Whether you’re looking for feature-packed Bluetooth headphones with active noise cancelling (ANC) or you’re a discerning audiophile chasing the best possible sound, there’s a great option out there for you. The problem? The market is crowded with hundreds of models across wildly different price points—and many promise similar performance on paper.
To help cut through the noise, we’ve tested over 855 pairs of headphones. Below are our top recommendations across every major category. If you’re more interested in earbuds than over-ear headphones, check out our best earbuds guide.
Best Headphones Overall
Sony WH-1000XM6
The Sony WH-1000XM6 are the top headphones we’ve tested. Their combination of class-leading noise cancellation, excellent sound quality, and deep feature set makes them the most complete wireless headphones available today.
Sony’s ANC system is among the most effective on the market, blocking everything from low-frequency engine rumble to higher-pitched background chatter. With ANC enabled, battery life stretches to nearly 32 hours, making them ideal for travel and long workdays.
They support high-quality Bluetooth codecs like LDAC, and on compatible devices, LC3 via Bluetooth LE Audio, which brings improved microphone performance and efficiency. You also get Bluetooth multipoint, intuitive touch and gesture controls, and a comprehensive companion app with a customizable graphic EQ.
For immersive listening, Sony’s 360 Reality Audio works with supported streaming services and includes head tracking for a surround-like experience. Build quality is premium, and the headphones fold down compactly for travel. Comfort is excellent for most users, though those with larger ears or glasses may prefer the roomier fit of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen).
While the Bose offer aptX Adaptive support and nearly matching ANC, they’re less customizable overall, rely more heavily on physical buttons, and don’t allow you to fully disable noise cancelling.
Still, the Sony WH-1000XM6 set the benchmark for modern wireless headphones.
Best Upper Mid-Range Headphones
Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
If you want premium performance at a more approachable price, the Sony WH-1000XM4 remain an excellent choice. Despite being an older generation, they still deliver outstanding noise cancellation, strong sound quality, and excellent battery life.
Compared to the XM6, you miss out on Bluetooth LE Audio, slightly improved ANC, and head-tracked spatial audio. However, the core experience remains highly competitive—and often significantly cheaper.
Their warm default sound profile suits bass-forward genres like hip-hop and EDM, and Bluetooth multipoint support makes switching between devices easy. Battery life is excellent at roughly 37 hours with ANC enabled.
The main downside is microphone quality, which can sound thin and muffled. If call clarity is more important to you, the Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless are worth considering, though they sacrifice battery life and Sony’s LDAC codec support.
Best Mid-Range Headphones
Anker Soundcore Space Q45
Anker dominates the mid-range category, and the Soundcore Space Q45 are the brand’s strongest all-around offering. They’re significantly cheaper than Sony’s premium models while still offering ANC, Bluetooth multipoint, and a capable companion app.
Their adjustable noise cancellation performs very well for the price, though it can introduce a faint white noise. Battery life sits at around 27 hours with ANC, which is respectable, if not class-leading.
Sound quality leans bass-heavy, making them well-suited to pop and rock, and the in-app EQ allows plenty of tuning. Microphone quality is serviceable but makes voices sound thin, even though background noise is well controlled.
If you want better build quality and a clearer mic, Sony’s ULT WEAR headphones are a solid alternative, though their ANC doesn’t handle low-frequency rumble quite as well.
Best Budget Headphones
Anker Soundcore Life Q20 (2024)
If you’re shopping on a tight budget, the Soundcore Life Q20 (2024) punch far above their price. While they don’t isolate as well as Anker’s higher-end models, they still do an impressive job reducing everyday noise like chatter and ambient hum.
To hit this price point, build quality takes a hit—they feel plasticky and sound can vary depending on fit, especially for glasses wearers. Still, comfort is good enough for long listening sessions.
Where these headphones really shine is battery life: over 49 hours on a single charge. The 2024 refresh adds Bluetooth multipoint and a customizable EQ, making them far more flexible than the previous version.
Mic quality is adequate for quiet calls but struggles in noisy environments.
Best-Sounding Wireless Headphones
Sennheiser HDB 630
If sound quality is your top priority, the Sennheiser HDB 630 are among the best-sounding wireless headphones available. Their tuning is remarkably balanced, avoiding the exaggerated bass or V-shaped sound common in many ANC headphones.
Beyond a standard graphic EQ, Sennheiser includes a parametric EQ for fine-grained adjustments and a crossfeed feature that blends stereo channels for a more speaker-like presentation.
They also include a dedicated BTD 700 Bluetooth dongle, allowing you to bypass your device’s internal Bluetooth hardware for greater codec control. Wired listening via analog or USB-C is also supported.
ANC performance is strong, though slightly behind Sony’s flagship. The biggest drawback is inconsistent frequency response depending on fit—especially for glasses wearers. If that’s a concern, the Focal Bathys offer a similarly balanced sound with a more forgiving fit, though at a higher price and shorter battery life.
Best Audiophile Headphones
Sennheiser HD 800 S
For pure, uncompromising audio quality, the Sennheiser HD 800 S are the best audiophile headphones we’ve tested. These wired, open-back headphones are designed for critical listening in quiet environments and deliver an expansive, speaker-like soundstage.
Because of their open design, they offer almost no noise isolation and aren’t suitable for commuting or shared spaces. You’ll also want a capable headphone amplifier to get the best performance.
Their sound profile is flat and highly accurate, with clean mids and detailed highs. While low-bass impact is limited, bass still feels warm and natural, and EQ can easily compensate if desired. Comfort and build quality are excellent, making them ideal for long listening sessions.
If you’re just starting out in the audiophile world, more affordable options like the Philips SHP9500 are worth exploring before committing to a flagship setup.
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