25 Best Headphones of 2025: Expert Picks for Every Listener

Our experience shows the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones earn their name, with class‑leading ANC and the new ActiveSense keeping distractions at bay better than most. Battery life now stretches to about 30 hours with ANC and up to 45 hours off, and you can do lossless wired audio over USB‑C. We did notice occasional app quirks and minor fit or creak complaints, and the price is steep. Even so, aptX Adaptive, multipoint, and plush comfort make them a formidable travel companion.

During our review, the WH‑1000XM5 delivered some of the best noise cancellation we’ve heard, paired with balanced, spacious sound that flatters most genres. LDAC support and multipoint add everyday convenience and higher‑resolution streaming, while 30 hours of battery life kept us powered through long flights. Downsides include a bulky case since the headphones don’t fold and no water resistance for sweaty commutes. A few users report hinge or sensor quirks, but overall they remain a top travel and office pick.

In our testing, Shure’s AONIC 50 Gen 2 leaned into sound quality, with LDAC, aptX HD, and aptX Adaptive unlocking higher‑resolution wireless listening. Battery life is excellent at up to 45 hours, and a 15‑minute quick charge nets around five hours when you’re rushing out. The ANC is decent but struggles with deep subway rumbles, and there’s no water resistance and a bit more weight than rivals. For office, travel, and hi‑fi streaming, comfort and fidelity really stand out.

We found the Bowers & Wilkins PX8 to be as luxurious as they look, with plush comfort and a refined, high‑fidelity sound over aptX Adaptive and aptX HD. Active noise canceling is effective and multipoint is handy, though battery life is rated around 30 hours and can vary—noticeably shorter than marathon options like Sennheiser’s Momentum 4. During our review, the premium materials and polished tuning stood out; just know there’s no water resistance and long‑haul road warriors may want more runtime.

In our testing, the Momentum 4 delivered class‑leading endurance—about 60 hours with ANC on—plus effective noise cancellation that tames office hum and travel droning. aptX Adaptive and multipoint made streaming and device‑hopping seamless, though microphone quality was only fair and we ran into occasional firmware quirks. There’s no water resistance, and build consistency can vary by unit, but for everyday wireless listening the sound quality, comfort, and incredible battery life make these an easy recommendation at this price.

In our testing, the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds delivered standout noise cancellation, knocking back airplane rumble and office chatter better than most true wireless sets. The secure, lightweight fit with stability fins and IPX4 rating makes them great for workouts, and multipoint plus aptX Adaptive sweetens the package. Battery life at 6–7 hours is only average, and the mic struggles to isolate your voice in noisy streets. We also saw occasional firmware quirks, though updates typically resolved them.

AirPods Pro 3 deliver Apple’s best ANC yet, and in our testing the jump in noise reduction and single-charge stamina (up to 8 hours with ANC) was immediately noticeable. The earbuds are now IP57-rated, making them more durable for sweaty workouts and rainy commutes. Downsides: the case no longer ships with a USB‑C cable, total battery drops to 24 hours with the case, and Live Translation and other perks require a recent iPhone. If you’re in Apple’s ecosystem, they’re an easy upgrade.

Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless 4 lean into clarity and musicality, delivering a detailed, balanced sound that impressed us in critical listening. Battery life is strong at roughly 7.5 hours per charge and about 30 hours with the case, plus aptX Adaptive support for higher-quality streams and reliable multipoint. ANC is effective but not class-leading, and the chunky shells may feel bulky for smaller ears. Transparency and ambient modes also feel less polished than top rivals, though overall performance remains excellent.

Samsung’s Galaxy Buds3 Pro shine on Galaxy phones, with excellent sound, adaptive EQ, and handy AI features like real-time Interpreter and Auto Switching. In our experience, ANC is solid but not quite at the level of class leaders, and there’s no true multipoint for simultaneous device connections. Battery life lands at 6 hours with ANC (26 total), plus durable IP57-rated buds for workouts. Note that early reports of silicone tip tearing prompted a brief shipment pause while quality checks were conducted.

Sony’s WF-1000XM5 remain our go-to for top-tier ANC, combining excellent noise reduction with strong passive isolation from the included memory-foam tips. During our review, LDAC support delivered higher-fidelity streaming on compatible devices, and multipoint made juggling work and personal phones simple. Not everyone loves the foam tips—some users report discomfort—and the mic sounds a bit thin for voice recordings. Battery life is solid at 8 hours (24 with the case), though we’ve seen longevity concerns crop up over long-term use.

Prefer to keep situational awareness? Bose’s Ultra Wireless Open Earbuds offer a comfortable cuff-style design that stayed secure in our testing and delivered clear, mid-forward sound for music and podcasts. Without ANC, they’re not meant for loud commutes, and the mics struggle in noisy environments—tough asks at this premium price. Still, 7.5 hours per charge (up to 27 with the case), multipoint, IPX4 water resistance, and aptX Adaptive support make them great for workouts and office wear where you need to hear your surroundings.

In our testing, Soundcore’s Liberty 5 earbuds impressed with effective Adaptive ANC 3.0 and support for LDAC alongside AAC and SBC, delivering crisp, detailed wireless sound when paired with compatible phones. The lightweight fit and IP55 rating made them comfortable for long stretches and workouts, and multipoint is handy for juggling devices. Treble‑heavy tracks can sound harsh unless you dive into the EQ, and real‑world battery life ran shorter than claims, while the squeeze controls took time to master.

We found the WH-CH520 to be a budget workhorse thanks to a massive 50-hour battery and reliable Bluetooth multipoint. The Sony Headphones Connect app lets you dial in EQ and presets, helping the SBC/AAC sound punch above the price. However, there’s no active noise cancellation, the on-ear fit can press after longer sessions, and the mic can sound thin on calls. If you mainly stream at home or school, they’re a cheerful, affordable daily driver in a fun color.

During our review, the ATH-M20xBT impressed with rock-solid battery life around 60 hours and a balanced, punchy low end. Multipoint pairing and AAC support make everyday switching simple, and the sound is clean enough for casual mixing and long playlists. That said, there’s no active noise cancellation, the build and padding feel basic, and we experienced occasional Bluetooth hiccups. If you value endurance and straightforward sound over frills, they’re a strong budget over-ear for home and office.

For a budget-friendly over-ear, the Soundcore Space One packs adjustable adaptive ANC with multiple levels, LDAC for higher-quality Bluetooth, and multipoint—features we usually see at higher prices. Claimed battery life hits 40 hours with ANC (55 off), though our testing and some reviews measured less in real-world use. Call quality is a weak spot, often sounding echoey or reverberant, and a few users note hinge creaks and plasticky build. Still, the value is tough to beat if you prioritize features over polish.

Looking for a super‑cheap daily beater? During our review, the JBL Tune 510BT delivered surprisingly punchy Pure Bass sound and up to 40 hours of play, plus a handy 5‑minute speed charge that gave us roughly two hours in a pinch. Multipoint is rare at this price and works well, but the on‑ear fit can press uncomfortably on larger heads, the build feels plasticky, and there’s no ANC—so they’re better for quiet rooms than noisy commutes or flights.

During our review, the Soundcore Life Q30 punched far above its price with impressively effective ANC—especially against low‑frequency engine rumble—and huge battery life (up to 60 hours with ANC off, around 40 with it on). The app’s graphic EQ and presets let us tame the stock bass‑heavy tuning for a more balanced sound, and multipoint is a bonus. Build durability and call quality aren’t perfect, with reports of hinge cracks and so‑so mics, but value here is outstanding.

We found the HD 660S2 adds welcome low-end reach to the classic 600-line sound, giving electronic and hip‑hop tracks satisfying weight without muddying mids. The open-back design creates a clear, airy soundstage that helps instruments and vocals pop with excellent imaging. A 300‑ohm impedance means they benefit greatly from a proper amp, and the clamp can feel firm until the pads loosen. For late‑night, at‑home listening in a quiet space, they’re a superb, revealing companion.

If you listen in a quiet room, the HD 800 S can sound almost holographic, with a vast, precise soundstage and remarkable detail. During our testing, treble clarity and imaging rewarded high‑quality recordings, and the plush pads kept long sessions comfortable. You’ll want a proper amplifier and DAC to unlock their potential, and bass doesn’t dig as deep as some planars. As open‑back audiophile cans, they leak heavily, but for critical listening they remain a reference‑level experience.

Our experience shows the DT 1990 Pro MKII is built like a tank, with a metal chassis and robust accessories that withstand daily studio use. Swappable Producer and Mixing earpads let you fine-tune bass and presentation, making them versatile for tracking or critical work. Keep in mind the open-back design leaks heavily and offers little isolation, and treble can run bright without EQ. As wired, high-resolution monitors, they shine in quiet rooms and reward careful source matching.

During our review, the Sony MDR‑MV1 impressed us with featherweight comfort and a wide, airy soundstage that makes spatial mixes and 3D audio positioning feel natural. The detachable long cable and included 1/4‑inch adapter play nicely with studio gear, but there’s no Bluetooth, no battery, and the fully open‑back design provides zero isolation—so they’re not for commuting or noisy rooms. Our experience shows the midrange isn’t ruler‑flat for critical neutrality, yet for mixing immersive audio they’re a joy to monitor on.

In our testing, Focal’s Bathys delivered a wonderfully detailed, spacious presentation whether over Bluetooth or via its built‑in USB‑C DAC, which handles up to 24‑bit/192kHz for true hi‑res listening. The 30‑hour battery, comfy fit, multipoint pairing, and aptX/aptX Adaptive make it easy to live with, though ANC effectiveness trails class leaders and the on‑ear controls feel plasticky compared with the premium build. Android audiophiles may miss LDAC, but if you’ll use the wired DAC mode, the Bathys sounds spectacular for the price.

During our review, Bose’s 700 impressed with highly adjustable active noise cancellation that tames offices, trains, and cafes with ease. The lightweight stainless-steel headband and soft cushions stayed comfortable for long sessions, and multipoint made juggling work and personal devices painless. Battery life around 20 hours falls behind rivals like Sony’s 1000XM5, and Bluetooth is limited to SBC/AAC rather than LDAC or aptX HD. Still, with IPX4 protection and a handy charging case, they’re a polished pick for frequent commuters.

For hybrid work, the Jabra Evolve2 65 Flex is a lightweight, all-day-comfort headset with hybrid ANC that tames busy offices and transit noise. In our testing, calls were clear and the sound profile is easily tuned in the app, plus multipoint and up to 21 hours with ANC (32 with ANC off) keep you productive. That said, some users report intermittent mic dropouts and hinge durability concerns. We also saw occasional Bluetooth/dongle quirks on macOS and Teams setups, so keep firmware updated.

If you prioritize a secure fit for the gym, the Beats Fit Pro’s wingtips and multiple ear tips kept things locked in during our testing. ANC is impressively effective for the price, and sound is lively over AAC/SBC, but there’s no true multipoint and the case still doesn’t support wireless charging. We’ve also seen occasional ANC or connectivity quirks on some Android devices. Expect around 6 hours per charge with ANC and 24 hours total with the case—enough for a week of workouts.

Built for tough workouts and outdoor runs, the Jabra Elite 8 Active pair IP68-rated earbuds with an IP54 case for genuine dust and water resistance. In our testing, battery life was a standout—about 8 hours per charge with ANC (up to 32 with the case), and even longer with ANC off. Adaptive Hybrid ANC keeps distractions down, though it’s only average versus the best competitors, and call quality can falter in noisy places. Multipoint and LE Audio–ready LC3 support round out a very practical, durable pick.

We found the Shokz OpenFit 2 perfect for outdoor runs and city walks, keeping your ears open to traffic while still providing enjoyable sound. Battery life hit up to 11 hours per charge (48 total with the case), and multipoint pairing made swapping between a phone and watch easy. There’s no ANC and the case isn’t waterproof despite IP55 earbuds, and some users report intermittent charging, but for awareness‑first listening, our experience shows they’re reliable, comfortable companions.

Gamers who want all-day sessions will love the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless’s hot‑swappable dual batteries—during our review we effectively never ran out of power with the base station nearby. The wireless dock plus Bluetooth makes juggling PS5, PC, and phone seamless, though there’s no true multipoint. ANC tames chatter but struggles with low-frequency rumble, and the mic lags behind the headset’s otherwise premium feel. It’s also bulky with fussy controls, but 18–22 hours per battery (up to 44 total) is fantastic.

In our testing, the Audeze Maxwell for PlayStation brought stunning clarity and impact from its planar magnetic drivers, with an absurd 80+ hours of battery life that kept us gaming for weeks. Low‑latency 2.4GHz plus Bluetooth 5.3 (with LDAC, LC3, AAC, and SBC) and multipoint make it versatile across consoles, PCs, and phones. It is heavy and lacks active noise cancelling, and a few users report occasional driver crackle, but the sound quality more than compensates for most players.

Our experience shows the 2023 BlackShark V2 Pro is built for competitive play, thanks to an excellent microphone that keeps comms crisp and a marathon 70‑hour battery. It’s strictly wireless with no analog 3.5mm input, so there’s no wired fallback if the battery dies. Isolation is purely passive and the ear‑cup yokes still feel a bit flimsy, but if you want clear team chat and worry‑free battery life, it’s an easy pick at this price.