Buyer's guide
The best headphones right now.
Ranked by review signal, value pressure, release timing, and what each pair is actually best for.
Noise Cancelling
Best Noise Cancelling picks
Bose official product image
Top rated
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
93
Buy now$449aptX Adaptive / ANC
Strong consensus and still fresh enough to recommend at normal retail pricing.
commutersfrequent flyersopen offices
AI-generated Headphoneify fallback image
Best value signal
Sony WH-1000XM6
92
Buy now$459QN3 / LDAC / ANC
Strong consensus and still fresh enough to recommend at normal retail pricing.
commutersfrequent flyersopen offices
Sennheiser official product image
Newest credible
Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless
91
Buy now$449aptX Lossless / Dolby Atmos / ANC
Strong consensus and still fresh enough to recommend at normal retail pricing.
commutersfrequent flyersopen offices
Studio
Best Studio picks
beyerdynamic official product image
Top rated
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro
89
Best value$169Wired
The review signal is high relative to the usual price. Prioritise deals and refurbished options.
trackingpodcastsmonitoring
AI-generated Headphoneify fallback image
Best value signal
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
84
Best value$149Wired
The review signal is high relative to the usual price. Prioritise deals and refurbished options.
trackingpodcastsmonitoring
AI-generated Headphoneify fallback image
Newest credible
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
84
Best value$149Wired
The review signal is high relative to the usual price. Prioritise deals and refurbished options.
trackingpodcastsmonitoring
Audiophile
Best Audiophile picks
HiFiMAN official product image
Top rated
HiFiMAN Sundara
89
Best value$299Planar magnetic
The review signal is high relative to the usual price. Prioritise deals and refurbished options.
critical listeninghome desksdetail seekers
Focal official product image
Best value signal
Focal Bathys
86
Best value$699DAC / ANC
The review signal is high relative to the usual price. Prioritise deals and refurbished options.
critical listeninghome desksdetail seekers
Focal official product image
Newest credible
Focal Bathys
86
Best value$699DAC / ANC
The review signal is high relative to the usual price. Prioritise deals and refurbished options.
critical listeninghome desksdetail seekers
Gaming
Best Gaming picks
Razer official product image
Top rated
Razer BlackShark V2 Pro
89
Best value$1992.4GHz
The review signal is high relative to the usual price. Prioritise deals and refurbished options.
low-latency gamingvoice chatconsole setups
SteelSeries official product image
Best value signal
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
86
Best value$3492.4GHz / ANC
The review signal is high relative to the usual price. Prioritise deals and refurbished options.
low-latency gamingvoice chatconsole setups
HyperX official product image
Newest credible
HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless
84
Best value$1992.4GHz
The review signal is high relative to the usual price. Prioritise deals and refurbished options.
low-latency gamingvoice chatconsole setups
Budget
Best Budget picks
Soundcore official product image
Top rated
Anker Soundcore Space A40
87
Best value$99LDAC / ANC
The review signal is high relative to the usual price. Prioritise deals and refurbished options.
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Soundcore official product image
Best value signal
Anker Soundcore Space One
79
Compare first$99LDAC / ANC
Decent signal, but the value depends heavily on street price, fit, comfort, and your listening priorities.
value buyersbackup pairsstudents
Soundcore official product image
Newest credible
Anker Soundcore Space One
79
Compare first$99LDAC / ANC
Decent signal, but the value depends heavily on street price, fit, comfort, and your listening priorities.
value buyersbackup pairsstudents
Earbuds
Best Earbuds picks
Sony official product image
Top rated
Sony WF-1000XM5
87
Best value$299LDAC / ANC
The review signal is high relative to the usual price. Prioritise deals and refurbished options.
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Nothing official product image
Best value signal
Nothing Ear
86
Best value$149LDAC / ANC
The review signal is high relative to the usual price. Prioritise deals and refurbished options.
pocket carrycallsgym bags
Nothing official product image
Newest credible
Nothing Ear
86
Best value$149LDAC / ANC
The review signal is high relative to the usual price. Prioritise deals and refurbished options.
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Wireless
Best Wireless picks
Sennheiser official product image
Top rated
Sennheiser HDB 630
86
Best value$499aptX Adaptive / USB-C DAC
The review signal is high relative to the usual price. Prioritise deals and refurbished options.
AI-generated Headphoneify fallback image
Best value signal
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e
85
Best value$399aptX Adaptive
The review signal is high relative to the usual price. Prioritise deals and refurbished options.
Apple official product image
Newest credible
Apple AirPods Max
77
Discount only$549H1 / ANC
Still credible, but only compelling with a meaningful discount or certified refurb pricing.
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Workout
Best Workout picks
Jabra official product image
Top rated
Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2
85
Best value$229IP68 / ANC
The review signal is high relative to the usual price. Prioritise deals and refurbished options.
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Beats official product image
Best value signal
Beats Fit Pro
80
Discount only$199H1 / ANC
Still credible, but only compelling with a meaningful discount or certified refurb pricing.
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