Technology

Excel's SWITCH is a logical function that is primarily used for data manipulation. It evaluates an expression against a list of values, and returns a result corresponding to the first matching value.

Let's face it. Apple simply isn't targeting yearly upgrades like it did years ago. It's not surprising; smartphones aren't as exciting as they were back then. There are no game-changing features to debut anymore.

I've been collecting DVDs, Blu-rays, VHS tapes, cassettes, and vinyl records for about 15 years. In spite of the renewed interest in physical media that we've seen in 2026, I'm almost certain that it's just a trend, and my expectations for the future are more or less pessimistic. I don't believe that there will be a successor to Blu-ray, and I expect to see a lot of media enthusiasts offloading their collections in the next decade.

Windows 11 is a widely adopted operating system in the PC world; hence, Microsoft tries to push its apps and services by default. While most PC geeks are aware of this and clean up their system right after setting up the OS, there's a high chance you might not have. Microsoft's key offerings and services on Windows 11, like Widgets, the Edge browser, OneDrive, Teams, and Copilot, silently eat up your memory during OS startup or in the background and increase your CPU load.

I don't know about you, but I feel like Wi-Fi hasn't fundamentally changed in years. New Wi-Fi standards are constantly improving throughput and efficiency, such as the introduction of the 6GHz band with Wi-Fi 6E, but why hasn't Wi-Fi evolved in the opposite direction, too?

I've used Adobe applications for many years, since the good old days when you didn't have to pay every month to keep using your software. Premiere Pro has always been my go-to video editing tool, but it's expensive and often overkill for many video editing projects. On a whim, I decided to see what Codex could do using a few free and open-source tools, and the results were impressive enough that I said goodbye to Premiere Pro.

Linux history is full of projects that thrived for years before their stewards walked away. Some faded quietly, others ended abruptly, and all left devoted communities behind. Unfortunately, many maintainers barely get paid for their work, so it often becomes a passion project. And passions fade. Here are just some examples of that.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Day (Espeon) and Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Night (Umbreon) are available to preorder now on Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokemon Company Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Day (Espeon) $694.88 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Night (Umbreon) $685.98 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon

If you thought Pokémon TCG collectors were already losing their minds over 30th Celebration Booster Bundles and Elite Trainer Boxes, Amazon just opened preorders for the crown jewel of the anniversary expansion: the 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collections.

Both high-end boxes are currently available for preorder at Amazon for under $700 ahead of their official Nov. 6 release date.

As the ultimate flagship products for the 30th Celebration set, both Ultra-Premium Collections come packed with 29 30th Celebration booster packs, one Classic Collection booster pack, custom metal coins, deck boxes, card sleeves, and damage-counter dice. Of course, the real driver behind the hype comes from the exclusive promo cards:

• Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Day (Espeon): Includes the exclusive Espeon ex promo card with a Daytime Pikachu ex promo card and an Espeon playmat.

• Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Night (Umbreon): Includes the exclusive Umbreon ex promo card with a Futuristic-rarity Pikachu ex promo card and an Umbreon playmat.

The big question when buying trading cards on Amazon is whether or not you're actually getting value for money. Amazon is a reliable pick for finding readily available stock, but you often pay above market price.

TCGplayer's market price for the Day Box is currently $560.87 so there's a decent markup from Amazon here. The market price for the Night Box is $659.98, so the convenience of Amazon actually makes sense in this case.

Trump (James Austin Johnson) crashes a meeting between Prime Minister Andy Burnham (George Fouracres) and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Freddie Meredith) in the SNL UK cold open above, and he makes a request to swap jobs.

"I take over the the UK, you take America," says Trump/Johnson. "I tell you that place is a real mess, you're gonna hate it. It's an awful, awful job. It's a terrible place full of disgusting people. I don't know what the hell happened."

After Burnham refuses, Trump turns his attention to Zelenskyy — but the answer is still no. "Trust me, you don't want my job, it's awful," says Zelenskyy/Meredith. "So much of it involves spending time with you."

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Faced with the prospect of having someone house-sit in a few weeks, I suddenly need to make my smart home a little more accessible to guests. Smart switches are something I’ve yet to install, so my smart home still doesn’t function like a dumb home with augmentations.

Starbucks is teaming up with Disney for a 20-piece Starbucks x Winnie the Pooh collection celebrating 100 years of the Hundred Acre Wood. The limited-edition lineup drops on Oct. 20, delivering honey-drip cold cups, ceramic beehive mugs, and plush Bearista keychains.

It's an incredibly cute collection that is bound to cause a stir, but there's a catch. We hate to break it to you like this, but the collection is exclusive to the Asia-Pacific region.

Credit: Starbucks / Disney What’s in the Starbucks x Winnie the Pooh collection?

The 20-piece range mixes aesthetic drinkware with lifestyle accessories:

• Hunny Pot Tumblers and Cold Cups: Cold cups with honey-drip lids, golden-yellow straw toppers, and Pooh illustrations.

• Ceramic Beehive Mug: A textured, beehive-shaped ceramic mug featuring Pooh stuck in a honey pot entry.

• Bearista Costume Keychains and Phone Straps: Collectible Starbucks Bearistas dressed in plush costumes of Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, and Tigger.

• Packable Tote Bag: A reusable Hundred Acre Wood tote that folds into its own matching pouch.

Credit: Starbucks / Disney

We want everything, but here's where it gets complicated.

How to buy this collection?

If you live in North America or Europe, you won't find these on local Starbucks shelves.

On launch day (Oct. 20), the collection will be available at participating Starbucks coffeehouses in Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Unfortunately for collectors elsewhere, the secondary market is going to be your best bet.

Exporters will begin listing inventory from Oct. 20, but you should expect a significant markup over retail prices on high-demand pieces like the ceramic beehive mug and plush Bearista straps. Head over to eBay and good luck.

If you desperately want official Disney x Starbucks drinkware without paying reseller markups, the Disney Store regularly stocks collaboration tumblers that ship directly to U.S. and UK addresses. In fact, we've spotted a cute Winnie the Pooh tumbler going for $27.99.

TL;DR: The Magic: The Gathering Marvel Darkhold Destiny Arcanum Bundle is available to preorder for $99.99 at Amazon. That's over $100 below TCGplayer's current $200 market price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Magic:: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering Marvel Darkhold Destiny Arcanum Bundle $99.99 at Amazon
Get Deal at Amazon

Darkhold Destiny’s release date is still some time away, but we’re already seeing some major preorder price drops.

As of Oct. 19, the Magic: The Gathering Marvel Darkhold Destiny Arcanum Bundle is available to preorder for just $99.99 at Amazon. That's $100.01 cheaper than TCGplayer's $200 market price, where the cheapest unopened listing is also $200 with shipping included.

Admittedly, this market price almost definitely won’t hold for long, as there are currently only two sellers with just three recorded sellers — meaning it should taper off once more listings enter the market.

That said, the Amazon listing is not through a third party, which means this is very likely the best price we’ll get for the foreseeable future. While Amazon’s standard preorder price guarantee is included, bear in mind that any sales will be final, with no option for returns. 

SEE ALSO: Magic: The Gathering's Marvel Super Heroes Draft Night box is under market price — save $30 at Amazon

The Arcanum Bundle comes with eight Darkhold Destiny Booster Packs, one Collector Booster, and three Traditional Foil Mythic Rare promo cards. One of these is a mechanically unique card exclusive to this box. The other two feature special alternate artwork, selected from six possible cards.

There's also a collection of 30 Basic Lands, including 10 full-art versions, split evenly between foil and non-foil cards — with an oversized Spindown life counter and a matching storage box completing the package. What’s more, the included Collector Booster will grant you some added premium card treatments and a chance of finding an ultra-rare Headliner card, although the odds are less than 1%.

The Darkhold Destiny expansion comes out on April 9, 2027, and will bring a more supernatural story to Magic’s Marvel mythos, with heroes like Doctor Strange and Thor going up against Dormammu and Hela.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Poster Collection is on sale for $50.98 at Amazon, down from its $64.98 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Poster Collection $50.98 at Amazon
$64.98 Save $14.00   Get Deal at Amazon

The 30th Celebration expansion has been out in the Pokémon trading card market for a while now, but there’s still plenty of discounts worth grabbing as retailers race each other to drop record-low prices.

As of Oct. 19, the Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Poster Collection is available for just $50.98 at Amazon, saving you $14 on its $64.98 list price. This 22% discount comes from third-party seller Gem City Supplies, with free delivery estimated between Oct. 23-29. If you want yours as quickly as possible, you can spend $53.98 on BetterShopping4You's listing to get free delivery by Oct. 23 at the time of writing. 

The $50.98 price is officially the lowest price Amazon listings have ever offered (confirmed by the price tracker camelcamelcamel).

SEE ALSO: The Pokémon TCG Delta Reign Elite Trainer Box is close to market price at Amazon — buy for under $140

TCGplayer is the cheapest of all, offering a complete, unopened Poster Collection for $38.99, including shipping. That puts it only $2.21 above its estimated $36.78 market price.

The collection gives you three 30th Celebration booster packs, along with foil promo trading cards featuring the legendary Kanto birds Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres. There's also a double-sided poster measuring almost 27 by 39 inches, featuring artwork from over 160 Pokémon cards.

Each booster contains five foil Pokémon cards (including a guaranteed rare Pikachu card), a foil Basic Energy card, and a code card for Pokémon TCG Live.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Booster Bundle is on sale for $44.79 at Amazon, down from its $59.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Booster Bundle $44.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $15   Get Deal at Amazon

Despite all the buzz around the 30th Celebration and Delta Reign preorders, there are still deals on other Pokémon TCG expansions to be had. One of the very best right now is for Chaos Rising’s Booster Bundle. 

As of Oct. 19, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Booster Bundle is available for $44.79 at Amazon, shaving $15.20 off its $59.99 list price for a 25% discount. This particular listing comes from third-party seller Core TCG, with an additional 20-cent delivery charge bringing the total to $44.99. There are a couple of other third-party listings going for the same price, but Core TCG’s is the best — as it estimates the fastest delivery time (Oct. 26 at the time of writing).

SEE ALSO: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Booster Bundle is now on sale at Walmart — save $15

With this price drop, you’ll pay roughly $7.50 each for the Booster Bundle’s six included booster packs, saving you 47 cents per pack (currently $7.97 each on Amazon). 

Each of these six packs comes with 10 trading cards and one Basic Energy. The expansion’s biggest chase cards (available to buy individually on TCGplayer) include the SIR Mega Greninja ex worth $121, the MHR Mega Greninja ex worth $119, and the SIR Cinccino ex worth $41. 

SAVE OVER $20: As of Oct. 19, select colors of the Ninja Crispi glass air fryer are on sale for $152.95 at Amazon. That's $27.04 off their list price of $179.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Crispi Glass Air Fryer $152.95 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $27.04   Get Deal at Amazon

When it comes to kitchen appliances, we're big fans of Ninja. The Ninja Crispi is our favorite air fryer from the brand, earning a spot on our list of the best Ninja appliances for delivering "food that's crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside." If it's been on your radar, there's no need to wait for Black Friday. Amazon already has select colors marked down by 15%.

As of Oct. 19, both the navy and sage colors are discounted, dropping from $179.99 to $152.95. If you don't mind spending a tiny bit extra, the stone color variant is also on sale for a few cents more at $152.99. Keep in mind they all have a "limited time deal" tag right now, so the clock is ticking to grab them at this price.

SEE ALSO: The 65+ absolute best stocking stuffers for 2026

For those days when you want a quick and easy meal, the Ninja Crispi offers four modes — Max Crisp, Bake, Air Fry, and Recrisp — to help you out. Mashable's Samantha Mangino wrote in our roundup of the best Ninja appliances that it's also "made for meal preppers" as its design "allows you to meal prep and store food directly into glass baskets."

And since it uses glass containers for cooking, it doesn't have any PFAS, PTFE, or nonstick chemical coatings to worry about. Plus, the glass containers, crisper plates, adapter, and lids are dishwasher-safe, so cleanup afterward is quick and easy.

This deal may not be live for long, so now is the time to grab the Ninja Crispi while it's still on sale at Amazon.

TL;DR: Cadence launched The Pump ($30), a magnetic travel attachment for its refillable Capsules. Six years in the making, it features a flexible tube that fits Medium and Large sizes, an angled nozzle, and a lock-tight cap that prevents spills in your bag.

Opens in a new window Credit: Cadence Cadence The Pump $30 at Cadence
  Shop Now at Cadence

Refilling travel bottles with your favorite skincare or haircare products usually ends one of two ways: either you are stuck digging thick lotion out of a jar with your fingers, or a cheap squeeze bottle bursts inside your luggage. Design brand Cadence is smoothing out that middle ground with its newest release: The Pump.

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Designed to attach directly to Cadence’s signature refillable Capsules, the $30 accessory gives you a mess-free way to dispense liquids like sunscreen, lotions, shampoos, and body oils while on the go. Instead of sticking a basic off-the-shelf plastic straw onto a jar, Cadence spent six years testing 1,023 different iterations to get the mechanics right.

The main innovation is a flexible, coiled dip tube. The tube stretches and compresses automatically inside the container, so a single pump head works seamlessly whether you screw it onto a Medium Capsule or a Large Capsule.

Credit: Cadence

Operating it is simple: pull off the magnetic cap, give the fluted collar a quick half-turn to raise the pump head, and press. When you are done, twist the collar back down and drop the cap back on.

Seven heavy-duty neodymium magnets lock the cap in place, physically blocking the pump head from rising while packed away. That means no accidental squirts ruining the inside of your bag during transit. Cadence also angled the dispensing nozzle upward, directing product outward so liquids do not collect around the collar and make a mess.

Pricing and where to buy

Made from the same durable polypropylene as the original Capsules, The Pump comes in a sand colorway and works with Cadence’s interchangeable, magnetic Label Tiles so you always know what is inside.

As for what you'll pay:

• The Pump (Attachment Only) — $30

• The Pump Capsule (Medium) — $50

• The Pump Capsule (Large) — $64

You can also pair it with Cadence's Parcel organizers, which now feature customizable straps with embroidered icons for a completely personalized setup.

Your carry-on will thank you. Grab The Pump from Cadence for $30.

TL;DR: Netflix’s animated movie KPop Demon Hunters is officially joining Toca Boca World on Oct. 27 — bringing exclusive HUNTR/X and Saja Boys stage outfits, characters, and an in-game music player packed with hit tracks like "Golden."

Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters is officially bringing its style, characters, and music to Toca Boca World.

The movie has grown into a massive global phenomenon since its release in June 2025. It stands as Netflix's most popular film of all time, with over 670 million views, and spent 63 consecutive weeks in Netflix's Global Top 10. Starting Oct. 27, the app's nearly 60 million active players will get access to exclusive in-game content inspired by HUNTR/X, the Saja Boys, and other fan-favorite characters from the film.

Outfits and music

The collaboration blends everyday streetwear with high-energy K-pop stage looks, allowing players to mix and match fashion items to design their own outfits and characters. The update also adds a limited-time in-game music player featuring four chart-topping tracks directly from the movie's soundtrack:

• "Golden"

• "How It’s Done"

• "Soda Pop"

• "Your Idol"

Players can run the music player in the background to soundtrack their own stories and custom scenes inside Toca Boca World.

The partnership builds on Toca Boca’s recent pop-culture crossovers — which previously included collaborations with adidas, Conan Gray, KATSEYE, Wicked: For Good, and in-game music from artists like Olivia Rodrigo, Sienna Spiro, and TWICE. According to Spin Master, Toca Boca World players were already recreating scenes and outfits from the film before the official crossover was announced.

Mark your calendar, get your playlist ready, and prepare to give your avatar the ultimate K-pop star makeover when the event goes live.

Choosing a Kindle is just the start. Once you have your Kindle, there's so much you can do to make the most of it. For avid readers, Stuff Your Kindle Day and Libby let you cross every last item off your annual reading list. You can even buy Kindle accessories like remote page-turners and gooseneck stands so you don't have to hold your Kindle while reading.

So, after extensive testing, reading so many books, and attending BookCon, I created this guide to the best Kindles to buy in 2026.

Meet the new 2026 Kindles

On Oct. 1, Amazon announced a redesign of the entire Kindle collection. Before the launch, Mashable's tech editor, Timothy Beck Werth, went hands-on with the devices, seeing their vivid new colors like ube, as well as the new aluminum casings on some of the e-readers. Here are all the new Kindle e-readers:

• Kindle (16GB) — $149.99 to $169.99

• Kindle, Aluminum (32GB) — $189.99

• Kindle Paperwhite (16GB) — $199.99 to $219.99

• Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (32GB) — $249.99

• Kindle Colorsoft (16GB) — $289.99

• Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition (32GB) — $319.99

• Kindle Kids (16GB) — $179.99

• Kindle Kids Paperwhite (16GB) — $229.99

• Kindle Kids Colorsoft (16GB) — $299.99

• Kindle Click page turner — $34.99

• Kindle Page Turn Cover — $79.99

2026 Kindle price increases

For years, Kindle prices have stayed stable, but in August 2026, they finally got an increase. Every model except the Kindle Scribe received a price increase. We can thank RAMageddon, as an Amazon spokesperson said that the increased prices are a result of "significant increases in memory and storage component costs." Here's a breakdown of all the new Kindle prices

More 2026 Kindle updates

As of May 20, 2026, Amazon no longer lend software updates or provide web services to devices released in 2012 or earlier, essentially bricking them. Users will still be able to read currently downloaded books on the device, but to add new books, they will need to connect the device to a computer. This is a huge hit, especially to Libby users who need web service access to read borrowed books.

The affected Kindles include:

• Kindle (1st generation)

• Kindle (2nd generation)

• Kindle DX

• Kindle DX Graphite

• Kindle Keyboard

• Kindle 4

• Kindle Touch

• Kindle 5

• Kindle Paperwhite (1st generation)

Owners of these Kindle models are obviously upset, as it means they'll need to purchase a new device to maintain access to all features. While some are considering switching to a different e-reader, like a Kobo, Amazon still makes great e-readers, and it's a testament to the brand that devices that are at least 14 years old are still going strong.

Which Kindle is right for you?

If you're concerned about buying the newest tech, that's not an issue. There are six updated Kindle models for sale, as well as older editions still in stock.

Before you choose a Kindle, you need to ask one question first: Do you want it to be waterproof? If you prefer reading near a body of water — whether in the bath, by the pool, or at the beach — that immediately narrows down your options. Since the Kindle Oasis is no longer available, your waterproof options are the Kindle Paperwhite, Paperwhite Signature Edition, Colorsoft Signature Edition, and Paperwhite Kids.

The Kindle Paperwhite Signature edition settings screen. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Beyond water resistance, here are a few other features to consider:

• Display size: The basic Kindle has a 6-inch display, while the largest has a 10.2-inch display.

• Storage capacity: Kindles range from 16GB to 32GB of storage capacity.

• Battery life: The new Kindles generally have outstanding batteries. On the low end, they last up to six weeks per charge, while others last up to 12 weeks.

• Writing capability: The Kindle Scribe is the only model that allows you to write with the included stylus. 

The latest Kindles all boast a maximum brightness of 94 nits and a 300 ppi, high-resolution display with zero glare, so you can enjoy sharp text and images at any viewing angle. Kindles are also equipped with WiFi connectivity, allowing you to download all the reading material you could ever want. Plus, you can listen to audiobooks on Audible via the built-in Bluetooth connection.

Not to mention, out of all the e-readers I've tested, Kindles have the best compatibility with Libby. I love the digital platform because I can read for free and support my local library. Some other e-readers require you to download your library e-book to a computer and then upload it to an e-reader, but with Kindles, your e-books are sent straight to your device with a click.

And if you were a die-hard Kindle Oasis fan and are attached to page-turning buttons, you may need to stray from the Kindle line-up. Now, your best bet will be the Kobo Libra Colour.

SEE ALSO: I read over 50 books a year. Here are my favorite e-readers. How to get free e-books on Kindle With just a click, transfer your Libby e-book to your Kindle device. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable Your Libby ebook will automatically populate in your Kindle library. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The best way to read free e-books on a Kindle is with Libby. Libby allows you to borrow e-books through libraries, and all you need is a library card. Through the Libby app, borrow books and then select the "read with Kindle" option, which allows you to send these e-books to your Kindle library.

Another option for finding free e-books is through Stuff Your Kindle events. These are author-driven events that offer limited-time deals on e-books, often making them heavily discounted or totally free.

How to make the most of your Kindle

Through our testing and daily use, we've spent a lot of time with Kindles, learning how to make the most of them. We've written extensively on all the ways to maximize your Kindle, so be sure to browse through our guides and explainers:

• How to make the most of your Kindle: 8 features you need to use

• The best Kindle accessories for reading in luxury

• What is Stuff Your Kindle Day? The best way to fill your e-reader with free books

• I've read hundreds of free Kindle books with Libby. Here's how.

• What is Kindle Rewards? Earn free credits when shopping the Kindle store

• What is Kindle Unlimited? A library of books at your fingertips for just $12 a month

• Where to get free e-books: Load up your e-reader without spending a dime

• Prime members can get a free e-book every month with Amazon First Reads

• How to download EPUB files on your Kindle

• 8 Kindle features you should be using

• How to delete books from Kindle
  

To help you find the best pair of headphones possible, our experts test headphones year-round, from popular models to new releases to budget picks (you can learn more about our detailed testing standards below). The result of that vetting is this guide, which we keep updated regularly to give you the most accurate and current purchasing information possible.

How to choose the best headphones

We won't beat around the bush: There's no definitive "best" product here. Sure, elite audio brands put out high-quality products across the board, but even within each of those brands, you'll find different tiers of products. Some will deliver better value, and some will deliver better hardware and active noise cancellation.

All this to say, the best pair of earbuds or headphones largely comes down to personal preference and how you plan to use them. Some listeners swear by over-ear headphones, while others prefer the minimalism of earbuds — one is not necessarily better than the other. Athletes who like to use headphones at the gym will appreciate waterproof materials and the best open earbuds, while frequent fliers will prefer devices with long battery life, comfort, and portability. Finally, music lovers and audiophiles will want to invest in premium features like a custom equalizer, spatial audio, or best-in-class active noise cancellation.

To help you pick your pair, we tested all of the headphones in this guide (and a lot that didn't make the cut). Here, you'll find the top headphones of 2026 for noise cancellation, music, price, and wired connections.

What about wired headphones?

We focused primarily on the best wireless headphones for this guide. While wired headphones have their fans, wireless headphones are just more convenient for most of us, though some of us are also fans of Apple's EarPods. With the release of the new noise-cancelling wired earbuds from Bose, we will be keeping our testing pool open to more wired models and will update this guide accordingly, should any earn a spot.

Other headphones we've tested

Most recently, we tested the Marshall Monitor III, JBL Tour One M3 headphones, and the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC, and though they had their merits, they fell short of winning the best of the best spot on this guide.

We've also tested the Sonos Ace headphones and Dyson OnTrac headphones. And while we loved them both for sound quality and noise cancellation, they fare in the way of AirPods Max — left out of our recommendations for their high price points.

Recent updates to this guide

• August 2026: Following the release of the second generation Bose QuietComfort headphones, we've added them to our list as the best budget pick from Bose for headphones.

• March 2025: We've designated the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 earbuds as the most comfortable ANC earbuds and crowned the Sony XM6 earbuds as the new best noise-cancelling earbuds.

• December 2025: We replaced the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 earbuds, which are no longer available, with the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 sports earbuds.

• December 2025: We removed the Marshall Mode wired earbuds, as they're frequently out of stock.

• December 2025: We added the Sony WH-CH720N Noise-Canceling Headphones as the best headphones under $100.

• December 2025: We added the Sony XM5 headphones, originally released in 2022, as our new honorable mention pick.

• August 2026: We replaced the Sennheiser Momentum 4 with the Nothing Headphone (a) as our best battery life pick.

Latest headphones news

A few major headphone releases happened in September: Sony's mid-range WH-10000XM4C headphones, Sony's budget WH-CH730N headphones, and the Beats 360, the first pair of over-ear headphones from the brand in three years. From Bose, we've also recently seen new wired noise-cancelling earbuds, as well as two new pairs of open earbuds. We'll be comparing them against our current picks to see if they have a spot among our favorites.

What are the best noise-cancelling headphones of 2026?

Even the best value headphones will feel lacking if they don't come equipped with halfway decent noise cancellation. Besides, there are simply too many headphones on the market (our testing pool gets bigger by the month) for you to pay hundreds only to get subpar ANC. So, which brand comes out on top?

For most people, we think the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) offer the best overall value, with the ideal blend of comfort, sound quality, and ANC. However, if you're looking for the best active noise cancellation overall, we have to give it up to the Sony XM6 headphones. Fortunately, there are no bad choices here.

To help you wade through the top options from brands like Apple, Beats, Bose, Sony, and Sonos, Mashable editors and reviewers tested dozens of headphones and earbuds. From flagship models to budget buds, we picked out the best options at every price range.

SEE ALSO: How we test headphones and earbuds How do noise-cancelling headphones actually work?

Even cheap headphones can block some noise from the outside world. And you can always blast your music loud enough to drown out nearby conversations and street noise via passive noise cancellation. However, if you really want to turn the volume of the world down to the limit, then you need headphones with active noise cancellation.

Active noise-cancelling headphones electronically cover up the sounds coming from your surroundings. They use internal microphones to listen to the world around you, then invert the noise and send it to the speakers. The idea is that both the output and the input will cancel out, leaving you with near-silence. The best over-ear headphones also create a tight seal around your ears, providing an extra layer of passive sound blocking.

Testing the Apple AirPods Max headphones, which didn't make the final cut for this guide. Credit: Zlata Ivleva / Mashable Getting up close and personal with Sony WH-1000XM5 noise-cancelling headphones. Credit: Molly Flores / Mashable

If you've tried a pair of noise-cancelling headphones before and haven't been impressed, don't be discouraged, as not all ANC performs equally. For instance, cheaper ANC headphones may have a more noticeable hissing sound that you'll hear when the noise cancellation is turned on, which can be distracting for some folks.

Other headphones may be great at blocking low tones, but more prone to letting in high-pitched tones. Typically, premium headphones will yield better results all around, but we have budget picks below that still do a solid job.

In the past, not many wireless earbuds featured active noise cancellation that was comparable to over-ear headphones, but newer iterations like the AirPods Pro and Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds hold their own in the ANC space. However, even these earbuds can't quite get the same seal (or fit as many mics) that headphones can, so if you're looking for maximum silence, stick with over-ear headphones.