The 8 Best Headphones - Fall 2023 Reviews

The Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless are the best headphones we've tested. These versatile premium over-ears have an ANC system that does an outstanding job of blocking ambient sound, including rumbling engines and background conversations, so they're a great choice for commuting or traveling. Their battery lasts for roughly 37 hours with the ANC on, so you don't need to worry about running out of power during long days on the go. While Sony recently released a newer edition of these headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless, they're less comfortable for most people, and their ANC has a harder time blocking out noise in the bass range.

These comfortable headphones have a bass-heavy default sound profile emphasizing the thump and rumble in genres like EDM and hip-hop. If you prefer a different sound, it can also be customized with a graphic EQ and presets in their companion app. Unfortunately, even with the EQ, you may find their sound somewhat muddy and cluttered.

For more wireless headphones, check out our picks for the best wireless Bluetooth headphones.

The Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless are often named alongside the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless as the best noise cancelling wireless headphones on the market. While their ANC doesn't block out as much noise and their default sound profile delivers less bass, they're still one of the best pairs of headphones on the market and our pick for the best upper mid-range headphones we've tested. They're well built and very comfortable, with a nearly 22-hour continuous battery life that, while not as long as the Sony headphones' roughly 37-hour battery, will still get you through a few long workdays without recharging. Out of the box, they have a neutral sound that's well-suited for most kinds of audio content. There's a touch of extra thumpy bass to compliment genres like hip-hop and EDM, but it doesn't overpower the rest of the mix. Voices and lead instruments sound clear and bright but a little harsh.

While they don't feature support any codecs for higher-res audio streaming, their companion app has a graphic EQ and presets to help you fine-tune the mix to your liking. Their ANC also does a fantastic job of blocking background noise, from the rumble of a plane or bus engine to chatty coworkers and whiny PC fans. However, some users have noticed high pressure inside the ear cups with the ANC on, which can lead to discomfort after wearing them for a long time.

Check out our article on the best noise cancelling headphones for more picks.

From this price point onwards, Anker dominates the market. Their Q lineup covers a range of prices, and most options are pretty hard to ignore since they come well-equipped with features like ANC, multi-device pairing, and companion app support. Their top-of-the-line model is the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless, which are significantly cheaper than the Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless. However, they do come with a step down in build quality, comfort, and shorter continuous battery life. Still, the Anker offer a few of the same features and have a comparable noise cancelling performance. Their adjustable ANC does a fantastic job of blocking out a wide range of sound and even blocks out more noise than the Bose. Their V-shaped sound is well-suited for genres like pop and rock, but you can also tweak it using the app's EQ and presets.

They last for around 27 hours continuously and support multi-device pairing, too. If you're looking for a similar pair of over-ears with a lower price tag, the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless are just as comfortable and have sound customizability via the companion app. However, they aren't as well built and don't have the Q45's adaptive ANC system.

Looking for more mid-range headphones? Our article on the best headphones under $200 has more picks!

If you're looking for a cheaper pair of headphones, look at another offering from Anker, the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless. While they aren't as sturdy or well-built as the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless, they still have ANC and are just as comfortable for long listening sessions. These budget over-ears last longer than their more expensive counterpart, over 44 hours on a single charge. As such, you can use them during long trips or repeat days at the office without needing a recharge.

They have an excited sound profile out of the box that compliments genres like rock and pop. However, the extra bass muddies mixes, and the added treble makes content sound harsh and piercing. You can fine-tune their sound using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets. While they don't have adaptive noise cancelling like the Q45, so they can't automatically adjust to your environment, their ANC has three modes to best suit your needs. They support multi-device pairing, too, so you can stay connected to up to two devices at a time.

If you aren't looking to spend much, our best budget and cheap headphones article will give you more recommendations for low-priced options.

If you want the best sound experience over a Bluetooth connection, check out the Focal Bathys Wireless. They're much more pricy than the previous wireless picks, but these over-ears are equipped with handy features to improve your audio experience. They support aptX Adaptive codec, which allows you to stream high-quality over Bluetooth. They also last over 29 hours continuously and have a comfortable, plush fit, which is great for long listening sessions. Using them wired lets you take advantage of their USB-DAC mode, converting digital signals to analog in high resolution.

Their sound is quite bass-rich out of the box, delivering extra thump, rumble, and boom to mixes. Their companion app offers a graphic EQ and presets to help you adjust their sound to suit your tastes. While they're closed-back headphones, and their passive soundstage doesn't feel the most spacious or natural, they're equipped with an ANC system to help cut down ambient sound around you. They also support multi-device pairing, so you can stay connected to your PC and smartphone simultaneously, making them versatile without sacrificing sound quality.

Want more sound-oriented headphones? Try our picks for the best headphones for music.

The Sennheiser HD 800 S are audiophile headphones that blow their competitors out of the water. Compared to the Focal Bathys Wireless, which are closed-back Bluetooth headphones, these wired cans have an open-back design, allowing audio to escape the ear cups and bounce off the walls around you, creating a spacious, open, passive soundstage. On the flip side, they're designed for use in an enclosed room as they won't block out any background noise. You'll need to purchase a high-grade amp if you want to properly drive them, which can be an additional investment if you don't already have one. If that's an issue, it's worth trying out entry-level headphones like the Philips SHP9500, which are much cheaper but have a less immersive soundstage.

The Sennheiser headphones have a well-balanced, neutral sound suitable for most audio content. Although they have trouble reproducing a thumpy low-bass, they have a touch of extra high-bass to add warmth to the audio. Their mid-range is flat, so vocals and lead instruments are clearly and accurately reproduced. They also have excellent build quality, and their fit is comfortable enough for long listening sessions.

If you're looking for more options for hi-fi sound, check out our article on the best audiophile headphones.

If you're looking for lightweight, more portable headphones than our previous over-ear picks, try the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless. Thanks to their small design, it's easy to stash them in your pockets when you're on the go. They're also noise cancelling and have a fantastic noise isolation performance. However, their memory foam ear tips largely do the heavy lifting, passively blocking out a wide range of sounds from engine rumbles to passenger chit-chat. As a result, some people may not find a significant difference between ANC on and off. With their ANC on, they last nearly nine hours, but there are a couple of extra charges in the case if you need it.

Out of the box, they have a warm sound profile that you can fine-tune to your liking using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets. That said, not everyone will enjoy the memory foam ear tips, which can put pressure on your ear canal. If you're looking for more comfortable noise cancelling buds, consider the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Truly Wireless instead. Their ear tips have a shallower fit and put less pressure on the ear. However, unlike the Sony headphones, they don't support multi-device pairing, so you can't stay connected with multiple devices simultaneously.

Searching for more earbuds? Check out our best earbuds and in-ear headphones article!

Looking for something that rivals the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless but offers extra features for iOS users? Then the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are a solid choice. While they don't block out as much background noise as the Sony, these popular buds have an H2 chip to pair them to your MacBook or iPhone seamlessly. They also support Spatial Audio, which creates an immersive audio experience with supported content.

They have a comfortable fit, are well-built, and are certified IPX4 for resistance against water splashes. Their warm sound adds a touch of extra bass, while vocals and instruments are cozy within the tracks. Unfortunately, they don't have any sound customization features to help you adjust their sound to your liking. Some people find that the buds wiggle out of their ears over time, which can be annoying. Still, they last under six hours continuously, and their carrying case holds an extra four charges if needed.

For more iOS-friendly options, check out our picks for the best wireless earbuds for iPhone.