Top 8 Best Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones in 2023 – Reviews and Comparison

Outstanding, crisp and clear sound sets the ambiance to what most audiophiles would describe as the perfect sound. Now, such appealing sound might be hard to come by, but not entirely impossible, even in the headphone market.

If you’re looking for a new pair of headphones, Sony is a brand you must have come across, a brand name that speaks for itself in the electronics industry with their stellar products.

Consequently, looking into their headset products, the script remains the same as Sony boasts some of the best noise-canceling headphones anyone can rock.

In this review, we’ve compiled an elaborate list of some of the best rated Sony Noise Cancelling headphones that you can buy and enjoy a wonderful listening experience.

1. Sony WH1000XM3 Noise Canceling Headphones

On the top of our list is the feature-rich Sony WH1000XM3 over-ear headphones. These are high-performance headphones that pack a sleek and slender design. They not only talk big in the market-leading active noise canceling but offer among the best sound quality out there for ANC wireless headsets.

They have an HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1 and multiple microphones that allow for the enhancement of noise cancellation, call, and audio processing while producing brilliant high-fidelity sound.

Furthermore, they excel in battery life with an up-time of up to 30 hours, while a Quick Charge feature allows you to get 5 hours of playback on a 10-minute charge. They support wireless connectivity using Bluetooth, NFC or can be hardwired to compatible devices.

Also, you can use Sony’s Headphone Connect app to customize your ideal sound or by operating the touch controls on the ear cup.

Features

• Black in color
• Weighs 0.56 lbs.
• Includes carry case
• USB-C charging cable
• 3.5mm audio cable connector

Pros:

• Premium sound quality
• Exceptional noise-cancellation
• Extremely comfortable
• Smart Listening

Cons:

• Expensive
• Average voice call quality

Review

If you want to make significant steps in your headphone collection, the Sony WH1000XM3 headphones are the way to go. These charming yet foldable headphones are designed to sound exceptionally good and feel comfortable to wear.

They offer listening modes such as the Ambient Noise mode which lets in ambient noises for awareness, Noise-Cancelling mode for uninterrupted listening and the favorite Quick Attention Mode which allows conversations without taking off your headphones.

Additionally, the headphones pack a decent battery capable of fast charging and much-improved wireless and wired connections. On top of style and performance, the headphones factor in receptive touch-capacitive ear cups that react to touch gestures where you can adjust the volume, play, pause and skip music or launch Siri, Alexa or Google assistants.

With such a blend of convenient features, the Sony WH1000XM3 headphones are undisputedly among the best choice headsets for just about anybody.

2. Sony WH-CH700N Wireless Noise-canceling Headphones

The WH-CH700Ns are over-ear headphones that come with a standard and semi-foldable plastic design. They feature active noise canceling along with wireless playback via Bluetooth and NFC pairing or wired playback through the aux cable.

Moving on, the headphones possess a terrific 35-hour battery life on a full charge, and with a 10-minute charge, you get an additional hour of playback. They also factor a built-in microphone that allows for hands-free operations and has touch control buttons laid out across the two ear cups.

Moreover, they support Sony's Headphone Connect app, available for both Android and iOS where you can control your sound.

Features

• Black in color
• Weighs 0.52lbs.
• Micro-USB charging cable
• Audio cable connector
• Manual and Carrying pouch included

Pros:

• Long battery life
• Comfortability
• Easy connectivity

Cons:

• Plastic build quality
• Average noise cancellation

Review

The Sony WH-CH700Ns is a solid choice for versatile headphones. Their design is quite light and comfortable with well-balanced sound quality and remarkable battery life. On the downside, the noise-canceling feature is inferior but decent enough to do the job.

Apart from that, they are well-priced, brag an efficient control system and a good range of wireless connectivity options. With the Voice Assist Function, you should easily launch a digital voice assistant with either Google, Amazon Alexa or Siri.

What's more, the Sony Connect app makes music control and management a breeze. The WH-CH700Ns are decent headphones but fall a bit short of other headphones in their price range.

3. Sony WH-XB900N Wireless Noise Canceling Extra Bass Headphones

These over-ear headphones are quite the perfect balance between Sony’s extra-bass headsets and the noise-cancellation line. They pack a serious punch with a 30-hour runtime battery with noise cancellation on, and 35hours when off.

Additionally, there is a USB Type-C port with a fast-charging ability to provide a one-hour playback after a 10-minute charge. There are custom control buttons on the ear cups plus touch-based controls for power, voice assistance, calls and more.

You can connect the headsets via Bluetooth, NFC or the Sony app which facilitates sound customization as well as more advanced settings for noise cancellation.

Features

• Black in color
• Weighs 1.13 lbs.
• USB-C charging cable
• Audio cable connector
• Carrying pouch included

Pros:

• Good battery life
• Great sound imaging and width
• Good build quality

Cons:

• Slow charging
• Too much bass

Review

The Sony WH-XB900N are affordable and compact noise-canceling headphones made with regards to bass heads. Unfortunately, they fall a bit short of the noise-canceling levels set by industry leaders.

They are straightforward-to-use snug headphones with nicely padded ear cups, a good battery life, and effective noise-canceling ability. The touch controls work quite effectively to control gestures, voice assistance, and the various noise-canceling modes like the Quick Attention mode which is brilliant to use. The headset performs well in making calls, the sound quality is great and is quite easy to connect to your devices.

4. Sony MDRZX110NC Noise Cancelling Headphones

Featuring an elementary, lightweight and plastic design, a foldable headband with built-in controls, the Sony MDRZX110NC are up to snuff over-ear headphones. They provide approximately 80 hours of battery life and moderately good active noise cancellation.

Besides that, they feature a 3.9-foot audio cable with a 3.5mm audio connector at the end for wired connectivity. You also get an in-flight adapter and they run on AAA battery as a power source.

Features

• Black in color
• Weighs 0.6 lbs.
• Supraaural headphone fit
• 30mm Neodymium Driver
• 110 Db/Mw – Power off, 11dB/mW – Power on
• Frequency response of 10 22,000 Hz
• Impedance of 220 ohms Power on, 45 ohms – Power on

Pros:

• Superb battery life
• Affordable
• Decent sound with minimal leakage

Cons:

• Short cord length
• Flimsy
• Low bass

Review

Perfect fit for traveling, these headphones deliver great sound and acceptable noise-free experience for a reasonable price. That said, their pressure-relieving ear cushions provide lasting comfort while the pivoting ear cups fold compact for portability.

However, they are a bit unstable, lack a microphone plus wireless connectivity but such shortcomings are compensated for by the long battery life. The Sony MDRZX110NC headphones are a real budget option for audiophiles undemanding of their headphones.

5. Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Noise-canceling Stereo Headset

These headphones come with a compelling package such as the dedicated Sony’s QN1 noise-canceling chip processor, smart listening, atmospheric pressure optimizing all which help in noise cancellation and quality sound output.

As well, is an array of microphones for improved voice calling and digital voice assistants; Siri Google and Alexa. They feature touch-sensitive controls on the right earpad while their connectivity is through NFC, Bluetooth or with the 3.5mm headphone jack for wired connection.

You can use Sony’s Headphone Connect app to tweak and tune in your perfect sound. They run through a 30-hour battery and with Quick Charge, you get 5 hours of playback on a 10-minute charge.

Features

• Weight of 0.5lbs.
• Black in color
• 40mm Liquid Crystal Polymer drivers
• USB-C charging cable and flight adapter
• Carrying case

Pros:

• Largely comfortable
• Best in class noise cancellation
• Top sound quality

Cons:

• Prone to cold weather
• Low call quality

Review

Talk about the best in the business, the Sony WH1000XM3 are the ones for you if you relish both quality music, quietude and versatility. The headphones’ industry-leading noise-canceling ability and modes steal the show with the capacity to detect your environs, adjust the level of noise and filter almost if not all of the ambient noise around.

These headphones are serious noise killers. They are supremely comfortable, reliable, and have a pretty good battery life with a quick charge feature, enough to get you through the day. They also offer seamless wireless connections along with wired connectivity through the aux.

Without a doubt, these headphones offer fantastic sound performance and their wonderfully rich features blend in to make them a top performer.

6. Sony WH-CH700N Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones

Along with these headphones comes 40mm drivers that deliver a spacious, well-rounded sound, wireless connectivity via Bluetooth and NFC at a range of 30-40 feet. They boast a 35-hour battery life on a full charge, and with the fast charging capability, a 10-minute charge offers 60 minutes of playback.

The left ear cup holds the charging port, aux-in, the NFC button, and the power button, while the right cup holds the volume controls and music and call control switch. Above and beyond, using the Sony Headphones Connect app to your phone, you can customize the sound to your taste, tweak the equalization, set sound presets, and do more.

They also sport a built-in microphone for hands-free calling and the Voice Assist Function, which is attuned with Google, Alexa, and Siri.

Features

• Black in color
• Weighs 2.2 lbs.
• Micro-USB charging cable
• Aux- cable and Headphone Case
• Frequency response range of 7-20,000Hz
• USB Bluetooth Adapter and Receiver
• One-Push AINC

Pros:

• Wireless Bluetooth streaming
• Detailed sound
• Sturdy

Cons:

• Slow charging
• Variable bass output

Review

Apart from an acceptable sub-par noise cancellation, a rather dull look and feel, the headphones perform above-average. But this is justifiable given the sound quality and price. The headphones offer great comfort, easy-to-use controls, and very good sound predominantly strong in the mids and low-end.

Furthermore, the battery life is excellent and the connectivity with an option to plug in the aux cable for about 50 hours of playback. They feel lightweight with earcups that swivel flat for easy slipping into a carrying case. Above all, they are quite affordable and they perform very well for their price.

7. Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones MDRZX110NC

Like many of the earlier Sony headphone models, these are light and corded headsets with integrated noise cancellation. Loaded with 30mm dynamic dome drivers and neodymium magnets, they deliver a comprehensive listening experience from a frequency of 10 - 22,000 Hz with a sensitivity of 115 dB/mW when using Active noise cancellation and 110 dB/mW inactively.

Furthermore, they come with cushioned ear pads, swivel design and provide up to 80 hours of playback, courtesy of AAA alkaline battery.

Features

• Over-ear design
• Y-Shaped cord connector of 3.94 ft. length
• Hard Case with a zipper included
• 1 Year Extended Warranty
• Weighs 8.8 ounces

Pros:

• Marginal leakage
• Affordable
• Wonderful battery life

Cons:

• Frail and unstable fit
• Relatively uncomfortable
• Varying Bass delivery

Review

If you are looking for decent sound on a budget, these Sony headphones will do. They provide up to par sound quality whereas the noise cancellation is just average. They will conveniently fold up into a compact size and are easily portable making them a great option if you want a portable and wired noise-canceling pair of headphones.

The built-quality is seemingly cheap and well defined by its price. Generally, they offer enough for their price but lack most of the features that would make them versatile enough for mixed-usage.

8. Sony Premium Noise-Canceling Extra Bass Stereo Headphones

Sony Premium Noise-Canceling Extra Bass Stereo headphones come with a lightweight body and a corded stature. They are built with 30mm Dynamic Dome Drivers that deliver distinct sound clarity with deep and booming bass and smooth treble.

The headphones offer a decent Active Noise-Canceling Circuitry and boast an impressive battery life of 80 Hours via AAA alkaline batteries. They also feature an adjustable headband with swivel earpads and pressure-relieving ear pads which facilitate an enjoyable listening experience.

Features

• 3.9-foot audio cable connector
• Kubicle Case
• On-ear design
• Weighs 1.35 pounds
• Black in color

Pros:

• Ultra-long battery life
• Powerful bass

Cons:

• Lacks wireless connectivity
• Overemphasized bass

Review

Comfortable to wear, reliable, inexpensive and portable, these headphones are bound to get you through the day and more. They are portable as they effortlessly swivel and fold compact into a carrying case.

At the same time, they brag a super-long battery life which is the star of the show ensuring you never run out of juice. The headphones offer good sound and do a comparatively good job in blocking noise but for exceptional results, you have to upgrade. These headphones are perfect for life on the go and offer reasonable features for their price.

Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones Buyers Guide

With a significant number of Sony headphones out there, you can be at crossroads trying to figure out the right headphones for you.

In this buyer’s guide are some factors to consider when buying a pair of Sony headphones:

1. Sound Quality

Sound quality is paramount when purchasing headphones. Simply put, analyze and break down the audio quality of the headphones to your taste since every headset offers distinct sound.

2. Durability

Pick headphones with proven durability; one that can endure exposure to your environment without the worry of damaging them.

3. Budget

Sony has numerous headset options for all budgets. Moreover, your money is well spent with Sony headphones but, if insistent on getting the premium sound and noise-canceling prowess, opt for higher-budget headphones as they are built with better components and offer more.

4. Design/ Comfort

Choose the headphone that defines you, your lifestyle and offers more convenience. Also, pick out a pair that is comfortable with you as that contributes to your overall listening experience.

5. Battery life

As a rule, especially for wireless listeners, buy headphones with a respectable battery run-time and fast charging features so that you rarely run out of juice.

6. Connectivity

Do you prefer wireless or wired headsets? It’s worth noting that wireless headphones are more convenient but wired headphones offer better sound quality. It might be wise to buy one that offers both connectivity options.

7. Warranty

The warranty has you covered in case of any manufacturer’s issues such as faulty products. Ensure your headphones have a minimum warranty so that you are never in a fix when it comes to repairing.

Conclusion

Sony is quite adept at delivering excellent headphones that deliver quality sound, even with their low-priced models. Sony’s noise-canceling headphones are the best that Sony has to offer and they are a force to be reckoned with. However, for this, you may spend a bit more as they have a premium price tag but it is worth the price.