Sony ULT WEAR WHULT900N/B

Sony's ULT WEAR marries flagship 1000X noise canceling with massive, customizable bass. Our tests rank it 99th percentile for connectivity and 98th for ANC, making it a top performer at a budget-friendly price—just plan on EQ'ing the muddy default sound. At the low price of $122, it's a killer deal.

The 40mm neodymium drivers support LDAC and Hi-Res audio, and once you EQ out the bloat they sound crisp and detailed. ANC performance sits in the 98th percentile of our database, right up there with headphones costing twice as much. Battery life hits the claimed 30 hours and the 3-minute quick charge nets 90 minutes of play. On the downside, comfort is just average with middling clamp force, and the mic gets noisy outdoors despite the four-mic array. Commute scoring came in at a weak 70.8, largely because the bulky build doesn't stay put during movement.

Stacked against the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4, the Sony can't match its pristine out-of-the-box tuning or premium build, but the ULT WEAR stomps on bass impact and costs a fraction as much. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra offers more comfort and a slightly more refined ANC, but you'll pay a heavy premium. The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 delivers a more luxurious build and detailed soundstage, yet it's in a completely different price bracket. The TOZO HT3 is the wildcard here, undercutting even the Sony on price while offering solid ANC, though it can't touch the ULT WEAR's bass depth or app support. For bassheads on a budget, this Sony is a standout.

Pricing on the ULT WEAR is all over the map—we've spotted listings from $122 all the way to a baffling $13,990. Obviously skip that absurd high end. At the low end, you're getting flagship-level ANC and a bass-heavy experience that undercuts every major competitor. The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra cost significantly more, yet this Sony trades blows on noise canceling and connectivity. If you snag them near that $122 mark, it's an absolute steal.

Sony took the noise canceling chops from its flagship 1000X line and cranked the bass knob to eleven with the ULT WEAR. These over-ears deliver genuinely impressive ANC and a fun, thumping sound signature, but the default tuning is a muddy mess that demands a trip to the companion app. The physical ULT button is equal parts party trick and headache inducer, depending on your tolerance for skull-rattling low end.

Skip these if you demand a crisp, audiophile-friendly sound straight out of the box—the default profile is muddy and needs app tweaking. Gym-goers will also want something more secure, like true wireless earbuds. And if you're eyeing that $13,990 listing, just... no.

If you love deep, controlled bass and want noise canceling that rivals headphones costing twice as much, the Sony ULT WEAR is a no-brainer—just be ready to customize the EQ. Commuters who need maximum ANC should note the big build, and gym rats will want something more secure. But for home listening, gaming, and travel, this is one of the best values out there.