Sonos Ace Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones Review: A New Contender for the ANC Crown?

There’s a modern-day quest many of us are on: the search for the perfect pair of headphones. It’s a journey fraught with compromise. We need a set that can silence the roar of a morning commute, transform a noisy open-plan office into a sanctuary of focus, and then, at home, deliver a cinematic audio experience for a late-night movie without waking the family. For years, this has meant juggling different devices or settling for a single pair that’s merely “good enough” at everything. The frustration is real; you invest in a premium product, only to find the noise cancellation weak, the comfort lacking for long sessions, or the sound quality flat and uninspired. It’s this precise challenge that Sonos, a titan of multi-room home audio, has finally stepped up to address with its debut entrant into the personal listening space: the Sonos Ace Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones.

What to Consider Before Buying Noise Cancelling Headphones

A pair of Noise Cancelling Headphones is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for reclaiming your personal space and immersing yourself in high-fidelity audio. In a world saturated with ambient noise—from public transport and bustling cafés to chatty colleagues—these devices create a bubble of tranquility. The primary benefit is focus and relaxation. By actively cancelling out low-frequency sounds, they allow you to concentrate on your work, enjoy the subtle nuances of your favourite music, or simply disconnect. They are indispensable for frequent flyers, daily commuters, and anyone working in a shared environment. Furthermore, they protect your hearing by allowing you to listen at lower, safer volumes without background noise forcing you to crank it up.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone who values audio quality and silence in equal measure. This includes professionals who need to concentrate, audiophiles who want an untainted listening experience, and travellers seeking peace on long journeys. If you are a Sonos ecosystem user, the appeal is even stronger due to unique integration features. However, these headphones might not be the best fit for those who are on a strict budget, as the premium market comes with a premium price tag. Similarly, athletes might prefer smaller, more secure earbuds designed for intense physical activity. For those purely focused on professional calls, a dedicated single-ear communication headset might be a more specialised tool.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Comfort & Design: You’ll be wearing these for hours. Look for plush, breathable earcups (like memory foam), a lightweight design, and an adjustable headband that distributes pressure evenly. The weight, in this case 315g, is a key factor; too heavy and they become fatiguing over long periods.
• Audio Performance & Connectivity: Beyond just noise cancellation, how do they actually sound? Look for features like custom-tuned drivers, support for lossless audio (via Bluetooth codecs like aptX Lossless or wired connections like USB-C), and immersive technologies like Spatial Audio. Multi-device Bluetooth pairing is also a vital convenience feature for switching between a laptop and phone.
• Noise Cancellation & Aware Mode: This is the headline feature. How effective is the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)? The best headphones can significantly reduce everything from engine drone to office chatter. Equally important is the quality of the “Aware” or “Transparency” mode, which should let you hear your surroundings clearly without taking the headphones off.
• Battery Life & Charging: The industry standard for premium ANC headphones is hovering around 25-30 hours of playback. The Sonos Ace Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones meets this with an impressive 30 hours. Also, consider rapid charging capabilities; a quick 3-5 minute charge providing several hours of playback is a lifesaver when you’re in a rush.

Making the right choice means balancing these factors to find the perfect companion for your daily audio needs, a task we aim to simplify with our in-depth analysis.

While the Sonos Ace Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Unboxing a Premium Contender

From the moment you open the box, the Sonos Ace Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones exude the premium quality we’ve come to expect from the brand. The packaging is minimalist and eco-conscious, but the product inside feels substantial and meticulously crafted. Lifting the headphones out, the first thing we noticed was the elegant design and the quality of the materials. The matte black finish is fingerprint-resistant, and the stainless steel yokes that connect the earcups to the headband glide with a smooth, satisfying resistance. The plush memory foam earcups, wrapped in vegan leather, are incredibly soft to the touch.

At 315 grams, they have a reassuring heft without feeling overly heavy. They feel durable and built to last, a clear step up from some of the more plastic-heavy competitors on the market. The included hard-shell case is slim and protective, featuring a clever magnetic pouch for the USB-C and 3.5mm cables. However, echoing a sentiment from one user review, we did find the zipper on the case to be a bit stiff around the corners. It’s a minor point on an otherwise stellar presentation, but something to be mindful of. Setting them up was straightforward; they connect via Bluetooth like any other headphones, but integration into the Sonos app is where the magic begins, unlocking EQ customisation and the headline TV Audio Swap feature. It’s clear that from design to functionality, Sonos wasn’t just aiming to compete; they were aiming to impress. You can see its full feature set and user reviews to get a complete picture.

A Deep Dive into the Sonos Ace Experience

After spending several weeks testing the Sonos Ace Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones in a variety of environments—from a transatlantic flight to a bustling city office and quiet home listening sessions—we’ve developed a comprehensive understanding of where they excel and where they have room to grow. This is not just another pair of headphones; it’s a carefully considered piece of audio engineering that shines brightest within its intended ecosystem.

Sonic Performance: High-Fidelity Sound and Spatial Audio Explored

Sonos built its reputation on sound quality, and thankfully, that DNA is powerfully present in the Ace. The custom-designed 40mm dynamic drivers deliver a sound profile that is remarkably balanced, clear, and engaging. Out of the box, the tuning leans towards accuracy rather than artificially inflated bass. Listening to complex tracks like Steely Dan’s “Aja,” every instrument occupies its own distinct space, from the crisp hi-hats to the clean, articulate bassline. There is no distortion even at high volumes, a sentiment echoed by users who praise the “very clear” sound that can “reach all tones at high volume without any distortion at all.” For those who prefer more low-end punch, the EQ settings within the Sonos app provide ample room for customisation, allowing you to dial in your preferred sound signature. One user noted they found the bass “soft,” which confirms our finding of a more neutral, reference-style tuning that can be easily adjusted.

Where the Sonos Ace Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones elevates its audio game is with Spatial Audio and Dynamic Head Tracking. When watching Dolby Atmos-enabled content on supported services, the soundstage opens up dramatically. It creates a hyperrealistic, three-dimensional bubble of sound that feels like you’re in a room full of speakers rather than wearing headphones. The head tracking is impressively smooth and accurate; as you turn your head, the audio’s anchor point remains fixed to the screen, solidifying the illusion. For movie lovers, this is a transformative feature. Furthermore, the support for lossless audio over both a USB-C connection and Bluetooth with Snapdragon Sound AptX Lossless on compatible devices ensures that audiophiles can get the absolute best quality from their source files. This commitment to pure audio fidelity is a standout characteristic.

The Art of Silence: Active Noise Cancellation and Aware Mode

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is the battlefield where premium headphones are won and lost. In our testing, the Sonos Ace performs admirably. They effectively muted the constant, low-frequency drone of an airplane engine, making a long flight significantly more peaceful. In an office setting, they did an excellent job of filtering out the hum of air conditioning and distant chatter, creating a productive cone of silence. One user, who previously owned Bose QC35s, found the ANC on the Ace to be “miles better,” noting it was “so good I don’t hear someone walk into the room.” This speaks to the high level of immersion it can provide.

However, the ANC isn’t infallible. We found that it was slightly less effective at blocking out higher-frequency, unpredictable sounds—like nearby conversations or sharp noises—compared to the current top-tier offerings from Bose and Sony. This was corroborated by a user who noted that on a train journey, the “sound of the train is still audible and also when people talk.” It seems the performance can be variable depending on the environment and even factors like wearing glasses, which can slightly break the earcup seal. The Aware Mode, on the other hand, is excellent. It pipes in outside sound with a very natural, unprocessed feel, making it easy to have a quick conversation or listen for an announcement without ever feeling the need to take the headphones off. It intelligently filters sound, so you hear what’s important without being overwhelmed. It’s a feature that truly sets it apart and is well worth checking out.

Design, All-Day Comfort, and the Sonos Ecosystem Magic

Perhaps the most universally praised aspect of the Sonos Ace Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones is their extraordinary comfort. We wore them for a continuous eight-hour workday and experienced absolutely no clamping force fatigue or ear discomfort. The plush memory foam earcups are deep and breathable, and the lightweight design is perfectly balanced by the smooth-gliding stainless steel headband. As one user aptly put it, they “can be worn for extended periods of time with absolutely no discomfort.” This is a huge win for anyone who uses headphones all day for work or travel. The tactile controls are another highlight. Instead of confusing touch panels, Sonos opted for a multi-function “Content Key” slider and a button for ANC modes. They are intuitive, easy to locate by feel, and provide satisfying physical feedback.

The true ace up Sonos’s sleeve, however, is the TV Audio Swap feature. For anyone with a compatible Sonos soundbar (like the Arc or Beam), this feature is a game-changer. With a long press of the Content Key, the audio from your TV instantly and seamlessly transfers from the soundbar to the headphones. The reverse is just as quick. This is perfect for late-night gaming or movie sessions. One user called it a “perfect combination” for their console setup, allowing them to get immersive sound without disturbing the house. This deep ecosystem integration is something no competitor can currently offer and is the single most compelling reason for an existing Sonos user to choose the Ace. While some initial software bugs were reported, particularly with app connectivity on Android, the reliable multi-device Bluetooth pairing for a phone and PC worked flawlessly in our tests, connecting instantly every time.

What Other Users Are Saying

Diving into broader user feedback, a clear consensus emerges. The vast majority of owners are thrilled with their purchase, frequently citing three key strengths: build quality, comfort, and sound. One happy customer stated, “Built quality is absolutely outstanding, just what you can expect from SONOS,” a sentiment echoed by many who feel they have a truly premium product in their hands. The comfort is another recurring theme, with a French user comparing them favorably to competitors that “hurt the head after a while,” noting the Ace can be worn for “many hours without pain.”

On the critical side, the feedback is more nuanced. The most common point of contention is the ANC performance. While many, like us, find it very good, others coming from the latest top-of-the-line competitors felt it was a step behind. As one user expressed, “I am very disappointed with the quality of the noise cancellation as I can still hear noise.” This highlights a division in user expectations. The other notable complaints are more isolated but still valid: the aforementioned stiff zipper on the case and occasional software glitches with the Sonos app on certain phones. As one Android user frustratingly noted, “despite several different ways trying to connect to the Sonos app, it always throws an error.” These seem like early teething issues that could be resolved with software updates, but they are important for potential buyers to be aware of. Overall, the positive experiences with the core product features overwhelmingly outweigh the negatives. You can explore more user feedback online.

How Does the Sonos Ace Compare to the Alternatives?

The premium headphone market is fiercely competitive. While the Sonos Ace makes a compelling case, especially for those in the Sonos ecosystem, it’s crucial to see how it stacks up against its main rivals. Here’s a look at three key alternatives and who might prefer them.

1. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra represents the pinnacle of active noise cancellation technology. If your absolute, number-one priority is to block out as much of the outside world as possible, Bose still holds the crown. Their ANC is arguably a small but noticeable step ahead of the Sonos Ace, particularly with inconsistent, higher-frequency sounds. The Bose also offers its own version of immersive audio. However, the Sonos Ace counters with what we feel is a more premium build quality, significantly better battery life (30 hours vs. 24), and, of course, the unbeatable TV Audio Swap feature for Sonos system owners. The choice here is clear: for the ultimate silence-seeker, Bose is the answer. For a more holistic, premium experience with unique home theatre integration, the Sonos Ace is the better pick.

2. Unknown Brand Voyager Legend 30 Bluetooth Headset

This product serves a completely different purpose and is not a direct competitor for music or media consumption. The POLY Voyager Legend 30 is a single-ear, monaural headset designed exclusively for crystal-clear voice communication. Its strengths lie in its four noise-cancelling microphones that aggressively block out wind and background noise to make your voice pristine on calls and in meetings. It is lightweight, designed for all-day wear in a professional context, and prioritises call clarity above all else. Someone should choose this over the Sonos Ace if their only need is a dedicated device for phone calls, Teams, or Zoom meetings and they have no intention of listening to music or watching movies. The Sonos Ace is an entertainment and immersion device that is also very good at calls; the Voyager Legend is a specialised communication tool.

3. Sony WH-CH720N Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones

The Sony WH-CH720N represents the budget-conscious alternative. It offers a fantastic value proposition, bringing effective noise cancellation and Sony’s signature sound quality to a much more accessible price point. It even boasts an incredible 50-hour battery life (though this may be under different testing conditions). However, to reach this price, compromises are made. The build quality is primarily plastic and does not feel nearly as premium or durable as the Sonos Ace. The noise cancellation is good for the price but not in the same league as the premium options, and it lacks advanced features like Spatial Audio, Dynamic Head Tracking, or any form of deep ecosystem integration. This is the perfect choice for a student or someone who wants solid ANC performance without the high-end price tag and is willing to forgo luxury materials and advanced features.

Our Final Verdict: Should You Buy the Sonos Ace?

After extensive testing, we can confidently say that the Sonos Ace Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones are a triumphant first entry into a crowded market. They deliver on the Sonos promise of premium build, exceptional user comfort, and high-fidelity sound. While its active noise cancellation may not definitively dethrone the long-reigning champions for every single user in every environment, it is more than capable of creating a serene listening bubble for travel, work, and commuting. Its true killer feature, TV Audio Swap, transforms it from just a great pair of headphones into an essential accessory for any existing Sonos home theatre user.

We recommend the Sonos Ace without hesitation to two main groups: firstly, any and all Sonos system owners who want to extend their seamless audio experience to personal listening. For them, there is simply no better choice. Secondly, we recommend it to anyone looking for a premium, incredibly comfortable, and beautifully built pair of headphones that delivers a superb, well-balanced audio performance. If you value all-day comfort and build quality as much as you do sound, the Sonos Ace is a phenomenal choice. Ready to experience the next evolution of personal and home audio? You can check the latest price and availability today.