- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Review Updates
- Comparison
- Best Headphones
- Lineup
- Page Updates
- Conclusion
- Discussions
We've currently tested over 46 pairs of Sony headphones. They're a versatile brand that makes a wide range of headphones at various price points. They have many affordable headphones for casual listening but also have some pricier models that are more feature-packed.
Updates
- 08/17/2022 Sony INZONE H7 Wireless reviewed
- 08/16/2022 Sony INZONE H9 Wireless reviewed
- 08/12/2022 Sony INZONE H3 reviewed
- 06/17/2022 Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless reviewed
- 04/26/2022 Sony WF-1000XM4 Truly Wireless updated
Best Sony Headphones
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Best Sony Headphones
Neutral Sound7.2Commute/Travel8.1Sports/Fitness7.2Office7.7Wireless Gaming5.8Wired Gaming7.4Phone Calls6.7Type Over-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless YesNoise Cancelling YesMic YesTransducer DynamicThe best Sony over-ear headphones we've tested are the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless. These over-ears are the previous generation of the Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless. However, they feel sturdier and offer a better noise isolation performance than the latest version, especially when it comes to bass-range noise like rumbling engines. Their ANC feature does an outstanding job of blocking ambient sound, so you won't be distracted by background noise during your commute or while working in a busy office. They also have better, more springy padding than the WH-1000XM5 and offer a more comfortable fit for most people, especially if you have a smaller head.
Their slightly bass-heavy sound profile adds extra thump and punch to your mixes, and you can also customize their sound using the graphic EQ and presets in the Sony | Headphones Connect app. They're sturdy and have a long continuous battery life of about 37 hours. They aren't ideal for phone calls since the integrated microphone has a disappointing recording quality, and your voice may be drowned out in background noise if you're calling from a loud or crowded setting. On the other hand, the WH-1000XM5's mic has an excellent noise handling performance and an improved recording quality, making the newer model a better option for calls.
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Best Sony Earbuds
Neutral Sound6.5Commute/Travel7.8Sports/Fitness8.1Office7.0Wireless Gaming5.4Wired Gaming5.2Phone Calls6.3Type In-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless Truly WirelessNoise Cancelling YesMic YesTransducer DynamicThe best earbuds from Sony we've tested are the Sony WF-1000XM4 Truly Wireless. These well-built in-ears are the next generation of the Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless and have a significantly better noise isolation performance as well as a more comfortable fit. Thanks to their ANC, they can block out a great amount of ambient noise around you, like the low rumble of bus or plane engines, which is nice if you travel a lot. They also have a long continuous battery life of more than 10 hours, and their carrying case holds an additional two charges if you need it. Some users may like their warm and smooth sound profile, while others may find that it lacks rumble or sounds dark. Like our top pick, they have an app that features an EQ and presets for sound customization.
Although this generation doesn't support NFC pairing, you can quickly connect them to supported devices using Google Fast Pair or Windows 10 Swift Pair. They also support Sony's LDAC codec for high-resolution audio if you're using a compatible device. They offer low latency with Android devices, which is nice when you're watching a video on your phone. However, their latency with PCs and iOS devices is higher.
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Best Budget Sony Headphones
Neutral Sound7.5Commute/Travel7.4Sports/Fitness8.0Office7.0Wireless Gaming5.4Wired Gaming5.3Phone Calls6.6Type In-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless YesNoise Cancelling NoMic YesTransducer DynamicThe Sony WI-C310 Wireless are the best budget-friendly Sony headphones we've tested. These in-ear headphones have a lightweight, flexible cable that goes around your neck and an in-line remote that allows you to answer calls and control your music when you're on the go. While they don't have the best build quality, the buds are decently comfortable and stable. Their sound profile is well-balanced, with a bit of extra boom in the bass range that may suit fans of genres like EDM and hip-hop, but it doesn't overwhelm instruments and lead vocals, so they're versatile enough for most types of audio content. Their 17 hours of continuous playback can also last you through a few long days at work without any need to recharge.
Like most of the other picks on this list, they don't shine for their mic performance, and your voice may sound thin if you use them for phone calls. However, it's much better at separating your voice from ambient sound than the other, more expensive earbuds recommended here, which is a nice plus if you occasionally make phone calls from moderately noisy places like a busy street or office.
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Best Sony Headphones For Mixing And Mastering
Neutral Sound7.9Commute/Travel4.6Sports/Fitness5.1Office5.2Wireless Gaming4.3Wired Gaming6.3Phone Calls2.0Type Over-earEnclosure Closed-BackTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling NoWireless NoMic NoThe best mixing and mastering Sony headphones we've tested are the Sony MDR-7506. These over-ears have been around for years and have been the standard for recording, thanks to their well-balanced sound. Vocals and lead instruments are clear, accurate, and detailed in mixes. They also deliver audio consistently across reseats and come with an adapter so you can connect with an amp or mixer out-of-the-box. They're also suitable for purposes like recording a podcast since they don't leak very much audio.
However, they may not be ideal if you're looking for a premium feel from your headphones since their build quality is somewhat cheap and plasticky. That said, they have a decently comfortable and lightweight fit well-suited for long sessions in the studio. They can also fold up to help conserve space if you want to toss them in your bag. Their coiled audio cable isn't detachable, which is slightly inconvenient, but it extends over four feet, which should give you a bit more room if you like to move around.
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Best Sony Sports Headphones
Neutral Sound6.7Commute/Travel7.5Sports/Fitness8.3Office7.1Wireless Gaming5.7Wired Gaming5.5Phone Calls6.9Type In-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless Truly WirelessNoise Cancelling YesMic YesTransducer DynamicThe Sony WF-SP800N Truly Wireless are the best Sony earphones for sports we've tested. These colorful in-ears have a comfortable and stable in-ear fit, thanks to their stability fin design. They're also well-built and certified IP55 for resistance against dust and direct water contact. Their fairly bass-heavy sound default profile can pack extra rumble, punch, and boom to keep you pumped up during tough workouts. If you prefer a different sound, the headphones' companion app includes a graphic EQ and presets for sound customization. The buds also have over nine hours of continuous playback time, which should last through a few long workouts.
The earbuds have an ANC system, but unfortunately, it doesn't improve their passive noise isolation capabilities much. Even with the ANC on, they struggle to block out the low rumble of bus and plane engines. That said, they have an ambient sound mode intended to let you hear your surroundings, which you may prefer to noise cancelling when you're running outside. They also lack volume controls by default. You can remap the controls to add a way to change the volume, but you have to remove either the ANC or playback function to do so.
Compared to other brands
- Variety. Sony makes everything from open-back sports earbuds to noise cancelling RF wireless TV headphones at all kinds of different price points. We've yet to review their entire line-up, but they generally have something for everyone.
- Different sound profile options. Sony's headphones generally fall into two sound profile options: neutral or bass-heavy. It helps them cater to a wider range of listeners since some people find a neutral sound too flat or boring, but others find too much bass overwhelming.
- Great mobile app. Many of their Bluetooth headphones are compatible with the Sony | Headphones Connect app. You get a good graphic EQ with most models, but with more premium models, it provides many virtual soundstage options.
- Inconsistent noise cancelling performance. Although Sony have a few models that block a phenomenal amount of noise, like the Sony WH-1000XM4, most of their models' noise cancelling is only decent.
- Premium price for good headphones. Sony's best headphones might be industry leaders, but they'll set you back a pretty penny. Their cheaper options usually have poor build or sound quality, especially compared to models from dedicated budget brands.
- Some features missing. While Sony has many feature-packed models, even some of their most premium Bluetooth headphones are missing features taken for granted with other brands; these include microphone controls, multi-device pairing, audio while charging, or an auto-off timer.
Overall, Sony has a wide range of headphones for different needs. Their top performers are expensive but provide good value for those who want the best of the best. Unfortunately, quality varies across models, and their less pricey options are generally rather expensive for what you get. Noise cancelling can especially be a bit hit-or-miss, but their more premium models get it right.
Lineup
Sony has a couple of different headphone lineups, but their naming strategy isn't always very clear. Some of their more feature-packed headphones with Bluetooth or active noise cancelling might appear to be in the same family as their basic wired headphones, which can be confusing. Their most consistent naming conventions are:
- WH = Wireless over-ears and on-ears.
- WI = Wireless in-ears and earbuds.
- WF = Truly wireless headphones.
- IER = In-ear monitors.
- XB = Extra Bass, headphones with a more bass-heavy sound signature.
However, their MDR lineup includes both wired over-ears and in-ears, as well as wireless over-ears and on-ears; SP includes some, but not all, of their sports models; and it's unclear what the many other common naming schemes, like CH or ZX, represent.
Recent Updates
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Jun 29, 2022: Checked that picks represent the best recommendations and that the products are in stock.
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Mar 09, 2022: Renamed 'Best Sony Headphones' to 'Best Sony Over-Ear Headphones'. We've checked our picks for accuracy and product availability.
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Dec 10, 2021: Checked that picks represent the best recommendations and that the products are in stock.
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Oct 13, 2021: We've made minor updates to the text and checked for product availability. There hasn't been a change in our recommendations.
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Jul 15, 2021: Replaced the Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless with the Sony WF-1000XM4 Truly Wireless.
Conclusion
Sony makes a wide variety of headphone models geared for all kinds of listeners. Most of their models deliver reliable sound quality with either more bass-heavy or neutral-sounding options to choose from. Their best-performing headphones come at a premium price, as their cheaper models can be hit-or-miss. Their higher-end models are among some of the best headphones we've tested and are easy to recommend.