper bass-heads will be in heaven. The five-band EQ allows you to rein in that bass, revealing a sound that's really quite spectacular, full of richness and detail. The Sennheiser app offers plenty of customisation potential. 5/5
ANC: Very good indeed. While newer headphones do have a bit of an edge when it comes to tackling big noises, the Momentum 4 headphones put a solid shift in, keeping you firmly in the zone. 5/5
Cost: At a current asking price of around $230, these are the cheapest cans on my list. Even though they're previous-gen, they still offer excellent value for money, and are well worth snapping up while you can. 5/5
Total score: 23/25
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Comfort: A delightfully comfortable, premium-feeling pair of headphones, with a faux-leather finish for the earcups and headband interior that makes them easy to wear for long periods of time. 5/5
Build: The folding design makes the headphones easy to throw into a bag and take everywhere with you. Though the 24-hour rated battery life lags behind most rivals, especially the class-leading Sennheisers. 4/5
Stock/EQ sound: The stock sound offers a strong level of sub-bass – I'd put it as better than the Sony XM6 cans, and not quite as good as Apple's AirPods. Take control with the three-band EQ, and you can produce a truly excellent sound, with tons of detail. 4.5/5
ANC: Bose's ANC is very effective, swiping away the noises of the outside world to leave you in a musical bubble. But, I'll be honest, I did notice a very slight hiss when using it. 4.5/5
Cost: At a cost of around $390, these are upper-band headphones. The premium materials do help you feel like you're getting your money's worth. 4/5
Total score: 22/25
Sony WH-1000XM6
Comfort: Perfectly fine to wear for long periods, the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones exert a solid but not overwhelming level of pressure. The cups are a nice size, and very soft. 4/5
Build: Newly foldable, unlike the XM5s, the headphones make use of an unusual asymmetrical design, making it easy to tell left from right at a glance. 4/5
Stock/EQ sound: The stock sound gives big bass that is a little undefined for my taste. It's not overly clear, and the mids get drowned out. Happily, a 10-band EQ makes this eminently correctable, and you can get these things sounding really damn good. The newly developed 30mm drivers deliver exceptional detail retrieval and dynamic range that's simply sensational. 4/5
ANC: Outstanding. The best of any cans here. If you want to sink into a completely isolated bubble with your music and brook absolutely no intrusion from the outside world – here you go. 5/5
Cost: At around $390, they're on about the same pricing level as the Bose QuietComfort headphones. Pricey, but not outrageous. 4/5
Total score: 21/25
Apple AirPods Max
Comfort: Not everyone agrees, but I find the AirPods Max to lag behind other headphones in comfort stakes. The huge earcups can feel a little draggy. 3.5/5
Build: Nicely made, as you'd expect from Apple. The anodised aluminium earcups feel a significant cut above the likes of Sony and Bose, as does the steel headband. At 384g they're noticeably heavy, and their inability to properly turn off (they only enter low-power mode) means battery management requires attention. 4.5/5
Stock/EQ sound: The stock sound is excellent, with good sub and mid bass, and lovely clear mids with bags of detail. But of course, there's no option for app-based EQ, which is going to limit the AirPods' appeal for serious audio-heads. 4.5/5
ANC: Fantastic. Rivals the Sony cans for its ability to keep out the world beyond your sound. Also worth noting that Apple has one of the best transparency modes in the business – hugely effective. 5/5
Cost: You pay the inevitable Apple premium, and an asking price of about $430 is quite a lot for a pair of headphones with no EQ, and that aren't necessarily comfortable for everybody. 3/5
Total score: 20.5/25
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