The 8 Best Headphones of 2025

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). 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 ANC active, their battery lasts for 29 hours of continuous playback. 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 and rumble to your mixes. If you prefer a different sound, you can adjust their signature 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 an audio experience that can seem more spacious and expansive. 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.

If you're looking for premium over-ears at a more digestible price, check out the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless. 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 as their predecessor. Plus, if you're looking for premium performance at a lower price, the WH-1000XM4 Wireless are 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 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.

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. The Sony also have a similarly versatile app, offering 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 Amazon Music Unlimited that support it. That said, the Bose are more comfortable, and their more subdued bass out of the box might be preferable to some.

Check out our article on the best noise cancelling headphones for more picks.

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 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. Still, they have some of the same features; their adjustable ANC does a fantastic job of cutting down a wide range of sound. Unfortunately, their ANC isn't perfect and generates white noise when active, which is noticeable and can be a bit annoying depending on your sensitivity.

Their sound is bassy and well-suited for genres like pop and rock, as they emphasize 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 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, calls aren't well served by their mic, which has a mediocre recording quality: speech is thin, dark, and lacking depth, though the mic 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. These noise cancelling headphones supply a better mic, slightly better build quality, and a longer battery life. They're similarly tuned to favor a bass-heavy sound profile and are equally customizable with an in-app graphic EQ. However, while their ANC is excellent, they don't cancel low-rumbling noise like engines as handily as the Anker.

Looking for more mid-range headphones? Our article on the best headphones under $200 has more picks!

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 have better battery life than their more expensive counterpart, lasting 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.

Out of the box, they have a bass-heavy sound profile that complements genres like rock and pop. However, the extra bass muddies mixes and emphasis in the treble can make vocal and instrumental details sound a bit 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 to automatically adjust to your environment like the Q45, their ANC has three modes tuned for different scenarios. They also support multi-device pairing, so you can stay connected to up to two devices simultaneously.

If you aren't looking to spend much, our best budget and cheap headphones article has more recommendations for low-priced options.

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 wears. Using these cans wired also lets you take advantage of their USB-DAC, converting digital signals to analog with their onboard hardware. Their battery also lasts over 29 hours continuously with ANC, and their cups have a comfortable, plush fit, which is great for long listening sessions.

Using the Dynamic EQ preset when wireless, they have a balanced sound profile that delivers satisfying bass without drowning out vocals and instruments. Their companion app offers a graphic EQ and additional presets to help you adjust their sound to suit your tastes. They're closed-back headphones, so their passive soundstage doesn't feel the most spacious or natural, especially when compared to the openness of the Sennheiser HD 800 S below. But they do support multi-device pairing, so you can stay connected to your PC and smartphone simultaneously, making them great for on-the-go listening without sacrificing much in the way of sound quality.

Want more sound-oriented headphones? Try our picks for the top headphones for music.

The best audiophile headphones we've tested are the Sennheiser HD 800 S—demonstrating their well-respected pedigree is not for nothing. Unlike the closed-back Bluetooth Focal Bathys Wireless, 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 as they won't block out any background noise. You'll also need 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 a fraction of the price but aren't as sturdily built.

The Sennheiser headphones have a well-balanced sound 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 enveloping. 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.

If you're looking for a more lightweight and portable pair of 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. They have excellent noise isolation performance thanks to both their ANC and their memory foam ear tips, which passively block out sound. With their ANC on, they last nearly nine hours, with a couple of extra charges in the case if you need them. You can also turn ANC off to extend their battery life, as their ear tips do a lot of heavy lifting on their own.

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 best in-ear headphones article!

Want something that rivals the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless but offers extra features for iOS users? Then the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) are an excellent choice. Their ANC blocks out more bass than the already excellent Sony, making them one of the best-in-class noise cancelling earbuds. For compatibility with the Apple ecosystem, these popular buds have an H2 chip for seamless pairing and switching between your MacBook or iPhone. They also support Spatial Audio, which can create a more immersive audio experience with supported content.

These comfortable, well-built buds are certified IP54 for resistance against water splashes and dust exposure. 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 if you're affected. If, along with Apple ecosystem support, you plan to make a lot of calls or prefer a more open design, the Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation are worth considering, as they have a better-performing mic than our pick, and some people might prefer their less intrusive fit. That said, the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) have a slightly longer battery life and much better ANC. If you're running iOS 18 or later, Apple also has software solutions for improving call quality, like Voice Isolation, which can help isolate your voice from background noise on certain apps.

The AirPods Pro (2nd generation) have two case variants: one with a Lightning charging port and another with a USB-C charging port. However, the Lightning port case version has been discontinued and replaced with the USB-C port case version.

For more iOS-friendly options, check out our picks for the best wireless earbuds for iPhone.