Sony

Sony WH-1000XM6

The category benchmark — lighter and comfier than rivals, and foldable again after the XM5 dropped it.

Buy it if: You want the benchmark over-ear headphones for travel, the office and long listening sessions.
Skip it if: You mostly listen at the gym or on runs — over-ears are the wrong tool there.

As an Amazon Associate Aliteq earns from qualifying purchases. Prices change often, so we don't print them — Amazon shows the current one.

Alternatives worth comparing

Still the ANC + comfort king for long flights; sound is a touch less detailed than Sony.

One of the very few genuinely good noise-cancelling headphones at a budget price — the honest budget answer.

Gorgeous and great-sounding, but heavy and absurd value unless you're deep in Apple's ecosystem.