If you're in the market for a new pair of headphones, it can be hard to know where to start. Even if you've narrowed down your needs to something fairly specific, like earbuds for sports, how do you know what the best earbuds brand is? While the biggest brands tend to make something for everyone, some focus on specific groups, like athletes or professional musicians. While you can get a decent pair of headphones from most brands these days, there's no hard and fast answer as to what the best headphones brand for you is. Each company has its unique way of doing things, even when they cater to similar needs. That said, some brands stand out among the rest.
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The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Truly Wireless are the best Bose headphones we've tested. These earbuds are the next generation of the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless. They're more comfortable and their fit is more personalizable than their predecessor thanks to swappable ear tips and fins, but their ANC is even better than their larger over-ear siblings, like the Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless. Due to their in-ear fit, they can easily block out the low rumble of bus and plane engines as well as office chatter. They have a u-shaped default sound that compliments modern pop and rock, but you can customize using their companion app's graphic EQ if you want. They last over six hours continuously, which may not get you through the workday without needing to use one of the carrying case's three additional charges. Overall, these compact and comfy buds have the best ANC performance currently on the market and deliver a powerful sound as well.
Sony is one of the largest electronics manufacturers in the world and makes everything from cameras and TVs, to a broad line of headphones suited to diverse needs. Whether you're looking for noise cancelling over-ears to help cut down ambient sound during your commute or sports-oriented earbuds with great stability, there's a variety of products available to meet your needs. Many Sony headphones are also compatible with the Sony Headphones Connect app, which offers customization features like an EQ or button mapping. However, their large selection can be overwhelming, especially as there's a lot of overlap between models. Still, their high-end Bluetooth models are among the best we've tested, and they offer versatile performance for most users.
The Sony LinkBuds S Truly Wireless are the best Sony earbuds that we've tested. Their ANC feature can block out a wider range of noise than their over-ear counterpart, The Sony WH-1000XM4, like from the low rumble of passing traffic during a commute to office chit-chat and the hum of an A/C unit. This also helps boost their already bass-rich sound profile, meaning that genres like EDM and hip-hop have extra thump and rumble. The mix can also be customized with the EQ and presets in their companion app. They support multi-device pairing, so you can easily switch between using your laptop and phone, and they last just over seven hours continuously. They're also very comfortable and are made from recycled plastic, which makes them lighter overall.
Apple is an iconic American company that produces consumer electronics like speakers, smartphones, and computers. Although their headphones lineup is a lot smaller than their competitors, their easily recognizable products have made an impact on the retail landscape. Their in-ears have a distinct, glossy white look that's been imitated by other manufacturers. Apple is also the best earbuds brand if you're already integrated into the Apple ecosystem, as their products also boast a couple of extra features unique to iOS. Their wireless headphones have H1 chips so that you can seamlessly pair them with iOS devices and newer products support Spatial Audio on iOS/iPadOS 14 or later, which reorients sound as you move your head. Unfortunately, their products lack sound customization features to adjust the mix to your liking.
Sennheiser is a reputed brand among audiophiles for their wide range of open-back headphones at various price points. They also make Bluetooth models for more casual listening and dedicated TV headphones so you can enjoy your favorite shows wirelessly without sync issues. They make both over-ears and in-ears but don't have many truly wireless models. Also, like Sony, it can be hard to know which of their headphones provide the best value since they have so many overlapping models with only minor differences. That said, they're still a reliable brand with a good reputation that makes many different products worth recommending.
Audio-Technica is a Japanese brand that makes a range of different headphones. They may be best known for their M-Series headphones, a lineup of closed-back studio headphones for professional use. This lineup includes many options, and it's not always obvious which model provides the best value for the price. However, their best products are go-tos for audiophiles and audio professionals, who laud them for their build and sound quality. They also make headphones with active noise cancelling and Bluetooth models for when you're out and about, but we haven't tested as many of them.
The best Audio-Technica headphones we've tested are the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. These closed-back headphones have a wired design and a very well-balanced sound profile. There's a bit of overemphasis in the bass range that adds extra punch and warmth to the audio, but they're still suitable for a variety of genres. If you're an audiophile or just looking for studio headphones, these will be sure to please. They're impressively well-built and have a comfortable fit, although their big ear cups and wide headband make them a bit bulkier than other models from this manufacturer. If you're looking for a cheaper option, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x are worth considering in the budget range, although they aren't as well-built, and their sound isn't as well-balanced as the M50x. For an open-back option, consider the Audio-Technica ATH-R70x. While they lack a lot of low-bass, they make up for it with a lightweight build and a wide passive soundstage.
Beyerdynamic is one of the oldest headphone manufacturers and invented the first dynamic transducer headphones. They mainly focus on hi-fi headphones with a neutral sound profile and a high build quality. Their open-back over-ear headphones also tend to have a more extended bass response than many other open-backs we've tested. However, some users may find their sound quite bright and that sibilants like cymbals can sound piercing. It can vary from person to person, though. Still, you may want to check this brand out if you're looking for critical listening or studio headphones.
The Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO are the best Beyerdynamic headphones we've tested. These wired over-ear headphones have an open-back design that helps them create a reasonably immersive and open passive soundstage. They also have a neutral sound profile that ensures vocals and instruments reproduce clearly and accurately. They're impressively well-built, with a sturdy metal headband and comfortable, well-padded ear cups. If you're looking for headphones for purposes like recording and want a closed-back design, you may prefer the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO, which leak less audio and block out more ambient sound. The Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless are also a decent option if you want Βluetooth headphones. However, their sound profile is much more dependent on their fit, seal, and positioning on your head.
JBL is an American manufacturer that offers a wide variety of audio equipment like speakers and headphones. A subsidiary of Harman, most of their extensive lineup of headphones feature a very neutral and accurate default sound profile, which will please most listeners. Some of these headphones are compatible with the JBL Headphones app, offering a parametric EQ and presets so that you can customize them to your liking.
The JBL CLUB PRO+ TWS True Wireless are the best JBL headphones we've tested. These truly wireless headphones have an ANC feature that does a decent job of isolating you from ambient noise like rumbling engines and ambient chatter. Like most JΒL headphones we've tested, they have a very neutral, versatile default sound profile that can be customized with a parametric EQ and presets in their companion app. They're comfortable, very well-built, and will be stable enough to stay in place during workouts. They offer a 'Video Mode' that provides a low latency connection with PCs and iOS and Android devices, so you can use them to watch videos without audio syncing issues. If you don't like in-ear headphones, the JBL CLUB 950NC Wireless are over-ears with a well-balanced default sound profile and an app with customization features. However, their ANC struggles to block out bass-range ambient noise.
The Jabra Elite 7 Pro True Wireless are the best Jabra headphones we've tested. These in-ear headphones have a well-balanced default sound profile that's versatile enough for different types of content. Their companion app includes a graphic EQ and presets to fine-tune your mix. The app lets you remap most onboard controls, perform a fit test, and adjust the mic's sidetone during calls. They're comfortable, stable enough to stay in place during workouts, and rated IP57 for resistance against dust and brief immersion in water. Their battery provides more than eight hours of continuous use, and they come with a case that holds about three extra charges. However, like many other Jabra earbuds, their ANC doesn't improve much on their passive noise isolation capabilities. They still do a good job isolating you from mid-range noise, like conversations.
Anker is a Chinese company known for their affordable electronic accessories like power banks and charging cables. This brand also makes audio products like speakers and headphones under the 'Soundcore' label. Overall, their headphones offer a good price-to-performance ratio and come in many different styles. Some headphones are also compatible with the Soundcore app, which has a graphic EQ and presets to help you customize their sound. Others have an active noise cancelling system that, at times, can nearly rival that of other big brands like Bose and Sony. 2ff7e9595c
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