With a multitude of choices at your fingertips, selecting the ideal headphones or earbuds can be daunting. From various shapes and sizes to an extensive array of prices and functionalities, there’s something suitable for everyone. While it’s simple to pick any random pair online and achieve decent sound quality, those aiming for more than just “satisfactory” should think about investing in high-end models.
Through comprehensive testing and hours of auditory evaluation, we’ve pinpointed the finest headphones and earbuds catering to diverse needs and preferences.
How to Select the Right Headphones
Let’s be straightforward: there isn’t a universal “best” headphone for all users. Prominent brands such as Bose, Sony, and Apple consistently produce top-notch products, but even within those brands, various models cater to differing priorities—whether that’s affordability, performance, or premium features.
In the end, the optimal headphones for you depend on your intended usage. Some individuals enjoy the immersive feel of over-ear headphones, while others appreciate the portability and ease of earbuds. Fitness aficionados might look for sweat and water resistance, while regular travelers may prioritize extended battery life and noise cancellation. Audiophiles, in contrast, will seek features like customizable EQ settings, spatial audio, and superior active noise cancellation.
To assist in your decision-making, we’ve evaluated a broad selection of headphones and earbuds to showcase the best options for noise cancellation, audio quality, cost-effective choices, and those who prefer wired alternatives.
Top Wireless Headphones of 2025
For this guide, we concentrated mainly on wireless Bluetooth headphones and earbuds, except for the Marshall Mode earbuds. Although wired headphones maintain their fans, wireless models provide greater ease of use for most individuals.
Below, you’ll discover our premier Bluetooth headphone selections for various scenarios—whether you’re seeking unparalleled noise cancellation, rich audio quality, or all-day comfort.
Notable Headphones We Evaluated (But Did Not Endorse)
You might observe that the Apple AirPods Max didn’t make our top selection. While they provide outstanding sound quality and a sleek appearance, our review uncovered several drawbacks: they lack an adequate power-off function (which depletes battery life), do not include a convenient storage case, and are priced excessively for their features. Even with the recent introduction of lossless audio, they lack basic offerings like battery longevity and a power button.
We also assessed the Marshall Major V and Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 headphones. The Major V impressed us with its over 100-hour battery life, but we found them uncomfortable for prolonged use and believed they should feature active noise cancellation at their $149 price point. The Px7 S2 headphones provided excellent sound and a chic design, but their noise cancellation fell short of expectations—especially given their $399 price. For that amount, Sony’s XM5 headphones present a superior combination of performance and features.
Other models we reviewed include the Sonos Ace and Dyson OnTrac headphones. Both left us impressed with their sound performance and noise cancellation, but similar to the AirPods Max, they ultimately did not make our recommendations due to their elevated prices.
What’s Next in Testing
Looking ahead, we’re broadening our testing to incorporate more budget-friendly noise-cancelling earbuds. We’re currently examining the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC and Sony WF-C710N earbuds. Furthermore, we’re looking into open-earbud designs from brands such as Bose, Shokz, Anker Soundcore, and Nothing. Once we’ve concluded our evaluations, we’ll refresh this guide with our newest recommendations.
Whether you’re on the hunt for premium sound, gym-ready resilience, or affordable everyday options, our guide will assist you in finding the ideal pair of headphones or earbuds to complement your lifestyle.