The 8 Best Headphones - Spring 2021 Reviews

The best headphones with a wireless connection that we've tested are the Sony WH-1000XM4. These well-built, comfortable headphones are the upgraded version of the Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless, and they offer a very versatile overall performance. Their continuous battery life is longer than their predecessor, and they also come with new touch-sensitive control features that help control the amount of ambient noise you hear.

Out-of-the-box, they have a bass-heavy sound profile that adds extra thump and punch to your audio, making them well-suited to listening to bass-heavy music like EDM. There's even a graphic EQ and presets available in the Sony|Headphones Connect app, so you can customize their sound based on your preferences. They also have an outstanding noise isolation performance, so you aren't distracted by background noise during your commute or while working in a crowded office.

Unfortunately, while they're stable enough for casual listening sessions, they may fall off your ears if you wear them during your workouts. Also, like most over-ears, they're a bit bulky and may take up some space in your bag if you bring them on-the-go. Fortunately, you can fold them into a slightly more compact format, which is handy.

The Razer Opus are the best wireless headphones under $200 that we've tested. These comfortable, well-built headphones offer an excellent price-to-performance ratio, and their versatile performance can please lots of different listeners. They last for over 32 hours off of a single charge, so you don't have to worry about recharging them frequently.

Out-of-the-box, they have a very neutral, balanced sound profile that's suitable for listening to lots of different types of audio content. You can also use the graphic EQ and presets in the Razer Opus app to customize their sound to your liking, which is nice. Thanks to their ANC feature, they have outstanding noise isolation, so you can focus on your music without distractions.

Unfortunately, they don't support multi-device pairing, which can be disappointing if you like to switch your audio source between your phone and your laptop frequently. Also, their integrated microphone has a just okay recording quality, so they're a mediocre choice for making phone calls. However, if you want a versatile, customizable pair of headphones at a more affordable price, they're a solid choice.

The best wireless earbuds that we've tested are the Samsung Galaxy Buds+. These lightweight, well-built earbuds have a comfortable and stable fit, so you can use them for long listening sessions without feeling a lot of fatigue. Overall, they have a decently versatile performance that should appeal to many different listeners.

They have a very neutral, well-balanced sound profile that makes them suitable for a wide variety of music genres. Thanks to their companion app, you can even customize the sound to your liking using the five different EQ presets. Also, they have an impressive battery life of over 13 hours off of a single charge, making them ideal to use while you're on the go.

Unfortunately, they don't have the best noise isolation performance, and they'll likely struggle to block out the deep rumble and roar of airplane engines or subway cars. If you're looking for wireless earbuds with better noise isolation, consider the Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless or the Amazon Echo Buds Truly Wireless. That said, overall, these are the best truly wireless headphones that we've tested and are a great choice if you want a wireless pair of earbuds.

The best headphones for audiophiles that we've tested are the HiFiMan Arya. These well-built headphones are impressively comfortable, and their planar magnetic transducer may be preferred by some audiophiles. They're an amazing choice for neutral sound, and thanks to their open-back design, they have a wide, spacious soundstage.

Out-of-the-box, they have a very neutral sound profile that's suitable for listening to lots of different music genres. Thanks to their open-back design, they have an incredible passive soundstage performance, so you really feel immersed in your audio. They also deliver audio very consistently, so you should get consistent bass and treble delivery each time you use them.

Unfortunately, due to their open-back design, they struggle to block out background noises, and they leak a lot of sound, so they aren't really ideal to use on-the-go. They also struggle to reproduce a thumpy low-bass, though they have a more extended low-bass than the better-built Sennheiser HD 800 S. However, if you want a comfortable pair of audiophile headphones, they're still a solid choice.

The best headphones in the budget category that we've tested are the Plantronics BackBeat Go 810 Wireless. These wireless over-ears are decently comfortable, and they even come with a carrying pouch. They last for an impressive 24.5 hours off of a single charge, which is great for multiple long days on-the-go.

Out-of-the-box, they have a neutral, balanced sound profile that's suitable for listening to lots of different types of audio content, from music to podcasts and audiobooks. There are even a few EQ presets available in the Backbeat App to help you customize their sound more to your liking. You can also use the app to adjust the ANC level between 'High', 'Low', and 'Off', which can help block out some higher-frequency background noises like the sounds of people talking.

Unfortunately, even with their ANC on, these headphones can struggle to block out bass-heavy background noises like bus and plane engines, so they aren't really ideal to wear during your commute. They also lack more premium sound enhancement features like a full graphic EQ and some users have reported that their unit's headband has cracked or broken over time. However, if you're on a tight budget, they still offer a decently versatile performance that can please lots of different listeners.

The Sony WI-C310 Wireless are the best cheap earbuds we've tested. These in-ears have a lightweight, portable build with a neckband design, and their in-line controls make it easy to adjust the volume when you're on-the-go. They're decently comfortable, and they even come with three different sizes of earbud tips to help you find the best possible fit.

They have a pretty neutral sound profile with a little extra emphasis in the bass range, so you feel the thump and punch in your audio. They also don't leak a lot of noise, and escaping audio sounds quite thin, so you can crank up the volume on your favorite tunes without really bothering nearby coworkers. They also have a continuous battery life of 17 hours, so you can enjoy multiple long listening sessions without a recharge.

Unfortunately, they don't offer an ANC feature, and they really struggle to passively isolate against bass-heavy background noises like bus and plane engines. They also don't have the most robust build quality, though this is typical for headphones in this price range. Still, if you're looking for a portable pair of in-ears on a budget, they're a solid pick.