Buying guide for best headphones
For many of us, headphones have become an essential part of everyday life. At the office, on a plane, at the gym or at home, they let us tune out the world and enjoy our favorite music, movies or shows.
In the BestReviews Testing Lab, we tried out numerous pairs, evaluating them on price, comfort and build quality. We measured the battery life of wireless headphones and the effectiveness of their noise cancellation. Most importantly, we spent hour after hour listening to all kinds of music and audio to discover what they do or don’t do well.
From our testing and research, we found the Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones to be the best headphones overall. But we’ve also got picks for the best low-cost noise-canceling headphones, the best headphones for music, the best workout earbuds and more, as well as tips on how to determine the best headphones for you.
Which headphones are best?
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 hours (tested) | Comfort and Fit: 8 out of 10
Sony calls their flagship WH-1000XM5 wireless noise-canceling headphones “industry-leading,” and according to our testing, this isn’t just a boast. The XM5 headphones easily meet or surpass other wireless noise-canceling models in terms of sound quality, comfort, build quality and performance.
Packing a powerful, emphatic bass, these sounded particularly good when we listened to hip-hop and EDM tracks. Clear mids and airy highs brought out details in vocals both in folk and opera, while a spacious soundstage and good instrument separation made themselves evident in orchestral and jazz tracks.
When it came to noise cancelation, these 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. And they were still comfortable to wear even after using them for more than four hours.
On a complete charge, the XM5s lasted 34.5 hours with active noise cancellation on. 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 very short 1-foot USB-A to USB-C charge cable.) We thought the Sony smartphone app was a little confusing, and we wish the headphones were more sweat- and moisture-resistant, but as far as their performance goes, the Sony WH-1000XM5s have no equals. We rate them 5 out of 5 as the best wireless noise-canceling headphones you can buy.
Best noise-canceling headphones for the buck
Product Specifications
Type: Over-ear | Sensitivity: 16 Hz to 40,000 Hz | Noise Cancellation: ANC | Connectivity: Bluetooth, audio cable | Battery Life: 40 hours (estimated) | Comfort and Fit: 10 out of 10
Popular battery and computer accessory maker Anker has earned itself a reputation for being one of the most reliable audio brands in tech. Its wireless, noise-canceling Soundcore Life Q20 headphones, released in 2019, exemplifies the Soundcore line’s full-featured, high-performing headphones that are priced much lower than its competitors.
Though their sound quality wasn’t quite up to par with top headphones when we tested them, they’re certainly premium for their price range, with spacious audio and good bass presence that we loved. Their noise cancellation also worked well, dulling the roar of a lawnmower’s engine during yard work (although we needed a good seal on the ear cups for it to work at its best).
The Q20s paired quickly and easily to a smartphone even for people unfamiliar with Bluetooth, and the included audio cables also worked well when we wanted a wired connection. We felt that the 40-hour advertised battery life was accurate, and we appreciated that the Q20s would tell you whether your battery charge was high, medium or low. With their solid performance at a low price, we rate the Soundcore by Anker Life Q20 headphones 4 out of 5 and recommend them as outstanding wireless noise-canceling headphones in their price range.
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 hours, 30 minutes (tested) | Comfort and Fit: 9 out of 10
Sennheiser is one of those audio titans whose products helped define what it meant to be an audiophile. While its wireless Momentum line has been known as much for its retro style as its sound, we discovered during testing that the Sennheiser Momentum 4 wireless noise-canceling headphones offer a superior musicality that gives you a taste of the company’s legendary products.
Out of the box, their sound was mellow and balanced with some emphasis on the bass, and we found them pleasurable to listen to no matter what we played. In addition, the Sennheiser app provides guided customized equalization. Once we found the EQ settings we liked, we were blown away by their 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, along with its synthetic leather earpads, was comfortable to wear for hours on end. Pairing was straightforward even with dual audio sources, and the headphones maintained multipoint pairing without issue during the entire test period.
The Momentum 4 has a few drawbacks though. We found that their active noise cancellation, while effective enough, was not on par with competing headphones we tested, and that their touch controls sometimes registered commands we didn’t intend. Still, they sound so good and last so long — at 60 hours and 30 minutes they had the longest battery life of any headphones we tested — that we’re happy to overlook any faults. We give the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Headphones a 4 out of 5 for outstanding sound quality and battery life.
Best noise-canceling headphones
Product Specifications
Type: Over-ear | Sensitivity: NA | Noise Cancellation: Active | Connectivity: Bluetooth, audio cable | Battery Life: 20 hours (estimated) | Comfort and Fit: 9 out of 10
The kings of noise cancellation, Bose has been making headphones to shut out sound for decades. Their QuietComfort line brought high-quality ANC to consumers and helped civilize air travel for thousands. While no longer the latest and greatest of Boses (that would be the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, which we’ve yet to test), the Bose NC Headphones 700 remain benchmarks in style, sound and ANC, just as when we first tested them.
Sound quality was crisp and vibrant during our testing, with a spacious, chamber-like quality that especially stood out while listening to classical and atmospheric music. When combined with the 700’s noise cancellation, the sound was immersive, clear and dynamic, allowing us to spot small details in our music. We also appreciated the “live” sound option for spoken audio like podcasts.
With six dedicated microphones for noise detection, active noise cancellation was highly effective, eliminating even high-pitched sounds like the clacking of a keyboard in a quiet office. We noted the 11 different ANC settings available for any noise situation you might encounter, and we were highly pleased with the intuitive touch interface and built-in audio assistant.
Despite appearances, the 700’s slender, curving headband stood up to wear during testing, and we liked the sturdiness of their carrying case. As of 2023, the 700s have been superseded by new Bose models, but you can still find them from many stores at significantly lower prices than when they were first announced. The Bose NC Headphones 700 still rate 4 out of 5 for noise cancellation, audio quality and intuitive controls.
Best headphones for iPhone
Product Specifications
Type: Over-ear | Sensitivity: NA | Noise Cancellation: Active | Connectivity: Bluetooth, audio cable | Battery Life: 20 hours (estimated) | Comfort and Fit: 8 out of 10
The Apple AirPods Max were Apple’s first full-sized noise-canceling headphones, and they immediately shot to the top of many lists for their sound quality, build quality and excellent noise cancellation. They’re among the priciest headphones on the market, straddling the line between consumer and audiophile headphones. After testing them, we’re convinced they deserve their stellar reputation.
Upon unboxing, we loved the simplicity of the AirPods Max design. Their spatial audio reproduction impressed us with the way they simulated being in the same room as the music. We think anyone interested in the minutiae of music will love picking apart the details revealed by the AirPods Max. As for noise cancellation, it’s so excellent that others in a 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. Strangely for high-performance headphones, they can’t play lossless audio even over a wired connection. But all in all, we felt that the Apple AirPods Max are some of the best headphones we have yet tested — and easily some of the best looking. We rate them 4.5 out of 5 for audio quality, build quality and design.
Product Specifications
Type: Over-ear | Sensitivity: 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz| Noise Cancellation: Active | Connectivity: Bluetooth, audio cable | Battery Life: 49 hours (tested) | Comfort and Fit: 7 out of 10
Utah-based Skullcandy makes headphones known for their brash audio and in-your-face style. When we unboxed their top-shelf model, the Crusher ANC 2, we were prepared for the trademark Skullcandy boom and crunch. To our surprise, however, the Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 headphones played nicely with every genre of music in our playlist, while still being able to literally shake your 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 not just buttons but also a slide toggle for the ANC and scroll wheel for the sensory bass, a novelty in headphones. Pairing was straightforward; the Crushers can 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 remained the bass, and 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 not only guide us to a customized EQ but also test our hearing health overall. With their ability to play multiple genres of music, restrained design and literally headshaking bass, we gave the Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 a total score of 4 out of 5 and think they are the best headphones for die-hard bass lovers.
Best wireless earbuds for iPhone
Product Specifications
Type: Earbuds | Sensitivity: NA | Noise Cancellation: Active | Connectivity: Bluetooth | Battery Life: 6 hours (tested) | Comfort and Fit: 7 out of 10
Apple’s AirPods Pro remains, in our opinion, among the best wireless earbuds overall, even years after their 2019 introduction. We tested the 2nd generation of these extremely popular earbuds recently and are confident 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 come with silicone eartips designed to make a seal with the outer opening of your 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 or exercise. Sound quality was impressive with excellent bass depth and punch for an earbud as well as warm, well-defined mids and clear sharp highs. However, the sound quality overall and the bass response in particular depends on a good contact seal with the eartips.
Active noise cancellation was exceptional for earbuds, rivaling full-sized over-ear headphones for effectiveness. It canceled out almost all traffic noise on a busy street while leaving sound quality unaffected. The transparency mode seemed intelligent enough to discern what sounds were important to allow and what 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 gave these a score of 4 out of 5.
Best earbuds for working out
Product Specifications
Type: Earbuds | Sensitivity: NA | Noise Cancellation: Passive | Connectivity: Bluetooth | Battery Life: 9 hours (estimated) | Comfort and Fit: 7 out of 10
Workout headphones need a couple of capabilities other headphones don’t — most importantly, 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.
Their sound was rich, focused and balanced when we tested them, with just enough bass without being bass-heavy. The depth of sound was noticeable and felt premium to us both with music and with spoken audio like podcasts. While they lack active noise cancellation, we found that they were reasonably effective in blocking one-off sounds, although we still wished they had actual ANC.
Comfort was excellent, and we were pleased at how their ear hooks allowed them to stay in our ears while we exercised. We also liked that they’re adjustable, allowing for longer-term wear. With appealing color choices and solid IPX4 sweat resistance, we think the Beats by Dre Powerbeats Pro are excellent workout earbuds and earned a score of 4 out of 5.
How we tested
To find the best headphones, we evaluated multiple models by 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 use, how easy or difficult they were to pair to different devices, if they support multipoint connections, what codecs they offer such as AAC or AptX, what connector and charging cables they include, what jacks and adapters they use, and how useful (or not) their cases are.
- Controls: During testing we paid attention to the controls offered on each pair of headphones and how intuitive they are to use. We noted if the headphones use physical buttons or touch controls, where the controls are located, how easy it is to operate the headphones from the controls and how reliable the controls are during operation. If a smartphone app was offered, we downloaded and set up the app and tested 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. When feasible, we tested wired versus 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 continuously without removing them, playing audio all the while, to test any stress points or hearing fatigue that may lead to discomfort. We also examined each pair for 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 support calling functions, evaluating how lifelike both the caller and receiver’s voices were, how much interference and noise were present, if any, and the stability of the headphones’ 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 then kept them powered on while connected to an audio source playing either our test playlist or continuous white noise at medium-low volume, without recharging, until their batteries ran out. If we could, we also repeated the test with active noise cancellation turned off.
- Noise cancellation: To test active noise cancellation, we used each pair of headphones in different noise environments, including a quiet room, a noisy kitchen, an outdoor walk, a busy street and a crowded cafe. We tested different degrees and settings of noise cancellation offered, including any adaptive settings. We noted the audibility of high-frequency versus low-frequency noise, repetitive versus disruptive noise, and any transparency or awareness modes.
What to know before buying headphones
Over-ear, on-ear and earbud
The best headphones and earbuds can be classified according to their wearing style.
- Over-ear headphones have ear cups that completely enclose your 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 expensive type of headphones.
- On-ear headphones have earpads that rest on the outer ear. This design is less enclosing than over-ear headphones, although some people may find the pressure on their ears more uncomfortable over time. They often cost less than over-ears or high-end earbuds.
- Earbuds or earphones go in your ears. Some earbuds rest in your outer ear next to your ear canal, while others can be inserted into the ear canals themselves. These are often called in-ears 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.
Wired vs. wireless
Many of the best headphones for consumers, such as the ones in this guide, are wireless. With wireless headphones, you have freedom to move from your audio source and never have to worry about whether a cable is too long, too short, too heavy, gets tangled or has the right jack.
Wired headphones, however, retain an edge in audio quality, stability and reliability. A physical connection is more stable and reliable than one based on radio signals like wireless is. Even playback from high-resolution, lossless digital audio files is sometimes reserved for wired connections. The best headphones for audiophiles are generally wired.
Drivers
The drivers of headphones convert electrical signals into sound. Most consumer headphones have one of three types of drivers:
- Dynamic drivers are the most common and use a cone- or dome-shaped surface to generate sound.
- Planar magnetic drivers use a flat sheet of thin material to generate sound. Planar magnetic drivers are reputed to sound better than dynamic drivers, but tend to cost more and often require an amplifier.
- Balanced armature drivers use tiny armatures that rotate between two magnets to produce sound. Multiple drivers can fit in relatively small sizes, allowing balanced armature drivers to feature in high-end earbuds.
More uncommon technologies include electrostatic and solid-state drivers.
Driver size has an effect on audio quality. It’s said that the bigger the drivers, the better the sound. More precisely, the bigger a headphone’s drivers, the more air they move, which often translates into more powerful low frequencies (more bass) and better frequency response.
Frequency response
The best headphones should reproduce the range of sounds audible to the human ear as accurately as they can. This range of sounds is expressed as a range of frequencies, specifically between 20 and 20,000 hertz (Hz) for human hearing. The frequency response of headphones shows how accurately those headphones reproduce that range. This is often represented as a curve on a graph. The flatter the response curve, the better. A flat response is the ideal, with every frequency equally reproduced.
People’s sound preferences, however, often differ from a flat response. Emphasizing low frequencies, for example, is common among consumer headphones because bass is so popular. Some listeners like frequencies that sound sharp, while others like sounds that are smooth.
Each headphone model has a particular frequency response curve depending on its design and components. Many of the best headphones go slightly beyond the human frequency range, as low as 4 Hz or as high as 40 kHz, because, while we can’t hear those frequencies, they can be perceived in other ways.
Noise cancellation
Headphones and earbuds with active noise cancellation or ANC can reduce or eliminate unwanted sounds around you. Headphones with noise cancellation sample external noise and emit an opposite soundwave that cancels it out. This is why headphones with ANC usually require batteries or some other power source, and why it sometimes takes a moment for noise cancellation to adjust to a new or different sound. ANC is more successful at reducing low-pitched, repetitive noise, like airplane engines, than high-pitched, random noise like a crying baby.
ANC is not the only form of noise control in headphones. Closed-back headphones and in-ear buds can physically block outside sounds from entering your ears, resulting in noise isolation or “passive noise cancellation.”
The best headphones and earbuds let you adjust the strength of their active noise cancellation to make it stronger or weaker. A related feature is transparency or awareness, which reduces or adjusts ANC so that certain external sounds, such as speech or traffic, are allowed or even enhanced, so you can stay in touch with your surroundings.
Strong ANC has been known to cause an uncomfortable sensation of pressure in the eardrums for some people. So-called “eardrum suck” doesn’t affect everyone or every model of ANC headphones, but it’s a possibility to watch out for.
Apps, controls and smart features
The most essential headphones have no controls. You plug their cables into a stereo, receiver or amplifier, and they’re ready to go. But the best headphones and earbuds that connect to electronics, like portable music players and smartphones, are expected to have some kind of built-in controls for volume, playback and calls. These controls are often physical buttons, but some headphones have begun offering touch-based controls.
Many of the best headphones also offer smartphone apps that allow customization of features and performance, including EQ settings and compatibility with smart assistants like Alexa and Siri.
Best headphones for gaming
Gamers need headphones with low latency to keep up with gameplay. Many professional gamers use high-end wired headphones for their reliably stable connections and lack of lag. Dedicated gaming headsets often feature arm mics, but many headphones now come with advanced mics that often work just as well. For more, see our buying guide for the best gaming headsets.
How we analyzed
In assembling this buying guide, we relied primarily on our own hands-on testing to determine the best headphones. This allowed us to experience the pros and cons of each model in real-world usage, including sound quality, noise cancellation and comfort. For models we didn’t test ourselves, we sought out critical consensus and professional reviews. For all models, we researched other publications’ reviews and opinions as well as customer reviews and experiences.
FAQ
Q. How much do headphones cost?
A. Headphones can cost anywhere from as little as $5 to well over $5,000. Basic earbuds and headphones with solid sound may 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 or 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. Overall, 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 ones that cost upward of $250, clearer, fuller, more accurate and more enjoyable sound should be easy to hear.
The best headphones may also be made of superior materials that last longer or withstand usage better. They also can be more comfortable to wear, 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 may offer good sound and build quality for the money, while some premium headphones may underperform their competitors despite their high prices. A good buying guide can help you decide which are the best headphones for their price.
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 2020, 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 personally tested seven pairs of headphones and earbuds for BestReviews, including four of the picks listed in this guide.
