When it comes to noise-cancelling Bluetooth headphones, the Bose QuietComfort line has reached a level of ubiquity that not a lot of brands can parallel. It brought the whole travel headphone sub-niche to the mainstream sphere after all. There’s just something about the ease of just putting it on and immediately muting the rest of the world off that makes these kinds of headphones fly off the shelves and generate such attention.
But over the years, other companies have started to catch on to Bose. The competition is starting to become interesting with huge audio brands such as Sony and Bowers & Wilkins coming into the fray. Even unexpected competitors such as Microsoft and Dolby are starting to knock on their heels. Each one of them has their own twist to a seemingly already perfect QuietComfort line of headphones. All of this makes the noise-cancelling Bluetooth headphone market a truly interesting space to keep an eye on.
Microsoft Surface Headphone
When we say Microsoft Surface, you’d probably initially think of the company’s outstanding tablet-laptop hybrid the Surface Pro or the newly minted Surface Laptop and Surface Book. But, just recently, the Microsoft Surface line of products added the Surface Headphones to their brilliant selection of hardware.
It comes in a similar matte grey finish as the Surface Pro. It’s got a stylish look that pairs well aesthetically with other Microsoft hardware.
But what it’s really got going for it is the intuitive controls. The ear cups serve as huge touch panels with which users can tap to pause or resume music. Double tapping one of them lets you answer calls with the headset. Tapping and holding on the panel summons Cortana, Microsoft’s excellent voice assistant. Google Assistant and Siri can also be used if you wish to do so. The perimeter of the cups are dials that you can rotate to control the volume and the level of noise-cancellation. Furthermore, it has a feature that stops the music the moment you take the headphones off and resumes automatically when you put them back on. All of these features make the Surface Headphones one the most versatile in the category.
It’s stylish, easy to use (even when hands-free), and comfortable to wear which is basically where Microsoft poured all of their efforts in. But in doing so, it failed to include a few key elements to their maiden voyage into audio hardware.
It’s not a perfect product. The sound quality, while way above average, leaves a lot to be desired especially compared to others in the $300 price range. It also can’t play APTX, AA3, or LDAC. The battery life also leaves a lot to be desired. But at that price, it’s still one of the best all-around headphones that you can use while on-the-go or at the comfort of your own home.
Sony WH-1000XM3
From the company that brought us the Walkman, the WH-1000XM3 is one of best overall in the active noise-cancellation equipped Bluetooth headphones. The noise-cancellation is simply amazing on these headphones. Even with just the ANC turned on without any music turned off, the level of quietness is just eerie. So even in a noisy aeroplane cabin, you'd have no probably snoozing with these cans on. The comfort of the padding is also something to be admired.
Audiophiles will be pleased as it only produces the purest sounds thanks to the outstanding ANC. Battery life is also way above average with a 30-hour rating. That means you can literally go a full day without having to charge the device. Cabin noise in long-haul flights, therefore, shouldn't worry you.
The only negative about these Sony headphones is that the controls aren’t as exceptional as Microsoft’s offering. But the overall experience shouldn’t suffer because the pros still far outweigh the cons in this case. And at $349, the compromises that the Japanese giant had made is tolerable.
For business users who often go on long commutes, these headphones are among the best that money can buy. It’s definitely designed to help you get a little bit more restful sleep on a cramped airline or bus seat.
Bowers & Wilkins PX
When it comes to sound quality, no other pair of headphones can hold a candle to the Bowers & Wilkins PX. It has class-leading bass and treble that delivers songs with an emotive flair.
Other than that, everything else is just up to standard. The battery is rated for 22-hours, the ergonomics are on point, and the is USB-C is just the way how all wireless headphones should be.
It’s a utilitarian audiophile’s headphones. It doesn’t have any bells or whistles like a dial. Simple, easy-to-use buttons are all they have. Don’t expect these to have Google Assistant or Siri built-in too.
Bose QuietComfort 35 II
Of course, the OG can’t be left out of this group. The QuietComfort 35 II despite being released in 2016 is still one of the best Bluetooth noise-cancelling headphones there is. It’s not particularly outstanding at any one aspect. Instead, its greatness lies in the well-balanced and extremely versatile packaging that it comes in.
It's lightweight. It is built with a lot of plastic but it does not, in any way feel flimsy. What that plastic construction does it keep the headphones light making it more comfortable than most of the other headphones on this list. Combining that lightweight construction with the memory foam and leather that they use on the earcups make this one of the most comfortable headphones in the market. You’ll definitely be able to finish the entire 40-hour wired connection rating without needing to take them off. But if you wish to connect wirelessly, the 20-hour rating should also be good.
Overall, it’s still at the top but it’s no longer as dominant as it was when it was released 2 years ago. Sony is following closely at its heels. If Bose relaxes with their next iteration of their headphones, I wouldn’t be surprised to see it topple from the top of the pile.
But over the years, other companies have started to catch on to Bose. The competition is starting to become interesting with huge audio brands such as Sony and Bowers & Wilkins coming into the fray. Even unexpected competitors such as Microsoft and Dolby are starting to knock on their heels. Each one of them has their own twist to a seemingly already perfect QuietComfort line of headphones. All of this makes the noise-cancelling Bluetooth headphone market a truly interesting space to keep an eye on.
Microsoft Surface Headphone
When we say Microsoft Surface, you’d probably initially think of the company’s outstanding tablet-laptop hybrid the Surface Pro or the newly minted Surface Laptop and Surface Book. But, just recently, the Microsoft Surface line of products added the Surface Headphones to their brilliant selection of hardware.
It comes in a similar matte grey finish as the Surface Pro. It’s got a stylish look that pairs well aesthetically with other Microsoft hardware.
But what it’s really got going for it is the intuitive controls. The ear cups serve as huge touch panels with which users can tap to pause or resume music. Double tapping one of them lets you answer calls with the headset. Tapping and holding on the panel summons Cortana, Microsoft’s excellent voice assistant. Google Assistant and Siri can also be used if you wish to do so. The perimeter of the cups are dials that you can rotate to control the volume and the level of noise-cancellation. Furthermore, it has a feature that stops the music the moment you take the headphones off and resumes automatically when you put them back on. All of these features make the Surface Headphones one the most versatile in the category.
It’s stylish, easy to use (even when hands-free), and comfortable to wear which is basically where Microsoft poured all of their efforts in. But in doing so, it failed to include a few key elements to their maiden voyage into audio hardware.
It’s not a perfect product. The sound quality, while way above average, leaves a lot to be desired especially compared to others in the $300 price range. It also can’t play APTX, AA3, or LDAC. The battery life also leaves a lot to be desired. But at that price, it’s still one of the best all-around headphones that you can use while on-the-go or at the comfort of your own home.
Sony WH-1000XM3
From the company that brought us the Walkman, the WH-1000XM3 is one of best overall in the active noise-cancellation equipped Bluetooth headphones. The noise-cancellation is simply amazing on these headphones. Even with just the ANC turned on without any music turned off, the level of quietness is just eerie. So even in a noisy aeroplane cabin, you'd have no probably snoozing with these cans on. The comfort of the padding is also something to be admired.
Audiophiles will be pleased as it only produces the purest sounds thanks to the outstanding ANC. Battery life is also way above average with a 30-hour rating. That means you can literally go a full day without having to charge the device. Cabin noise in long-haul flights, therefore, shouldn't worry you.
The only negative about these Sony headphones is that the controls aren’t as exceptional as Microsoft’s offering. But the overall experience shouldn’t suffer because the pros still far outweigh the cons in this case. And at $349, the compromises that the Japanese giant had made is tolerable.
For business users who often go on long commutes, these headphones are among the best that money can buy. It’s definitely designed to help you get a little bit more restful sleep on a cramped airline or bus seat.
Bowers & Wilkins PX
When it comes to sound quality, no other pair of headphones can hold a candle to the Bowers & Wilkins PX. It has class-leading bass and treble that delivers songs with an emotive flair.
Other than that, everything else is just up to standard. The battery is rated for 22-hours, the ergonomics are on point, and the is USB-C is just the way how all wireless headphones should be.
It’s a utilitarian audiophile’s headphones. It doesn’t have any bells or whistles like a dial. Simple, easy-to-use buttons are all they have. Don’t expect these to have Google Assistant or Siri built-in too.
Bose QuietComfort 35 II
Of course, the OG can’t be left out of this group. The QuietComfort 35 II despite being released in 2016 is still one of the best Bluetooth noise-cancelling headphones there is. It’s not particularly outstanding at any one aspect. Instead, its greatness lies in the well-balanced and extremely versatile packaging that it comes in.
It's lightweight. It is built with a lot of plastic but it does not, in any way feel flimsy. What that plastic construction does it keep the headphones light making it more comfortable than most of the other headphones on this list. Combining that lightweight construction with the memory foam and leather that they use on the earcups make this one of the most comfortable headphones in the market. You’ll definitely be able to finish the entire 40-hour wired connection rating without needing to take them off. But if you wish to connect wirelessly, the 20-hour rating should also be good.
Overall, it’s still at the top but it’s no longer as dominant as it was when it was released 2 years ago. Sony is following closely at its heels. If Bose relaxes with their next iteration of their headphones, I wouldn’t be surprised to see it topple from the top of the pile.