The best headphones in Australia 2024: top cans from Sony, Bose and more

This is it. The quintessential list to the very best headphones in Australia available right now. We've taken top picks from our best over ear headphones, best noise cancelling headphones and best wireless earbuds round-ups and collated them into one single guide. 

Yes, there are a lot of pairs in this list to make your way through, but once you're done, we guarantee you'll know which pair of headphones is best for you. Naturally, the first hurdle is deciding which style you prefer. Do you want a pair of over-ear headphones with big speaker drivers offering superior sound? Or do you want a pair of wireless earbuds that are compact, making travel easier? 

You also need to think about how much you're willing to and are able to spend, and it's with this in mind that we've included option across all uses and price brackets in our definitive list below. 

Whether you’re looking for the best sound quality, a worthwhile budget option or a versatile all-rounder, you’ll find the best headphones for you below.

The quick list

Below you'll find a quick roundup of our choices for the best headphones in Australia. There are quite a few to make your way through, so we've summarised the reasoning behind each pick, but you can click through to a more in-depth review for each. You'll also be able to view the latest deals using our price comparison tool. 

The best headphones in Australia 2024

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Here you'll find more in-depth reviews of the best headphones in Australia right now. Each entry has a direct link to its full review, written by TechRadar's team of audio experts. 

The best headphones overall

best headphones sony wh-1000xm4 in black against a white background against a white background

(Image credit: Sony)
Still a strong contender for the absolute best

Specifications

Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 253g
Frequency response: 4Hz to 40kHz
Drivers: 1.57-inch dome-type
Battery life: 30 hours

Reasons to buy

+
Improved noise-cancellation over previous model
+
DSEE Extreme audio upscaling
+
Allows for multipoint pairing

Reasons to avoid

-
Not water-resistant
-
New models ultimately better, but they're also more expensive
Buy them if:

✅ You want versatile headphones that sound good: The Sony WH-1000XM4s deliver hgh-quality sound in a lightweight folding design.

✅ You're working from home and need some peace and quiet: With the volume turned up and the noise cancelling on, the WH-1000XM4s will isolate you from everything around you.

Don't buy them if:

You plan on bringing them to the gym or beach: A looser fit and lack of water-resistance should make you think twice before putting them inside your gym bag.

❌ You take tons of conference calls: While these are great for travel, their call quality isn't that strong. 

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones deliver excellent noise-cancellation and sound quality in a design that we found comfortable and lightweight throughout our testing. 

They don’t look different from their predecessors, the Sony WH-1000XM3. However, new features, including multipoint pairing, DSEE Extreme upscaling, conversational awareness and auto-play/pause using a built-in sensor mean they’re a significant upgrade.

The WH-1000XM4 headphones also support Sony’s 360 Reality Audio format, which delivers spatial audio on stereo headphones, plus the LDAC codec that can send a bitrate of up to 990 kbps. However, it no longer supports aptX or aptX HD, so your hi-res audio support mileage may vary.

Regardless, these are a wonderful pair of wireless over-ear headphones and deliver exactly what they promise (and then some) thanks to their exceptional noise cancellation and cutting-edge codec support. Although they've been followed-up by the Sony WH-1000XM5s, these XM4s still have the edge by boasting most of the same features and overall quality of their newer sibling, while selling for a more appealing price.

Read our full Sony WH-1000XM4 review

best headphones sony wf-1000xm4 true wireless earbuds in black against a white background

(Image credit: Sony)
The best true wireless earbuds from Sony

Specifications

Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 7.3g
Frequency response: 20-40,000Hz
Drivers: 6mm
Battery life : 8 hours (earbuds) 16 hours (charging case)

Reasons to buy

+
Rapid, full-bodied and eloquent sound
+
Truly useful features
+
Impressive call quality

Reasons to avoid

-
Unremarkable battery life
-
No aptX support
Buy them if:

✅ You know a great control app when you use one:
The Sony Headphone app is an absolute tour de force of stability, functionality and general usefulness.

✅ You love life's little conveniences: "Speak to chat". Adaptive noise cancelling. "Quick attention". IPX4. The WF-1000XM4 just want to make your life easier.

Don't buy them if:

Noise cancelling is more important than sound quality: Taken on their own, the WF-1000XM4 cancel noise well. But other true wireless buds do it better – specifically, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II.

❌ You’re away from an outlet for long periods: A best-case 24 hours of battery life isn't bad, but it isn't anything special either.

With the Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds, Sony has combined performance, ergonomics, and build quality more effectively than ever before in a noise-cancelling true wireless package. During our testing we found that compared to their predecessors, the Sony WF-1000XM3, the newer wireless earbuds offer enough quality-of-life features to make them worth upgrading to even if they are a little more expensive. Features like auto-pause and being able to tune the buds to the shape of your ears are truly useful. 

While other true wireless earbuds surpass the Sony WF-1000XM4 in particular areas (in terms of noise cancellation, for example) there might only be one earbud option that rivals it as a full package.

In fact, we're even going as far to say that the XM4 are ultimately a better value option compared to their replacement, the WH-1000XM5. Sony already had a winner on its hands, and bettering was always going to be tricky. And, in our opinion, the upgrades in the new model don't quite justify the price, especially now you can pick up these XM4s for less. 

Read our full Sony WF-1000XM4 review

The best budget headphones

Sony WH-CH520 headphones on a wooden table

(Image credit: Future)
The best cheap headphones

Specifications

Weight: 4.8 oz
Frequency response: 20Hz-20,000Hz
Drivers: 30mm dynamic
Battery life: 50 hours

Reasons to buy

+
Incredibly affordable
+
Impressive sound and battery life

Reasons to avoid

-
No 3.5mm jack or USB audio
-
No active noise cancellation
Buy them if:

✅ You want balanced sound for less: There's none of the bass overload you get on some cheaper headphones, these are made to handle all kinds of music well.

✅ You need long, long battery life: 50 hours! You won't need to charge these very often, so if you're the forgetful type, that's a bonus.

Don't buy them if:

You need noise-blocking power: With no ANC and not especially noise-isolating earpads, you will hear outside sounds, especially loud vehicles.

❌ You want to go audiophile for less: We like the sound here a lot for the price, but if you're an audiophile on a budget, you should look at going wired.

With solid audio, great battery life and Bluetooth connectivity, the Sony WH-CH520 offer a cohesive, budget-friendly package. If you’re looking for on-ear headphones at this price point, you’re likely already willing to make a few sacrifices. Thankfully, most of the compromises (there's no 3.5mm port option) Sony has made with the WH-CH520 are unlikely to be deal breakers.

The lack of active noise cancellation might be more of a problem, but it certainly isn't unfair for the price. Where the WH-CH520s really shine is a very long battery life of 50 hours and premium features like a customisable control app with DSEE and multi-point audio pairing, which makes switching between devices a breeze.

They are made out of a textured plastic, which is sturdy but admittedly not that premium feeling. But again, this should be expected for the price, and more positively, it doesn't interfere with the audio capabilities on offer. 

Released in February 2023, they deliver balanced sound that has plenty of detail, making them easy to listen to. Sony really has stripped back features to focus on sound with the WH-CH520s and it really shows with deeper bass and brighter highs.

For those chasing something that is substantially more sturdy or sporting a 3.5mm port, you’re unlikely to find an alternative at the same price point that’s also wireless, let alone boasts great battery life and sound. 

Read our full Sony WH-CH520 review

The best budget earbuds

The Sennheiser CX true wireless earbuds in their charging case

(Image credit: Sennheiser)
Excellent audio performance and battery life for a great price

Specifications

Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 6g (single earbud) 37g (charging case)
Frequency response: 5 hz - 21,000 Hz
Drivers: TrueResponse Transducer Sennheiser 7mm dynamic driver
Battery life : 9 hours (earbuds) 18 hours (charging case)

Reasons to buy

+
Rich bass lines
+
Improved battery life
+
Upgraded connectivity

Reasons to avoid

-
Uncomfortable for smaller ears
-
No noise cancellation
-
Bulky case
Buy them if:

✅ You want great sound on a budget: Serving up a wide, detailed soundstage, the CX True Wireless is one of the best pairs we've heard at this price.

✅ You want hi-res audio support: Not all pairs of true wireless buds lay claim to offering hi-res support, but this pair does. If you have the music source and the music, they'll deliver that extra bit of detail. 

Don't buy them if:

You need active noise cancellation: While passive noise cancellation is good, the fact remains there's no ANC here.

❌ You have issues with fit: They're not the only pair to fall foul to this, but the CX True Wireless may be a bit bulky to fit comfortably for some. 

The Sennheiser CX True Wireless are the most wallet-friendly pair of wireless earbuds from the German audio giant. This particular pair lacks ANC (you can pick up a more expensive Plus model that does have it) but we think the price you're paying, coupled with the audio performance on offer, makes them still very worthy of your consideration.  

In fact, audio quality is exactly what you’d expect from Sennheiser, with a wide soundstage, clear mids, detailed trebles, and powerful bass frequencies. 

The controls and accompanying app are very easy to use, and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity ensures a stable connection with your device. Hi-res audio support is included, too (rare at this price point) for those who want to eke out every last bit of detail from their music.

Our only real bugbear is the CX True Wireless’ design, which we found far too bulky for our ears. We’re hesitant to judge Sennheiser too harshly for this, since most users will probably be able to use them without issue.

Read more: Sennheiser CX True Wireless review

The best premium headphones

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

(Image credit: Sennheiser)
The best premium headphones

Specifications

Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 293g
Frequency response: 6Hz-22,000Hz
Drivers: 42mm dynamic
Battery life: 60 hours

Reasons to buy

+
Neutral, crisp, detailed sound
+
Excellent ANC and transparency
+
Incredible battery life even with ANC deployed

Reasons to avoid

-
A little plain aesthetically
-
Design doesn't fold up into the headband
-
Expensive
Buy them if:

✅ You want a battery life that lasts for days: 60 hours with ANC on is just incredible. You'll have far fewer frustrating moments with them.

✅ You like to hear your voice in calls: Sennheiser's excellent Sidetone gets rid of the call echo problem and makes your conversations feel altogether more natural.

Don't buy them if:

You want supremely portable listening gear: These cans lie flat and don't fold up for easy transport – although you do get a nice hardshell case. 

❌ You like your headphones to make a statement: As well-made as these are, they won't set the design world alight.

Selecting an outright winner for the best headphones is no easy task, and ultimately, the number one spot could change hands multiple times throughout each year. For us however, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless do enough to take the crown at the moment. 

There is definitely intense competition from the likes of Sony or Bose, but with prices of all constantly fluctuating, we feel the Momentum 4 Wireless do enough at this price level to warrant claiming the title of number one. 

Chief among our reasons is an insane 60-hour battery life, the likes of which just simply cannot be rivalled. Granted, many of us are unlikely to find ourselves too far from a charging point at any time, but having the security of knowing you're not going to go music-less if you're away from one for a while is a huge tick in our book. 

Fortunately, Sennheiser hasn't made compromises anywhere else to facilitate this longevity. You get talented noise cancellation technology, a zealous sound that'll have you nodding your head happily wherever you go and some intuitive on-ear controls. Some of the TR team felt they were a little plain looking (especially compared to previous iterations of the Momentum over-ears) but minimalism appears to be all the rage right now, and we can't argue with anyone that might call them handsome. 

Sennheiser has packed everything and the kitchen sink into the Momentum 4 Wireless’s spec sheet, including Sidetone to better hear your voice during calls and  'Sound Zones', EQ and ANC presets which can be set to magically kick in when you're, well, in the zone. Make no mistake though, the headline-grabber is still the sound. And what a sound it is! Think open, detailed, expansive, neutral and crisp. Never is it overly warm; never is it congested or muddied through the bass.

The Momentum 4 Wireless will set you back somewhere between AU$450-550, putting its cost at a similar level to the Sony WH-1000XM5, and only marginally higher than the Sony WH-1000XM4. Considering the extra battery life you get and a sound that is just as accomplished, the Sennheisers are a natural winner.

Read our full Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless review 

The best premium earbuds

Black Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Ex wireless earbuds

(Image credit: Bang & Olufsen)
The best premium earbuds yet

Specifications

Weight: 6g each
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20,000Hz
Drivers: 9.2mm
Battery: 6 hours (earbuds) + 14 hours (charging case)

Reasons to buy

+
High detailed and customisable sound profiles
+
Effective ANC

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
Buggy app
Buy them if:

✅ You want true sound personlisation: We've yet to find a pair of headphones that offers just as much in the way of sound customisation. You can truly tailor it your personal preference.

You want hi-fi sound: Honestly, we felt like we had a proper pair of speakers strapped to our ears. The sound is so detailed and with a perfect level of low-end oomph. 

Don't buy them if:

You're on a budget: Yes, we've put them in the premium section for a reason. These aren't cheap, so you'll want to carefully consider your investment.

❌ You have a lot of external noise to block out: While there are less capable noise-cancelling true wireless earbuds around, there are more capable alternatives too. 

The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX buds are a premium option. Not only do they look absolutely stunning, but they also boast a level of sound quality, and sound customisation, not often found in a pair of buds.

Bang & Olufsen’s Beoplay EX will let you set the sound profile to your exact needs through the accompanying Music app. Sound can be adjusted in four distinct directions – Bright, Energetic, Warm and Relaxed –  allowing you to fine-tune it to your own exact preferences . 

Plus call quality on these buds rivals other more niche buds such as Apple’s AirPods Pro 2. While we didn’t find it to be crystal clear in our review, we did find that they did a pretty good job at drowning out a busy city street while on the phone, compared to rival pairs.

There’s also on-bud controls that not only stop and play your music, but also let you adjust the level of ANC and a variety of other functions, the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX offers users a simple and effective listening option.

With such a standout offering, you might think the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX would be higher on this list. But there is one big downside to these buds, and that’s the small fortune you’d have to part with to own a pair. You’re getting quality but you can get buds that meet the Beoplay EX's feature set for less.

But if you have the money to splurge, then your ears will be in for a treat with the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX.

Read our full Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Ex review

The best mid-priced earbuds

Sony WF-C700N earbuds close-up in a hand, on gray background

(Image credit: Future)
The best mid-priced earbuds

Specifications

Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 4.6g per bud
Frequency response: 20-20,000Hz
Drivers: 5mm
Battery life: 7.5 hours (earbuds), 7.5 hours (charging case)

Reasons to buy

+
Detailed, immersive audio
+
Very comfortable and secure

Reasons to avoid

-
Not a lot of battery from the case
-
Some small missing features
Buy them if:

✅ You have smaller ears: These earbuds are some of the most secure and comfortable we've worn, and should be perfect for most people.

You have a Tidal Account: Link the streaming service in the Sony Headphones Connect app and you unlock 360 Reality Audio. And that, friend, is a very good thing… 

Don't buy them if:

You prioritise on-ear volume control: Maybe not a deal breaker for some, but something to be aware of. 

❌ You want music to pause when you remove them: This isn't a feature of the WF-C700N. Small gripe for some, potential deal-breaker for others.

The Sony WF-C700N earbuds rewrite the rules for what is possible in terms of both audio performance and ANC performance at this price level. Readily available between AU$150 to AU$200, they're one of the best bargains in recent memory. 

Now, we're not going to say they beat competition further up the price range, because they don't. But what they do do, is comfortably obliterate anything else of a similar price. Sony has packed them full of features alongside the headline feature of adaptive active noise cancellation, including multi-point connectivity, adaptive sound control and Sony's own technologies such as DSEE 'upscaling' and 360 Reality Audio. 

How the company has managed to keep the price so low, relatively speaking, is outstanding. 

As for the buds themselves, they're dinky and compact, and a joy to wear. Battery life is damn good too. On the audio front, they continue impress, serving up an "enthusiastic performance," according to our reviewer, and one that is chock full of detail – at least when compared to similarly-priced competition. 

Read our full Sony WF-C700N review

The best headphones for ANC

Someone wearing the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones against a green backdrop

(Image credit: Gerald Lynch/TechRadar/Future)
The best headphones for active noise cancellation

Specifications

Weight: 250g
Frequency response: 4Hz to 40kHz
Drivers: 30mm
Battery life: 40 hours (with NC off) 30 hours (with NC on)

Reasons to buy

+
Superb noise cancelling
+
Excellent audio performance

Reasons to avoid

-
More expensive
-
Not a huge upgrade over the XM4s
Buy them if:

✅ You want class-leading active noise cancelling and audio: The range may have plateaued a bit with the WH-1000XM5, but they’ve plateaued at the top of the pile.

You appreciate smart, AI-driven software settings:
These can anticipate exactly what you want them to do without you needing to touch a button yourself.

Don't buy them if:

You can get a pair of discounted WH-1000XM4s: The small difference in performance between both sets means picking up the older ones would be your best bet overall.

❌ You value portability above all else: Unlike previous models, the WH-1000XM5 headphones are unable to fold in on themselves to make them fit more easily into a bag. 

These new Sonys would be at the top of our table if it weren't for the fact that right now the outgoing model, the WH-1000XM4, is substantially cheaper and does almost everything the newer Sonys do. These are better headphones, but at the moment the XM4s are the better buy.

In our Sony WH-1000XM5 review we said that the XM5s offer "class-leading noise-cancelling features and well-balanced audio". However, "a steeper price point and similar functionality to earlier models make the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones an ever-so-slightly tougher sell than before."

The new design is more elegant and contains slightly smaller drivers than before, and while there's less wind distortion, the trade-off is that they don't fold neatly like the previous model did. The noise cancelling is elite, which is why we've highlighted them as being the best in the world for this job. They're able to mute the higher pitched sounds that ANC headphones tend to find challenging, and sound quality is exemplary.

If you don't already have noise cancelling headphones, these are as good as it currently gets for noise-stopping power – but the older, cheaper model is almost as good and better value as a result.

Read our full Sony WH-1000XM5 review

The best earbuds for ANC

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 inside open case

(Image credit: TechRadar)
The best earbuds for active noise-cancelation

Specifications

Weight: 6.2g (per bud); 59.8g (charging case)
Cable length: N/A
Frequency response: Not specified
Drivers: 9.3mm
Driver type: Not specified
Sensitivity: Not specified
Impedance: Not specified
Battery life: 6 hours (buds); 3 extra (charging case)
Wireless range: 9.1m
NFC: No

Reasons to buy

+
Smaller, more comfortable design
+
Best-in-class noise cancellation

Reasons to avoid

-
Call quality could be better
-
No support for high-def wireless codecs
Buy them if:

✅ Noise cancellation really matters to you: These buds are at the top of the ANC game as it stands right now, and that’s without compromising on the sound quality.

You want beautifully balanced sound: Whatever CustomTune is actually doing, it’s working. The sound is very well balanced, with a lot of detail and texture.

Don't buy them if:

You’d prefer high-definition wireless sound quality: With support for just low-definition wireless codecs, the QCE II may not be for everyone. There’s no LDAC or aptX support.

❌ Size and wireless charging matter to you: Despite Bose managing to shrink its flagship ANC buds, the QCE II aren’t the smallest true wireless options you can get. 

As impressive as the first generation Bose QuietComfort Earbuds were, it would be fair to suggest that the second generation of Bose's premium noise-cancelling in-ears has improved upon them in almost every way. 

Design refinements with the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 vastly improve the noise cancellation, for example, which is especially impressive given the originals already offered some of the best ANC at the time of their release. As an added plus, our review found that you don’t lose out on audio quality for these improvements to ANC, as the “sound is very well balanced, with a heck of a lot of details and textures coming through. And if you find the need to tweak it, you can via the EQ in the app.”

With that said, there are a few specs missing from these buds that are a little disappointing when considering the premium price – there's no support for high-def wireless codecs and no wireless charging, for example.

However, if you’re after the best noise-cancelling true wireless buds currently available, look no further as the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 are unmatched in that area.

Read our full Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 review

The best headphones for sound quality

Focal Bathys on green grassy background

(Image credit: Future)
The best headphones for wireless sound

Specifications

Weight: 350g
Frequency response: 15Hz–20kHz
Drivers: 40mm
Battery life: 42 hours (with USB DAC) 35 hours (with Jack) 30 hours (with Bluetooth)

Reasons to buy

+
Exciting, detailed, expressive sound
+
Very comfortable (and easy on the eye)

Reasons to avoid

-
On-ear controls are hit-and-miss
-
Noise cancellation can be beaten for less
Buy them if:

✅ You like the option of wired listening: With wired USB-C over-ear listening that happen to offer Bluetooth wireless listening too, these give you the best of both worlds.

You're prepared to pay extra for detailed sound: For detail, refinement, expanse and clarity, the sound here is unparalleled in a wireless design. 

Don't buy them if:

You want class-leading ANC: It's there and it does help, but the ANC doesn't envelop you in a bubble of silence even on the highest level – you also can't tweak the levels.  

You want listening gear that folds up completely: As with the latest from Sony, B&W and Sennheiser, the Bathy headphones lie flat but cannot fold up for easy transport. 

As a debut pair of wireless headphones, Focal hit the nail on the head with the Bathys. The French audio specialist has been known in the market to make some of the best over-ear headphones out there and the Bathys embody a lot of its expertise and experience but in a more versatile way with its wireless capabilities. 

The ability to access uncompromising, high-end sound through USB-C wired DAC mode does mean that these headphones don’t come cheap, though. In terms of price, they sit a level above even the likes of the Apple AirPods Max.

While the sound in these headphones is faultless, we did find some niggles during our testing around the overall built quality. Although very minor, the physical buttons and headband can be a bit flimsy and distracting. 

But if you value sound over all else then it’s hard to beat the Focal Bathys for pure high-end audio. They also come packed with premium features, including a control app, 

Read our full Focal Bathys review

The best looking headphones

Bowers & Wilkins PX8 held in a hand

(Image credit: Peter Hoffmann)
The best headphones for sumptuous design

Specifications

Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 320g (without carry case)
Frequency response: TBC
Drivers: 2 x 40mm dynamic full range
Battery life: 30 hours

Reasons to buy

+
Agile, detailed, class-leading sound
+
Supreme comfort during wear

Reasons to avoid

-
Battery life has been beaten
-
Noise cancellation is average
Buy them if:

✅ You like to look good: Not everyone cares about looks. But if you want people to gaze longingly at your over-ears, these are probably the set for you.

You're prepared to pay extra for class-leading sound:
There's no doubt that the PX8 sound absolutely jaw-dropping for detail, clarity, energy and agility.

Don't buy them if:

You need class-leading battery life: The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless can offer double the 30 hours offered by the PX8. Mind you, 30 hours is hardly poor… 

You desire listening gear that folds up: Bowers & Wilkins' newest proposition follows the recent tendency for lying flat, but not folding up for easy transport.

If the only factor to be taken into consideration when determining the best headphones were sonic quality, the Bowers & Wilkins PX8 would land much, much higher up this list. But then there's the price. While you can certainly spend even more on headphones, at around AU$1,000, they ain't cheap.

It also makes them vastly expensive than the majority of consumers would or should ever consider for a pair of new headphones. Still, the price tag isn't necessarily without its justifications. A new carbon cone 40mm drive unit replaces the bio-cellulose driver in the (slightly) more affordable Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 and the die-cast aluminium arms, diamond-cut bright metal detailing and Nappa leather trim elevates the build to high-end territory.

And the sound quality is simply exceptional, with agile, dynamic sound coming through crystal clear and at a performance level that is simply top of the class. You also get a generous 30 hours of battery life, which is impressive when considering how much is packed into the headphones that could elsewhere be used as justification for a more modest juice cycle.

If money is no object and sound performance is what matters most to you, these are the best headphones money can buy. It's just the asking price being so far beyond what many could reasonably consider drastically harming the PX8's overall value which sees these headphones tumble so far down this list.

Read our full Bowers & Wilkins PX8 review

The best wired earbuds

best headphones 1More Triple Driver In-Ear Headphones in black and gold against a white background

(Image credit: 1More)
The best wired in-ear headphones

Specifications

Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 18g
Frequency response: 20-40,000Hz
Drivers: Dynamic
Battery life: N/A

Reasons to buy

+
Lush sound quality
+
Excellent build and design
+
Unmatched value 

Reasons to avoid

-
Plastic remote feels cheap
Buy them if:

✅ You want uncompromising sound: Audio quality is where the Triple Drivers stand out, delivering a balanced yet detailed sound with mid-bass.   

You want the best possible value: At this price range, it's hard to find headphones that can match the level of quality build and design you're getting.  

Don't buy them if:

You don't like wires: The biggest gripe we had with these headphones is that the rubber cable would catch on itself, which can be distracting when listening on the go.

You value quality materials: Another minor flaw we found during our testing was that the plastic remote feels cheap, like the rubber material used for the cable.   

After testing the 1More Triple Driver In-Ear Headphones for a few weeks, we found that they deliver fantastic sound and equally fantastic value for money. That's why we consider them to be the best headphones for those who prefer wired earbuds.

For the price, it would be difficult to find a better-sounding and more well-built pair of earphones than the 1MORE Triple Drivers – although if you want a little extra refinement and more luxurious materials, the same firm's 1MORE Quad Drivers are even more impressive, albeit at twice the price.

The inbuilt remote feels a little cheap, but that's more than made up for by the lush sound quality offered by these luxe-looking earbuds. For the price, you would struggle to do better than 1MORE's Triple Driver in-ear headphones. 

Read our full 1More Triple Driver In-Ear Headphone review

The best headphones for workouts

Beats Fit Pro true wireless earbuds in lilac, the best workout headphones, in their charging case against a white background

(Image credit: Beats)
The best gym headphones for most people

Specifications

Weight: 5.6g (earbuds), 55.1g (case)
Battery life: 6 hours (with ANC) additional 18 hours with charging case
Heart rate monitor: No
On-ear controls: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Active noise cancellation
+
Spatial audio on Apple Music
+
Better battery life

Reasons to avoid

-
ANC could be stronger
-
Can be uncomfortable
Buy them if:

✅ You want a secure fit on the treadmill: An intuitive wing-tip fit means the Beats Fit Pro should stay in place in all ear types.

You sweat a lot: Not all pairs of wireless earbuds lay claim to being sweat resistant, but the Beats are fully protected.

Don't buy them if:

You're an Android user: While Android users can still use them, it's iPhone owners that will get the full benefits, including Spatial Audio.

You workout for hours: While not a huge drawback, we did find they could get uncomfortable over longer listening sessions.

With the Beats Fit Pro, Apple's taken its winning formula for competent in-ear headphones and turned it into one of the best pairs of workout headphones we've tested. These noise-cancelling earbuds take the performance of the Apple AirPods Pro and place it in a more workout-friendly form, complete with wing tips that keep them in place and a custom-designed driver for a bassier sound.

These Beats earbuds boast a new sound profile with elevated highs and lows as well as good overall clarity. When we put them through their paces with Lil Nas X & Jack Harlow's INDUSTRY BABY, we found them to deliver the driving bass line followed by a vocal track that moves depending on which way you’re facing, supporting Apple Music's Dolby Atmos. If you want the concert experience during your run or when you're at the gym, these are the best workout earbuds to get.

They don’t support wireless charging like the AirPods Pro. But, they make up for that with around 6 hours per charge with 18 hours in the charging case with the ANC on.

Read our full Beats Fit Pro review

How to choose the best headphones for you

There's a lot to consider when you're buying a new pair of headphones. Nowadays, maybe top of this list is your budget, but close behind this are factors such as comfort, sound performance and battery life among others.

Choosing the best headphones for you will almost certainly depend on how you hope to use them and what you can afford, with quality options at various price points to be found in all styles. These include wired, wireless or true wireless, as well as over-ear, on-ear or in-ear.

How we test the best headphones

When it comes to the best headphones, we focus on sound quality above everything else. We look at both wired and wireless cans and earbuds that would appeal to audiophiles, as well as those working in professional roles.

However, we also appreciate that budget is important too, so we compare like for like, picking out budget headphones that perform admirably for the price.

We also look at other features such as ANC, battery life, fit, and of course the usability and extra perks offered by any companion apps. Of course, design and whether they look (and feel) good all adds to the model's desirability – and this is noted as we listen to music across a wide range of genres over several days. 

We have tested all of the headphones in this guide extensively, spending plenty of time analyzing the sound, fit, design, specs, and value for money so that you will be able to choose a product you'll be over the moon with. 

FAQ

What are the best headphones I can buy right now?

The best headphones aren't necessarily guaranteed to be the best for you, as which options are best for your needs will depend on your preferences, style, budget and where you hope to primarily wear your headphones.

Luckily, there's options for everyone to be found without much effort thanks to our list above. While our top pick might be the Sony WH-1000XM4 wireless headphones, we consider the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 our favourite pair of earbuds, while two offerings from Australia's own Nura (the NuraTrue and Nuraloop, respectively) earn their places in the discussion of the best headphones. 

If you have a tighter budget, however, we'd suggest the Sennheiser HD 250BT headphones as our pick for the best budget wireless headphones, while we're bullish on the Audio-Technica ATH-SQ1TW earbuds being the best budget true-wireless option.

If money is no object and the best of the best sound quality matters to you, however, you might find no better option than the Bowers & Wilkins PX8.

The best headphones for you depend on you, but you're sure to find something suitable in our list above.

Which brand is best for headphones?

There's no one perfect headphone brand out there. It all depends on your budget, audio needs, the features you want, and even the comfort or design involved with the headphones. 

That's why we've included numerous headphones covering different price ranges and feature sets. While major brands like Sony and Bose may stand out most and Melbourne-based Nura have emerged as serious competitors, that doesn't mean you shouldn't rule out the others, with something for everyone out there.

What are the best headphones for working out?

When it comes to finding the best headphones for working out, the first thing you will need to determine is if they're water resistant. The last thing you want is to ruin your new pair of headphones because they aren't prepared for dealing with the sweat that comes with most exercise.

The next thing to consider is fit. Many people choose to go for true-wireless earbuds when working out due to their portability, however this style does come with some downsides. Without wires and being so small, it's pretty easy for them to pop out of your ear while you're bouncing around and can then get lost.

For this reason, our pick for the best headphones for working out is the NuraLoop headphones. These are wireless, though not true wireless, with a connecting band between the two buds that will drape over your neck. This means that there's less concern about losing one, or them falling out and bouncing away from you when you're working out. 

These (and others with similar design) also hook over your ears to better secure the fit, meaning you won't have to worry about losing your headphones as much as you would with earbuds, while also avoiding the over- and on-ear designs that can trap in heat and sweat while exercising.

Are wired headphones better than wireless?

Generally speaking, wired headphones do deliver better sound quality than wireless headphones. But audio tech has seen so much positive advancement in recent years that many of the best wireless headphones offer more than enough performance to ensure you're unlikely to notice a difference.

We often still recommend that strict audiophiles continue to opt for wired headphones, but for everyone else it will be mostly down to personal preference.

The latest updates to this best headphones guide

June 28, 2023

Changed overall format and layout to make navigation and purchasing decisions easier. 

Removed old products and replaced with newer ones. Made changes to categories to help clearly define which pairs of headphones are the outright best. 

Max Langridge
Staff Writer

Max is a digital content writer for TechRadar, covering home entertainment and audio, phones, laptops, gaming and virtually anything else that falls under the consumer electronics umbrella. Hailing from the United Kingdom, Max spent a combined five years writing for What Hi-Fi? and Pocket-lint, before moving to Australia in 2018. After a brief stint writing for men’s lifestyle publications, Max is back to working on his first passion of technology.

With contributions from