Sony WF-1000XM4
PROS:
- ANC has great noise isolation performance.
rtings.com - Qi wireless charging on case
pocket-lint.com - Superb adaptive noise-cancelling (ANC) tech
pocket-lint.com
CONS:
- Battery life in the case is a bit less than some competitors
pocket-lint.com - IPX4 rating for water resistance.
rtings.com - Comfortable, stable, and breathable fit.
rtings.com
- tomsguide.com: The best noise-cancelling headphones in 2022
- cnet.com: Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for 2022: Top ANC Picks - CNET
- whathifi.com: Best noise-canceling headphones 2022: the best ANC headphones for every budget
- pocket-lint.com: Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones in 2022
- cnet.com: Best Noise-Canceling True Wireless Earbuds for 2022 - CNET
Apple AirPods Pro
PROS:
- Expanded, easy to use controls
tomsguide.com - Excellent ANC performance.
rtings.com - Improved audio over AirPods
pocket-lint.com
CONS:
- More expensive than better rivals
techradar.com - No companion app
tomsguide.com - Powerbeats Pro beat these on the bass front
pocket-lint.com
- tomsguide.com: AirPods Pro review (100%)
- androidauthority.com: Apple AirPods Pro review: Third time really is the charm - Android Authority (75%)
- techradar.com: Apple AirPods Pro review (90%)
- soundguys.com: Apple AirPods Pro review: Finally good - SoundGuys (75%)
- pocket-lint.com: AirPods Pro review - Pocket-lint (100%)
- whathifi.com: Apple AirPods Pro review (80%)
- rtings.com: Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless Review - RTINGS.com (75%)
- tomsguide.com: The best noise-cancelling headphones in 2022
- cnet.com: Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for 2022: Top ANC Picks - CNET
- whathifi.com: Best noise-canceling headphones 2022: the best ANC headphones for every budget
- pocket-lint.com: Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones in 2022
- cnet.com: Best Noise-Canceling True Wireless Earbuds for 2022 - CNET
Sony WH-1000XM4
PROS:
- Auto-play/pause and conversation awareness
techradar.com - »Various types of control (on both smartphone application and headphones
headphonesty.com - 2
techgearlab.com
CONS:
- WH-1000XM4
headphonesty.com - No significant design changes after two years
theverge.com - Tidier design
trustedreviews.com
- soundguys.com: Sony WH-1000XM4 review - SoundGuys (90%)
- gadgets.ndtv.com: Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Active Noise Cancelling Headphones Review (90%)
- techgearlab.com: Sony WH-1000XM4 Review (96%)
- theverge.com: Sony WH-1000XM4 review: the best noise-canceling headphones get better - The Verge (90%)
- androidauthority.com: Sony WH-1000XM4 review: The best gets even better - Android Authority (90%)
- headphonesty.com: Review: Sony WH-1000XM4 - Upgrade? - Headphonesty (80%)
- pcmag.com: Sony WH-1000XM4 Review (90%)
- techradar.com: Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Headphones review (100%)
- pocket-lint.com: Sony WH-1000XM4 review: The wireless ANC headphones to beat? (100%)
- whathifi.com: Sony WH-1000XM4 wireless headphones review (100%)
- rtings.com: Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Review - RTINGS.com (81%)
- trustedreviews.com: Sony WH-1000XM4 review: The best noise-cancellers you can get (100%)
- cnet.com: Sony WH-1000XM4 review: A nearly flawless noise-canceling headphone - CNET (91%)
- rtings.com: Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Review - RTINGS.com (81%)
- cnet.com: Sony WH-1000XM4 review: A nearly flawless noise-canceling headphone - CNET (91%)
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
PROS:
- Next-gen noise-cancellation
whathifi.com - Very good noise cancellation
trustedreviews.com - Stunning design
techradar.com
CONS:
- Audio could use a little more organisation
trustedreviews.com - More expensive than the Sony WH-1000XM3s
techradar.com - Can't fold
trustedreviews.com
- whathifi.com: Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 review (80%)
- cnet.com: Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 review - CNET (90%)
- techradar.com: Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700: class-leading cans with a striking design (90%)
- pcmag.com: The Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones for 2021 (90%)
- trustedreviews.com: Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 review: Just falls short of the best (90%)
- pcmag.com: The Best Headphones for 2021 (90%)
- cnet.com: Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 review - CNET (90%)
Apple AirPods Max
PROS:
- Brilliant extra features for iOS
techradar.com - Crisp and balanced sound
tomsguide.com - Fantastic user experience
techradar.com
CONS:
- Audio cable not included
whathifi.com - Smart case provides no protection
tomsguide.com - Very expensive
techradar.com
- tomsguide.com: Apple AirPods Max review (80%)
- techradar.com: Apple AirPods Max review (80%)
- cnet.com: AirPods Max review: Top-notch sound, noise canceling and a hefty price tag - CNET (89%)
- whathifi.com: Apple AirPods Max review (100%)
- t3.com: Apple AirPods Max review: phenomenal sound, comfortable design, eye-watering price (80%)
- rtings.com: Apple AirPods Max Wireless Review - RTINGS.com (70%)
- cnet.com: AirPods Max review: Top-notch sound, noise canceling and a hefty price tag - CNET (89%)
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds
PROS:
- Warm, rich sound quality
tomsguide.com - Superb active noise cancellation
tomsguide.com - Excellent transparency mode
trustedreviews.com
CONS:
- No EQ.
rtings.com - Relatively bulky design for truly wireless earbuds.
rtings.com - Disappointing battery life
tomsguide.com
- tomsguide.com: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds review (80%)
- whathifi.com: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds review (100%)
- androidauthority.com: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds review: Bulky buds that do it all (80%)
- trustedreviews.com: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Review (100%)
- rtings.com: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless Review - RTINGS.com (80%)
- cnet.com: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds review: They beat AirPods Pro on sound and noise canceling but not design - CNET (84%)
Bose QuietComfort 35 II
PROS:
- Extremely comfortable
digitaltrends.com - Consistent audio delivery.
rtings.com - Outstanding noise isolation.
rtings.com
CONS:
- Mediocre recording quality.
rtings.com - Rivals sound better
trustedreviews.com - No sound customization options.
rtings.com
- tomsguide.com: Bose QuietComfort 35 II review (90%)
- cnet.com: Bose QuietComfort 35 II review: These already excellent headphones get a touch better - CNET (90%)
- pcmag.com: Bose QuietComfort 35 II Review (90%)
- rtings.com: Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018 Review - RTINGS.com (80%)
- digitaltrends.com: Bose QuietComfort 35 II Review: Still Rocking Almost Two Years Later (80%)
- trustedreviews.com: Bose QuietComfort 35 II Review (90%)
- soundguys.com: Bose QuietComfort 35 II Gaming Headset review - SoundGuys (82%)
Shure Aonic 50
PROS:
- Effective ANC
trustedreviews.com - Clear and clean delivery
whathifi.com - Outstanding levels of detail
whathifi.com
CONS:
- Not particularly portable
trustedreviews.com - Not as engaging as class-leaders
whathifi.com - Noise-cancelling is a mixed bag
whathifi.com
Sennheiser HD 450BT
PROS:
- Lightweight and solid
pocket-lint.com - aptX Low Latency Bluetooth
whathifi.com - Smooth, easy-listening balance
whathifi.com
CONS:
- Bass emphasis won’t suit all
whathifi.com - Busy button layout
whathifi.com - Inconsistent mid-treble delivery.
rtings.com
Sony WH-1000XM3
PROS:
- Class-leading sound
tomsguide.com - Excellent sound quality
trustedreviews.com - Stellar noise cancellation
tomsguide.com
CONS:
- Quick charge: 5 hours’ use in 10 minutes
trustedreviews.com - USB-C charging
trustedreviews.com - Bluetooth 4.2
trustedreviews.com
- soundguys.com: Sony WH-1000XM3 wireless Bluetooth headphones review (90%)
- techradar.com: Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Headphones review (90%)
- cnet.com: Sony WH-1000XM3 review: The best noise-canceling headphone you can buy - CNET (90%)
- tomsguide.com: Sony WH-1000XM3 review (90%)
- trustedreviews.com: Sony WH-1000XM3 review – the greatest noise-cancelling headphones (100%)
- rtings.com: Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Review - RTINGS.com (80%)
Bose 700
Shure AONIC 50
PROS:
- Good ANC
techradar.com -
techradar.com - Expansive, convincing sound
techradar.com
CONS:
- No auto-off feature
techradar.com - No touch controls
techradar.com - Compact soundstage.
rtings.com
Bowers & Wilkins PX7
PROS:
- Robust Bluetooth connection
techradar.com - Excellent noise cancellation
pocket-lint.com - Competitive battery life
techradar.com
CONS:
- 310g weight
pocket-lint.com - No swipe/touch playback controls
techradar.com - Vegan-friendly synthetic material on band and earcups
pocket-lint.com
Sony WF-1000XM3
PROS:
- Great musical sound quality
trustedreviews.com - Great with all types of music
trustedreviews.com - Superb audio performance
pocket-lint.com
CONS:
- Hard to get a comfortable fit due to large tips.
rtings.com - No multi-device pairing.
rtings.com - Expensive for true wireless earbuds
androidcentral.com
- techradar.com: Sony WF-1000XM3 Wireless Earbuds review (100%)
- pocket-lint.com: Sony WF-1000XM3 review: Taking in-ear ANC to another level (100%)
- androidcentral.com: Sony WF-1000XM3 true wireless earbuds review: ANC FTW (80%)
- cnet.com: Sony WF-1000XM3 true-wireless review: The better AIrPods you've been waiting for - CNET (80%)
- androidauthority.com: Sony WF-1000XM3 review: The only true wireless earbuds you need - Android Authority (77%)
- whathifi.com: Sony WF-1000XM3 review (100%)
- trustedreviews.com: Sony WF-1000XM3 review: Still great and now even cheaper (100%)
- rtings.com: Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless Review - RTINGS.com (73%)
Microsoft Surface Headphones 2
PROS:
- 13 levels of active noise cancellation
tomsguide.com - Great controls
techradar.com -
techradar.com
CONS:
- Soft bass performance
trustedreviews.com - Slightly boring look
techradar.com - Could be more exciting
trustedreviews.com
Meh // not enough data:
- Sony WH-1000XM5 (100)
- Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless (90)
- Bose QuietComfort 45 (81)
- Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 (84)
- Sony LinkBuds S (84)
- Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless (73)
- Jabra Elite 85H (80)
- EarFun Air Pro 2 (77)
- AKG Y600NC (80)
- JBL Tune 750BTNC (90)
- Sennheiser CX Plus (75)
- Beats Fit Pro (81)