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, especially when there are so many different types of headphones. Some headphones even seem to offer similar performance, but at radically different price points. How do you know which pair is right for you?
We've tested over 855 pairs of headphones, and below are our recommendations for the best you can buy. If you're more interested in earbuds than over-ears, check out our best earbuds recommendation article.
Quick Look
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Best Headphones
Noise Isolation - Full Range9.7Recording Quality7.7Frequency Response Consistency6.0Audio Reproduction Accuracy7.8See all our test resultsNoise Isolation9.7The Sony WH-1000XM6 are the best headphones we've tested. Thanks to their powerful active noise cancelling (ANC) tech and passive isolation, these over-ear headphones filter out a massive array of environmental noise spanning rumbly bus engines, background voices, and squeaky subway brakes. With ANC enabled, their battery lasts just shy of 32 hours. You can connect them via high-quality codecs like LDAC, and if your device supports it, LC3, to get the benefits of Bluetooth LE Audio, such as improved microphone quality. They also support Bluetooth multi-pairing with two devices for simple switching between devices. They're designed to fit into your life with intuitive touch and gesture controls that you can remap and tweak the warm sound profile with graphic EQ in the comprehensive app.
If you like simulated surround sound, you can use the Sony 360 Reality Audio feature with compatible streaming services for an immersive experience that includes head tracking to place you in the midst of the music. These premium-built headphones can fold down smaller, and their cushy earpads and headband feel comfortable for most people, too, though you'll want to ensure you get a consistent over-ear seal for the best sound and isolation. If you have larger ears or wear glasses, you might prefer the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) for the roomier and more consistent fit. The Bose can also deliver audio via high-quality codec, aptX Adaptive, but some features aren't as customizable to your taste, like the controls, which rely mainly on a multi-function button. And, while the ANC is nearly as effective as the Sony, you can't fully disable it, and the EQ is only three bands.
Still, the top tier of headphones is crowded with plenty of excellent choices; for more options, check out our picks for the best wireless headphones.
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Best Upper Mid-Range Headphones
Noise Isolation - Full Range9.5Recording Quality6.1Frequency Response Consistency8.1Audio Reproduction Accuracy7.9See all our test resultsNoise Isolation9.3If you're looking for premium over-ears at a more digestible price, check out the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless. While the Sony WH-1000XM6 are the newer generation in the line-up, the WH-1000XM4 hold up well to the test of time. Plus, if you're looking for premium performance at a lower price, the WH-1000XM4 Wireless cost less than their successor. With the WH-1000XM4, you lose out on some features like LE Audio's LC3 codec, slightly better ANC, head-tracking for surround sound, and a few other app benefits, but the core fundamentals remain competitive despite the generational differences.
Like the WH-1000XM6, they support multi-device pairing and have a warm default sound profile that emphasizes thump and rumble in genres like EDM and hip-hop. The WH-1000XM4 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 travelling. 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. However, their mic doesn't offer the best recording quality, making your voice sound thin and muffled. Still, for a slightly clearer microphone and the option to use a mic when the headphones are connected via a cable, consider the Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless, though the battery life is shorter and you miss out on the Sony's LDAC codec.
Check out our article on the best noise cancelling headphones for more picks.
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Best Mid-Range Headphones
Noise Isolation - Full Range8.9Recording Quality6.1Frequency Response Consistency7.4Audio Reproduction Accuracy6.9See all our test resultsNoise Isolation8.7From this price point onwards, Anker dominates the market. Their Q lineup spans a range of prices, from mid-range to budget, and most options are hard to ignore, well-equipped with features like ANC, multi-device pairing, and companion app support. Their top-of-the-line headphones, the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless, 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, though 27 hours is enough to get you through a few days without recharging. Their adjustable ANC also does a fantastic job of blocking a wide range of sounds, though it generates a bit of white noise when active, which can be a little distracting.
Their sound is bassy and well-suited to genres like pop and rock, emphasizing thump and punch while retaining clarity in vocals and instruments. If you prefer something different, you can tweak their sound using an in-app graphic EQ and presets. These cans also support multi-device pairing, so you can stay connected to your PC and smartphone simultaneously. On the downside, the mic makes your voice sound thin and dark, though it blocks out background noise quite well. If you're looking for a similar set of headphones with a better microphone, check out the Sony ULT WEAR. The ULT WEAR also have a better build quality, but their ANC doesn't cancel low-rumbling noise as handily as the Anker's.
Looking for more mid-range headphones? Our article on the best headphones under $200 has more picks!
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Best Budget Headphones
Noise Isolation - Full Range8.8Recording Quality7.2Frequency Response Consistency5.4Audio Reproduction Accuracy7.3See all our test resultsNoise Isolation8.5If you're looking for a cheaper pair of headphones, check out the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 2024. Anker continues to dominate the budget space with noise-cancelling headphones that perform well above their price, and this model is no exception. While they can't block out as much noise as the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless, they still do an excellent job of reducing background chatter and hum. Of course, to keep the price low, some concessions have to be made, and these take a hit on the build quality front. While they're light and comfortable enough to wear for long sessions, they do feel a bit cheap and plasticky. They can also sound a bit inconsistent depending on fit, especially if you wear glasses.
On the plus side, with over 49 hours of continuous battery life, these will get you through a full workweek without charging (but only if you're able to avoid overtime). Compared to the older Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless, the 2024 version also brings a few welcome updates. You now get Bluetooth multi-device pairing, so you can stay connected to both your phone and laptop at once, and the EQ in the app lets you adjust their bass-heavy default sound to taste. The onboard microphone keeps your voice intelligible for calls, but background noise can easily overpower it in busier environments.
If you aren't looking to spend much, our best budget and cheap headphones article has more recommendations for low-priced options.
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Best Sounding Wireless Headphones
Noise Isolation - Full Range8.8Recording Quality6.5Frequency Response Consistency4.6Audio Reproduction Accuracy8.0See all our test resultsNoise Isolation8.7If you want the best sound experience over a Bluetooth connection, check out the Sennheiser HDB 630. Unlike many of the headphones in this article, which have more bass-heavy or V-shaped profiles, these cans offer an extremely balanced, controlled sound, without many peaks or dips. Like our top pick, the Sony WH-1000XM6, you can customize that sound to your tastes using the included graphic EQ. But the Sennheiser have another couple of tricks up their sleeve. First, you get a parametric EQ that lets you customize their sound in detail and even A/B between different band settings. Second, there's a crossfeed feature which blends the left and right channels together, creating a more speaker-like presentation.
In addition to regular wireless Bluetooth support, these cans come with a dedicated Bluetooth dongle: the BTD 700, which lets you bypass your connected device's internal Bluetooth chip, giving you more control over your audio formats. And you can listen to these cans via either an analog or USB-C cable, too. The HDB 630's comfortable design means they're pleasant to wear for long listening sessions, and their ANC is excellent, if not quite up to par with our top pick's. Their biggest drawback is poor frequency response consistency. If you wear glasses, especially ones with thicker frames, the Focal Bathys Wireless are a better pickup. The Focal also offer a balanced sound, but their fit is more forgiving of different anatomy and head accessories. The downside is that the Focal are a little more expensive, and their 29-hour battery life can't touch the Sennheiser's 54 hours.
Want more sound-oriented headphones? Try our picks for the top headphones for music.
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Best Audiophile Headphones
Noise Isolation - Full Range1.2Frequency Response Consistency8.4Audio Reproduction Accuracy8.4See all our test resultsNoise Isolation1.4The best audiophile headphones we've tested are the Sennheiser HD 800 S. Unlike the closed-back Sennheiser HDB 630, these wired cans have an open-back design, allowing audio to escape the ear cups and interact with your environment, contributing to their spacious, out-of-head soundstage. On the flip side, they're designed for use in an enclosed room because they won't block background noise. You may also want to consider a dedicated headphone amp to properly drive these cans, 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 a fraction of the price but aren't as sturdily built.
The Sennheiser headphones have a flat sound profile that's suitable for most audio content. Although they have some trouble reproducing a thumpy low-bass, there's enough high-bass that basslines still feel warm. And you can always boost the low-bass up to our target using the EQ settings we provide. 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 extended critical listening sessions.
If you're looking for more options for hi-fi sound, check out our article on the best audiophile headphones.
Recent Updates
Jan 23, 2026:
To better serve our readers, we've condensed this article by removing both earbud picks. But we've added a link to our best earbuds recommendation article in the introduction. The Sennheiser HDB 630 also replace the Focal Bathys Wireless as our 'Best Sounding Wireless Headphones,' with the Focal an alternative for anyone who wears thicker-framed glasses.
Nov 06, 2025:
The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 2024 replace the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless as our budget pick, and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) replace the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless as our alternative to the Sony WH-1000XM6. We added the Noble FoKus Apollo as an alternative to the Focal Bathys Wireless, and the Apple AirPods Pro 3 replace the Apple AirPods Pro 2 as our 'Earbuds For iPhone' pick.
Sep 09, 2025:
We recently updated a few more headphones to Test Bench 2.0 and edited this article to reflect those changes, but we haven't changed our picks.
Jul 10, 2025:
This article's picks have been updated. The top pick has been replaced with the Sony WH-1000XM6, and the 'Best Earbuds' are now the Technics EAH-AZ100. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless are mentioned as an alternative to the top pick. Text has been updated throughout to reflect these changes.
May 01, 2025:
We haven't changed our picks, but we've updated the text throughout to reflect changes made as part of our Test Bench 2.0 update, which changed how we test sound.
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.