Best Headphones
The 10 best headphones tested for sound quality, ANC, and comfort.
Top 10 Picks
Sony WH-1000XM5
Best overall. Best ANC, 30-hour battery, LDAC.
- Best ANC
- 30-hour battery
- LDAC
- Comfortable
- Expensive
- No 3.5mm jack
Bose QC Ultra
Best ANC alternative with immersive audio.
- Immersive audio
- Excellent ANC
- Comfortable
- Very expensive
- 6-hour battery (immersive)
Apple AirPods Max
Best for Apple ecosystem with spatial audio.
- Spatial audio
- Premium build
- Apple ecosystem
- Very expensive
- Heavy
- No USB-C
Soundcore Q45
Best value. LDAC, ANC, 50-hour battery.
- Under $100
- LDAC
- 50-hour battery
- ANC
- ANC basic
- Plastic build
Sennheiser Momentum 4
Best sound quality with 60-hour battery.
- Best sound
- 60-hour battery
- AptX Adaptive
- Expensive
- ANC average
JBL Live 770NC
Solid all-rounder with good ANC and sound.
- Good ANC
- Under $200
- 70-hour battery
- Bulky
- Average sound
Soundcore Life Q30
Best budget ANC under $80.
- Under $80
- ANC
- 40-hour battery
- Basic sound
- Plastic build
Razer Opus X
Gaming headphones with decent ANC.
- Under $100
- ANC
- Gaming focus
- Average sound
- Basic build
OnePlus Buds Pro 2
Earbuds with ANC and spatial audio.
- ANC
- Spatial audio
- Under $180
- Earbuds only
- 5-hour battery
Jabra Elite 85h
Solid ANC headphones with smart features.
- Smart ANC
- Under $150
- 36-hour battery
- Average sound
- Bulky
Comparison Table
| # | Name | Brand | Resolution | Panel | Refresh | Ports | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sony WH-1000XM5 | Sony | — | — | — | — | 4.8/5
★★★★★ | $399 |
| 2 | Bose QC Ultra | Bose | — | — | — | — | 4.7/5
★★★★★ | $429 |
| 3 | Apple AirPods Max | Apple | — | — | — | — | 4.6/5
★★★★★ | $549 |
| 4 | Soundcore Q45 | Anker | — | — | — | — | 4.4/5
★★★★☆ | $99 |
| 5 | Sennheiser Momentum 4 | Sennheiser | — | — | — | — | 4.5/5
★★★★★ | $379 |
| 6 | JBL Live 770NC | JBL | — | — | — | — | 4.3/5
★★★★☆ | $199 |
| 7 | Soundcore Life Q30 | Anker | — | — | — | — | 4.2/5
★★★★☆ | $79 |
| 8 | Razer Opus X | Razer | — | — | — | — | 4/5
★★★★☆ | $99 |
| 9 | OnePlus Buds Pro 2 | OnePlus | — | — | — | — | 4.1/5
★★★★☆ | $179 |
| 10 | Jabra Elite 85h | Jabra | — | — | — | — | 4/5
★★★★☆ | $149 |
Pros & Cons Summary
Sony WH-1000XM5
Bose QC Ultra
Apple AirPods Max
Soundcore Q45
Sennheiser Momentum 4
JBL Live 770NC
Soundcore Life Q30
Razer Opus X
OnePlus Buds Pro 2
Jabra Elite 85h
FAQ
What are the best headphones?
The Sony WH-1000XM5 at $399 is our top pick. It has the best ANC, 30-hour battery, LDAC support, and exceptional comfort for long sessions.
Is ANC worth it?
Yes for noisy environments. ANC blocks low-frequency noise like AC and traffic. The Sony XM5 and Bose QC Ultra have the best ANC.
How long should headphone battery last?
Most quality headphones last 20-30 hours. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 leads with 60 hours. The Soundcore Q45 offers 50 hours under $100.
Are expensive headphones worth it?
Yes for sound quality and ANC. The Sony XM5 and Bose QC Ultra are significantly better than $100 alternatives. For budget, the Soundcore Q45 at $99 is excellent.
Which headphones are best for calls?
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Jabra Elite 85h have the best microphones for calls. They filter background noise effectively.
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