Best Headphones for 2023

What are the best headphones right now?

It’s difficult to pick just one model as the best all-around headphones—which also include in-ear headphones or earbuds—because there is so much disagreement on this issue. However, a few models do distinguish themselves somewhat from the rest of the field, which is why they are ranked first on this list. These include the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and Earbuds, the Apple AirPods Pro 2, the Sony WH-1000XM5, and the Sony WF-1000XM5.

Over the past 20 years, I have evaluated hundreds of headphones and earbuds, and I have either fully reviewed or had hands-on time with every pair on this list. More reasonably priced headphones are typically featured, or at the very least, models that come in at $500 or less. However, some high-end models, such as the Beyerdynamic Xelento Wireless (2nd generation), Bowers & Wilkins PX8, and Focal Bathys, deliver exceptional sound quality if you’re looking for great sound.

Best headphones for 2023

The CH-720Ns, Sony’s upgraded entry-level noise canceling headphones, are lightweight and incredibly comfortable despite having a somewhat cheap feel. To my pleasant surprise, they didn’t sound as bad as I had anticipated. No, the WH-1000XM5s sound better than them. However, they sound more upscale than they do, and they perform better overall than the CH-710Ns, which was their predecessor. Are these $150 worth it? Perhaps — or perhaps not. The good news is that these should see significant discounts soon, so you might want to wait for them, just like the CH-710N and WH-XB910 before them.

Best sound for under $100

Edifier W820NB Plus

Edifier is a manufacturer of high-quality computer speakers and true wireless earphones. It has also produced excellent noise-canceling headphones with the W820NB and W820NB Plus models. When you put them on, the first thing you’ll notice is how comfortable they are—Edifier upgraded the ear pads with higher-grade memory foam—and how well they fit your head. Thanks to what appear to be updated drivers, they also sound good for their price, providing marginally better audio quality than the originals (they now support the LDAC audio codec for Android devices). You receive marginally improved bass definition and a little bit more clarity. Their sound didn’t necessarily blow me away — they lack a bit of openness — but it’s very good for what the headphones cost. Like their predecessor, they’re pleasant-sounding headphones — and even a bit more so now.

Additional features include a low-latency gaming mode and an ambient mode that allows in external sound. They’re passable for voice calls and have a slightly improved noise cancellation system. With up to 49 hours of battery life at moderate volume levels on a single charge (and noise canceling off), battery life is pretty impressive.

There are still a few things lacking. Although they lack a carrying case and a headphone jack, you can use the included USB-C to USB-A cable to connect them to your computer. However, the headphones 820NB Plus are still reasonably priced.

Best Beats over-ear headphones

Beats Studio Pro

Beats Studio headphones, which debuted as wired headphones in 2008, are among the most well-liked headphones ever. These headphones, which are in their fourth generation, have some major internal improvements that make them noticeably better than their predecessors, despite having the same list price and a fairly similar exterior design. I would like to characterize them as less expensive plastic renditions of the AirPods Max. That’s not quite accurate, though, because there’s a difference in chipsets and one important feature that’s missing. To learn more about what makes these excellent headphones—despite a few drawbacks—read our complete review.

Best wireless earbuds for sports

Beats Fit Pro

Following the release of the third-generation AirPods, Beats, an Apple subsidiary, has released a new pair of earbuds. Although they are constructed on the same tech platform as the AirPods Pro, the new Beats Fit Pro ($200) aren’t technically AirPods. The Beats Fit Pro has Apple’s H1 chip and most of the features of the AirPods Pro, such as active noise cancellation, spatial audio, adaptive EQ, and IPX4 water resistance (splash proof), in contrast to Beats’ previous and less expensive Studio Buds. You could consider them the sports version of the AirPods you’ve always desired. Furthermore, they might even be superior to the AirPods Pro for certain users. See our review of the Beats Fit Pro.

Best Sennheiser noise-canceling headphones

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

The exposed metal on the headband of Sennheiser’s previous generation of Momentum Wireless headphones gave them a very distinctive appearance that was a mix of retro and modern. For better or worse, that’s all gone now, and Sennheiser’s flagship noise-canceling headphones, the Momentum 4 Wireless, now resemble some of their competitors more and appear a little more muted.

Though the Momentum 4 Wireless outperforms the Momentum 3 Wireless in every way, the main improvements are in the voice-calling and noise-cancelling capabilities as well as the exceptional battery life, which can last up to 60 hours at moderate volume levels. Additionally, the Smart Control app for iOS and Android offers a transparency mode that lets ambient sound in. It also lets you customize a sound profile using built-in EQ, sound modes, and a brand-new Sound Personalization feature that “assesses the user’s listening preferences and adjusts the listening experience according to their taste.”

Sennheiser claims that the Momentum 4 Wireless, which have 42mm drivers, provide “best-in-class” sound—a claim that is, of course, open to debate. The Momentum 4 has excellent sound quality, comparable to other models in this price range. It has the expected punchy, well-defined bass, a wide soundstage that makes it seem open, and a smooth treble that accentuates some of the finer details in well-recorded tracks. It’s enjoyable to listen to them.

Best wireless earbuds from Beats

Beats Studio Buds Plus

Regretfully, for those of you who purchased the original Beats Studio Buds—which are still available for purchase—I must say that these new Plus buds—which have better sound, noise cancellation, and longer battery life—are noticeably better. They now also provide excellent voice-calling performance.

Who doesn’t like transparent electronics? The transparent version is drawing a lot of attention, but the real changes are inside. Beats claims that the “acoustic architecture” of the buds has been updated, and 95% of the parts are new and improved. The Studio Buds Plus have three new microphones in each bud that are three times larger and more sensitive than the ones in the Beats Studio Buds, and they are powered by a new, more potent custom chipset. The speaker drivers are still the same.

Best Samsung wireless earbuds

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro

If you have a Galaxy device set up properly, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro offer enhanced noise cancellation in addition to excellent sound and voice calling performance. You can even stream high-definition wireless audio. Having said that, their new shape and reduced size might be their greatest improvement as they allow them to fit more ears. Plus, they’re completely watertight. The only negative aspect of them, aside from their relatively high price, is that some of their most important features are exclusive to Samsung Galaxy devices.

Best Apple noise-canceling headphones

Apple AirPods Max

Although they are pricey, the sound quality of the AirPods Max is superior to that of their less expensive competitors, Bose and Sony. Along with their excellent build quality and Apple’s virtual surround spatial audio feature for watching videos, they also have what is possibly the best noise cancellation on the market. Although they are heavy, they are surprisingly comfortable; however, when I was out walking with them, I had to move the mesh canopy headband forward on my head to get a snug, comfortable fit. There will be some exceptions, but they should fit most heads nicely.

Best Sony compact mid-range wireless

Sony LinkBuds S

The LinkBuds S are conventional noise-isolating earbuds that you insert into your ears, unlike the “open” LinkBuds. In addition to having Sony’s V1 processor, they are lighter and more portable than Sony’s previous flagship WF-1000XM4 (Sony has since released the more compact WF-1000XM5). They’re not quite as good as the XM4 or XM5, but their sound and noise cancellation are still pretty good. These are the Sony earbuds for those who want 80% of the features and performance of the company’s flagship earbuds at a significantly lower price but cannot afford them.

Pros:

• Lightweight, compact design with comfortable fit
• Very good sound and good noise canceling
• Support Sony’s LDAC audio codec and Speak-to-Chat feature

Cons:

• No wireless charging
• Not great for making calls from noisy areas

 Best semi-open earbuds noise-canceling headphones

Master & Dynamic MW75

Master & Dynamic’s best full-size headphones to date are the MW75. They cost $599, so it goes without saying that most people will be happy with the $400 Sony WH-1000XM5, which is lighter and more comfortable and offers the best voice calling and noise cancellation available. However, the MW75’s construction quality is unmatched, and they provide excellent wireless sound quality (I felt they sounded better than Apple’s AirPods Max headphones), in addition to powerful voice calling and noise-cancelling capabilities. They are also more appealing to Android users because they support aptX Adaptive, which allows for slightly better sound quality with the correct setup. However, I was also content to listen to music on my iPhone 13 Pro with the AAC codec.

Best semi-open earbuds

Jabra Elite 10

Yes, the Elite 10s are somewhat pricey at $249 and may need to drop in price to more competitively compete with the AirPods Pro 2, at least for Apple users. They also have some potential drawbacks (their noise canceling is lighter than that of competitors). Nevertheless, these are excellent earbuds that sound great and are comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. The Elite 10 buds might even be in the Editors’ Choice category if a firmware update improves their voice-calling capabilities.

Best design with fantastic sound

Bowers & Wilkins PX8

The elegant PX8 noise-canceling headphones from Bowers & Wilkins were originally expected to retail for $549, which is roughly equivalent to the price of Apple’s AirPod Max headphones. But when the PX8 finally made it into stores, it cost $699, which is a full $300 more than the PX7 S2, the company’s lower-end headphones, which are also very good (see below).

The PX8’s brand-new 40mm Carbon Cone drive units, which are “inspired” by the Carbon Dome drive units used in the company’s 700 Series loudspeaker line, are the main difference between the 320-gram PX8 and the PX7 S2. According to Bowers & Wilkins, these units contribute to even more accurate sound than the PX7 S2, providing superior resolution, detail, and timing.

My tests confirm that to be true. The PX8 headphones sound more exceptional, with a little more openness and general clarity, even though I still enjoyed the PX7 S2. These headphones rank very high in terms of sound quality among Bluetooth models, and they’re also very comfy to wear for extended periods of time—you won’t get tired of listening to them. Using a USB-C to USB-C cable in wired mode, you can listen to lossless files on a computer for the best sound quality.

The noise-cancelling feature is decent, though not quite as good as what Sony’s WH-1000XM5 offers. Furthermore, although these headphones have excellent voice calling capabilities, they don’t quite block out background noise during calls like some headphones like the Sony (though the transparency mode is excellent).

Even though I can’t say they’re worth $300 more than the PX7 S2, if you can afford them, these are excellent cans. Though the PX8 headphones come in close second to the more costly Focal Bathys in terms of sound quality and overall performance, I do prefer the Bathys’ overall performance and sound.

Best wireless earbuds for Android users

Google Pixel Buds Pro

Google’s first earbuds with active noise cancellation are the Pixel Buds Pro. Though it’s good that they now have a feature that many other true-wireless earbuds have had for some time, the Pixel Buds Pro’s unique design and excellent fit are ultimately what make them stand out and merit consideration, especially for Android users. This improves both their noise-cancelling and sound quality capabilities. They worked well as a calling headset, even though they weren’t exactly the best for voice calls. Spatial audio and a five-band equalizer were two features that were absent at launch, but the equalizer has since been added via a firmware update. All that’s left to do is wait for spatial audio.