Unsurprisingly, the XM6 are the best noise-canceling headphones the company has ever made. The updated drivers deliver outstanding sound quality and clearer vocals than Sony’s last-gen model, while a new noise-cancellation chip renders them even more adept at blocking out ambient noise.

With noise-canceling activated, I can work in a busy café or library without distraction. And when it’s time to leave, switching to transparency mode at the push of a button ensures I’m safely aware of my surroundings as I make my way to my destination.

Our electronics writer brought the AirPods Max and Sony XM6 everywhere, from his last vacation to his daily commute, to find out which pair of noise-canceling headphones reigns supreme.

The T3 Awards 2025 is a celebration of this year's best products, highlighting the best-of-best across the site's three core pillars – Tech, Active, Home – and the quality over the last 12 months has been second to none. In addition to Best Headphones & Audio, be sure to also check out our Best Tech and Best TVs Awards features.

Music lovers, gamers, and remote workers—listen up! The UAE has a booming headphones market, and Tbreak.com has researched to bring you the very best.