Question 03 · Headphones · Field checked Jul 2026
What is my next headphones?
An honest answer for every budget, re-judged as the market moves — and the one I’d put my own money on, crowned. No “it depends.”
BudgetThe answerPrice
Best under ₹36,000
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
₹35,900
Why it might win
Plusher fit, superb call quality
Why it might not
Battery trails Sony by a full workday
Judged best under ₹36,000 — but not crowned.
Where it placed →
OR
Money no object
AirPods Max 2
₹59,900
Why it might win
Lush build, seamless with Apple gear
Why it might not
Heavy, and ₹20k more for the privilege
Judged money no object — but not crowned.
Where it placed →
OR
The answer.
My pick
Sony WH-1000XM6
₹39,990
Why it might win
Best-in-class ANC, 30-hour battery, folds flat
Why it might not
Looks are sensible rather than lovely
“Puts a duvet over Indian traffic. I write whole articles inside these.”
Prices from Amazon.in at time of writing. When the answer is something I own long-term, it gets a full write-up on thisismynext.in. Brands: got a contender for this fight? Long-term review units welcome — they never buy the verdict.