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Rankings re-checked weekly · Last re-checked 17 September 2026
·Prices updated daily·AI-assisted, run by Jaco Olwagen
3 quick taps — we'll match you to a pick using the same scores we rank with.
The picks, in order
7 picks
Number one at the top, number 7 at the bottom. The tier label on each card says which price bracket it sits in.
★Editor's Choice
1
Bose
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
ANCSpatial AudioWireless
Value
Rank #1
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
Our Verdict
Bose's second-generation flagship brings 30-hour battery life, lossless USB-C audio, and even smarter noise cancellation in a refined premium package.
Why it's number one: Leads on noise cancelling and comfort, with an 8.5 critic average from four reviews including five stars from TechRadar, and a 4.3-star Amazon rating from 2,720 owners; the Sony edges it on sound.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) take everything that was great about the original and fix nearly every complaint. Battery life jumps from 24 to 30 hours with ANC enabled - a massive improvement that puts it on par with Sony - and Immersive Audio mode now lasts 23 hours instead of the original's paltry 18. The ANC algorithm has been refined with smarter adaptive processing, and some professional reviews rate it ahead of even the XM6 in certain low-frequency scenarios like plane cabins and train carriages. Sound quality gets a boost with improved bass handling at higher volumes and a new Cinema Mode that widens the soundstage for movies and TV. The addition of lossless USB-C audio is a welcome feature for audiophiles who want the best possible quality when listening at a desk. Build quality is gorgeous, with polished metal accents and a refreshed design that looks and feels more premium than the first generation. Bluetooth 5.4 and faster on-head detection round out the upgrades. At A$595 on Amazon AU, it's priced below its A$700 RRP and represents a strong value proposition for a flagship headphone of this calibre.
Sound
8.5
ANC
10
Comfort
10
Battery
9
Owners
6.5
Critics
8.5
Owners is the 4.3★ Amazon AU rating from 2,727 reviews, weighted toward the category average when there are few. Critics averages 4 published reviews. Tick marks show the category average.
How we scored it
Sound 8.5: TechRadar hears balanced, energetic sound and What Hi-Fi? calls it Bose's best yet, but What Hi-Fi? and Trusted Reviews say rivals beat it for sound; lossless USB-C audio and app EQ.
ANC 10: TechRadar names it the king of ANC and Tom's Guide calls it the best ANC ever, bar none; What Hi-Fi? puts the cancelling up there with the best.
Comfort 10: Folds, and TechRadar says it is as comfortable as these things ever get; Tom's Guide calls it supremely comfortable and Trusted Reviews reports excellent comfort.
Battery 9: Bose rates 30 hours with noise cancelling on, 23 with Immersive Audio: the 30 to 39 hour band.
Sony WH-1000XM6 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones
ANCWireless30hr Battery
Value
Rank #2
Sony WH-1000XM6 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones
Our Verdict
Sony's latest flagship reclaims the top spot with a foldable design, 12-microphone ANC system, and the most refined sound the XM series has ever produced.
Why it isn't number one: It scores higher than our number one, but Amazon owners rate it 4 stars from 101 reviews, under the 4.3 number one needs.
The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the headphone the XM5 should have been - and then some. Sony's new HD Noise Canceling Processor QN3 is seven times faster than the QN1 chip in the XM5, and it drives a 12-microphone array that delivers genuinely next-level ANC performance. Background noise on flights, trains, and open-plan offices is practically erased. Sound quality takes another step forward too, with improved driver tuning that delivers tighter bass, more detailed mids, and a wider soundstage that makes everything from orchestral recordings to hip-hop sound superb. Crucially, Sony has brought back the foldable design that XM4 fans loved and XM5 owners missed - the cups fold down into a compact hard case that's far more travel-friendly. At 255g, they're comfortable enough for all-day wear without hotspots. Battery life remains at 30 hours with ANC, and the quick-charge feature gives you 3 hours of playback from just 3 minutes of charging. LDAC and multipoint Bluetooth are present, and the Sony Headphones Connect app remains the best companion app in the business. At A$699, they're a significant step up in price from the outgoing XM5, but the improvements across the board justify the premium for anyone who wants the absolute best.
Sound
9.5
ANC
9.5
Comfort
9.5
Battery
9
Owners
5.5
Critics
9
Owners is the 4★ Amazon AU rating from 101 reviews, weighted toward the category average when there are few. Critics averages 4 published reviews. Tick marks show the category average.
How we scored it
Sound 9.5: What Hi-Fi? Awards 2025 winner for exceptional detail, dynamism and a spacious sound, and it beats the Momentum 5 in its head to head; LDAC and EQ, but no USB-C audio.
ANC 9.5: TechRadar calls the 12-mic QN3 system class-leading and What Hi-Fi? finds it filters a gym better than the Sennheiser; TechRadar and Tom's Guide still hand Bose the ANC crown.
Comfort 9.5: 254g and folds completely; What Hi-Fi? reports a nicely judged clamp with no undue strain over long sessions and Tom's Guide calls the comfort incredible.
Battery 9: Sony rates 30 hours with noise cancelling on: the 30 to 39 hour band.
The Momentum 5 Wireless is the headphone the Momentum 4 always wanted to be. Sennheiser kept the excellent 42mm driver but retuned it for an even more natural, slightly warmer presentation, and the result is some of the best sound you can get in a wireless pair at any price. Vocals are rich and lifelike, bass has real weight without smothering the mids, and the treble stays smooth and detailed. The biggest fix is noise cancellation: Sennheiser doubled the ANC microphones to eight and the system is now roughly three times better at cutting out voices and cabin drone, closing most of the gap to Sony and Bose. It also finally adds spatial audio with head-tracking, the one obvious thing the Momentum 4 lacked. Battery life dips slightly to a still-enormous 57 hours, but there's a clever trade: the 700mAh cell is now user-replaceable at home, so these can outlast the usual two-year battery cliff. Bluetooth 5.4 is ready for a future 6.0 firmware update. The one catch is price. As a brand-new flagship at around A$748 it is no longer the bargain the heavily discounted Momentum 4 became, but if sound quality tops your list this is the headphone to beat.
Sound
9
ANC
7.5
Comfort
8.5
Battery
10
Owners
6.9
Critics
9.3
Owners is the 4.4★ Amazon AU rating from 267 reviews, weighted toward the category average when there are few. Critics averages 4 published reviews. Tick marks show the category average.
How we scored it
Sound 9: What Hi-Fi? gives five stars for a rich, refined sound with a superb midrange, but its head to head calls the XM6 a proper step up; aptX Adaptive and app EQ.
ANC 7.5: Eight mics and adaptive ANC, but What Hi-Fi? finds it softens rather than excludes noise beside the XM6 and Tom's Guide says it is nothing to write home about.
Comfort 8.5: 290g; Trusted Reviews calls it fabulously comfortable and lighter than it looks, though What Hi-Fi? notes mild on-ear heating past an hour and it only folds flat.
Battery 10: Sennheiser rates 57 hours, a figure Trusted Reviews says already reflects the stronger ANC and is about 40 on aptX Lossless: the 40-hour top band.
Apple's long-awaited second-gen AirPods Max bring the H2 chip, 1.5x better ANC, lossless USB-C audio and Live Translation - the upgrade Max owners have been waiting five years for.
The AirPods Max 2 finally deliver on the promise of Apple's flagship over-ear headphones. The new H2 chip is the headline upgrade, driving up to 1.5x more effective active noise cancellation than the original Max - it now genuinely competes with the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra for blocking out planes, trams, and open-plan office chatter. Sound quality has stepped up too with Apple's latest computational audio algorithms, delivering a wider, more detailed presentation that rewards critical listening. The big new trick is 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio over the included USB-C cable - a first for AirPods - alongside Live Translation, Adaptive Audio, Voice Isolation and Loud Sound Reduction. The build remains the same gorgeous anodised aluminium and stainless steel construction as the original, with the Digital Crown for volume control. At A$999 RRP, they're still pricey, but the value equation has shifted dramatically with the better ANC, lossless audio and H2-powered features. For iPhone, iPad and Mac users who want the best Apple experience without compromise, these are now a much easier recommendation.
Sound
8.5
ANC
9
Comfort
6.5
Battery
7
Owners
6.6
Critics
8.3
Owners is the 4.2★ Amazon AU rating from 7 reviews, weighted toward the category average when there are few. Critics averages 4 published reviews. Tick marks show the category average.
How we scored it
Sound 8.5: Tom's Guide praises a rich, complex sound and Trusted Reviews calls it great, but What Hi-Fi? says class leaders offer more insight and punch; lossless is USB-C only, no LDAC.
ANC 9: Trusted Reviews rates the H2-driven cancelling top-tier and Stuff near class-leading; Apple claims 1.5 times the original Max.
Comfort 6.5: Tom's Guide notes it weighs nearly a pound and Trusted Reviews calls it heavy but comfortable; it does not fold and the Smart Case leaves the headband exposed.
Battery 7: Apple rates 20 hours with noise cancelling on, unchanged from the original: the 18 to 23 hour band.
The Space 2 is Anker's April 2026 replacement for the Space One, and it moves the budget ANC bar rather than just refreshing it. The headline change is the four-stage low-frequency cancelling system, which reads cabin pressure and sensor feedback to decide how hard to push - the practical result is that aircraft and train rumble drops away without the pressure sensation cheaper ANC gives you. Battery has gone from 40 hours to 50 with ANC on, or 70 with it off, and a five-minute charge returns four hours. The 40mm double-layer diaphragm drivers are cleaner in the mids than the Space One's, LDAC is still here for hi-res Bluetooth from Android, and Bluetooth 6.1 adds dual-device connection so you can hold a laptop and a phone at once. Nap mode and wear detection are new. Build is still plastic and calls still struggle in genuine wind, but at $185.99 nothing else with this feature list comes close. Sold and shipped by Amazon AU.
Sound
6.5
ANC
8
Comfort
8.5
Battery
10
Owners
7
Critics
7.5
Owners is the 4.4★ Amazon AU rating from 827 reviews, weighted toward the category average when there are few. Critics averages 4 published reviews. Tick marks show the category average.
How we scored it
Sound 6.5: Tom's Guide hears rich bass and pronounced vocals with LDAC, but What Hi-Fi? gives two stars for poor dynamics and timing and TechRadar says the mids are missing.
ANC 8: TechRadar calls the four-stage low-frequency system great ANC that leaves you floating in space; Trusted Reviews rates it decent for the money.
Comfort 8.5: Tom's Guide praises comfy memory foam cups and very light wear and TechRadar a comfortable fit; it folds for travel.
Battery 10: Anker rates 50 hours with noise cancelling on and 70 with it off: the 40-hour top band, though Trusted Reviews got less than claimed.
Nothing's first over-ear headphone is the rare debut that lands properly. The tuning was done with KEF, and it shows: a natural, balanced signature with real detail up top and bass that stays out of the way of vocals, rather than the scooped, bass-forward sound most sub-A$500 headphones default to. Hybrid ANC with dual feedforward mics handles commuting noise well, and the adaptive mode adjusts as you move between a quiet office and a loud street. Battery life is the standout number: 35 hours with ANC on, 80 hours with it off, and a five-minute charge is good for five hours. LDAC, 24-bit/96kHz Hi-Res Wireless, USB-C audio and a 3.5mm jack cover every listening setup, and spatial audio with head tracking is there if you want it. The physical controls are the best part of using them day to day - a roller for volume, a paddle for tracks, a programmable button - all of which beat swiping a touchpad in the rain. The transparent, squared-off design will not be for everyone, and ANC is still a step behind the Sony XM6 and Bose QC Ultra above. At A$439 with 1,000-plus Amazon AU reviews behind it, that trade is easy to make.
Sound
7
ANC
7.5
Comfort
7.5
Battery
9
Owners
7
Critics
6.3
Owners is the 4.4★ Amazon AU rating from 1,164 reviews, weighted toward the category average when there are few. Critics averages 3 published reviews. Tick marks show the category average.
How we scored it
Sound 7: KEF tuning with LDAC and a full EQ, but What Hi-Fi? finds cheaper rivals more entertaining, TechRadar hears compression and Tom's Guide calls the core sound far too dark.
ANC 7.5: TechRadar rates the adaptive noise cancelling modes strong; the card places it a step behind the Sony XM6 and Bose QC Ultra.
Comfort 7.5: Tom's Guide finds the fit very comfortable, but TechRadar calls it fairly heavy and What Hi-Fi? notes a less secure fit and cups that do not fold.
Battery 9: Nothing rates 35 hours with noise cancelling on and 80 with it off: the 30 to 39 hour band.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is a bit of a different beast in this lineup - it's a wired, passive, studio-focused headphone in a sea of wireless ANC models. But it's here for a very good reason: the sound quality at A$229 is genuinely exceptional. These are the headphones you'll find in recording studios, radio stations, and DJ booths across Australia and the world, and that reputation is well earned. The 45mm large-aperture drivers deliver a detailed, accurate sound with tight bass, clear mids, and extended treble that reveals every nuance in your music. The closed-back design provides solid passive noise isolation without any ANC hiss or battery dependency. Build quality is tank-like, with a robust headband and swivelling ear cups that fold flat. The detachable cable system (three cables included) is a nice touch. The trade-off is obvious: no Bluetooth, no ANC, and the clamping force is firm out of the box, though it loosens with use. If you value sound accuracy over convenience features, these are unbeatable at the price.
Sound
7.5
ANC
4
Comfort
7
Battery
5
Owners
8
Critics
8.3
Owners is the 4.6★ Amazon AU rating from 27,930 reviews, weighted toward the category average when there are few. Critics averages 4 published reviews. Tick marks show the category average.
How we scored it
Sound 7.5: Wired studio monitor Trusted Reviews rates 4.5 stars for powerful bass and imaging, but What Hi-Fi? wants more clarity and punch and TechRadar says it is not neutral; no EQ.
ANC 4: No noise cancelling at all: the closed back gives passive isolation only, and Trusted Reviews says even that could be better.
Comfort 7: Expert Reviews calls it comfortable and robust and it folds, but the card notes a firm clamp out of the box and pads that warm up over long sessions.
Battery 5: Wired and passive: no battery to run down, but zero untethered hours, so the rule's lowest band applies.
Each pair of headphones is compared across four key areas: sound quality, active noise cancellation, comfort (clamping force, padding, weight and heat build-up as reported by owners and reviewers), and value for money (price relative to performance and features). We rank on the listed specs, the maker's own figures, professional reviews and Amazon AU ratings and reviews, weighed for commuting, office use, home listening and video calls. We don't buy or test the headphones. Prices and stock are checked daily and rankings re-checked weekly.
Scored on Sound 45%, Noise cancelling 25%, Comfort 15%, Battery 15%, plus owner ratings and critic reviews
Active noise cancellation (ANC) is a must if you commute on public transport or work in noisy environments. It uses microphones and processing to counteract ambient noise, and the best models can practically silence a plane cabin. If you mostly listen at home or in quiet spaces, you might save money with passive isolation - closed-back headphones that physically block sound without the battery drain.
Sound Signature and Tuning
Different headphones are tuned for different listeners. Some emphasise bass for pop and hip-hop, others aim for a neutral or analytical profile suited to classical and jazz. Many premium models now offer EQ customisation through companion apps, letting you tweak the sound to your preferences. If accurate sound reproduction matters to you, look for headphones praised for their flat frequency response.
Comfort and Fit for Long Sessions
Over-ear headphones vary massively in clamping force, ear cup size, and padding material. Memory foam with protein leather is the most common premium option, offering good comfort but potentially causing heat build-up. Mesh or fabric ear pads breathe better but may let in more ambient noise. If you wear glasses, pay close attention to clamping force - tight headphones can cause real discomfort around the temples.
Battery Life and Connectivity
For wireless models, battery life ranges from about 24 to 60 hours depending on whether ANC is active. Look for quick-charge features that give you a few hours of playback from just 10 minutes on the charger. Multipoint Bluetooth lets you connect to two devices simultaneously - handy if you switch between your phone and laptop. Also check for the wired option as a backup when the battery dies.
Build Quality and Portability
Premium headphones should fold or lay flat for travel and come with a decent carry case. Metal headband construction tends to last longer than plastic, though it adds weight. Consider how you'll actually carry them - some foldable designs fit in a backpack pocket, while bulkier models need a dedicated case. Check warranty terms too, as headband hinges are a common failure point.
Over-ear headphones remain the gold standard for serious listening, and the Australian market has never had more cracking options. Whether you're commuting through Sydney's train network, working from home in Melbourne, or just want to block out the world on a long-haul Qantas flight, a proper pair of over-ear cans delivers the kind of sound quality, comfort, and noise cancellation that earbuds simply can't match. The extra room for larger drivers means fuller bass, wider soundstages, and less fatigue during marathon listening sessions.
The big players - Sony, Bose, Sennheiser, and Apple - are locked in an absolute arms race at the premium end, each pushing ANC performance and sound quality further with every generation. Meanwhile, brands like JBL and Audio-Technica continue to offer genuinely impressive options at price points that won't make your wallet weep. We've compared all of them on sound, noise cancelling, call quality and comfort, using published specs, professional reviews and owner feedback, to find the seven best pairs available on Amazon Australia right now.
Prices in Oz have come down a fair bit on some of these models over the past year, making it a brilliant time to upgrade. We've focused exclusively on over-ear and on-ear headphones here - if you're after earbuds, check out our separate earbuds category. Every pick below has been verified for Australian availability and pricing as of March 2026.
Headphones — Frequently Asked Questions
Are over-ear headphones better than earbuds?+
Over-ear headphones generally offer superior sound quality, better noise cancellation, and more comfort for extended listening sessions compared to earbuds. They have larger drivers that produce fuller bass and wider soundstages. However, earbuds are far more portable and convenient for on-the-go use. If you primarily listen at home or in an office, over-ear headphones are the better choice.
How much should I spend on headphones in Australia?+
For casual listening, budget headphones between $80-150 AUD deliver solid performance. The sweet spot for most Australians is the $250-400 AUD range, where you get excellent sound quality and effective ANC from brands like Sony and Sennheiser. Premium headphones above $500 AUD are best suited for audiophiles or professionals who need the absolute best noise cancellation and sound fidelity.
Do wireless headphones sound worse than wired?+
The gap has narrowed significantly. Modern wireless headphones with Bluetooth 5.3 and codecs like LDAC and aptX Adaptive deliver audio quality that's indistinguishable from wired for most listeners. Audiophiles may still prefer wired connections for lossless playback, but for everyday listening, streaming, and calls, wireless headphones sound excellent and offer far more convenience.
How long do over-ear headphone batteries last?+
Most premium wireless over-ear headphones offer 25-40 hours of battery life with ANC enabled, and even longer with it turned off. The Sony WH-1000XM6 delivers 30 hours per charge, while the Sennheiser Momentum 4 manages an impressive 60 hours. Quick charging is standard on most models - typically giving you several hours of playback from just a 10-minute charge.
Can I use noise-cancelling headphones on Australian domestic flights?+
Absolutely. Bluetooth headphones are permitted on all Australian domestic airlines including Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Jetstar during all phases of flight. Noise-cancelling headphones are ideal for blocking engine noise on flights. Just make sure they're in Bluetooth mode - wired mode with an adapter may be needed if you want to use the in-flight entertainment system.
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