Our headphone picks

The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the best wireless headphones Compare Electronic tracks in the UK in June 2026. The WH-1000XM6 pairs class-leading active noise cancelling with LDAC hi-res audio, a 30-hour battery and a 250 g fit, so it leads on the things most buyers care about most. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless is the sound-and-battery pick with 42 mm drivers and 60 hours per charge, the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 is the luxury pick, and the Soundcore Space Q45 is the value pick with LDAC and a 50-hour battery.

What makes a great pair of wireless headphones

Wireless over-ear headphones in 2026 are judged on four things: how well they cancel noise, how they sound, how long the battery lasts, and how comfortable they are over hours. The flagships win on the first and last; the value picks now close most of the gap on the middle two.

• Noise cancelling: the headline feature for commutes, offices and flights. Quality varies far more than the marketing suggests, which is why the Sony leads.
• Codecs: LDAC and aptX Adaptive carry more data than standard Bluetooth audio, which matters if you stream hi-res files. The Sony, Bowers & Wilkins and Soundcore all support a hi-res codec.
• Battery and comfort:a 30-hour battery covers a week of commutes; the Sennheiser's 60 hours covers a month. Weight and clamp force decide comfort over long sessions.

1. Sony WH-1000XM6 - best overall

The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the best all-round wireless headphones Compare Electronic tracks in June 2026. Its active noise cancelling is the strongest in the catalogue, which is the single biggest reason most people buy headphones at this level. It supports LDAC for hi-res streaming, runs 30 hours per charge, and weighs 250 g, light enough for all-day wear. Sony's app adds adaptive ANC, EQ and multipoint pairing.

2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless - best battery and sound

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless is the pick for buyers who put sound and battery first. Its 42 mm drivers are the largest on this shortlist and deliver Sennheiser's warm, detailed house tuning, and the 60-hour battery is double the Sony's, enough for a month of commutes between charges. Its noise cancelling is good rather than class-leading, and at 293 g it is a little heavier than the Sony. For listeners who prioritise audio quality and endurance over the very best ANC, it is the smarter buy.

3. Bowers & Wilkins Px8 - best luxury

The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 is the luxury pick. It pairs 40 mm carbon-cone drivers with an aluminium-and-leather build that feels in a different class to the plastic flagships, and it supports aptX Adaptive for hi-res streaming. The sound is refined and spacious, the noise cancelling is effective, and the 30-hour battery is competitive. At 320 g it is the heaviest here, and it sits at the top of the price range. For buyers who want a headphone that looks and feels as premium as it sounds, the Px8 is the one.

4. Soundcore Space Q45 - best value

The Soundcore Space Q45 is the value pick, and it punches far above its price. It carries 40 mm drivers, supports LDAC for hi-res streaming, runs a 50-hour battery, and includes adaptive noise cancelling, a feature set that would have been flagship only a couple of years ago. The ANC and tuning are not quite at Sony or Sennheiser level, and the app is simpler, but for the money the gap is small. For most buyers who do not want to spend flagship money, this is the smart choice.

Best wireless headphones UK 2026 spec sheet

How to choose wireless headphones

Decide whether ANC is the priority

If you commute, fly or work in a noisy office, noise cancelling is the feature that changes daily life, and the Sony WH-1000XM6 leads on it. If you mostly listen at home or at a desk, you can trade some ANC for better sound or battery, which is where the Sennheiser Momentum 4 shines. Noise cancelling is explained in full in ANC explained.

Check the codec if you stream hi-res

To hear hi-res streams at full quality you need a matching codec on both phone and headphones. LDAC, supported by the Sony and Soundcore, is the most widely available hi-res codec on Android. aptX Adaptive on the Bowers & Wilkins is the Qualcomm equivalent. Apple devices use AAC, which all four support.

Headphones or earbuds

Over-ear headphones win on battery life, sound and ANC; earbuds win on portability and gym use. If you want the pocketable option, see Best wireless earbuds UK 2026.

Verdict

The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the best wireless headphones Compare Electronic tracks in the UK in June 2026: class-leading noise cancelling, LDAC hi-res audio, a 30-hour battery and a light 250 g fit. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless is the sound-and-battery pick with 60 hours per charge, the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 is the luxury pick, and the Soundcore Space Q45 is the value pick with LDAC and adaptive ANC. For the in-ear alternative, see Best wireless earbuds UK 2026.