With release the WH-1000 series of noise-cancelling headphones, Sony has secured a leading position in the market since early 2017. An updated version can be anticipated from the manufacturer almost every year. The latest to look forward to: the WH-1000XM3.

For more than a year Sony's WH-1000XM3 has been the highest-rated wireless noise-canceling headphone on CNET, and it's still my favorite overall. It's still hard to beat its combination of design, features and performance -- both its sound and noise-canceling capabilities. Priced at $350, £330 or AU$499, the WH-1000XM3 is regularly discounted to $300 and sometimes less.

With its comfortable fit and superb performance, the Sony WH-1000XM3 is the noise-canceling headphone to beat.

The excellent-sounding Sony WH-1000XM3 is more comfortable and 20% lighter than its predecessor; It offers slightly improved noise canceling and performs better as a headset for making calls; Battery life is strong, and it has some nifty extra features geared toward frequent travelers.

Your ears can get a little warm inside the ear cups; I encountered some adaptive noise-canceling hiccups.

In recent years, Sony has been one of the few serious contenders to dethrone Bose as the top manufacturer of noise-cancelling Bluetooth headphones. In terms of audio performance, its new $349.99 WH-1000XM3 headphones come out on top, with drivers that deliver excellent bass depth and high-frequency clarity, with in-app EQ to dial in your preferences if the sound signature is a bit too bass-heavy or bright for your taste. The ANC (active noise cancellation) is also fantastic, though Bose still has a slight edge there. Ultimately, the Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones are for those who place audio performance on a higher pedestal than noise cancellation—but still want excellent examples of both—and earn our Editors' Choice alongside the QuietComfort 35 II. Design Available in beige or black, the circumaural (over-ear) WH-1000XM3 headphones are, from a physical perspective, all about comfort and less about style. The materials used and the matte finishes look clean and project an air of und...

Sony's WH-1000XM3 headphones feature some of the best audio performance we've heard paired from a pair that also boasts excellent noise cancellation.

Excellent audio performance with superb bass depth and high-frequency clarity; High-quality noise cancellation; App includes adjustable EQ and ANC controls; Plush, comfortable fit

Expensive; ANC affects sound signature slightly; Cable lacks inline remote

Without a doubt, the Sony are a fantastic pair of headphones, offering a good sound experience, excellent noise canceling (including the Adaptive Sound Control), the call quality is above average and the build quality is decent.

One of the best gets better, as the Sony WH-1000XM3 packs killer sound and noise cancellation into a slender design.

Class-leading sound; Stellar noise cancellation; Excellent battery life; Lighter; comfier design; Intuitive features and touch controls; Tons of sound-customizing settings via Sony Connect app

Aesthetics feel less premium than on previous model; Call quality could be better

Following up our pick for best wireless headphones, best noise cancelling headphones, and best headphones of 2017-Sony released a slightly-upgraded monster in the WH-1000XM3. Virtually identical to the model it replaces, incremental upgrades over the best isn't exactly a bad thing.

Great ANC; Good sound quality; Comfort; Portability; USB-C charge port; 3.5mm aux port

Price

Exceptional sound quality and noise cancellation

Great sound quality; great noise cancellation

Expensive; touch sensitive controls can take a little getting used to; Expensive; touch sensitive controls can take a little getting used to

Sony has released the third generation of its WH-1000x series noise cancelling headphones a minor upgrade from its predecessor that goes a long way

Excellent noise cancellation performance; Great battery life; Headphone connect app offers plenty of useful customisation options

Exposed charging and 3.5mm port susceptible to liquid damage; Sound signature is slightly bass-biased

Sony is onto another winner once again – I suspect I will be seeing these headphones more and more in aircraft cabins. Highly recommended.

+ Comfortable fit and great weight distribution; better finishing and copper highlights make it an even more premium product; improved sound quality and noise cancelling from the 1000X and 1000XM2, almost nothing to fault in its class; improvement in soundstage width and depth; bass now has good...

– The touch controls are still somewhat fiddly for volume and track control; they takes some getting used to

I usually don't write reviews of any kind. And the only reason I'm submitting one now is because Crutchfield prompted me to do so. That said, I really like these headphones!! I've only been using them for about two weeks. The experience thus far has been excellent. Hence, the five star rating.

Sound Quality; It's incredibly contours to whatever you're listening; There's the right amount of bass, midsized, and highs

I'm not a fan of the type of black coating Sony chose; Matte black looks and feels better; By the way, hold onto these headphones securely at all times; They will most certainly slip out of your hands and fall to the ground thanks in part to the wonderful paint job I just commented on