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? The best pick varies depending on your use, but versatile casual headphones should have a comprehensive feature set that covers sound customization, ANC in a relatively lightweight, comfortable package. Beyond the basics, certain products can specialize in ANC or offer more complete sound customization.
We've tested over 865 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. On a budget? Check out our best budget headphones for more bargain-focused picks.
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
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Best Headphones
Noise Isolation - Full RangeRecording QualityFrequency Response ConsistencyAudio Reproduction AccuracySee all our test resultsNoise IsolationThe 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. Plus, you can access high-quality codecs like LDAC, and if your device supports it, LC3, which can improve call quality. They also support two-device Bluetooth multi-pairing with automatic switching. And, the Sony integrate nicely into your life with intuitive touch controls and location- and activity-based profiles.
If you like simulated surround sound, you can set up Sony 360 Reality Audio and enjoy spatial audio with compatible streaming services and Android phones (manufacturer-dependent). These premium-built headphones can fold down smaller for storage in the included hard case for long journeys or a daily commute. And their cushy earpads and headband feel comfortable for most people, though you'll want to ensure you get a consistent over-ear seal for the best sound delivery and noise isolation performance. If you have larger ears or wear glasses, you might prefer the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) for their roomier and more consistent fit. The Bose can also use an alternative high-quality codec, AptX, but some of the headphones' features aren't as customizable, relying on a disappointing 3-band in-app graphic EQ compared to the Sony's 10-band one.
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 RangeRecording QualityFrequency Response ConsistencyAudio Reproduction AccuracySee all our test resultsNoise IsolationIf you're looking for premium noise cancelling headphones 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 cost less than their successor. You lose out on some newer features like the LC3 codec, slightly better ANC, and head-tracking for surround sound, but the WH-1000XM4's core fundamentals remain competitive despite the generational differences.
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, but they're less reactive to transient noise compared to our top pick. 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 isn't the best and makes your voice sound thin and muffled. 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. Keep in mind you'll trade a shorter battery life and LDAC support for the better mic, though.
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Best Mid-Range Headphones
Noise Isolation - Full RangeRecording QualityFrequency Response ConsistencyAudio Reproduction AccuracySee all our test resultsNoise IsolationFrom 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; each entry is 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. Though this means a step down in build quality and comfort and a shorter 27-hour battery life, the Anker's adjustable ANC still does a fantastic job of blocking a wide range of sounds compared to the more pricey option. However, the Anker's ANC system generates a bit of noise when active, which can bother some people.
Their sound is bassy and well-suited to genres like pop and rock, emphasizing thump and punch while retaining clarity in vocals and instruments. Still, 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. They 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 RangeRecording QualityFrequency Response ConsistencyAudio Reproduction AccuracySee all our test resultsNoise IsolationIf you're looking for an even more value-focused pair of headphones, check out the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 2024. The brand 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, more 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, though you may need to top them up here or there for your commute. Don't confuse these with the older Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless; the 2024 version brings a few welcome updates: Bluetooth multi-device pairing, so you can stay connected to both your phone and laptop at once, and a graphic EQ in the app so you can adjust their bass-heavy default sound to taste. The onboard microphone keeps you intelligible for calls, but background noise can easily overpower your voice 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 RangeRecording QualityFrequency Response ConsistencyAudio Reproduction AccuracySee all our test resultsNoise IsolationIf you want the best sound experience over Bluetooth, 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 a smooth, balanced 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 a couple tricks to make them stand out. First, their app has a parametric EQ that lets you customize their sound in detail and even A/B-test between different settings. Second, there's a crossfeed feature that blends the left and right channels together to create 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 audio codecs. 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 those with thicker frames, the Focal Bathys Wireless will deliver repeatable audio between wears. The Focal also offer a balanced sound, but their fit is more forgiving of different anatomy and head accessories. However, they're 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 RangeRecording QualityFrequency Response ConsistencyAudio Reproduction AccuracySee all our test resultsNoise IsolationDeparting from mostly wireless picks, the 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, which some say enhances their spacious, out-of-head soundstage. On the flip side, they're designed for use in a controlled environment because they won't block background noise.
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.
You'll likely 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 probably better to experiment with an entry-level option like the Philips SHP9500, which are a fraction of the price, though they make concessions in build quality.
If you're looking for more options for hi-fi sound, check out our article on the best audiophile headphones.
Recent Updates
Mar 16, 2026:
We've verified our picks are still appropriate and updated text throughout the article for clarity.
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.
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.