Updated Oct 15, 2024 at 09:23 am
By Stephen Eldon Kerr
overview 6 comments
Whether you're looking for versatile Bluetooth headphones with extra features, like active noise cancelling (ANC), or you're a discerning audiophile who only wants the best sound possible, there's something out there for everyone. However, it can be overwhelming to sort through the hundreds of products on the market. Some headphones even seem to offer similar performances but at radically different price points. How do you know which pair is right for you?
We've tested over 815 pairs of headphones, and below are our recommendations for the best you can buy.
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Best Headphones
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless 66
Neutral Sound
7.4
Commute/Travel
8.2
Sports/Fitness
7.4
Office
8.1
Wireless Gaming
6.1
Wired Gaming
7.1
Phone Calls
7.6
Type Over-ear
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless Yes
Transducer Dynamic
Noise Cancelling Yes
Mic Yes
See all our test results
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless are the best headphones we've tested. These premium over-ears have a fantastic noise isolation performance thanks to their active noise cancelling (ANC) system. Similar to other headphones from this manufacturer, they block out a wide range of ambient sound, from rumbly bus and plane engines to ambient chit-chat and noisy computer fans. With the ANC on, they last 29 hours continuously. These headphones also have a very comfortable fit, so you can wear them for long periods without fatigue.
Out of the box, their bassy sound adds extra thump, rumble, and boom to your mixes. If you don't like that sound, you can adjust it to suit your tastes using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets. The app also offers Immersive Audio, a feature that tracks your head movements to create a more spacious and immersive audio experience compared to their default soundstage. They have a few more extra features that add to their versatility. You can connect them with up to two devices simultaneously, and they support aptX Adaptive. This Bluetooth codec automatically adjusts its performance to your content, ensuring low latency when watching videos and high sound quality when listening to audio. When the connection is consistent, they also support aptX Lossless for even better audio quality.
For more wireless headphones, check out our picks for the best wireless headphones.
See our review
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Best Upper Mid-Range Headphones
Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless 18
Neutral Sound
7.2
Commute/Travel
8.1
Sports/Fitness
7.2
Office
7.7
Wireless Gaming
5.8
Wired Gaming
7.4
Phone Calls
6.6
Type Over-ear
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless Yes
Transducer Dynamic
Noise Cancelling Yes
Mic Yes
See AlsoGoogle Pixel Buds Pro 2 Lightning Review: Small In Size, Big On Sound - Lowyat.NETBest headphones 2024 – our expert picks of every typeWe Spent Thousands of Hours Listening to Find the Best Wireless HeadphonesThe best headphones 2024 for all budgets, tested by our expertsSee all our test results
If you're looking for premium over-ears at a more digestible price, check out the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless instead. While Sony has released a newer edition of these headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless, they're less comfortable for most people, and their ANC doesn't block out as much noise in the bass range. Plus, if you're looking for a premium performance at a lower price, they're usually cheaper than their successor.
The XM4 headphones have an outstanding ANC system that does a remarkable job of filtering ambient sound, including rumbling engines and background conversations, so they're a great choice for commuting or traveling. Their battery lasts for roughly 37 hours with the ANC on, so you don't need to worry about running out of power during long days on the go. Their mic doesn't offer the best recording quality, making your voice sound thin and muffled.
Like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless, they support multi-device pairing and have a bass-heavy default sound profile that emphasizes thump and rumble in genres like EDM and hip-hop. That said, it's more muddy and cluttered-sounding than the Bose's, and even with a graphic EQ and presets in their companion app, it can be tricky to tamp down the extra bass. That said, the app also offers a virtual soundstage feature called 360 Reality Audio, which analyzes your ear's unique shape to create a personalized, immersive sound. However, you have to subscribe to services like TIDAL that support it.
Check out our article on the best noise cancelling headphones for more picks.
See our review
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Best Mid-Range Headphones
Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless 17
Neutral Sound
6.8
Commute/Travel
7.8
Sports/Fitness
7.0
Office
7.6
Wireless Gaming
5.8
Wired Gaming
6.9
Phone Calls
7.3
Type Over-ear
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless Yes
Transducer Dynamic
Noise Cancelling Yes
Mic Yes
See all our test results
From this price point onwards, Anker dominates the market. Their Q lineup covers a range of prices, from mid-range down to budget, and most options are pretty hard to ignore since they come well-equipped with features like ANC, multi-device pairing, and companion app support. Their top-of-the-line model is the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless, which are significantly cheaper than the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless. These headphones are a step down in build quality and comfort from the previous pick and offer a shorter continuous battery life. Still, they supply some of the same features and have a comparable noise cancelling performance. Their adjustable ANC does a fantastic job of cutting down a wide range of sound. On the downside, they self-generate noise with the ANC on, which is noticeable and can be a bit annoying.
Their V-shaped sound is well-suited for genres like pop and rock, as they have extra bass and treble to give mixes extra thump and rumble while still ensuring that vocals and instruments pop. You can tweak their sound using an in-app graphic EQ and presets. These over-ears also last for around 27 hours continuously and support multi-device pairing, so you can stay connected to your PC and smartphone simultaneously. On the downside, if you're using these over-ears for calls, their mic has a mediocre recording quality, so speech is thin, dark, and lacking depth, but it handles background noise quite well.
If you're looking for a similar set of headphones with a better microphone, check out the Sony ULT WEAR Wireless. These noise cancelling headphones supply a better mic, slightly better build quality, and a longer battery life. They're also similarly tuned to favor a roughly similar bass-heavy sound profile. However, while their ANC is excellent, they don't cancel low rumbling noise as handily as the Anker, and they cost more.
Looking for more mid-range headphones? Our article on the best headphones under $200 has more picks!
See our review
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Best Budget Headphones
Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless 5
Neutral Sound
6.5
Commute/Travel
7.6
Sports/Fitness
6.9
Office
7.2
Wireless Gaming
5.6
Wired Gaming
6.7
Phone Calls
6.7
Type Over-ear
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless Yes
Transducer Dynamic
Noise Cancelling Yes
Mic Yes
See all our test results
If you're looking for a cheaper pair of headphones, check out the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless. While they aren't as sturdy or feature-packed as the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless, they still have ANC and are just as comfortable for long listening sessions. These budget over-ears last longer than their more expensive counterpart at over 44 hours on a single charge. As such, you can use them during long trips or repeat days at the office without needing a recharge.
They have an excited sound profile out of the box that complements genres like rock and pop. However, the extra bass muddies mixes, and the added treble makes content sound harsh and piercing. Still, you can fine-tune their sound using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets. While they don't have adaptive noise cancelling like the Q45, so they can't automatically adjust to your environment, their ANC has three modes to best suit your needs. They support multi-device pairing, so you can stay connected to up to two devices at a time. If you like to crank the volume up, others around you may hear it. Their integrated mic also really struggles to separate speech from noise, so your voice can be drowned out.
If you aren't looking to spend much, our best budget and cheap headphones article will give you more recommendations for low-priced options.
See our review
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Best Sounding Wireless Headphones
Focal Bathys Wireless 7
Neutral Sound
7.9
Commute/Travel
7.7
Sports/Fitness
7.2
Office
7.6
Wireless Gaming
6.0
Wired Gaming
7.1
Phone Calls
7.2
Type Over-ear
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless Yes
Transducer Dynamic
Noise Cancelling Yes
Mic Yes
See all our test results
If you want the best sound experience over a Bluetooth connection, check out the Focal Bathys Wireless. They're much pricier than the previous wireless picks, but these over-ears are equipped with handy features to improve your audio experience. Like our top pick, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless, they support aptX Adaptive codec, allowing you to stream high-quality audio over Bluetooth. Although their ANC isn't as powerful as our top pick, their sound is more consistent between wearers. Using these wired lets you take advantage of their USB-DAC mode, converting digital signals to analog in high resolution. They also last over 29 hours continuously and have a comfortable, plush fit, which is great for long listening sessions.
Using the Dynamic EQ preset, they have a fairly neutral sound profile and deliver satisfying bass without drowning out vocals and instruments. Their companion app offers a graphic EQ and presets to help you adjust their sound to suit your tastes. While they're closed-back headphones, and their passive soundstage doesn't feel the most spacious or natural, they're equipped with an ANC system to help cut down ambient sound around you. They also support multi-device pairing, so you can stay connected to your PC and smartphone simultaneously, making them versatile without sacrificing sound quality.
Want more sound-oriented headphones? Try our picks for the top headphones for music.
See our review
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Best Audiophile Headphones
Sennheiser HD 800 S 4
Neutral Sound
8.6
Commute/Travel
4.0
Sports/Fitness
5.5
Office
4.8
Wireless Gaming
4.9
Wired Gaming
6.9
Phone Calls
1.7
Type Over-ear
Enclosure Open-Back
Wireless No
Transducer Dynamic
Noise Cancelling No
Mic No
See all our test results
The Sennheiser HD 800 S are audiophile headphones that blow their competitors out of the water. Unlike the Focal Bathys Wireless, which are closed-back Bluetooth headphones, these wired cans have an open-back design, allowing audio to escape the ear cups and bounce off the walls around you, creating a spacious, out-of-head passive soundstage. On the flip side, they're designed for use in an enclosed room as they won't block out any background noise. You'll need to purchase a high-grade amp if you want to properly drive them, which can be an additional investment if you don't already have one. If you just want to dip your toes into the audiophile world, it's worth trying out entry-level headphones like the Philips SHP9500, which are much cheaper but have a less immersive soundstage.
The Sennheiser headphones have a well-balanced, neutral sound suitable for most audio content. Although they have trouble reproducing a thumpy low-bass, they have a touch of extra high-bass to add warmth to the audio. Their mid-range is flat, so vocals and lead instruments are clearly and accurately reproduced. They also have excellent build quality, and their fit is comfortable enough for long listening sessions.
If you're looking for more options for hi-fi sound, check out our article on the best audiophile headphones.
See our review
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Best Earbuds
Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless 80
Neutral Sound
7.1
Commute/Travel
8.2
Sports/Fitness
8.3
Office
7.5
Wireless Gaming
5.6
Wired Gaming
5.5
Phone Calls
6.6
Type In-ear
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless Truly Wireless
Transducer Dynamic
Noise Cancelling Yes
Mic Yes
See all our test results
If you're looking for lightweight, more portable headphones than our previous over-ear picks, try the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless. Their small design makes it easy to stash them in your pockets when you're on the go. Thanks to their ANC feature, they also have excellent noise isolation performance. However, their memory foam ear tips largely do the heavy lifting, passively blocking out a wide range of sounds from engine rumbles to passenger chit-chat. As a result, some people may not find a significant difference between ANC on and off. With their ANC on, they last nearly nine hours, but there are a couple of extra charges in the case if you need them.
Out of the box, they have a warm sound profile that you can fine-tune to your liking using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets. That said, not everyone will enjoy the memory foam ear tips, which can put pressure on your ear canal. If you're looking for more comfortable noise cancelling buds, consider the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Truly Wireless instead. Their ear tips have a shallower fit and put less pressure on the ear. However, unlike the Sony headphones, they don't support multi-device pairing, so you can't stay connected with multiple devices simultaneously.
Searching for more earbuds? Check out our bestin-ear headphones article!
See our review
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Best Earbuds For iPhone
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) (USB‑C) 24
Neutral Sound
7.4
Commute/Travel
8.1
Sports/Fitness
8.3
Office
7.2
Wireless Gaming
5.7
Wired Gaming
5.5
Phone Calls
6.3
Type In-ear
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless Truly Wireless
Transducer Dynamic
Noise Cancelling Yes
Mic Yes
See all our test results
Want something that rivals the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless but offers extra features for iOS users? Then the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are a solid choice. While they don't block out as much background noise as the Sony, these popular buds have an H2 chip for seamless pairing with your MacBook or iPhone. They also support Spatial Audio, which creates an immersive audio experience with supported content, which is great because the buds themselves struggle to simulate an out-of-head soundstage due to their design.
These comfortable, well-built headphones are certified IPX4 for resistance against water splashes. Their warm sound adds a touch of extra bass, while vocals and instruments are cozy within the tracks. Unfortunately, they don't have any sound customization features to help you adjust their sound to your liking. Some people find that the buds wiggle out of their ears over time, which can be annoying. Their call performance could be better, too, as the mic struggles to capture speech clearly. Still, they last under six hours continuously, and their carrying case holds an extra four charges if needed.
These earbuds have two variants: one with a Lightning charging port and another with a USB-C charging port. The version with the Lightning port case has been replaced with the USB-C port case, so it's more a matter of availability and personal preference.
For more iOS-friendly options, check out our picks for the best wireless earbuds for iPhone.
See our review
Recent Updates
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Oct 15, 2024: We've checked that each of our picks is still the best in their category but haven't changed them.
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Sep 16, 2024: We checked that all our picks are in stock, but made only minor text edits for clarity.
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Aug 07, 2024: We've made small edits to the text for clarity but haven't changed our picks.
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Jun 11, 2024: The Sony ULT WEAR Wireless have been added as an alternative to the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless, and a note about charging cases was added to the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless.
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May 08, 2024: We've checked our picks to ensure they still represent the best in each category but have made no changes.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best earbuds and headphones for most people to buy. We factor in the price (cheaper headphones win over pricier ones if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no headphones that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to choose for yourself, here is the list of all our headphone reviews. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There are no ideal headphones. Personal tastes, preferences, and listening habits will matter more in your selection.