About this video

• Video Title: Best Noise Canceling Headphones – 2025
• Channel: Jasper Tech
• Speakers: Jasper
• Duration: 29:59

Overview

This video reviews and compares several premium active noise-canceling headphones, evaluating them based on noise cancellation effectiveness, sound quality, build quality, comfort, and user interface. The presenter shares detailed testing methodologies and results to help viewers make an informed purchasing decision.

Key takeaways

• Comprehensive Testing: The reviewer employed specific tools and methods, including a microphone for noise cancellation measurement and a device for clamping force, to objectively assess headphone performance in real-world conditions.
• ANC Technology Explained: The video explains the principles of Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), including phase shift and destructive interference, and discusses why it's more challenging at higher frequencies. It also introduces the concept of "active damping" as another noise-canceling mechanism.
• Sound Quality Nuances: While acknowledging that most premium headphones offer good sound quality, the reviewer highlights the importance of customizable sound through EQ apps and touches upon soundstage and clarity for audiophiles.
• Build, Comfort, and Interface: The review details the physical attributes of each headphone, including materials, weight, clamping force, and ease of use for controls, emphasizing that comfort and premium feel are subjective but crucial factors.
• Feature Breakdown: Key features like auto-pause, transparency mode, battery life, connectivity, and spatial audio are discussed, with a focus on their practical usefulness.
• Product-Specific Insights: The video provides specific notes on individual models, such as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra's ANC disable feature and the Apple AirPods Max's ecosystem integration and durability concerns.
• Final Recommendations: The reviewer offers recommendations categorized by use case, including the best all-around, best ANC, best for Apple users, best for audiophiles, and best budget options.

Based on the reviewer's assessment, here's a breakdown of the top performers in various categories:

Best All-Around:

• Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2): Chosen for being well-rounded, excelling in many areas, and offering significant comfort, making them a great gift option.

Best Active Noise Cancellation (ANC):

• Sony WH-1000XM6: These are considered the clear winners for ANC performance, setting them apart from the competition.

Best for Apple Users:

• Apple AirPods Max: Despite being an older model, they are still highly recommended for their seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem, excellent sound, and intuitive interface.

Best for Audiophiles:

• Sennheiser HD 630 (or Zennheiser), Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2, or Focal Bathys: These are highlighted for their soundstage and clarity.
  • The Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2 is specifically recommended among these for its premium feel and excellent sound.
  • The Sennheiser HD 630 is noted for its tunable parametric EQ.

Best Budget Option:

• Nothing Headphone One: Praised as a solid option for those on a budget.

Other Notable Mentions:

• Sony WH-1000XM5: Ranked highly for ANC, close to the XM6.
• Sonos Ace: Also performed well in ANC, comparable to the XM5.
• Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3: Mentioned positively for build quality and sound.

Let's compare the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2), identified as the "best all-around," with the headphones recommended for "best sound quality" (specifically the Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2 which the reviewer favored among the audiophile picks).

Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2) - Best All-Around:

• Strengths:
  • Comfort: Explicitly called out as the comfort champions due to good padding, low weight, variable ANC, and low clamping force.
  • Well-Rounded Performance: Excels in many different aspects, making it a safe and excellent choice for a wide range of users and situations.
  • ANC: Offers good, adjustable ANC.
  • Interface: Generally serviceable, with a touch strip for adjustments.
  • Newer Features: Gen 2 allows for full ANC disabling and improved auto-on/standby features.
• Potential Weaknesses:
  • ANC Quirks: Some users might notice a slight "thump" in the city, and there's a subtle white noise when ANC is active.
  • Sound Customization: Has a simpler, two or three-band EQ, offering less granular control than some other models.
  • Build Feel: While solid, it doesn't feel as "premium" as some higher-end options due to its lighter, more plasticky construction.

Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2 - Best Sound Quality (for Audiophiles):

• Strengths:
  • Sound Quality: Exceptional soundstage and clarity, allowing for precise instrument placement and separation.
  • Premium Build: Feels very premium, made with real leather and metal, offering a high-quality tactile experience.
  • Tuning: Offers a good out-of-the-box sound that is highly regarded.
  • EQ Customization: Features a five or six-band EQ for sound adjustments.
• Potential Weaknesses:
  • Comfort: While good, it's not explicitly called out as the "comfort champion" like the Bose. The reviewer still finds it a "nicer all-around package" but comfort is not its absolute standout feature compared to the Bose.
  • Price: Generally positioned at a premium price point.
  • ANC: While good, it's not the absolute best in class for ANC compared to the Sony XM6.

Key Differences:

• Primary Focus: The Bose QC Ultra Gen 2 prioritizes a balanced experience with exceptional comfort and strong all-around performance. The B&W PX8 S2 prioritizes a premium build and superior audio fidelity for those who appreciate nuanced sound.
• Comfort vs. Build: The Bose QC Ultra Gen 2 is the undisputed comfort king. The B&W PX8 S2 offers a more luxurious and premium physical feel.
• ANC Performance: The Sony XM6 is the outright ANC leader. Both the Bose QC Ultra and B&W PX8 S2 have very good ANC, but it's not their primary distinguishing feature compared to their respective strengths.
• Sound Customization: The B&W PX8 S2 offers more detailed EQ adjustments than the Bose QC Ultra Gen 2.
• Target Audience: The Bose QC Ultra Gen 2 is ideal for someone who wants a comfortable, reliable, and great-performing headphone for everyday use. The B&W PX8 S2 is for the discerning listener who prioritizes audio quality and a luxurious build, and is willing to pay for it.

In essence, if your priority is supreme comfort and a jack-of-all-trades experience, the Bose QC Ultra Gen 2 is the pick. If your priority is the most immersive and detailed sound, coupled with a luxurious feel, and you're willing to accept slightly less emphasis on pure comfort or ANC, the B&W PX8 S2 is the way to go.

The video ranks headphones in several categories, rather than a single linear list. Here's a breakdown based on the reviewer's rankings and categories:

Top Tier / Standouts:

1. Sony WH-1000XM6: Best Active Noise Cancellation (ANC).
2. Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2): Best All-Around headphone; great comfort.
3. Apple AirPods Max: Best for Apple users; excellent sound, interface, and ecosystem integration.
4. Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2: Top recommendation for audiophiles; premium build and excellent sound.

Excellent / Second Tier: These headphones are highly capable and often close to the top performers in their respective categories.

• Sony WH-1000XM5: Very close to the XM6 in ANC performance.
• Sonos Ace: Strong ANC performance, comparable to XM5.
• Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3: Also noted for good build and sound.
• Sennheiser HD 630 (or Zennheiser): Recommended for audiophiles, with a good EQ, but disappointing build quality for the price.
• Focal Bathys: Recommended for audiophiles, but noted for poor ANC and a bulky design.

Good Enough / Mid Tier: These headphones offer solid performance that is adequate for most users, but don't quite reach the heights of the top tiers.

• Dyson (Brand mentioned, specific model not clearly defined for this tier but generally grouped here)
• Nothing Headphone One: Good value for the price, solid build, but has a distinctive look and shallow ear cups.

Lower Tier / Not Recommended:

• Focal Bathys: While recommended for audiophiles for sound, it's noted for poor ANC and a bulky design, placing it lower for overall ANC performance.
• Beats Studio Pro: Considered "fine" but not a favorite, with a plasticky build, clunky interface, and comfort issues (small ear cups, hair getting caught). The lack of ANC disable and auto-pause are also noted drawbacks.

Specific Category Rankings:

• ANC Performance (Weighted):
  1. Sony WH-1000XM6
  2. Sony WH-1000XM5, Apple AirPods Max, Sonos Ace, Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3, Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2, Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2) (grouped closely)
  3. Dyson to Nothing (grouped)
  4. Focal Bathys (significantly lower)
• Sound Quality (for Audiophiles):
  1. Sennheiser HD 630, Focal Bathys, Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2 (all good for soundstage/clarity) - with HD 630 noted for its parametric EQ and PX8 S2 for overall package.
  2. Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2), Sony WH-1000XM6, Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3, AirPods Max, Sonos Ace (solid, customizable sound)
• Comfort:
  1. Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2)
  2. Apple AirPods Max
  3. Others generally ranked lower or subjectively.
• Build Quality:
  1. Bowers & Wilkins PX8 / PX8 S2
  2. Apple AirPods Max
  3. Nothing Headphone One, Dyson
  4. Sony XM5/XM6, Bose QC Ultra (feel less premium)
  5. Beats Studio Pro, Sennheiser HD 630 (noted for being plasticky or cheap feeling)
• Interface:
  1. Apple AirPods Max (digital crown, dedicated ANC button)
  2. Sony XM5/XM6 (intuitive touch controls)
  3. Sonos Ace (content key slider)
  4. Others (Bose, B&W, Beats, Sennheiser) generally considered serviceable but less intuitive or refined.

This ranking is based on the multiple facets of the review, as the video doesn't present one single "best" headphone overall, but rather categories where different models excel.

Okay, if we were to synthesize all the points and create a more consolidated "overall" ranking based on the reviewer's preferences and emphasis, here's how it might look, considering a blend of ANC, sound quality, comfort, build, and features:

Top Tier (Highly Recommended):

1. Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2): This headphone is consistently praised for its exceptional comfort, making it ideal for long listening sessions. It also offers a very balanced performance across ANC, sound quality, and features, making it the "best all-around" for most users. The Gen 2 improvements are significant.
2. Apple AirPods Max: While expensive and within the Apple ecosystem, their premium build, excellent sound quality, intuitive interface, and seamless device switching make them a top contender, especially for existing Apple users. The comfort is also very good.
3. Sony WH-1000XM6: If ANC is your absolute top priority, these are the champions. They also offer great sound quality and good comfort, with a powerful app for customization. The build quality is a slight drawback compared to the premium options.

Strong Contenders (Excellent, but with caveats):

1. Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2: For those prioritizing a truly premium feel and superior sound fidelity over absolute best-in-class ANC or comfort, these are fantastic. The build quality is top-notch.
2. Sony WH-1000XM5: Very close to the XM6 in ANC and sound, and often a slightly more affordable option. The non-folding design and potential hinge durability are noted concerns.

Good Options (Solid Performance, often at a better value or specific strengths):

1. Sonos Ace: Offers very competitive ANC performance and good sound, with a comfortable design that's a bit more conventional than some others.
2. Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3: A good step down in price from the PX8 S2, still offering strong build quality and good sound, though perhaps slightly less premium than the PX8.
3. Nothing Headphone One: Stands out as a compelling budget option with good build quality and features for its price point, though the aesthetics are unique and earcups can be shallow.

More Specialized or Less Recommended (Depending on priorities):

• Sennheiser HD 630: Good for audiophiles due to its EQ and sound profile, but let down by its plastic build and less premium feel for the price.
• Focal Bathys: Excellent sound quality and a premium build, but significantly hampered by poor ANC performance and a bulky design.
• Beats Studio Pro: Considered "fine" but has notable drawbacks in comfort, build materials, and user interface, making it less appealing despite its brand recognition.

This ranking attempts to balance the various factors discussed in the video, leaning towards headphones that perform well across multiple categories, with a slight edge given to comfort and overall user experience for the top spots.