The 13 best headphones of 2025

As the name QuietComfort suggests, Bose’s latest flagship release challenges its competitors in the noise-canceling and comfort department. I wear these headphones during intensive writing sessions at my desk, while traveling, and while lounging. Bose improved the QC Ultra’s soundstage with this model, offering a more profound, fuller bass response than any other Bose headphones I’ve tested.

The vegan leather ear pads have perforations to allow for better breathability, decreasing the likelihood of these headphones making your ears feel hot. Even after hours of wear, it’s easy to forget you’re wearing the QC Ultra on your head — they’re that comfortable.

Review: Bose QuietComfort Ultra 

The QC Ultra’s noise-canceling is the best I’ve tried in headphones. The ANC offers protection from low, middle, and high-pitched droning noises like a lawnmower, car engine, or running refrigerator. Unlike other ANC headphones, the QC Ultra do a great job diminishing light conversational noises, making them a great companion for people working in public spaces, like a library or coffee shop.

However, the QC Ultra are expensive, retailing at $429 and remaining over $300, even with seasonal discounts. Additionally, their battery life is 24 hours, so if you wear your headphones a lot, you’ll need to plug them in often. The Bose Music app offers a three-band equalizer and options to customize the commands on the right ear cup’s capacitive touch strip.

I don’t recommend buying these headphones in Black. The coating and dark colors pick up fingerprint oils and can be difficult to clean. Additionally, the capacitive strip is a major turn-off for me. It’s easy to toggle incorrect functions accidentally, so I opt to control the headphones exclusively from my phone. 

The QC Ultra have a simple and premium design, offering aluminum hinges and ear cups with a soft matte coating to deter scratches. They don’t look as sleek as Apple’s AirPods Max or Sonos’ Ace, but if your aesthetic is sportier and more casual, the QC Ultra will suit your style.

If you’re ready to splurge on a pair of premium everyday headphones and can trade a few hours of battery life for exceptional noise-canceling, I can’t recommend these more.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra tech specs: Form factor: Over-ear | Bluetooth: Yes (5.3) | Battery life: 24 hours (ANC off) | Driver size: 35mm dynamic | Noise cancellation: Yes | Wired option(s): 3.5mm headphone jack

Google’s latest premium earbuds offer high levels of comfort and utility. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 debut with enhanced Google Gemini integration, offering users hands-free access to Google’s AI chatbot. Of course, Pixel smartphone users can take advantage of the Pixel Buds Pro 2’s most advertised AI features, but these earbuds work well with other Android phones and iPhones.

Review: Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

The newest Pixel Buds are smaller and more comfortable than their predecessors, delivering lots of comfort in a small bud. Additionally, the new Pixel Buds sport a twist-to-lock stabilizer, which allows wearers to control the Pixel Buds’ fit and audio performance. You can enjoy a casual, relaxed, semi-open-ear listening experience by placing the earbuds in your ear. By twisting the earbuds deeper into your canal, you create a secure fit and a highly immersive listening and noise-canceling experience.

Google fitted the Pixel Buds Pro 2 with a Tensor chip, which is responsible for the earbuds’ enhanced noise-canceling properties. When I tested these earbuds, I was highly impressed by the earbuds’ audio and noise-canceling performances.

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 have decent microphone quality for phone calls but struggle in noisier environments. My guess is the AI tech responsible for limiting external noises also suppresses the speaker’s voice. It’s not a dealbreaker, and I hope it’ll be resolved in an upcoming update.

If you’re a Pixel or Android user and you want premium earbuds, consider buying the Pixel Buds Pro 2 over AirPods. To access the Pixel Buds 2’s full suite of features, you only need a Google account and a phone that runs Android 6.0 or newer.

Pixel users can enjoy hands-free access to Google Gemini, although I found this feature to be the most underwhelming (and annoying) thing about these earbuds. The feature is reliable if you’re into chatting with Gemini through the earbuds. If interrupting your music to talk to an AI bot isn’t your thing, you’ll still be impressed with the comfort, sound, and noise cancellation the Pixel Buds Pro 2 offer.

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 tech specs: Form factor: In-ear | Bluetooth: Yes (5.4) | Battery life: 8 hours and an additional 30 hours with charging case (ANC on) | IP rating: IP54 (sweatproof) | Driver size: 11mm dynamic | Noise cancellation: Yes | Charging option(s): USB-C, wireless

The Sonos Ace results from the company’s many years of work creating its first pair of over-ear headphones. The Ace headphones are stacked with audio features, like compatibility with Dolby Atmos, noise-canceling, and transparency modes. These headphones’ standout feature is their integration with the Sonos soundbars via a TV audio swap feature. This feature allows users to seamlessly transfer audio from their Sonos Arc, Beam, or Ray to the Ace headphones.

The Ace headphones deliver 30 hours of continuous playback, but you can recover three hours of battery life in a three-minute quick charge. The Ace debuted with thoughtful design features, like removable ear pads and color-coded ear cups. 

Review: Sonos Ace

The Sonos Ace are compatible with Dolby Atmos, which was highly immersive when I watched movies and TV shows and listened to music. The TV audio swap feature is impressive, and the Sonos Ace are incredibly comfortable headphones. Additionally, they are stylish and have a simplistic design, staying true to Sonos’ dedication to creating products with an unassuming visual presence.

When I reviewed the Sonos Ace, I was thoroughly impressed by their rich sound profile. However, their ANC is weaker for their near $500 price tag. But if noise-canceling isn’t your top priority, the Ace headphones offer immense comfort, a vibrant and exciting sound profile, and an elevated design.

If touch controls aren’t your preference, the Ace sports two multifunction buttons, notably the Content Key. You can slide and press this button to control audio commands and toggle the TV Audio Swap. Overall, the Ace headphones are a pair of fresh, premium headphones that any audio lover will enjoy.

After using these headphones for a few months, they’ve really grown on me. However, the Ace headphones aren’t very portable. They don’t fold and the case is bulky, forcing you to find space in your carry-on or keep them on your person while going through airport security. Yet, their rich sound and immense comfort make a six-hour plane ride feel like a breeze. 

Still, if you’re looking for headphones with better noise-canceling properties, I recommend the Bose QuietComfort Ultra or Apple AirPods Max headphones. 

Sonos Ace tech specs: Form factor: Over-ear | Bluetooth: Yes (5.4) | Battery life: 30 hours (ANC on) | Driver size: 40mm dynamic | Noise cancellation: Yes | Wired option(s): USB-C

Shokz’s latest true wireless open earbuds offer one of the best open-ear listening experiences on the market. These earbuds debuted at CES 2025, showing off new features like a multifunction button, four more hours of playtime than the previous generation, upgraded water resistance, and enhanced audio technology.

I’m generally not a fan of open-ear headphones and earbuds, and I’m even more averse to earbuds with ear hooks. I must admit, the OpenFit 2 are an exception to my rule. 

Review: Shokz OpenFit 2

These earbuds are highly comfortable, as their soft coating doesn’t pressure the bony part behind your ears; it’s easy to put them on and forget you’re wearing them. The updated design also makes them more stylish, phasing out previous generations’ highly sporty look. The OpenFit 2 boasts 11 hours of listening time, four hours more than their predecessor, making them perfect for taking from the office to your evening workout. 

The OpenFit 2 have an IP55 rating, making them durable enough for sweaty workouts and runs in light rain. Also, their improved Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity ensures stable connections and efficient power consumption.

Soundwise, the OpenFit 2 sport Shokz’s DualBoost technology to enhance the earbuds’ audio output. This technology helps the OpenFit 2 to produce a prominent bass response, clear vocals, and transparent instrumentals. For open earbuds, the OpenFit 2 sounds great. 

The OpenFit 2’s open design allows for an airy and natural soundstage while allowing you to remain aware of your surroundings. The ear hooks allow for a comfortable and secure wearing experience. However, the ear hooks can be uncomfortable if you wear these earbuds while wearing glasses.

Shokz’s DirectPitch technology uses vents in the earbuds to direct sound from the earbuds direct to the ear, enhancing your listening experience, maintaining privacy, and reducing sound leakage. If you’ve been eyeing the Bose Ultra Open earbuds for their excellent sound, comfort, and open-ear design but can’t justify the price tag, consider the OpenFit 2. Shokz’s earbuds offer four more hours of playtime and a similar listening experience for $120 less.

The OpenFit 2’s comfort, lengthy battery life, and great sound make them the perfect companion for people who like open-ear earbuds and want a comfortable, stylish, and reliable pair to accompany them anywhere they go. 

Shokz OpenFit 2 tech specs: Form factor: Open-ear | Bluetooth: Yes (5.4) | Battery life: 11 hours and an additional 37 hours with charging case | IP rating: IP55 (sweatproof) | Charging option(s): USB-C

The Sony XM5 over-ear headphones are some of the most popular ones on the market, and that’s for good reason. These headphones have exceptional noise-canceling properties, great sound, a solid battery life, all-day comfort, and a sleek and premium design.

When Sony released these headphones in 2022, they were packed with software features competing headphones lacked, like Speak-to-Chat. This feature pauses your music when the headphones detect that you’re speaking to someone and enables transparency mode so you can better hear them.

The XM5’s 40-hour battery life means you can wear these headphones throughout the week with minimal charging, making them great for commuters, travelers, and desk workers. Not to mention, the impressive noise-canceling is some of the best out there. 

Review: Sony WH-1000XM5

When ZDNET’s Matthew Miller reviewed the XM5 headphones, he said the noise-canceling tech allows for “an environment of isolation and focus,” so these headphones are fabulous to wear when you need to block out the world around you. 

The XM5 headphones offer plenty of practicality with their oversized ear cups and impressive battery life. Sony’s XM5 allow access to Sony’s LDAC Bluetooth codec and don’t need to be turned on to listen over a wired connection, so you can listen even if the battery is dead.

The XM5’s design is utilitarian and simple, making them best for people with a toned-down personal style. If you want headphones that can match any outfit, the XM5 are a solid option.

The Sony XM5 are superb headphones; if you already have them, don’t rush to upgrade. However, Sony’s competitors have made meaningful strides in design, features, and noise-canceling improvements since the XM5’s release in 2022. So, if you’ve been eyeing these headphones, I suggest you wait for the latest iteration. But if you don’t want to pay upwards of $450 for the upcoming generation, consider buying the XM5 during seasonal sales.

Sony WH-1000XM5 tech specs: Form factor: Over-ear | Bluetooth: Yes (5.2) | Battery life: 40 hours (ANC off) | Driver size: 30mm dynamic | Noise cancellation: Yes | Wired option(s): 3.5mm headphone jack

Wired headphones are coming back in style, and if you want a well-made pair that sounds fantastic, the Focal Azurys are perfect for you. These headphones are an entry-level pair from the high-end brand, offering the company’s renowned audio components at a lower price. Still, the Azurys retail for $549, so they’re not cheap.

Review: Focal Azurys

The Azurys offer an elevated yet analog audio experience, omitting modern headphone features like Bluetooth connectivity, noise cancellation, and spatial audio. These wired headphones deliver a high-fidelity audio experience, boasting 40mm drivers with an M-shaped dome made from magnesium and aluminum. Their relaxed and natural sound profile delivers exceptional clarity and instrument separation.

The Azurys have a 26-ohm impedance, meaning your smartphone or laptop has enough power for these headphones, making them incredibly easy to drive. The memory foam earpads and genuine leather headband also create a comfortable wearing experience with a luxury look and feel.

These headphones are best for people looking for an entry-level pair of high-end headphones. The Azurys aren’t very portable or practical for commuting due to their lack of modern features. Still, if you’re a budding audiophile and don’t want to spend thousands on other high-end options, the Azurys are a great place to start.

Focal Azurys tech specs: Form factor: Over-ear | Bluetooth: N/A | Battery life: N/A| Driver size: 40mm dynamic | Noise cancellation: N/A | Wired option(s): 3.5mm headphone jack

The Beats Studio Pro are an impressive pair of over-ear headphones from Beats — dare I say they are the best over-ear headphones from Apple? Beats released the Studio Pro last year, and they debuted with a list of upgrades, like USB-C charging and audio, spatial audio, Find My compatibility, and more.

The Studio Pro were Beats’ first headphones since the company was acquired by Apple in 2014. Their muted, toned-down design echoes Apple’s simplistic design choices. The Studio Pro sport large, oval ear cups made with UltraPlush padding fitted with faux leather materials for added comfort. 

Review: Beats Studio Pro

The added UltraPlush cushioning does help with ear comfort, but the Studio Pro’s ear cup shape and slightly tight clamping force can make them uncomfortable for hours-long wear or bigger heads.

The Studio Pro’s standout feature is its unique compatibility with native iOS and Android features. For example, iOS users can add Studio Pro to their Find My network and listen to Spatial Audio. Android users receive Bluetooth multipoint connectivity and download the Beats companion app for more customization.

Now that newer iPhones sport USB-C ports, Android users and compatible iPhones can plug into the Studio Pro to listen to lossless audio and charge the headphones while plugged into their phone. Plugging into the Studio Pro’s USB-C port also unlocks Entertainment and Conversation audio modes, which enhance the listening experience when watching movies or taking phone calls.

The Studio Pro are equipped with noise-canceling and Transparency modes, which were efficient and reliable when I tested them. The Studio Pro’s sound profile is warm and slightly bass-forward but significantly less bass-heavy than Beats’ previous headphones.

You can expect the Studio Pro to deliver up to 40 hours of continuous playback without any audio modes enabled. Still, that number decreases to about 24 hours when noise-canceling or spatial audio is turned on.

Overall, the Studio Pro are a fantastic option for iOS and Android users due to their compatibility with some of each operating system’s native features. They’re also great for people who have remained loyal to the Beats brand and want to upgrade. 

These headphones retail for $349, but you can regularly find them on sale, sometimes as low as $170.

Beats Studio Pro tech specs: Form factor: Over-ear | Bluetooth: Yes (Beats Class 1 wireless) | Battery life: 40 hours (ANC off) | Driver size: 40mm dynamic | Noise cancellation: Yes | Wired option(s): USB-C, 3.5mm headphone jack

Sennheiser is known for its pro-grade audio products, but the higher-end products aren’t suitable for everyone. If your friends in the audio space recommend you try a pair of Sennheiser cans, but you don’t want to pay upwards of $600 to experience the company’s iconic sound, try the Accentum Plus.

The Accentum Plus are the company’s latest mid-range headphones that debuted at CES 2024. The Accentum Plus have an incredibly clear and immersive sound for their price tag, offering detailed highs and punchy, deep bass. 

The Accentum Plus boast adaptive noise canceling, which I found wasn’t the strongest, but helps keep your music center stage while keeping louder external noises at bay. These headphones are great for commuters, travelers, and desk workers, as they have a marathon battery life lasting over 50 hours.

Review: Sennheiser Accentum Plus

However, you must have the right head size to get the most out of these headphones. Maybe my head was too big, but when I tested the Accentum Plus, I couldn’t wear them for more than an hour without my ears hurting. 

The Accentum Plus offers little style-wise, as their build is mostly plastic, uniform, and simple. The looks of these headphones won’t start any conversations, but it’s what’s inside the earcups that matters with these cans.

Despite that, if you prefer wireless headphones but prioritize sound quality and want great sound for less than $250, the Accentum Plus will do you good.

Sennheiser Accentum Plus tech specs: Form factor: Over-ear | Bluetooth: Yes (5.2) | Battery life: 60+ hours (ANC off) | Driver size: 40mm dynamic | Noise cancellation: Yes | Wired option(s): 3.5mm headphone jack

A pair of reliable headphones that can live inside your work or school bag is a must-have, and the JBL Live 770NC are a great option. These headphones are the latest upper-mid-range headphones from JBL, as the company announced them in January at CES. The Live 770NC include a laundry list of premium software features like wear detection, spatial audio, adaptive noise-canceling, and more. 

The Live 770NC’s design and build materials are more premium than competitors at this price point, as JBL fitted the 770NC with big, plushy ear cups and a headband covered in soft fabric. When I tested the 770NC, I wore them for about five hours before I experienced any head or ear fatigue. 

Review: JBL Live 770NC

Sound-wise, the 770NC don’t reproduce the most elevated sound I’ve heard, even within this $200 to $250 price range. Still, these headphones are more than suitable for casual listeners and people who want headphones solely to shield them from external noises.

The 770NC have adaptive noise-canceling, which means it adjusts based on the noise in your environment. This technology’s adaptive aspect is very intuitive and effective, but the noise-canceling itself isn’t anything to write home about.

Style-wise, the 770NC have an unassuming and simple design, free of colors, accents, or interesting design elements. However, the headphones’ build is sturdy and premium-feeling despite their lower price point. If you prioritize getting as much bang for your buck over fancy design elements, the 770NC won’t disappoint.

Overall, if you want new headphones that sound great, have a long battery life, are comfortable, and can get the job done all for less than $250, these are the way to go.

JBL Live 770NC tech specs: Form factor: Over-ear | Bluetooth: Yes (5.3) | Battery life: 60+ hours (ANC off) | Driver size: 40mm dynamic | Noise cancellation: Yes | Wired option(s): 3.5mm headphone jack