Best headphones of 2024: Top picks tested by experts

One of the best parts of my job is testing the best headphones. There’s nothing I like more than slipping a pair of over-ears on my head or some buds in my ears and testing them to their limits to work out whether they’re worth your hard-earned money. I’ve spent thousands of hours this year alone testing headsets of all different price points, comparing them against one another with the help of our dedicated, experienced reviews team to get a wide range of perspectives.

From comfort to sound and everything in between, you want to make sure that the headphones you’re considering have everything you want and need. For me, the sound quality is priority number one, but you might want something different. To that end, each entry in this list is broken down into sections so that you can see the strengths and weaknesses of each pair more easily.

My top pick for the best headphones based on my testing and the experience of our testers are the venerable Sony WH-1000XM5. I’ve found them extremely comfortable for long periods of time, with some of the best earpads in the business. They sound good as well, and their noise canceling is amongst the very best. If you don’t want to spend much money then I’d recommend you consider the Sennheiser Accentum. They don’t cost under $200, but come with some of the biggest battery life you’ll find without keeping a portable battery in your pocket.

I’ve put this list together to be as easy to read and understand as possible. Our quick grid at the top gives you an at a glance view of each pair, with a link to our longer blurbs below. Want even more information? I’ve linked our in-depth reviews for each so that you can get a better idea of what headphones you should invest in. These are my recommendations for the best headphones that you can buy right.

The quick list

About the author

Written by

Written by

Tammy Rogers

I love headphones. Taking my audio on the go and making it personal is incredibly important to me, and helping people find the best headphones for them is one of my favorite parts of my job. All of the options on this list have been used and tested by myself and the reviews team here at Tom's Guide, so you can rest easy knowing you're getting the best advise around.

The best headphones you can buy right now

Best headphones overall

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What you need to know
Sony keeps iterating its flagship noise canceling headphones, the WH-1000XM5 solidify the brands legacy as the makers of the best headphones around. There’s incredible sound quality on offer, with loads of bass and plenty of detail, and I particularly like the way they feel on my head. There’s some extra eco-credentials as well, with a promise they’ll be recycled at the end of their life. They might not be cheap, but they are top quality.

Design: While they might not be as interesting as some of the other entries on the list, I do like the look of the XM5. They’ve a kind of minimalism to them which makes them blend in rather than stand out, with a block color covering the whole headset. Sony even designed them to be aerodynamic to reduce wind noise while you wear them — and our testing confirms that it works with a remarkably low amount of rushing windy interference. The case that comes in the box is large, but it feels sturdy enough to keep the headphones safe from damage. It also squishes down so that you can fit it in tighter bags, wich is useful.

Performance: With an energetic, confident and convincing sound signature, the XM5 are a joy to listen to. We found them impressively detailed through our review, giving hi-res streams from Tidal and Qobuz the justice they deserve. I am impressed with their ANC as well, as the algorithm banishes most noise that might disturb your listening — I was certainly pleased when they blocked out the noise of a thunderous bus at it cruised past me on the street.

Comfort: Sony has got something very right with the comfort of the WH-1000XM5, although there’s one element of the fit that holds us back from calling them perfect. They’re super light weight, coming in at only 8.8 ounces, and combined with their soft earcups and plentiful padding, I’m incredibly impressed with the way they feel on your head. Our reviewer did find that they got hot while wearing them for extending periods, however, which does put a slight blight on proceedings — put your mileage may vary.

Battery life: Battery life in the WH-1000XM5 could never be called bad, but neither is it particularly remarkable. At 30 hours rated battery life with ANC on tap, they have decent staying power. In our testing we found this number to ring true, although it does slip with higher volumes as you might expect. Charging is fast too, and you can even get an extra hour with just 10 minutes charging, which is a nice bonus. There are longer lasting options though, like the Marshall Monitor III.

• Read the full Sony WH-1000XM5 review

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The best battery

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What you need to know
With years and years of heritage making guitar amps, Marshall is a name to reckoned with — case in point, the excellent Monitor III ANC headphones. They’re perhaps one of the comfiest pair of headphones I’ve been lucky enough to put on my head, and while my copy of the headset creaks a little in places, you won’t have any qualms about tossing them in your bag. The battery life is class leading as well, for some of the longest pairs of wireless headphones around.

Design: It’s hard not to be drawn to the retro, rock n’ roll style of the Marshall Monitor III. I love the way they look, with their rugged, rubberized texture and sculpted brass logo on each earcup. The leatherette headband both looks great and feels like it will last a life time, and they fold up small enough to fit into any bag you might want to put them in. My favorite aspect is the new case — it’s genuinely tiny, and its lined with the same kind of red, velvet-like material that you’ll find lining guitar cases. Its the little touches.

Performance: As you might expect, the Monitor III excel at rock, metal and other guitar heavy genres. There’s more to them than just that, though. You’ll find a controlled low end in addition to some great detail across the board, all topped off with some very solid clarity up top. Listening to Billy The Kid - II, Street in a Frontier Town from Aaron Copeland, I found a soundscape that was well suited to classical music, although I did have the most fun listening to the crushing Numinous by Ingested. Marshall’s Spatial Audio does leave a little to be desired though, with its ‘SoundStage’ feature mostly thinning out the music I was listening to rather than making it feel more spacious. ANC is about par for the course, buy you will find better on the likes of the Sony WH-1000XM5 and the QuietComfort Ultra headphones.

Comfort: The Marshall Monitor III feel top notch on my head. They’re very light at 8.8 pounds, and thanks to the addition of a silicon layer on the headband, you’ll barely notice you’re wearing them over long periods. The earcup cushioning is excellent as well, with two layers that create good seal and keep them from pressing against your ears. There’s not much as comfortable as the Monitor III, which is high praise indeed.

Battery life: This is where the Monitor III really stand out. Even with ANC turned on, you get a monstrous 70 hours of listening time. That’s more than every other pair of headphones on this list — and it rises even more to 100 hours if you turn ANC off. Quick charge nets you 12 hours of battery with just 15 minutes of charging too. Our testing rang true with these figures, and I’ve found myself charging them far less often than the competition.

• Read the full Marshall Monitor III review

• ^ Back to the top

Best ANC

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What you need to know: As always, Bose’s next generation of wireless cans comes out on top with the best ANC. It blocks out pretty much everything of the world around you, leaving you to enjoy your music, podcast or favorite audiobook. They sound good too, and Bose has put the ‘comfort’ from their name into practice with some great earfoam and clamping pressure. The battery life isn’t the best and the spatial audio implementation needs work, but they’re still the best for out and out ANC.

Design: I do really like the way that the QuietComfort look, thanks to their stylish use of metal accents and color. The colorway that I have, Diamond 60th anniversary edition, features gleaming metal arms and a lovely, almost pearlescant finish. Those looking for something more subtle will like the Black and Lunar Blue options — although they all look similarly slick and stylish. The case is great as well, giving plenty of protection and being compact enough to slip into most bags. I do wish my white colored case was a slightly different shade though. I worry that one rogue drink spillage and my lovely, leatherette case will be pepsi colored for life.

Performance: Let’s start with the ANC, because that’s why you buy a pair of Bose headphones. I found it to be exemplary, blocking out every single noise that came its way. You put the headphones on, and you’re immediately in a world of your own in which you can enjoy your music. And you will enjoy your music, because the sound happens to top notch as well. They’re warmer than some of the competition, with an unashamed focus on low end grunt, but they give a pleasing listen none the less. There’s plenty of detail to enjoy, although you might want to leave the Immersive audio feature turned off. I found it thinned music out, and while it was wider, it lacked depth.

Comfort: I could very happily listen to the QuietComfort Ultra headphones all day. The plush earcups and soft headband make for a supremely comfy listening experience, and while they feel substantial, they’re not overly weighty at 8.9 ounces. You’ll have no problem of a 10-hour intercontinental flight, that’s for sure, or just you hour long commute to work.

Battery life: The primary weakness of the QuietComfort Ultra headphones is their slightly disappointing battery life. They’re rated for just 24 hours with ANC turned on, and that plummets to 18 hours with Immersive audio turned on. You do get 3 hours of listening with a 15-minute charge though, which is a bonus. I found the battery numbers echoed my experience, although I also watched the battery drain when I pumped the volume.

• Read the full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones review

• ^ Back to the top

The best luxury headphones

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What you need to know: While a weighty headset, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 headphones bring a whole host of audiophile credentials to the table that make them well worth consideration if you’re looking for something that exudes luxury. Milled out of aluminum, smothered in memory foam and wrapped in leather, the Px8 feel like they’re worth every ounce of their high asking price. We would like more battery life though, and the app needs some work.

Design: Like the Rolls Royce of the headphone world is probably the best way to describe the Px8. The earcups are made out of soft, comfortable memory foam, and all the bits that aren’t brushed aluminum are covered with luxury leather. They look great too, with two different colorways on offer that feature different shades of leather and metallic accenting. They look as you might expect a pair of luxury headphones to look, and if that’s something you’re into, you’ll love the Px8.

Performance: You’d be hard pressed to find a pair of headphones that sound better. There are similarly priced options that sound different, rather than better, but that’s subjective. The Px8 opt for a warmer sound signature than other audiophile aimed cans, but that makes for a more pleasing listen for many users. They’re natural and rich, with Alison Goldfrapp's Lovely Head showcasing a wide soundstage. ANC is fine, although there are better that might even cost you less in the long run. It’s fine, and it will block out noise, but if you want the best ANC you’re better off with the QuietComfort Ultra.

Comfort: Thanks to their abundance of leather and memory foam, the Px8 feel great on the head. Clamping force is enough that you won’t worry about them falling off, and our testing showed a very comfortable fit when wearing them for a long period of time. Their not inconsiderable 11.2 ounce weight didn’t make them feel uncomfortable while wearing either, which is a big surprise.

Battery life: Battery life is about par for the course in a pair of noise canceling headphones. With ANC you get 30 hours of battery life, and you’ll soon find that number drop when you crank the volume. That’s similar to Sony’s WH-1000XM5, although it’s beaten by the less expensive Marshall Monitor III, and even the more budget Sennheiser Accentum. 15 minutes of quick charge nets you 7 hours of listening time. We found the battery life echoed Bowers & Wilkins claims as well, so the numbers you see will be mostly accurate to real life.

• Read the full Bowers & Wilkins Px8 review

• ^ Back to the top

Best mid-price headphones

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What you need to know
Sennheiser might make some very good audiophile headphones, but its wireless cans are not to be ignored either. The Accentum are the firms foray into a more budget oriented headset, and they do a stellar job at beating out the rest of the sub-$200 price point for your money. For a relatively low outlay, you get excellent battery life, flag-ship sound and solid noise canceling. They’re not much to look at, but you won’t mind when you remember what you’re getting for the price you paid.

Design: This is perhaps the weakest element of the Accentum headphones, with a relatively boring style. They’re a single, block color, and thanks to their swathes of flat surfaces and lack of major branding, they don’t do much to stand out from the crowd. I’d never go to say that they’re an ugly device, but they aren’t as forthcoming in their design language as some of the competition. They do feel sturdy though, which means the lack of carrying case doesn’t sting as much as it might otherwise. Would still be nice to get one though.

Performance: Sennheiser aren’t likely to let anything out of the door without excellent sound, and the Accentum are no different. There’s an articulate and detailed sound on offer here, with clear, controlled bass to keep things groovy. That bass is slightly forward in the mix, and there is some slight rolloff in the highs, but almost everyone is going to enjoy listening to them. Our testing showed that you might want to bring the highs up a little in the companion app for best sonic results. ANC is good the price as well, blocking out lots of noise when activated.

Comfort: With wide, open earcups, the Accentum are a very comfortable pair of headphones. Our reviewer found them super comfortable for long periods of time, not needing to remove them after two hours of use. It’s thanks to a low weight of 7.8 ounces, and a relatively relaxed clamping force. You’ll have no problem wearing them for longer periods, like long journeys or during your work day.

Battery life: It’s here that the Accentum really shine. They’ll last you 50 hours on a single charge with ANC turned on, for one of the longest lasting batteries on the list. In our testing we found this claim was largely substantiated during use, so you can rest assured they’ll last at least a week of work. Unless you work too much.

• Read the full Sennheiser Accentum review

Best high-end headphones

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What you need to know
When people ask me what my favorite pair of headphones is, forget price and other features, I always say the Focal Bathys. I love how comfortable they are, and I really like their funky design. Most of all though I adore the way that they sound, with one of the best sound signatures I’ve ever experienced in a pair of wireless headphones. Their ANC might not be quite up to the same level as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones and their price high, but they are easily worth their lofty asking price.

Design: This is going to be pretty divisive. I happen to really like the style of the Bathys, with the ring covered outside and slightly chunky aesthetic. They’re made out of excellent materials as well, with some of the softest earcups around and top shelf plastics, metals and leather covering all the parts you’ll touch. Others might not like how they stick out a bit from your ears, and might think the design on the outside of the cans looks off putting. One thing we can all agree on is the case though. It feels super rugged, and the headphones fit in without too much folding. It’s thin too so that it fits easily in bags.

Performance: There’s not much out there that comes close to the way that the Bathys sound. They’re restrained but powerful, detailed yet with plenty of space to breathe, impactful without being too much. Critical listening, generally something reserved for wired headphones, is wonderful with the Bathys, allowing you to find loads of different elements in your tracks that might be otherwise hidden. Guitars are clear and bright in The Rolling Stone’s Gimme Shelter, drums tight and controlled in Nirvana’s Smells like teen Spirit. They have to be heard to be believed. ANC does falter slightly though, when you consider their lofty price. It’s fine, and blocks out the noise of an office, but you might expect something closer to the QuietComfort Ultra headphones when you spend $800 on a pair of headphones.

Comfort: Thanks to some incredibly compliant and soft memory foam in their earcups, the Bathys are supremely comfortable to wear all day. You do need to dial that fit in, though. Me and our reviewer both found that you need to get the amount of clicks on the adjustable headband just right in order to get all day comfort. Once you do though, you’ll happily wear them for long journeys or 8 hour work days.

Battery life: Battery life is about what you’d expect, with 30 hours of listening on tap. That’s fine, and equals the likes of the WH-1000XM5, although you might find yourself reaching for the charger more when you turn the volume up. I’ve found that number to ring true from my listening.

• Read the full Focal Bathys review

Best Apple headphones

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What you need to know
Apple’s over-ear headphones have been around the block for a little while now, although they recently receive an update that replaces the old Lightning port with a USB-C plug. The headphones themselves are good though, thanks to a stunning industrial design, good audio quality and the best interoperability between headphones and Apple devices you’ll ever see. You will end up paying a lot if you want to add a pair to your backpack though, and the carrying case that comes in the box is borderline useless.

Design: There’s not much that’s not been said about the design of the AirPods Max. It’s super unique, forgoing an ordinary headband for a kind of mesh suspension instead. The cups are made out of aluminum, and are square rather than the traditional round. The arms connecting those cups to the headband are stainless steel, and slide effortlessly up and down. There’s no denying that they look amazing, but there’s a negative brooding in the shadows. The case that comes in the box is a kind of useless, sued-lined diaper that barely protects them if you put them into a bag.

Performance: The greatest strength, audio wise, of the AirPods Max, is their incredible sound stage. Apple has placed the drivers as far away from your ear as possible, so audio is incredibly spacious and wide. Turn on Spatial Audio with Apple music, and things get even wider — depending on the track you play. Audio is otherwise excellent, with clear highs, present mids, and controlled bass. They are more neutral than some of the other options out there, but most are going to love the way they sound. I’ve found the particularly good for classical music, with my favorite Beethoven, The ode to joy, sounding big, bombastic, and energetic. ANC is good as well, although not quite at the level of the XM5 or the QuietComfort Ultra headphones.

Comfort: This is where things get tricky. For the first year of wear, they’re very comfortable. The band across the top doesn’t impact your head at all, so you don’t get any fatigue there. The earcups and soft and comfortable, so they don’t feel awful after long periods. They do degrade over time though. The elastic in the band slowly gives way, leaving the two supporting metal beams to press into your head. The weight of the headphones becomes more apparent as well, making them more uncomfortable over time than when you first bought them.

Battery life: Battery life needs work too. You only get 20 hours out of the AirPods Max, which is even less than the QuietComfort Ultra. That goes down with Spatial Audio as well, so you’ll want to keep your charging cable nearby. I’ve found the battery claim lived up to real world battery life, which is a bonus.

• Read the full Apple AirPods Max review

Best earbuds overall

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What you need to know
Sony’s earbuds need no introduction — they are, after all, the best wireless earbuds that you can buy. They sound excellent, with tons of detail and some clear bass, they fit comfortably thanks to Sony’s multitude fitting options and they last a long time with some of the best battery life in class. They’re not the most interesting looking buds, having lost some of the visual flair of the previous model, but they’re our pick for the best earbuds that you can buy now.

Design: They don’t look to stand out, the WF-1000XM5, with a simple but effective design. They come in all of three different colors, a black, a silver, and a smokey pink. They blend into your ear when your wearing them for a barely there look, perfect if you don’t want anyone to know that you’ve got $300 earbuds in your canals. They are really, really small though, making them more easily portable than some of the competition. The case is a particular highlight, with one of the smallest footprints around.

Performance: In earbuds land there aren’t many options that sound as good as Sony’s effort. There’s loads of detail here to enjoy revealing parts of your music you might never have noticed before. Bass is slightly emphasized for a warmer sound signature, but that just makes for a more welcoming listen for different users. Our reviewer found that Like a Dog Chasing Cars from The Dark Knight soundtrack revealed some excellent spacious sound, and robust audio performance. As for the ANC, you’re looking at some top notch noise blocking. There are better, like the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds, but they still manage to block out all the worst bits of the outside world.

Comfort: If you’re looking for a great pair of earbuds to wear for extended periods of time, you’re in the right place. Thanks to the many fitting options that Sony includes in the box, you’ll find your perfect fit without any problems at all. Our tester found that they where easily able to wear them for long periods of time.

Battery life: The buds themselves have some excellent staying power. There’s 8 hours of battery life in there, so you can listen to them all day at work without any issue at all. There’s then a further 24 hours in the charging case, which isn’t quite as much as some of the competition like the Sennhesier Momentum wireless. We found that battery life matched Sony’s claims.

• Read the full Sony WF-1000XM5 review

Best Apple AirPods 'buds overall

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What you need to know
Everyone knows what AirPods look like — you’ve probably already had a pair somewhere down the line. The AirPods Pro 2 are the most premium in-ears that Apple sells, and they have some excellent features that make them a great option. Apple users will likely enjoy them most, of course, thanks to the effortless interoperability with different devices in the Apple ecosystem. It really is just like magic when you connect them to your iPhone, and then see them appear on your MacBook and iPad as well.

Design: The AirPods Pro 2 are ubiquitous at this point. You can’t walk a yard in a city without spotting some white stems hanging out of someones ears, and there’s good reason. They have a unique look that every cheap earbud manufacturer has tried to emulate in some way. I really like the way my AirPods 2 look, and I also like the functionality of the case. Where some earbud cases fall into the trap of being small but fat in one dimension, the AirPods Pro 2 case is very slim. That means it fits perfectly into my jeans pocket, so they don’t jab into my leg.

Performance: Apple’s house sound signature is one that goes for a more neutral sound, and its the same with the AirPods Pro 2. There’s not too much emphasis on anyone frequency band, so you get a great representation of your music. That’s not to say they’re not loads of fun to listen to — play something bouncy like Daft Punks One More Time, and you’ll find they bring the party. ANC is good too, although you’ll want to make sure you get the seal right with the included earbud options in the box.

Comfort: Thanks to the light weight and small stature, I find the AirPods Pro 2 to be a very comfortable pair of earbuds. I did need to spend some time trying out the different fitting options in the box to make sure they where as comfy as possible, but when dialed in, they feel great in the ear.

Battery life: Battery life isn’t quite as good as the Sony WF-1000XM5, but it’s fine. You get 6 hours of life out of the buds, and then 30 hours of battery out of the case. I’ve found the battery does fluctuate if I use features like Spatial Audio, but five minutes of charge time in the case gives you an extra hour which is good.

• Read the full Apple AirPods Pro 2 review

Best earbuds for noise cancelation

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What you need to know
The Bose QC Ultra Earbuds carried over everything that made the QC Earbuds 2 a Tom's Guide Awards winner and expanded on their sonic capabilities by incorporating Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX Adaptive support and a universal spatial audio mode that works with all stereo content. In other words, you can enjoy a satisfying surround sound experience whether you’re listening to lo-fi tracks on Spotify or streaming NFL games on your Apple TV. ANC continues to improve, with these buds offering the best noise neutralization of any true wireless model. They also retain the chic look and responsive touch controls of the previous entry.

Design: Two aesthetic changes differentiate the QC Ultra Earbuds from the QC Earbuds 2: a metallic sheen on the touch panels and new grooves on the top for easier installation of the silicone stabilizer wings. The buds rest comfortably on your ears, while the wings form a tight seal around the ear for a secure fit. IPX4 certification keeps them sweat- and water-resistant. Bose’s charging case is compact and travel friendly.

Performance: Bose earbuds are best known for their ANC and the QC Ultra Earbuds are at the top of their class. Up to 95% of incidental sounds are eliminated across the frequency spectrum. Sound quality is just as impressive, thanks to aptX Adaptive codec support that works in unison with proprietary technologies (ActiveSense, CustomTune) to deliver full, crisp sound over Bluetooth.

Battery life: Bose left playtime untouched: 6 hours per charge and 24 hours with the charging case. No, you still can’t disable ANC to preserve battery life. A 5-minute quick charge nets you 1 hour of listening time. Wireless charging is available, though it requires spending an extra $50 on Bose’s Qi-enabled silicone case cover.

• Read our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds review

The best headphones: Specs compared

Also consider

We've tested a lot of headphones at Tom's Guide, and unfortunately, while many are great, not everything makes it into our buying guides. Whether that's down to better performance or stronger features from rival models in a particular category, some miss ranking in this list by the slightest of margins. With that in mind, these models are strong contenders and great alternative considerations.

Sonos Ace: As the newest noise-canceling headphones on the market, the Ace have plenty of challengers to face when it comes to picking the best headphones. Although Sonos' first headphones aren't quite the model I hoped for and miss out on the lossless and hi-res audio support over Wi-Fi I'd anticipated, they pull it out of the bag in terms of sound and noise-canceling performance over Bluetooth. Everything from build quality and style to sound tuning, battery life and noise canceling performance are a match for the best headphones on the market, and they really don't disappoint. Only the surprising lack of integration with Sonos' full multi-room eco system and high price let them down.

Read the full Sonos Ace review

Focal Azurys: Traditional headphone owners that want a relatively affordable pair of audiophile cans for home listening should seriously consider the Focal Azurys. Besides their gorgeous premium design that will become the centerpiece of your home theater setup, these cans deliver high-end, accurate sound powered by a signature 40mm M-shaped aluminum/magnesium dome capable of reducing distortion. You’ll enjoy crisp vocals, deep bass, and smooth highs. They sound just as beautiful on portable devices (e.g., laptops, smartphones) and all music platforms. Wired-only connection means you’re tethered to a media player and gain no wireless playback, though that’s not what the headphones are intended for.

Read our full Focal Azurys review

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Beats Solo 4: We’re fans of the Solo 4 because of the several improvements that Beats implemented, including stronger battery life, connectivity, and sound quality. These headphones hold a charge longer than any model in Apple’s or Beats’ catalogue – up to 40 hours – and generate 5 hours of use on a 10-minute quick charge. Beats’ proprietary chipset optimizes functionality on iOS and Android devices, giving you the best of both mobile worlds. Custom 40mm transducers dish out more clarity and steady bass, granted highs take a hit. Thankfully, you can refine performance through USB-C wired mode, which enables lossless playback for clearer midrange. The design remains iconic, as well as extremely fragile. No ANC might also sway you to spend extra on the AirPods Max, but their current sale price of $129 on Amazon makes them an enticing pickup.

Read our full Beats Solo 4 review

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5 things to consider before selecting the best headphones for you

Many factors come into play when shopping for the best headphones, but your decision should always come down to intended use. That being said, you’ll want to take the following categories into account before settling on any pair.

1. Design: Are you looking for in-ear, on-ear or over-ear headphones? Wired or wireless? Luxury or sporty? Since these are headphones that will be used for multiple occasions, you want something that suits your lifestyle. Whatever type you choose, make sure the headphones are well built, easy to carry, and comfy to wear for about 1 to 2 hours daily.

2. Sound quality: Different models offer different sound, and since you’re buying a pair to enjoy music individually, it’s important to find headphones that match your sound preference, be it heavy bass or distinctively clear to where you can hear the littlest nuances in recordings. Some models offer personalized sound via companion app, which allows the user to create their own profiles and tweak EQ levels to their hearing.

3. Battery life: Sennheiser's 60-hour battery life is a real crowd pleaser, but most wireless over-ear headphones typically manage around half that. Wireless earbuds can last about 5 to 10 hours and offer extended playtime with their bundled charging cases — always make sure one is included.

4. Accessories: It's disappointing spending money on a new pair of headphones only to find that you need to buy the accessories separately. For wired models, the manufacturer must include the aux cable, and any headphones that come with a carrying case, charging cable, user guide, and extra ear cups or tips are solid purchases.

5. Pricing considerations: Obviously, price is a big consideration when looking for the best headphones. Although there are always exceptions, big-name brands will typically command a bit extra, but generally speaking, the less you spend on a pair of headphones the greater the chance that sound and features will be compromised. Going for a budget option isn't always the best choice, as any money you save on your purchase won't do you much good if you're constantly needing to recharge your audio gear, or the sound quality is poor.

As the saying goes: timing is everything. Bookmark our best headphone deals pages to keep track of the latest bargains.

How we test the best headphones

From the design and comfort to the sound quality and overall value, we evaluate several areas when picking the best headphones. In addition, Tom’s Guide employs a rigorous review process that compares products with similar fit, features, and pricing.

Each pair of headphones and earbuds is worn over the course of a week for 2 hours at a time. During this time, reviewers evaluate comfort and fit, ease of use, and audio. We test sound by listening to tracks across different music genres, including hip-hop, rock, jazz, classical, and pop. Volume, clarity, and fullness of sound are taken into consideration in our ratings. Movies, podcasts, and video games are considered, when necessary.

Find out what we listen for during our testing process and how to get the best headphone sound for you.

When it comes to features, we test the effectiveness of active noise cancelling, Bluetooth range, and battery life for wireless and wired headphones. Additional features are also tested for app-enabled headphones, along with ease of setup. Build quality, controls, and fit are taken into consideration for all headphone types. Fitness-focused headphones go through vigorous workouts, as we analyze fit while exercising and how well they handle ambient sound in loud environments.

Once testing is complete, we rate headphones based on our five-point system (1 = worst, 5 = best). If a product is truly exemplary, it's awarded an Editor's Choice.

Contributions from: Alex Bracetti, Simon Lucas

More from Tom's Guide

• If sound quality is the goal, check out the best audiophile headphones
• 3 headphones that are better value than the AirPods Max
• Whatever your lifestyle, these are the best wireless earbuds overall