The best headphones are comfortable, loaded with features and, of course, deliver outstanding audio. The worst are nothing but a huge disappointment.
We test headphones more thoroughly than anyone else, both in our in-depth labs tests and by subjecting them to our independent listening panel of audio experts.
Read on to find out more about the pros and cons of different types of headphones, along with some of our trusted Best Buy and Great Value recommendations.
Alternatively, head straight to our headphone review to see all models we've tested.
What headphone type is best for you?
Waterproof headphones
Many headphones now claim some water resistance. While in most cases this won’t mean they’re fully waterproof – you can’t wear them while swimming, for example – it’s nice to know that a pair won’t conk out if you drop the headphones in a puddle or go for a run in the rain.
Headphone microphones
Noise-cancelling headphones
- Active noise cancelling helps stop noisy surroundings disturbing your listening. While many pairs block out outside noise to a degree, active noise cancelling goes a step further. These headphones emit harmless signals that cancel out background noise.
Sports headphones
- If you need something simple and cheap for the gym, the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless are the best over-ear headphones for running and working out in the budget range. They'll stay in place during moderate movement like jogging or using a workout machine. Their bass-heavy sound profile also adds a lot of thump and rumble to your audio, which you might like to help keep you pumped up during workouts, but they don't have customization features for people who prefer a more balanced sound.
Wireless headphones
Headphones that have ditched the traditional tangle-prone wires are becoming increasingly popular. You can get wireless versions of all three types of headphones.
Wireless in-ear headphones, and in particular truly wireless earbuds such as the Apple AirPods, are the most popular style. While some ‘wireless’ in-ear headphones still have wires connecting the earpieces, truly wireless headphones have none. Their small batteries are recharged by popping the earbuds into a supplied compact charging case.
If you're looking for an Apple laptop to pair with your AirPods, consult our guide on the best mac books
Should I buy wired or wireless headphones?
Wireless headphones use a Bluetooth connection to wirelessly connect to your device. They’re now the most popular style and make up the majority of the models we test, but you do need to charge them regularly and their rechargeable batteries will lose their ability to charge completely over the course of time.
If you mostly use your headphones at home where the wires won’t get in the way so much, then a wired pair might be better.
Types of wireless in-ear headphones
In-ear wireless headphones come in two main designs:
- Truly wireless earbuds: These are the most popular type, with no wire between the earpieces.
- Other in-ear wireless headphones: Here the earpieces are physically linked together. This could be by various methods, such as a simple wire connecting the two, or the earpieces being connected to a flexible or rigid neckband.
How much should you spend on a new pair of headphones?
Generally, more expensive models are made from higher-quality materials, which have the potential to sound better and last longer.
However, expensive components don't protect you from poor design: we've uncovered Don't Buy models that cost more than £200. The good news, though, is we’ve found great headphones that cost less than £100, so whatever your budget there are some good options.
What headphone features should you look out for?
As well as making the key decisions around the type of headphones, and whether you want a wired or wireless pair, there are features to look out for that would suit different types of use.
headphone brands are most reliable?If you’ve found a pair of headphones you love, you certainly don’t want them to break after a couple of months. You won’t be surprised to hear that very cheap headphones often don’t last as long as more expensive models.
Wireless headphones avoid common issues with wear and tear over wired pairs. However, all headphones will degrade over time, even premium models.
If you’re hoping your headphones will last the best part of a decade, you’ll need to choose a wired pair. The batteries in wireless headphones are unlikely to keep going for that long.
It's rarely possible to replace headphone batteries yourself, and only a handful of manufacturers offer battery replacement schemes, which can be costly. So while it’s not as good for the environment, many will simply buy a new pair when battery life deteriorates too much.
if u iterested in modern travel tech then check my article