When it comes to headphones, I’m quite picky. I want top-notch sound quality, comfort, and features like noise cancellation. But finding the perfect pair of headphones can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.
So, after way too many deep dives, comparison charts, and probably more spec sheets than anyone should read voluntarily, I’ve landed on a few standout brands that always show up where it counts.
8
Anker Soundcore
Anker’s Soundcore lineup has earned a spot on my shortlist because, quite frankly, they’ve cracked the code on blending affordability with high-end features. You don’t need to shell out hundreds to get noise cancellation that actually works. Our Space One review and Space One Pro review give you a good idea of Soundcore’s best features and also featured some in our guide to the best budget headphones.
If you’re into fine-tuning your audio, Anker’s got you covered with its HearID feature that personalizes the sound based on how you hear. Its proprietary app comes with a customizable EQ and a bunch of presets. Plus, some models like the Anker Life Q35 (check out our review) and Space Q45 support LDAC for hi-res audio streaming, so you’re not stuck with compressed, tinny sound if you’re an audiophile—or at least audiophile-curious.
7
Bose
Mid-flight, somewhere above the clouds, Dr. Amar Bose, founder of Bose Corporation, grew frustrated with the constant drone of airplane engines interfering with his music. Inspired at that moment, he pulled out a pencil and started sketching what would eventually morph into noise-cancelling headphones. Fast-forward to 1989, Bose dropped the first-ever commercial noise-cancelling headset for aviation. A decade later, the tech hit the shelves for consumers, and just like that, Bose locked in its spot as a heavyweight in the headphone game.
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Now, Bose isn’t exactly bargain-bin territory. But you get what you pay for in premium sound, exceptional comfort, and noise cancellation. Their current lineup covers the spectrum. The QuietComfort series (like the QC 35 II and QC 45) and the NC 700s deliver rock-solid performance at a price that doesn’t totally break the bank. Then there’s the QuietComfort Ultra, Bose’s high-end offering, kitted out with cool features like CustomTune, Quiet Mode, Aware Mode, ActiveSense, and Immersive Audio. Some of those even trickle down into the more affordable models, which is always a nice surprise.
6
Sony
The WH-1000XM series (up to the Sony XM5 as of the time of writing, and with rumors of the XM6 possibly arriving in mid-2025) represents everything I love about Sony’s headphones. They sport industry-leading noise cancellation that creates a personal bubble wherever you go, paired with thoughtful features like Speak-to-Chat and Quick Attention, which automatically pause your music when you start talking.
Sony headphones tend to lean bass-heavy out of the box, but if you’re more of a Mozart or podcast fan, you can use its Sony Headphones Connect app-based EQ to dial in your preset preferences. LDAC support is a win if you love high-res audio, and its 360 Reality Audio adds a cool spatial layer when supported that can turn regular listening into surround-sound magic. Sony also sports Adaptive Sound Control, which adjusts settings based on your location, making these headphones feel almost intuitive, learning how you like to listen.
Toss in Sony DSEE HX, up to 30 hours of battery life, quick charging, and even some recycled materials in the build, and it’s clear this brand holds itself to high standards. Alongside the WH-1000XM line, Sony’s lineup also includes models like the Extra Bass-focused WH-XB910N and the more affordable WH-CH720N, offering great alternatives depending on your needs.
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5
JBL
What draws me to JBL is their signature well-balanced sound, which is tuned to the Harman curve (no coincidence since Harman owns JBL) and makes them versatile across genres. If you’re trying to stay within a tighter budget, the Tune series is a good place to start, especially the 520BT, which punches way above its price tag. But if you’re after more bells and whistles without totally wrecking your wallet, the Tour series is where it gets interesting. We reviewed the original Tour One about four years back and were pretty impressed, and now the newer Tour One M3 we saw at CES 2025 carries the torch with even more polish.
JBL’s recent models come packed with goodies like True Adaptive Noise Cancellation, Bluetooth 5.3, and multi-point pairing, so hopping between your devices is smooth as butter. The JBL Headphones app gives you access to a parametric EQ to tweak the sound to your heart’s content. Battery life is another strong suit—the Tour One, for example, offers up to 50 hours of playtime, which is wild.
4
Beats
