The best headphones in 2026: Lab-tested by experts

The best headphones in 2026 balance sound, comfort, and features for your lifestyle, not just specs. Whether you need powerful noise canceling for travel, open‑back neutrality for critical listening, or budget‑friendly wireless that just works, there’s a pair that fits your use case and budget. Our guide focuses on the models that stand out in our lab testing for sound quality, ANC, battery life, and mic performance, so you can find the right headphones faster.

Why you can trust us

We’ve tested more than 400 pairs of headphones in our lab, from everyday on-ears to audiophile-grade wired designs. Our picks are backed by objective data: we measure frequency response and noise attenuation on a B&K 5128 head simulator, the same equipment used by professional audio engineers and hearing aid manufacturers, and we use the MDAQS algorithm to generate sound quality scores from a virtual panel of listeners. We’re also the only media outlet with an independently validated headphone and earphone preference curve.

The conditions matter as much as the equipment. We test battery life with real music peaking at 75dBSPL with noise canceling on, not at the low volumes manufacturers use for their rated figures, which is why our numbers often come in lower than the box claims. For models with microphones, we record in five simulated environments: ideal conditions, office, street, wind, and a reverberant space.

Why do we do all this? To cut through marketing and give you a clear, data-driven way to choose the best headphones for your needs. This guide covers top picks in the most common categories, but if you’re looking for something more niche, there are deeper dives elsewhere on the site.

Quick picks

If you don’t want to read the full breakdown, here are our top recommendations across major use cases. Each product has a full review, so you can go deeper if you have specific questions.

The best wireless headphones:

The best noise canceling headphones:

The best feature-packed headphones:

The best headphones for battery life:

The best headphones for comfort:

The best open-back headphones:

The best headphones under $100:

The best budget on-ear headphones:

Best wireless headphones: Sony WH-1000XM6

For most people in 2026, the Sony WH‑1000XM6 is the best wireless headphone overall, combining class‑leading ANC, customizable sound, and long battery life in a comfortable, travel‑friendly design. If you want great ANC, good mic quality, and support for high‑quality codecs like LDAC, SBC, AAC, and LC3, this is the model to beat.

• Read our full Sony WH-1000XM6 review

The Sony WH-1000XM6’s ANC is among the best available, thanks to a combination of strong passive isolation and adaptive processing that adjusts to different environments. Battery life exceeds 37 hours with ANC on, and you get Bluetooth multipoint plus support for LDAC, AAC, SBC, and LC3, making it versatile across devices. A firmware update also added Auracast, which lets you share what you’re listening to with nearby headphones or tune in to a public broadcast, though you’ll need to switch the headphones into LE Audio mode and use a compatible Android phone. The sound is slightly bass-heavy out of the box, but you can tune it with Sony’s app, and the mic array performs well even in noisy settings. Comfort is generally solid, though the ear pads can feel a bit shallow for some head shapes.

Best noise canceling headphones: Apple AirPods Max 2

No headphones we’ve tested block out more noise than the AirPods Max 2. They earn the highest ANC score on this list, with especially strong performance against low-frequency noise like airplane cabins and traffic, and a transparency mode that’s among the most natural available when you want to hear your surroundings again.

• Read our Apple AirPods Max 2 review

The H2 chip also brings new features: Live Translation translates what someone says to you in another language in real time, Adaptive Audio adjusts noise canceling on the fly as your surroundings change, Conversation Awareness lowers your music when you start talking to someone, and a press of the Digital Crown can trigger your iPhone’s camera shutter from across the room. Live Translation requires an iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence, and it isn’t available in every region or language, so check before you count on it.

The catch is that all of this only makes sense if you own an iPhone. Pairing, automatic device switching, and spatial audio all depend on Apple’s ecosystem, and Android users lose most of it. The sound is consumer-friendly, with a slight bass boost that suits most genres without overwhelming the mix, and the build quality is excellent thanks to the metal construction. That metal is heavy at 385g during long sessions, and its battery life is the shortest on this list at only 20 hours. If you’re on Android and want comparable noise canceling, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are the better buy.

Best feature-packed headphones: JBL Tour One M3

For gadget lovers who want a single pair of headphones that does it all, the JBL Tour One M3 is hard to beat. Alongside excellent noise canceling, you get a built-in DAC, wired USB-C audio, LDAC, LC3, and Auracast support, plus the SMART Tx accessory that turns any analog or USB source into a Bluetooth transmitter.

• Read our full JBL Tour One M3 review

The Tour One M3’s noise canceling is excellent, knocking down low-frequency noise by about 30dB and handling mid and high frequencies impressively well. The SMART Tx accessory adds remote control, audio sharing, analog input over USB, and even personal sound amplification, which is rare outside dedicated hearing aid devices. That makes these unusually flexible: you can use them on a plane with the seatback screen, at a desk over USB-C, or wirelessly on your commute. The sound signature is a bit uninspired out of the box, but the battery life and feature set more than make up for it, especially if you want one pair for travel, the office, and wired listening.

Best headphones for battery life: Sennheiser MOMENTUM 5 Wireless

If you hate charging your headphones, the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 5 Wireless is the pick. Sennheiser rates the battery at more than 50 hours with noise canceling on, and an app setting can stop charging short of 100% to reduce strain on the cell without giving up much listening time. When the battery does eventually wear out, you can replace it yourself instead of buying a new pair.

• Read our full Sennheiser MOMENTUM 5 Wireless review

Swapping the battery means popping off the left ear pad, removing four screws, and lifting out the speaker assembly, which is far easier than on any other flagship headphones we’ve tested. The rest of the package holds up too: noise canceling is much improved over the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless, cutting low-frequency noise by about 20dB, and you get multipoint, aptX Adaptive, and both 3.5mm and USB-C wired listening. Our simulated listener panel rated the sound 4.7 out of 5, helped by exceptionally clean, low-distortion playback. The tuning is the main catch, with bass much louder than our preference curve and quieter highs that flatten reverb, though the 8-band EQ can rein both in. There’s also no water resistance rating and no LDAC support.

Most comfortable headphones: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)

If you wear headphones for hours at a time, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are the ones to get. The mostly plastic build keeps them light, the padding is generous, and the angled drivers sit around your ears rather than pressing on them. Bose also keeps things simple: there’s very little to set up or tinker with.

• Read our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) review

Comfort isn’t the only reason to buy them. Noise canceling is excellent, battery life ran 27 hours and 12 minutes with ANC on in our testing, and you can listen losslessly over USB-C or use aptX Adaptive on compatible Android phones. Our simulated listener panel rated the sound 4.7 out of 5, with bass noticeably louder than our preference curve, which most people enjoy. The controls take some learning, the in-app EQ is too basic to make precise adjustments, and there’s no water resistance rating, so keep them out of the rain. But for long flights and full workdays, nothing here is easier to wear.

Best open-back headphones: Sennheiser HD 505

For everyday computer and casual listening, most people should find the Sennheiser HD 505 to be the best‑value open‑back headphone that still sounds significantly better than cheaper alternatives. Since they don’t need a separate amp to sound good, they’re ideal for listeners who want airy, spacious sound without a big extra investment.

• Read our full Senneheiser HD 505 review

The Sennheiser HD 505 delivers a neutral‑leaning sound that plays well across genres, with enough detail for critical listening but without harshness. They’re comfortable for long sessions, with a light clamp and breathable pads, and they pair well with laptops and phones thanks to their easy‑to‑drive impedance. The tradeoffs are typical of open‑back designs: they don’t isolate sound, so you’ll hear your environment and others will hear your music, which makes them poor picks for office use.

Best headphones under $100: JLab JBuds Lux ANC

If you’re on a tight budget but still want active noise canceling, the JLab JBuds Lux ANC are the best‑value over‑ear headphones under $100. They combine decent ANC, solid battery life, and USB‑C charging at a price that undercuts most competitors while still delivering a comfortable, travel‑friendly design.

• Read our full JLab JBuds Lux ANC review

These headphones reduce low‑frequency noise by about 50–75% under 700Hz and provide strong isolation in higher ranges, blocking up to 46dB in the upper bands. Comfort is good for long listening sessions, with padded ear cups and a breathable headband that works well for glasses wearers. They lack advanced features like spatial audio or high‑end codecs, but they focus on fundamentals: ANC, battery life, connectivity, and price. This makes them a strong pick for students, commuters, or anyone who wants ANC‑enabled headphones without spending $200 or more.

Best budget on-ear headphones: Sony WH-CH530

If you want on-ear headphones without spending much, the Sony WH-CH530 sound far better than their $69.99 price suggests. Our simulated listener panel rated them 4.8 out of 5, the same score as headphones costing five times as much, and they’re lightweight and comfortable with cushioned pads that seal well against your ears, which on-ear headphones often struggle to do.

• Read our full Sony WH-CH530 review

There’s no noise canceling, but the seal blocks about 58% of outside noise on its own, enough to take the edge off passing traffic. The Sony Sound Connect app adds a 10-band EQ, a handful of presets, including one for gaming, and a volume limit with five levels, which is useful if you’re buying these for a kid. You also get Bluetooth 6.0 with LC3 and Auracast support, multipoint for two devices at once, and fast charging that delivers 1.5 hours of playback from three minutes plugged in. The compromises are practical ones: they don’t fold, there’s no case in the box, there’s no water resistance rating, and there’s no way to listen wired, so a dead battery means silence until you charge them.

The best headphones: Notable mentions

• Anker Soundcore Space 2 ($129.99 at Amazon): One of the most comfortable and feature-packed budget headphones you can buy, with plush memory foam padding, strong noise canceling, LDAC, and roughly 50 hours of battery life with ANC on. The default tuning is odd, but the Soundcore app’s EQ tools fix it.
• Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X ($269 at Amazon): If wired is your sole interest with a studio-style frequency response, this is a great pick. The open-back design wears comfortably, and it gets very close to our ideal sound without reaching astronomical pricing. Its closed-back companion, the DT 700 PRO X, has less treble on tap and is another great choice.
• Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) ($359 at Amazon): The cheaper alternative to our comfort pick, and close enough that the QC Ultra is harder to justify. You get better noise canceling than the previous generation, including a six-microphone array that compensates when glasses or a hat break the seal, plus USB-C lossless audio and the same lightweight, wear-for-hours comfort Bose is known for.
• EarFun Wave Pro ($79.99 at Amazon): If you have a limited budget, the EarFun Wave Pro are a great option. With exceptional battery life, decent ANC, and advanced connectivity, these headphones are ideal travel or commuting headphones.
• Edifier W830NB ($79.99 at Amazon): The Edifier W830NB packs plenty of value, delivering customizable sound, multiple listening modes, and a comfortable, foldable design. Whether you’re casually listening at home or blocking out the world while commuting, these headphones offer a solid listening experience without stretching your budget.
• Focal Bathys ($699 at Amazon): The Focal Bathys are one of the best sets of headphones out there, but they’re not without their foibles — and at a pretty steep price for most consumers. If you have cash to burn, you’ll love them, but there are less expensive alternatives out there that are also good.
• JBL Tune 520BT ($59.95 at Amazon): Our former on-ear pick is still a great cheap option, and the better one if you travel light, since these fold down small. Battery life topped 60 hours in our testing and they’re frequently discounted, though there’s no noise canceling.
• Marshall Monitor III ANC ($349.99 at Amazon): If you love the classic Marshall amp design, and you are looking for versatile travel headphones, the Marshall Monitor III ANC are a good option.
• Nothing Headphone (1) ($299.99 at Amazon): Few headphones look like these, and fewer still have physical controls this good, with a roller for volume and a paddle for track skipping. Battery life hit 42 hours and 53 minutes in our testing, there’s an IP52 rating for gym use, and the Nothing X app is one of the best in the business. Just note that larger heads may find the headband uncomfortable after an hour or two.
• Nothing Headphone (a) ($199 at Amazon): A cheaper take on the Headphone (1) that keeps most of what matters, including the parametric EQ, spatial audio modes, and long battery life. The stock tuning is heavy on bass, so plan on spending a few minutes in the app.
• Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus ($217.95 at Amazon): These are great for anyone looking for a mid-ground pair of ANC headphones perfect for commuting.
• Sennheiser HD 490 PRO ($399.99 at Amazon): The Sennheiser HD 490 PRO are a great option for anyone doing professional audio work. The design is tailored for producers and mixing engineers, with swappable ear pads providing sound and comfort options. With durability, versatility, and excellent sound quality, you can’t go wrong with these if you’re looking for open-back headphones.
• Sennheiser HDB 630($499.95 at Amazon): These are absolutely excellent ANC headphones, but the reason they lose out to the Sony WH-1000XM6 is due to the slightly worse ANC performance. Otherwise, these are stellar headphones.
• Skullcandy Crusher 1080 ANC ($279.99 at Amazon): These use haptic drivers to make bass physically vibrate against your head, with a dial to set how much you want. Bose supplies the noise canceling, spatial audio, and tuning, and battery life ran 50 hours in our testing. They’re heavy and the EQ is poor, but nothing else delivers bass like this.
• Sony WH-1000XM4C ($429.99 at Amazon): Sony brought back the beloved WH-1000XM4 with Bluetooth 6.0 and better noise canceling, blocking about 87% of outside noise in our testing. Unlike the XM6, these fold up for travel. There’s no Auracast or battery care setting, but at $100 less than the XM6, they’re a strong buy.
• Sony WH-CH730N ($179.99 at Amazon): Affordable ANC headphones that get the basics right, with around 50 hours of rated battery life, a 10-band EQ, multipoint, and a battery care setting that limits charging to extend the battery’s lifespan. Noise canceling is decent rather than great, especially with voices and squealing brakes.

How to choose headphones

Start with the shape

The form factor decides most of what follows. Over-ear headphones surround your ears, which blocks the most noise and stays comfortable longest, but they’re bulky and trap heat. On-ear headphones press against your ears instead, which makes them lighter and cheaper, though they block less noise and comfort varies more from person to person. Open-back headphones let air (and sound) pass through the ear cups, which many listeners prefer for music at home, but they don’t block anything and everyone nearby hears what you’re playing. If you’ll wear them in public, that rules open-back out.

Decide whether you need noise canceling

Noise canceling is worth paying for if you fly, commute, or work somewhere noisy. If you mostly listen at home, you can skip it and put the money toward sound quality instead.

Price is a rough guide to performance here, not a guarantee. The best noise canceling we’ve measured comes from the AirPods Max 2, but the $179.99 Sony WH-CH730N still cancels about 79% of outside noise, and even headphones with no noise canceling at all block a fair amount just by sealing against your head. What matters more is what you’re blocking: most headphones handle low, steady sounds like engines well, while voices and squealing brakes get through on cheaper models.

Rated battery life is optimistic, and lifespan matters more

Manufacturers test battery life at low volumes with noise canceling off. We test with noise canceling on, so our numbers usually come in lower. Compare like for like, and remember that most headphones last far longer per charge than a typical listening session anyway.

The bigger question is how many years you’ll get. The battery is what usually fails first, and on most headphones it’s sealed inside, which turns a worn-out cell into a whole new purchase. Two things help: a user-replaceable battery, like the one in the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 5 Wireless, and a charge limiting setting that stops charging short of 100%, which several Sony models now include. Both keep headphones out of the landfill longer.

Match the codecs to your phone

A codec is the format your phone uses to send audio to your headphones, and both devices need to support the same one.

iPhone users need AAC, which every pair worth buying supports, so codecs shouldn’t drive your decision. Android users have more to gain: LDAC works on most Android phones and can carry higher quality audio, while aptX and aptX Adaptive depend on your phone’s chip. LC3 is newer and more efficient, and it enables Auracast, which lets you share audio with other headphones nearby or tune into a public broadcast at a gym or airport.

Try before you commit to comfort

Comfort is the thing reviews can least predict for you, because head shapes differ. Weight is the clearest signal: the AirPods Max 2 weigh 385g, while the Sony WH-CH730N weigh 207g, and you feel that difference after an hour. Clamping force matters too, especially if you wear glasses, since the arms break the seal and let noise in.

That seal affects more than comfort. A poor fit weakens noise canceling and thins out bass at the same time, so if headphones sound wrong, check how they’re sitting before blaming the hardware.

Check the wired options

Bluetooth is convenient, but a headphone jack or USB-C audio is worth having. It lets you plug into an airplane seat, keep listening when the battery dies, and avoid lag when gaming or watching video. USB-C connections can also carry lossless audio on the models that support it. Some headphones drop the jack entirely, so check before buying if this matters to you.

Frequently asked questions about headphones