As headphones come in various forms and boast various skill sets, shopping for a pair isn't as straightforward as it used to be.
You must first choose between immersive, enveloping over-ear headphones and a pair of the uber-portable best wireless earbuds, and then decide between the cable-free convenience of wireless headphones or the better-value sound performance of wired headphones.
You have other modern-day features, like active noise cancellation (ANC) and spatial audio, to consider too.
If you already have a good idea of what you want, you can visit our dedicated buying guides linked in the previous paragraph. But if you aren't quite sure or are open to a few types, this is the all-encompassing guide for you.
Below is advice on how to choose the best headphones to help you nail down your preferences, as well as the very best class-leading pairs across several styles and budgets – there really is something for everyone here.
This definitive list has been chosen by our expert in-house reviews team who have over 150 years of collective testing experience.
Every year, we thoroughly test more than 100 models, with each compared against the class leader(s) so that we can gauge exactly where they sit within the competitive market. So without further ado, let's dive in...
The quick list
The Sony WH-1000XM6 are the best wireless noise-cancelling headphones, with a winning combination of a comfortable, practical design, benchmark sound quality and strong noise blocking.
Truly brilliant value buds that manage to bring a lot of what makes Sony's premium wireless earbuds such a success without cutting too many corners too obviously. Compact design and great sound for modest money.
If you prefer an on-ear fit to an in-ear one, the Sony WH-CH720N are rare examples of how wireless headphones can be done on a budget. Good sound, durable design and effective noise cancellation.
Technics' most accomplished wireless ANC earbuds yet, the EAH-AZ100 represent the best all-round premium buds, delivering a Sony XM5-beating performance for not much extra money.
The latest, second-gen AirPods Pro are the best-sounding AirPods earbuds, with improved noise-cancelling over the originals and a wonderfully rich, engaging sound that’s now up there with the class leaders.
If you’re happy with the price tag and can resist the bells and whistles promised by wireless earbuds, you'd be crazy not to give the Shure Aonic 3 a chance. At this level, nothing comes close to their transparency and musicality.
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The latest model in a long and successful line of wired over-ear headphones, the SR325x are the ones to beat at this price point – and perfect for home use due to their open-backed (i.e. leaky) design.
Open-back wired headphones that sound as good as they feel. With a beautifully judged sound that balances insight with excitement, the DT 990 Pro X will delight you across the genres.
While there may be a strong sense of familiarity attached to this third-gen model, Beyerdynamic has managed to evolve the recipe to keep these over-ears at the cutting edge of performance at their price level.
If it’s noise-cancelling you want, it’s Bose you should get, and these not only boast class-leading ANC but also look and sound the part too, with spatial audio technology being a bonus.
With their snug fit, active noise-cancelling and affordable price tag, Sony's outstanding mid-range buds are a great choice if you don’t want to sacrifice sound quality just because you’re down the gym or hitting the track.
If you want to go wire-free but you're still deadly serious about sound, the Focal Bathys Mg take wireless over-ear performance to a whole new level. They're not cheap, mind...
22nd September: The excellent Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro X open-backs are our new pick as the best wired headphones for home use, while the new Sony WF-C710N replace the outgoing WF-C700N as our top sporting buds. We've also created a new space for the best high-end wireless headphones for the superb Focal Bathys Mg.
I've been writing about headphones – not to mention other corners of the wide and wonderful consumer technology market – for over a decade and am one of What Hi-Fi?'s go-to reviewers for both wired and wireless models, having heard and lived with more pairs than I care to count. Thanks to my accumulated years of market knowledge, I consider myself an expert at picking the highest-performing and best-value options across the headphones spectrum. My picks below offer something for everyone, to satisfy every taste and budget.
The best headphones in 2025
Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.
Best overall
It can be tricky for a manufacturer to push the sound performance of a product consistently from generation to generation, but that is what Sony has managed to do with the WH-1000XM6 wireless headphones, our new Bluetooth noise-cancelling over-ear favourites.
Although the XM6 obviously share DNA with their predecessors, the XM5, Sony has made multiple changes to the design based on its own perceptions and customer feedback. They bring back the hinge mechanism that allows the earcups to fold flat for easy storage; the headband is flatter and wider for added comfort; and the clamping force has been increased to improve isolation and help the ANC work better.
Speaking of which, active noise cancellation is superb thanks to a higher mic count and more advanced processing, including an adaptive feature that automatically blocks sound based on your environment.
"Stood in the garden listening out for passing traffic, the Sonys isolate you extremely well," our expert test team noted in our XM6 review. "They present you with a nice, clean, rumble-free background through which you can listen to music. Low-end and midrange noise are contained exceptionally well, especially as we try to navigate London's underground system."
Thankfully, sound quality has been taken further too, despite the XM5 having remained competitive up until the XM6's launch. Our review experts praised them for delivering "the most detailed, dynamic, precise and open sound we’ve heard from a wireless Sony flagship".
"The headphones just seem capable of diving into any track you play and extracting an unbelievable amount of information," reads the review. All in all, the exceptional Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 are more or less equal to the Sonys on the sonic front.
Ultimately, if you are looking for a new pair of wireless noise-cancelling headphones and your budget can't stretch to the next-level pairs such as the Focal Bathys or T+A Solitaire T, your auditioning should certainly start here. The previous WH-1000XM5 were already the best around – and are still very appealing if you can get them at a discount – but the XM6 are undoubtedly better for those who can afford them.
Competition comparison
The Apple AirPods Max can only be considered competition to the XM6 if you’re an Apple user, and even then you need to be pretty committed to the brand, because these headphones are not cheap. They’re undoubtedly a step up from the Sonys when it comes to delivering that premium feel, though, and the sound quality really is superb.
Read the full Sony WH-1000XM6 review
Best budget earbuds
Building affordable true wireless in-ear headphones is a different discipline from building expensive ones, but it’s no less tricky. In the WF-C510, Sony has managed to bring a lot of what makes its established premium true wireless in-ears (such as the flagship WF-1000XM5 further down this list) such a success without cutting too many obvious corners.
The WF-C510 replace the former Award-winning WF-C500 and are What Hi-Fi? Award winners themselves, continuing the brand’s freakishly hot form in every corner of the wireless earbuds category.
Indeed, it’s hard to pile on too much expectation at this modest price point, but Sony’s previous track record has us doing just that, and the WF-C510 don’t disappoint. They do feel and look a little cheaper than their predecessors, but they impress in every other aspect.
Firstly, they are small, lightweight and comfortable. This makes them a great option for smaller ears. During testing, our expert reviews team found that the Sonys slot into their ears "with zero fuss and are easy to position... there aren’t any extra elements to help keep them in place bar the silicone eartips, but they do a great job in this regard".
There are also more features than you might expect at this level, including Bluetooth Multipoint, IPX4 water resistance and, interestingly considering they don't have active noise cancellation, an Ambient Sound Control that allows some external noise in so that you can hear your surroundings. It works OK, albeit not if you're listening to music at decent volume levels.
Most importantly, the WF-C510 sound great for their price. "The key at this price point is to be fun, engaging and musical, and the Sony WF-C510 deliver all of this and more," reads our WF-C510 review. They are a touch fuller and richer-sounding than their predecessors, even.
Competition comparison
Again, they don't have active noise cancellation, which isn't surprising at this price, so if that feature is a must-have, we would point you to the slightly pricier, next-model-up Sony WF-C700N or, if you have a healthier budget, the new Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024).
Both alternatives are five-star earbuds, but if you don't need ANC or are willing to sacrifice it for a bargain buy, then the Sony WF-C510 are your best bet. Want more options? Check out our list of the best cheap wireless earbuds.
Read the full Sony WF-C510 review
Best budget headphones
For a very reasonable price, the Sony WH-CH720N are a dependably made, enthusiastic-sounding pair of headphones that, while occasionally straying into the realm of excessive bass, deliver good noise-cancelling (a rare thing at this price) and a strong feature set to the mid-to-low price bracket of the wireless headphone market.
These are designed as a pair of cans for those who aren’t keen on forking out a few hundred quid for a more premium pair of over-ears like the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Apple AirPods Max, but equally don’t want to skimp on active noise cancellation or suffer a significant drop in audio fidelity by opting for the cheapest over-ears we can recommend, the entry-level WH-CH520. And they nail their brief.
The WH-CH720N are hardly a lavish affair and certainly don’t make the heart flutter with excitement every time you set eyes upon them, but they’re solid, substantially made and reasonably comfortable for their price.
Throw in effective ANC that dampens noise pretty well and a sound that is lively, energetic and detailed (in our review, we noted that "we can’t think of any rival headphones at this price that could keep up with such a spirited delivery"), and you have a job well done.
Competition comparison
Truth be told, there isn't much recommendable competition for the WH-CH720N. We have tested other mid-range options, such as the Sennheiser Accentum Wireless, and haven't been impressed. That said, if you don't need active noise cancellation and can stretch your budget a little further, the Austrian Audio Hi-X25BT are fantastic alternatives that sound notably better than the WH-CH720N.
Read the full Sony WH-CH720N review
I noticed that these capable budget headphones sometimes sounded a little overwhelming, with a bass response that might be a touch too enthusiastic for some. If you feel the same, dive into the Sony Headphones app and adjust the bass EQ down a notch or two – you'll take away some of the warmth without losing any of their likeable assertiveness.
Best premium earbuds
Overtaking the Sony WF-1000XM5 as our favourite premium wireless earbuds, Technics' latest flagships are stunning all-rounders that not only offer Sony-bothering sound but also Bose-bothering ANC.
Their overall package – not only defined by sound and ANC but also their well-thought-out design, comfortable fit, useful features and scope for customisation at nearly every step – makes them a true force in this uber-competitive market.
Technics has been chasing that fifth star for a while now, and, as we said in our EAH-AZ100 review, "it’s the elevated performance that combines the Technics’ strengths of clarity, detail and spaciousness with the punch, presence and dynamic impact we were hoping for that cinches the deal."
Technics’ earbuds continue to support Sony’s LDAC codec that lets you stream music in higher quality from compatible sources, such as portable music players or select smartphones.
New to the AZ100 is the inclusion of the LC3 codec that supports LE (Low Energy) Audio and Auracast transmissions. You have a superb battery life as well, Bluetooth Multipoint, plus a comprehensive suite of touch controls. These Technics earbuds will be hard to beat, not least if they come down in price as time goes by.
Competition comparison
The premium wireless earbuds space is a popular one, with many pairs from brands vying for your attention. The ones we believe are worth considering aside from our number one pick are 1) the Sony WF-1000XM5, the next-best all-rounders if you can't quite afford the Technics' outlay; 2) the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, which offer slightly better noise-cancelling and include spatial audio; 3) the all-new Bowers & Wilkins Pi8, which sound better but have a higher asking price. The AirPods Pro 2 (below) could win over iPhone fans with their iOS-friendly features and not-far-off sound quality, too.
Still, as the best premium all-rounders for most people, we're sticking with the EAH-AZ100. You can see a longer list of recommendations in our round-up of the best wireless earbuds.
Read the full Technics EAH-AZ100 review
Best AirPods
Not long ago, this accolade would've gone to the excellent-sounding AirPods Max over-ears, but the arrival of the second-gen Pro earbuds in 2023 was even more pleasing, as it marked the first time AirPods earbuds received a What Hi-Fi? five-star review.
You see, the AirPods and AirPods Pro were always been one step behind the competition, particularly when it came to sound quality. They’ve been good-but-not-great wireless earbuds; lovely to use for iOS users, but never quite reaching the sonic heights established by the top noise-cancelling earbuds in this crowded and popular category.
That all changes with the latest Pro. The second generation of Apple’s flagship wireless ANC earbuds promises a more powerful processor, with advancements in active noise-cancelling, longer battery life, new features and, more importantly, better audio performance.
We certainly didn’t expect them to trouble the best-in-class competitors such as the Sony WF-1000XM5 higher up this list, but with the AirPods Pro 2, Apple is now on par where it once was still playing catch up.
"The AirPods Pro 2 sound confident," we say in our full Pro 2 review, "as if they’ve finally found their footing. They deliver a sound that’s very capable while also being very easy and fun to listen to. Regardless of what you’re listening to, the AirPods Pro 2 turn their hand skilfully to all genres of music."
Competition comparison
What if your budget doesn't quite stretch? The more affordable AirPods 4 with ANC are worth considering for Apple users for their iOS friendliness and spatial audio support, though the price-matching Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) sound and block noise better. The cheaper version of the AirPods 4 without active noise cancellation are also worth considering.
Read the full AirPods Pro 2 review
Best wired earbuds
Shure has plenty of experience with wired in-ear headphones, and it shines through in the Aonic 3. They're comfy and lightweight for starters. The headphone cable hooks over the top of your ears and keeps them secure at all times – there is a slight knack required to get the swivelling buds in place, but it'll become a habit in no time.
Nine different eartip choices allow for excellent isolation, while an in-line remote and mic can control your tunes and answer calls.
Best of all, the Shures absolutely nail sound quality. "In the nicest possible way," we say in our Aonic 3 review, they "are the kind of headphones you can put on and just forget about. There isn’t a single element that sticks out – bass notes don’t protrude and highs don’t cut too deep. The Shures are honest, transparent and true to the original recording."
We love the level of detail they offer too, and their sense of rhythm and timing needs to be heard to be appreciated. We simply can't think of any pair of in-ear headphones at this price that even comes close, and that's why they're What Hi-Fi? Award winners.
Competition comparison
That said, they aren't exactly cheap and therefore may be out of reach for some buyers. If that's the case, the multi-award-winning SoundMagic E11 should be a first consideration. They offer the best-value performance below the Shure's asking price, despite being significantly more affordable, and have the bonus of an in-line remote.
At the other end of the scale, if your in-ear ambitions and budget surpass that of the Aonic 3, may we point you to the next-model-up Aonic 5 – the best in Shure's catalogue and indeed musical masters at their high-end level.
Read the full Shure Aonic 3 review
Best wired headphones
The Prestige range of headphones has been at the core of Grado’s output since it was first introduced three decades ago. While the series has developed over the years, Grado has always done so in small evolutionary steps. The story remains the same for this new ‘x’ generation.
These headphones have always been detailed and articulate performers, and that hasn’t changed, but the ‘x’ generation sound that bit more precise and insightful than the previous SR325e – cleaner and clearer too.
Our SR325x review notes that you can "follow low-level instrumental strands with more ease, especially in more densely produced tracks" while "the newfound sense of refinement makes it easier to relax when listening too."
It's important to note, however, that these are open-back headphones, meaning they leak sound both in and out and are therefore best for listening in quiet environments as opposed to on, for example, public transport. Many of the best wired headphones sport this design, which allows soundstages to feel more open and spacious.
Competition comparison
If preference or practicalities would see you hunting for a closed-back design (which doesn't leak sound), we would heartily recommend the closed-back Beyerdynamic DT 700 X Pro – also talented five-star performers that deliver a wonderfully rounded performance. The open-back versions, the DT 900X Pro, are also a great option if you really can't get over the Grado's somewhat dated design.
If your budget doesn't quite stretch to either of these, your best bet are the Award-winning, one-model-down Grado SR80x (open-backs) or five-star Austrian Audio Hi-X15 (closed-backs). Got more to spend? The Rode NTH-100 are also Award winners, and simply fantastic.
If you are looking for a quality pair of wired headphones around the Grado SR325x's price level, though, and are happy with an open-back design, put them at the top of your shopping list. Once you have a listen you’ll be glad you did.
Read the full Grado SR325x review
Best for home
Beyerdynamic's talent for producing outstanding wired headphones is well documented.
The premium Beyerdynamic T1 (3rd Generation) (£899 / $999 / AU$1599) still hold a place on this very list, whereas the formerly Award-winning Beyerdynamic Amiron used to be our pick as the best home headphones before production finally halted earlier this year.
Never fear, however, because the DT 990 Pro X are here to pick up the Amiron's mantle. Well, technically they act as the sequel to the more affordable DT 900 Pro X, but in filling in the gap as headphones we think are ideal for home use, they're more than up to the task.
Why? Partly because they're so supremely comfortable. Beyerdynamic's near-iconic velour earcups provide outstanding comfort, and while they're furry and soft, we rarely experience much on-ear heat during extended listening stints.
Note, of course, that these are open-backed headphones, meaning sound leaks freely to the potential irritation of anyone nearby. Best to keep your listening at home, then.
You'll want the DT 990 Pro X all to yourself, anyway. Thanks to their signature Stellar.45 drivers employing Beyerdynamic's layered Polyether Ether Ketone (‘PEEK’)’ thermoplastic polymer diaphragm coupled with a Neodymium motor system, the DT 990 Pro X live up to the sonic legacy of their forebears.
Across almost any set of criteria, the comfy cans excel. Beyerdynamic claims the DT 990 Pro X act as a “sonic magnifier” to your music, and while they won't shy away from poor recordings or certain sonic oddities or quirks, they rarely actively highlight or over-egg the flaws in the music we feed them.
Instead, they're outstandingly detailed headphones, with exceptional detail resolution paired with far more clarity and openness than found on the outgoing DT 900 Pro X. Across source devices and no matter the music or files they're tasked with tackling, Beyerdynamic's mid-range headphones barely show any signs of struggling.
Better still, they're hardy ever dull to listen to. The DT 990 Pro X handle dynamics superbly as they tease out low-level variations with ease, and as we said in our review, they're "composed, clear and precise, but they don’t fall into the trap of sounding emotionally distant or unengaging".
Comfort and sonic class in one excellent package, the DT 990 Pro X are very much the real deal.
Competition comparison
The main competition for the DT 990 Pro X comes, essentially, from Beyerdynamic. The outgoing DT 990 Pro X may come down in price now that they've been superseded and stocks may start to run dry, while the closed-back DT 700 Pro X are also worth considering if you want something that doesn't leak sound like a sieve.
Read our full Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro X review
Best for audiophiles
If you have a greater budget that can extend past Beyerdynamic's Amiron to its flagship T1, you won't regret taking the plunge. The 11-year-old, original T1 open-back headphones are something of a touchstone for us as far as premium headphones go.
The main change between this third-generation model and its predecessor is that the new pair is easier to drive for laptops and mobile devices. The old model had a 600ohm impedance, while this new one takes that down to 32ohms.
The results are a sound that's very similar to the originals but cleaner and clearer if anything, slightly less bright and a little more rounded in the treble too, making them a bit more forgiving of aggressive electronics and recordings. There's that same delivery of music with a palpable sense of power and authority, and vocals come through with nuance and clarity, too.
They’re comfortable enough for long listening sessions thanks to a nicely shaped, partially Alcantara-covered headband and generous velour-trimmed earpads. These aren’t the kind of headphones that impress on a short listen. However, given a few days or even weeks, it’s hard not to fall under their spell. We certainly have.
Competition comparison
Once again, these are open-back headphones that leak sound in and out (and are all the better sounding for it), but very decent closed-back alternatives would be the brilliant Beyerdynamic T5 (3rd Gen). And if your budget is bigger still, we recommend you head on over to our best audiophile headphones buying guide, which feature the likes of the Sennheiser HD 820, Focal Utopia (2022) and Yamaha YH-5000SE at the top of the A-list pile.
Read the full Beyerdynamic T1 (3rd Generation) review
Best for noise-cancelling
Bose might seem like a very obvious choice when it comes to the best noise-cancelling headphones, but the company has earned that reputation for good reason – and the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones only cement it.
First released in 2023, the fact that they haven’t been bettered yet says it all. The noise-cancelling here is second to none, doing a better job of reducing the impact of external sounds on your listening enjoyment than any of the competition, even on the notoriously noisy London Underground.
The ANC automatically adjusts to your surroundings, but it’s nicely customisable, too, so you can create your own presets for different situations.
The caveat with Bose headphones often used to be that their rivals sounded better, but that gap has narrowed in recent years and it now largely comes down to personal preference.
Sony’s WH-1000XM6 are leaner and more transparent, but there’s tangible extra weight here, with a real sense of enthusiasm no matter what type of music you’re into. We’re not entirely sold on Bose’s Immersive Audio mode, which aims to create a more expansive soundstage at the expense of battery life, but in standard stereo mode they still sound rich, punchy and full-bodied.
Noise-cancelling comes into its own when travelling, and the folding design of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones only enhances their suitability for life on the road.
They’re very comfortable to wear for extended periods, too, which makes them the ideal companion for long flights where the drone of the plane’s engines or the screaming child in the row behind can really spoil your enjoyment of the in-flight entertainment.
Competition comparison
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are in the unenviable position of being in direct competition with our best overall choice, Sony’s WH-1000XM5. If this was a straight battle based on noise-cancelling alone Bose would win every time, but as a complete package the XM5 edge it thanks to their more natural sound, better battery life and lower price, hence their position at the top of this page.
Read the full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones review
Best for exercise
Sony’s five-star WF-C710N aren’t explicitly sold as sports or workout headphones, but if you’re looking for a pair that both sound great and won’t do a runner at the first sign of vigorous exercise, the affordable buds are our number one pick.
The secret to their secure fit seems to be their small size and lightweight build, although there are no extra hooks or fins to really anchor them in place. If you want that extra peace of mind the Beats Fit Pro are worth considering, but they don’t sound as good and are probably set to be ousted by a sequel next year anyway.
For sports, leisure or anything in between, the noise-cancelling C710N are the way to go. The WF-C710N are so good that they knocked the outgoing WF-C700N off a main spot on this list, and that's not an easy task when you consider how much we liked those stellar Award-winners.
The WF-C710N buds are chunkier than their predecessors, but still extremely comfortable and easy to get to grips with, while that new 'Glass Blue' finish looks the part if you're into that whole '90s retro thing.
The WF-C710N boast responsive touch controls, as well as Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC and AAC codec support. You also get features like auto pause and wear detection, which pause music when you remove an earbud and kick it back into life when you put it back in your ear.
Battery life is a very solid eight and a half hours with Bluetooth and active noise cancelling engaged, meaning even the longest workouts should be covered. Add the charging case to the equation, and you’re looking at a total of around 30 hours.
To help with the ANC, Sony has added an extra mic to each bud compared to the old model and you can tell, with the WF-C710N extracting more out of low-frequency rumblings. Call quality is great for the money, too, with voices sounding clear and natural with minimal wind interference.
Sonically, the Sony buds are very strong contenders. They sound more dynamic and detailed and full-bodied than their predecessors, yet maintain that amazing musicality that keeps you tapping away with every track you play through them. Those are great qualities to have if you're trying to tackle a tough workout and need a bit of pep injected into your step.
Wherever you take them and however you use them, the WF-C710N are capable of delivering.
Competition comparison
There are a few decent pairs of wireless earbuds knocking around the £100-150 / $100-150 mark, including the long-lasting Cambridge Audio Melomania M100 (around £100 / $200) or the Apple AirPods 4 with ANC (£179 / $179 / AU$299). The former are clean, clear and detailed, with their outrageously battery life of 52 hours in total making them an attractive buy if you just want buds that will last and last.
The AirPods 4 with ANC, naturally, are great for runners who want an 'open' design with noise cancelling and compatibility with their iPhone, and that's something we totally understand. Their fit might not be for you, though, so it's worth noting they won't be ideal for all wearers looking for secure, comfy sporting buds.
Read our full Sony WF-C710N review
Best high-end wireless
The Focal Bathys Mg are designed to push the boundaries of sonic performance without wires. We've always said that wires are the way to go, and that perennial fact remains true, but Bluetooth performance is getting better every year, something the Bathys Mg reflect to a quite mesmerising degree.
Before we get to that, there are a few things you should know first. They're quite a bulky pair of cans, for starters, weighing in at 350g, and that's almost 100g more than the Sony WH-1000XM6. They're not uncomfortable to wear for most people, true, but their big, brassy design won't be for everyone, especially if you like headphones that don't draw, shall we say, unnecessary attention.
There are no touch controls, either – it’s all physical buttons, which some might feel is no bad thing. Also, there’s no wear detection, so if you want to pause your music, you need to do so manually rather than relying on your cans to do it for you. How archaic!
You also have three different Noise Cancellation modes: Transparent, Soft and Silent and the ability to alter the LED lighting around the Focal logos on the outside of each earcup – although to us, a light show like this feels a little unnecessary on a pair of expensive wireless headphones.
The Bathys Mg include support for AAC and SBC codecs and can handle higher quality aptX and aptX Adaptive streams from compatible sources. They use the Focal & Naim companion app, a perfectly acceptable platform that isn’t quite as in-depth as some rival brands.
Finally, onto sound. The Focals are beautifully balanced and neutral, and while some wireless ANC headphones can sound a little artificially boosted at the top or bottom end, the Bathys Mg deliver music with a completely straight bat.
Their detail levels are superb, as is the clarity and spaciousness on display, offering up a layered performance that feels elegant, nimble and cannily curated. Their handling of John Williams' Duel of the Fates is particularly impressive, and to borrow from our review:
"They deliver a masterclass in balance, poise and refinement, which draws you in and entertains as though you were watching the action unfold on the big screen.
Not only do the headphones have to keep up with the speed of the track, but they also have low and high-level dynamic shifts to contend with as they jostle for position in a congested sound field."
Competition comparison
We're operating in a pretty rarefied realm here. The kind of wireless cans that act as alternatives to the Focal Bathys Mg are also big-money performers, including the Mark Levinson No.5909 (£749 / $799) or, if you've got serious cash to burn, the T+A Solitaire T (tested at £1200 / $1600 / AU$2160).
Also consider
- Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X: If you want good-quality wired over-ears but don't like the rather divisive look of the Grado SR325x, these brilliant Beyerdynamics are another similarly priced, open-back (i.e. leaky) model well worth your cash.
- Røde NTH-100: Got a smaller budget for your wired over-ears? These Rødes are current What Hi-Fi? Award winners and set the sonic benchmark at their price. They are lovely to hold and wear, too.
- Bowers & Wilkins Pi8: The Pi8 are the best wireless earbuds we’ve heard from the brand and real contenders for class-leading status at this ultra-competitive premium end of the market, hence their current What Hi-Fi? Award. If you can spend more than the Sony XM5 wireless earbuds require, we'd be very tempted to splurge here.
- Sony WF-1000XM5: If these Sonys are on sale and considerably cheaper than the Technics EAH-AZ1000 wireless earbuds in our list, jump on them! They may be a little old now and due a WF-1000XM6 successor sometime this year, but they remain a great-value all-round package.
- Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3: More stylish alternatives to the Sony WH-1000XM6, and more likely to attract an earlier discount, these solid Bowers over-ears very much sound and look the part, even if their ANC comes third-best to the Sonys and Bose flagships.
How to choose the best headphones
Buds or cans?
The first thing to do is decide on what style of headphones you want. For convenience you can’t beat in-ear buds, simply because you can tuck them away in your pocket when you’re not using them, whereas over-ear cans tend to require a bag or case to keep them safe. The pay-off is that over-ears have the potential to offer a more immersive listening experience due to their passive sound isolation, plus they tend to be more comfortable to wear for longer periods.
Wired or wireless?
Bluetooth technology has improved significantly in recent years, so most pairs of headphones on our list above are wireless, but there are reasons why you might want to pick a pair of wired ones instead.
If you want a pair to use with your hi-fi system at home, a wired pair of over-ear headphones is best. You'll then have to choose whether you want an open-back design (which leaks sound but offers sonic advantages) or the more traditional and common closed-back form (which isn't leaky). You can read all about the closed-back vs open-back headphones differences here.
If you have chosen a wired pair for your phone or laptop because you prioritise sound quality, just be aware that once you go beyond the budget level, we would recommend adding an external DAC as the middleman to boost your inevitably poor-sounding device. That way, you can truly make the most of your headphones purchase.
Wired in-ears are quite a rare breed these days, simply because their focus on portability and convenience means Bluetooth makes much more sense, but you will experience some of the same benefits as wired over-ears, including no longer having to worry about battery life. The main obstacle you’re likely to encounter, though, is the rarity of 3.5mm headphone ports on today’s best smartphones.
How about noise-cancelling?
Noise-cancelling headphones used to be a very distinct category all of its own but with the tech trickling down to cheaper models it’s become much more common, to the point where it’s almost become the default option (although wired noise-cancelling headphones are all but extinct now).
Noise-cancelling isn’t essential but it’s particularly handy if you’re going to be spending a lot of time using your headphones on public transport or in other busy environments. Not only does it help to minimise distractions, it also means you can listen at a lower volume and protect your hearing in the long term.
If you're still unsure which way to go, take a look at our more comprehensive guide on how to choose the right pair of headphones. You might then want to delve into one of our specific buying guides, linked below.
- Best wireless headphones
- Best noise-cancelling headphones and noise-cancelling earbuds
- Best audiophile headphones
- Best sport, running and workout headphones
- Best budget headphones
How we test headphones
We have state-of-the-art testing facilities, where our team of experienced, in-house reviewers test the majority of hi-fi and AV kit that pass through our doors.
Of course, testing headphones doesn't often require such facilities (though we do often try high-end audiophile headphones in our reference hi-fi system).
What is important in our headphones reviewing process is that each pair is compared to the best in its price and style class – whether that's one standout pair or a few we favour the highest among the 100+ pairs we listen to each year for reviews and What Hi-Fi? Awards judging.
We keep class-leading products in our stockrooms so we can always compare new products to ones we know and love.
We live with each pair for weeks during testing so we can see how they fare as all-round daily companions, clocking their battery life endurance, putting their build quality through the wringer, noting their comfort over long wears and – most importantly – comparing their sound quality with other headphones of their type and price point.
If they have active noise cancellation, spatial audio or another smart feature increasingly seen in wireless headphones nowadays, we go twelve rounds with them, too.
We are always impartial and do our best to make sure we hear every pairs at its very best, so we'll try plenty of different types of music and give them plenty of listening time (and time to run in), while the wired headphones that might warrant being used with a DAC are tested with a suitable one.
In line with how we test all products at What Hi-Fi?, all review verdicts are agreed upon by multiple members of the review team rather than an individual reviewer to eliminate any personal preference and to make sure we're being as thorough as possible.
There's no input from PR companies or our sales team when it comes to the verdict either, with What Hi-Fi? proud of having delivered honest, unbiased reviews for decades.
Read more about how we test and review headphones at What Hi-Fi?
Recent updates
- September 2025: Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro X added as the best wired headphones for home use, while the Sony WF-C710N replace the outgoing WF-C700N as our top sporting choice. We've created a new space for the best high-end wireless headphones, too, now occupied by the Focal Bathys Mg.
- March 2025: Bose's QuietComfort Ultra over-ears have been added as our best noise-cancelling choice, while the Sony WF-C700N are our new best earbuds option for exercise. The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds have also been replaced by the new Technics EAH-AZ100 as our favourite premium wireless earbuds.
- January 2025: The just-announced (and reviewed) Technics EAH-AZ100 premium wireless earbuds are all-round superstars, giving the top-spot Sony XM5 a real run for their money. They earn a place in our Also Consider section, as do the top-class Dali IO-8 premium wireless headphones.
- November 2024: The budget Sony WF-C500 earbuds have been replaced by their successors, the WF-C510, which are fresh from their What Hi-Fi? Award 2024 win. Other newly crowned winners have been labelled as such, too, while we have added extra context to some entries in this light of a few new recommendable models having arrived on the scene, including the AirPods 4 with ANC and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024).
- August 2024: Our definitive list hasn't changed, but the premium wireless earbuds field has a fierce contender in the excellent Bowers & Wilkins Pi8, which make our Also Consider list. The Dyson OnTrac over-ears arrived with much fanfare, too, but ultimately disappointed our reviews team.
- July 2024: We've tested a handful of headphones since our last update in May, but none have impressed enough to feature on this list: the wired Sennheiser HD 620S impressed, but pairs from Google, Sivga and Sonos didn't quite cut it.
- May 2024: No new entries this time, despite having tested 15 pairs since our last update to this page. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless earbuds came very close, but we still fancy the Sony WF-1000XM5 in this list more. And the new Sonos Ace? Disappointing, unfortunately.
- February 2024: We added more detail to our best buy picks to improve context, adding alternative options and quotes from our reviews to help you better with your buying decisions.
- October 2023: We added information to flag our new What Hi-Fi? 2023 Award winners.
Headphones FAQ
Are wired or wireless headphones better?
If you are looking to get the absolute best sound quality you can for your budget, wired headphones still have a considerable edge over wireless headphones when it comes to performance. Wired headphones are also more sustainable, of course, as they don't require batteries.
That said, wireless headphone performance is getting better every year and there are certain traditional features (such as active noise cancellation) that are increasingly only found in Bluetooth models, not to mention the fact that modern features such as spatial audio (for 3D immersive sound) and transparency mode (for amplifying external sound) are exclusive to wireless types. Their cable-free design is more convenient too.
Really, the choice of wired vs wireless headphones comes down to your priorities. If it's sound, go wired; if it's convenience or next-gen headphones features, go wireless.
Should you choose headphones or earbuds?
Generally speaking, 'headphones' refer to on-ear and over-ear designs whose earpads nestle on or around your ears, while 'earbuds' cover in-ear models whose eartips bury into your ear canal. Which type you choose will depend on what you want to use them for, what performance ambitions you're aspiring to, and largely simply which design you prefer.
Earbuds are better for exercise as they're discreet and fit more securely than a bulkier on/over-ear design. As they shoot music straight into your ear canal, they tend to sound more direct too. They're smaller, of course, and so easier to carry around with you, and there's a much wider choice at the budget end of the market below, say, £50/$50/AU$80 where on/over-ear designs are harder to come by.
However, on/over-ear designs are the ones to go for if you want the best sound you can buy, as earbuds (especially wireless models) don't reach the same performance peaks at the highest end of their market.
They tend to be less tiring to listen to over longer wears due to the space between your inner ear and the headphone driver, too, as well as comfier to wear for long periods without your ears getting sore. If noise-cancelling is important to you, an on/over model with ANC generally tends to be more effective than an in-ear pair with the functionality.
How much should you spend on headphones?
Headphones and earbuds vary wildly in price, from less than £20/$30/AU$50 to over 100x that. (The best of the former can be found in our best cheap headphones buying guide.) The answer on how much you should spend really depends on whether you go for a wired or wireless model, how serious you are about sound quality, and ultimately what you can spend or feel comfortable spending.
Typically nowadays, wireless headphones tend to be pretty universal on the features front, with active noise cancellation (ANC) and 20-hour+ battery lives spanning budget and premium price points. So what you're paying for is differences in sound quality and, in the case of Apple headphones for example, proprietary technologies that aim to enhance headphone listening and use beyond the necessaries (think Apple's spatial audio and audio sharing).
You can pick up a pair of decent-sounding wireless headphones or earbuds from about £100/$100/AU$200 or £60/$80/AU$120 respectively – we haven't come across many highly recommendable pairs below those figures – but the premium space comprising models costing around two or three times that is where you'll find not necessarily better-featured pairs but significantly better-sounding ones.
As for wired headphones, even (good) budget pairs can contend with the sound quality of mid-to-premium wireless headphones. If you're spending north of around £200/$200/AU$350 on a pair, we'd highly recommend partnering them with some sort of external DAC if your source is something like a phone or laptop to ensure you're getting the most out of them.
MORE:
More into buds? Our best wireless earbuds will sort you out
Our pick of the best headphone deals will help you snag a bargain
These are the best wireless earbuds you can buy
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