Sony WH-ULT900N

Sony's bass-first ANC headphone. The ULT button is the party trick — two stages of low-end boost that run from generous to physical — but underneath sits a competent wireless over-ear: solid noise cancelling, built-in microphones for calls, about thirty hours per charge, and a 3.5 mm socket for wired listening when the battery is done.

It suits bass-led genres — electronic, hip-hop, gym playlists — and anyone who finds polite headphones boring. It is not the refined choice: the WH-1000XM5 cancels harder, calls cleaner and resolves more. This one costs roughly half and grins more. Three finishes; the same headphone inside each.