(Image credit: Brian Coule/Tom’s Guide)
5. Apple AirPods Pro
The undisputed king of AirPods
Size and weight: 2.4 x 1.7 x 0.9 inches, 8.8 ounces | Battery life (rated): 4.5 hours (NC on), 24 hours (with charging case) | Bluetooth range: 800 feet | Special features: Active noise cancellation, “Hey Siri” support, spatial audio
Modern, functional design
Great active noise cancelling
Comfortable semi-custom fit
Adaptive sound
Battery life could be longer
A year on store shelves and Apple’s noise-cancelling earbuds are still arguably the top model in their class. The level of engineering demonstrated on the AirPods Pro cannot be overstated. Underneath the smaller, redesigned casing are six sensors, a powerful three-mic array, and Apple’s renowned H1 chip that boosts performance on all fronts. Audio is significantly improved from the AirPods 2 , with the buds producing clean, balanced sound to enjoy music, podcasts, and movies peacefully. Adding to its sonic capabilities are new features like spatial audio that were introduced with iOS 14 and create a theater-like soundscape that makes watching movies even more immersive.
ANC is also surprisingly effective, as the outward-and inward-facing mics manage to neutralize a large amount of ambient sound; low-humming noises and neighborly chatter will go completely silent. The inclusion of ear tips makes a world of difference, insulating sound, while providing a comfy and customized fit, which can also be optimized for better audio output through the all-new Ear Tip Fit Test . Hands-free Siri just keeps getting better and better, while cool features like Announce Messages, Audio Sharing, and auto switching showcase the AirPods Pro’s multifunctional talents.
Read our full Apple AirPods Pro review .
(Image cre dit: Future)
6. Master & Dynamic MW08
Premium ANC earbuds with top-quality audio
Size and weight: 0.8 x 0.8 x 1 inches, 0.2 ounces (per bud) | Battery life (rated): 10 hours (ANC on), 12 hours (ANC off), 42 hours (with charging case) | Bluetooth range: 30 feet (9 meters) | Special features: Hybrid active noise cancellation, two-level ambient listening mode, Bluetooth 5.2, customizable fit, smart controls
Stylish, durable design
Great sound
Active noise cancellation
Decent battery life
Expensive
Master & Dynamic’s MW08 joins the AirPods Pro among the best headphones with a true wireless earbud form factor. The MW08 is more expensive than Apple’s pair of buds, which is saying something, but you won’t be worrying about the price too much when you’re enjoying deep, impactful sound with adjustable active noise cancellation.
The MW08 scores high on battery life and comfort, too, though it’s the design sensibility that really stands out. The D-shaped outer panels look great, all polished ceramic and precisely machined stainless steel, while IPX5 water resistance keeps rain and sweat at bay. You even get real buttons as the onboard controls, instead of unreliable touch sensors.
Read our full Master & Dynamic MW08 review .
(Image credit: Future)
7. Cleer Enduro ANC
The best headphones for getting ANC on the cheap
Size and Weight: 7 x 6.6 x 3 inches, 10.6 ounces | Battery Life (Rated): 60 hours (ANC on) | Bluetooth Range: 30 feet (9 meters) | Special features: Active noise cancellation, Ambient mode, digital assistant support, Android Fast Pair 2.0, NFC pairing, EQ customization
Very good value
Class-leading battery life
Bass-rich sound
Effective ANC
ANC mics pick up wind noise
Comfort wanes over time
The Cleer Enduro ANC isn’t the most immaculate-sounding pair of headphones, and both Sony and Bose have better noise cancellation tech. But what’s remarkable about this particular pair is how it still manages to be pretty good at both, while throwing in plenty of extra features and qualities, for what is relatively a very low price.
In addition to affordable noise cancellation, the Enduro ANC also offers a fully foldable design, Hi-Res Audio support when using the detachable 3.5mm cable and even NFC pairing. Battery life, however, is the star of the show: no other pair of headphones we’ve tested has beaten its 50+ hours of ANC playback.
Read our full Cleer Enduro ANC review .
(Image credit: Regan Co ule/Tom’s Guide)
8. Bowers & Wilkins PX7 Carbon Edition
The best headphones for sheer craftsmanship
Size and weight: 3.1 x 6.9 x 8.7 inches, 10.9 ounces | Battery life (rated): 30 hours (ANC on), 33 hours (ANC off) | Bluetooth range: 33 feet (10 meters) | Special features: ANC, Ambient mode, Soundscapes profiles
Wide and dynamic soundstage
Companion app with useful features
Lengthy battery life
Finicky connectivity
Carbon fiber design isn’t for everyone
What’s immediately striking about the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 Carbon Edition is just how well-made they are. This is a pair of headphones you’ll want to show off, and even if the all-black coloring of the Carbon Edition isn’t to everyone’s taste, you can get the standard PX7 in silver as well.
They’re expensive, but as with the Apple AirPods Max you’re paying for quality. Bowers & Wilkins has made sure the PX7 sound even better than the look and feel, with a dramatically wide soundstage and intricate detailing. We also love the Soundscapes feature, which can help you relax by mixing in gentle nature sounds to your music playback.
Read our full Bowers & Wilkins PX7 Carbon Edition review .
(Image credit: Regan Coule/Future)
9. Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus
The best headphones for hi-fi audio in an earbud form factor
Size and weight: 1.1 x 0.6 x 0.6 inches, 0.2 ounces (per bud) | Battery life (rated): 7 hours (High Performance Mode), 9 hours (Low Power Mode), 45 hours (with charging case) | Bluetooth range: 30 feet (9 meters) | Special features: High Performance mode, EQ customization, IPX5 water resistance, voice assistant support
Excellent sound
Long battery life
Elegant, splash-proof design
No ANC
Mediocre voice call quality
The Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus has a long name and an even longer list of reasons to buy it. This pair of true wireless earbuds is cheaper than Apple’s AirPods, but sounds better, lasts longer and offers better water-resistance.
There’s no ANC, but the Melomania 1 Plus is armed with more than enough extras to make up for it. Take the unique High Performance mode, which activates the same hi-fi-grade amplification that Cambridge Audio uses in its CX range of stereo amplifiers. Or the mobile app, which delivers a range of well-judged sound profiles as well as the ability to tweak the EQ yourself.
Read our full Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus review .
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
10. Sennheiser CX 400BT
Great-sounding, well-priced earbuds
Size: 1 x 0.9 x 0.9 inches | Weight: 0.2 ounces (per bud) | Battery Life (Rated): 7 hours, 20 hours (with charging case) | Bluetooth range: 35 feet (10 meters) | Special features: Bluetooth 5.1, customizable touch controls, source switching, EQ controls, replaceable tips, voice assistant support, customizable EQ
Great sound
Well-featured app
Decent battery life
Very comfortable
No ANC
No water resistance or sweat-proofing
Other than lacking ANC, the Sennheiser CX 400BT deliver the impeccable sound quality of a much more expensive pair of wireless earbuds. Literally: they have the same drivers and basic design as the $250 Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2, so if you want beautifully balanced, crystal-clear audio without paying premium-tier money, these are as good a choice as any.
You can also fully adjust the EQ via the app, as well as customize the touch controls. Battery life is respectable rather than outright brilliant, but the CX 400BT will last you a fair few hours, and you probably won’t want to take them out in that time as they’re so light and comfortable.
Read our full Sennheiser CX 400BT review .
(Image credit: Regan Coule/Tom’s Guide)
11. Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro
Feature-packed ANC wireless buds
Size: 0.8 x 0.7 x 0.8 inches | Weight: 0.2 ounces (per bud) | Battery Life (Rated): 5 hours (ANC on), 8 hours (ANC off), 18 hours (with charging case and ANC on), 28 hours (with charging case and ANC off) | Bluetooth range: 30 feet (9 meters) | Special features: Adjustable ANC, Ambient mode, Voice Detect, 360 Audio, quick source switching, IPX7 waterproofing
Improved design
Full waterproofing
High call quality
Lots of features
Some features only work with Samsung Galaxy smartphones
ANC improved, but still not the best
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro sound great. Not that’s out of the way, you can focus on the huge array of tricks and tools that Samsung has squeezed into these small yet stylish true wireless earbuds.
Besides some much-improved ANC, there’s a transparency mode with “Voice Detect” tech to automatically kick in when you start a conversation. Then there’s IPX7 waterproofing, enough to survive a dunk in the bath, as well as an adjustable EQ and Bixby support. You’ll need a Samsung Galaxy smartphone with OneUI 3.1 to access some of the even more advanced features, like 360 Audio: Samsung’s take on Apple’s Spatial Audio surround sound mode.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro review .
(Image credit: Brian Coule/Tom’s Guide )
12. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds
The best earbuds for noise-cancelling
Size and weight: 1.5 x 1 x 1 inches, 0.3 ounces (per bud) | Battery life (rated): 6 hours, 18 hours (with charging case | Bluetooth range: 30 feet (9 meters) | Special features: Adjustable ANC, Bluetooth 5.1, Self Voice mode for enhancing calling
Category-leading ANC
Well-balanced sound
Excellent call quality
Bluetooth 5.1
Battery life could be better
No pair of wireless earbuds can match the QuietComfort Earbuds’ ANC performance. None. How Bose managed to engineer these buds with the same functionality and techn ology as the Bose 700 is unbelievable, giving listeners elite noise cancellation that blocks out nearly 90 percent of external sounds, and that’s with half the mics of its over-ear counterpart. Bose even got experimental with its ANC technology, blending the feature with its Transparency mode to produce more accurate ambient listening. You can expect the same warm, rich sound as the 700 as well, and the addition of Bluetooth 5.1 increases wireless performance so you can enjoy stronger connectivity across all devices. Oh yes, these are also the best wireless earbuds for making phone calls.
Where the QC Earbuds are lacking is in both design (these are some bulky, heavy buds) and battery life; 6 hours with ANC on looks good on paper, but it’s really 30 to 45 minutes shorter than what the spec sheet reads.
Read our full Bose QuietComfort Earbuds review .
How to choose the best headphones for you
Many factors come into play when shopping for the best headphones, but your decision should always come down to intended use. That being said, you’ll want to take the following categories into account before settling on any pair.
Design
Design usually takes precedence over everything. Are you looking for in-ear, on-ear or over-ear headphones? Wired or wireless? Luxury or sporty? Since these are headphones that will be used for multiple occasions, you want something that suits your lifestyle. Whatever type you choose, make sure the headphones are well built, easy to carry, and comfy to wear for about 1 to 2 hours daily.
Audio quality
Sound is the second box to check off. Different models offer different sound, and since you’re buying a pair to enjoy music individually, it’s important to find headphones that match your sound preference, be it heavy bass or distinctively clear to where you can hear the littlest nuances in recordings. Some models offer personalized sound via companion app, which allows the user to create their own profiles and tweak EQ levels to their hearing.
Battery life
Most premium wireless headphones are rated at 15 hours and higher. Wireless earbuds can last about 5 to 10 hours and offer extended playtime with their bundled charging cases – always make sure one is included.
Accessories
Accessories are just as important, especially for wired models (the manufacturer must include the aux cable). Any headphones that come with a carrying case, charging cable, user guide, and extra ear cups or tips are solid purchases.
How we test the best headphones
THE BEST HEADPHONES AND EARBUDS
From the design and comfort to the sound quality and overall value, we evaluate several areas when picking the best headphones. In addition, Tom’s Guide employs a rigorous review process that compares products with similar fit, features, and pricing.
Each pair of headphones and earbuds is worn over the course of a week for 2 hours at a time. During this time, the staff evaluates comfort and fit, ease of use, and audio. We test sound by listening to predetermined sample tracks across different music genres, including hip-hop, rock, jazz, classical, and pop. Volume, clarity, and fullness is evaluated too. Movies, podcasts, and video games are considered, when necessary.
Regarding features, we test the effectiveness of active noise cancelling, Bluetooth range, and battery life for wireless and wired headphones. Additional features are also tested for app-enabled headphones, along with ease of setup. Build quality, controls, and fit are taken into serious consideration for wired headphones. Fitness-focused headphones go through vigorous workouts, as we analyze fit while exercising and how well they handle ambient sound in loud environments.
Once testing is complete, we rate headphones based on our five-point system (1=worst, 5=best). If a product is truly exemplary, it’s awarded an Editors’Choice.
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