With prices in the hundreds of dollars, who wouldn’t conduct thorough research before investing in a pair of top-shelf noise-cancelling headphones? From least to most expensive, Sony's $399.99 WH-1000XM5, Bose's $429 QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, and Apple's $549 AirPods Max are the best noise-cancelling headphones you can buy—as well as some of the priciest. So how should you choose between them? We're here to break down the differences between all three and help you pick the pair most suitable for your needs. Our analysis covers active noise cancellation (ANC), audio quality, battery life, companion apps, design, and more, so you can compare the aspects that matter most to you. Before you make up your mind, make sure to read our in-depth review of each model to get the full details. Apple AirPods Max Review 4.0 Excellent $499.99 at Amazon $549.00 Save $49.01 See It Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Review 4.5 O...

There's no question as to whether Apple's AirPods Max are some of the best noise-cancelling headphones you can buy, but they're also some of the most expensive. If their $550 price makes your jaw drop, we've got you covered with some compelling alternatives. The good news is, you can spend as little as $50 (yes, $50) on a pair of good noise-cancelling headphones. Of course, the more you spend, the more you'll get in terms of audio performance, active noise cancellation (ANC), and/or extra features, and the sweet spot for this category seems to lie in the $300 range. Keep in mind we're focusing primarily on headphones here, but there are plenty of good noise-cancelling true wireless earbuds to consider if you're not a fan of big, bulky cans over your ears. Also note that we aren't saying you buy the AirPods Max. If you like what they offer and have $550 to spend, you almost certainly won't be disappointed. But know that you can spend less on a pair of headphones that offer arguab...

Apple's excellent AirPods Max are available for a bargain price of £429 in this Black Friday and Cyber Monday deal

Spatial Audio and superb noise cancelling are standouts for Apple’s AirPods Max - a great pair of headphones for Apple users

Good sound quality; Awesome noise cancelling; Spatial Audio is stunning;

Heavy; Fit isn’t 100% secure; Case only partially protects headphones;

Can all the technology packed into these headphones justify the high price?

Engaging listening experience Head tracking spatial audio is excellent Extremely well-built and (surprisingly) serviceable Decent 20-hour battery life - No lossless audio - Going wired costs another $35/£35 If you’ve already invested in Apple gear, the dynamic head-tracking features and excellent...

The premium over the wireless over the ear headphone category is chalk full of devices and price points. Popular products include Philips PH805, the Sony WH-1000XM4, the Bowers & Wilkins PX7, and the Sennheiser PXC 550-II. If you are an Apple user, the AirPods MAX is one of the most compelling.

Fantastic noise cancellation, Crisp and balanced sound, Spatial audio is a game-changer, Brilliant extra features for iOS, Headband breaths good in hot weather

Smart case provides no protection, No on/off switch, Expensive, No 3.5mm audio port, Limited features for Android

The AirPods Max are a distinctly Apple take on noise-canceling headphones. They’re not perfect by any means, but they look good, sound great, and offer all the features you would want from a product in the Apple ecosystem, including some features that will roll out later this year alongside iOS 15...

For the Apple aficionado, this model offers seamless integration with your iOS devices while providing a high-quality and immersive listening experience, plus exceptional noise cancellation

Like every Apple product that is released, there has been a lot said about the AirPods Max. Whatever you might think of Apple, they’ve done an excellent job of marketing their brand. Because they’ve done such an excellent job at marketing, their devices sell very well.

Amazing design, Amazing build quality, Simple to use and setup, especially with other Apple products, The sound is outstanding, The best ANC of any over-ear headphone that I've used, Amazing call quality and reception, The best Transparency Mode of any headphone, Great battery life, Very comfortable

These boys are expensive, silly expensive, The clacking of the two ear cups together might cause wear over time, The lifespan of the headband mesh is questionable, The smart case is ugly, just ugly

The AirPods Max are exceptional noise-cancelling headphones with a luxurious design, sophisticated soundstage and clever computational features. But the $549 price and unconventional case are difficult to overlook.

Luxurious design and feel, Easy-to-use controls, Crisp and balanced sound, Spatial audio is a game-changer, Fantastic noise cancellation

Expensive, No on/off switch, Smart case provides no protection