The best over-ear headphones to buy in 2026
4 honest picks — the over-ear headphonesworth your money, each with the one-line reason it's worth it (or the catch).
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Sony WH-1000XM6
New~$450
The category benchmark — lighter and comfier than rivals, and foldable again after the XM5 dropped it.
Check price on AmazonBose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen)
New~$429
Still the ANC + comfort king for long flights; sound is a touch less detailed than Sony.
Check price on AmazonSony WH-CH720N
~$130
Basically the only genuinely good ANC pair under $150 — the honest budget answer.
Check price on AmazonApple AirPods Max 2 (USB-C)
~$549
Gorgeous and great-sounding, but heavy and absurd value unless you're deep in Apple's ecosystem.
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