Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones in 2026: ANC Compared Across Every Budget

The Sony WH-1000XM5 leads active noise cancellation for most listeners in 2026 — its ANC is slightly more effective than the AirPods Pro 2 in high-frequency environments (office HVAC, airplane cabin hiss), and its 30-hour battery beats the AirPods Pro 2's 6-hour battery significantly. AirPods Pro 2 wins on Apple ecosystem integration, Transparency Mode, and Conversation Awareness. For Android users, the Sony XM5 is the clear choice. For iPhone users who want single-device integration, the AirPods Pro 2 competes directly despite the form factor difference.