The best headphones in 2022 Tom s Guide
The best headphones in 2022 Tom's Guide Skip to main content Tom's Guide is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's why you can trust us.
At the top of our list is the Sony WH-1000XM5, which improve upon their predecessors the XM4 with upgraded active noise cancellation, better call quality, intuitive controls and enhanced connectivity. The category-leading sound and hefty 30-hour battery life are also as far ahead of the competition as ever.View Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)Best headphones for audiophiles: Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 over-ears feel good, are beautifully constructed, have active noise-cancelation, and a control app. Extended functionality is not their thing as they're designed to deliver the best wireless sound this sort of money can buy. And they do - with one of the most enjoyable performances we've heard.View Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)Best headphones with ANC: Bose 700
It truly is a close run thing between the Bose 700 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 (above) for the best headphones crown. The Bose 700 have unrivaled ANC performance and intuitive tech features. Sound is crystal clear when listening to music and taking calls. We also love the svelte, contemporary design with comforting ear pads and touch controls. View Deal (opens in new tab)
Read our full Bose QuietComfort 45 review. (Image credit: Regan Coule/Future)
The best headphones in 2022
By Lee Dunkley Contributions from Alex Bracetti, Simon Lucas published 21 October 2022 The best headphones and earbuds offer balanced performance, great features and phenomenal value Included in this guide:1SonyWH-1000XM5Check Price (opens in new tab)2Bowers & WilkinsPX7 S2Check Price (opens in new tab)3Bose700Check Price (opens in new tab)4SennheiserMomentum 4 WirelessCheck Price (opens in new tab)5AppleAirpods MaxCheck Price (opens in new tab)6AppleAirPods Pro 2nd GenerationCheck Price (opens in new tab)7BoseQuietComfort Earbuds 2Check Price (opens in new tab)8GradoGT220Check Price (opens in new tab)9BoseQuietComfort 45Check Price (opens in new tab)10BeatsFit ProCheck Price (opens in new tab) (Image credit: Tom's Guide) The best headphones offer an outstanding feature set, effective and flexible active noise cancellation, or the most exquisite styling and comfortable design. Sometimes they can be a bit pricey but no matter what the price, they all offer great value. When buying a new pair of headphones, it can be helpful to think about where you want to wear them. If you're going to use them on a run, for example, maybe you don't want huge over-ear headphones. Commuting to work or travelling a lot? Well, you'll probably want noise-cancelling headphones to keep the sound out.Top 3 best headphones
(opens in new tab)Best value headphones overall: Sony WH-1000XM5At the top of our list is the Sony WH-1000XM5, which improve upon their predecessors the XM4 with upgraded active noise cancellation, better call quality, intuitive controls and enhanced connectivity. The category-leading sound and hefty 30-hour battery life are also as far ahead of the competition as ever.View Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)Best headphones for audiophiles: Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 over-ears feel good, are beautifully constructed, have active noise-cancelation, and a control app. Extended functionality is not their thing as they're designed to deliver the best wireless sound this sort of money can buy. And they do - with one of the most enjoyable performances we've heard.View Deal (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)Best headphones with ANC: Bose 700
It truly is a close run thing between the Bose 700 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 (above) for the best headphones crown. The Bose 700 have unrivaled ANC performance and intuitive tech features. Sound is crystal clear when listening to music and taking calls. We also love the svelte, contemporary design with comforting ear pads and touch controls. View Deal (opens in new tab)
Black Friday deals for best headphones
Black Friday 2022 is right around the corner so it's time to start thinking about what to look out for in this year's deals. The best headphones are always in high demand, so it pays to start shopping as early as possible if you're looking for top performance at a bargain price. Many of our favorite picks will be on sale making this period an ideal time to buy one of the best headphones. Be sure to follow our Black Friday deals page for all of your shopping needs this season.What are the best headphones
Sony's XM-series headphones go from strength-to-strength with each generation and continue to offer great value. It was difficult to imagine quite how the XM5 could better the Sony WH-1000XM4, but the consumer electronics giant has pulled it off to become one of our favorite headphones of the year with a sleeker design that brings even better ANC, battery life, and sound. They're more eco-friendly too, and take our top spot as the most versatile all rounder. Winning the accolade for best sound overall, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 are the winner of the best audiophile headphones for 2022. They're designed to deliver the best wireless sound this sort of money can buy, plus they feel good and are beautifully constructed. While Sony and Bose have the market cornered on top noise-cancellation performance, Bowers & Wilkins goes for optimal audio quality for around the same price. And it's pays off big time. No question about it, for audiophiles these are the top headphones of the year. If the goal is to block out the hubbub of your surroundings while you luxuriate listening to your favorite music is the goal, then the Bose 700 continues to be our top pick for active noise cancellation. They're equipped with a whopping eight microphones, six of which are employed to deliver Bose's champion noise cancellation when listening to music or talking on the phone, and they can often be found on sale at significantly less than their MSRP. Don't forget to bookmark our best headphone deals to bag a bargain.The best headphones you can buy right now
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)1 Sony WH-1000XM5
The best headphones overallSpecifications
Weight: 8.8 ouncesBattery life (rated): 30 hours (ANC on); 40 hours (ANC off)Bluetooth range: 33 feetANC: YesToday's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Crutchfield (opens in new tab)View at Best Buy (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Articulate and engaging sound+Great control options+Impressive noise-cancelationReasons to avoid
-Redesign and eco credentials ups the price-Gets hot around the ears during longer listening Sony's new flagship headphones are the ultimate all-rounders, offering superb noise-cancelling, exceptional sound performance, tons of comfort, intuitive controls and plenty of special features. So, pretty much like the previous XM4s did, then. These Sonys are a confident, convincing and enjoyable listen in every respect: low frequencies are muscular but agile, highs are well managed and there's plenty of detail across the range. Noise cancelling - always an XM-series strong point - banishes pretty much all external sound, and the excellent Sony Headphones Connect app allows you to personalize your audio according to taste. The touch controls and battery life (30 hours with ANC on, 40 with it off) also beat the competition and though the design tends towards the bland, the fact that both the headphones and packaging are made almost entirely from recycled materials is a further mark in its favor. The XM4s are still around, and cost $50 less, but the XM5s are the new headphones against which to judge all others. If you're still not convinced then check out our Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. WH-1000XM4 face-off to see how they compare. Read our full Sony WH-1000XM5 review. (Image credit: Tom's Guide)2 Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2
Premium over-ears with great soundSpecifications
Weight: 10.8 ouncesBattery life (rated): 30 hoursBluetooth range: >30 feetANC: YesToday's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Crutchfield (opens in new tab)View at Best Buy (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Balanced, engrossing and confident sound+Improved noise-cancelation over its Px7 sibling+Sophisticated looks (if you like that sort of thing)Reasons to avoid
-No touch-controls and featured are a bit basic-Noise cancelation is bettered by rivals-Anonymous looks (if you don't) The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 over-ear headphones are priced the same as the Sony. They feel good, are beautifully constructed and are either good-looking in an understated way or a bit too understated for their own good - it depends on your taste. They have active noise-cancelation and a control app - but 'extended functionality' is not their thing. They're designed to deliver the best wireless sound this sort of money can buy, and they do. The entire frequency range hangs together well, with nothing overstated and nothing struggling for representation. Tonality is clean, consistent and entirely convincing. If you want every wireless headphone feature under the sun, you have plenty of choice. If, however, you want headphones that make the most of the digital audio information you give them, the Px7 S2 really needs to be in your thinking. Rear our full Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 review. (Image credit: Regan Coule/Tom's Guide)3 Bose 700
The best active noise-cancelling headphonesSpecifications
Size and weight: 8 x 6.5 x 2 inches; 9 ouncesBattery life (rated): 20 hours (ANC on)Bluetooth range: 30 feetANC: YesToday's Best DealsView at Crutchfield (opens in new tab)View at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Best Buy (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Adjustable ANC levels+Excellent noise cancelling on calls and music+Smart, intuitive buttons and touch controlsReasons to avoid
-Shorter battery life than 1000XM5 The Bose 700 on-ear headphones are still the runner-up in our best headphones list and sport a smart design and cool features. They're equipped with a whopping eight microphones, six of which are employed to deliver Bose's champion noise cancellation when listening to music or talking on the phone. It offers up to 11 levels of adjustable ANC that work equally well to neutralize noise across different frequencies. The 700s produce clean, balanced audio for crisp highs and solid bass; lows are felt more when at max ANC level. Battery life isn't as strong as some rival these days, but holds up at 20 hours with ANC on. Smart assistant integration, touch controls, and multipoint technology also make these some of the most intuitive noise-cancelers for commuters and music lovers alike. Read our full Bose 700 review. (Image credit: Tom's Guide)4 Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
Best-ever battery life for a wireless headphone with ANCSpecifications
Size and weight: 7 x 7.67 x 1.82 inches; 10.3 ouncesBattery life (rated): Up to 60 hours (with ANC)Bluetooth range: > 30 feetANC: YesToday's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Crutchfield (opens in new tab)View at Best Buy (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Spectacular battery life+Great sound+Effective noise-cancelling performance +Reliable touch controls+Robust design with plain styling (if you like that sort of thing)Reasons to avoid
-Anonymous styling-Earpads may make ears hot-Flaky connectivity issues with Smart Control app Although the revamped design of Sennheiser's fourth generation Momentum Wireless headphones don't stand out quite like their classic-looking predecessor, the 60-hour battery life is a real crowd pleaser and make these the one to beat. Add in the easy-going Sennheiser sound and effective noise cancelling, and the Momentum 4 are one the most practical wireless headphones we've seen, perfectly built for a life on the road rather than tethered to a power socket needing regular battery top ups. Sennheiser's smooth house sound handles a wide range of music content, from pounding beats to more mellow tunes with aplomb. It has Bluetooth 5.2 and aptX Adaptive support, and there's a supplied 3.5mm cable for audiophile wired connections. ANC performance is effective, and auto Wind Noise Reduction is very impressive when stood on a windy train platform on daily work commutes. Read our full Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless review. (Image credit: Future)5 Apple AirPods Max
The best Apple headphones, money no objectSpecifications
Size and weight: 7.4 x 6.6 x 3.3 inches; 13.6 ouncesBattery life (rated): 20 hours (ANC on)Bluetooth range: 33 feet ANC: YesToday's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Best Buy (opens in new tab)View at Walmart (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Luxury design+Excellent noise cancellation+Spatial Audio sounds greatReasons to avoid
-Expensive It's a shame the AirPods Max are so much more expensive than their noise-cancelling rivals, but once you try them it's hard to take them off. The plush design and comfortable fit present an immediate feeling of luxury, and this only grows once you start playing music. The active noise cancelling works brilliantly, general sound quality is crisp and impactful, and the 3D Spatial Audio feature is a game-changer if you've never used it. This uses head-tracking tech to create a surround sound effect, which can give movie playback a definite edge compared to other headphones. Battery life is respectable too, with Apple's 20-hour estimate tracking well with our own testing. Read our full Apple AirPods Max review. (Image credit: Tom's Guide)6 Apple AirPods Pro 2
A major upgrade with better battery life and personalized spatial audioSpecifications
Size: 1.22 x 0.86 x 0.94 inches (per bud); 1.78 x 2.39 x 0.85 inches (charging case)Weight: 0.19 ounces (per bud); 1.8 ounces (charging case)Battery life (rated) : 6 hours; 30 hours (charging case)Bluetooth range: Not specifiedANC: YesWater resistance: IPX4- ratedToday's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Crutchfield (opens in new tab)View at Best Buy (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+World-class noise cancellation+Volume controls right on the stem+Dolby Atmos spatial audio+Improved battery lifeReasons to avoid
-Audio performance needs finessing-Lackluster call quality-Lanyard costs extra Apple's next-gen AirPods Pro 2 have arrived, bringing significant upgrades to the popular original to take performance to the next level. Externally, they look pretty similar to the first generation but battery life has been increased to offer 6 hours on a single charge from the earbuds and a further 30 hours from the wireless charging case. Not only are the earbuds IPX4-rated, but now too is the case itself. Designed for iPhone owners looking for a more tailored listening experience, these are the pinnacle of Apple technology. On the audio front, Apple has included a new H2 chip with custom amp and driver that delivers better lower and higher frequencies, and you can use the iPhone's TrueDepth camera to create a personalized spatial audio sound to listen to some of the best Dolby Atmos sound in any pair of earbuds. Noise cancellation is double what the last pair of AirPods Pro offered, and it is among the best we've yet to see, period. Read the full Apple AirPods Pro 2 review. (Image credit: Tom's Guide)7 Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2
The best-ever wireless earbuds for noise cancellationSpecifications
Size: 1.2 x 0.68 x 0.88 inches (per bud)Weight: 0.21 ounces (per bud)Battery life (rated): 6 hours; 24 hours (charging case)Bluetooth range: 80 feetANC: YesWater resistant: Yes (IPX4 rated)Today's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Sweetwater Sound (opens in new tab)View at Best Buy (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Powerful bass+360 Reality Audio and DSEE support+Lengthy playback time+Works with Sony Headphones Connect app+Strong connectivityReasons to avoid
-Lacks some features found on Sony's upmarket models-Charging case only holds two additional full charges-No touch controls The market's best true wireless noise-cancelling technology just got better. Bose's newest flagship wireless earbuds introduce several upgrades such as adaptive active noise cancellation (ANC), Bluetooth 5.3, and sound calibration technology for improved sound quality. Most importantly, Bose has made the new version one-third smaller than the original QuietComfort Earbuds, while also developing new ear-tips to help achieve optimal wear for more users. The next-gen buds continue to build on traditional Bose hallmarks, but they also struggle in areas where they've underperformed in the past, including battery life, special features, and touch controls. Despite these shortcomings, though, their ANC and sound quality performance carry the QuietComfort Earbuds 2 to the top echelon of our best wireless earbuds list. Read the full Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 review. (Image credit: Future)8 Grado GT220
Classy earbud with dynamic soundSpecifications
Size and weight: Not specified; 0.2 ouncesBattery life (rated): Up to 6 hours; 36 hours (with charging case)Bluetooth range: Not specifiedANC: NoToday's Best DealsView at Crutchfield (opens in new tab)Check Amazon (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Balanced and authentic sound +High comfort levels+Good battery lifeReasons to avoid
-Fiddly when changing ear tips-No active noise-cancelling Grado's GT220 true wireless earbuds are not overburdened by features such as ANC or a control app to tinker with the sound output. Compared to rivals listed here, these are a very straightforward design indeed that simply goes about the business of connecting you to your favorite music and as such, are one of the best-sounding earbud designs we've heard. Offering decent battery life and recharge time, they're perfectly pitched for music listening on the move and the sound quality delivery will also appeal to those who want to enjoy more serious listening at home from a compact earbud. Aimed at audiophiles looking to hear Grado's signature sound in a true wireless product with top audio quality as a priority over everything else, the lack of extra facilities really shouldn't be seen as a deal breaker at the price. Read our full Grado GT220 review. (Image credit: Regan Coule/Future)9 Bose QuietComfort 45
Bose latest ANC on-ear headphones give longer battery lifeSpecifications
Size and weight: 7.25 x 6 x 3 inches; 8.5 ouncesBattery life (rated): 24 hoursBluetooth range: 30 feetANC: YesToday's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Best Buy (opens in new tab)View at Sweetwater Sound (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Excellent ANC+Refined sound signature+Increased battery life+Great comfort and connectivityReasons to avoid
-Can't disable ANC modes-Lacks several features found on previous Bose headphones Bose has another ANC success on its hands. Noise cancellation on the QuietComfort 45 is just as good as the 700, eliminating a significant amount of ambient noise across the frequency spectrum. Proprietary TriPort acoustic architecture and a volume-optimized Active EQ gives these cans solid audio performance with well-rounded frequency range for a nice mix of lows, mids, and highs. Bose Music app support is beneficial for personalization and connectivity with other Bose devices (check out SimpleSync (opens in new tab)). Most importantly, battery life has been increased from 20 to 24 hours, making the QC45 the brand's longest-lasting ANC model to date. It's hard not to mention certain flaws such as the inability to turn off ANC and the absence of features that are available on other Bose headphones, but the overall performance more than makes up for these drawbacks.Read our full Bose QuietComfort 45 review. (Image credit: Regan Coule/Future)