1. Apple AirPods Max
Price:- $549
Most Apple products give you a feeling of great build quality straight out of the box, but the company has gone further than usual with the AirPods Max. These headphones scream ‘premium' the minute you touch them; the anodized aluminum ear cups, soft foam ear pads, polyurethane-covered stainless steel, and knit-mesh headband, and the button and crown dial all exude a kind of luxury that I haven't experienced on a pair of headphones before.
The premium materials make the AirPods Max significantly heavier than the existing wireless headphones you might also consider – at 385g, they weigh more than 100g more than the Sony WH-1000XM4, for example. But, such is the effectiveness of the weight-distributing design, they really don’t feel heavy on the head and there are no pronounced pressure points.
The Apple AirPods Max is, no doubt, a technically impressive and feature-filled pair of headphones. There's a lot on offer here, particularly if you're using an iPhone as your primary source device. However, all of this would mean naught without good sound quality, and fortunately, the AirPods Max sounds very good. The active noise canceling works brilliantly, general sound quality is crisp and impactful, and the 3D Spatial Audio feature is a game-changer if you’ve never used it. This uses head-tracking tech to create a surround sound effect, which can give movie playback a definite edge compared to other headphones. Battery life is respectable too, with Apple’s 20-hour estimate tracking well with our own testing.
2. Sony WH-1000XM4
Price:- $350
Sony’s technologically advanced WH-1000XM4 is the fourth generation of Sony’s flagship wireless headphones (following the excellent WH-1000XM3, WH-1000XM2, and MDR-1000X models). They offer top-tier noise canceling, excellent quality wireless audio, and plush comfort.
Not only are Sony’s flagship headphones the top noise-canceling model at the moment, but they outperform every competitor in numerous categories, including sound and special features. The company’s loud and dynamic soundstage delivers plenty of boom and detail to give songs a full-bodied presence. Listeners can also play around with the Sony Headphones Connect app to personalize audio by selecting from several well-engineered presets or by manually adjusting the EQ to their liking.
Beyond being exceptional at keeping external noises at bay, Sony's headphones are Hi-Res Audio-ready, sporting aptX, aptX HD, and LDAC codecs, plus offer will offer Google Assistant support right on-board. If you need a headphone that can live up to any challenge and excel in any environment, these are them.
The WH-1000XM4’s active noise cancellation is right up there with the Bose 700’s, and the touch controls and battery life (30 hours with ANC on) are superior. Not much has changed in terms of design from its previous generation model, though the premium craftsmanship certainly gives these cans a luxe look that matches their high price.
3. Bose 700
Price:- $379
Bose follows a rather distinct style for its older QuietComfort and SoundLink headsets, which are instantly recognizable to anyone even slightly familiar with headphones. However, the company has departed from this design language with the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, adopting a whole new aesthetic. The headphones look quite different and a bit artsy in our opinion, with smoother textures, fewer sharp edges and buttons, and a rather unique headband that appears to not be attached to the ear cups at all; don't worry though, it's attached firmly.I've worn the 700s for a week now, and I have found them to be immensely comfortable. Weighing in at 9 ounces, the 700s are lighter than the Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones (9.7 ounces) but heavier than their predecessors (8.3 ounces).
They’re equipped with a whopping eight microphones, six of which are employed to deliver Bose’s champion noise cancelation when listening to music or talking on the phone. It offers up to 11 levels of adjustable ANC that work equally well to neutralize noise across different frequencies. Bose even made improvements to sound quality, as the 700s produce clean, balanced audio for crisp highs and solid bass; lows are felt more when at max ANC level.
Despite sharing the same battery life as its predecessor, the QC35 II, it still holds up strong at 20 hours with ANC on. Smart assistant integration, touch controls, and improved multipoint technology also make these some of the most intuitive noise-cancellers for commuters and music lovers alike.
4.Cleer Enduro ANC
Price:- $149
The Cleer Enduro ANC isn't the most immaculate-sounding pair of headphones, and both Sony and Bose have better noise cancellation tech. But what's remarkable about this particular pair is how it still manages to be pretty good at both, while throwing in plenty of extra features and qualities, for what is relatively a very low price.
In addition to affordable noise cancellation, the Enduro ANC also offers a fully foldable design, Hi-Res Audio support when using the detachable 3.5mm cable, and even NFC pairing. Battery life, however, is the star of the show: no other pair of headphones we've tested has beaten its 50+ hours of ANC playback.
5. Sennheiser HD 560S
Price:- $199
Sonically, Sennheiser is pushing these cans as the closest option to its thrice-the-price HD 660S, but in terms of comfort, the company likens them to the reputable HD 599.
Thanks to the velour earpads and ample padding on the headband, they are really rather comfortable. And at 240g without the cable, their relative lightness belies the size of those large earcups, which really do fit around the ear.
The headband is plastic and the sliding mechanism clicks when adjusting them to fit, but it isn’t noisy during use. The earcups are anchored low enough to permit just enough movement, in or out from the headband itself, for an optimal fit. The cups are also designed to swivel just enough to ensure they will cover your ear properly.
Sennheiser’s extensive back-catalog of five-star and Award-winning headphones spans more than five decades. This wired set of open-back over-ears is a valid addition, offering a perfectly acceptable and sonically detailed budget-conscious option.
Those looking for audiophile-grade sound quality – as is the company’s claim – will, however, find them just a shade undercooked for punch, zeal, and enthusiasm.
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