Sony's new around-the-neck style wireless headphone, the WI-1000X, costs a whopping $300 (£300, AU$449). Why so much? Well, it's one of the few in-ear wireless headphones with active noise cancelling and also packs in several other features, including Atmospheric Pressure Optimizing that's supposed to help optimize noise-cancelling performance on planes.

The pricey around-the-neck WI-1000X wireless noise-cancelling headphone is set to take on Bose's QuietComfort 30.

Finding a decent wireless noise cancelling headphone that has a good battery life and great sound can be tough. But finding one that's in-ear and lasts more than 8-hours is even harder. The Sony WI-1000X wireless noise-canceling headphone may just be the answer.

The best of both worlds - great sound and noise-cancelling capabilities - make these a smart choice

Punchy bass; Insightful midrange; Well balanced; Range of noise-cancelling modes

Neckband could be more flexible

If you can't stand over-ear headphones, the Sony WI-1000X are a great in-ear alternative. The inclusion of aptX HD support makes the Sonys one of the best wireless headphones we've heard. While battery life may just be average, the WI-1000X are a great set of headphones for audiophiles on the go.

Audiophile wireless sound; Good noise cancellation; Unique features

Average battery life; Adaptive Sound Control is slow; No multi-point connection

not very useful in noise cancelling, even qc20 is better. But in general, is ok

Completely cutting the cord is great and all, but not at the expense of battery life. Truly wireless in-ears can get you through a short commute, but they’ll be deader than a dial-up modem before you’ve even reached the mid-way point of a long haul flight. The WI-1000X is a fantastic mid-way point, untethering you from your smartphone but finding room in the neckband for a significantly bigger battery. You haven’t got to worry about losing an earbud with these, either. They sound fantastic, arguably more so than Sony’s own WF-1000X in-ears, do an excellent job at silencing the outside world, and don’t dominate your head like a pair of over- or on-ear cans might. Frequent flyers that don’t like full-size headphones should absolutely pick up a pair.

Great sound balance; Excellent, versatile noise cancelling; Long battery life;

Neckband is a bit too rigid;

Great sound balance; Excellent, versatile noise cancelling; Long battery life;

Neckband is a bit too rigid;

Sony's earphone game is getting stronger by the year, with its latest wireless earphones being testimony to that improvement. The WI-1000X are, without doubt, among the best in-ears we've tested in a while.

Brilliant customisable sound; Well-made and premium looks; Solid wireless connectivity; Versatile noise-cancelling and ambient sound control

Could be more comfortable to wear in-ear; Battery improvements would be welcome; Micro-USB rather than USB-C recharging

One of the best portable headphone devices we've seen in a while, truly hitting all the right notes when it comes to noise cancelling and travel-centric features.

Comfortable; Feature packed; Sound quality

None

Good sound, music from phone with aptxHD support sounds amazing! Finally we can forget the wires. Battery time also as promised. 1 disapointment - those earbuds can not be used while charging. Otherwise very satisfied.