Audio-Technica QuietPoint ATH-ANC900BT

The ANC900BT brings near-top ANC and excellent sound at a price that can hit $149. The mic is a letdown, but for pure music listening, it's a ridiculous deal when you find the low price.

Audio-Technica's QuietPoint ATH-ANC900BT headphones pack serious noise-cancelling chops at a price that can dip surprisingly low. You get top-tier ANC and sound that falls just short of the absolute best, all in a comfortable, foldable design that's easy to throw in a bag. They won't turn heads at a coffee shop, but they'll keep your playlist immersive and the outside world at bay.

But while they nail the listening experience, the mic is a real weak spot. Call quality is mediocre at best, so if you're on back-to-back Zoom meetings, these aren't your headphones. For pure music and travel, though, they're a steal when you find them closer to $149.

Noise cancellation here is genuinely impressive, landing in the top tier of our database and giving Sony and Bose a run for their money. Music sounds rich and detailed thanks to aptX and AAC support, and with sound quality in the 92nd percentile, you're getting high-res audio that handles everything from bass-heavy tracks to acoustic sets without breaking a sweat. Battery life is a solid 35 hours, above average but not class-leading, while comfort holds up well for long sessions. The mic, on the other hand, drags the whole package down at just average for the category, making calls a muddy affair.

Pricing is all over the place, with listings between $149 and $425. At the low end, these are an absolute bargain for the ANC and sound you're getting. At full price, you're stepping into Sony XM6 territory, where you'll get a better mic and smarter features. If you can snag them for under $200, the value is hard to beat, just double-check which store name has the best deal before you click buy.

Stacked against the Sony WH-1000XM6, Audio-Technica hangs in there on noise cancelling and sound, but loses badly on call quality and smart features like speak-to-chat. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 sounds a touch richer and lasts longer, while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra edges ahead in comfort and ANC consistency. The ATH-ANC900BT's ace is price: when on sale, it undercuts all of them and still delivers 90% of the listening experience. If your calls don't matter, you'll save a chunk of change.

Skip these if call quality matters at all. The mic is below average and you'll sound far away to the person on the other end. Look at the Sony WH-1000XM6 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra for clear, natural-sounding calls.

Buy these if you want flagship-grade ANC and sound without the flagship price, and you rarely take calls through your headphones. They're ideal for music lovers who commute, fly, or just need focus time. The weak mic is the trade-off, so if you're always on the phone, budget a bit more elsewhere.