MacBook Air M4 Buying Advice for UK Shoppers
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MacBook Air M4 buying advice for UK shoppers: compare 13-inch and 15-inch prices, 256GB and 512GB storage, memory and M5 value before you buy.
Sony WH-1000XM6 is the strongest choice for active noise cancellation (ANC), Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) suit listeners who prioritise maximum isolation, and Apple AirPods Max 2 are the premium over-ear option for people already using Apple products. For a lower-cost pair, Sony WH-CH720N offers ANC, multipoint Bluetooth and up to 35 hours of battery life.
This guide compares over-ear headphones, wireless earbuds, Bluetooth headphones with microphones and children’s models.
| Best for | Model | Key reason to consider it | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best ANC | Sony WH-1000XM6 | TechRadar’s active-noise-cancellation pick; up to 30 hours’ battery | £349 at Currys |
| Best premium isolation | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) | What Hi-Fi? rates it slightly ahead of the Sony for maximum isolation | £349.95 at Bose |
| Best Apple over-ear option | Apple AirPods Max 2 | Adaptive ANC, call microphones and up to 20 hours’ battery | £499 |
| Best budget over-ear | Sony WH-CH720N | ANC, multipoint Bluetooth and up to 35 hours’ battery | £69.99 at Currys |
Prices shown are UK prices checked on 7 September 2026 and can change after publication.
These six picks cover premium ANC, affordable over-ear headphones, Apple devices, calls and children’s listening. Sony is the strongest ANC choice, Bose leads on the cited isolation assessment, and Apple is the premium over-ear option for users already in the Apple ecosystem.
Sony WH-1000XM6 is the best starting point if your priority is reducing outside noise on trains, aeroplanes or in a busy office. TechRadar selects it for active noise cancellation, while Currys lists ANC, fast charging and up to 30 hours of battery life. Currys lists the price at £349, compared with a previous price of £399.
Choose it when you want a premium all-round over-ear design and strong noise reduction. The lower-cost Sony WH-CH720N is more sensible if you mainly need basic ANC and long battery life.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are the premium choice for listeners who want particularly effective isolation. What Hi-Fi? considers Bose slightly better than Sony WH-1000XM6 for maximum sound isolation in Quiet mode.
Bose lists CustomTune, active noise cancellation and a comfort-focused design. Battery life is up to 30 hours, or 23 hours with Immersive Audio enabled. Bose UK lists the price at £349.95. This is the model to shortlist for frequent travel or long periods of listening where isolation matters more than keeping the purchase price low.
Apple AirPods Max 2 cost £499 from Apple UK and Currys. Apple lists up to 20 hours of battery life with ANC, while Currys describes the headphones as having adaptive active noise cancellation and microphones for calls.
They make the most sense for someone already invested in Apple products and looking for a premium, full-size listening experience. The shorter stated battery life than the Sony WH-1000XM6, Bose QuietComfort Ultra and Sony WH-CH720N is worth considering if you regularly spend long periods away from a charger.
Sony WH-1000XM5 remains a worthwhile alternative to the newest Sony flagship. What Hi-Fi? places it second after the WH-1000XM6, partly because it is sold for less. Sony says the model uses several microphones for noise cancellation and automatic ANC optimisation.
Pick the XM5 when its price is clearly below the XM6 and you still want a premium Sony over-ear model. The older model may offer better value during a reduction.
Sony WH-CH720N is the clearest budget recommendation in the list. Currys lists it at £69.99 with active noise cancellation, Bluetooth multipoint and up to 35 hours of battery life.
Bluetooth multipoint allows compatible headphones to maintain connections with more than one device, which is useful when switching between a laptop and phone. Choose the WH-CH720N for commuting, everyday music and calls when you want the over-ear format without paying premium prices. The Sony WH-1000XM6 offers a more advanced ANC proposition, but this model covers the essential features for much less.
Sony ULT Wear costs £99 at Currys, compared with a previous price of £129 according to the product listing. It has active noise cancellation, fast charging and up to 30 hours of battery life.
This model belongs on your shortlist if you want Sony’s over-ear format, ANC and long battery life at a mid-budget price. The WH-CH720N is cheaper, while the WH-1000XM6 is the more appropriate step up when your main concern is the strongest available noise reduction.
Choose wireless over-ear headphones for longer listening sessions, physical ear coverage and a conventional headband fit. Models such as Sony WH-1000XM6, Bose QuietComfort Ultra and Apple AirPods Max 2 are the main choices here.
Choose wireless earbuds for a smaller, lighter format that is easier to carry. JBL Live Pro 2 True Wireless is a listed example, with up to 40 hours of total battery life: 10 hours in the earbuds and 30 hours in the charging case. Earbuds can be convenient for commuting, short walks and calls, but the fit is more dependent on the individual ear.
| Type | Best suited to | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Over-ear | Travel, office use and long listening sessions | Comfort, ANC, battery life and microphone performance |
| Wireless earbuds | Portability, everyday use and exercising | Fit, case battery, water-resistance rating and ANC |
| On-ear children’s headphones | Young listeners and family devices | Volume protection, parental controls and fit |
JBL Junior 320BT are wireless on-ear headphones for children with JBL Safe Sound and parental-control features. JBL describes them as children’s headphones, and Currys lists them as wireless Bluetooth headphones for children.
They are the most directly suitable choice in this guide for families looking for a child-focused model. Check that the fit is appropriate for the child and use the parental-control functions before handing them over.
Yes, provided the model has microphones designed for calls and the fit is comfortable enough for extended conversations. Apple AirPods Max 2 have microphones for calls, Bose QuietComfort Wireless Headphones have microphones for calls, and Sony’s premium models are positioned as over-ear communication devices with ANC features.
For work calls, prioritise a stable Bluetooth connection, comfortable ear pads and controls that are easy to reach. ANC can reduce surrounding noise for the wearer, but it does not automatically guarantee that the person on the other end will hear you clearly.
ANC is worth paying for when you regularly listen in loud environments and want to reduce outside noise. Sony WH-1000XM6, Bose QuietComfort Ultra, Sony WH-CH720N, Sony ULT Wear, Bose QuietComfort Wireless Headphones and Beats Studio Pro all have ANC listed in the supplied product information.
For a quiet home or occasional listening, a non-ANC model may be sufficient. ANC also adds electronics and makes battery management part of everyday use. Compare the price difference with how often you travel, commute or work around background noise. TechRadar’s category choice is the Sony WH-1000XM6, while What Hi-Fi?’s isolation assessment gives the Bose QuietComfort Ultra an edge in Quiet mode.
Wireless headphones are worth buying when freedom from a cable, easy movement and simple Bluetooth listening matter more than charging. They are particularly convenient for commuting, travel, work and calls.
Some people choose wired headphones because wireless models need charging and can involve Bluetooth delay, electronic waste and battery-life concerns. A wired pair remains the better fit when you want a battery-free solution.
Sony WH-1000XM6 is the strongest choice for active noise cancellation, according to TechRadar. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are the better choice for maximum isolation in What Hi-Fi?’s assessment, while Apple AirPods Max 2 are the premium Apple over-ear option. For a lower-cost purchase, Sony WH-CH720N combines ANC, multipoint Bluetooth and up to 35 hours of battery life at £69.99 at Currys.
Some listeners choose wired models because wireless headphones need charging and can introduce Bluetooth delay, electronic waste and battery-life concerns. A wired connection also avoids relying on a battery during listening.
Sony is the strongest choice for the supported ANC recommendation, Bose is the better fit for maximum isolation, and Apple is the premium over-ear choice for people already using Apple products. JBL is worth considering for wireless earbuds and children’s headphones.
Yes, if you value cable-free movement, convenient Bluetooth connection and portability. Wireless headphones suit commuting, travel, office work and calls. A wired model is more suitable if you want to avoid charging or keep using headphones without relying on a battery.
