Sony WH-1000XM6
Worth considering if quieter journeys and one pair for music and work calls matter to you, as long as you try the fit and your real call setup first.
Around £349,launched at £399, price recorded 30 Jul 2026
Check price on Amazon UKBest noise-cancelling headphones for journeys and work
Active noise cancellation, or ANC, uses microphones and processing to reduce background sound, which can make trains and busy offices easier to listen in. These reviewed over-ear options suit different budgets, fit preferences and charging habits.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
The comfort-first choice for noisy journeys and offices, but it costs more than Sony and Sennheiser and its battery does not stand out.
£449at launch, price recorded 30 Jul 2026
Check price on Amazon UK
JBL Tune 780NC
A sensible budget pair for travel and commuting if you value long battery life, but check fit and comfort during the returns window.
£73.95Standard retail package, price recorded 28 Sept 2026
Check price on Amazon UK
Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless
A great choice for sound and battery life, but Sony and Bose block more noise
£329.90price recorded 28 Jul 2026
Check price on Amazon UKNot sure where to start? Answer three questions.
Is quiet or time between charges your first priority?
Start with the Sony or Bose for noisy travel. Choose the Momentum 5 when battery life and natural sound matter more than the strongest ANC.
How much can you spend?
The JBL had the lowest price at our latest check. Try the fit if you can; our review notes its bass is weak.
Will you wear them for long sessions?
The Bose puts comfort first. Fit is personal, so try each pair with your glasses and usual call setup during the returns period.
Still unsure? We will pick three for you, from £29.
Compare them side by side
Swipe the table to see every pick →
| Feature | Sony WH-1000XM6 | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) | JBL Tune 780NC | Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery life | Sony rates up to 30 hours with ANC; less with calls or LDAC | Up to 30 hours, or 23 with Immersive Audio, in the review | JBL claims up to 76 hours; listening mode affects it | Rated 57 hours with ANC; not our measurement |
| Main reason | Noise reduction and multipoint for two connected devices | Soft ear cups and comfort on noisy journeys | Lower recorded cost and infrequent charging | Natural sound and a replaceable battery |
| Main compromise | Fit and pressure need trying | Higher cost and unexceptional battery life | Independent criticism of weak bass | ANC behind Sony and Bose |
| Price | Around £349,launched at £399, price recorded 30 Jul 2026 | £449at launch, price recorded 30 Jul 2026 | £73.95Standard retail package, price recorded 28 Sept 2026 | £329.90price recorded 28 Jul 2026 |
| Buy | Check price | Check price | Check price | Check price |
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Our picks in detail
Best for journeys and switching between phone and laptop
Sony WH-1000XM6
Worth considering if quieter journeys and one pair for music and work calls matter to you, as long as you try the fit and your real call setup first.
Great forCutting out engine and crowd noise is your first priority. You commute or fly regularly.
Watch out forComfort and pressure vary from person to person; the 254g weight tells you only part of the story
Think twice if: you already own WH-1000XM5 headphones and they still suit you.
Think twice if: you already own WH-1000XM5 headphones and they still suit you.
Around £349,launched at £399, price recorded 30 Jul 2026
Check price on Amazon UKRead the full reviewBest for a comfort-first fit on long journeys
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
The comfort-first choice for noisy journeys and offices, but it costs more than Sony and Sennheiser and its battery does not stand out.
Great forYou find most headphones press too hard or get hot on long journeys. Engine, ventilation or open-plan office noise is a daily problem.
Watch out forExpensive next to the Sony and Sennheiser alternatives
Think twice if: you want the longest battery life you can get.
Think twice if: you want the longest battery life you can get.
Best on a budget, with fewer charges
JBL Tune 780NC
A sensible budget pair for travel and commuting if you value long battery life, but check fit and comfort during the returns window.
Great forYou want less steady background noise when travelling or working. You dislike charging headphones often.
Watch out forFnac Lab criticised weak bass.
Think twice if: you need the strongest noise cancelling money can buy.
Think twice if: you need the strongest noise cancelling money can buy.
£73.95Standard retail package, price recorded 28 Sept 2026
Check price on Amazon UKRead the full reviewBest when battery life and natural sound come first
Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless
A great choice for sound and battery life, but Sony and Bose block more noise
Great forYou want to go days, not hours, between charges. Natural sound matters more to you than the strongest noise cancelling.
Watch out forNoise cancelling trails the best Sony and Bose models
Think twice if: you want the most quiet possible on planes and trains.
Think twice if: you want the most quiet possible on planes and trains.
Also considered
Bose QuietComfort SC
Read the reviewA useful lower-cost travel option, but the review warns about comfort during long sessions and bass-led sound.
Beats Solo 4
Read the reviewThe review is not a noise-cancelling alternative; do not infer ANC from the Beats name.
Apple AirPods Pro 3
Read the reviewUseful for iPhone owners who want earbuds. This guide compares over-ear fit and travel use.
Questions buyers ask
Will ANC remove every noise?
Do not expect silence. The Sony review recommends it for engine and crowd noise and lists an ambient mode so you can hear announcements. Try it on your real journey.
Sources: Sony, What Hi-Fi?
What is multipoint?
It keeps the headphones connected to two devices, such as a phone and a laptop, so you can move between music and work calls. The Sony review lists it.
Sources: Sony, What Hi-Fi?
Can I trust the largest battery number?
Treat it as a rating under stated conditions. The Sony review records lower figures with LDAC, calls and extra features; the JBL review also warns that mode and volume change endurance.
Sources: Sony, What Hi-Fi?
Should I replace working XM5 headphones?
The XM6 review says to skip the upgrade if your XM5 pair still suits you. The new purchase needs to solve a real problem.
Sources: Sony, What Hi-Fi?
Which is easier to keep for years?
The Momentum 5 has a replaceable battery, which helps if you keep headphones for years. Its noise cancellation does not match the strongest Sony and Bose options.
Sources: What Hi-Fi?, Engadget, Tom's Guide
What the technical terms mean
ANC means active noise cancellation: electronic processing reduces background noise, especially steady rumble. Multipoint lets headphones stay connected to two devices, such as a phone and laptop. LDAC is a Bluetooth audio format; its higher-data modes can shorten battery life. USB-C is a connector used for charging and, where supported, audio. Battery hours depend on listening mode and conditions. Immersive Audio is Bose’s processing for a wider spatial effect; its quoted battery time is shorter in that mode.
Still torn between two?
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