With the holiday season upon us, many buyers might still be busy looking for the best gift ideas, whether for someone else or for themselves (yes, that includes you, because you deserve it after a year of hard work). And Rowena Wendy Lei, the admin of The Budol Group, which has over 154,000 members shared that a lot of members are looking for noise cancelling headphones. Which has led us to curate this list of noise cancelling headphones, starting with the Sony WH-1000XM6.

The Sony WH-1000XM6 builds on the brand’s long-standing reputation for class-leading noise-cancelling headphones, refining the strengths of previous generations while introducing thoughtful upgrades that make it an excellent choice for travelers, commuters, remote workers, and everyday music listeners.

Available in Moonlit Blue, Black, and Platinum Silver (our review unit), the WH-1000XM6 features a redesigned over-ear form factor with noticeable improvements over the WH-1000XM5. Sony has enhanced comfort through a softer, more supportive padding, a wider headband, and improved weight distribution—resulting in less fatigue during extended listening sessions.

Active Noise Cancelling remains the WH-1000XM6’s standout feature. Sony once again sets the benchmark, effectively silencing everything from low-frequency engine hums to higher-pitched ambient chatter. With Adaptive NC Optimizer, the headphones intelligently adjust to your environment in real time. Through the Sony Sound Connect app, users can fine-tune ANC levels, activate ambient sound modes, and access a wide range of features, including EQ customization, adaptive sound control, spatial audio and cinema modes, as well as firmware updates and device management.

Sound quality is equally impressive across a wide range of genres. The WH-1000XM6 delivers punchy bass, well-defined mids, and crisp highs, creating a balanced and engaging listening experience. Bluetooth 5.3 support brings compatibility with multiple codecs, including LC3, LDAC, AAC, and SBC, helping reduce latency and improve audio fidelity on supported devices. While some listeners may prefer a wider soundstage or heavier bass tuning, the overall sound signature is polished and versatile—well suited for music, movies, and games alike.

Call quality is another area where the WH-1000XM6 excels. Its class-leading microphone performance makes it a reliable choice for professionals who take frequent calls. Multipoint Bluetooth support allows seamless connection to two devices at once, while battery life remains excellent at up to 40 hours with ANC off and around 30 hours with ANC enabled—more than enough for long flights or full workdays.

Priced at P23,799 (according to the DataBlitz website), the Sony WH-1000XM6 stands among the best wireless noise-cancelling headphones available in 2025. With industry-leading ANC, long battery life, refined sound quality, and a robust set of smart features, it delivers a truly premium experience. Whether you’re blocking out noise on a plane, focusing in a busy café, or simply enjoying your favorite tracks at home, the WH-1000XM6 rises to the occasion.

If you’re looking for best-in-class noise cancellation paired with a balanced, all-purpose sound, the WH-1000XM6 is hard to beat. However, those seeking extreme bass or a more rugged, outdoor-focused design may want to explore alternative options.

Here are some popular alternatives if you’re considering other noise-cancelling headphones, each with different strengths depending on your needs:

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) combines Bose’s renowned class-leading noise cancellation with rich, personalized audio. Built for all-day comfort, it offers adaptive ANC, immersive sound modes for music and movies, multipoint Bluetooth connectivity, and long-lasting battery life ideal for work or travel. Finished with a refined design and intuitive app controls, the QC Ultra (2nd Gen) delivers a premium, distraction-free listening experience. This pair of headphones costs P22,320, according to the Eleksis website.

The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 is a premium over-ear wireless pair of headphones that delivers rich, detailed audio in a refined and comfortable design. It comes equipped with hybrid ANC and an ambient pass-through mode, custom-angled drivers for accurate sound reproduction, and Bluetooth with aptX Adaptive for high-quality wireless playback. Offering up to 30 hours of battery life and fast charging, the Px7 S2 is well suited for all-day use. This headphone set sells for P25,990, according to the Power Mac Center website.

The JBL Tour One M3 is built for immersive audio and all-day comfort. It comes with True Adaptive Noise Cancelling 2.0 that intelligently adjusts to your environment, JBL Spatial 360 sound with head tracking for a more lifelike listening experience, and Hi-Res Audio via Bluetooth that delivers punchy bass and clear, detailed highs. Offering up to 70 hours of battery life, Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint support, and smart microphones optimized for calls, the Tour One M3 is a versatile option for music, movies, and travel. This headphone set costs P16,999, according to the JBL Philippines website.

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless is a high-end over-ear headphone set celebrated for its balanced, detailed sound and ergonomic comfort. It features adaptive noise cancellation, up to approximately 60 hours of battery life, and Bluetooth multipoint connectivity for seamless device pairing. With intuitive controls and a companion app for personalized sound settings, the Momentum 4 Wireless provides a versatile and immersive listening experience, perfect for music, podcasts, and daily use. Its official local price is P21,890, according to the Sennheiser Philippines website.

The Sonos Ace is a premium pair of over-ear Bluetooth headphones, representing Sonos’s first entry into the personal headphone market. It features ANC, high-fidelity audio, and support for spatial sound with Dolby Atmos, delivering an immersive listening experience. With up to 30 hours of battery life, Bluetooth with multipoint connectivity, and a comfortable, sleek design, the Ace is ideal for music, movies, and everyday use. It also offers features like TV Audio Swap with compatible Sonos soundbars, providing a private, cinema-like experience at home. The Ace costs P28,990, according to the Mod Audio website.

If you are in the market for earbuds or in-ear pieces, Stay tuned for our next list!