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Serious Pick

A traveller with noise-cancelling headphones by an airplane window.Credit: Illustration generated with Grok AI for Serious Pick

Headphones & Earbuds

Best noise-cancelling headphones in Canada (2026): tested picks for travel, value, sound and iPhone

The best noise cancelling in the lab isn't always the best pair to own, and in 2026 the gap between them comes down to plastic, firmware and warranty.

News Desk · Updated October 5, 2026

  • noise cancelling headphones
  • over-ear headphones
  • Bose
  • Sony
  • Sennheiser
  • AirPods Max
  • travel headphones
  • budget headphones
  • Canada
  • reliability

Affiliate disclosure. We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page. That does not change which product we recommend. A price is shown only when an editor has checked it. Retailers can change price and stock after we publish.

Over-ear noise-cancelling headphones have never been better. Flagships from Sony, Bose, Apple and Sennheiser now block most engine rumble and office chatter, last 20 to 57 hours on a charge, and take calls well. Prices in Canada run from about $120 to $800. We only included wireless over-ear headphones sold in Canada, with Canadian model numbers where the listing showed one, and prices we saw on Canadian retailer pages (Amazon.ca, Bose.ca, Apple.ca and Sennheiser Canada) on 5 October 2026. We also scored each pair on what it's like to own. That changed the order. Sony's WH-1000XM6 still leads the lab tests, but Canadian buyers rate it 4.0 out of 5, and owners keep reporting cracked headband rings. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) come very close on noise cancelling, are more comfortable and have a better owner record, so they're our top pick.

Quick picks

Overall winner

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) · 890101-0100 (Black, Amazon.ca listing); Bose.ca product code QCUH2-HEADPHONEARN

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) do what most people buy noise-cancelling headphones for: they make planes, trains and open offices quiet, and they stay comfortable for hours. SoundGuys measured 87% average noise reduction, level with the Sony, and RTINGS says Bose's earpads fit more head shapes than Sony's shallower pads. Canadian owners rate them 4.3 out of 5 on Amazon.ca and 4.5 on Bose.ca, and we found no pattern of headband or hinge breakage. They aren't perfect: a February 2026 update removed some button features, some owners hear a faint hiss, and the warranty is only a year. The Sony WH-1000XM6 is still the lab leader and better for calls, but reports of cracked headband rings that Sony reportedly won't cover drag its ownership score down. The AirPods Max 2 match Bose's overall score closely, but only make sense on an iPhone.

Best overall and best for travel and comfort

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)

890101-0100 (Black, Amazon.ca listing); Bose.ca product code QCUH2-HEADPHONEARN

Score 8.4/10

CA$599.00

Price checked October 5, 2026

Pros

  • Noise cancelling right alongside the Sony: SoundGuys measured an 87% average noise reduction, and What Hi-Fi says Quiet mode is second to none for outright sound-blocking
  • The comfiest flagship for long flights: RTINGS says its earpads suit more head shapes than the Sony's, and Amazon.ca reviewers call them comfortable and soft
  • Better-liked by owners than the Sony: 4.3 out of 5 from 2,850 Amazon.ca ratings and 4.5 out of 5 from 507 reviews on Bose.ca

Cons

  • The February 2026 firmware (8.2.20) removed button-based device cycling and battery voice announcements, and Bose says it won't bring them back
  • Some owners on r/bose report hiss with noise cancelling on, and Bose says a low-level noise floor is normal
  • Expensive at $599 and only a one-year warranty; What Hi-Fi gives it four stars and finds rivals more transparent-sounding
Check price at Bose CanadaCheck price at Amazon.ca

Best noise cancelling and calls (check the headband)

Sony WH-1000XM6

WH1000XM6B.UC (Black, Canadian model)

Score 8.3/10

CA$478.00

Price checked October 5, 2026

Pros

  • The lab leader: RTINGS' best noise cancelling headphones and What Hi-Fi's five-star overall pick, blocking bus rumble, office chatter and cabin din
  • Class-leading call quality, according to What Hi-Fi, from a 12-microphone system and Sony's QN3 processor
  • Over 31 hours of battery with noise cancelling on in RTINGS' test, plus LDAC and multipoint

Cons

  • SoundGuys and The Walkman Blog report dozens of owners whose plastic headband ring cracked, letting the slider come apart, and SoundGuys says Sony doesn't treat it as a warranty defect
  • Canadian owners are lukewarm: 4.0 out of 5 from 3,714 Amazon.ca ratings, with 13% one-star and complaints about clamping force and durability
  • Shallow earpads don't always seal well, especially if you wear glasses (RTINGS)
Check price at Amazon.ca

Best value

Sony WH-CH720N

WHCH720N/B (Black)

Score 7.7/10

CA$118.00

Price checked October 5, 2026

Pros

  • What Hi-Fi's best cheap noise-cancelling headphones, a five-star pick with three consecutive What Hi-Fi Awards
  • Long battery: Sony claims up to 35 hours, and SoundGuys measured 40 hours 11 minutes with noise cancelling on
  • The strongest owner record here: 4.3 out of 5 from 17,707 Amazon.ca ratings at $118

Cons

  • Noise cancelling is decent for the price but well behind the flagships on planes and trains (What Hi-Fi, TechGearLab)
  • Plastic hinges can crack; owners on r/SonyHeadphones and iFixit report broken hinges, though cheap replacement parts exist
  • No carrying case and it doesn't fold flat (What Hi-Fi); bass-heavy out of the box
Check price at Amazon.ca

Best sound (and longest battery)

Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless

800078 (Black)

Score 8.2/10

CA$499.95

Price checked October 5, 2026

Pros

  • Five stars from What Hi-Fi for a rich, detailed sound with a standout midrange; Trusted Reviews says it can claim the best-sounding title at its price
  • Up to 57 hours with noise cancelling on, and the battery is user-replaceable with a screwdriver (WIRED, SoundGuys)
  • aptX Lossless and aptX Adaptive, plus 24-bit/96 kHz USB-C and 3.5 mm wired listening

Cons

  • Noise cancelling is much improved but still trails Sony and Bose in the loudest places (WIRED, MusicTech)
  • Early owner threads on r/sennheiser report bugs: touch controls and wear detection failing, and crackling after a firmware update
  • Only 303 Amazon.ca ratings so far, and Sennheiser Canada's warranty is one year
Check price at Amazon.caCheck price at Sennheiser Canada

Best for iPhone

Apple AirPods Max 2

MHWK4AM/A (Midnight); other colours MHWL4AM/A, MHWM4AM/A, MHWN4AM/A, MHWP4AM/A

Score 8.3/10

CA$799.00

Price checked October 5, 2026

Pros

  • The H2 chip brings noise cancelling that PCMag says edges out Bose and Sony, plus Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness and Live Translation
  • Excellent sound: TechRadar gives sound and noise cancelling 5 out of 5, and Tom's Guide rates them 83 out of 100
  • Seamless on Apple devices, and Apple Stores in Canada can handle repairs in person

Cons

  • Heavy at 386.2 g, with only 20 hours of battery, both well behind the other picks
  • The Smart Case still offers little protection and there's no power button (The Verge, Trusted Reviews)
  • $799 at Apple.ca, the most expensive pick, and limited to basic Bluetooth on Android
Check price at Apple CanadaCheck price at Amazon.ca

Compare

  • Best overall and best for travel and comfort

    Overall winner

    Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)

    890101-0100 (Black, Amazon.ca listing); Bose.ca product code QCUH2-HEADPHONEARN

    Score 8.4/10

    CA$599.00

    Price checked October 5, 2026

    Noise cancelling:
    Yes, adjustable (Quiet, Aware and Immersion modes); SoundGuys measured 87% average noise reduction
    Battery (ANC on):
    Up to 30 h (23 h with Immersive Audio), Bose claim
    Codecs:
    SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive (What Hi-Fi)
    Multipoint:
    Yes
    Weight:
    About 254 g (The Verge)
    Wired / USB-C audio:
    Lossless audio and USB voice calls over USB-C (added February 2026); wired listening needs battery (What Hi-Fi)
    App:
    Bose app (iOS and Android)
    Standout extras:
    Folding design with case; Cinema mode and Immersive Audio spatial sound; replacement ear-cushion kit sold separately
    Best use:
    Frequent flyers and commuters who wear headphones for hours and want maximum quiet with the least pressure on the head. Reliability: Average. Warranty: One year (Bose Canada limited warranty).

  • Best noise cancelling and calls (check the headband)

    Sony WH-1000XM6

    WH1000XM6B.UC (Black, Canadian model)

    Score 8.3/10

    CA$478.00

    Price checked October 5, 2026

    Noise cancelling:
    Yes, adaptive (Adaptive NC Optimiser); no manual levels (What Hi-Fi)
    Battery (ANC on):
    Up to 30 h (Sony claim); RTINGS measured over 31 h
    Codecs:
    SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 (What Hi-Fi)
    Multipoint:
    Yes
    Weight:
    254 g (Amazon.ca listing)
    Wired / USB-C audio:
    3.5 mm cable supported; no audio over USB-C (What Hi-Fi)
    App:
    Sony Sound Connect (iOS and Android): graphic EQ and presets
    Standout extras:
    Folds, with a compact magnetic case; 3-minute charge gives up to 3 hours with a USB-PD adapter
    Best use:
    Commuters and people who take lots of calls and want the strongest noise cancelling, if they treat the headband gently. Reliability: Weak. Warranty: One year (Sony Canada); headband-ring cracks reportedly not covered.

  • Best value

    Sony WH-CH720N

    WHCH720N/B (Black)

    Score 7.7/10

    CA$118.00

    Price checked October 5, 2026

    Noise cancelling:
    Yes (Sony Integrated Processor V1); decent for the price (What Hi-Fi)
    Battery (ANC on):
    Up to 35 h (Sony claim); SoundGuys measured 40 h 11 min
    Codecs:
    SBC, AAC (What Hi-Fi)
    Multipoint:
    Not confirmed (What Hi-Fi lists no multipoint)
    Weight:
    Not confirmed
    Wired / USB-C audio:
    Not confirmed
    App:
    Sony app (iOS and Android): EQ, Adaptive Sound Control
    Standout extras:
    3-minute quick charge gives up to 1 hour of playback (Sony claim)
    Best use:
    Students, commuters and anyone who wants light, comfortable noise cancelling headphones for well under $200. Reliability: Average. Warranty: One year (Sony Canada); hinge cracks may be refused as physical damage.

  • Best sound (and longest battery)

    Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless

    800078 (Black)

    Score 8.2/10

    CA$499.95

    Price checked October 5, 2026

    Noise cancelling:
    Yes, hybrid adaptive with 8 mics; up to 3x stronger in the midrange than the Momentum 4 (Sennheiser claim)
    Battery (ANC on):
    Up to 57 h (Sennheiser claim); about 40 h streaming aptX Lossless (MusicTech)
    Codecs:
    SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless (WIRED)
    Multipoint:
    Yes
    Weight:
    290 g
    Wired / USB-C audio:
    USB-C digital audio up to 24-bit/96 kHz and 3.5 mm
    App:
    Sennheiser Smart Control Plus (iOS and Android): 8-band EQ, Sound Personalisation, Sound Zones
    Standout extras:
    User-replaceable battery; slim carry case; 10-minute charge gives about 7 hours (MusicTech)
    Best use:
    Listeners who care most about sound and battery life, including Android users with aptX Lossless phones. Reliability: Average. Warranty: One year (Sennheiser Canada).

  • Best for iPhone

    Apple AirPods Max 2

    MHWK4AM/A (Midnight); other colours MHWL4AM/A, MHWM4AM/A, MHWN4AM/A, MHWP4AM/A

    Score 8.3/10

    CA$799.00

    Price checked October 5, 2026

    Noise cancelling:
    Yes, up to 1.5x more effective than the previous generation (Apple claim); Adaptive Audio
    Battery (ANC on):
    Up to 20 h (Apple claim); 5-minute charge gives about 1.5 h
    Codecs:
    Not confirmed
    Multipoint:
    Automatic switching between Apple devices on the same iCloud account
    Weight:
    386.2 g (Apple)
    Wired / USB-C audio:
    Lossless audio over the USB-C cable (Trusted Reviews)
    App:
    Built into iOS settings; no Android app
    Standout extras:
    Apple H2 chip in each ear cup; Digital Crown; Personalised Spatial Audio; camera remote; Bluetooth 5.3
    Best use:
    iPhone, iPad and Mac owners who want the best-integrated premium headphones and don't mind the weight. Reliability: Average. Warranty: One year (Apple limited warranty); AppleCare+ available.

What to buy

Start with how you'll use them. For long flights and all-day wear, get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen). For the strongest noise cancelling and best calls, get the Sony WH-1000XM6, and treat the headband gently. For sound quality and battery life, get the Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless. On an iPhone, the AirPods Max 2 integrate best if you can live with the weight. On a budget, the Sony WH-CH720N is the easy choice. If you want something different, here are a few pairs we saw on Amazon.ca on 5 October 2026 but didn't score: the newer Sony WH-CH730N ($249.99, 4.2 out of 5 from 27 ratings; What Hi-Fi calls it the best budget ANC pair, but it costs more than double the CH720N in Canada right now), the Anker Soundcore Space One ($99.98, 4.2 out of 5 from 9,132 ratings), the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 ($199.99, 4.2 out of 5 from 13,758 ratings) and the Bose QuietComfort Headphones ($479.00, 4.4 out of 5 from 20,032 ratings). The audiophile Sennheiser HDB 630 is sold in Canada, but we couldn't confirm a reliable new-unit price, and Amazon.ca reviewers flag reliability problems. Whatever you buy, check the fit with your glasses on, keep ear pads clean (most can be replaced), and test noise cancelling and battery life within the return window. Prices change often, so check before you buy.

How we chose

We started from current lab-tested recommendations: RTINGS' best noise cancelling headphones (2026), What Hi-Fi's best noise-cancelling headphones (updated 24 July 2026) and its reviews, SoundGuys' measured reviews, and reviews from TechRadar, Tom's Guide, PCMag, WIRED, Trusted Reviews and The Verge. We only considered wireless over-ear headphones with active noise cancelling, and we confirmed each model is sold in Canada through Amazon.ca, Bose Canada, Apple Canada or Sennheiser Canada. Each pair gets two scores out of 10. The lab score covers noise cancelling, sound, call quality, battery life, comfort and features for the money. The ownership score covers what it's like to live with: the average customer rating and number of ratings at Canadian retailers, recurring defect complaints from owners on Reddit, brand forums and retailer reviews (headband and hinge cracks, ear-pad wear, noise-cancelling hiss or failure, battery and connectivity), the Canadian warranty and how claims work, and how good and how well-updated the app and firmware are. The overall score is 60% lab and 40% ownership, and each pick gets a reliability verdict: Strong, Average, Weak, or Not confirmed when we couldn't find enough Canadian ratings or owner reports. Owner reports are anecdotes, not failure rates, so we look for patterns rather than single complaints. Amazon.ca ratings often pool colours and can include reviews from other countries. We allow no more than two picks from one brand (we count Beats as Apple). We list a price only when we saw it on a Canadian retailer page, with the date we checked. Anything we couldn't confirm is marked as not confirmed. Best Buy Canada wasn't checked.

FAQ

Are noise-cancelling headphones reliable, and what warranty do you get in Canada?

Moving plastic parts are the weak point. The most common serious owner complaint is a cracked hinge or headband part: Sony's WH-1000XM6 headband ring and the WH-CH720N's hinges both have recurring reports. Batteries usually outlast the warranty but can't be swapped on most models; the Sennheiser Momentum 5 is the exception. Warranties in Canada are short. Sony, Bose, Apple and Sennheiser Canada all give one year. Apple is the easiest to claim with because Apple Stores handle repairs in person; Sony, Bose and Sennheiser mostly use online claims and mail-in service. Keep your receipt, buy from the brand or an authorised retailer, register the product, and test noise cancelling and battery life while you can still return them.

Which headphones have the best noise cancelling?

In lab tests, the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are effectively tied at the top. RTINGS ranks the Sony first, SoundGuys measured both at around 87% average noise reduction, and What Hi-Fi says Bose's Quiet mode is the most intense. Fit matters as much as the electronics: the Sony's shallow pads seal less well with glasses, so try them on if you can. PCMag says the AirPods Max 2 now edge both, while SoundGuys and WIRED rank the Sennheiser Momentum 5 a step behind.

Are AirPods Max 2 worth it if I use Android?

No. On Android they work as basic Bluetooth headphones without an app, Adaptive Audio settings or automatic switching, and Apple says functionality is limited on non-Apple devices. At $799 at Apple.ca, Android users get more from the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen), the Sony WH-1000XM6 or, for sound and battery, the Sennheiser Momentum 5.

Can I get good noise-cancelling headphones for under $200?

Yes. The Sony WH-CH720N was $118 on Amazon.ca when we checked, holds What Hi-Fi's best budget award and lasted over 40 hours in SoundGuys' test. Its noise cancelling is decent rather than flagship-level. RTINGS also rates Anker's Soundcore Space Q45 and Life Q20 (2024) highly for the money, though we didn't score them for this guide.

Why isn't the Sony WH-1000XM6 our top pick?

It's the best performer in the lab, but 40% of our score is about ownership. Canadian Amazon.ca buyers rate it 4.0 out of 5 with 13% one-star reviews, and SoundGuys documented a wave of cracked headband rings that Sony reportedly isn't covering under warranty. If calls and maximum noise cancelling matter most, it's still a great choice; just don't over-extend the headband, and keep your receipt.

Sources

Affiliate disclosure. We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page. That does not change which product we recommend. A price is shown only when an editor has checked it. Retailers can change price and stock after we publish.