Noise-cancelling headphones: Sony WH-1000XM6 is our No-Brainer pick

Start with where you need quiet

Planes, trains and open offices all have steady low noise that these headphones are made to cut. Think about how long you wear them at a time, since comfort matters as much as sound on a long trip.

Sony WH-1000XM6

Sony's WH-1000XM6 is the noise-cancelling headphone to beat. It blocks plane and office noise very well, sounds rich out of the box, and folds into its case again. Sony lists up to 30 hours with noise cancelling on. The app lets you tune the sound and the controls.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra is the pick if comfort comes first. Its soft, light fit is easy to wear for a whole flight, and the noise cancelling is right up there with Sony's. Bose lists up to 30 hours of battery for the second generation, plus USB-C audio and an immersive audio mode.

Soundcore Space One

Soundcore's Space One brings real noise cancelling to a much lower cost. Soundcore lists up to 40 hours with noise cancelling on and 4 hours of play from a 5-minute charge. It will not block quite as much as the Sony or Bose, but it is a big upgrade over no noise cancelling at all.

Choose by comfort and cost

Pick the Sony for the best all-round noise cancelling and sound. Pick the Bose if a soft, light fit matters most. Pick the Soundcore Space One if you want good noise cancelling for much less.

What stands out

• Sony lists up to 30 hours with noise cancelling on
• Bose's second generation adds USB-C audio
• Soundcore lists 4 hours of play from a 5-minute charge

Watch out for

• Noise cancelling cuts steady hum best, not sudden sounds
• Over-ear headphones can feel warm in summer
• Check the generation; older versions share names

Before you buy

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Choose by comfort and how much quiet you need, then confirm the exact generation in the listing.

Think about the fit: Choose by comfort first, then noise cancelling and battery.

Check before buying: Model generation, battery life, fit and case size

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