Their predecessors, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones, are at the top of our list because we think the specs and the price will suit anyone looking for a high-end pair of headphones. But the XM5s do offer a more lightweight wireless design, new drivers for improved sound, a whole array of microphones for better call quality and super-fast charging. There's also beefier processing for the noise cancellation, which was already superb and is the best you can get at the time of writing. If you’re looking for the most powerful noise-cancelling headphones money can buy, you won’t be disappointed. But we also loved the crisp and detailed sound these headphones deliver – on calls, too – as well as the solid ANC. The simple design was a plus in our eyes, but it might be a little basic for those who like their tech to really make a statement. Otherwise, these headphones might not be cheap, but they're still fantastic all-rounders and great value for money .

The range-topping SR325x headphones look much like their predecessors, the What Hi-Fi?Award-winningSR325e, albeit with flatter foam earpads, an updated cable and lighter-coloured stitching on the firmly padded headband.Music is and always will be the show's star, but your headphones have a massive effect on sound quality. Of course, the same is true for the source you use. Assuming you are using high-resolution audio files, you will want to use an excellent source to ensure the signal is crispy clean and has enough power to drive your headphones to their full potential. We'd recommend thinking more about how you'll use them than about the logo. Some offer much better battery life than others, some are more focused on sound and some are focused on convenient features. How much should wireless headphones cost? These are on-ear headphones rather than over-ears, and one result of that is that the soundstage isn't quite as immersive as with a pair of over-ears.You might also hear some ambient sounds too, but for those who work in an office or need to stay alert at home this could be a plus point rather than a criticism. Not everyone finds these as comfortable for long periods too. For Android users, however, the AirPods Max don't have the same features as on iOS, so we can't justify the high price of these headphones if you won't be connecting them to Apple hardware. The Grado GW100x use Bluetooth 5.2 for wireless connectivity, with SBC, AAC and aptX Adaptive codec compatibility, and feature multi-point pairing. They’re equipped with big (44mm) full-range drivers from Grado’s latest ‘X’ series, and promise a frequency response of 20Hz - 20kHz – the full extent of human hearing, in other words.

Jabra has been producing call center and office-oriented headphones for a long time. Over the last few years, they've also diversified their lineup to include more casual and sports-oriented truly wireless headphones, many of whichhave solid microphone performances, which is good if you take a lot of calls throughout the day. Most of their products are also compatible with the Jabra Sound+ app, which offers customization features like EQ presets to help you adjust them. However, Jabra's noise cancelling technology isn't theirstrong suit, and the ANC tends to offer only a marginal improvement over passive noise isolation. The Beats Flex are a shining example of their product type, delivering wonderful audio quality, up to 12 hours of playtime and seamless pairing with Apple devices, all for a very reasonable price. They also have successfully implemented auto-pause functionality that triggers whenever you remove a bud from your ear. Jaybird:They've been on the market since 2006 and specialize in sports-oriented headphones, and some of their models are among the best headphones for running and working outthat we've tested.

Notable Mentions

Anker is a Chinese company known for their affordable electronic accessories like power banks and charging cables. This brand also makes audio products like speakers and headphones under the 'Soundcore' label. Overall, their headphones offer a good price-to-performance ratio and come in many styles. Some headphones are also compatible with the Soundcore app, which has a graphic EQ and presets to help you customize their sound. Others have an active noise cancelling system that, at times, can nearly rival that of other big brands like Bose and Sony.

Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best headphone brands and the best headphones available to buy for most people in various price ranges from 10 different headphone manufacturers.There are three main ways headphones are used, and you should look for a pair that will best suit your lifestyle. On-ear headphones (also known as 'supra-aural' headphones) rest on top of your ears. Their earcups are more compact, but the direct pressure on your ears can make them less comfortable for long listening sessions.

If you’ve found a pair of headphones you love, you certainly don’t want them to break after a couple of months. You won’t be surprised to hear that very cheap headphones often don’t last as long as more expensive models. The low-level genius of the Sony WF-C500, though, is to be there-or-thereabouts where all this stuff is concerned. So if you want affordable true wireless in-ear headphones that sound better, have better battery life and are more comfortable than these, you’re going to have to buy three different pairs. And none of them will have a control app anything like as good. Headphones with higher impedance tend to draw more power while headphones with lower impedance drawing lower power. For the average listener, you need not concern yourself much with impedance but it can be important to specialists who use equipment like DJ mixers. Headphones with lower impedance are more likely to blow out when used with amplifiers.I use 2 "sources" (listed above) for most of my listening, One for home and one for on-the-go. My home setup is an insane all-in-one Amp and DAC, and on the go, I will most likely be using my phone with an external DAC or a stand-alone DAP . They’re supremely comfortable, with large, velour-lined earcups that feel snug but not too tight, and a soft, padded headband that distributes the headphones’ weight nicely across your head. Audio quality is excellent, too. We were very impressed by the poise and clarity with which the HD560S deliver music and there’s a real sense of scale to the way they communicate sound. Instrument separation is top-notch, making them ideal for either professional use or critical listening.