Best headphones on the market

The best headphones provide an exceptional feature set, effective and versatile active noise cancellation, and the most elegant aesthetic and comfortable design. They can be a little costly at times, but they all provide excellent value.

When purchasing a new pair of headphones, consider where you intend to wear them. If you’re going for a run, for example, you might not want big over-ear headphones. Do you commute to work or travel frequently? To keep the sound out, you’ll probably need noise-canceling headphones.

Looking for a specific type of headphones? Then check out our shopping guides for the best over-ear headphones and the best wireless earbuds. After you’ve made your choice, be sure to read our guide to achieving the best headphone sound.

Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony’s new flagship headphones are the ultimate all-around, with excellent noise cancellation, amazing sound performance, plenty of comfort, simple controls, and a slew of extras. So, very much the same as the prior XM4s.

In every way, these Sonys are a confident, convincing, and delightful listen: low frequencies are powerful but nimble, highs are nicely controlled, and there’s lots of information throughout the spectrum. Noise cancellation, which has always been an XM-series strength, eliminates almost all external sound, and the superb Sony Headphones Connect software allows you to customize your audio to your preferences.

 The touch controls and battery life (30 hours with ANC on, 40 hours without) also outperform the competition, and while the look is somewhat generic, the fact that both the headphones and packaging are almost entirely produced from recycled materials is a plus.

The XM4s are still available and cost $50 less, but the XM5s are the new benchmark for all others.

Amazon Link => https://amzn.eu/d/9X2ZgsB

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2

The Sony and Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 over-ear headphones are priced the same. They have a decent feel to them, are beautifully crafted, and are either good-looking in an understated way or a little too understated for their own good – it all depends on your taste. They offer active noise cancellation and a control app, but ‘extended functionality is not one of their strong suits. Read more: Best Earpods on market

They’re intended to give the greatest wireless sound money can buy, and they do. The entire frequency range works effectively together, with nothing being exaggerated or straining for representation. Tonality is crisp, constant, and completely convincing. You have lots of options if you want every wireless headphone feature under the sun. If you want headphones that make the most of the digital audio information you give them, the Px7 S2 should be on your list. 

Amazon Link => https://amzn.eu/d/e0znbYd

Bose 700

The Bose 700 on-ear headphones, which have a smart design and great functions, are still the runner-up in our best headphones list. They have eight microphones, six of which are used to give Bose’s award-winning noise suppression when listening to music or talking on the phone. It has up to 11 customizable ANC settings that operate equally effectively to neutralize noise at different frequencies. The 700s deliver clean, balanced audio with clear highs and powerful bass; with maximum ANC, lows are amplified. Also read: Best Samsung Gadgets to buy

The battery life isn’t as long as other competitors these days, but it still lasts 20 hours with ANC enabled. Smart assistant integration, touch controls, and multipoint technology make these noise-cancellers some of the most user-friendly noise-cancellers for commuters and music fans both. 

Amazon Link => https://amzn.eu/d/hdNtQqe

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Although Sennheiser’s fourth-generation Momentum Wireless headphones don’t strike out as much as their classic-looking predecessor, the 60-hour battery life is a crowd-pleaser and makes these the one to beat. Add in the easy-going Sennheiser sound and effective noise cancellation, and the Momentum 4 is one of the most practical wireless headphones we’ve heard, designed for a life on the go rather than being tethered to a power plug and requiring regular battery recharges. 

Sennheiser’s smooth house sound is capable of handling a wide range of audio material, from pounding beats to more calm tunes. It supports Bluetooth 5.2 and aptX Adaptive, and it comes with a 3.5mm cable for audiophile wired connections. When standing at a windy train station on a regular work commute, ANC performance is effective, and auto Wind Noise Reduction is really outstanding.

Amazon Link => https://amzn.eu/d/6vCIPCn