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If blocking as much noise as possible is your priority, consider the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen). For a more balanced set of features, Sony WH-1000XM6 is the closest successor-style alternative. Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless is a better fit if natural midrange sound and call quality matter more than top-tier ANC, while Apple AirPods Max 2 makes most sense for people invested in Apple devices who are comfortable with a heavier headset and shorter listed battery life.
These recommendations reflect the cited reviewers’ assessments, not a controlled head-to-head test across every setting. ANC results can vary with the noise, fit, and test conditions.
Which Sony WH-1000XM5 alternative should you choose?
| Headphones | Best fit | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) | Maximum noise blocking | What Hi-Fi? says its Quiet mode marginally prevails over the XM6 for outright sound-blocking intensity. Listed battery life is 30 hours and weight is 250 g. What Hi-Fi? |
| Sony WH-1000XM6 | A balanced, current Sony alternative | What Hi-Fi? praises its sound, ANC, and calls; listed battery life is 30 hours and weight is 254 g. What Hi-Fi? |
| Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless | Natural midrange and calls | What Hi-Fi? finds its ANC capable but behind the Bose and Sony options; the review highlights midrange reproduction and call quality. What Hi-Fi? |
| Apple AirPods Max 2 | Listeners centered on Apple devices | What Hi-Fi? lists 20-hour battery life and 386.2 g weight, and describes multipoint as limited to the iOS use case. What Hi-Fi? |
Prices and availability change by retailer, region, and date. Check the exact generation and a current local listing before buying; the cited roundup’s displayed offers are not stable prices.
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Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen): choose ANC first
What Hi-Fi? calls Bose’s cancellation class-leading and says it still just about prevails in Quiet mode for outright sound-blocking intensity. That is the publication’s review judgment, not a universal laboratory ranking. TechRadar’s reviewer found the original Bose Ultra very close to the second-generation model and Sony WH-1000XM6 in that reviewer’s own ANC tests, illustrating how small differences can depend on the test conditions. What Hi-Fi? TechRadar
#1 Best Overall
- PREMIUM NOISE CANCELLATION: Two processors control 8 microphones for unprecedented noise cancellation. With Auto NC Optimizer, noise canceling is automatically optimized based on your wearing conditions and environment.
- MAGNIFICENT SOUND: Engineered to perfection with the new Integrated Processor V1.
- CRYSTAL CLEAR HANDS-FREE CALLING: 4 beamforming microphones, precise voice pickup, and advanced audio signal processing.
- LONG BATTERY LIFE: Up to 30-hour battery life with quick charging (3 min charge for 3 hours of playback).
- ULTRA-COMFORTABLE: Lightweight design with soft fit leather.
Bose’s product page describes Quiet and Aware modes, ActiveSense, Cinema Mode, CustomTune, adjustable app modes, and lossless audio over USB-C. Those are manufacturer-described features; the comparative ANC assessment above is What Hi-Fi?’s. Bose product page
Sony WH-1000XM6: strong all-round cancellation
What Hi-Fi? praises the XM6’s ANC alongside its sound and call quality. The review does not establish a single winner for every environment, but it makes the XM6 a compelling choice if you want noise reduction without giving up a broad feature set. What Hi-Fi?
Rank #2
- PREMIUM NOISE CANCELLATION: Two processors control 8 microphones for unprecedented noise cancellation. With Auto NC Optimizer, noise canceling is automatically optimized based on your wearing conditions and environment.
- MAGNIFICENT SOUND: Engineered to perfection with the new Integrated Processor V1.
- CRYSTAL CLEAR HANDS-FREE CALLING: 4 beamforming microphones, precise voice pickup, and advanced audio signal processing.
- LONG BATTERY LIFE: Up to 30-hour battery life with quick charging (3 min charge for 3 hours of playback).
- ULTRA-COMFORTABLE: Lightweight design with soft fit leather.
Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless: effective, but not the ANC leader in this comparison
What Hi-Fi? says the Momentum 5 softens traffic, wind, and voices, but does not match the Sony XM6 or Bose QC Ultra 2nd Gen for ANC. The review reports eight microphones and Sennheiser’s claim of “three times” better midrange noise cancellation; that figure is the manufacturer’s claim as reported by the publication, not an independently confirmed measurement. What Hi-Fi?
Apple AirPods Max 2: cancellation for Apple-device users
What Hi-Fi? describes the AirPods Max 2 as offering ANC and transparency alongside smooth, balanced sound and useful features. Its review also notes lower convenience than rivals, no change to the case or battery life, and multipoint listed as “No (iOS only).” What Hi-Fi?
Rank #3
- PREMIUM NOISE CANCELLATION: Two processors control 8 microphones for unprecedented noise cancellation. With Auto NC Optimizer, noise canceling is automatically optimized based on your wearing conditions and environment.
- MAGNIFICENT SOUND: Engineered to perfection with the new Integrated Processor V1
- CRYSTAL CLEAR HANDS-FREE CALLING: 4 beamforming microphones, precise voice pickup, and advanced audio signal processing.
- LONG BATTERY LIFE: Up to 30-hour battery life with quick charging (3 min charge for 3 hours of playback).(USB Type-C Cable included)
- ULTRA-COMFORTABLE: Lightweight design with soft fit leather.
Sound profile: pick the tuning as well as the cancellation
ANC strength and sound character are separate choices. TechRadar describes the original Bose Ultra as punchy and energetic, while it says the Sony XM6 sounds closer to neutral. For the Sennheiser, What Hi-Fi? highlights natural midrange reproduction; its review also praises calls. These are reviewer descriptions rather than guarantees that every listener will prefer one tuning. TechRadar What Hi-Fi?
What Hi-Fi? highlights detail and dynamics in the XM6, and describes the AirPods Max 2 sound as smooth and balanced. If you can, listen to your usual music before deciding: a headphone that blocks slightly more noise may still be the wrong fit if you prefer another sound profile. What Hi-Fi? What Hi-Fi?
Rank #4
- This Certified Refurbished product is manufacturer refurbished, shows limited or no wear, and includes all original accessories plus a 90-day limited hardware warranty.
- Precision-engineered to deliver exceptional High-Resolution Audio quality. Our Precise Voice Pickup Technology with newly developed wind noise reduction will also ensure you can hear and be heard clearly when taking calls on these noise cancelling headphones.
- Smart, intuitive, and intelligent. Adaptive Sound Control automatically adjusts the sound settings based on your environment and activity, and Speak-to-Chat automatically pauses the music when you want to have a conversation, without you having to remove the over ear headphones!
- For total convenience, these Bluetooth headphones can be paired with two devices at the same time. Fast Pair will help you locate the WH-1000XM5B if you can't find them and Swift Pair makes pairing with your PC or tablet simple.
- With up to a huge 30 hours of battery life, you’ll have enough power, even for long trips! A collapsible case is included with these Sony headphones for easy storage and travel.
Weight, battery, and connections
The figures below are listed specifications in What Hi-Fi?’s 2026 reviews; battery life is not a promise of identical runtime for every listener or use pattern.
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| Model | Listed battery life | Listed weight | Connection details reported in the review |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) | 30 hours | 250 g | Bluetooth 5.4; SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive; multipoint; USB-C charging; 2.5 mm port. USB-C lossless audio is listed, but wired listening requires battery power. What Hi-Fi? |
| Sony WH-1000XM6 | 30 hours | 254 g | Bluetooth 5.3; SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3; multipoint; USB-C charging. What Hi-Fi? notes no aptX HD and no USB-C audio. What Hi-Fi? |
| Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless | Not stated in the cited review. What Hi-Fi? | Not stated in the cited review. What Hi-Fi? | Not stated in the cited review. What Hi-Fi? |
| Apple AirPods Max 2 | 20 hours | 386.2 g | USB-C; multipoint listed as “No (iOS only).” What Hi-Fi? |
Bose’s 250 g and Sony’s 254 g listed weights are close; the AirPods Max 2 is substantially heavier at 386.2 g in What Hi-Fi?’s figures. If you wear headphones for long stretches, try them on if possible rather than deciding by the numbers alone. What Hi-Fi? What Hi-Fi? What Hi-Fi?
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Revolutionary noise cancellation: The Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones set a new standard with industry-leading noise canceling, powered by 2 advanced processors and 8 microphones, offering an immersive sound experience. Ideal for audiophiles and professionals, these sony headphones deliver unparalleled quietness in any environment, enhancing focus whether you're working in a bustling office or relaxing on a noisy flight.
- Immersive sound, uncompromised clarity: Experience exceptional audio fidelity with newly developed drivers Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise-Canceling Wireless Over-Ear Headphones and DSEE Extreme technology that upscales compressed music files in real-time. With Hi-Res audio support, these headphones deliver stunning sound quality, allowing music lovers and audiophiles to enjoy tracks as the artists intended, capturing every detail and nuance for a truly engaging listening experience.
- Effortless multitasking and communication: Stay seamlessly connected with multipoint connection and crystal-clear hands-free calling, allowing you to switch between devices without missing a beat. Whether you're a busy professional or a music enthusiast, the intuitive touch controls and Speak-to-Chat feature offer quick access to ambient sound, ensuring you never miss an important conversation or cue in your environment.
- All-day comfort and convenience: Designed for prolonged use, the WH-1000XM5 Noise-Canceling Wireless Over Ear Headphones feature a lightweight, ultra-comfortable design with soft-fit leather that conforms to your ears. With up to 30 hours of battery life and quick charging capability, they are perfect for frequent travelers and daily commuters. The redesigned collapsible case provides easy storage, while Quick Access lets you tap into Spotify effortlessly.
- Bundle Includes: Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise-Canceling Wireless Over-Ear Headphones (Black) + 6Ave Microfiber Cleaning Cloth + P-Bank Battery + Headphone / Headset Stand
Make the choice by your listening priorities
- Choose Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) if maximum noise blocking is the deciding factor and you want USB-C lossless audio or a 2.5 mm port; keep in mind that wired listening requires battery power. What Hi-Fi? Bose
- Choose Sony WH-1000XM6 if you want a balanced current Sony option, including multipoint, a listed 30-hour battery, and reviewer-praised sound, ANC, and call quality. What Hi-Fi?
- Choose Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless if natural midrange and calls matter more to you than matching the cited Bose and Sony ANC performance. What Hi-Fi?
- Choose Apple AirPods Max 2 if Apple-device integration is central to your setup and the listed weight and battery life suit your needs. What Hi-Fi?
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
