The best headphones in 2022
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A great pair of headphones shouldn't only sound rich and balanced but should also be comfortable, versatile, well-built, and feature-packed. While you can get some surprisingly decent budget models, the best headphones tend to come packed with more features, like active noise cancelling (ANC), dedicated companion apps for customization, multi-device pairing, and NFC compatibility. While less expensive pairs of headphones tend to miss out on some of these premium features, you can still find some well-rounded and versatile options that provide great value.
We've tested over 650 pairs of headphones, and below are our recommendations for the best headphones you can buy. See our picks for the best Bluetooth earbuds, the best wireless headphones, and the best noise cancelling headphones.
Best Wireless Headphones: Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Type Over-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless YesNoise Cancelling YesMic YesTransducer DynamicThe best headphones with a wireless connection that we've tested are the Sony WH-1000XM4. These very lightweight, well-padded headphones have a comfortable fit and a great build quality. Their ANC feature does a fantastic job blocking background noise, including bass range noise like rumbling engines.
They have good touch-sensitive controls with helpful features like Speak-to-Chat, which automatically pauses your audio and lets in ambient sound when you cover the right earcup. Their default sound profile delivers extra thump and rumble, making it well-suited for bass-heavy genres like EDM and hip-hop. You can also customize their sound with a graphic EQ and presets in the Sony|Headphones Connect app.
Unfortunately, the ANC feature automatically switches off when you answer the phone, and the headphones enter 'Talk-Through' mode so that you can hear your surroundings. It may be a little annoying if you use them for a call in a noisy environment since you can't turn ANC back on until you hang up. That said, their superb ANC feature makes them some of the best travel headphones we've tested.
MORE COMFORTABLE ALTERNATIVE: BOSE QUIETCOMFORT 35 II/QC35 II WIRELESS 2018
Type Over-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless YesNoise Cancelling YesMic YesTransducer DynamicIf you want over-ears that are even more comfortable, take a look at the Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018. While they're not as customizable or as well-built as the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless, they have a lighter fit that doesn't clamp as tightly on your head. They have a powerful ANC system that can block out an outstanding amount of ambient noise, like the low rumble of plane engines. They also have a fairly neutral sound profile that's well-suited for a variety of audio genres. Their roughly 20 hours of continuous playback time should last through long days on the go, and they also have an auto-off timer to help conserve battery life when you're not using them. They support multi-device pairing, meaning you can connect them to your smartphone and laptop at the same time.
If you like to tweak and adjust your headphones to suit your tastes, try the Sony. However, if you value a more comfortable and breathable fit for long listening sessions, check out the Bose instead.
Best Wireless Earbuds: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless
Type EarbudsEnclosure Closed-BackWireless Truly WirelessNoise Cancelling YesMic YesTransducer DynamicThe Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless are the best wireless earbuds we've tested. These earbuds have an ANC feature that blocks out an impressive amount of noise, including the low rumble of bus and plane engines. You can also set it to one of 10 different presets in the app, meaning you can customize their noise isolation performance.
Their default sound profile is very neutral, so it's suitable for a variety of genres and types of content, and it can also be customized with a graphic EQ and presets in their app. Their low latency with iOS and Android devices makes them suitable for watching videos or gaming on your phone. They also come with a few different sizes of ear tips with stability fins and have a very comfortable, stable fit once you find the right size, so they're a great choice for workouts.
Unfortunately, you may find their design a bit bulky, and they stick out from your ears a bit, so they can get snagged on clothing or get in the way of a hat. Also, their case isn't the smallest, but it can still fit into bigger pockets, and the earbuds are very easy to carry around, like most truly wireless earbuds.
ALTERNATIVE FOR IPHONE: APPLE AIRPODS PRO TRULY WIRELESS
Type In-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless Truly WirelessNoise Cancelling YesMic YesTransducer DynamicIf you're looking for truly wireless earbuds for your iPhone, check out the Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless. While their continuous battery life falls short compared to the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless, these offer additional features for iPhone users. Thanks to their H1 chip, you can seamlessly pair them with your other Apple devices. They also have a spatial audio feature available on supported iOS/iPadOS devices that includes settings like head tracking, which reorients the virtual soundstage when you move your head. These well-built buds have a good build quality and have an ANC system that can block out a great amount of ambient noise around you. They also have a fairly neutral sound profile suitable for a variety of audio content. However, they lack a thumpy low-bass, which may disappoint fans of EDM and hip-hop.
If you're looking for ANC earbuds with a longer continuous playback time, try the Bose. However, if you're an iPhone user and are looking for buds with extra features for your device, consider the Apple instead.
Best Audiophile Headphones: HiFiMan Arya
Type Over-earEnclosure Open-BackWireless NoNoise Cancelling NoMic NoTransducer Planar MagneticThe best audiophile headphones that we've tested are the HiFiMan Arya. These unique-looking headphones have an open-back design and use a planar magnetic transducer, which gives them certain advantages over more common headphones with dynamic transducers. They can reproduce a more extended bass response and create a passive soundstage that seems wide, spacious, and as if coming from speakers placed in the room around you.
These headphones are well-suited for lots of audio content, thanks to their neutral and accurate sound profile. They're comfortable enough for long listening sessions, and their well-built design feels premium and durable. Once you've taken the time to adjust their fit, positioning, and seal on your head, they can deliver bass and treble consistently each time you use them.
Due to their open-back design, they can't isolate you from ambient noise, and they leak a lot of audio, so others around you may be about to hear your music if you're listening to it at a high volume. They also have a slightly underemphasized low-bass, though it's more extended than the Sennheiser HD 800 S. That said, if you're looking for audiophile headphones, they're a suitable choice.
Best Budget Headphones: Anker Soundcore Life Dot 2 Truly Wireless
Type In-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless Truly WirelessNoise Cancelling NoMic YesTransducer DynamicThe best budget headphones we've tested are the Anker Soundcore Life Dot 2 Truly Wireless. These earbuds come with a few different sizes of ear tips and stability fins, meaning you can find a good fit for you. They have a decent seven-hour continuous battery life and come with a case that holds about 12.5 extra charges, so their total battery life is more than 100 hours.
They're comfortable, stable, and rated IPX5 for water resistance, so they're a great choice for workouts. Their sound profile is fairly well-balanced, with a bit of extra thump and rumble in the bass range, making them well-suited for genres like EDM and hip-hop. They also do a good job of passively isolating you from noise like ambient chatter or the hum of an A/C unit.
Unfortunately, they lack app support and don't have sound customization features like a graphic EQ or presets. They also have a limited onboard control scheme that lacks a volume function. Otherwise, if you're looking for budget-friendly earbuds, these offer a versatile performance and a very long total battery life.
Best Cheap Earbuds: JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless
Type In-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless Truly WirelessNoise Cancelling NoMic YesTransducer DynamicThe best cheap earbuds we've tested are the JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless. Unlike many headphones at this price point, they have three EQ presets built-in so that you can adjust their sound to suit your tastes. Using their 'JLab Signature' EQ, which is their flattest EQ, they have a bass-rich sound profile that delivers extra thump, punch, and boom to audio.
These headphones have a decently comfortable fit, good build quality, and are certified IPX4 for resistance against water splashes. Although they struggle to block out the low rumble of bus engines, they do a better job of cutting down office chatter and the high-pitched hum of an AC unit. They also have a continuous battery life of over nine hours, which should last through long days at work, and their carrying case holds roughly three extra charges.
Unfortunately, their charging cable is integrated into the case, and since you can't detach it, you'll need to purchase another pair of buds if it gets damaged. Using the touch-sensitive controls can also put pressure on your ear canal, which some users may find uncomfortable. That said, if you're looking for a cheap pair of headphones, they offer a solid performance that should please most users.
Notable Mentions
- Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Truly Wireless: The Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Truly Wireless are sleek headphones with a great noise isolation performance, thanks to their ANC system. However, they last for under five hours when used continuously and lack robust sound customization features like a graphic EQ. See our review
- Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless: The Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless are the next generation of the Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018. They have a neutral sound profile, a very comfortable fit, and just over 21 hours of continuous battery life. However, their noise isolation performance isn't as good overall compared to their predecessor. See our review
- Anker SoundCore Life P3 Truly Wireless: The Anker SoundCore Life P3 Truly Wireless are in-ears with an excellent noise isolation performance, thanks to their ANC system. However, they lack power-saving features and have high latency on iOS, Android, and PCs. See our review
- Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless: The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are versatile noise cancelling over-ears, but they don't have as many features as the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless. See our review
- Sennheiser HD 800 S: The Sennheiser HD 800 S are amazingly well-built open-back headphones with a dynamic transducer. They're an excellent choice for neutral sound thanks to their wide, spacious soundstage, but they don't deliver audio as consistently as the HiFiMan Arya, and they don't reproduce as much low-bass. See our review
- Bose 700 Headphones Wireless: The Bose 700 Headphones Wireless are well-built noise cancelling headphones that perform especially well for business users on the go. However, the more comfortable Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018 provide better value for most. See our review
- Jabra Evolve2 85 Wireless: The Jabra Evolve2 85 Wireless are professional headphones with good noise isolation and many sound customization options. However, they don't block out as much background noise as the Sony WH-1000XM4 or the Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018. See our review
- Sennheiser PXC 550-II Wireless: The Sennheiser PXC 550-II Wireless are versatile over-ear headphones packed with features. They're a more stable-fitting alternative to the Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018 but not as comfortable. See our review
- Jabra Elite 85t Truly Wireless: The Jabra Elite 85t Truly Wireless are semi-open truly wireless in-ears with a neutral sound profile and many sound customization features. However, their noise isolation performance isn't as impressive as some other in-ears we've tested. See our review
- Sennheiser HD 600: The Sennheiser HD 600 are well-balanced open-back critical listening headphones but are more expensive than others that perform similarly. See our review
- SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless: The SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless are surprisingly versatile and remarkably feature-packed gaming headphones, but they still have a bulky design that makes them limited for more casual use. See our review
- Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless: The Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless are over-ear headphones with an adjustable ANC. They isolate you from an outstanding amount of background noise, but they leak some audio at high volumes. See our review
- Skullcandy Dime True Wireless : The Skullcandy Dime True Wireless are cheap earbuds with a more neutral default sound profile than the JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless. However, they lack sound customization features and have a much shorter continuous battery life. See our review
- Sony WI-C310 Wireless: The Sony WI-C310 Wireless are cheap headphones with a more comfortable fit and a longer continuous battery life than the Skullcandy Dime True Wireless, but they aren't as well-built or as stable in your ear. See our review
Recent Updates
Jan 14, 2022: Removed the Plantronics BackBeat Go 810 Wireless as they have been discontinued and are getting harder to find in stock. Added the Bose QuietComfort 45/CQ45 Wireless to the Notable Mentions.
Dec 15, 2021: Replaced the Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless with the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless as the 'Best Wireless Earbuds' because they now have a better ANC performance. Made the Apple the 'Alternative For iPhone'.
Nov 15, 2021: Replaced the Skullcandy Dime True Wireless with the JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless as the 'Best Cheap Earbuds'. Removed the Razer Opus Wireless and the 'Best Wireless Headphones Under $200' category because the variant we tested may be difficult to find in stock. Added the Plantronics BackBeat Go 810 Wireless as the 'Over-Ear Alternative' to the Anker Soundcore Life Dot 2 Truly Wireless.
Oct 21, 2021: Replaced the Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless with the Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless as the Samsung have been discontinued. Also added the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless as 'Alternative With Adjustable ANC'.
Sep 24, 2021: We've checked our picks for product availability and accuracy. There hasn't been a change in our recommendations.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best headphones in the world for most people to buy. We factor in the price (cheaper headphones win over pricier ones if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no headphones that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to choose for yourself, here is the list of all our headphone reviews. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There are no ideal headphones. Personal tastes, preferences, and listening habits will matter more in your selection.
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