Best Headphones of 2025: Expert Reviews & Top Picks for Every Budget
2025’s Top Headphones: Find Your Perfect Fit
It’s been a massive year for headphones! We’ve rigorously tested and ranked 26 different models across six key categories to bring you the definitive guide to the best headphones of 2025. Whether you prioritize noise cancellation, transparency, fit, call quality, or pure sound fidelity, we’ve got you covered. Plus, we’ve included budget-friendly options that punch above their weight.
Headphone Comparison Table
| Product Name | Best Feature | Rating out of 10 |
|---|---|---|
| Bose QC Ultra Gen 2 | Noise Cancellation | 10 |
| Sony WH-1000XM6 | Overall Performance | 9.5 |
| Sennheiser Momentum 4 | Mid-Range Sound Quality | 9 |
| EarFun Tune Pro | Budget Noise Cancellation | 7.5 |
| Apple AirPods Max | Transparency Mode | 9 |
Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones
For ultimate silence, these headphones reign supreme.
Bose QC Ultra Gen 2
The Bose QC Ultra Gen 2 offers unmatched noise cancellation, particularly excelling at blocking out crowd noise, making it the best for busy environments.
Key Features:
- Superior noise cancellation, especially for crowd noise
- Comfortable fit
Sony WH-1000XM6
While slightly behind the Bose in overall noise cancellation after a firmware update, the Sony XM6 remains a top contender, offering excellent performance across a range of frequencies and a comfortable, secure fit.
Key Features:
- Excellent noise cancellation
- Secure fit for workouts
Sony ULT WEAR
Stepping down in price but not significantly in performance, the Sony ULT WEAR offers impressive mid-range noise cancellation, blocking out a good amount of ambient sound for a focused listening experience.
Key Features:
- Good mid-range noise cancellation
- Comfortable fit
Soundcore Space 1 Pro
The Soundcore Space 1 Pro provides excellent noise cancellation at a budget-friendly price, scoring just behind the Altware, but excelling in features for the cost.
Key Features:
- Affordable noise cancellation
Best Transparency Mode (Ambient Mode)
Stay aware of your surroundings with these top picks for transparency mode.
Sony WH-1000XM6 & Apple AirPods Max (Tie)
Both the Sony XM6 and AirPods Max offer exceptional transparency modes, allowing you to hear your environment with clarity, though the XM6 provides a slightly more natural sound.
Nothing Headphone One & Sony ULT WEAR (Tie)
These mid-range options offer excellent transparency, although not quite as clear as the premium models.
Edifier W820NB
The Edifier W820NB provides a surprisingly decent transparency mode for a budget headphone, making it a great value choice.
Best Fit and Comfort
Comfort is key for extended listening sessions, and these headphones deliver.
Bose QC Ultra Gen 2
The Bose QC Ultra Gen 2 strikes the perfect balance of weight, clamping force, and ear pad space, making them exceptionally comfortable, even for users with larger heads and ears.
Sony WH-1000XM6
The Sony XM6 is lighter than the Bose, but a tighter clamping force provides a more secure fit.
Sony ULT WEAR
The Sony Altrware offers a similar feel to the XM6, but with deeper ear pads and slightly less clamping force.
One More Sonoflow
For budget-conscious buyers, the One More Sonoflow provides a comparable level of comfort to the Bose QC Ultra 2, with high-quality ear pads and solid build quality.
Best Call Quality
Clear communication is crucial. These headphones excel in call quality, even in noisy environments.
Sony WH-1000XM6
The Sony XM6 takes the crown for premium call quality, providing clear audio even in challenging conditions.
Bose QC Ultra Gen 2
Close behind the XM6, the Bose QC Ultra Gen 2 offers excellent call quality, ensuring clear communication in most environments.
Nothing Headphone One
The Nothing Headphone One stands out as a mid-range option with excellent call quality, providing clear communication without breaking the bank.
Best Sound Quality
For the audiophiles out there, these headphones deliver the most immersive and accurate sound experiences.
Sennheiser HD 630
The Sennheiser HD 630 boasts a natural sound signature and extensive customization via parametric EQ, making it a top choice for audiophiles.
Bowes & Wilkins PX8 S2
The PX8 S2 offers a dynamic and direct sound, with some of the widest sound stage available in closed-back headphones.
Apple AirPods Max
The AirPods Max are a detail-rich and brighter set of headphones with crisp treble.
Sennheiser Momentum 4
The Momentum 4 offers an immersive and relaxed listening experience with a well-rounded, slightly V-shaped sound signature.
CMF Headphones Pro
The CMF Headphones Pro provides a rich, open sound with full vocals and detailed treble at a budget price, making it a great value choice.
EarFun Wave Pro
With a balanced stock tuning and detailed sound after EQing, the EarFun Wave Pro delivers impressive audio quality for an incredibly low price.
Best Overall Headphones
These headphones offer the best combination of features, performance, and value.
Sony WH-1000XM6
The Sony WH-1000XM6 strikes the best balance of noise cancellation, comfort, call quality, and sound customization, making them our top pick for overall performance.
EarFun Tune Pro
For a budget-conscious buyer, the EarFun Tune Pro is the best overall performer, combining solid sound, effective noise cancellation, and impressive battery life at an unbeatable price.
Sennheiser Momentum 4
Offering great sound quality for a mid-range price, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 comes out on top.
Editor’s Verdict: Choosing the right headphones depends on your individual needs and priorities. Consider what features matter most to you, and use our comparison table and detailed reviews to make an informed decision. Happy listening!