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Headphones and earphones come in many sizes and shapes with a wide variety of features and sound signatures. Finding the right pair for you is not just a challenge, it's a personal science that requires weighing your preferred style, desired features, chosen listening environment, and budget. PCMag has been reviewing headphones and earphones for over three decades and can tell you authoritatively that our recommendations are among the best available on the market. If you want the top noise-cancelling headphones, opt for the Bose QuietComfort Ultras, or if you prefer water-resistant earphones for working out, check out the Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2. Whatever your preference, PCMag's headphone reviews provide all the details you need to make an informed decision. And be sure to read beyond our top picks for a guide to understanding all the jargon while researching your choice.
Our Top Tested Picks
Apple AirPods Pro 2
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
Sony WF-1000XM5
Sony WH-1000XM5
EarFun Air Pro 4
Apple AirPods 4 With Active Noise Cancellation
JBL Reflect Aero
Best Black Friday Headphone Deals This Week*
- Apple AirPods Max ANC Wireless Headphones — $399.00 (List Price $549)
- Bose QuietComfort Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones — $199.00 (List Price $349)
- Beats Studio Pro Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones (Black) — $249.99 (List Price $349.99)
- Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones — $298.00 (List Price $399.99)
- Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Headphones (Black/Copper) — $229.95 (List Price $379.95)
- Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones — $329.00 (List Price $429)
- Sonos Ace Wireless Noise Cancellation Over-Ear Headphones (Black) — $349.00 (List Price $449)
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
- RELATED:
- Best Earphones
- Best True Wireless Earbuds
- Best Wireless Headphones
- Best Cheap Headphones
- Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Best Earphones for iPhone
Apple AirPods Pro 2
- Rich, well-balanced audio performance
- Excellent active noise cancellation
- Conversation Aware feature adjusts your music volume when you speak
- Charging case has a built-in speaker, USB-C port
- Seamless integration with Apple devices
- Hearing aid and hearing protection features arriving soon
- No hi-res codec support
- EQ presets aren't adjustable
Apple's refined second-generation AirPods Pro join the true wireless noise-cancelling elite. Only Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Sony's WF-1000XM5 earphones surpass them, and even then only just. Beyond this, they offer a rich audio experience, an innovative Adaptive Audio (transparency) mode, and excellent compatibility with Apple devices. The case now uses a more future-proof USB-C port for charging, too.
First and foremost, the AirPods Pro are the best earphones for brand-loyal Apple users. No third-party competitor works as seamlessly across iPhones, iPads, and Macs. To see how they compare with the best from Bose and Sony, check out our in-depth comparison.
Best Noise-Cancelling Earphones
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
- Best-in-class noise cancellation
- Crisp, full-bodied audio
- Active Aware feature blends noise cancellation and transparency modes
- Spatial audio support with head tracking
- Good Bluetooth codec support
- Case doesn’t support wireless charging
- No multipoint connectivity
Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are at the top of the active noise cancellation class. They almost eliminate deep lows entirely, and dial back mids and highs better than any other earphones we've tested. Additionally, they deliver an articulate, bass-forward sound that should please most listeners. AptX Adaptive support makes them more suitable for Android users than ever, too.
If active noise cancellation in a true wireless design is your primary consideration, these Bose earbuds are unbeatable. Just keep in mind that the second-gen AirPods Pro make more sense for iPhone users.
Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
- Class-leading active noise cancellation
- Crisp audio with rich bass
- Adjustable EQ
- Immersive audio modes with spatial effects
- Expensive
- Adaptive noise cancellation might cause ear pressure
The competition might be slowly catching up, but every new iteration in the Bose lineup, including the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, manages to leap ahead of the crowd. We're big fans of this model's crisp, bass-forward sound, highly comfortable design, and AptX Adaptive support.
These are for people who want the best noise cancellation you can get from headphones. They're also comfortable to wear for long flights or other travel excursions since they feature plush vegan leather, and they pack away neatly into a suitcase or bag for storage. Curious how they stack up with the best from Apple and Sony? Read our detailed comparison.
Best Earphones for Audiophiles
Sony WF-1000XM5
- Rich bass response and crisp, detailed highs
- Adjustable in-app EQ
- Excellent noise cancellation
- Top-tier mic clarity
- Case supports wireless charging
- Hands-free Alexa and Google Assistant
- Expensive
- Some bloat in companion app
Sony's WF-1000XM5 earbuds sound excellent and cancel distracting noise just as well as top-tier competitors from Apple and Bose. Other highlights include a high-quality mic array, premium hybrid eartips that improve noise isolation, and a comprehensive companion app with an adjustable EQ. Support for the AAC, LC3, and LDAC codecs also makes them a versatile choice for cross-platform use.
If you don't want to compromise on sound quality or noise cancellation performance, these Sony earphones sit at the top of the premium segment. Just be prepared to spend quite a bit on them.
Best Headphones for Audiophiles
Sony WH-1000XM5
- Excellent audio performance with robust bass depth and crisp highs
- Top-notch active noise cancellation
- Intuitive on-ear controls
- App offers an adjustable EQ and other customization settings
- Comfortable, stylish design
- Expensive
Sony's WH-1000XM5 headphones keep the lineup's streak of excellence alive. They offer top-notch noise cancellation, a sophisticated look, a comfy fit, and among the best audio quality in the wireless realm. The capacitive touch panels on the outside of each ear cup work intuitively, as well.
Android users who want to take advantage of the hi-res-capable LDAC codec should put this Sony pair at the top of their list. They don't cancel distracting noise quite as effectively as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, but that's a fair compromise if you care most about sound quality.
Best Noise-Cancelling Under $100
EarFun Air Pro 4
- Great sound with rich bass and bright treble
- Powerful noise cancellation for the price
- Above-average IP rating
- Good battery life
- Finicky touch controls
Why We Picked It
The EarFun Air Pro 4 true wireless earphones offer clean, detailed audio, effective noise cancellation, and top-notch connectivity at a price everyone can afford.
Who It's For
This is the set to get if you want to spend less than $100 on noise-cancelling earphones.
Best Noise-Cancelling With an Open Design
Apple AirPods 4 With Active Noise Cancellation
- Full-bodied bass and clear highs
- Impressive active noise cancellation
- Hands-free Siri with gesture-based interactions
- H2 chip enables multiple adaptive audio features
- Open design can cause inconsistent ear-to-ear fit
- So-so battery life
- No user-adjustable EQ
The Apple AirPods 4 With Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) are among the first open earbuds we've seen with ANC. Even though these buds don't seal off your ear canal, they're still able to cancel outside noise impressively. Additionally, they deliver rich sound, advanced adaptive audio features, and tight iPhone integration, making them one of the best open earbuds we've tested.
The AirPods 4 With Active Noise Cancellation are for anyone who prefers the open-ear design but wants all of the high-end features of their in-ear counterparts.
Best Battery Life
Urbanista Los Angeles
- Solar-powered charging
- Impressive audio performance with rich, deep bass and crisp highs
- Quality noise cancellation for the price
- Stylish design
- No in-app EQ
- Noise cancellation slightly impacts sound signature
The Urbanista Los Angeles headphones aren't quite competitive with class leaders in the audio or active noise cancellation departments, but they stand out for their ability to recharge via any light source. They represent a huge step forward for sustainability and we hope more products integrate this charging technology going forward.
Charging your headphones doesn't significantly increase your carbon footprint, but these headphones can still help you make a small impact. And the convenience of not needing to ever recharge your headphones (if you expose them to light every other day or so) should surely appeal to people who aren't always near an outlet.
Best Fully Waterproof Earphones
JBL Reflect Aero
- Powerful audio performance with deep lows and bright highs
- Multi-band in-app EQ
- Supports hands-free Alexa and Google Assistant
- Fully waterproof and dustproof design
- Average noise cancellation
- Sculpted, bass-forward sound signature won't appeal to everyone
In a segment that seems content with underwhelming IPX4 ratings, the JBL Reflect Aero noise-cancelling earphones impress with a top-notch IP68 rating, meaning they are fully dustproof and waterproof. They also offer a powerful sound signature and a quality companion app with a customizable EQ.
If you want to listen to music on the beach or at the gym, the Reflect Aero earphones are up to the challenge. Feel free to get them dirty and then rinse them off as you see fit.
Best for Exercise
Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2
- Full-bodied bass and bright highs
- Excellent noise cancellation, especially against deep lows
- Dust-resistant and waterproof
- Case can charge wirelessly and stream audio to the earbuds
- Expensive
- App hides some features
Jabra's Elite 10 Gen 2 earbuds sport a durable IP57 rating and are practically on par with class-leading options from Apple, Bose, and Sony in the noise cancellation department. They also produce punchy, balanced audio, work with an advanced companion app that gives you lots of control over the sound signature, and come with a wireless charging case that can broadcast audio from 3.5mm and USB-C sources.
The Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 earphones are expensive, but they are our top premium pick for exercise thanks to their above-average dust and water resistance, compelling sound, excellent active noise cancellation, and feature-rich case.
Best for Wired or Wireless Playback
Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2
- Accurate sound with rich lows and detailed highs
- Excellent Bluetooth codec support
- Optional wired playback
- Top-notch EQ
- Better battery life than predecessors
- Noise cancellation is merely decent
- Convoluted controls
The Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 headphones give you the best of both the wireless and wired audio worlds. They support the quality AAC and LDAC codecs for Bluetooth listening, as well as hi-res wired playback at up to 32-bit/384kHz. Moreover, the headphones offer up to 45 hours of playback time (more than double that of their predecessors) and a comprehensive in-app EQ with a low-shelf band, two midrange parametric bands, and a high-shelf band. As a bonus, you also get a hard-shell zip-up case in the box.
If you have the budget, the Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 headphones are among your top choices for pure sound quality thanks to their excellent wireless and wired audio playback capabilities. They look quite classy overall and feel comfortable, too.
Should You Pick Earphones or Headphones?
Earbuds do not seal off the ear canal and typically offer the worst audio performance of the bunch. Earphones do seal off the ear canal and therefore offer better bass response, a more balanced stereo mix, and a more secure fit.
On-ear headphones (which are also called supra-aural headphones) typically have smaller earcups that rest directly on your ears. Over-ear headphones (or circumaural headphones) have larger ear cups that rest around your ears.
Over-ear headphones typically provide a more immersive experience than on-ear headphones, but this isn't a rule—plenty of on-ear models sound amazing, and can even offer a little bit of passive noise isolation with the use of well-cushioned earpads. The main reasons to consider one over the other are comfort (this varies from person to person) and portability (on-ear models are often smaller and more travel-friendly).
Are Wired or Wireless Headphones Better?
Ever since Apple eliminated the headphone jack on the iPhone, wired headphones and earphones have faded from the forefront of this category in favor of Bluetooth models that require no cable at all. And true wireless headphones don't even have a wire connecting the two earpieces.
Audiophiles probably still prefer a cable, particularly for home listening (small cable adapters are available for Android and iOS devices with no headphone jack). If you prefer wired headphones, there are still lots of options available, but it's also worth noting that plenty of wireless headphones come with a cable that lets you use them in a passive mode. That use case doesn't drain the battery and gives you the best of both worlds.
The sonic advantage of wired headphones is still quite significant, even if Bluetooth audio has improved dramatically in recent years. No matter how much better Bluetooth has gotten, it is still based on a lossy codec stream, making it inherently inferior to a wired audio connection. If sonics are important to you and you want to go wireless, make sure your headphones have the right high-end Bluetooth codecs that work with your phone, like LDAC and AAC, and don't simply use the lower-quality SBC codec. Our guide to Bluetooth codecs explains everything you need to know.
What Are the Different Types of Headphone Drivers?
Headphones most typically have dynamic drivers, whereas earphones might have dynamic drivers or balanced armature drivers. Especially in headphones, dynamic drivers are the most common because a larger dynamic driver—which the ear enclosure for a pair of headphones can accommodate—can get louder and produce more bass depth than alternatives. In earphones, the dynamic drivers have to be much smaller; this can often affect bass response.
Many manufacturers, especially those in the business of making custom-molded in-ear monitors for musicians and engineers, turn to balanced armature drivers instead. Balanced armatures have the advantage of being tiny, which allows the earpieces to be smaller. Or, in the case of the aforementioned custom in-ear monitors, the earpieces can be quite large—freeing up room internally for several balanced armatures per ear, with each driver handling a specific frequency range. Generally speaking, it's possible to get excellent audio—or poor audio—from both dynamic and balanced armature drivers, although the two styles have dedicated fan bases.
In both headphones and earphones, the planar magnetic driver continues to gain ground slowly. Headphones with these drivers are typically (much) more expensive. But the advantage of planar magnetic drivers is that they, ostensibly, produce a more precise sound because of the flat, larger-than-a-dynamic-driver film that vibrates between two magnets to create sound.
Electrostatic speakers and headphones are similar to planar magnetic models in that they use a large, thin surface area to deliver the audio. But we see far fewer electrostatic headphones than any other type—they are typically through-the-roof expensive and best for home use.
Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) tech is also starting to appear in the form of silicon-based, solid-state drivers. These can produce faster transients and are very precise. Additionally, manufacturers can ensure a more consistent driver-to-driver build since they don’t rely on multiple moving parts.
What Is Active Noise Cancellation?
Noise cancellation used to be one of the most expensive features you could find in headphones, but it's now mainstream in both the headphone and earphone realms. Not only that, but the shift from wired to wireless headphones in terms of popularity has meant that most of the active noise cancellation (ANC) headphones we see are now wireless.
That's excellent for convenience, but never assume that all ANC is the same. Bose still leads this category, though plenty of other manufacturers like Apple and Sony also offer top-notch options. See how we test noise cancellation to understand how it works.
When ANC goes wrong, there are three main ways to tell. One, it's just not very effective—it doesn't tamp down low-frequency rumble as it should, or the overall reduction in surrounding noise isn't profound enough to make it compelling. Two, the ANC circuitry creates a faint hiss—not necessarily unpleasant, but certainly audible (similar to white noise or tape hiss). This is often to mask the fact that the ANC circuitry can't effectively remove some higher-frequency sounds. Third, lower-quality, wireless headphones often have ANC modes that affect the sound signature.
When we describe headphones with excellent noise cancellation, it's more or less the opposite. They squash the low frequencies effectively, tamp down surrounding chatter and common environmental noises, and don't produce much of a high-frequency hiss (if any). The sound signature also shouldn't sound wildly different when this mode is active. Beyond that, a growing number of manufacturers, like Bose, offer apps that let you adjust the intensity of the noise cancellation mode.
An increasing number of noise-cancelling headphones now include mics that power ambient listening modes. The point is to allow you to hear your surroundings as if you didn't have your headphones on, so you can talk to others without removing them. It has become popular enough that plenty of non-ANC models now have this feature, too. Apple's Adaptive Audio mode is one of the best implementations. That said, open-style earbuds are still much better at letting you hear your music and environment simultaneously.
For more, see the best noise-cancelling true wireless earbuds and the best headphones for your home office.
4 ways you're using your headphones totally wrong — Clarification Please
What Are the Best Headphones for Exercise?
Aside from sometimes offering ambient mics for hearing your surroundings, exercise-focused headphones and earphones typically offer water-resistant builds and extra accessories for a secure fit.
The most important feature of any exercise-focused headphones remains the IP rating. IP stands for ingress protection, and you often see ratings such as IPX7 or IP65. The first number represents protection against solids like dust (X acts as a placeholder, usually because the manufacturer didn't officially test against dust or solids), while the second number describes protection against fluids like water and sweat. For more, see our guide to IP ratings.
As mentioned, another consideration is in-ear fit. We all have different ears, and some earphones fit better than others. If you've had trouble getting in-ears to stay in place in the past, consider a pair that comes with multiple eartips or earfins that sit against the ear to help aid stability. It's also worth considering foam eartips (which sometimes ship with earphones, but are less common than silicone) because they expand in the canal to create a stronger seal, much like earplugs. They also often have the benefit of increasing the bass response.
For more, see our picks for the best true wireless earbuds for running.
Do Headphones Work With Voice Assistants?
Most wireless headphones now include a button or action that summons your phone's built-in voice assistant. But some are always listening, like smart speakers. Of course, you don't have to use either option.
How Much Should You Spend on Headphones?
Quality and performance can certainly cost money, though that isn't always the case and they aren't the only factors that dictate the price of headphones. Currently, certain technologies—active noise cancellation and spatial audio are the two most obvious examples—tend to drive up the price. That doesn't mean you can't find affordable true wireless earphones, but the higher-quality options tend to kick in around $150, while most excellent noise-cancelling headphones start around $300. Iconic branding—think Apple, Beats, and Bose, to name a few—also impact pricing.
In short, you can pay as little as $50 for good earphones or headphones and several hundred dollars for audiophile models. Generally speaking, most quality options fall between $100 and $400, but lenty of strong in-ear, over-ear, and on-ear models are available in the $100 to $200 bracket.
Once you find the pair that's right for you, make sure to take good care of them with our five easy tips to extend the life of your headphones. We also have an article on the eight ways you're using your headphones wrong.
