Six of the most popular noise-cancelling headphones you can buy in Australia, compared on the things that matter: noise cancelling, battery, weight and price. Plus when to buy them to save the most.
Updated 27 September 2026 · By SnagList, Sydney
How we chose: we compared the makers' official specifications and what major independent reviewers (What Hi-Fi?, RTINGS, Tom's Guide, Pickr) found, then picked the best option for each type of buyer. We haven't lab-tested these ourselves, and no brand paid to be included.
| Model | Battery (ANC on) | Weight | Best codec | Multipoint | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony WH-1000XM6 | 30 hrs | 254 g | LDAC | Yes | Best all-rounder |
| Bose QC Ultra (2nd Gen) | 30 hrs | 250 g | aptX Adaptive | Yes | Best noise cancelling |
| Sennheiser Momentum 4 | 60 hrs | 293 g | aptX Adaptive | Not listed | Battery life |
| Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) | 20 hrs | 386 g | AAC | Apple devices | iPhone users |
| Soundcore Space One | 40 hrs | 265 g | LDAC | Yes | Budget |
| Sennheiser Accentum | 50 hrs | 222 g | aptX HD | Not listed | Light & value |
The all-rounder. Excellent noise cancelling, rich sound and the most features of anything here, and unlike the XM5 they fold up again for travel.
Good: Top-tier noise cancelling, LDAC hi-res Bluetooth, multipoint, folds flat for bags.
Watch out: Premium price, and no wired USB-C audio.
If blocking out noise is the priority, on a plane, a train or an open-plan office, Bose is the one reviewers keep coming back to. Light and comfortable for long wear.
Good: Class-leading noise cancelling, comfy, quick charge (15 min for about 3 hrs), lossless wired audio over USB-C.
Watch out: Most expensive non-Apple option here. Battery drops to about 23 hrs with Immersive Audio on.
Sixty hours with noise cancelling on is double most rivals. Great if you forget to charge, or for long trips home. Known for a warm, detailed sound.
Good: Huge battery, 5-minute charge gives about 4 hrs, aptX Adaptive, flat-folding with a hard case.
Watch out: Heavier than the Sony and Bose. Noise cancelling is good rather than class-leading.
The easy pick if you live in Apple's world: instant pairing, switching between iPhone, iPad and Mac, and personalised spatial audio.
Good: Premium build, seamless with Apple devices, lossless audio over USB-C, 5-minute charge for about 1.5 hrs.
Watch out: Heaviest here by far, shortest battery, very expensive, and less useful on Android.
The value pick. You get proper noise cancelling, LDAC and multipoint for a fraction of the flagship price, so this is our pick for students.
Good: Long 40-hr battery, 5-minute charge for about 4 hrs, LDAC, multipoint, folds with a travel pouch.
Watch out: Noise cancelling and build aren't in the same league as Sony or Bose.
Sennheiser sound for much less than the Momentum 4. At about 222 g it's the lightest pair here, with a 50-hour battery.
Good: Very light, 50-hr battery, 10-minute charge for about 5 hrs, aptX HD.
Watch out: Noise cancelling is decent, not great. Multipoint isn't listed in the spec sheet.
Premium headphones are usually cheapest during Black Friday (27–30 November 2026), followed by Click Frenzy (27–30 October) and Amazon Prime Day in July. Older models, like the Sony XM5 after the XM6 launched, often get the deepest cuts. Before you buy, check the price history with a free price tracker and run it through our deal checker.
Specs come from each maker's official product or specification pages, checked 27 September 2026. Battery figures are the makers' claims and vary with volume and settings. We don't show prices because they change daily. Tap a button to see today's price. Affiliate links: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
For most people the Sony WH-1000XM6 is the best all-rounder. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) has the strongest noise cancelling and comfort, and the Soundcore Space One is the best budget pick.
Both are excellent. Sony has more features (LDAC, 12 microphones) and a slightly more detailed sound. Bose is often rated a touch better for noise cancelling and comfort, and adds lossless wired audio over USB-C.
Of the models here, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 claims up to 60 hours with noise cancelling on, followed by the Sennheiser Accentum at 50 hours.
Usually Black Friday in late November, Click Frenzy in October and Amazon Prime Day in July. Last year's models drop the most when a new version launches.
Yes, for most students and commuters. Budget pairs like the Soundcore Space One cut out low rumble well and have long batteries. You mainly lose some voice cancelling and build quality.
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