Sony WH-1000XM2

Excellent sound ; Touch controls work well ; Effective and adaptive noise cancellation ; aptX HD support

B&W PX has slightly better audio quality ; Bose QC35 II has slightly more effective NC

The best just got better.

Superb noise-canceling ; Great-sounding audio ; 30-hour battery life

Hinges are fragile ; Touch controls

The Sony WH-1000XM2 improves upon the original flagship headphones. They sound great, deftly wield noise cancelation technology and cost just as much as a pair of Bose QC35s. They might have a slightly shorter battery life than the QC35, but the...

Exceedingly comfortable ; Noise cancelling doesn't get any better ; Long battery life

Fiddly touch controls ; Sound quality has been surpassed by better rivals ; MicroUSB charging is so very 2016

The key difference maker for me is the $299.99 price of the 1000XM2s. That’s at least $30 south of the Bose QuietComfort 35s — and I’m confident both 1000X models from Sony offer superior sound and performance than Bose — and a full $100 cheaper than...

Powerful audio performance with fine-tunable EQ (in app). Solid noise cancellation with adjustable parameters (in app). Comfortable.

Expensive. Noise cancellation has subtle effect on audio.

The WH-1000XM2 sounds great and can be tweaked in the EQ department according to taste. It's easy to operate, and the app gives you extra levels of control over the high quality noise cancellation circuitry. The Bose QuietComfort 35 II is still king of...

Excellent timing ; Loads of detail ; Refined, smooth highs ; Punchy, confident lows ; Impressive noise-cancelling

Touchpad controls take a little bit of getting used to

Sony’s on a roll with its premium noise-cancelling headphones. This is another pair that’s going to be tough to beat

Great sound quality ; Class-leading noise cancellation ; Customisation of modes ; Comfortable

Automatic mode switching is a little rough

In the WH-1000XM2, Sony has created perhaps the best noise-cancelling over-ear headphones that we've ever tested. Having put in a strong performance in the original guise, the second coming delivers a repeat performance - with a little extra.

If you are in the market for the top of the line noise cancelling Bluetooth headphones, these headphones ought to be your first choice. Competitors like Bose QuietComfort 35 II are on the same level in terms of quality and price. You’ll find cheaper...

Several differently sized silicone and foam tip options. In-line remote. Flexible silicone neckband.

Lower battery life than previous model.

Okay for neutral sound. The Sony WI-1000XM2 have both recessed bass and treble, making notes in both ranges dull and veiled. While good for casual use, fans of neutral sound might not like the lifeless sound profile. However, if this isn't to your...

Excellent noise cancellation. ; Great active features and app support. ; Comfortable and premium looking design.

Poor latency for watching videos. ; Not ideal for making calls.