The verdict in 10 seconds
Best Sonos
Sonos AceSupremely comfortable, strong noise cancelling, with some software quirksSuits you if
- You wear headphones for hours and comfort comes first
- You travel or commute and want long battery life with strong noise cancelling
- You own a compatible Sonos soundbar and want private late-night TV audio
Best Sony
Sony WF-1000XM5Superb sound and strong quiet, as long as they fit youSuits you if
- You commute or fly often and want the drone of engines and traffic quieted
- Sound quality matters most to you and you like adjusting the sound in an app
- You use an Android phone and switch between two devices
The short version
Sony is the stronger brand for noise cancelling headphones right now. The best single model of the two is the Sony WF-1000XM5, which suits you if you commute or fly often and want the drone of engines and traffic quieted.
We researched 44 expert reviews, analyzed 70,197 owner ratings and comments across 25 sources for every Sonos and Sony model we cover, and cross-checked them into one verdict, so you don't have to.
See the evidence
Brand scoreboardAverage score 68 vs 77 · reliability 56 vs 68
| Sonos | Sony | |
|---|---|---|
| Product Review score | 68 | 77 |
| Experts | 76 | 88 |
| Owners | 67 | 72 |
| Reliability | 56 | 68 |
| Models scored | 1 | 3 |
| Most reliable model | Sonos Ace | Sony WF-1000XM5 |
Averages across scored models. ● marks the better number on each row.
Quick answers
Which is better, Sonos or Sony?
Sony, on balance. Its models do better overall.
Based on: Average Product Review score 68 for Sonos vs 77 for Sony.Which brand is more reliable, Sonos or Sony?
Sony. Its models are less likely to give you trouble.
Based on: Average reliability 56 vs 68.What is the best Sonos noise cancelling headphones?
The Sonos Ace. It suits you if you wear headphones for hours and comfort comes first.
Based on: Highest Product Review score among Sonos models (68).What is the best Sony noise cancelling headphones?
The Sony WF-1000XM5. It suits you if you commute or fly often and want the drone of engines and traffic quieted.
Based on: Highest Product Review score among Sony models (79).