Look, the Sony and Bose entries into our best headphones guide are good cans. They're both very comfortable, sound good, and offer otherwise unrivalled ANC. But they're very... safe.
They don't do anything different, barely shaking up the design category, or taking their sound profiles to different and more interesting places. They're the headphones for the everyday person, and that means, in my eyes at least, that they're... kind of boring.
And here's the thing. There are headphones you can buy for a similar price (and even less) that do more interesting things with the medium. That focus on a particular facet — be that sound, style, or battery life — and stand out from the otherwise identikit sea of similar headphones.
My top pick: Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3
This year has been a weird one for the previous class leaders. We gave both the WH-1000XM6 and the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones gen 2 four stars in their reviews, after years of 4.5 and 5 stars for their predecessors. Which headphones received a better score this year?
The competition has finally caught up with Sony and Bose, and the PX7 S3 merely highlight how difficult the job has become. While the noise canceling might not be quite as powerful, they put more focus on other parts of the formula – namely, sounding really, really good.
They're a wholly more musical and engaging listen than the Sony and Bose options. They bring more detail to the table, while going even lower into the frequency range. The sound is bigger in almost every direction, even if the soundstage is more intimate than expansive.
There are other spots where B&W has overtaken the competition. The build of the PX7 S3 is unlike anything at the same price, and they're more comfortable for long periods of time. The protective case is better too. It's sturdier and more protective. The physical controls are clicky and responsive, no matter what weather you're in — something that can't be said of the touch controls on the alternatives.
The sound focus makes them a far more compelling buy than either the Sony or Bose options in 2026 — and it makes me really excited to see what the future holds for Bowers & Wilkins.
Something a bit cheaper: Cambridge Melomania P100 SE
If you want really good headphones, you gotta spend a few more dollars than something super cheap. But you don't need to spend near $500 to get something that's epic. Case in point: Cambridge's Melomania P100 SE. They cost $299, a whole $150 less than the Sony and Bose cans.
And they beat them in some key areas.
They're not trying to be the kings of everything like the XM6 and QC Ultra 2, so they make some concessions. The case is big and bulky, their features not as extensive — but that's given Cambridge the opportunity to look at more important things. Like sound. And battery life.
The Melomania P100 SE last for 60 hours with the ANC turned on. That's double the battery of both the Sony and Bose options, and more than the Bowers & Wilkins above. Turn the ANC off and they'll last for 100 hours, making them some of the longest-lasting headphones you can buy today.
The sound is extremely clean, but also weighty and meaty. You can really get your teeth into a listening session, savoring each mouthful of delicious music-steak. They're engaging, fun, and revealing all at the same time. For the price, nothing sounds better.
If I had $300 to buy a new pair of headphones I'm pretty spoilt for choice — but I would go for these. They're different enough to stand out from the crowd physically, and their battery life and sound seal the deal.
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