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- We’ve tested hundreds of headphones over the past few years, analysing performance across metrics including comfort, sound quality and features.
- Our team of in-house and freelance reviewers have decades of experience testing and evaluating audio products and headphones of every style imaginable.
- The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5, Sony WH-1000XM6 and Marshall Milton ANC are our top picks in the true wireless, over-ear and on-ear categories.
The modern headphone landscape can be daunting; the sheer number of styles and categories means you’re spoilt for choice at every price point.
Our experts have tested countless headphones across every price bracket and compiled a list of our favourites to help you make an informed purchase that’s right for you. We’ve also created a comprehensive buying guide that highlights the pros and cons of different headphone styles and the key features to look out for.
Whether you want audiophile-grade sound quality, something cheap and cheerful for casual listening, or something in between, we’ve got you covered.
Best headphones: At a glance
- Best wireless earbuds: Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 | Check price
- Best over-ear headphones: Sony WH-1000XM6 | Check price
- Best on-ear headphones: Marshall Milton ANC | Check price
How we test headphones
We keep our testing process as consistent as possible across headphones, though different styles occasionally require slightly different testing conditions.
We assess build quality as soon as we remove a product from its packaging and continue to test its durability throughout the review period. Wearing the headphones for extended periods is the only way to evaluate comfort, so we spend at least 20 hours with them in, on or over our ears.
Sound quality is the most important performance aspect, so we spend a significant proportion of our testing time listening to audio content. We stream music from services like Spotify, Tidal and Apple Music; play locally stored high-resolution audio files; and watch video content on YouTube, Apple TV+ and Netflix. If the headphones support a specific audio format, such as Dolby Atmos or Spatial Audio, we’ll put them through their paces using compatible content.
We also test every feature a pair of headphones has, from voice controls and touch gestures to noise cancellation and customisable graphic equalisers found in companion apps. When testing active noise cancellation, we challenge the headphones in both controlled (using household appliances at home) and unpredictable, real-world scenarios. Whenever possible, we compare similarly priced headphones to see how they measure up.
We use phone calls, virtual meetings and voice recordings to analyse microphone quality, and we test IP resistance by exposing headphones to situations that challenge their ability to withstand sweat and water, such as trips to the gym or rainy runs in the park. Throughout testing, we keep close tabs on how long we’ve been using the headphones, so we can estimate battery life and compare it with the manufacturer’s claims.
The best headphones you can buy in 2026
1. Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5: Best wireless earbuds
Price when reviewed: £250
- Beautiful sound
- Feature-rich
- Premium design
- Slightly bulky
Tested and reviewed by Simon Cocks
Audio powerhouse Sennheiser’s flagship wireless earbuds have always impressed, but the fifth-generation iteration takes design and performance to a new level. The Momentum True Wireless 5 pair a gorgeous aesthetic with great connectivity, intuitive controls, a comfortable fit and some of the best-balanced sound around. Reviewer Simon Cocks said, “They sounded terrific no matter the genre I threw at them.”
The Momentum True Wireless 5 also have an ace up their sleeve. Both the earbuds and charging case have replaceable batteries. This is a real rarity in the true wireless world and means the MTW5 will outlast the competition while dazzling with gorgeous looks, fabulous sound, and effective noise cancellation.
Read our Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 review from September 2026
Honourable mentions:
2. Sony WH-1000XM6: Best over-ear headphones
Price when reviewed: £350
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Excellent, smart ANC
- Fantastic sound quality
- Average call quality in loud places
Tested and reviewed by Jonathan Bray
In his review of the WH-1000XM6, Jon Bray wrote: “With sweeping improvements to noise cancelling, build quality, sound quality and comfort, the Sony WH-1000XM6 are the company’s finest headphones yet.” They’re also the best over-ear headphones we’ve tested, which is an enormous accolade given the quality of the competition.
The flimsy hinges that caused problems on the WH-1000XM5 are much stronger here; four additional mics improve ANC and call quality; and new 30mm drivers along with the new QN3 processor drive performance improvements across the board. Sony’s Adaptive Sound Control remains an incredible way to manage noise cancellation, and that, coupled with “huge dollops of juicy, well-controlled bass and plenty of pleasing, crisp, sharp-edged detail,” makes it impossible not to love Sony’s flagship over-ear cans.
Read our Sony WH-1000XM6 review from May 2025
Honourable mentions:
3. Marshall Milton ANC: Best on-ear headphones
Price when reviewed: £180
- Comfortable and durable
- Effective noise cancellation
- Punchy sound
- Earpads get quite warm
Tested and reviewed by Andy White
Marshall’s Milton ANC are our number-one on-ear headphones as they overcome the key issues that hold back most of their breed, and they do it in style. They deliver punchy, energetic sound, noise cancellation that dampens ambient distractions, and a comfortable fit that’s essential if you plan to wear them for hours.
They support the high-resolution LDAC Bluetooth codec, have a bumper 50-hour battery life with noise cancellation engaged, and even have a proprietary pseudo-spatial “Soundstage” audio mode that’s surprisingly engaging. Their performance was so good that our reviewer, Andy White, reevaluated his thoughts on on-ear headphones. “I’ve never been a big fan of the format,” he wrote, “but I really warmed to it while testing the Marshall Milton ANC,” adding, “as on-ear headphones go, the Milton ANC are the most comfortable I’ve come across.”
Read our Marshall Milton ANC review from July 2026
Honourable mention:
4. EarFun Air Pro 4+: Best value wireless earbuds
Price when reviewed: £70
- Balanced sound
- Excellent app
- Comfortable, stable fit
- Cheap build
- Struggle with wind noise
Tested and reviewed by Simon Cocks
No affordable wireless earbuds we’ve tested offer as many features as the EarFun Air Pro 4+ while delivering the same level of performance. Fully customisable active noise cancellation, control personalisation, an in-app equaliser and a volume limiter are just a handful of their useful features. Battery life is eight hours with ANC on and up to 12 hours with ANC off, which is well above average.
However, what secures the Air Pro 4+ as our favourite budget buds is their sound quality. Simon Cocks reported that their sound was “consistently rich and detailed” during testing and that their “great spatial imaging” impressed across all genres. Earbuds under £100 typically offer wide-ranging features or good sound; EarFun offers both. Compromises are minimal, making the EarFun Air Pro 4+ the new budget benchmark.
Read our EarFun Air Pro 4+ review from March 2026
Honourable mentions:
5. Anker Soundcore Space 2: Best value over-ear headphones
Price when reviewed: £130
- Extremely comfortable
- Packed with features
- Great low-end noise cancellation
- Unconvincing 3D sound
Tested and reviewed by Andy White
Accomplished and affordable were the words Andy White used to describe the Soundcore Space 2 after testing them. Those two words are key to deciding whether a product is value for money, and these Anker cans offer fantastic bang for your buck.
While similar options are available under £100, the extra outlay is well worth it. The Space 2 do a superb job of blocking out low frequencies when their noise cancellation is engaged, and are among the most comfortable headphones we’ve ever tested. They also offer HearID EQ personalisation, live translation via the Anker Soundcore app, and integrated sleep stories, meditations and more. All those handy extras would mean nothing were the audio dreadful. Fortunately, it’s not; the Space 2 “can belt out a tune pretty faithfully from a high-resolution source, knit the basics together nicely and aren’t found lacking in the low-end department”, according to Mr White.
Read our Anker Soundcore Space 2 review from April 2026
Honourable mentions:
6. Philips The Ringo Duo: Best value on-ear headphones
Price when reviewed: £29
- Impressive sound quality
- Fun, retro design
- Super lightweight
- Poor mic quality
Tested and reviewed by Andy White
You don’t have to have been alive when the headphones that inspired The Ringo Duo were released to appreciate their charms, though it helps. Oozing 80s nostalgia, The Ringo Duo take a classic on-ear design, modernise it with Bluetooth connectivity and companion app compatibility and deliver it for under £30.
Their audio quality avoided the tinny sound often associated with cheap headphones and exceeded expectations during testing. The bass response was surprisingly solid, detail levels were reasonable, and the four EQ presets in the Philips Headphones app let you make meaningful sonic tweaks. The Ringo Duo’s impressive audio performance is complemented by a lightweight build that’s both comfortable and delightfully retro.
Read our Philips The Ringo Duo review from August 2026
Honourable mention:
7. Shokz OpenDots 2: Best clip-on wireless earbuds
Price when reviewed: £179
- Incredibly comfortable
- Top-notch battery life
- Engaging sound quality
- Not commute-friendly
Tested and reviewed by Andy White
Shokz hasn’t made open-fit earbuds that excel in every environment just yet, but its flagship OpenDots 2 are the best clip-on option around and brilliant anywhere there’s not too much external noise. A luxurious build, ultra-comfy fit, 10 hours of on-ear battery life, wireless charging and Dolby Audio support make them unstoppable in this burgeoning category.
The OpenDots 2’s IP57 dust- and water-resistance rating and splashproof charging case protect them in the inclement conditions runners and cyclists face when training, and their high volume ceiling lets them deliver a rousing soundtrack when pounding the pavement. Andy White was particularly impressed by their bass reproduction with Dolby Audio engaged, saying “This option immediately makes what you’re listening to sound larger and bassier, and it works excellently with certain genres.” He crowned them “the best pound-for-pound clip-on earbuds”, and it will take a special product to dethrone them.
Read our Shokz OpenDots 2 review from July 2026
Honourable mentions:
8. Apple AirPods 5: Best semi-open wireless earbuds
Price when reviewed: £139
- Great sound quality
- Surprisingly effective ANC
- Very comfortable
- Disappointing battery life
Tested and reviewed by Jonathan Bray
The original AirPods popularised the wireless earbuds category, so it’s no surprise Apple is still flying the flag for semi-open-fit buds 10 years on. In truth, there’s not much competition, with many manufacturers either going fully open-fit or closed with silicone tips.
But that shouldn’t undermine the quality of what Apple has produced here. The fifth-generation AirPods are the best-fitting and best-sounding take on the format yet. They also deliver surprisingly effective ANC given their semi-open design. That applies to both the £119 model and the £139 model, which has wireless charging, stem controls, and better battery life. We’d recommend the more expensive option, as the extra stamina and superior control scheme make a noticeable difference, but you can’t really go wrong with either.
Read our Apple AirPods 5 review from October 2026
How to choose the best headphones for you
Your first task is to choose your preferred style and work out which features are essential to your use case.
Which headphone style is right for me?
Over-ear headphones
- Comfortable ear-enveloping design
- Strong sound isolation
- Potent sonic output
- Large soundstage
- Long battery life
- Not always particularly portable
- Can get hot and sweaty
- Limited situational awareness
- Most expensive style
On-ear headphones
- Compact
- Lightweight
- Portable
- Design can cause ear discomfort
- Limited sound isolation and bass impact
- Sound leakage
Wireless earbuds (in-ear seal)
- Convenient and highly portable
- Discreet
- In-ear seal can provide great isolation
- Typically sweat- and water-resistant
- Easily misplaced
- Shorter battery life (without case)
- Uncomfortable for some
- Less hygienic than other styles
Wireless earbuds (open-fit)
- Fantastic ambient awareness
- Very comfortable
- Can look very stylish
- Little to no sound isolation
Should I buy wired or wireless headphones?
Wired headphones may have made a bit of a resurgence recently, but the general trend is towards wireless headphones. They provide far more freedom in which devices you connect to, battery life is rarely an issue (removing one of the main advantages wired headphones have), and audio quality is now at a level where it takes a very clued-up ear to notice an obvious difference. Go wireless; you won’t regret it.
What features should I look out for?
Active noise cancellation (ANC): ANC technology is designed to drown out external noise. It’s essential if you want to zone out on a noisy commute.
Integrated microphones: Most headphones have at least one built-in mic; some have up to 12. Typically, more mics equal better call quality, which is increasingly useful in our always-on society.
Touch controls: Some headphones favour these over physical buttons. Both setups have pros and cons, and you’ll sometimes find headphones that mix both. Choose the option you find most intuitive.
Bluetooth codecs: Codecs determine how data is transmitted from your audio output to your headphones. Our What are Bluetooth codecs? article explains exactly how they work and the best ones to use for your headphones.
IP rating: IP certification refers to a product’s dust and water resistance. The first number illustrates dust protection on a scale of 1 – 6 (or X for no protection), while the second shows protection against the ingress of water from 1 – 9. IP68 is as good as it gets for headphones and means a product is dust-tight and waterproof.
