We've just given the iPhone 18 Pro five stars out of five and a What Hi-Fi? Award. But even if you own an older, lesser iPhone, you'll want to hear it at its best with a great pair of headphones.
That doesn't necessarily mean AirPods. While Apple's headphones work seamlessly with its smartphones – and unlock plenty of features that Android users will miss out on – lots of other pairs are superior for performance and/or noise cancellation. Which is why our list only includes two pairs of AirPods.
There are other advantages to headphones made by Sony, Bose, Focal et al. Their models work just as well with Android devices, so if you do choose to switch mobile operating system, you won't be left with a substandard pair of headphones.
Each pair below has been selected from the hundreds of pairs we review. They've all been through our rigorous testing process and earned at least four stars out of five.
We've been reviewing audio products for 50 years, and have over 100 years of experience between us, so we know a great pair of headphones when we hear one, whether they're the highest of the high end or plucked straight from the bargain bin.
For a full rundown of how we test each pair, check out the how we test section further down this page.
2nd November 2026: The Sony WH-CH530 replace their predecessors on this list, while the Sony WF-1000XM6 have taken the place of the Technics EAH-AZ100.
- Apple AirPods Max 2 vs AirPods Max: which are better?
- Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods Pro 2: what are the differences?
- Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): which are better?
- Apple AirPods 5 vs AirPods 4: which should you buy?
I've been writing about headphones for 20 years, and using them for a lot longer than that. Apple's AirPods have improved greatly in recent years, but when it comes to iPhone headphones, you might be better served elsewhere, as our list goes to show...
The best iPhone headphones we recommend in 2026
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.
The best iPhone headphones overall
If you own an iPhone, you could do a lot worse than pairing it with a pair of Apple's own AirPods. The latest AirPods Pro 3 are the best of the bunch.
Their improvements over the Pro 2 may be small, but they all add up to greater than the sum of their parts. And while on first glance they might look the same as their predecessors, the design has been tweaked: the main body of the buds is smaller, and the eartip’s nozzle angled more towards your ear canal. The mics and vents have also been repositioned.
Not that it's a complete success. Members of our review team whom the Pro 2 fit well found the Pro 3 to protrude a bit too far, while those who didn't get on with the Pro 2 achieved a better fit from the newer model. So you're best off trying them for yourself before you buy.
They have all the features of the Pro 2, plus some health-related ones courtesy of the new built-in heart rate monitor. They do still only support the SBC and AAC codecs, not higher-resolution ones, but that's not the end of the world.
Battery life from the buds has been boosted to eight hours, from six on the Pro 2. But the overall battery life – including the case – has dropped from 30 hours to 24. Disappointing.
But Apple has made strides where it really counts: on noise cancellation and sound quality. The ANC is excellent at cutting you off from the world outside, and it does so in a way that feels natural and unobtrusive. Call quality is impressive, too.
In terms of sound quality, we're looking at the the best-sounding 'buds Apple has ever made. Theirs is a wonderfully balanced, neutral and cohesive sonic profile that still manages to be musical and entertaining. This straight-down-the-line approach works well with whatever genre you throw at it, as we discovered during testing.
"There is bite and attack to the crunchy, brash highs of Fontaines D.C.'s Starburster, while the basslines in Forgot About Dre are taut, agile and tuneful, and punch with quite a good deal of depth and power in Billie Eilish's Blue," we wrote in our AirPods Pro 3 review.
They make the five-star Pro 2 sound lightweight and slightly sibilant in comparison.
Apple headphones work seamlessly with Apple phones. And when they're as good as the AirPods Pro 3, they're a bit of a no-brainer.
Read the full Apple AirPods Pro 3 review
The best premium over-ear iPhone headphones
The AirPods Max 2 arrived in a very different landscape of wireless headphones compared to their predecessors. Rival pairs have undoubtedly caught up, but none can match the seamless usability when paired with an iPhone.
That hasn't changed since the original pair, and there's plenty else the same besides. The design, case, battery life and price are all identical to their forebears, which is a little disappointing. But thankfully there are some improvements to enjoy.
The H2 chip enables new features like Conversation Awareness, Adaptive Audio, next-gen Adaptive EQ, personalised volume and Siri gestures. You can also use Live Translation, though you'll the iPhone 16 or later.
There are still no higher-quality codecs supported like LDAC or aptX HD, but you can listen to lossless quality wired using the USB-C cable.
The ANC is an improvement on the original pair. During a journey on the London Underground, we found the cans did "a fine job of damping down the loud rumbles and screeches so they don’t intrude upon the music," we wrote in our AirPods Max 2 review. "The noise-cancelling effect is also quite natural and airy, and you're never much aware of the processing going on each second."
If it's complete silence you're after, you will be better served by another of the best noise-cancelling headphones around. But for a comfortable effect that you can use for hours, the Max 2 do the job handsomely.
Inside are the same 40mm drivers as before, but paired with a new high dynamic range amplifier, revised DSP (Digital Signal processing) and updated Adaptive EQ. Which makes for an improved sound.
There are small gains in detail, precision, dynamics and weight, while retaining the same winning character as the originals. But the top end is slightly rolled off, which loses some crispness and bite. "The brash, exciting dynamic upheavals in Fontaines D.C.'s Starburster sound a little restrained when we’d have liked to hear more attitude and attack," for example.
However, the full-bodied sound certainly has its place, making the Max 2 a worthy addition to this list.
Read the full Apple AirPods Max 2 review
The best cheap on-ear iPhone headphones
Even the cheapest iPhone costs hundreds of pounds, so we completely understand if you want to save money on your iPhone headphones. If it's bang for buck you're after, look no further: the on-ear Sony WH-CH530 offer a lot of features, effortless usability and super sound quality for just £50.
They follow the CH520, and on the surface, very little has changed (besides the bright new finish pictured here, that is). They're still plasticky to the touch, they still don't fold, and there's still no active noise cancellation. But what can you expect for this money?
But while they might be plasticky, they are still well made. They're comfortable, well padded and stay cool even during prolonged sessions. Their fit might be a little tight for some, but it does help with the passive noise isolation.
With Bluetooth 6.0, Auracast and Bluetooth Multipoint all supported, they're certainly well connected, especially for the money. And Sony's SoundConnect app lets you customise the sound.
The 55-hour battery life has been bettered elsewhere, but usually only by pairs costing at least twice as much.
To listen to, they're a "well-balanced, expressive, and frankly, surprisingly enjoyable listen for the price," we wrote in our Sony WH-CH530 review. Energy and insight levels are high, while the bass succeeds in going low but not to the detriment of the rest of the frequency range: the midrange remains detailed and textured, and the high end expressive.
These wireless cans would be worth the money on sound quality alone. Throw in all the extra features, and you've got an absolute bargain on your hands.
Read the full Sony WH-CH530 review
The best ANC over-ear iPhone headphones
Sony might have its own range of smartphones, but its headphones aren't restricted to them – they work just as well with iPhones as with any other phones. Which is good news for iPhone owners.
The XM6 recently replaced the previous Award-winning XM5, and they're another stunning pair of over-ears. With a killer combination of class-leading sound and supreme active noise cancellation (ANC), they're the best all-rounders around right now, and certainly the best ANC over-ears for your iPhone.
They're more comfortable than their predecessors, thanks to a flatter, wider headband. And they fold up into a ball (the XM5 only folded flat), which makes transporting them much easier.
They're bursting with features too, with LC3, LE Audio and Auracast support as well as 360 Reality Audio Upmix for Cinema, which adds Sony’s spatial audio processing to any content you’re watching in stereo.
They use sound technology from Sony's Walkman range of premium music players to deliver stunning audio quality. As we wrote in our Sony WH-1000XM6 review, they "deliver the most detailed, dynamic, precise and open sound we’ve heard from a wireless Sony flagship."
The ANC also impresses, coming very close to Bose's QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen). Considering those are the current industry-leaders, that's quite an achievement.
If you can't find the extra cash for the XM6, the XM5 are still on sale, and are likely to see some sizeable discounts now that they're being phased out. They too would make a fine partner for your iPhone.
Read our full Sony WH-1000XM6 review
Like a lot of non-Apple brands, Sony’s mobile app works just as well with iPhones as Android phones. Sound Connect (previously known as Headphones Connect) is one of the better apps around, with lots of customisation options. And it works with lots of different Sony headphones, some much cheaper than the premium XM6 (see the WF-C510 further down this page).
The best audiophile over-ear iPhone headphones
Focal made a name for itself with its premium wired headphones, and it's applied the same attention to detail with this, its first Bluetooth pair.
They still sit at the upper end of the market, but not at the pinnacle – that honour goes to the newer Award-winning Focal Bathys Mg, which are around twice the price of the standard Bathys.
Unsurprisingly given the price, they're a very plush pair of headphones. And the wireless performance is among the most engaging we've heard – smooth, warm-bodied, with buckets of rhythmic ability.
They're more than comfortable enough to wear for longer listening sessions too – just plug in using the USB-C port (you'll need an adapter if you're using an iPhone 14 or earlier, as these models have Lightning ports in place of USB-C).
Their wired performance is even better than their wireless, being tighter and more refined.
Oh, and they pack noise cancellation, too. It's not up there with the finest over-ears, but it is still very effective, and doesn't impinge too much on the sound quality either.
Read the full Focal Bathys review
The best cheap iPhone earbuds
We're always a bit nervous when follow-ups to Award-winners are announced. When we're so enamoured with the original, how can a sequel ever match up?
Thankfully, once we got our review unit of the Sony WF-C510, we breathed a huge sigh of relief: it's another Award-winning effort from Sony.
They do feel a bit cheaper than the C500, but we can forgive that, given the quality of the experience they offer (they also launched at a significantly lower price than their predecessors).
Sonically, they're a clear step up, with all the musicality and detail of the C500 but with more richness and body – imagine a Michelin-starred sauce compared to a shop-bought version.
In our review, we described the sound as "solid, weighty and driven". For the money, it really can't be beaten.
If you do want a step up, you'll need the five-star WF-C710N, which also bring active noise cancellation (ANC) to the mix.
The WF-C510 may not have ANC, but they do have Ambient Sound Control. This allows in some outside sound while you're listening, to keep you aware of your surroundings.
It's usually only found on headphones with ANC, but it works very well here, and will be of particular use to runners wanting to stay safe or those wary of busy environments.
iPhone owners are treated just like those on Android, thanks to the superb Sony Sound Connect app (previously known as Headphones Connect).
And with 11 hours of runtime per charge (and 22 hours using the charging case), you won't have to plug in too often.
For the money, these really are unbeatable, whether you're using an iPhone or not.
Read the full Sony WF-C510 review
The best ANC iPhone earbuds
If you want a pair of noise cancelling headphones without the bulk, then the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) are for you. Despite being an in-ear pair, they have superb active noise cancellation to make your iPhone music listening more focussed than ever.
They're even better than their predecessors in terms of noise cancellation, with smoother transitions in levels of ANC to more seamlessly nullify sudden loud noises. But they're also very adept at keeping out constant background sound.
Their effect is so dramatic that some may find being cocooned in silence a bit eerie. But if it's silence you want, these are the earbuds for you.
As we wrote in our Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) review: "Noises across the sonic spectrum, be they clacking keyboards, chattering colleagues or cars beeping their horns on the street, simply dissolve into near-insignificance, with harsher and more intrusive sounds shut out even more effectively than before."
But there's more to them than noise cancellation. Bose has also boosted the sound quality, not by means of a new driver, but by tweaking the existing one. This means an improved bass response and a smoother high end.
Notes have more texture too, making for a crisper sound with more richness and authenticity. And wireless charging now comes as standard (their predecessors required an accessory to enable the feature).
Otherwise, it's business as usual, but that's no bad thing. The stability bands make a welcome return, and make up for the rather miserly three sizes of eartips that come in the box (most pairs give you four or even five sizes). The touch controls are again responsive and intuitive.
The 24-hour battery life is bettered elsewhere, and it's still eaten away if you turn on Bose's rather underwhelming Immersive Audio feature. But for a pair of noise-cancelling earbuds for your iPhone, these really are the best around.
Read the full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) review
The best premium earbuds
The Sony WF-1000XM6 are the current kings of the wireless earbuds castle, and the latest in a long line of excellent flagship wireless earbuds from the tech giant.
These brilliant buds have defeated all new rivals at the money in 2026, including the excellent Technics EAH-AZ100, Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) and Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5.
The Sonys deliver a detailed, dynamic, and hugely musical sound. They also display a natural warmth and tone that we haven’t experienced from a Sony flagship before
In our Sony WF-1000XM6 review, we said, "Everything that you expect to be present in a pair of flagship wireless earbuds is there: a fantastic sense of timing, an expressive midrange, weighty yet well-defined bass and crisp, nicely controlled highs. The Sonys cover all the bases and then some."
Sonically, they’re great, but the buds also deliver excellent noise-cancelling, giving even the best that Bose has to offer a run for their money.
The XM6 do a great job of isolating you from your environment and feeling natural while they do it. Whether you’re walking by a busy road or sitting on a long-haul flight, the Sonys cope extremely well with anything thrown at them.
Add a good spread of features, impressive call quality and solid eight-hour battery life into the mix, and you have a pair of earbuds that will serve your iPhone well.
Our only minor grumbles are the eartip material and the number of eartip options Sony gives you. We’d like a larger option and also for the tips to feel a bit more secure in place – we found it can take a couple of attempts to get a good fit/seal
Read the full Sony WF-1000XM6 review
Also consider
The best iPhone headphones alternatives we've tested:
Sony WH-CH730N: A little pricier than the Sony WH-CH530 above, but with noise cancelling capabilities, these Award-winners are still excellent value.
Earfun Air: About as cheap as wireless headphones get, these sound phenomenal for the money and are surprisingly well-specced.
Apple AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case: The ANC works very well despite the lack of eartips, but they don't quite match up to the quality on show in the main list. But if you can't afford the AirPods Pro 3, they're definitely worth a look.
Sony WH-1000XM5: They might have been replaced by the XM6, but these Award winners are still stunning. And they have dropped to scandalously low prices recently.
Sony WF-C710N: Pricier than the C510 but with added noise cancellation, these five-star 'buds are for you if you want to silence the world outside your iPhone without spending big.
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3: Typically B&W, these are beautifully crafted headphones that sound as good as they look. Not cheap, but then quality rarely is.
Technics EAH-AZ100: These previous Award winners sound superb, with excellent detail and clarity. Definitely ones to consider.
How to choose the best iPhone headphones for you
The first thing to consider is: are you going wireless?
We would recommend wireless headphones for iPhones – all of the above are wireless – because of their convenience, But if you prefer wired, there are plenty of great pairs available – check them out here.
You'll almost certainly need an adapter though, as modern iPhones lack a 3.5mm headphone jack. iPhones 7-14 have a Lightning port, and the iPhone 15 to 17 ranges USB-C.
If you are going wireless, check which version of Bluetooth the headphones support.
Newer headphones support Bluetooth 5.0 or later, which has much greater range than version 4, so you can stray further from your music source without tunes dropping out.
Noise-cancelling can shut out the outside world and let you hear your music more clearly without cranking it up, saving your hearing, but it can impact battery life – the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100, for example, last a staggering 100 hours with ANC off, but that drops to 60 hours with it turned on.
That's still a long time, but you can see the effect ANC has.
All of these pairs have built-in microphones and controls, too, so you can skip tracks and take calls without fishing your phone out of your pocket or bag.
If you will be using them for calls a lot, dig into our reviews and see what the call quality is like. Usually those with noise cancellation have better call quality, as the noise-cancelling mics can be used to neutralise wind noise.
How we test iPhone headphones
Between us at What Hi-Fi? we've used every iPhone since the first model (before it even had 3G), and we've tested thousands of pairs of headphones over the years.
As such, we're ideally suited to recommending the best iPhone headphones.
Each pair is subject to our rigorous reviewing process, which involves testing their every feature in a variety of environments and situations. We use them as if we had bought them ourselves, listening on the bus, train, at work, while out for a stroll and – if we can – on a plane.
If they have active noise cancellation (ANC), we listen with it both activated and deactivated to see how it impacts sound quality (headphones usually sound a little better with it switched off). And of course we try the ANC while both listening to music and when not, to gauge how effective it is.
We also try the various modes that use the ANC, like talk through and Adaptive Transparency.
We never review in isolation – rather, each pair is tested against its nearest price rivals to see how they stand up and where your money is best spent. Our stock room is full of our favourite headphones from the last few years, so each pair is pitted against the best in the market.
Review verdicts are agreed upon as a team, rather than one person. Not only does this avoid any personal bias, it also makes sure we haven't missed anything.
We have over 100 years of reviewing experience between us, with experts in each field, so you can rest assured our reviews are the most thorough around. Over 50 years, we've built a reputation as the home of unbiased reviews, and pride ourselves on helping you, the consumer, make the best decision with your budget.
To find out more about our reviews process, check out our dedicated how we test page, and specifically, how we test headphones.
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Read our iPhone 18 Pro review
Check out the best noise-cancelling headphones
F.A.Q
What headphones are good with the iPhone?
Apple's AirPods work seamlessly with iPhones, as you would expect. But plenty of other headphones also work well, and while they might miss out on some features only Apple can create, their own feature sets and performance often make them the better choice.
Can I use any headphones with my iPhone?
No. Apple stopped including the 3.5mm headphone port on its phones with the iPhone 7 in 2016. Now most people listen wirelessly using Bluetooth headphones.
If you want to listen wired, you'll need a pair of Lightning headphones (or more commonly, a Lightning adapter) for iPhones 7-14, and USB-C headphones (or adapter) for the iPhone 15 onwards.
Can you plug normal headphones into iPhone?
The iPhone doesn't have a 3.5mm headphone jack (the most common headphone connection), so no, "normal" headphones can't connect directly to an iPhone.
But they can with an adapter. iPhones 7-14 use Apple's own Lightning connection, while the iPhone 15 onwards use USB-C.
Check which you have before you buy an adapter.
Recent updates
2nd November 2026: Swapped out the Sony WH-CH520 for the WH-CH530 and Technics EAH-AZ100 for Sony WF-1000XM6. Moved AZ100 to 'Also consider'; added AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case and Sony WH-CH730N to the same section. Updated references to reflect the winners of the most recent What Hi-Fi? Awards.
28th April 2026: Replaced the AirPods Max with the AirPods Max 2, following our review. Replaced 'The quick list' with the tabletop widget.
23rd January 2026: Replaced the AirPods Pro 2 with the AirPods Pro 3. Moved the Pro 2 to 'Also consider'. Culled the AirPods 3 from 'Also consider' due to age. Updated the intro to reflect these changes. Updated Award-winning references to apply to the most recent What Hi-Fi? Awards.
22nd September 2025: Replaced Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds with the newer 2nd Gen model in the main list. Moved the 1st Gen model to the 'Also consider' section.
14th July 2025: Replaced Sony WH-1000XM5 with Sony WH-1000XM6 in the main list. Moved XM5 to 'Also consider' – also added Sony WF-C710N and Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 to that section.
21st March 2025: Added new intro with mention of the iPhone 16e. Broke up copy into more paragraphs to make it easier to read on a mobile device.
16th January 2025: Rewrote intro. Added Technics EAH-AZ100 to main list, and AirPods 4 with ANC to 'Also consider'. Replaced Sony WF-C500 with WF-C510.
10th September 2024: Rewrote intro. Added links to new AirPods models launched alongside iPhone 16. Deleted duplicate headings in 'The Quick List' section.
29th July 2024: Updated intro. Deleted Jump Menu and 'Test results' tables. Added more images to the AirPods Max slideshow. Bolded advisory text within the 'How to choose' section.
13th May 2024: Updated intro. Added Top Tip.
8th March 2024: Swapped Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II for the newer Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. Added Also Consider, F.A.Q. and Recent Updates sections.
5th October 2023: Dropped first-gen AirPods Pro.
25th August 2023: Dropped JBL Live Pro 2 TWS.
7th June 2023: Added new images, reformatted tech specs.
Today's best iPhone headphones deals
