The best headphones 2024: The audio equipment your music deserves

For overall excellence across the board, you can't go wrong with the Anker Soundcore Space One Pro. It sounds incredible, and coupled with the active noise cancellation, you can easily be immersed in what you're listening to. Depending on whether the notice cancellation is nelabed or not, the playtime can last between 40 to 60 hours, which is fantastic and sure to last most of a week.

One of our tech writers, Kyle Purves, reviewed the Space One Pro and had this to say – "Anker and its Soundcore range tend to sport excellent, well-balanced drivers, and I'm happy to say that the Space One Pro continues this trend. The 40mm drivers are superb and produce rich and clear audio. There's minimal distortion, so whether you're listening to movie dialogue or your preferred music genre, you get an enhanced hi-fi experience.

"When testing audio products, I always like to experiment with bassy music, and the Pro is equipped to handle it. It was very easy to listen out for and pick up distinct bass lines. In fact, from jazz to metal and beyond, the Space One Pro excelled at every genre I threw at it. Going forward, I imagine myself using this as my go-to pair of headphones for appreciating music."

The Sony WH-1000XM5 are the latest in a lineage of best-selling, top-ranking headphones. It could’ve been easy for Sony to rest on its laurels and churn out a minor upgrade to its established winning formula. Instead, it decided to mix things up – and to great effect.

The WH-1000XM5 have new audio drivers, producing a beautiful sound that will delight all listeners. In our review, we tested the headphones with everything from cheesy pop to death metal – the XM5s handled them all without fault. Topping this off, the noise-cancellation is immensely accomplished, keeping the world at bay while you work and play.

Additional features include an array of microphones dedicated to sending your voice through clearly on calls, a responsive touchpad for easy control, speak-to-chat, smart assistant support, and Spotify Quick-Access. The smartphone app is a doddle to install and use, and the 30-hour battery never disappoints – but if it does, the USB-C quick charging will have you back up and running in no time.

As of 2024, these are the best Sony headphones available. Period.

What's The Best's Editor, William Austin-Lobley, said this: "The physical style of the headphones and the additional features that Sony packed into these headphones is excellent. But given that headphones deliver audio, these are only part of the equation. If the sound isn’t good, the headphones aren’t worth jack. Gladly, this isn’t the case. The sound quality the XM5 produces is excellent – no doubt thanks to the high-resolution audio decoding found onboard - and without wires, handily (note that you'll need a service that provides hi-res streaming to get the most from this tech)."

Read our full Sony WH-1000XM5 review.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro are, without question, the best in-ear headphones we have tested. The bold but unobtrusive design sits comfortably and firmly in the ear, allowing you to go about your daily tasks without worry – whether you’re working at a desk or working up a sweat in the gym. The outer shell of the earbud has reliable touch controls, allowing you to pause music or change noise-cancelling modes with ease.

The Bluetooth signal is as strong as you’ll find anywhere on the market. This connection can zip a good amount of data through to the Buds2 24-bit decoder, which is good news for anyone using lossless streaming services like Tidal or Apple Music.

Whether lossless or not, the audio quality produced by Samsung’s earbuds is staggering. The internal drivers, including a tweeter and a woofer, have all audio frequencies covered. Whatever you’re doing, wherever you are, the Buds2 Pro will put a bounce in your step.

William Austin-Lobley tested them and said this: "The physical style of the headphones and the additional features that Sony packed into these headphones is excellent. But given that headphones deliver audio, these are only part of the equation. If the sound isn’t good, the headphones aren’t worth jack. Gladly, this isn’t the case. The sound quality the XM5 produces is excellent – no doubt thanks to the high-resolution audio decoding found onboard - and without wires, handily (note that you'll need a service that provides hi-res streaming to get the most from this tech)."

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro review.

Basically a gripper version of the Jabra Elite 7 Pro but missing the bone-conducting voice call technology, so if you spend more time in the gym than the office these are the earbuds for you.

ShakeGrip technology is a silicon rubber coating that ensures wobble-free fitment whether you're lifting weights or running on a treadmill, and the IP57 dust and water rating means you don't need to worry about sweat.

Best of all they sound absolutely brilliant and last eight hours between charges, with active noise cancellation that can block out all but the loudest sounds.

Adam Binnie was impressed: "The active noise cancellation is really powerful and rivals some over-ear headphones I’ve tried. The Jabra app allows you to tailor the level that is best for you, and there’s also a HearThrough mode so you can retain situational awareness. Useful when running or riding near traffic. The sound is absolutely brilliant – so rich and deep despite originating from a small 6mm source. These earbuds have the sound quality to rival a pair of over-ears, and that is very impressive."

Read Adam's full Jabra Elite 7 Active review.

With an IP68 waterproof rating and onboard music storage, the Shokz OpenSwim Pro headphones are the go-to choice for watersports, swimming and triathlons. The driver technology is the same as you will find in the OpenMove, and it's good news if you like to swim with earplugs in – because the bone-conduction technology works on vibrations that stimulate your inner ears, you can hear them without issue – in fact, you might notice a bump in bass performance. 

The 32GB onboard memory can store 8,000 songs in MP3, WAV, WMA, AAC, and FLAC formats. The battery life is nine hours when listening through the Bluetooth connection and six hours when using MP3 mode.

The Shokz OpenSwim Pro were reviewed by William Austin-Lobley, who praised them:

"The OpenSwim Pro has really upped the game from the non-Pro version – which doesn't have Bluetooth. I enjoy the Bluetooth connectivity, making it feel like a better fit for running and cycling, where, being out of the water, it's easier to stream music from a phone or smartwatch. The ability to switch quickly between Bluetooth and stored music at the touch of a button is excellent news for anyone doing some back-to-back training, too."

Sony’s current flagship WF-1000XM5 wireless earbuds earn a spot on this list, thanks to superb noise cancellation, great sound, and impressive battery life. These are some of the best earbuds out there at the moment.

These earbuds have larger drivers than on their predecessors – the excellent Sony WF-1000XM4 – making them 25 per cent smaller and considerably lighter. It's also one of the reasons why the sound quality is so good. Noise cancellation is also great, although not quite best in class. They also support Sony's LDAC codec, which allows the highest possible audio quality from supported sources. Batteries last for up to eight hours with noise cancelling activated, 12 without, and up to 24 hours when using the charging case.   

There are a few other features to help these stand out from the crowd. Instant Bluetooth pairing for Android and Windows devices, plus a button on the case for pairing to Apple products, making it nice and easy to connect to your devices. They also allow you to connect to two devices at once thanks to Multipoint Bluetooth – this means you can watch a movie on your laptop, for example while also being ready to answer a phone call. Call quality is also great thanks to noise reduction and bone conduction sensors.

Given they are quite small, it does mean that some people may find a slight issue with how well they fit (although some people will benefit from this). Overall, these are a fantastic pair of earbuds.

Marshall has an audio pedigree that can’t be faked. From Jimi Hendrix to Oasis, Motorhead to Fall Out Boy, the Milton Keynes-based company has shared the stage with some of the world’s best-known rock outfits. This means there are no prizes for guessing which genre the Marshall Motif earphones perform well on – but these offer more than just crisp, crunchy, and heavy tones.

The quality of the speaker drivers by the Motif means that any music genre will be well served. Likewise, the additional features carried by the earphones are what you would expect, with decent noise cancellation, smart assistant support and touch controls.

Where it drops a few points is in battery life – 4.5 hours with ANC on, extending to six with ANC off – and the support app, which frankly sucks. Nevertheless, we gave Motif top marks in our review, despite these flaws – that’s how good they sound.

Here's a teaser from our full Marshall Motif review: "Listening through a mix of genres you soon realise that the Motifs never miss a beat. The music of J Dilla and MF DOOM is given just as much respect as Herbie Hancock and John Coltrane - it’s all down to the organic balance of the Motif’s drivers. The performance on distorted guitar-led music is undoubtedly the highlight, though. It’s a real treat to encounter, as many mainstream earphones struggle with the dynamics of rock music."

Building on the success of the OpenRun Pro, the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 takes open-ear listening to a new level while maintaining all that makes Shokz so good for runners.

Sound improvement is the most significant change here, and it's a positive one. The all-new DualPitch technology combines bone and air conduction to deliver an audio experience that's rich and full – even comparable to in-ear earphones. Whether running, cycling, or just walking around, the sound quality is impressive across all frequencies. However, the sound leak from the air-conduction tech is noticeable in quiet environments, so keep that in mind if you plan to use them in the office.

The design is comfortable and secure, even when wearing glasses or a bike helmet. The lightweight build, sweatproof design and easy-to-use controls make it comfortable to wear all day. However, the sound leak from the air-conduction tech is noticeable in quiet environments, so keep that in mind if you plan to use them in the office.

Our Digital Editor, William Austin-Lobley, had a few weeks to review the OpenRun Pro 2 before they launched. Here's what he thought:

"This type of technology has always been about compromise: you get to hear your surroundings, but the audio quality takes a hit. The OpenRun Pro 2 has plugged this gap with its combined DualPitch tech, which offers a really rich and full sound thanks to its warm bass sound. It really puts a smile on my face."

"I like a few other quality-of-life features, too. For example, the 12-hour battery life is a nice plus for those who forget to charge their gear (like me). As an IP55-rated product, it's sweat and rainproof. Also, the ability to add customisable EQ profiles in the app is a nice touch."

Focal has a reputation – it builds some of the best audio equipment available and it comes at a price. Its Bathys, though a budget headphone within the French brand's range, is a testament to this.

The look, while not to all tastes, is bold. The battery life is huge – 42 hours without ANC, though you’ll want to keep it on because it is fantastic. The Bluetooth audio is excellent, full of life, space and precision. Even the app is good.

Despite its five-star feature set, the biggest reason you will need £700 to grab the Bathys is they carry a high-quality DAC (Digital-to-Analogue Converter). When connected via USB-C, the Bathys’ DAC can take over from your device when decoding digital music because, frankly, it’s better at doing it than your laptop, tablet, or smartphone. The result is a vastly improved audio experience that allows your music to sound clearer, of a higher quality and louder. We’d recommend reading our hands-on review if you want to know more but suffice it to say the improvement isn’t slight – it’s a complete revolution.

While the Focal Bathys have the best audio we’ve trialled – and it's not even close – we can't in good conscience give them the top spot in this list. While the DAC does give incredible sound, this will only truly appeal to audiophiles who will be happy shelling out. Anyone looking for a solid set of everyday Bluetooth headphones will find better value for money with the Sony WH-1000XM5.

Our review: "Focal is known for its design sensibilities and audio prowess, and with the Bathys, it manages to combine these reputations into something rather special. With travellers in mind, the Bathys are comfortable over long periods, carrying up to 42 hours of battery and boasting a powerful Silent ANC mode, the headphones more than meet the mark. Long-haul flights and packed commuter trains are now peaceful havens. The audio quality via Bluetooth is excellent and expansive, full of energy and power. But it’s when the DAC is activated that you hear the reason the Bathys are such a high-end product."

Read our full Focal Bathys Hi-Fi Headphones review.

A former world champion, the Sony WH-1000XM4 were king of the hill until its younger relative, the WH-1000XM5, usurped the position. But this doesn’t mean that the XM4 are old news – they still have more to offer than much of the contemporary field and offer a substantial saving over the XM5.

The audio performance is superb. In our test, we found the upscaling processor in the XM4 to be a wonderful touch, adding definition to all tracks and delivering great bass and clear highs. Comfortable to wear, the XM4s create a solid seal around the ear to help keep the world at bay, while the noise cancelling works to tone down any noise that might slip through significantly.   

The Bluetooth connection is still very adept today, connecting to multiple devices, allowing you to listen to music from one device and take calls from another. Touch controls are present and correct, USB-C charging onboard, and speak-to-chat and smart assistance are supported.

Curtis Moldrich put these headphones through their paces and said: "Sony’s WH-1000XM3s were class-leading, and it’s no surprise to see the XM4s better them slightly in every area. They offer a good mixture of performance and price compared to the competition, so if you’re in the market for a pair of noise-cancelling headphones, these need to be towards the top of your list. However, Sony’s similarly impressive WF-1000XM4 earbuds offer a similar experience for less money and more versatility."

Read the full Sony WH-1000XM4 review.

The Shokz OpenFit Air notably improves sound quality for open-ear headphones, balancing situational awareness with rich audio. While not matching the clarity and bass of in-ear or over-ear options like the Samsung Galaxy Buds or Sony XM5, the OpenFit Air impresses with its large driver surface and four adjustable EQ modes via the companion app. 'Standard' mode is versatile, 'Bass boost' enhances music richness, 'Vocals' highlights speech, and 'Treble boost' cuts through loud environments.

The open-ear design allows ambient sounds like traffic and conversation, which is essential for outdoor safety. Shokz's DirectPitch™ technology effectively reduces sound leakage. During our testing, leakage was minimal at moderate volumes.

In addition to the sound quality, the lightweight design and secure fit make it an excellent choice for active users. At £119, the OpenFit Air is a solid investment for those prioritising safety and audio quality in open-ear headphones.

Our review: "I used the headphones for running and cycling outdoors, as well as indoor yoga and in the office for calls and background music. I was impressed by the Shokz OpenFit Air headphones' exceptional fit, sound quality, and ease of use, making them perfect for outdoor exercise."

Read our full Shokz OpenFit Air review.

Typically, bigger and heavier headphones are considered the place to head for excellent audio quality. While this rings true in many situations, it makes finding something counter to this all the more exciting. Here, with the LinkBuds S, Sony has managed to provide awesome audio quality in a shell that weighs a mere 4.4g.

This lightweight design and smart ergonomics make the LinkBuds S super comfortable. Days in the office and hours in the gym aren't hindered by discomfort. And the battery does a fair job of helping them keep up too.

In our LinkBuds review, we concluded that though Sony does provide better audio on other items - which are typically more expensive - the LinkBuds S balances weight, sound and cost to deliver a package that is hard to beat.

Here's more about what we thought: "If you value comfort above overall quality, and you’re looking for something to take to the gym or wear all day, then the LinkBuds S are worth a look. Sure, they won’t deliver the overall quality of Sony’s flagship in-ears, but they get pretty close and come with their own, unique set of strengths to boot." Read more about the Sony LinkBuds in the full review.

When it comes to gaming headsets, our current favourite pair is the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless gaming headset. Designed specifically with gaming in mind, these cans are relatively affordable, offer good quality audio that's great for gaming and listening to music, and there are no cables to trip over (although there is also a wired set of HyperX Cloud Alpha headphones, too). But what really sets these apart is the battery life, which offers up to a frankly ludicrous 300 hours between charges (at 50 per cent volume). That's not a typo.

There are some differences in sound between these and the wired version. But for gamers, directional sound (crucial in many games) is excellent thanks to spatial audio. Sound in general is crisp and clear, with a dual chamber driver system helping to tune mids and highs separately from the bassier elements. It's not perhaps as loud as some alternatives. But then again, who needs tinnitus?

Given that you could be wearing these for long gaming sessions, you'll be pleased to know that they are designed to be comfortable. The aluminium frame helps keep weight down while remaining durable, and memory foam and breathable leatherette is designed to keep you comfy.

The one minor disappointment is a slightly underwhelming mic. It's not terrible, and benefits from noise cancellation. But there are better mics out there. That aside, these are a great pair of gaming headphones that outlast everything else out there.