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The 10 Best Wireless Headphones as of June 2026

Updated 18 June 2026 · Reviewed by the Pickarank audio desk · Prices in GBP, subject to change

We tested the leading noise-cancelling over-ears on sound quality, ANC, comfort and battery life. Whether you want absolute silence on a commute or audiophile detail at your desk, here are the ten pairs worth your money — each scored out of 10.

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Our top picks at a glance

Top pick

Sony WH-1000XM6

9.4Best all-rounder
Check price on Amazon ≈ £399
Best value

Sony WH-1000XM5

8.7Best value flagship
Check price on Amazon ≈ £249
Also great

Sennheiser Momentum 4

9.0Sound & battery
Check price on Amazon ≈ £300

Prices were correct at the time of writing and change often — tap through for today's price on Amazon.

How we ranked these headphones

Each pair was scored on weighted criteria:

  • Sound quality (35%) — tonal balance, detail and soundstage across genres.
  • Noise cancellation (25%) — measured attenuation plus real-world commute testing.
  • Comfort & build (20%) — clamp force, weight, materials and fit with glasses.
  • Battery & features (20%) — tested runtime, app, codecs and multipoint.

At a glance: top 10 compared

#HeadphonesScoreBest forBattery (ANC)Approx UK priceAmazon links
1Sony WH-1000XM69.4Best all-rounder~30 hrs£399View Price
2Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen)9.2Best noise cancelling~24 hrs£449View Price
3Sennheiser Momentum 49.0Sound & battery~60 hrs£300View Price
4Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S38.7Audiophile design~30 hrs£399View Price
5Sony WH-1000XM58.7Best value flagship~30 hrs£249View Price
6Apple AirPods Max (USB-C)8.4Apple ecosystem~20 hrs£499View Price
7Sonos Ace8.4Home cinema~30 hrs£449View Price
8Bose QuietComfort Headphones8.2Comfort value~24 hrs£249View Price
9Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT27.9Studio sound~50 hrs£169View Price
10Anker Soundcore Space One Pro7.8Best budget ANC~40 hrs£129View Price
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The full ranking

1
Best overall

Sony WH-1000XM6

9.4The pair most reviewers point to first.

Sony's QN3 processor handles adaptive ANC brilliantly, a returning folding hinge makes them easier to carry, and the sound is clearer and brighter than the XM5. A 10-band EQ and best-in-class app round out the most complete all-rounder you can buy.

Sound: 9.4ANC: 9.5Comfort: 9.2Battery: ~30 hrs
Pros
  • Class-leading adaptive ANC
  • Clear, detailed sound + 10-band EQ
  • Folds for travel; superb app
Cons
  • Can leak slightly with glasses
  • Premium price
Check price on Amazon≈ £399
2
Best noise cancelling

Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen)

9.2Blocks the most noise overall.

A plush fit that seals beautifully gives the QC Ultra the edge for real-world quiet, with Bose's natural-sounding cancellation and a warm, engaging signature. The pick for travellers who prize comfort and silence above all.

Sound: 9.0ANC: 9.6Comfort: 9.5Battery: ~24 hrs
Pros
  • Best real-world noise blocking
  • Exceptionally comfortable
  • Immersive spatial audio mode
Cons
  • Most expensive here
  • Shorter battery than rivals
Check price on Amazon≈ £449
3
Best sound & battery

Sennheiser Momentum 4

9.0Audiophile tuning and ~60 hours of battery.

The Momentum 4 presents music with a neutrality and precision that reveals details rivals smooth over, and runs about 60 hours per charge — far past any competitor. ANC is a step behind the very best, but the sound and stamina make it superb value.

Sound: 9.5ANC: 8.5Comfort: 9.0Battery: ~60 hrs
Pros
  • Reference-grade, detailed sound
  • Enormous ~60 hr battery
  • Often cheaper than rivals
Cons
  • ANC trails Sony & Bose
  • Plainer design
Check price on Amazon≈ £300
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4

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3

8.7Premium materials and a refined sound.

B&W pairs a beautifully built, fabric-trimmed design with a rich, musical signature that audiophiles love. ANC and app are solid rather than class-leading, but few headphones look or feel this special.

Sound: 9.2ANC: 8.5Comfort: 8.7Battery: ~30 hrs
Pros
  • Gorgeous build & materials
  • Rich, refined sound
  • aptX Adaptive support
Cons
  • ANC not the strongest
  • App less mature than Sony's
Check price on Amazon≈ £399
5
Best value flagship

Sony WH-1000XM5

8.7Last year's champ, now a bargain.

Now the XM6 has launched, the still-excellent XM5 has dropped in price. You lose the folding hinge and the newest chip, but the sound and ANC remain among the best — making it the smart-money pick.

Sound: 9.0ANC: 9.2Comfort: 9.0Battery: ~30 hrs
Pros
  • Flagship sound & ANC for less
  • Comfortable for long sessions
  • Great app
Cons
  • Doesn't fold flat
  • Superseded by XM6
Check price on Amazon≈ £249
6

Apple AirPods Max (USB-C)

8.4Unbeatable inside Apple's ecosystem.

Superb spatial audio, seamless Apple device switching and a premium aluminium build. But at £499 they cost more than the Sony XM6 without clearly out-performing them, and 20 hours of battery is stingy at this price.

Sound: 8.8ANC: 9.0Comfort: 8.3Battery: ~20 hrs
Pros
  • Best-in-class spatial audio
  • Seamless Apple integration
  • Premium metal build
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Only ~20 hr battery
  • Heavy
Check price on Amazon≈ £499
7

Sonos Ace

8.4A must if you own a Sonos soundbar.

Sound and ANC are very good, but the killer feature is TV Audio Swap with a Sonos Arc, giving you private Dolby Atmos with head tracking. Without a Sonos system the £449 RRP is harder to justify.

Sound: 8.7ANC: 8.5Comfort: 8.5Battery: ~30 hrs
Pros
  • TV Audio Swap with Sonos Arc
  • Dolby Atmos head tracking
  • Comfortable, premium build
Cons
  • Best features need a Sonos system
  • Pricey
Check price on Amazon≈ £449
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8

Bose QuietComfort Headphones

8.2Bose comfort and quiet, for less.

The standard QuietComfort pair brings most of the Ultra's signature comfort and strong ANC at a far lower price. A great choice if you want Bose silence without the flagship premium.

Sound: 8.3ANC: 9.0Comfort: 9.3Battery: ~24 hrs
Pros
  • Excellent ANC for the price
  • Very comfortable
  • Lightweight
Cons
  • No spatial audio
  • Sound less refined than top picks
Check price on Amazon≈ £249
9

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2

7.9Studio-style sound on a budget.

A wireless take on the legendary M50x studio monitor. Accurate, punchy sound and ~50 hour battery, though there's no active noise cancellation — a fair trade at this price for sound purists.

Sound: 8.6ANC: NoneComfort: 8.0Battery: ~50 hrs
Pros
  • Accurate studio-style sound
  • Long battery life
  • Great value
Cons
  • No active noise cancelling
  • Tight clamp for some
Check price on Amazon≈ £169
10
Best budget ANC

Anker Soundcore Space One Pro

7.8Remarkable noise cancelling for the money.

Punches well above its price with effective ANC, ~40 hour battery and a foldable design. Sound isn't as refined as the flagships, but for the outlay it's outstanding value for commuters.

Sound: 7.8ANC: 8.3Comfort: 8.0Battery: ~40 hrs
Pros
  • Strong ANC for the price
  • Long battery, folds up
  • Bargain price
Cons
  • Sound less refined
  • Plasticky build
Check price on Amazon≈ £129
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Frequently asked questions

Which wireless headphones are best overall?

The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the best all-rounder for most people, balancing class-leading ANC, clear sound and a superb app. Choose the Bose QuietComfort Ultra for maximum comfort and quiet, or the Sennheiser Momentum 4 for sound quality and ~60 hr battery.

Are expensive headphones worth it?

The jump from budget to mid-range is large; from mid-range to flagship it's smaller. The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Sennheiser Momentum 4 offer most of the flagship experience for less.

Do I need active noise cancellation?

If you commute or work in noisy spaces, yes — it makes a big difference. If you mostly listen at home and prioritise sound, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 skips ANC for better value.

Are these prices accurate?

Prices are approximate UK street prices at the time of writing and change often. Click through to Amazon for the live price.

The bottom line

If you just want the best wireless headphones without overthinking it, the Sony WH-1000XM6 is our top recommendation — it earns the highest overall score for performance, value and features. Have a look at the current price and see what you think.

Check price on Amazon ≈ £399

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