Sony WH-CH720N

Why it's our Starter pick

• What Hi-Fi gave it five stars and a third straight award as the best over-ear noise-cancelling pair it has tested at this price.
• Lasts up to 35 hours with ANC on and 50 hours with it off, and a three-minute charge adds about an hour (What Hi-Fi).
• Multipoint keeps it connected to a phone and a laptop at once; the ₹6,989 price matches Sony's own India store.

Watch out: It doesn't fold or come with a case, and owners report the plastic swivel or headband slider cracking after six to twelve months.