The best headphones 2022 tops cans from Sony Bose and more TechRadar Skip to main content TechRadar 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. The best headphones 2022 tops cans from Sony Bose and more By Becky Scarrott Contributions from Olivia Tambini last updated 30 September 2022 The absolute best headphones in every style, for every budget PRICE VERDICT REASONS TO BUY REASONS TO AVOID VERDICT REASONS TO BUY REASONS TO AVOID Included in this guide:1SonyWH-1000XM4Check Price (opens in new tab)2Cambridge AudioMelomania 1 PlusCheck Price (opens in new tab)3SennheiserMomentum 4 WirelessCheck Price (opens in new tab)4SonyWH-1000XM5Check Price (opens in new tab)5SonyWF-1000XM4 Wireless EarbudsCheck Price (opens in new tab)6AppleAirPods Pro 2nd GenerationCheck Price (opens in new tab)71More Triple Driver In...Check Price (opens in new tab)8SoundMAGICE11BTCheck Price (opens in new tab)9PlantronicsBackBeat Go 810Check Price (opens in new tab)10LypertekPurePlay Z3 2.0Check Price (opens in new tab)11NuraNuraloopCheck Price (opens in new tab)12Bose700Check Price (opens in new tab)13AKGN60NCCheck Price (opens in new tab)14BoseQuietComfort EarbudsCheck Price (opens in new tab)15JabraElite 45hCheck Price (opens in new tab)16SonyWH-CH510 Wireless On-Ear HeadphonesCheck Price (opens in new tab)17BeyerdynamicDT 1990 ProCheck Price (opens in new tab)18JBLTune 750BTNCCheck Price (opens in new tab)19FocalStelliaCheck Price (opens in new tab)20Final AudioUX3000Check Price (opens in new tab) (Image credit: TechRadar) The best headphones are essential for anyone who loves their music, podcasts, and movies. They're useful if you travel a lot, have a lot of video calls at work, or if you need music when you work out. Despite the many options and so many different types out there, finding the ideal headphones or earbuds for you is easy, even if you're not familiar with brands and features. Choosing the ideal one for you does depend on several factors – your budget, the features you prioritize, and the preferences you may have about how they look and fit. If you want the convenience of not dealing with cables, one of the best wireless headphones or a pair of true wireless earbuds might be ideal. That's especially if you're looking for great running headphones that won't get in the way of your run. If you travel or commute a lot, you might benefit from highly immersive noise-cancelling headphones that delivers active noise cancellation. Those are typically expensive, however, so if you're on a budget, an affordable pair of over-ear headphones with passive noise cancellation might do the trick. We've tested hundreds of different earbuds and headphones, including the most of the top and most popular models on the market, so we know what we are listening for. And, our guide below will help you make sense of it all – as well as help you find the top headphones for your needs, whatever your budget. Naturally, we've included the best prices available next to our choices as well. This way, you will be able to spot the best Black Friday headphones deals as soon as they go live. Black Friday is mere weeks away, after all, and you'll start seeing good deals even before the actual sale event. Many of the headphones and earphones on this list might look different, but they all have key things in common: a comfortable design, class-leading audio performance, and a range of great extra features including built-in voice assistants and wireless connectivity. Whether you're listening on your smartphone, your laptop, or one of the best MP3 players, you won't be disappointed with one of these picks. The best headphones 2022 (Image credit: Sony) 1 Sony WH-1000XM4 The best headphones for most people SpecificationsAcoustic design: ClosedWeight: 253gFrequency response: 4Hz to 40kHzDrivers: 1.57-inch dome-typeBattery life: 30 hoursspecificationsColourBlack, SilverConditionNew, RefurbishedToday'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+Improved noise-cancellation over previous model+DSEE Extreme audio upscaling+Allows for multipoint pairing Reasons to avoid-Not water-resistant The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones deliver excellent noise-cancellation and sound quality in a design that we found comfortable and lightweight throughout our testing. They don't look different from their predecessors, the Sony WH-1000XM3. However, new features, including multipoint pairing, DSEE Extreme upscaling, conversational awareness and auto-play/pause using a built-in sensor, mean they're a significant upgrade. The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones also support Sony's 360 Reality Audio format, which delivers spatial audio on stereo headphones, plus the LDAC codec that can send a bitrate of up to 990 kbps. However, it no longer supports aptX or aptX HD, so your hi-res audio support mileage may vary. The Sony WH-1000XM4 are a wonderful pair of wireless noise-cancelling headphones. They deliver exactly what they promise and then some thanks to their exceptional noise cancellation and cutting-edge codec support. Read the full Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Headphones review (Image credit: Cambridge Audio) 2 Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus The best budget headphones overall SpecificationsAcoustic design: ClosedWeight: 4.6g each Frequency response: 20Hz – 20kHzDrivers: 5.8mm Dynamic with Graphene-enhanced DiaphragmBattery life: Up to 50 HoursspecificationsColourBlack, WhiteConditionNewToday's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy+Stunning audio performance+Great app+Easy controls Reasons to avoid-No ANC Now that they've received a permanent price cut, dragging that tag down to more than half its original price, the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus are a much more appealing option than ever. Not that they weren't already at their original cost, receiving the coveted five-star rating in our review. A clear upgrade from its predecessors, these offering excellent audio performance, a helpful app, and easy-to-use controls. In terms of audio quality, we found during testing that they offer tons of dynamism and character, with a lively presentation, high accuracy, and a lot of detail. And, while there's no noise cancellation on offer, the sound isolation is very good. Finally, if you're ok with using them in low power mode, you should get up to nine hours of battery life per earbuds charge (up to 45 hours with the case). Read our full Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus review (Image credit: Sennheiser) 3 Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless The best headphones for sheer options and sound quality SpecificationsAcoustic design: ClosedWeight: 293gFrequency response: 6Hz-22,000HzDrivers: 42mm dynamicBattery life: 60 hoursspecificationsColourBlack, WhiteConditionNewToday's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy+Neutral, crisp, detailed sound+Excellent ANC and transparency+Incredible battery life even with ANC deployed Reasons to avoid-A little plain aesthetically-Design doesn't fold up into the headband We said under intense review that Sennheiser's welcome update to its 2019 Sennheiser Momentum third-generation Wireless headphones would soon be sitting pretty within this buying guide, and here they are. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless are the newest August 2022-issue wireless over-ear headphones from Sennheiser and if Sony (listed above and below) isn't worried, it should be. These cans boast an incredible 60-hour battery life, a likeable app, an extensive feature set, easy on-ear controls, talented adaptive noise cancellation and a zealous sound that'll have you nodding your head happily wherever you go. Yes, they're a tad plain aesthetically, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and these headphones sound outrageously good for the level. Sennheiser has packed everything and the kitchen sink into the Momentum 4 Wireless's spec sheet, including Sidetone to better hear your voice during calls and 'Sound Zones', EQ and ANC presets which can be set to magically kick in when you're, well, in the zone. Make no mistake though, the headline-grabber is still the sound. And what a sound it is! Think open, detailed, expansive, neutral and crisp. Never is it overly warm; never is it congested or muddied through the bass. Move over Sony XM5, there's a new set of cans in town and honestly, they're just that little bit better across the board. Oh, also, they're a little cheaper than the XM5… Read the full review: Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless (Image credit: Sony) 4 Sony WH-1000XM5 The best Sony headphones if you don't mind paying the price SpecificationsAcoustic design: ClosedWeight: 250gFrequency response: 4Hz to 40kHzDrivers: 1.18-inch dome-typeBattery life: 40 hours / 30 with ANC onToday's Best DealsView at Walmart (opens in new tab)View at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy+Superb noise cancelling+Excellent audio performance+Useful ambient features Reasons to avoid-More expensive-Not a huge upgrade over the XM4s These new Sonys would be at the top of our table if it weren't for the fact that right now the outgoing model, the WH-1000XM4, is substantially cheaper and does almost everything the newer Sonys do. These are better headphones, but at the moment the XM4s are the better buy. In our Sony WH-1000XM5 review we said that the XM5s are "the best headphones in the world thanks to their class-leading noise-cancelling features and well-balanced audio". However, "a steeper price point and similar functionality to earlier models make the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones an ever-so-slightly tougher sell than before." The new design is more elegant and contains slightly smaller drivers than before, and while there's less wind distortion the trade-off is that they don't fold neatly like the previous model did. The noise cancelling is best-in-class, doing an excellent job of muting the higher pitched sounds that ANC headphones tend to find challenging, and sound quality is exemplary. Your co-workers or fellow commuters won't take a dislike to you either: these headphones don't leak as badly as some over-ears do. The other headline feature here is battery life, which is now 10 hours longer: expect up to 40 hours with the ANC off and 30 with it on. If you don't already have noise cancelling headphones, these are as good as it currently gets – but the older, cheaper model is almost as good and better value as a result. Read our full Sony WH-1000XM5 review (Image credit: Sony) 5 Sony WF-1000XM4 Wireless Earbuds The best true wireless earbuds SpecificationsAcoustic design: ClosedWeight: 7.3gFrequency response: 20-40,000HzDrivers: 6mmBattery life : 8 hours (earbuds) 16 hours (charging case)specificationsColourSilverConditionNewToday'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+Rapid, full-bodied and eloquent sound+Truly useful features+Impressive call quality Reasons to avoid-Unremarkable battery life-No aptX support With the Sony WF-1000XM4s, Sony has combined performance, ergonomics, and build quality more effectively than ever before in a noise-cancelling true wireless package. During our testing we found that compared to their predecessors, the Sony WF-1000XM3, the newer wireless earbuds offer enough quality-of-life features to make them worth upgrading to, even if they are a little more expensive. Features like auto-pause and being able to tune the buds to the shape of your ears are truly useful. While other true wireless earbuds surpass the Sony WF-1000XM4 in particular areas – in terms of noise cancellation, for example – no other model comes close to offering such excellent quality across the board. That's why the Sony WF-1000XM4 are hands-down the best true wireless earbuds you can buy today. Read our full Sony WF-1000XM4 review (Image credit: Apple) 6 Apple AirPods Pro 2The best noise-cancelling earbuds for Apple fans SpecificationsAcoustic design: ClosedWeight: 5.3g eachFrequency response: Not listedDrivers: Custom Apple designBattery life : 6 hours (earbuds) 30 hours (charging case)specificationsColourWhiteConditionNewToday's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Walmart (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy+Elite active noise cancellation+Great audio quality+Lots of smart features for iPhone users Reasons to avoid-Average battery life for buds-No aptX or LDAC support The Apple AirPods Pro 2 offer improved audio performance over the original AirPods Pro and fantastic ANC in a comfortable, true wireless form factor. The Pro 2 buds are a step up from the original AirPods Pro. Design changes might be subtle, but audio performance is upgraded with new drivers and amplifiers. During our testing, we rated the sound from the Pro 2 as brilliant-there's rich audio across genres and a wide and expansive soundstage. ANC is also greatly improved and performs exceptionally well, we found it blocked out most external noises. Transparency mode is more useful too. It's adaptive, allowing you to have natural conversations when you don't want to take them out. Battery life has been boosted to 6 hours from the buds with ANC on, and 30 hours from the charging case, which is now IPX4 water resistant-withstanding light showers and sweating-and has a speaker, handy if you lose them as you can activate a 'Find My' request. We still rate the original AirPods Pro, but the Pro 2 are one of our favorite options if you're looking for a pair of the best headphones in a true wireless design. If you want the comfort of over-ear headphones, there are better headphones on this list, like the Sony WH-1000XM4s at the top. But the AirPods Pro 2 prove you don't necessarily need an over-ear design anymore for truly immersive sound and excellent ANC from your headphones. Read our full review: Apple AirPods Pro 2 (Image credit: 1More) 7 1More Triple Driver In-Ear Headphone The best wired in-ear headphones SpecificationsAcoustic design: ClosedWeight: 18gFrequency response: 20-40,000HzDrivers: DynamicBattery life: N/AspecificationsColourGold, SilverConditionNewToday's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy+Lush sound quality+Excellent build and design+Unmatched value Reasons to avoid-Plastic remote feels cheap After testing the 1More Triple Driver In-Ear Headphones for a few weeks, we're certain that they deliver fantastic sound and equally fantastic value for money. That's why we consider them to be the best headphones for those who prefer wired earbuds. For $100 / £100 (about AU$168), it's hard to find a better-sounding and more well-built pair of earphones than the 1MORE Triple Drivers – although if you want a little extra refinement and more luxurious materials, the same firm's 1MORE Quad Drivers are even more impressive, albeit at twice the price. But at this price, and with such excellent build and design, it's hard to fault the Triple Drivers. The inbuilt remote feels a little cheap, but that's more than made up for by the lush sound quality offered by these luxe-looking earbuds. For the price, you can't do better than 1MORE's Triple Driver in-ear headphones. Read our full 1More Triple Driver In-Ear Headphone review (Image credit: SoundMagic) 8 SoundMAGIC E11BT The best wired earbuds on a budget SpecificationsAcoustic design: ClosedWeight: 24.7gFrequency response: 20 - 20,000HzDrivers: 10mm dynamic neodymiumBattery life: 20 hoursspecificationsColourBlack, BlueConditionNewToday's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy+Fantastic price+Elegant design+Comfortable with ergonomic tips Reasons to avoid-Treble tones can sound harsh The SoundMagic E11BTs are an extremely capable pair of wireless in-ear earphones, and given their low price, it really is difficult to fault them. The audio quality on offer here is fantastic with vocals sounding clear and smooth, while a hefty amount of bass helps elsewhere. Treble frequencies are sharp and crystal-clear too with a good level of attack. Although we also found that they might be a little harsh for anyone who wants to have a very warm soundstage. We found these headphones comfortable to wear thanks to their ergonomically designed eartips, and we thought they looked elegant too. They're attached to a flat neckband that didn't irritate our skin while running or working out. They have an IPX4 rating, which means they should withstand sweaty sessions, so they're a solid option as a spare pair of workout earbuds. Read the full SoundMagic E11BT review (Image credit: Plantronics) 9 Plantronics BackBeat Go 810 The best budget wireless headphones SpecificationsAcoustic design: ClosedWeight: 289gFrequency response: N/ADrivers: 40mm dynamicBattery life: 24 hoursspecificationsColourBlackConditionNewToday's Best DealsView at Walmart (opens in new tab)Check Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy+Excellent build quality+Warm, balanced sound+Reliable wireless connection Reasons to avoid-Hiss when music isn't playing For years, the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 were among our favorite wireless headphones because of their excellent sound, build quality and features. Unfortunately, they were also kind of expensive. But their successor is a whole lot more affordable. For $150 / £140 / AU$240, Plantronics now offers the Plantronics BackBeat Go 810. These over-ear headphones use less premium materials but during our testing we found the sound quality was nearly identical to their more expensive predecessor – and these headphones sport an equally chic design. While the active noise cancellation might be a little on the average side, the headphones offer up mostly warm and balanced sound that's impressive for headphones in this price range. Battery life is about 20 hours with ANC on or up to 28 hours with it switched off. We think the BackBeat Go 810 are the best headphones for those that want wireless connectivity but without the high price tag. Read our full Plantronics BackBeat Go 810 review (Image credit: Lypertek) 10 Lypertek PurePlay Z3 2 0 The best budget true wireless earbuds SpecificationsAcoustic design: : ClosedFrequency response: : 20Hz - 20kHzDrivers:: Graphene, 6mm dynamicBattery life: : 10 hours (earbuds) 70 hours (charging case)specificationsColourBlackConditionNewToday's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy+Excellent sound+Great price+Top-notch battery life Reasons to avoid-Ambient mode is poor When we first reviewed the original Lypertek PurePlay Z3 true wireless earbuds (then known as the Lypertek Tevi), we were blown away. The Lypertek PurePlay Z3 2.0 true wireless earbuds are their successors. They're similar to the originals, include a few key improvements, and are available at the same affordable price point of $99 / £99. That price gets you everything we loved about the original PurePlay Z3, including detailed balanced sound, a whopping 80 hours total battery life from its petite USB-C charging case, and a comfortably fitting bud with physical buttons. But the Z3 2.0 earbuds also add wireless charging, a powerful new LDX Audio mode, improved app functionality and a hear-through ambient mode. The bad news is that we found the app connectivity to be patchy, and the ambient hear through mode isn't a patch on what you get from the likes of Sony's noise cancelling WF-1000XM4. The hear-through mode is a shame, then, but these remain very impressive earbuds in terms of sound quality, stamina and affordability. They're more than a match for headphones two or three times the price. Read our full Lypertek PurePlay Z3 2.0 review (Image credit: NuraLoop) 11 NuraLoop headphones The best Bluetooth earbuds SpecificationsAcoustic design: ClosedWeight: 25gFrequency response: 20Hz - 20 kHzDrivers: 8.6mm dynamicBattery life: 16 hoursspecificationsColourBlackConditionNewToday's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Best Buy (opens in new tab)View at Musician's Friend (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy+Rich, adaptive audio+ANC and social mode+Rugged, sweatproof desig Reasons to avoid-Stiff neckband can get in the way NuraLoop has boiled down everything good about the company's first product, the Nuraphone, into a much more compact, rugged, and affordable package, and doesn't lose much in the process. When we reviewed these headphones, we found the star of the show was the adaptive audio technology, which automatically creates a customized listening profile and feeds you well-balanced, lush sound tailored to your ears. It's very impressive and immersive. Although that's the USP of these earbuds, there are plenty of other features that make the NuraLoop headphones stand out including active noise-cancelling, social mode, an IPX3 rating, Immersion mode, a great battery life, and the ability to attach an analog cable for 3.5mm headphone jacks. The only real downside we encountered during our tests is that its stiff neckband can get in the way at times. But that's a really minor complaint. Read our full NuraLoop headphones review (Image credit: Bose) 12 Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 The best noise-cancelling headphones SpecificationsAcoustic design: ClosedWeight: 25gFrequency response: N/ADrivers: N/ABattery life: 20 hoursspecificationsColourBlack, SilverConditionNewToday'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+Outstanding noise cancelation+Fun, lively sound+Elegant design Reasons to avoid-Only 20 hours of battery life If the Sony WH-1000XM4s are the current king of noise-cancelling headphones, the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 are next in line for the throne. We think the Sonys sound slightly better, but the Bose noise cancelling is superior – so if you're a frequent flyer these may well be the better option for you. By applying noise cancellation to phone calls as well as music, Bose has made great strides in the field of noise-cancelling headphones. We found the sound quality to be undeniably good, with a vibrant, lively character and well-balanced soundstage. If you're trying to decide between buying the Sony WH-1000XM4s and these Bose headphones, we'd recommend going for the former because of that lower price and better battery life – they're our number one pick for those reasons. But you wouldn't be making a mistake if you opted for the Bose cans instead (and we wouldn't blame you if you did) – they sound great, look stunning, and the noise cancellation is out of this world. Read our full Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 review 13 AKG N60NC The best budget noise-cancelling headphones SpecificationsAcoustic design: ClosedWeight: 198gFrequency response: 10 - 20,000 HzDrivers: 40mmBattery life: 15 hoursspecificationsColourBlackConditionNewToday's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy+15-30 hours' battery life+Lossless audio support+Superb sound Reasons to avoid-On-ear form can be uncomfortable The AKG N60NC headphones are award-winners: we gave them our coveted 5-star rating. And now their price has plummeted, they're an even better buy. We found their noise cancelling to be very good at blocking out engine sounds and similar on flights, and like other AKG headphones there's solid bass without the low end overpowering the midrange and treble. Music sounds crisp and distinctive every time. If you're used to on-ear rather than over-ear, they're mostly comfortable, too, which is an important consideration if you're using them on your travels. The battery is decent for cheap noise-cancelling headphones, with 15 hours of playback over Bluetooth. If you just want full noise cancellation, you're good for a whopping 30 hours of peace and relative quiet before you need to find a charger so these are a great option for long-haul travel. Read our full AKG N60NC review (Image credit: Bose) 14 Bose QuietComfort Earbuds The best noise-cancelling earbuds SpecificationsAcoustic Design: ClosedWeight: 8.5gFrequency Response: N/ADrivers: N/ABattery on-board: 6 hours (earbuds) 12 hours (charging case)specificationsColourBlack, Blue, WhiteConditionNewToday'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+Best-in-class ANC+Rich, clear sound Reasons to avoid-Lack on-board volume control-Bulky charging case This is Bose's second attempt at a set of true wireless headphones, and the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are leaps and bounds better than the older SoundSport Free. The design of these earbuds much improved and the noise cancellation is also exemplary. There are ten levels of ANC on offer here. At maximum, you're practically cut off from the rest of the world, encased in a cocoon of sound that's made entirely of your favourite tunes. You'll only be able to hear some of the highest frequency sounds such as sirens, and even they're muted to a large degree. The Bose headphones aren't quite as bassy as Sony's rivals, but we enjoyed their superb clarity and consistently impressive sound quality. During our testing, we found these noise-cancelling earbuds incredibly comfortable and well balanced, too, and while we expected their bulky form factor to be an issue they're much more comfortable than they look. Read our full Bose QuietComfort Earbuds review (Image credit: Jabra) 15 Jabra Elite 45h The best on-ear headphones SpecificationsAcoustic design: ClosedWeight: 160gFrequency response: 20Hz-20,000HzDrivers: 40mmBattery life: 50 hoursspecificationsColourBlackConditionNewToday'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+Balanced sound+Impressive battery life Reasons to avoid-Leaky sound-Iffy call quality For just $79 / £69/ AU$99, the Jabra Elite 45h gives you Bluetooth 5 connectivity, 40mm full-range dynamic drivers and a smattering of physical push-button controls in a wireless on-ear frame. We like how the faux leather, memory foam and happily un-creaky plastic combined to deliver a fit we found extremely comfortable, although we weren't so keen on the way in which the ear pads reflect body heat right back: these phones get rather warm when you've been wearing them for a while. Tech-wise, they hit all the key features. There's voice control available from Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri. Jabra's Sound+ control app even walks you through a brief hearing test to establish exactly how the EQs should be set to best suit your ears, giving you a surprisingly personal experience compared to others in this price range. By the standards of overtly affordable headphones, the Elite 45h are feature-packed. Read our full Jabra Elite 45h review (Image credit: Sony) 16 Sony WH-CH510 The best budget on-ear headphones SpecificationsAcoustic design: ClosedWeight: 132gFrequency response: 20Hz-20,000HzDrivers: 30mm dynamicBattery life: 35 hoursspecificationsColourBlack, BlueConditionNewToday'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+Incredibly affordable+Solid audio and battery life+Lightweight and compact Reasons to avoid-No 3.5mm jack or USB audio Testing the Sony WH-CH510, we were amazed that wireless on-ear headphones could cost this little while delivering really decent sound, a USB-C port, and 35 hours of battery life. If you're looking for headphones at this price point, you're likely already willing to make a few sacrifices. Thankfully, most of the compromises Sony has made with the WH-CH510 haven't been too crucial – the lack of analog input mirrors, the loss of the 3.5mm port on most modern smartphones – and while the construction is a little plasticky they're lightweight, portable and comfortable. While they won't have the superb clarity, balance, and sense of space that their WH-1000XM4 siblings deliver, the sound these on-ear headphones produce is much better than you'd expect from their size and price. You'll find most genres perform well here, although tracks that already have low mids and bumped treble might get uncomfortably exaggerated. Read our full Sony WH-CH510 review (Image credit: Beyerdynamic) 17 Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro The best over-ear headphones SpecificationsAcoustic design: OpenWeight: 370 gFrequency response: 5 – 40,000HzDrivers: 45mm dynamic Tesla neodymium Battery life: N/AToday's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Sweetwater Sound (opens in new tab)View at Walmart (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy+Built like a tank+Excellent comfort+Breathtaking resolution Reasons to avoid-Slightly recessed mids While Beyerdynamic may not be as well-known as its German sibling, Sennheiser, the audio company has a history of creating some of the best-sounding audio gear on the market. The Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro is an open-back version of the Beyerdynamic DT 1770 Pro, which won our Editor's Choice award for their imaging, design and value for the money. Both headphones are priced the same ($599 / £589 / AU$1,159), so you won't find a deal picking up one over the other. The difference here comes down to sound. As they're open-back, the DT 1990 Pro are intended to be used at home, or in the studio, for serious analytical listening. Sound is able to get in and out, of course, but the open-back design gives the DT 1990 Pro a great sense of space. The soundstage is quite wide, too, enabling even the most lackadaisical listener to pinpoint the exact location of where each instrument is playing. If you've been searching for a pair of high fidelity cans that are good enough for some of the world's leading audio engineers, these are the best headphones for you. Read our full Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro review (Image credit: TechRadar) 18 JBL Tune 750BTNC The best budget over-ear headphones SpecificationsAcoustic design: ClosedWeight: 220gFrequency response: 20Hz - 20kHzDrivers: 40mmBattery life: 22 hoursspecificationsColourBlack, WhiteConditionNewToday's Best DealsView at Walmart (opens in new tab)View at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Walmart (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy+Good sound quality+Strong active noise cancelation Reasons to avoid-No waterproofing-Average battery life Solidly dependable, consumers know what to expect from the JBL brand: decent sound quality for a decent price. That's what we found with the JBL Live 650BTNC when we reviewed them – and their successors are the JBL Tune 750BTNC, which are both high-spec and well priced. The JBL Tune 750BTNC sound great, look great, and we found they fitted very well. They also offer decent ANC for anyone looking to block out sounds. They're reliable and easy to use, and while you might miss waterproofing and a few minor features, at this price it feels foolish to complain too readily. Read our full JBL Tune 750BTNC review (Image credit: Focal) 19 Focal Stellia The best luxury headphones SpecificationsAcoustic design: ClosedWeight: 435gFrequency response: 5Hz - 40kHzDrivers: 40mmBattery life: N/AToday's Best DealsView at Crutchfield (opens in new tab)View at Walmart (opens in new tab)View at World Wide Stereo (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy+Stunning, precise sound+Open soundstage+Opulent design Reasons to avoid-Extremely expensive If money's no object, the Focal Stellia headphones are perhaps the best headphones on the planet. Their wide open soundstage and detailed, accurate sound treatment means they make any genre of music sound brilliant. If you listen to songs you think you know inside out, the precise separation of the frequencies here means that you will probably hear details you've never noticed before. If you like to keep things minimal in the headphones department, you probably won't like the showy, opulent design of the Focal Stellias, and they definitely do feel a little chunky for wearing on the commute into work. But if you like a bit of luxury, the full-grain leather cups, woven cables, brushed copper accents, and matching carrying case are likely to appeal. That luxury feel is translated right down to the presentation of the user manuals in a neat little leather-style wallet. But then you'd expect to find this level of detail when you're parting with $3,000 / £2,799 (about AU$4,200). Ouch. Read our full Focal Stellia headphones review (Image credit: final audio) 20 Final Audio UX3000 A great pair of affordable over-ears with excellent specs SpecificationsWeight: 260gFrequency response: 20Hz to 20kHzDrivers: DynamicBattery life: 35 hours (ANC off), 25 hours (ANC on)Today's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy+Confident, articulate sound+Good specifications for the price+Manageable weight and dimensions Reasons to avoid-Bland looks if you don't like minimalism-ANC is good but not great Final Audio's wireless, noise-cancelling, over-ear headphones may not look or feel particularly special. But their specification, which includes aptX Low Latency Bluetooth, long battery life, and active noise cancellation, go a long way towards making up for it. Their relatively modest size and weight makes them a realistic proposition for anyone who wants to listen in comfort for long periods. Sound-wise, their dynamism, detail retrieval and musicality make the UX3000 an engaging and thoroughly enjoyable listen. The active noise cancellation is effective enough at dealing with the majority of external distractions; you're not getting Bose-type levels of noise negation, but then you're not spending Bose-type money either. Battery life here is excellent; the UX3000 should last for 35 hours from a single charge if ANC is switched off, and 25 hours or so if it's switched on. During our testing we found that, from flat, they can be fully charged in around two-and-a-half hours. There's no accompanying app or touch controls here, making them a fairly minimal pair of over-ears, but specs-wise they've got everything you could want and more at a very decent price compared to many eye-wateringly expensive rivals. Read our full Final Audio UX3000 review How to choose the best headphones for you There's a lot to consider when you're buying a new pair of headphones. But the most important is the design. Because it doesn't just dictate how they look, but the features on offer, how they feel when you wear them and, therefore, how you'll use them day-to-day. In-ear headphones, also called earbuds or earphones, are usually the cheapest and easiest way to pump audio into your ears. They rest in or just outside the ear canal, creating a tight seal to keep air out and sound in. These are the most discreet designs you'll find, making them excellent for portability and the prime choice for athletes. The 1More Triple Driver In-Ear Headphones Over-ear headphones generally provide fantastic richness and depth of sound, which allows listeners to pick apart the instruments and sounds much easier. Additionally, over-ear, or circumaural headphones, go around the ear and offer a generous amount of padding. Instead of enveloping your ears, on-ear headphones create a light, breathable seal around your ear. The noise isolation is less effective than in-ear or over-ear options. But they're usually more portable than their over-ear brethren, appeal to travellers and make good fitness headphones. Some headphones don't go anywhere near your ears at all. Bone-conducting headphones send vibrations through your cheekbones and jaw up towards your inner ear, leaving your ears free. These headphones make great running headphones and swimming headphones. The Focal Stellia over-ear headphones. (Image credit: Focal) Wireless headphones fit into three different categories. Wireless in-ear earphones connected via a neckband are ideal for runners who want the freedom of a wireless connection with the security of a wire keeping their earbuds firmly around their neck. With wireless on-ear headphones and over-ear headphones, you simply lose the wire connecting them to your device – otherwise, they look pretty much the same as your regular pair of wired cans, and give you the noise-isolating prowess of over-ears without the need for cumbersome wires to connect to your device. True wireless earbuds have no cord whatsoever. For some, this means true freedom; for others, untethered true wireless means constant danger of losing their expensive audio kit down the drain – or terrible connections. The latter, at least, has changed now – thanks to advances in Bluetooth technology like aptX HD, the best true wireless earbuds have never sounded better. Are wired headphones better than wireless Generally speaking, wired headphones do deliver better sound quality than wireless headphones. But there have been so many advances in audio tech in recent years, that with many of the best wireless headphones you're unlikely to notice a difference. That's why we often recommend audiophiles continue to opt for wired headphones. But for everyone else, it's mostly be down to personal preference. If wireless headphones suit you and are more convenient, they're a better choice for you. Get a good quality pair and you won't be missing out when it comes to sound quality. What are the best headphones I can buy right now That depends on your preferences, style and budget. One of the most important considerations is design. Do you want a pair of in-ear headphones for running that are discrete and will stay snug all-day? Do you want a pair of true wireless headphones to give you ultimate flexibility? Or how about a big pair of over-ear headphones, the ultimate in noise cancellation and comfort? We've included a number of different headphone types below, like in-ear, on-ear, over-ear, wireless and true wireless. However, our top pick has to be the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones. They're fantastic all-rounders, offering a long battery life, noise cancellation, and excellent audio quality for the price. What is the number 1 headphone brand There's no one perfect headphone brand out there. It all depends on your budget, audio needs, the features you want, and even the comfort or design involved with the headphones. That's why we've included numerous headphones covering different price ranges and feature sets. While major brands like Sony and Bose may stand out most, that doesn't mean you shouldn't rule out the others, with something for everyone out there. How we test headphones When it comes to the best headphones, we focus on sound quality above everything else. We look at both wired and wireless cans and earbuds that would appeal to audiophiles, as well as those working in professional roles. However, we also appreciate that budget is important too, so we compare like for like, picking out budget headphones that perform admirably for the price. We also look at other features such as ANC, battery life, fit, and of course the usability and extra perks offered by any companion apps. Of course, design and whether they look (and feel) good all adds to the model's desirability – and this is noted as we listen to music across a wide range of genres over several days. We have tested all of the headphones in this guide extensively, spending plenty of time analyzing the sound, fit, design, specs, and value for money so that you will be able to choose a product you'll be over the moon with. Headphone dealsRound up of today's best deals (opens in new tab)Sony WH-1000XM4 (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$348 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)See all pricesReduced Price (opens in new tab)Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$79.95 (opens in new tab)$59.95 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)See all prices (opens in new tab)Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$349.95 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)See all pricesReduced Price (opens in new tab)Sony WH-1000XM5 (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$484.47 (opens in new tab)$398 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)See all pricesReduced Price (opens in new tab)Sony WF-1000XM4 Wireless Earbuds (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$279.99 (opens in new tab)$248 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)See all pricesDeal ends Mon, Oct 17 (opens in new tab)Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$239 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)See all prices (opens in new tab)1MORE Triple Driver In-Ear Headphones (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$29.99 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)See all prices (opens in new tab)SoundMAGIC E11BT (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$45.99 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)See all pricesReduced Price (opens in new tab)Plantronics BackBeat Go 810 (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$179.51 (opens in new tab)$132.45 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)See all pricesReduced Price (opens in new tab)Lypertek PurePlay Z3 2.0 (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$99 (opens in new tab)$89 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)See all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best pricespowered by window.sliceComponents = window.sliceComponents {}; window.reliableDOMContentLoaded.then(() => { var componentContainer = document.querySelector("#slice-container-authorBio"); if(componentContainer) { var data = {"layout":"default","border":false,"separator":true,"name":"Becky Scarrott","role":"Senior Audio Staff Writer","authorLink":{"text":"Becky Scarrott","href":"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/author\/becky-scarrott"},"image":{"src":"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6KvDYcBf9siRD6xfx9zLMd.jpg","alt":"Becky Scarrott","srcSetSizes":[140,300],"fullscreen":false,"lazyLoading":true,"addSEOMetaData":false,"eager":false,"removeNativeWidthRestriction":false,"noCredit":false},"socialLinks":{"socialButtons":[{"iconName":"TWITTER","href":"https:\/\/www.twitter.com\/@BecksScarrott"},{"iconName":"EMAIL","href":"mailto:[email protected]"}]},"biography":"Becky is a senior staff writer at TechRadar (which she has been assured refers to expertise rather than age) focusing on all things audio. Before joining the team, she spent three years at What Hi-Fi? testing and reviewing everything from wallet-friendly wireless earbuds to huge high-end sound systems. Prior to gaining her MA in Journalism in 2018, Becky freelanced as an arts critic alongside a 22-year career as a professional dancer and aerialist \u2013 any love of dance starts with a love of music. Becky has previously contributed to Stuff, FourFourTwo and The Stage. When not writing, she can still be found throwing shapes in a dance studio, these days with varying degrees of success. ","contributorText":"With contributions from","contributors":[{"name":"Olivia Tambini","link":{"href":"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/author\/olivia-tambini"}}]}; /*! 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