Sound Quality Over Everything
When it comes to buying headphones, there are a lot of things to consider. Do you need one for work, with a built-in mic, with wireless Bluetooth, among other things? Well, there are lots of options to choose from in today’s market, but they’re not all built equally. With that in mind, here are 10 of the best and worst headphones available. If you already have one of these, chime in with your opinion!
1. Sony WH-1000XM6
Sony's WH-1000XM6 over-ear headphones are high-end headphones featuring strong active noise cancelling and passive isolation, which together effectively reduce most outside noise. With over 31 hours of battery life with ANC active and support for LDAC and LC3 codecs, they're a great option for high-quality Bluetooth audio. They also have features like multi-device pairing and customizable touch controls.
2. Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless
The Anker Q lineup can be difficult to overlook as they offer feature-packed headphones at mid-range and budget prices. The high-end Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless offers adjustable ANC, multi-device pairing, and app support for a fraction of the Sony WH-1000XM4 price. They don’t quite match the premium build quality, comfort, or battery life of their higher-end counterparts, but their ANC does a good job of muting environmental noise.
3. JBL Tour One M2
The JBL Tour One M2 is an earbud with a comfortable, intuitive design and great battery life that's perfect for effortless wireless listening. It has excellent out-of-the-box sound quality with additional EQ customization options using JBL's app. With its dual-device connection, good noise-reducing microphones, and voice assistant integration, it’s great for all your daily needs.
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4. Bose QC45
The Bose QC45 headphones are the best travel or noise-canceling headphones for people who need the quietest environment possible. With industry-leading active noise cancelling, they are comfortable and lightweight for long-term wear, with excellent battery life for hours of active noise cancelling. The QC45 also provides clear, balanced sound and simple connectivity, making them a dependable option for listening to music or taking calls.
5. Sony WH-1000XM4
Sony's WH-1000XM4 Wireless offers a high-end over-ear experience at a lower cost than the latest WH-1000XM6. It's missing some features of the newer model, like LC3 codec support, enhanced ANC, and head-tracking for surround sound. But it still has a strong core performance and remains a great option if you don't want to pay for a newer generation.
6. Sennheiser HD 800 S
The Sennheiser HD 800 S are a set of audiophile headphones. They have a reputation for excellent sound quality and spacious, "out-of-head" soundstage. They are best suited for stationary, focused listening in a closed environment.
7. Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless
The Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless is an inexpensive pair of over-ear headphones that support active noise cancelling and provide a comfortable fit for all-day use. Although they don't have as many features and aren't quite as durable as the more expensive Q45, they're still a capable pair of headphones. Not to mention, the battery life is great with over 44 hours.
8. Insignia NS-HAWHP2
The Insignia NS-HAWHP2 features a comfortable fit and ease of use, as well as a very balanced sound signature. They have a wireless RF transmitter with a dock and charger that gives over 11 hours of battery. The RF transmission is a great feature in that it avoids the inevitable lag you get with Bluetooth when watching shows or movies.
9. Monolith by Monoprice M565C
The Monolith by Monoprice M565C headphones produce detailed, high-performance sound that's on par with models that cost hundreds of dollars more. These planar-magnetic drivers are housed in closed-back earcups that offer great isolation. With a durable, comfortable design, replaceable cables, and a five-year warranty, these can handle daily use at work or school.
10. Soundcore Space One
The Soundcore Space One has EQ controls in the Soundcore app for a customized sound experience. The headphones are lightweight, and the earcups are made with soft memory foam for comfortable use. The active noise cancelling is impressive and on par with more expensive headphones.
Now that we talked about some of the best headphones around, here are 10 of the worst.
1. Beats Solo 3 Wireless
The Beats Solo 3 Wireless is a dud because it brings almost zero worthwhile upgrades from the Solo 2. The battery and Bluetooth range have marginal improvements, but the comfort and sound stay the same, which are both sore points. There's no active noise cancelling or any major new features that justify this headphone as more than a lazy re-release.
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2. Blue Lola
The Blue Lola and Mo-Fi both suffer from a very annoyingly complex and clumsy headband design, which doesn't adjust well. On the Lola, the self-adjusting clamp tends to sit at an angle and has to be manually pushed in to fit. It still feels very iffy with the adjustable tension on the Mo-Fi as well; this mechanism just feels lackluster.
3. Sony Extra Bass XB950BT
Sony's Extra Bass XB950BT has bass that is simply too heavy and slow to decay, drowning everything else out. The XB950BT is comfortable and stylish, and available in many colors, but the sound quality is muddy, lacks detail, and the bass goes over the top. You’d expect a lot more polish from Sony.
4. Razer Kraken USB
The Razer Kraken USB is a budget cut-down version of the Kraken Pro. It feels cheap and flimsy. The thin, shallow ear pads and smaller drivers make for tinny and unsatisfying sound. The included mic is poorly designed and uncomfortable too.
5. 2024 Apple AirPods Max
The 2024 Apple AirPods Max get another wireless refresh, but their issues remain the same, including heft, inflexible EQ, and clunky design. It's a product that doesn't move the needle at all. Not to mention, they’re overpriced for what they are.
6. Beats Studio Wireless
The Beats Studio Wireless are an uncomfortable set of cans. The clamping force is too high, and over a long period of time it just becomes plain painful. Audio quality is not as good as the wired Beats Studio, and the noise cancelling emits an audible hiss.
7. Sennheiser Urbanite XL
The Sennheiser Urbanite XL does not produce the right sound because its ear pads are too big to create a seal on the head. The result is zero bass response, no matter the size of your head. The XL version of the Urbanite is a good idea, but in practice, it underdelivers.
8. JBL Everest Elite 300
The JBL Everest Elite 300 attempts to wow you with a number of gimmicky features, such as auto-EQ and ear-mapping, but these features are soon found to be unneeded. The sound quality is not bad, but not exactly stellar either. They also don't do great with noise cancelling in comparison to other brands, such as Bose.
9. Sonos Ace
Sonos Ace wanted to bring Sonos’ signature sound to a headphone, but the execution isn’t there. Active noise cancellation is poor, sound quality is murky and lacks detail, and its busy signature is unbalanced and fatiguing. Even with basic EQ tuning, the drivers underneath just can’t make up for it all.
10. Dyson OnTrac
Designing is a paradox of sci-fi looks, and wearing is an irritating experience. The OnTrac headphones are a big, chunky set of cans that weigh a hefty 451g. The small, shallow ear pads rest on-ear rather than over-ear, meaning they cause discomfort even for smaller ears.
