Overview
Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones (2nd gen)
Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (2nd Gen)
Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones (2nd gen)
MOST COMFORTABLE HEADPHONES
The Good & The Bad
- Extremely comfortable
- Audio settings include Quiet, Immersive, and Aware
- Easy to connect with Bluetooth
- All-day battery life even with ANC engaged
- Great adjustable ANC
- Wired playback with USB-C cable and auxiliary cables
- Sound quality isn’t quite as dynamic as competition
- Spatial audio isn’t the most impressive
- Not too different from previous generation
For anyone who’s yet to buy into the Bose QuietComfort Ultra line, but wants noise-cancelling headphones that can easily handle long hours of wear, there’s no better choice than the second generation Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones.
Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones
BEST SOUND-FIRST HEADPHONES
The Good & The Bad
- Improved audio quality, particularly with vocals
- Phenomenal active noise cancellation
- Comfortable headband and earcups for long-term wear
- Headphones fold and come with travel-friendly storage case
- Support for LDAC high-resolution audio
- More microphones for improved ANC and call quality
- More expensive than previous model
- Improvements are more iterative than innovative
- No improvements to battery life
Our review
Who it’s for
After three years, Sony’s flagship wireless headphones finally got an update. If you love Sony headphones and have an old pair of XM4s, then we can definitely recommend an upgrade. However, if you just purchased a pair of XM5s, then it might be harder to justify an instant upgrade. That said, the active noise cancellation is better than ever, and there are noticeable improvements to audio quality (even if they lose out by a smidge to the latest Technics AZ100 earbuds). Besides music lovers, travelers will also appreciate the new Sony cans, as they fold up and come with an improved travel case.
Why we picked this
JLab JBuds Lux ANC
BEST BUDGET HEADPHONES
The Good & The Bad
- Great value and frequently on sale around $50
- Decent ANC that’s adjustable with the app
- Excellent battery life
- Button controls are customizable via the app
- Well-balanced sound, especially for the price point
- Might be uncomfortable with long wear time for some users
- Some creaking with head movement (though less noticeable with music playing)
- The app can be incredibly laggy
- Might have to play with the equalizer to get the best sound possible
Who it’s for
If you don’t particularly care to have the most premium pair of headphones on the market (or care to spend several hundred dollars on them), the JLab JBuds Lux ANC headphones more than get the job done. They have functional ANC, decent comfort, great sound balance, and a killer battery life, all with a design that doesn’t feel overtly budget-friendly.
At their regular sale price of around $50, these are about a ninth the price of the latest Sony headphones, and a seventh of the price of the Bose QuietComfort headphones, which feel like these headphones’ premium analogue.
Why we picked this
Details
Sony WH-CH720N Wireless Headphones
BEST HEADPHONES UNDER $100
The Good & The Bad
- Almost always on sale for under $100
- Surprisingly good ANC and sound for the money
- Sony app makes it easy to adjust EQ settings
- 50+ hours of battery life
- Easy and reliable connectivity
- Multiple colorways available
- Some signature Sony audio technologies are missing
- Mediocre build quality
- Microphones could be better
Who it’s for
The new price of entry for flagship noise-cancelling headphones? A cool $450, at least. So, if you’re looking for wireless headphones with true active noise cancellation but don’t want to spend more than $100, then go with Sony’s mid-range noise-cancellers. They have Sony’s signature sound (and signature all-plastic design, sadly), and you can almost always find them on sale for under $100 at Amazon and other retailers.
Why we picked this
Details
Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (2nd Gen)
MOST COMFORTABLE ANC EARBUDS
The Good & The Bad
- Class-leading noise cancellation
- All-day wear with great adjustability for different ear shapes
- Wireless charging
- Well-rounded sound profile with option for spatial audio
- Battery life is just OK
- Multipoint connection can be lacking
- Equalizer is very minimal compared to competitors
Who it’s for
While they’re not the perfect all-around earbuds, the high price of entry for the second-generation Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds is worth it for getting the absolute best combination of comfort and noise cancellation on the market.
They’re also an excellent option for anyone who has difficulty finding earbuds that are both comfortable and secure.
Why we picked this
Apple AirPods Pro 3
BEST AIRPODS
The Good & The Bad
- Excellent active noise cancellation
- Easy connectivity on iOS
- Wireless charging
- Built-in heart rate monitor
- Five sizes of ear tips
- Not as convenient for Android users
- No custom equalizer
Who it’s for
Whether you’re an Apple user looking for earbuds that’ll connect easily to your devices and have excellent ANC or you’re simply someone who appreciates a pair of well-rounded earbuds, the AirPods Pro 3 have got you covered.
Details
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2
BEST FOR WORKING OUT
The Good & The Bad
- A refined soundstage suitable for casual listening and exercising
- Signature earhook design provides reliable comfort and fit
- Some of the longest playtime (per charge)
- Excellent multiplatform compatibility
- Serviceable fitness features
- Noise cancellation is disappointing
- Less attractive than previous Beats releases
- Apple’s newest listening modes are MIA
- Pricey
Who it’s for
Do you have a dedicated pump-up playlist for the gym? Then you’ll appreciate the rich sound and strong ANC of these colorful Beats wireless earbuds, a Mashable Choice product.
So, if you’re looking for the best earbuds for working out, this is our top pick by far. While some people may prefer open earbuds or bone conduction headphones, we think the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 offer the best balance of features for athletes. With strong ANC, an extra-secure fit, heart-rate monitoring, and a long battery life, they’re a reliable workout companion.
Details
Panasonic Technics EAH-AZ100 wireless earbuds
BEST SOUND-FIRST EARBUDS
The Good & The Bad
- Creates rich, textured sound
- Well-balanced audio
- Offers up to three devices connected at once
- Exceptional active noise cancellation
- Good for small ears
- Uncomfortable for all day wear
- Expensive price point
Who it’s for
If you want to hear every note in your music, from brash melodies to the subtle details in production, Panasonic’s Technics EAH-AZ100 wireless earbuds get you there. Audiophiles will love these headphones that combine exceptional active noise cancellation with the brand’s new magnetic fluid drivers that deliver music with high resolution clarity and less distortion.
Why we like it
Details
EarFun Air Pro 4
BEST BUDGET EARBUDS
The Good & The Bad
- Incredible noise cancelling, especially for the price point
- Offers multiple levels of noise cancelling that are noticeably different
- App allows for same level of customization as more expensive earbuds
- Better battery life than the AirPods Pro
- Easy to see how much battery life is left from lights on charging case
- Excellent value at full price but frequently on sale
- Touch controls can be hit or miss
- Case is large
- ANC can’t keep up with premium options
Who it’s for
If you don’t want to pay over $100 for headphones, but still want good ANC and sound quality, the EarFun Air Pro 4 are one of the best value earbuds we’ve ever tried.
Why we picked this
Details
Sennheiser Momentum 4
BEST FOR LONG BATTERY LIFE
The Good & The Bad
- Some of the best battery life you can find on noise-cancelling headphones
- Top of the line sound quality, with equalizer options on the app
- Are a good value at full price, but go on sale often
- Noise cancellation is decent, but not as good as other options on this list
- Heavier than other pairs of over-ear headphones we’ve tested
- Select colors cost more
- Touch controls overly sensitive
Who it’s for
For anyone who’s become a little too familiar with their headphone’s low battery sound, the Sennheiser Momentum 4s offer more insurance with 60 hours of battery life on a full charge.
Why we picked this
Details
Sony WH-1000XM5
HONORABLE MENTION
The Good & The Bad
- Mashable Choice product with stellar reputation
- Frequently on sale for under $300
- Legendary ANC and sound that still holds up
- Attractive design
- Customizable sound
- Good call quality
- All-plastic construction
- Have since been replaced by XM6 model
- Don’t fold, which is tricky for travel
Our reviewe
Who it’s for
If you want a premium pair of Sony noise-cancelling headphones but refuse to pay more than $400 for a pair of headphones, we feel you. We also have good news: The XM5 headphones hold up well in 2026, and they’re still worth the investment, especially when they’re on sale.
Why we picked this
Details
Sony WF-1000XM6
BEST NOISE-CANCELLING EARBUDS
The Good & The Bad
- Incredibly well-rounded sound profile with plenty of options for customization
- Excellent (and nearly undetectable) ANC
- Earbud shape more comfortable and conducive to longer wear than previous generation
- Solid battery life
- On the expensive side, even for premium earbuds
- Touch controls don’t work as seamlessly as expected for $330 earbuds
Our review
Who it’s for
While there are plenty of options for great ANC earbuds that don’t cost several hundred dollars, if you’re committed to getting the best all-around pair of earbuds currently available, there’s no need to look any further than the Sony WF-1000XM6.
Excellent sound quality meets customizability, some of the best ANC in the market, and battery life that can take you through a work day of wear without a hitch.
Why we picked this
Details
How to choose the best headphones
To help you pick your pair, we tested all of the headphones in this guide (and a lot that didn’t make the cut). Here, you’ll find the top headphones of 2026 for noise cancellation, music, price, and wired connections.
What about wired headphones?
We focused primarily on the best wireless headphones for this guide. While wired headphones have their fans, wireless headphones are just more convenient for most of us. If we had to pick, we’d recommend the Marshall Mode earbuds as our top wired pick. Some of us are also fans of Apple’s EarPods.
Other headphones we’ve tested
Most recently, we tested the JBL Tour One M3 headphones and the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC, and though they had their benefits, both fell short of winning the best of the best spot on this guide.
We’ve also tested the Sonos Ace headphones-and Dyson OnTrac headphones. And while we loved them both for sound quality and noise cancellation, they fare in the way of AirPods Max — left out of our recommendations for their high price points.
In the testing pipeline
For our future updates, we’re testing out more budget noise-cancelling earbuds and headphones.
Recent updates to this guide
- March 2025: We’ve designated the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 earbuds as the most comfortable ANC earbuds and crowned the Sony XM6 earbuds as the new best noise cancelling earbuds.
- December 2025: We replaced the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 earbuds, which are no longer available, with the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 sports earbuds.
- December 2025: We removed the Marshall Mode wired earbuds, as they’re frequently out of stock.
- December 2025: We added the Sony WH-CH720N Noise-Canceling Headphones as the best headphones under $100.
- December 2025: We added the Sony XM5 headphones, originally released in 2022, as our new honorable mention pick.
No, we didn’t forget to include the iconic Apple AirPods Max in our guide to the best headphones. It’s not that we don’t like them — in fact, we think they sound and look great (emphasis on look). However, after testing and re-testing them, we think they’re just too expensive to justify a wholehearted recommendation. While we appreciate that they now (finally) come with lossless audio, they’re still behind on features like battery life.
While they’re still a smart choice for style-conscious Apple fans, we can no longer include them among the elite. We thought they were way too expensive upon their initial release, and we only feel more firm in this position six years later.
That said, we’re very eager to test the brand-new AirPods Max 2, and will update this guide
Every single pair of headphones we included in this guide was hands-on tested by a Mashable reporter, editor, or contributor. You can learn about our in-depth process by taking a look at the standardized testing guide we developed for this category.
Below, you’ll find our condensed testing criteria for headphones and earbuds:
We listened to a wide variety of genres of music, podcasts, and other forms of media. If a pair didn’t at least sound solid across the board, they didn’t make our list. In this category, we also considered the quality (and existence) of any equalizers.
We’ll test ANC power around our homes as we work, with and without an audio assist, and outdoors. If headphones have customizable ANC levels, or automatic switching between noise-cancelling modes, we make sure that they actually provide noticeable differences in performance.
Everything from comfort to touch controls fall under this category. We look at what headphones or earbuds offer to provide the best wear for the greatest amount of people, whether that be a strong selection of earbud tip sizes or particularly soft padding. Whenever possible, we test and re-test headphones over longer periods of time to see how they hold up.
We evaluate how headphones perform in all of the above categories, and if that performance matches their performance
