{
  "id": 15589893,
  "title": "The 13 best headphones of 2026: We tested the top contenders from Sony, Apple, Bose, and Beats",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/19/the-13-best-headphones-of-2026-we-tested-the-top-contenders-from-sony",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-19T09:03:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Mashable",
    "slug": "mashable",
    "url": "https://mashable.com/roundup/best-headphones-2026-expert-reviewed-tested"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In 2026, we tested a variety of headphones from top brands like Sony, Apple, Bose, and Beats to determine the best options for different listening needs and preferences. Our goal was to provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information to help you make an informed decision when purchasing headphones. We focused on key features such as noise cancellation, sound quality, price, and wired connections, keeping in mind that the best headphones ultimately depend on personal preference and intended use. Factors like whether you prefer over-ear headphones or earbuds, the level of comfort needed during workouts or travel, and the desire for premium features like custom equalizers or spatial audio were all considered. Though we tested other models like the Marshall Monitor III, JBL Tour One M3, Skullcandy Method 360 ANC, Sonos Ace, and Dyson OnTrac, none made the final cut due to various reasons, including price and comfort. Recent updates to this guide included the addition of the second-generation Bose QuietComfort headphones as the best budget pick from Bose, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 earbuds as the most comfortable ANC earbuds, and the Sony XM6 earbuds as the new best noise-cancelling earbuds. We also replaced the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 earbuds with the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 sports earbuds and added the Sony WH-CH720N Noise-Canceling Headphones as the best under $100 option. Furthermore, we included the Sony XM5 headphones, originally released in 2022, as an honorable mention pick. We replaced the Sennheiser Momentum 4 with the Nothing Headphone (a) as our best battery life pick. September saw the release of Sony's mid-range WH-10000XM4C headphones, Sony's budget WH-CH730N headphones, and Beats' first over-ear headphones in three years, while Bose introduced new wired noise-cancelling earbuds and two new open earbud models. We will compare these recent releases with our current picks to determine if they deserve a place among our favorites.",
  "summary": "Mashable's audio experts tested headphones and earbuds from Sony, Bose, Sonos, Beats, Technics, and more — here are the 13 that made our cut as the best of the best.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Tom's Guide",
        "title": "Sony WH-CH730N review: I fully recommend these headphones but not if you’re in the U.S. — here’s why",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/sony-wh-ch730n-review-i-fully-recommend-these-headphones-but-not-if",
        "published": "2026-10-18T11:30:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Digital Camera World",
        "title": "Videographer hacks Sony A7 IV to add this feature. ‘I found a path traversal bug allowing me to get the fully decrypted firmware’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/19/videographer-hacks-sony-a7-iv-to-add-this-feature-i-found-a-path",
        "published": "2026-10-19T07:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}