However, with such a vast spectrum available, it can be difficult to know which ones would suit you just right. That’s why we’re here to help, with the list below giving you our top recommendations from the world of headphones. We’ve put each and every one of these products through rigorous real-life tests, including listening to a lot of different music genres, trying out the Active Noise Cancellation in busy public places, and comparing them all to similarly-priced alternatives so that we know just where they stand when it comes to value for money. We’ve ensured that a wide range of price points are covered in the list below so that you’ll be catered for regardless of your means, as well as ticking off different types of headphones. So whether you prefer wired or wireless, in-ear or over-ear, you’ll find something to your tastes among these recommendations. If you have a stronger idea of exactly what you want to buy, then we have some finely-tailored best lists as well that will be worth your perusal. We have a best wireless earbuds list if you’re looking for some true wireless options, and if you’re a gym bunny then we have a best running headphones list that’s just for you. If having some peace and quiet is your priority then the best noise cancelling headphones list will be worth your attention, and if you want the comfort afforded by over-ear Bluetooth cans then you should take a look at our recommendations for best wireless headphones.
Best headphones at a glance
Best wireless headphones: Sony WH-1000XM5- check priceBest ANC earbuds: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds – check priceBest for professional use: Røde NTH-100 – check priceBest affordable true wireless: Cambridge Audio Melomania 1+ – check priceBest wired on-ears: Grado SR325x – check priceBest affordable noise cancellers: Final UX3000 – check priceBest affordable on-ears: SoundMagic P23BT – check price
They have a more modern look than the WH-1000XM4 and the redesigned earcups can’t be collapsed, following in the footsteps of Bose’s NC 700 HP and Apple’s AirPods Max. This change has been done to offer better noise cancelling performance, and in testing we found it did reduced wind noise for a quieter ANC experience. We also sensed the WH-1000XM5’s noise cancelling tackled higher frequency sounds with more confidence than the XM4, although we did feel the XM4 model suppressed voices a tad better. The new mode coped with other noises well, with everything from big crowds to commuting on transport reduced to a hush. With eight microphones to assist call quality and noise cancellation, the Ambient Mode offered a noticeable improvement over the older model with a clearer, natural sound. There have also been incremental improvements to the already great audio performance. The mid-range sounds slightly richer and more detailed, with increased definition and clarity to instruments and voices. Music also takes place within a wider soundstage and bass has more texture and clarity then on older models. Taken together and it makes the WH-1000XM5 a great listen with any genre. For features it’s much the same story as before. Quick Attention filters through outside sound at a moment’s notice, and Speak To Chat (which pauses music when you’re speaking) are back. Battery life remains unchanged at 30 hours of runtime, and we managed to get around a week’s use from these headphones. If you’re after more longevity then both the Technics EAH-A800 and Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless offer 50 and 60 hours respectively. Reviewer: Kob MonneyFull Review: Sony WH-1000XM5 The noise cancellation is one of the best we’ve tested in a pair of earbuds, with the QC Earbuds blocking out the sound of everything from a busy traffic intersection to large gatherings. This helps to protect hearing as there’s less of a need to raise the volume to hear music. The likes of Sony, Sennheiser and the Apple AirPods Pro 2 are rivals in terms of ANC performance. While the QuietComfort Earbuds are chunky in size, they’re comfortable to wear due to their StayHear Max ear-tips that keep the earphones in. Along with an IPX4 resistance that protects them against water and sweat, they make a good option for exercise use, although we found during runs the design amplified wind noise, something Bose’s Sport Earbuds didn’t. The audio carries a neutral tone and detailed sound, with the top end of the frequency sharp and bright, the midrange spacious and detailed and bass lent weight and power. Since the QuietComfort Earbuds launched, Bose has added EQ options for treble and bass to the app so listeners can customise to their tastes. These earphones aren’t as musical-sounding as the Sony WF-1000XM4, nor quite as rich as the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3, but are well suited to those who prefer an uncoloured sound. Compared to other premium earbuds, the Bose have a low battery life. The QuietComfort Earbuds only have 18 hours in total, 6 hours less than the WF-1000XM4 and ten hours fewer than Sennheiser. They could survive regularly use across a day, but need charging fairly often as a result. Reviewer: Kob MonneyFull Review: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Our reviewer found the bass carried plenty of depth without the typical superficial excitement present with cheaper headphones. The mid-range unpacks every last detail of a track, alongside a smooth top-end that makes listening to these headphones a pleasure. The NTH-100 lack the features of wireless headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds on this list. What you do get is a very long 2.4m cable (an optional 1.2m is available for extra cost) and a clever fitting system known as FitLock that allows you to lock in the headband position of the NTH-100 so it remains in the correct position for your head at all times. In terms of their design, the NTH-100 adhere totally to the expectation of what over ear headphones look like in general. They build quality is very fine, the all-black finish and Alcantara-covered memory foam for earpads contact helps them to be especially comfortable. If performance-per-pound is what you’re in the market for, then the Røde are great whether it’s for casual or critical listening. Reviewer: Simon LucasFull Review: Røde NTH-100 The Melomania 1+ don’t feature any noise cancellation to block sounds out, relying on the passive noise isolating qualities of the design to reduce any distractions in a solid manner. They’re shaped like a bullet but they proved cozy to wear and by using physical push buttons the controls are more reliable than touch controls. Some, however, won’t like the plugged in feeling of the buds in which case a design like the OneSonic BXS-HD1 might be of more interest. Like we mentioned above, the Cambridge doesn’t feature noise cancellation or a transparency mode, but they do boast features in the Melomania app with customisation of the audio and touch controls, plus the ability to switch between audio modes for better quality sound as seen on the Melomania Touch. Switching modes affects the battery life, with the Low Power mode offering 9 hours per bud and High Performance mode 7 hours per earphone. Both are figures we found to be respectable for a true wireless. The sound is a step up in our minds from the original Melomania. The bass response is improved with more weight and punch that makes the Melomania 1 sound feeble in comparison. Vocals are smoother in tone and sound bigger, and while the original is crisper and sharper with high frequencies, we found the Melomania 1+ overall struck a better balance across the frequency range. At this price we’d rate at as a bargain not to be missed out on. Reviewer: Kob MonneyFull Review: Cambridge Audio Melomania 1+ It does make them a leaky-sounding pair of headphones, so if you’re using these on public transport, be prepared to to have people looking at you. The Grado SR325x offer terrific consistency in their balanced approach to music, emphasising a natural tone and fantastic clarity with instruments and vocals. We found the stereo image to be full of depth, the sharpness and definition, giving music a great sense of fidelity. You will need high quality audio files to get the best from them but with their 38 ohm impedance, you’ll be able to connect these wired headphones to a range of devices without the need for further amplification to drive them. We found the design to be of premium quality, the metal housing for each earcup offers a durable finish, and the brand’s ‘F’ type earcups are ones we felt were especially comfortable during use. As seems to be the case with on-ears, you may experience a degree of pinching depending on the size of your ear, in which case an over-ear such as the Monolith M1070 or Austrian Audio Hi-X65 may be preferable. Nevertheless, these are an insightful, precise and detailed pair of on-ear headphones, an audiophile pair of cans without the price tag to go with it. Reviewer: Kob MonneyFull Review: Grado SR325x The UX3000 are not heavy on the features with a simple on-off button for the active noise cancellation but they deal with persistent noises, busy road junctions and crowds of people well. The noise cancellation can be switched on without having to power the headphones, too. Similar to the Ausounds AU-XT ANC, we’d recommend turning the ANC on if you’re listening to music as they sound better with it on. The audio here is some of the best we’ve heard for less than £150, eliciting a confident, musical performance from the tracks we played, with weighty bass and a rich mid-range rich. The warmth of their presentation means they’re not quite as detailed or incisive as either the Austrian Audio Hi-X25BT or the Cleer Enduro ANC, but overall we found the UX3000 had a better handle over music those two rivals, with solid dynamics and a decently wide soundstage. We found 25-hour battery life good enough to last a week with general use and with ANC off the headphones can reach up to 35 hours. The design is minimalist in appearance, the finish referred to as ‘Shibo’, an old terms that refers to wrinkled paper of leather, a texture that can repel dust or dirt for an always-clean look Operation is via physical buttons that cover volume, ANC and playback making the UX3000 an easy pair of headphones to use. We also found they were comfortable over extended periods, which we found made them a good partner for commutes into work. Reviewer: Kob MonneyFull Review: Final UX3000 The P23BT are an affordable (£49.99), support aptX-HD Bluetooth for higher quality sound and can last for around 50-60 hours. The design has the same issues that plague any on-ear, in that they can pinch around the earlobes (especially if you have bigger ears) and it can leak sound in from the outside world. Get past that and the SoundMagic have a lightweight and foldable design that made it easier for us to stow away when not in use. Touch controls are cleverly integrated into the earcups. In use, they’re surprisingly responsive. Features are few for a pair of headphones such as these, with aptX-HD Bluetooth the most notable in offering wearers the chance to stream music at a higher quality bit-rate. Our reviewer found the headphones capable of much more subtlety than expected, with a midrange full of detail, treble that’s bright and sharp and detailed bass. The Marshall Major IV are a great deal more bassy in their performance, but we find the P23BT more balanced overall. Given the price these headphones are bargain, and for those not big on features and just need a simple pair of on-ears to listen to, we highly recommend the SoundMagic. Reviewer: Kob MonneyFull Review: SoundMagic P23BT
