If you’re serious about music, a quality pair of headphones can make a huge difference in your listening experience. But with so many choices, finding the right model can be tough. We’ve highlighted our top picks below, from inexpensive cans to budget-busting masterpieces.
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Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
HiFiMan Ananda
Best Planar Magnetic Headphones
Why We Picked It
The wired HiFiMan Ananda headphones are a powerhouse and a rare five-star product—their planar magnetic drivers deliver a detailed, spectacular audio experience that conjures a real sense of soundstage. An open design only heightens this sensation, while detachable cables extend their longevity.
Who It’s For
If you are an audiophile who wants superb sound, these headphones are worth the small fortune they command. They do leak audio, however, so make sure to run this purchase by any housemates.
PROS
- Phenomenal audio performance with superb sense of space, accurate bass, and lovely detail throughout frequency range.
- Comfortable over long listening sessions.
- Ships with two detachable cables.
CONS
- Open design leaks audio.
- Cables lack inline remote control or mic.
Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X
Best for Home Studios
Why We Picked It
The DT 700 Pro X headphones look great and are a joy to wear. Furthermore, their accurate-leaning response makes them ideal for checking mixes, as well as for enjoying music outside of the studio. We’re also fans of their massive, gray, velour earcups that effectively enclose each ear. A detachable mini-XLR cable adds value to the sturdy build.
Who It’s For
First and foremost, you should pick up these headphones if you need to check mixes in your home studio. Beyond that, they simply present music and movies with wonderful authenticity.
PROS
- Accurate, rich, detailed, and balanced audio
- Closed design ideal for studio recording and mixing
- Comfortable fit
CONS
- Cables lack mics
- Not for those seeking overwhelming bass depth
Bose QuietComfort 45
Best Active Noise Cancellation
Why We Picked It
The Bose QC 45 headphones deliver the best active noise cancellation of any over-ear model we’ve tested. And although many audiophiles have criticized the company’s sculpted sound signature over the years, these manage to deliver a pleasing balance of rich lows and crisp highs.
Who It’s For
If you are looking for the best overall active noise cancellation, this Bose pair is your top choice. That said, audio purists should look elsewhere to avoid the crowd-pleasing sonic presentation.
PROS
- Best-in-class noise cancellation
- Sculpted audio with rich bass and crisp highs
- Exceptionally comfortable
CONS
- ANC can’t be adjusted
- Sound signature isn’t accurate for true audiophiles
Jabra Elite 45h
Best Affordable On-Ear Headphones
Why We Picked It
The Jabra Elite 45h headphones launched a few years ago, but they still feel comfortable, deliver powerful audio, and don’t cost much. In a segment with fewer new on-ear models each year, we have no problem recommending this slightly older option. A companion app with an adjustable EQ and useful customization settings round out the experience.
Who It’s For
If you want on-ear headphones that sound good and won’t bother you over long listening sessions, don’t bother buying anything pricier than the Jabra Elite 45h.
PROS
- Powerful, bass-forward audio performance
- Useful app with adjustable EQ
- Comfortable on-ear fit
- Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
- Strong mic clarity
CONS
- Combined volume/track navigation controls make it easy to accidentally skip a track
Sony WH-1000XM5
Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones for Audiophiles
Why We Picked It
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones might be the most well-rounded wireless model we’ve tested: They offer top-tier active noise cancellation and the best possible Bluetooth streaming quality via LDAC. We also like their intuitive controls and full-featured companion app.
Who It’s For
If you want the highest streaming quality over a Bluetooth connection and have an Android phone, these headphones are sure to impress. You can use them just as confidently with an iPhone, though the pricier AirPods Max offer deeper system integrations that you might find more worthwhile.
PROS
- Excellent audio performance with robust bass depth and crisp highs
- Top-notch active noise cancellation
- Intuitive on-ear controls
- App offers an adjustable EQ and other customization settings
- Comfortable, stylish design
Urbanista Los Angeles
Best for Eco-Conscious Listeners
Why We Picked It
The Urbanista Los Angeles headphones make this list because of their innovative ability to charge via solar power—or really, any light source. Otherwise, they offer solid audio and noise cancellation for the price.
Who It’s For
If you’re trying to reduce your carbon footprint, these headphones can help (even if just a little bit). They might also appeal if you want to get rid of all the extra charging cables around your home.
PROS
- Solar-powered charging
- Impressive audio performance with rich, deep bass and crisp highs
- Quality noise cancellation for the price
- Stylish design
CONS
- No in-app EQ
- Noise cancellation slightly impacts sound signature
Apple AirPods Max
Best Headphones for iPhone Users
Why We Picked It
Despite some obvious sculpting, the AirPods Max still sound quite good, with robust lows and detailed highs. Spatial audio remains a bit gimmicky, but their noise cancellation mode often delivers excellent results that match those of top-end Bose and Sony models.
Who It’s For
If you’re an Apple loyalist who wants a seamless headphone experience with iOS devices, nothing comes close to the AirPods Max. And let’s not forget they’re a bit of a status symbol—if you want to stand out in a crowd, these certainly don’t look like many other headphones out there.
PROS
- Excellent audio performance with rich lows and crisp, detailed highs
- High-quality active noise cancellation, especially for low-frequency rumble
- Stunning, unique design
- Adaptive EQ and Spatial audio
- Hands-free Siri access
CONS
- Expensive
- Sound signature and Adaptive EQ/spatial audio aren’t for purists
- No user-adjustable EQ
- Button placement makes it easy to misfire when adjusting fit
- Smart Case does little to protect the headphones
Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT
Best for Accurate Audio on a Budget
Why We Picked It
The name Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, but these headphones deliver accurate audio with a realistic sense of sub-bass. That excellent sound quality makes up for a lack of extra features.
Who It’s For
If you simply want to hear your music the way the artist or engineer intended, these headphones offer that experience at an affordable price.
PROS
- Affordable
- Excellent accuracy, especially in sub-bass range
- Comfortable fit
- Strong battery life
CONS
- A bit light on features
- No AptX support
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
Most Stylish Headphones
Why We Picked It
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless headphones don’t quite match the aforementioned Bose or Sony models in the noise cancellation department, but they arguably have a more refined look with gray fabric lining and a sleek exterior. They also output deep lows with plenty of clarity in the highs.
Who It’s For
If you’re more concerned about looking fashionable than getting the absolute best noise cancellation, you can confidently pick these Sennheiser headphones over alternatives from Bose or Sony. After all, if you’re buying headphones that cost this much, you should like how they look on your head.
PROS
- Excellent audio performance with robust bass, detailed highs
- Effective noise cancellation
- Strong Bluetooth codec support
- Handsome design with easy-to-operate on-ear controls
CONS
- Underwhelming in-app EQ
- App sometimes has trouble connecting to headphones
Buying Guide: The Best On-Ear/Over-Ear Headphones for 2023
What’s the Difference Between Headphones and Earphones?
There’s an endless selection when it comes to headphone design but you’re basically choosing between padded over-the-ear headphones and snug in-canal earphones. Both have their merits but, for this roundup, we focus on the over-the-ear and around-the-ear design of traditional headphones.
Generally, headphones can reproduce richer low-end audio because they have larger drivers than earphones and don’t rely on an in-ear seal to deliver sound. Some listeners also find headphones more comfortable to wear than earphones. This naturally means that headphones are bulkier and less suitable for the gym.
If you prefer the in-ear design, we have separate lists for the best earphones and the best true wireless models for running.
4 ways you’re using your headphones totally wrong — Clarification Please
Do You Need Noise Cancellation?
You might try to dismiss the din of the outside world by cranking up the volume, but the best solution for saving your sanity—and your hearing—is to invest in a pair of noise-cancelling headphones, so you can enjoy your audio at much lower volumes.
Active noise-cancelling headphones use microphones on the earcups to measure outside noise and adjust the signal to cancel it out. It’s an effective technique but requires a fair bit of power. For more, check out our picks for the best noise-cancelling headphones and see how we test noise cancellation.
If you just want to block out sound without active noise cancellation, all over-ear headphones naturally do that to some extent through a process called noise isolation. Essentially, outside noise can’t get in if the earcups form a good seal over your ears. It’s not as effective as the active method, but it’s inherent to the design (meaning you don’t have to pay extra for it) and doesn’t require power.
Sony WH-1000XM5
(Credit: Tim Gideon)
What Are the Different Types of Wireless Headphones?
Wireless headphones can be convenient for any situation in which you don’t want to deal with dangling cables—like the gym, for example. And now that many phone manufacturers no longer include 3.5mm audio jacks, wireless connectivity ensures you can connect with all the latest devices.
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While the data signal containing Bluetooth audio is compressed, headphone and earphone manufacturers have found ways to enhance the signal to compensate for its deficiencies in a way that even audiophiles can appreciate. We’ve included some wireless options here, but if you’re really keen on cutting the cord, check out the best wireless headphones. And if you want to go completely wireless (with no cord at all connecting the two earpieces), check out the best true wireless earbuds—just keep in mind these are about as far from over-ear headphones as you can get.
No matter what type of headphones you want, you can’t go wrong with any of the options here. That said, you don’t need to spend top dollar for a quality pair of cans. If you’re shopping on a budget, take a look at our picks for the best headphones under $50. And once you’ve found the right pair, check out our five easy tips to extend the life of your headphones and eight ways you’re using your headphones wrong.
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