In 2025, possessing headphones or earbuds is necessary. There is a plethora of options in diverse shapes, sizes, styles, colors, and price ranges. You can effortlessly select any random pair online and discover they function adequately.
Nonetheless, if you seek more than “just acceptable,” it’s beneficial to invest in high-quality headphones. If you’re mindful of expenses, Black Friday provides an excellent opportunity to discover premium headphones at reduced prices. This period frequently boasts the best discounts, making it a prime time to purchase. You can also monitor price reductions through Mashable’s deals coverage.
Below are some top selections made after thorough testing, including the newly-released Sony XM6 headphones and the second-generation Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones, in addition to some beloved classics.
How to select the finest headphones:
There isn’t a single “best” item. Premier audio brands present high-quality products, yet within each brand, various tiers exist. Some deliver better value, while others offer superior hardware and noise cancellation. The optimal choice relies on individual preference and intended use. Some individuals prefer over-ear headphones, while others favor earbuds. Athletes might opt for waterproof materials and open earbuds, whereas frequent travelers may prioritize battery life, comfort, and portability. Music enthusiasts and audiophiles might seek features such as custom equalizers, spatial audio, or outstanding noise cancellation.
To assist you in your selection, we’ve evaluated all the headphones in this guide. Here are the leading headphones of 2025 based on noise cancellation, music quality, pricing, and wired connections.
What about wired headphones?
We concentrated on the finest wireless headphones. Although wired headphones have their advocates, wireless alternatives provide greater convenience. If we had to choose, we would endorse the Marshall Mode earbuds as our preferred wired option. Some of us also appreciate Apple’s EarPods.
Other headphones we’ve examined:
Recently, we assessed the JBL Tour One M3 headphones and Skullcandy Method 360 ANC, which may be incorporated into this guide later. We also evaluated the Marshall Major V and Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 headphones. Both featured excellent sound characteristics and user-friendly custom equalizers on their apps. However, they did not make the final cut. The Major V headphones claimed 100+ hours of battery life, yet were uncomfortable after several hours and lacked ANC at their $149 price point. The B&W headphones boasted a great design and remarkable sound, but their ANC was merely average. For $399, the Sony XM5 headphones provide a better blend of sound and ANC.
We have also tried the Sonos Ace headphones and Dyson OnTrac headphones. While both exhibited impressive sound quality and noise cancellation, they were omitted from recommendations due to their high costs.
In the testing pipeline:
We are evaluating more budget-friendly noise-canceling earbuds and headphones for future updates.