How to Select the Finest Headphones
There isn’t a definitive “best” item concerning headphones. Top-tier audio manufacturers present premium selections, yet products differ within each label. Some offer superior value, while others shine in technology and noise isolation.
The ideal earbuds or headphones are contingent on individual taste and application. Some individuals favor over-ear styles, while others opt for earbuds. Sports enthusiasts might lean towards water-resistant materials and open earbuds for gym workouts, whereas regular flyers may focus on battery longevity, comfort, and portability. Music aficionados and audiophiles might seek features such as personalized equalizers, spatial audio, or exceptional noise cancellation.
To assist you in your decision-making, we’ve evaluated a multitude of headphones, showcasing the leading options for noise cancellation, sound quality, pricing, and wired connections in 2025.
What About Wired Headphones?
This guide emphasizes wireless headphones, which are typically more practical. Nonetheless, there are supporters of wired headphones. We suggest the Marshall Mode earbuds as a premier wired selection, and many of us appreciate Apple’s EarPods as well.
Additional Headphones We’ve Evaluated
Recently, we assessed the JBL Tour One M3 and Skullcandy Method 360 ANC, considering them for forthcoming revisions. We also reviewed the Marshall Major V and Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 headphones, both of which deliver outstanding sound and easy-to-use equalizers. The Major V stood out with its battery performance but fell short on comfort and ANC at its price point. The B&W headphones boasted impressive design and audio quality, although their ANC performance was average. At $399, the Sony XM5 strikes a superior balance of sound and ANC.
We have also examined the Sonos Ace and Dyson OnTrac headphones, praised for their sound quality and noise isolation but are costly like the AirPods Max.
Upcoming Testing
We are currently testing more affordable noise-canceling earbuds and headphones for future updates.
Recent Updates to This Guide
December 2025: Substituted the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 earbuds with the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 sports earbuds.
December 2025: Removed the Marshall Mode wired earbuds due to ongoing stock issues.
December 2025: Included the Sony WH-CH720N Noise-Canceling Headphones as the best option under $100.
December 2025: Added the Sony XM5 headphones as a notable mention.