Buying guide for best headphones
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For many folks, headphones are life. You can tune out the world and immerse yourself in your favorite music, movie or show at home, the gym or the office. The best headphones have good sound quality and are comfortable enough to wear for hours.
At BestReviews, we tested numerous pairs of headphones in our Testing Lab. We evaluated their price, comfort and build quality. We measured battery life and noise-cancellation effectiveness. To discover what these products do (or don't do) well, we spent hours listening to all kinds of music and audio.
In our testing, we found that the Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones are the best headphones you can buy. These high-quality headphones performed well in all categories, including audio quality, noise cancellation and features.
Which headphones are best?
Sony WH-1000XM5
Best Headphones Overall
Product Specifications: Type: Over-ear | Sensitivity: 4 Hz to 44,000 Hz | Noise Cancellation: Active | Connectivity: Bluetooth, audio cable, USB-C | Battery Life: 35 hr (tested)
Sony calls its flagship WH-1000XM5 wireless noise-canceling headphones “industry-leading.” According to our testing, this isn’t just a boast. After our latest round of testing, we think these popular headphones offer the best combination of sound quality, comfort, build quality and performance.
Packing a powerful, emphatic bass, they sounded particularly good when we listened to hip-hop and EDM tracks. Clear mids and airy highs brought out details in the vocals of folk and opera, while a spacious soundstage and good instrument separation made them shine in orchestral and jazz tracks.
When it came to noise cancellation, they silenced traffic noise on a busy sidewalk and quieted the roar of a leaf blower outside. Their ambient-awareness mode, which can turn on or off automatically depending on your location, softened the background music of a crowded cafe. They were comfortable to wear even after using them for more than four hours.
Fully charged, the XM5s lasted 34.5 hours with active noise cancellation. It took only 45 minutes for them to charge to 100% using a third-party USB-C cable and 12-watt USB-C charger. (They ship with a 1-foot USB-A to USB-C charge cable.) We thought the Sony smartphone app was a little confusing, and we wished the headphones were more sweat- and moisture-resistant. But with a score of 10 out of 10, the Sony WH-1000XM5s still tops the list as the best pair of headphones we’ve tested.
Soundcore by Anker Space One
Best Bang for the Buck
Product specifications: Type: Over-ear | Sensitivity: 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz | Noise Cancellation: Active | Connectivity: Wireless, wired | Battery Life: 32 hr (tested)
In a market dominated by headphones costing $300 and up, the Soundcore Space One headphones are a refreshing change. Although they’re not the best headphones available in terms of quality or noise cancellation, they deliver a solid performance while costing one-third to one-half the price of many other top choices.
At first, the sound quality felt a little closed and artificial, but we easily customized and adjusted it with the Soundcore smartphone app. We used the app’s HearID feature to create a sound profile personalized for our ears, and that made all the difference.
Noise cancellation was as good or better than some pricier headphones we’ve tested, adequately removing low-frequency and repetitive noise, hushing passing traffic on the street and cutting down on engine noise on a city bus.
We liked the above-average battery life, even though at 32 hours, it was a little short of the 40 hours Soundcore promised. The all-plastic build felt a little flimsy, and we thought the ear pads could be softer and plusher. Still, the Soundcore Space Ones, which we gave an 8 out of 10, provide an excellent value for the money.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Best Active Noise Cancellation
Product specifications: Type: Over-ear | Sensitivity: NA | Noise Cancellation: Active | Connectivity: Wireless, wired | Battery Life: 28 hr (tested)
Bose introduced active noise cancellation (ANC) in the 1990s, so it’s no surprise that the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones have the best ANC we’ve heard. Though expensive and quirky, their outstanding noise cancellation and excellent sound quality make them a worthwhile candidate for anyone who craves a personal bubble of quiet.
This pair of headphones packs a lot of technology into a businesslike, tried-and-true form factor. Bose fans will be familiar with the multifunction button that can be programmed to control almost anything the headphones can do. While we weren’t fans of the audio quality out of the box, the QC Ultras opened up during the testing period, producing sound that was smooth, controlled and defined. We also liked Bose’s virtual surround feature, Immersive Audio, though it experienced glitches in its staging.
Active noise cancellation is the top feature here. These headphones beat other contenders in quieting low-end noise and virtually eliminating single voices and dialogue just a few feet away. No ANC can always remove all external noise, but the Bose QC Ultras come close. Their battery life is good enough but not class-leading, and we had trouble pairing and controlling their Bluetooth connections. We rated the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones 8 out of 10, and we recommend them for their powerful ANC.
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
Best Headphones for Music
Product Specifications: Type: Over-ear | Sensitivity: 16 Hz to 22,000 Hz | Noise Cancellation: Active | Connectivity: Bluetooth, audio cable, USB-C | Battery Life: 60 hr and 30 min (tested)
Sennheiser helped define what it means to be an audiophile. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 wireless noise-canceling headphones excel in audio quality, giving you a taste of the company’s legendary products.
Out of the box, the sound was mellow and balanced with some emphasis on the bass, and we found them pleasurable to listen to no matter what we played. The Sennheiser app provided guided customized equalization. Once we found the EQ settings we liked, we were blown away by articulation, spaciousness and detail that made familiar songs sound almost new.
The Momentum 4 comes in a carrying case that matches the fabric on its padded headband. We appreciated that the headband and synthetic leather ear pads were comfortable to wear for hours. Pairing was straightforward, even with dual audio sources, and the headphones maintained multipoint pairing without issue during the entire test period.
The Momentum 4 had a few drawbacks. We found that its active noise cancellation, while effective, was not on par with competing headphones. Furthermore, its touch controls sometimes registered commands we didn’t intend. Notably, this product had the longest battery life of any headphones we tested at 60 hours and 30 minutes. Given this longevity and sound quality, we’re happy to overlook any faults. We rated the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Headphones 8 out of 10 for outstanding sound quality and battery life.
Apple AirPods Max
Best Headphones for iPhone
Product Specifications: Type: Over-ear | Sensitivity: NA | Noise Cancellation: Active | Connectivity: Bluetooth, audio cable | Battery Life: 20 hr (estimated)
The Apple AirPods Max were Apple’s first full-sized noise-canceling headphones. They immediately shot to the top of many lists for sound quality, build quality and excellent noise cancellation. They’re among the priciest headphones on the market, straddling the line between consumer and audiophile. Upon unboxing, we loved the simplicity of the AirPods Max design. After testing them, we were convinced that they deserve their stellar reputation.
These are some of the best spatial audio headphones out there: Impressive sound reproduction made us feel we were in the same room as the music. Anyone interested in the minutiae of music would love picking apart the details revealed by the AirPods Max. As for noise cancellation, it’s so excellent that others in the room thought we were joking when we told them we couldn’t hear their voices.
The mesh headband was quite comfortable, even for long listening sessions, and we liked the sturdiness of the durable aluminum build. The AirPods Max are not particularly small or portable, and their case, which only covers them halfway, isn’t very protective. Even though they are high-performance headphones, they can’t play lossless audio, even over a wired connection. All in all, we believe the Apple AirPods Max are some of the best headphones we have tested — and easily some of the best-looking headphones. We rated them 9 out of 10 for audio quality, build quality and design.
Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 Sensory Bass Headphones
Best Headphones for Bass
Product Specifications: Type: Over-ear | Sensitivity: 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz | Noise Cancellation: Active | Connectivity: Bluetooth, audio cable | Battery Life: 49 hr (tested)
Utah-based Skullcandy makes headphones known for brash audio and in-your-face style. We were prepared for the trademark Skullcandy boom and crunch when we unboxed their top-shelf model, the Crusher ANC 2. To our surprise, however, the Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 headphones played nicely with every genre of music on our playlist while still being able to literally “shake our skull,” if desired.
The Crusher ANC 2 looks restrained by Skullcandy standards, with the brand’s logo subtly visible on a matte black finish. Physical controls include buttons and a slide toggle for the ANC and a scroll wheel for the sensory bass — a novelty in headphones. Pairing was straightforward; the Crushers pair with two audio sources simultaneously and maintain them automatically. Audio quality was surprising with clear but not harsh highs and solid mids that performed well even in genres like opera, classical and folk. However, the star of the show was the bass. The Crushers actually created physical vibrations in our jaw and head when the bass was dialed up high enough.
Noise cancellation was not particularly impressive, but we liked that the Crushers came with an app that could guide us to a customized EQ and test our hearing health. With their ability to play multiple genres of music, restrained design and head-shaking bass, we gave the Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 a score of 8 out of 10 and think they are the best headphones for die-hard bass lovers.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
Best Wireless Earbuds for iPhone
Product Specifications: Type: Earbuds | Sensitivity: NA | Noise Cancellation: Active | Connectivity: Bluetooth | Battery Life: 6 hr (tested)
Apple’s AirPods Pro remain among the best wireless earbuds overall, even years after their 2019 introduction. When we tested the second generation of these extremely popular earbuds, we concluded that they offer the best audio quality and noise cancellation available in the earbud form factor, especially for iPhones and other Apple products.
As in-ear buds, the AirPods Pro have silicone ear tips designed to form a seal with the outer opening of the wearer’s ear canal. In our experience, this can be an unpleasant sensation, but the AirPods Pro proved surprisingly comfortable, and they remained in place through activities like walking and exercise. The sound quality was impressive with excellent bass depth and punch for an earbud — we noted warm, well-defined mids and clear, sharp highs. However, overall sound quality and the bass response depend on a good contact seal with the ear tips.
Active noise cancellation was exceptional for earbuds. It canceled almost all traffic noise on a busy street while leaving sound quality unaffected. The transparency mode seemed intelligent enough to discern which sounds were important and which could be safely ignored. The AirPods Pro lasted six hours on a single charge before needing to be placed back in their charging case. We scored them 8 out of 10.
Beats by Dre Powerbeats Pro
Best Earbuds for Working Out
Product Specifications: Type: Earbuds | Sensitivity: NA | Noise Cancellation: Passive | Connectivity: Bluetooth | Battery Life: 9 hr (estimated)
Workout headphones require capabilities that other headphones don’t — most notably, physical stability and sweat resistance. You want your headphones to stay in place no matter what you’re doing, and you don’t want them to malfunction or break because sweat has gotten in them. With these requirements in mind, we believe the Beats by Dre Powerbeats Pro are the best earbuds for working out that we’ve tested.
When we tested them, the sound was rich, focused and balanced. There was just enough bass without being bass-heavy. The depth of sound was noticeable and felt premium to us when listening to music and spoken audio. While they lack active noise cancellation, we found them reasonably effective in blocking one-off sounds. However, we still wished they had ANC.
Comfort was excellent, and we were pleased by how the ear hooks kept them in place while we exercised. Because they’re adjustable, longer-term wear is possible. With appealing color choices and solid IPX4 sweat resistance, we think the Beats by Dre Powerbeats Pro are excellent workout earbuds. We scored them 8 out of 10.
Onanoff Buddyphones Play+
Best Kids Headphones
Product specifications: Type: On-ear | Sensitivity: 20 kHz | Noise Cancellation: Passive | Connectivity: Bluetooth, wired | Battery Life: 20 hr
Kids want headphones, too. The best kids headphones, like the Onanoff Buddyphones Play+, are colorful, easy to use and sized to fit smaller heads and ears. Most importantly, they prevent kids from being exposed to sound greater than 85 decibels, which can damage their ears.
We found the Buddyphones adorable when we unboxed them, and our 6-year-old assistant tester loved the included stickers that allowed them to personalize the headphones. According to them, the Buddyphones fit just right, were comfortable to wear and were easy to use. We appreciated the colorful, flexible build and the BuddyJack audio-sharing accessory that allowed two kids to simultaneously listen to the same content.
The Buddyphones Play+ also connect via Bluetooth; we had no trouble pairing them with a source device. Adjusting the volume was easy, and we never noticed excessively loud sound — although we did note a “travel mode” with a 94-decibel ceiling you may want to keep an eye on. They come with a somewhat flimsy pouch, but we liked their selection of bright, friendly colors. We give them a 9 out of 10 for their comfort, sound quality and kid-friendly features.
Sony MDR-7506
Best Wired Headphones Under $100
Product specifications: Type: Over-ear | Sensitivity: 10 Hz to 20 kHz | Noise Cancellation: Passive | Connectivity: Wired | Battery Life: NA
A list of the best headphones wouldn’t be complete without at least one wired option, if only because wired connections still provide higher-quality audio than wireless connections do. This classic pair has been a standard in audio production for decades, and at this price, it’s a great introduction set for audio enthusiasts.
The MDR-7506 headphones are over-ear headphones with a thinly padded headband and closed-back, padded-ear cups packing 40-millimeter drivers. They have an almost flat response, which can sound strange but allows you to hear every frequency accurately — a must in a studio setting. They connect by a 10-foot-long coiled cable with gold-plated connectors that look fantastically retro. People will know you’re serious about your audio when you have a pair of these plugged into your hi-fi.
Speaking of hi-fis, the MDR-7506 does best with some sort of amplification; they can sound soft when plugged directly into a portable device. Still, they’ve been a standard for a reason, and they’re a low-cost way to start a professional audio journey.
How we tested
To find the best headphones, we evaluated multiple models using the following criteria.
Ease of use
- Setup: We noted how easy it was to set up each pair of headphones, including what connections the wireless models used, how easy or difficult they were to pair to different devices, whether they supported multipoint connections, what codecs they offered (such as AAC or AptX), what connector and charging cables they included, what jacks and adapters they used and how useful (or not) their cases were.
- Controls: During testing, we paid attention to the controls offered on each pair of headphones and how intuitive they were to use. We noted whether the headphones used physical buttons or touch controls, where the controls were located, how easy it was to operate the headphones from the controls and how reliable the controls were during operation. If a smartphone app was offered, we downloaded and set it up, testing its features for effectiveness and usefulness.
Quality
- Sound quality: We used each pair of headphones to listen for at least three hours continuously to a playlist of music from major genres including classical, opera, jazz, rock, pop, hip hop, R&B, folk and EDM. We also listened to movies and TV shows with features like Dolby Audio or Dolby Atmos. We compared wired and wireless connections and customizations like sound profiles and EQ presets.
- Comfort and build quality: We wore each pair of headphones for a minimum of three hours without removing them, playing audio all the while. We examined each item’s weight, size, material, fit and stability (for earbuds), clamping force (for headphones), headband comfort and potential weak points.
- Call quality: We made and received calls on each tested pair of headphones that supported calling functions, evaluating how lifelike the caller and receiver’s voices were, how much interference and noise were present (if any) and the stability of wireless connections over distance.
Other considerations
- Battery life: To test the battery life of wireless, active noise-canceling headphones, we charged them to full and kept them powered on while connected to an audio source. We played our test playlist or continuous white noise at medium-low volume without recharging until the batteries ran out. We repeated the test with active noise cancellation turned off.
- Noise cancellation: To test active noise cancellation, we used each pair of headphones in different environments: a quiet room, a noisy kitchen, an outdoor walk, a busy street and a crowded cafe. We tested the degrees and settings of noise cancellation offered, including any adaptive settings. We noted the audibility of high-frequency versus low-frequency noise and repetitive versus disruptive noise. We took note of any transparency or awareness modes.
What to know before buying headphones
Types of headphones
The best headphones and earbuds can be classified according to their wearing style.
- Over-ear headphones completely enclose the outer ear. They often have the largest and most powerful drivers and seal off the most external sound. Over-ear headphones can be open-back (open to the outside) or closed-back (sealed to the outside). They tend to be the most comfortable choice for long listening sessions.
- On-ear headphones have ear pads that rest on the outer ear. This design is less enclosing than over-ear headphones, allowing for cooler wear, and it works better with eyeglasses and sunglasses than over-ear models. On-ear headphones often cost less than over-ear headphones and high-end earbuds.
- In-ear headphones and earbuds go in the ears. Some earbuds rest in the outer ear, next to the ear canal; others can be inserted into the ear canals themselves. These may also be called earphones or IEMs (in-ear monitors). Despite their small size, many earbuds deliver high-quality sound and cost as much as full-sized, over-ear headphones. They’re excellent for fitness activities and are portable for travel or daily use.
Connectivity
Headphones connect to their audio sources via wires and cables or wirelessly. Each method has its pros and cons.
- Sound quality: A physical connection is more stable and reliable than a wireless one. The direct analog connections provided by metal wires don’t go through the encoding and decoding of the digital data used in wireless connections. This makes wired headphones capable of extremely high-fidelity audio, and it is why top audiophile headphones almost always use cables.
- Convenience: Wired connections keep you tethered to your audio source, whereas wireless connections are limited only to the range of the technology they use, such as 30 meters for Bluetooth. Even when using wired headphones with a portable device, it can be inconvenient to unwrap and untangle headphone cords.
- Compatibility: Wireless headphones use RF (radio frequency) or Bluetooth to connect to audio sources. Bluetooth headphones use codecs to receive and decode audio info. Some codecs, like AAC, are used by Apple, Spotify and YouTube, while aptX is a family of codecs used by Qualcomm and many Android devices. Wired headphones need a physical jack, usually a 3.5 mm stereo mini plug, which has been removed from many portable smart devices.
Our top picks: Connectivity
- The Sennheiser Momentum 4 supports AAC, the basic SBC Bluetooth codec and aptX, and it comes with a TRS-to-3.5 mm cable and an airplane plug adapter. It can also play audio over a USB-C cable.
- The Sony WH1000-XM5 supports AAC and SBC over Bluetooth, plus Sony’s own LDAC, a high-end codec. It also supports wired playback over a TRS-to-3.5 mm cable. It doesn’t support USB-C audio.
- The Soundcore Space One headphones support AAC, SBC and LDAC and come with a 3.5 mm audio cable (aux cable) for wired listening.
- Neither the Bose QuietComfort Ultra nor the Apple AirPods Max supports USB-C audio. The Bose headphones include an aux cable, but the AirPods Max only support a wired connection over a Lightning-to-audio adapter.
Sound quality
Everyone hears differently and enjoys different aspects of their listening material. Thus, sound quality can be hard to judge. The sound quality of headphones generally depends on their drivers, frequency response and soundstage.
- Driver size: The drivers of headphones convert electric signals into sound. It’s often said that the bigger the drivers, the better the sound. Driver size is measured in millimeters, with 40 mm being a good standard for over-ear headphones and 10 mm to 15 mm being suitable for earbuds.
- Driver type: Most consumer headphones and earbuds have dynamic drivers with a cone-shaped or dome-shaped surface that generates sound when driven by a magnet. Planar magnetic drivers have a flat sheet of material and are considered to sound better, but they cost more and are more demanding to operate. High-end, in-ear headphones may have balanced-armature drivers to provide excellent performance at tiny sizes.
- Frequency range: The frequency range is usually between 20 hertz and 20 kilohertz, which is also the range of human hearing. However, some extend just below and just above that range to include sounds you feel rather than hear.
- Frequency response: An ideal frequency response is flat, or equal, across all frequencies. Most consumer headphones exaggerate their low (bass) and high (treble) frequencies to provide a sound people tend to find entertaining. Frequency response can be adjusted with an equalizer (EQ); most of our picks have smartphone apps that allow you to adjust EQ.
- Soundstage: Headphones with a good soundstage let you hear different instruments or audio elements in different positions within a virtual space around your ears: the piano here, the drums there, a trumpet in your left ear, a backup vocal in your right. The best headphones immerse you in this space with discrete instruments or elements.
Our top picks: Sound quality
- The Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones have the best overall sound quality among our top picks, pairing a default warm bass with impressive clarity in the upper-mid and treble range and presenting a wide, spacious soundstage.
- The Apple AirPods Max had audio quality we likened to being in a concert hall with a flatter response, expansive soundstage and plenty of articulation and definition.
- The Sony WH1000-XM5 offers a warm, bass-driven sound with sharpness and detail in the mids and highs, lending clarity and brightness.
- We had difficulty getting good sound from the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones at first. Once we did, we noted their definition and bass smoothness. Their high end could use more sparkle.
Additional features
After sound quality, or maybe even before it, there’s no bigger feature in consumer headphones today than active noise cancellation (ANC). Wireless headphones run on batteries, so battery life and charging time are important considerations. To take calls and participate in videoconferencing, you need headphones with good microphones. Furthermore, the best-sounding headphones and earbuds can be annoying with bad or inconvenient controls.
- Noise cancellation: Every headphone and earbud can block out some sound. With active noise cancellation, the device samples ambient sounds and generates an opposite sound wave to cancel them out. This strategy is often more effective with low, repetitive noise like that of a plane engine than it is for intermittent, high-pitched noises like conversation or a crying baby. Notably, some people feel discomfort when exposed to opposing soundwaves. This could be because they put pressure on the eardrums, creating a so-called “eardrum suck.”
- Battery life: Wireless headphones, especially noise-canceling ones, run on rechargeable batteries. Battery life can vary widely, depending whether ANC is on. Look for battery life at least as long as the longest plane trip you may take. Recharging should be as quick as possible.
- Microphones: Almost all wireless headphones come with embedded mics for making calls. However, they are often inferior in clarity to headsets with dedicated mics on booms that hover directly over the mouth.
- Controls: Headphones may offer physical or touch-sensitive onboard controls, such as power and function buttons on one or both ear cups. Some people prefer physical buttons for reliability and accuracy. Touch-sensitive controls are more flexible once you learn them.
Our top picks: Additional features
- The Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones earned our accolades for the best active noise cancellation. These headphones reduce low, repetitive sounds and silence single voices and conversations.
- The Sennheiser Momentum 4 offered more than 60 hours of battery life with ANC on, an astounding value even among the competition.
- The Sony WH1000-XM5 has noise cancellation that is almost as powerful as the Bose, with more settings and customization.
- The Apple AirPods Max has active noise cancellation that suppresses single voices and conversation well.
- We appreciated the intuitive gesture on the Soundcore Space One that lowers audio and turns transparency on when you touch the left ear cup.
FAQ
Q. How much do headphones cost?
A. Headphones cost as little as $5 to more than $5,000. Basic earbuds and headphones tend to cost between $15 and $50.
Expect good sound and better build quality for earbuds and headphones that cost $50 to $200, including some excellent values in wireless models with usable noise cancellation.
Most of the best headphones for consumers, including wireless models with ANC, cost between $250 and $500, as do plenty of wired audiophile and studio-class pairs. Above $500, you’ll find more rarefied models catering to enthusiasts and audiophiles with unusual materials, advanced technology and premium builds.
Q. Are premium headphones worth it?
A. Premium headphones offer superior sound quality, comfort, durability and features. Sound quality can be very subjective, but when comparing a low-cost pair of headphones or earbuds to a top-shelf product, the clearer, fuller, more accurate and more enjoyable sound should be easy to hear.
The best headphones may be made of superior materials that last longer and withstand usage better. They may be more comfortable to wear than the competition, especially for long periods. The active noise cancellation of premium headphones tends to eliminate sound more effectively than low-cost headphones.
However, some lower-cost headphones offer good sound and build quality for the money, and some premium headphones underperform. A good buying guide can help you decide which headphones are the best for the money.
Q. What are the best headphones brands?
A. New and exciting brands and manufacturers join the headphone market every year, but some names have stood the test of time. These include Sony, Sennheiser, AKG (now owned by Samsung), Philips, Beyerdynamic, V-Moda, Ultrasone and Bose.
Other respected brands include Koss, Klipsch, Denon, Grado, Audio-Technica, JBL, Bowers & Wilkins, Bang & Olufsen and Shure. More recent brands with models among the best headphones include Apple (and its subsidiary, Beats by Dre), Soundcore by Anker, Jabra, Skullcandy, Audeze, Hifiman and Focal.
Our expertise
Jmar Gambol has written for BestReviews since 2021, but his interest in headphones stretches back more than 30 years. He has owned at least 18 pairs of full-sized, over-ear and on-ear headphones, including models from Grado, Koss, Beyerdynamic, Philips, Audio-Technica and Bose; multiple Sennheisers, Sonys and Beats; and more wired earbuds than he can remember. He has personally tested nine pairs of headphones and earbuds for BestReviews, including six of the picks listed in this guide.
