The 8 Best Headphones - Summer 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 best wireless headphones under $200 that we've tested are the Razer Opus Wireless. These sleek over-ears deliver an excellent price-to-performance ratio and are versatile enough to please most users. Thanks to their powerful ANC, they have an outstanding noise isolation performance and can block out the rumble of bus engines as well as ambient chatter and high-pitched noise like the hum of a fan.

They have a very neutral and well-balanced default sound profile that's suitable for most types of audio content. That said, if you prefer a different sound, their companion app offers a graphic EQ and presets so you can really adjust their sound to your liking. They have a continuous battery life of over 32 hours, which should get you through long workdays without an issue, and they support passive playback, so you can use them with their 1/8" TRRS cable if you run out of battery. They're also very well-built and have a comfortable fit.

Unfortunately, their integrated microphone does a mediocre job of separating your voice from ambient noise around you, and it may get drowned out altogether if you're talking in a very loud environment. These headphones don't support multi-device pairing either, so you can't pair to your smartphone and laptop at the same time. However, they still deliver a versatile and customizable performance and are a suitable choice if you're shopping for headphones within this price range.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ are the best wireless earbuds that we've tested. These well-built Bluetooth earbuds are lightweight and have a comfortable, stable fit. Their default sound profile is very neutral and well-balanced, making them suitable for a wide variety of genres and types of audio content.

Also, they work with a companion app that gives you access to five different EQ presets, so if you prefer a different sound profile, you can customize it to suit you. Their battery provides roughly 13 hours of continuous playback, which is great, and their sturdy case holds about one extra charge. Also, they have relatively low latency with iOS and Android devices, so they aren't a bad choice for streaming video on your phone.

Unfortunately, they don't have an ANC system, and they really struggle to passively isolate you from bass-range noise like rumbling bus and plane engines. On the plus side, they do block out a good amount of mid-range and high-pitched noise like ambient chatter or humming A/C units, and overall these are also the best truly wireless headphones that we've tested.

The HiFiMan Arya are the best headphones for audiophiles that we've tested. These open-back headphones use a planar magnetic transducer, which helps improve their bass accuracy. Although they're fairly big and bulky, especially when compared to headphones with a dynamic transducer, their passive soundstage is also perceived as wide, spacious, and as if coming from outside your head.

These very well-built headphones have a neutral and accurate sound profile that's suitable for a variety of audio content. They also have a comfortable design that doesn't clamp too tightly on your head. Their ear cups are spacious as well as well-padded, and their headband can distribute their weight well. They also deliver bass and treble consistently, so you won't need to adjust their fit or positioning each time you use them.

Unfortunately, they still lack a bit of low-bass, although it's still more extended than the Sennheiser HD 800S. Their open-back design also isn't meant to block out ambient sound, which could be a bit frustrating if you're using them in a noisy environment, and they leak a lot of audio. However, these headphones have a comfortable fit, neutral sound profile, and immersive passive soundstage that should please audiophiles.

The best budget headphones that we've tested are the Anker Soundcore Life Dot 2. These budget-friendly in-ears are quite comfortable and come with a selection of ear tips and stability fins, so you can find the best fit for you. They have a continuous battery life of about seven hours, which is decent, and they come with a case that holds about 12.5 extra charges, so their total battery life is exceptionally long.

They're great for sports, since they have a stable fit and an IPX5 rating for water resistance, although we don't test for that currently. They have a reasonably well-balanced sound profile, with overemphasis in the bass range that brings extra thump and rumble to mixes without being boomy. While they don't have an ANC system, they do a good job of passively isolating you from office-type noise like ambient chatter or the hum of an A/C unit.

Unfortunately, they don't have a companion app that offers sound customization features like an EQ or presets. Their control scheme is disappointing as well since there's only one button and it can take some time to get used to. That said, these offer a fairly versatile overall performance, and they're definitely worth considering if you're looking for affordable in-ear headphones.

The Skullcandy Dime True Wireless are the best cheap earbuds we've tested. These well-built headphones have a lightweight design and a stable fit in your ears, so they're a solid choice for listening to music during your workouts. They're also rated IPX4 for water resistance, though we don't currently test for this.

They have a slightly bass-heavy sound profile that adds a little extra thump and punch to your audio without being too overwhelming. They don't leak a lot of audio, and escaping audio sounds quite thin, so you can crank up the volume without really bothering those around you. They also have a decent noise isolation performance, especially against higher-frequency ambient noise, so you don't hear the sounds of people talking around you or the hum of AC units while listening to your audio.

Unfortunately, they're a bit bulky, and they sit pretty deep in your ears, which may not be comfortable for everyone. They also only last for about four hours off of a single charge, which may not be enough for some listeners. That said, their portable charging case offers around 2.5 extra charges, which is handy.