The 13 best headphones of 2026: We tested the top contenders from Sony, Apple, Bose, and Beats

Choosing the best headphones in 2026 proved to be a challenging endeavor, as there isn't a single definitive winner. While elite audio brands offer high-quality products, variations in tiers and specific features exist among their offerings. Some prioritize value, while others excel in hardware and active noise cancellation. Ultimately, the ideal pair depends on personal preference and intended usage.

Some listeners favor over-ear headphones, while others prefer the convenience of earbuds. Athletes appreciate waterproof materials and open earbuds for workouts, while frequent travelers seek long battery life, comfort, and portability. Music enthusiasts and audiophiles desire premium features such as custom equalizers, spatial audio, and top-tier active noise cancellation.

To assist you in selecting your perfect pair, we meticulously tested all the headphones featured in this guide, along with several others that did not make the cut. The guide highlights the top headphones for various factors, including noise cancellation, music quality, price, and wired connections. Although wired headphones have a dedicated fanbase, wireless headphones are generally more convenient for the majority.

The Marshall Mode earbuds are our top recommendation for wired headphones, while Apple's EarPods are a fan favorite. Other tested models, such as the Marshall Monitor III, JBL Tour One M3 headphones, and Skullcandy Method 360 ANC, showcased merits but did not ascend to the top spot on this guide. Additionally, the Sonos Ace headphones and Dyson OnTrac headphones were tested and praised for their sound quality and noise cancellation, yet their high price tags led to their exclusion from the recommendations.

In ongoing updates, we are currently testing more budget noise-cancelling earbuds and headphones. Recent revisions to this guide include designating the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 earbuds as the most comfortable ANC earbuds and recognizing the Sony XM6 earbuds as the new best noise-canceling earbuds. December 2025 saw the replacement of the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 earbuds, which are no longer available, with the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 sports earbuds.

Similarly, the Marshall Mode wired earbuds were removed from the list due to frequent stock shortages. Lastly, the Sony WH-CH720N Noise-Canceling Headphones were added as the best headphones under $100, and the Sony XM5 headphones, first released in 2022, were chosen as an honorable mention pick. Finally, on August 2026, the Nothing Headphone (a) replaced the Sennheiser Momentum 4 as our top pick for the best battery life.