Bose, Sony, Beats or Skullcandy: Which ANC Headphones Win?

The Bose QuietComfort Headphones are our top pick for most people who want strong noise cancelling, all-day comfort and a proven track record. They suit commuters, frequent flyers and office workers who would rather pay a fair price for a safe choice than chase the newest flagship.

If you want to spend less, the Beats Studio Pro offers the best value here. Bass fans on a tighter budget should look at the Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2. The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the newest and most expensive model, but its owner rating trails the rest of the group.

How the four compare at a glance

All four are over-ear wireless headphones with active noise cancelling, and all are sold by Amazon.com. They differ in price, battery life and owner satisfaction.

• Bose QuietComfort Headphones: 4.5 stars from over 22,000 reviews, up to 24 hours of battery.
• Beats Studio Pro: 4.5 stars from almost 29,000 reviews, up to 40 hours, discounted from its list price.
• Sony WH-1000XM6: 4.2 stars from about 5,300 reviews, the highest price in the group.
• Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2: 4.6 stars from about 4,700 reviews, up to 60 hours, the cheapest option.

Bose QuietComfort Headphones: the safe all-rounder

The Bose QuietComfort Headphones pair active noise cancelling with plush cushions and a padded band, which matters if you wear headphones for hours at a time. Quiet and Aware modes let you switch between blocking out the world and hearing announcements or colleagues.

With 4.5 stars from more than 22,000 reviews, few headphones have this much owner feedback behind them. The weak spots are a 24-hour battery, the shortest listed here, and a price that is no bargain. This listing is a limited-edition Twilight Blue, so if you want a different color, check the other variants.

Beats Studio Pro: the best value

The Beats Studio Pro is discounted 17% from its list price and has the largest review count in this comparison, with the same 4.5-star average as the Bose. It promises up to 40 hours of battery, a Transparency mode, and one-touch pairing with both Apple and Android devices.

It is also the only model here whose listing mentions both USB-C lossless audio and a 3.5mm wired option, handy on planes or with older gear. The listing does not make comfort claims the way Bose does, and Beats tuning is often bass-forward, which not every listener wants.

Sony WH-1000XM6: the priciest flagship

The Sony WH-1000XM6 is Sony's latest flagship, with adaptive real-time noise cancellation from a multi-mic system, a custom-designed driver, and tuning done with mastering audio engineers. On paper, it is the most ambitious model here.

The catch is value. It costs about $100 more than the Bose with no discount shown, and its 4.2-star rating is the lowest of the four. The battery life is not listed in the data we received. Buy it if you specifically want Sony's newest noise-cancelling tech and are willing to pay for it.

Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2: big bass, small price

The Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 stands apart with haptic bass from dual bass drivers that you can physically feel, plus adjustable four-mic noise cancelling. Its up to 60-hour battery with rapid charge is the longest in the group.

At 29% off list, it is the cheapest option and has the highest star rating, though that rating comes from fewer reviews than the Bose or Beats. The haptic bass is a love-it-or-hate-it feature, and fans of a neutral sound or the strongest possible noise cancelling will probably be happier with the pricier models.

Which one should you buy?

Pick the Bose QuietComfort Headphones for comfort and dependable noise cancelling. Choose the Beats Studio Pro to save money without giving up battery life or ratings. Go for the Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 if bass and battery come first. Consider the Sony WH-1000XM6 only if you want the newest flagship and its price does not bother you.