• Écoute unveil improved TH2 headphones
• Use valve pre-amps for analog sound
• They're not cheap!

British audio brand Écoute — no, not French, despite the name — wowed us in January 2025 by sticking valve amps into headphones for a classy hi-fi appeal. And now it's done it again, but apparently better.

The Écoute TH2 promise improved noise cancellation, a more comfortable fit, design tweaks to reduce chances of microphonic interference in the valves — and, most importantly, improved sound quality. The brand hasn't changed the make-up of its cans, just made some adjustments and improvements.

The new cans use a redesigned resonance chamber to improve bass and reinforced shielding to avoid the interference with the analog valve design.

Getting tubular

Despite being an older form of tech, valve amps are beloved amongst audiophiles because they're an analog form of amplification, giving a warm and natural sound while offering loads of the perks of digital amplifiers. We've covered it before: valve amps sound better thanks to physics.

On most hi-fi pieces of kit, valves are large and fragile, but Écoute uses the smaller and lighter NuTube 6P1, so the tubes don't shatter as soon as you sneeze, and don't weigh too much.

The Écoute TH2 connects via Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C and, of course, 3.5mm, and they even work with external amplifiers if you'd rather not use the tech you're paying for.

Another perk is that you can change the EQ and it applies to the DSP, instead of overlaying a blanket change, giving you the ability to make more nuanced changes to your sound.

The catch? These aren't showing up on our list of the best cheap headphones any time soon. They sell for $999 / £999 / AU$1,446, and that's for the fabric band. Getting the leather option costs even more (£1,099 in the UK, and I can't find pricing elsewhere just yet) and both go on sale in November.

TechRadar's Audio experts test dozens of pairs of headphones each year, and 2026 has been especially strong when it comes to new over-ears. I thought I'd pull together a roundup of our top-rated models — just in case readers were thinking of using next month's Black Friday sales to upgrade — and I was inundated with excellent options. Below, you'll find a collection of all the over-ear headphones that scored four stars or above in our tough review tests.

A five-star standout is the open-back, wired Heddphone D1, with its proprietary driver design that "blows away audiophile-grade options at three times the price". If you're looking for something better suited to, say, public transport or the office, there are plenty of wireless, ANC cans that knocked our socks off, too.

Two brands that upped their game in a big way for their second-gen over-ears were Nothing and Sonos. The Nothing Headphone (a) wowed us with their "gigantic" battery life and excellent on-ear controls, and the Sonos Ace Ultra impressed with a "fantastic" suite of features including detailed EQ options and Dolby Atmos for movies.

We also loved the AirPods Max 2, and they're a strong recommendation for anyone who has an iPhone and doesn't mind a case that looks like a bra. And for budget-hunters, the OneOdio Focus A1 Pro deliver "surprisingly good" sound and long battery life, and you won't believe how cheap they are.

Scroll down for a closer look at all of these headphones and more. Hit the More details button for a summary of the main pros and cons of each pair, as well as a link to the full review.

4.5 or 5 stars

4 stars

• Bose has bought Skullcandy
• The brands have worked together on headphones recently
• Acquisition all but guarantees more Skullcandy cans will get Bose tools

Bose, one of the top-tier audio companies, has spent the last few years helping out other brands with audio tuning and features, and Skullcandy is one of the highest-profile beneficiaries. Just look at the Method 360 or Crusher 1080, both of which were better for the Bose touch — and more recently the Noise Master Buds Open, which we got to try at IFA Berlin last month.

Now, Bose has decided a slice of credit is not enough; it wants the whole pie. The noise-nixing pioneer has just bought Skullcandy, in a deal which seems to guarantee the bony brand's continued success.

It sounds like little will change for Skullcandy, despite its acquisition (although you never can know with these things), but it should ensure that more of the brand's headphones will get Bose touches. Soon, you'll likely see Sound By Bose and the brand's noise cancellation in more devices, beyond the flagship ones.

That'll be particularly great for the Park City, Utah-based company's non-flagship headphones, speakers and earbuds. Skullcandy makes portable party speakers, workout headphones and buds, all at more affordable price-points than its now-parent company, none of which would likely have been in line for a Bose makeover before the acquisition.

Now, there's little for Bose to lose in using its magic touch liberally.

They Bose to the challenge

A few weeks ago, prior to news about the acquisition, TechRadar's Audio Editor Becky Scarrott spoke to Bose's President of Premium Audio, Raza Haider. One of her questions actually happened to be about whether Bose was empowering its rivals perhaps too much, by offering out its tech?

"We exist as a company to produce great sound, through audio research," Haider said, on September 30. "Our products are a very small way of that research manifesting itself onto human beings in the world. The more places we can find for that technology to land, the more service we're doing for the vision of the company.

"Bose cannot be that brand, or that company, that delivers all those use cases. One brand can't cover every single passion point, otherwise it becomes a plain vanilla tech giant. You might as well make washing machines, right? I'm not taking a dig at anyone, but you know what I'm talking about."

So, perhaps we had a preview of Bose's intentions then. It certainly shows that Bose has been wondering about the competition, and how best to maintain its unique positioning in the audio market.

For those of us who just love what Bose can do with ANC and can't wait for it to become more prevalent in a wallet-friendlier brand (and surely that's all of us?), things are looking very good indeed.

• UK government cracks down on people who annoy others with phone music
• Fines of up to £100 for those people
• It's cheaper to just buy these headphones

People who play music, TikTok videos or out-loud video calls on public transport probably aren't self-aware enough to know how annoying it is, but apparently the UK government does, because it's finally cracking down on so-called "headphone dodgers".

From next Monday, transport authorities will be allowed to fine rule-breakers by up to £100 if they're causing a nuisance. Prime Minister Andy Burnham is fronting the campaign, after previous governments toyed with the idea.

It's a good idea, but the success is dependent on enforcement, as transport safety officers and not drivers are expected to hand out the fines. Given how minimally-staffed most public transport services are, some (me) are dubious that the rules will make a difference.

However if you've been a 'headphone dodger' and you want to turn a new leaf (good on you), it'd make sense to buy a pair of headphones that cost much less than the £100 penalty fare.

And naturally, we've tested a few that we can recommend…

Sennheiser CX 80U

Starting with something nice and cheap, we've got some wired earbuds, which you can easily plug into the USB-C port on a phone and keep bundled up in your pocket the rest of the time. No Bluetooth dropouts, no losing a bud as you board the bus, no apps, none of that.

The Sennheiser CX 80U sound great, block surrounding noise quite well, and offer a nice simple design. We gave them 4.5 stars out of 5 in our review, only knocking them for some missing features of pricier buds.

Best of all, though, they're really cheap. They launched for $39.95 / £34.99 in January this year, but you can find them even a little cheaper than that on Amazon.

Sony WH-CH530 (or even the Sony WH-CH730N)

If you want great-value headphones, you can't go wrong with a pair from Sony, and its recently-released Sony WH-CH530N are really affordable at $69 / £50.

We haven't yet finished testing these on-ears, they're that new, but their predecessors the WH-CH520 got 4.5 stars in our review. We praised the balanced sound and long-lasting battery, and the newer pair will likely bring improvements.

As you can see in the picture, they come in a wide range of colors, and also have noise cancellation, which isn't something you can say about all options at this price point.

Prefer over-ears? Go for the just-reviewed, all-new Sony WH-CH730N: a solid four stars and they're just under that £99 (or equivalent, in your country of residence) fine line, if you'll pardon the pun…

JLab JBuds Mini ANC

Last, but not least, let's look at some standard wireless noise-cancelling earbuds, which we got to try earlier this year.

The JLab JBuds Mini ANC are tiny — you can even clip the case onto your keyring — so you've got no excuse for not having buds on the bus. At $49.99 / £49.99 they won't break the bank either.

We enjoyed the non-ANC JLab JBuds Mini too, when they came out three years ago, and they're ideal for people who want lightweight buds.

Have further thoughts? Drop us a comment — or better yet, fill out the poll below this text and then add your comment!

TDM Neo: Two-minute review

If you follow your audio news, no doubt you followed the early-2026 unveiling of the TDM Neo with fascination. It’s a novel audio gadget: it functions both as a loudspeaker and as a pair of headphones, with a neat twisting mechanism folding it or unfolding it between the two.

Months on, and the TDM Neo has been released, so I naturally made sure to test a pair to see how well they work… and unfortunately, I can’t really recommend it to anyone but collectors of neat knicknacks.

The problem is almost entirely in the audio department: the Neo just doesn’t sound good. As a pair of headphones it’s okay, but imprecise in a way that many rivals aren’t. However, when you turn it into a portable speaker, you get a tinny bass-less hiss which even bargain-bin Amazon options beat.

I’ll be forgiving: it’s likely that you can’t get high-tech driver systems in a gadget like this due to its form function. But at the same time, a valid reason for something bad doesn’t mean it’s not bad. Pick up something else from our list of the best Bluetooth speakers, I promise you’ll enjoy it more.

Not helping the Neo's case are a few other imprecisions. Take, for example, the design: the twisting mechanism locks the speaker mostly in place, but not always; it’s a bit loose. This means you don’t always get a secure fit, and the speaker can be quite wobbly.

Another gripe: there’s a TDM app, but to use some of its key features, you need to make an account. You can’t just boot up your speaker and change the EQ, without giving over some of your data. Why?

It’s a real shame that the TDM Neo has these issues, because there are signs that the company put some real thought into the device, with some neat touches. There are some useful in-box extras such as a sturdy carry case and high-quality cables, and some of the features (including different EQ modes per format) let you tweak with the nitty-gritty.

I’d be remiss not to mention the price. It matches top-tier Bluetooth speakers or mid-range headphones, despite the sound and build quality — again, as a proposition it's just really hard to justify.

As a viable consumer product, the TDM Neo isn't easy to recommend. It’s a neat concept, with some thought put into its various departments, but several gaping weaknesses mean you’ll be disappointed if you spent your money on it. Keep your eyes peeled for a Neo 2, though – if TDM fixes these issues, it could make something really special.

TDM Neo review: Price and release date

• Unveiled in January 2026, sold from October
• Available for $249 / £249 (about AU$500)
• TDM also sells battery replacements

The TDM Neo was initially unveiled at CES 2026 in January of the year, but it took until September for the device to go on sale and October for it to ship.

You can buy the Neo for $249 / £249 (about AU$500, but I can’t find the device available to buy in Australia). It’s a high price, but a little more justified when you consider that you’re getting two devices.

While repairability isn’t touted as one of the Neo’s key features, TDM does sell battery replacement kits online for $29 / £23 (about AU$46) , and has an online guide on how to swap them out. So the brand deserves kudos on the repairability front.

TDM Neo review: Specs

TDM Neo review: Features

• Incredibly good battery life
• App brings EP, some extra tools
• Account required for some features

One real strong suit is the TDM Neo's battery life. You’re looking at 16 hours of listening in speaker mode, which is above-average for a device of this size… and a wild 200 hours of listening when you’re in headphone mode.

That’s right, well over a week straight of listening without having to charge them up, and dwarfing the 100-plus hours the previous frontrunners hit. Helping that figure is the lack of ANC, which is par for the course with on-ears, so nothing to get upset about.

On your smartphone, you can download the TDM. app to get some extra features. I found it a little tricky to locate, since putting ‘TDM’ into the app store brings up loads of options, so make sure to download the option with the full stop after the letters.

The app offers all the basics: you can see battery level, toggle a low-latency gaming mode, and find the Neo if you’ve mis-placed it. There’s also an option to change what twisting the unit does, away from switching formats as it currently does, and some battery saver modes which are an appreciated rarity.

The equalizer has several presets and space for two custom modes, and I really appreciate that you can set a separate EQ for when the Neo is in headphone mode and when it’s in speaker mode. It’s a neat touch, but it shows that TDM has really thought through the design.

However to actually edit the 5-band equalizer yourself, and also to use the find-device function, you have to create an account and log in on the app. The TDM Neo is an audio gadget; you shouldn’t need to create an account to use all of its features.

• Features score: 3.5/5

TDM Neo review: Design

• Twisty twisty: headphones to speakers using magnets
• Headphones are fairly sturdy, but a little heavy
• Speakers feel unstable and wobbly

Well, this is the whole thing of the TDM Neo, isn’t it? They’re designed to be dual-purpose. They begin as headphones, and you twist them into a speaker configuration, wherein the cups are housed in the headphone band and use outward-facing drivers. I’d compare the process most to using those pop-up festival tents: it takes a knack but when you know, you know.

As headphones, they’re fairly sturdy on-ears which are surprisingly comfortable to wear. That’s despite these puppies weighing a fair bit more than the average pair, at 340g. They have a fairly reliable fit, as long as you’re not jogging in these things. A small release catch lets you extend the length of these; I say this because it took me a good week of testing to realize that’s what the buttons do, so if you own a pair, there’s a good chance you missed it.

But twist the Neo into speaker mode, and it’s a different affair. Music automatically switches to play from the speakers when the cups are bent to a certain degree, and two magnets on the band meet (or roughly at that point, although they don’t need to physically touch).

It’s not a precise science, and every time I twisted the device down, I’d end with the two halves of the speaker in different places; sometimes they were aligned, sometimes not, and sometimes pointed in different angles.

Musically, this doesn’t make much of a difference, but it means the device is weighted in different ways, and doesn’t have a flat base to lean on. As a result, the speaker would be unstable, rocking when I put it down and constantly shaking if it was on a surface that was being jolted (like, say, a table where board games were being played).

On one of the cups there’s an LED indicator and USB-C port, the latter of which is facing directly upwards, so I imagine this is a no-go in rainy environments or anywhere where particles could fall in (there’s no IP rating). The other cup houses a 3.5mm jack, pairing button, volume rocker and power button. The volume and power buttons are made of a cheap-feeling rubber, which quickly looked scuffed on my review unit.

At least it’s a fairly compact speaker, being only slightly bigger than my Tribit Stormbox Micro 3. Several times I took it to other locations, because it’s small enough to carry in a bag fairly comfortably, without taking up too much room.

• Design score: 3/5

TDM Neo review: Sound quality

• Headphones & speakers both have dual 40mm drivers
• Speakers are tinny, lack much bass
• Headphones have muddy, rumbly sound

Important context: the TDM Neo has two sets of drivers, and so when you’re in headphone mode, you’re listening to different drivers than when you’re in speaker mode. Otherwise, the room-filling audio would deafen you the first time you put the Neo on your head. Sensible.

This results in two very different sound profiles for the device, even if all four drivers are 40mm ones. Unfortunately, depending on your mode, the sound ranges from ‘not great’ to ‘bad’.

It’s the loudspeaker mode that I’m filing as ‘bad’ – years of using Tribit, JBL or Ultimate Ears speakers has ruined me, it seems. Put frankly, the TDM Neo sounds tinny. It lacks any credible bass to speak of, relying on a steaming pile of treble to pass as a song. But even then, high treble and mid lines are conspicuously absent too.

One of my favorite bands to test hi-fi gadgets with is Morningsiders, as their varied instrumentation (‘band’ instruments with strings, brass, piano, so on) makes it easy to analyze speakers. I wanted to put on one of their songs with a more prominent bassline, to see how the Neo fared, and skipped through nearly an entire album without finding one… until I realized that the Morningsiders weren’t the problem.

In something like Hang the Cedar, bass is only apparent from the void in a track it leaves, while acoustic guitar sounds like a metallic sneeze and even some of the guitar harmonics are missing.

I don’t like being overly negative in product reviews, and luckily I can calm it, because the headphones don’t sound as bad. I still wouldn’t pick them over… well, much, but I didn’t physically recoil while testing them for this review.

The headphones have bass — in fact, it’s quite prominent, even if you’re not coming straight from the speakers. It’s a little ‘looser’ than I like from bass, sometimes sounding rumbly and imprecise, but it’s certainly powerful. I was half expecting the treble to be missing in compensation, but that’s not the case — it’s not too energetic or sharp, but it completes the V-shape sound profile that ensure the headphones are much more pleasant than the speaker.

Yes, V-shape means that mids are a little lacking, but not to a fault. In Morningsiders’ Four Face Liar, for example, acoustic guitar is barely audible between the bass and vocals. But ‘barely audible’ is still a step above the ‘nonexistent’ bass of the speakers.

With support only for the SBC and AAC codecs, you won’t be able to enjoy high-res music with the Neo. And you’re probably wondering whether the equalizer or presets saves the sound? Unfortunately not, it just exacerbates or masks the issue depending on how you use it.

• Sound quality: 2.5/5

TDM Neo review: Value

• You're getting two devices in one...
• ... but two devices would be cheaper...
• ... and they'd work and sound better, too

As mentioned before, the TDM Neo is essentially two devices in one. In the same way that you pay a premium for folding phones, because they’re both smartphones and tablets, you’d expect to pay a little more for a novel hybrid gadget like this.

Saying that, it dashes their appeal against the rocks. You could easily pick up a solid option from our Bluetooth speakers buying guide and one of the best cheap headphones for less; each device would beat the TDM Neo’s audio and design pretty handily

The premium price really doesn’t help the Neo; $249 / £249 is a cost that you’d only really consider going for if you were buying from a big audio brand like Sony or Bose, not a Kickstarter brand selling a rough-and-ready piece of kit. If you find it half price, maybe it’s worth buying; and if you have some unique use case in which you need a 2-in-1, then perhaps pick it up. But if you’re just interested in the novelty, it’s hard to recommend.

• Value: 3/5

Should I buy the TDM Neo?

Buy them if…

Don’t buy them if…

TDM Neo review: Also consider

Usually, we'd list several similar gadgets to the reviewed one, which you may want to do instead. However I'm going to do something different here; I'm going to list one speaker and one pair of on-ear headphones, which together cost less than the TDM Neo.

How I tested the TDM Neo

• Tested for over two weeks
• Paired with Android phone for Bluetooth
• Used mostly at home, but on some walks too

The testing time for the TDM Neo lasted for two weeks, not including the writing time for the review.

I used the TDM paired with my Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, over Bluetooth. Lots of the testing took place at home in speaker mode, but I also used the headphones at home and while going on walks around my local area. Testing was largely done via Spotify, for music and audiobooks, but also on YouTube and several games.

I've been reviewing gadgets for TechRadar since early 2019, and in that time have tested plenty of speakers and headphones.

• First reviewed in October 2026

• Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

• "Wooferpads" transmit pulses through your skin
• Coming to the US in November 2026
• $249 (about £187 / AU$357)

As much as I love hearing music on some of the best headphones, there's something missing from every mix: the physical sensation you get from a set of speakers pushing lots of air. Sonic Lamb has a solution. Its latest headphones model features unique drivers to deliver sound that you can actually feel.

The new Beyond headphones look like any other premium pair, but in addition to their dynamic drivers, they have what Sonic Lamb calls an Impulse Driver in each ear. That driver transmits low-frequency vibration as low as 2Hz through the headphones' "wooferpads" so that you can feel the vibration through your skin.

The vibrations are synchronized with the audio to follow not just their timing but the dynamics of the song. It sounds gimmicky, I know, but I promise you it isn't: we've tested the first generation of this technology and it really works.

We're getting those good vibrations

We've seen lots of attempts to bring the physicality of bass to headphone listening, with various degrees of success (and various levels of practicality, if you recall Ol' Thumpy, which had its wearer "looking like a human dumbbell).

So far, Sonic Lamb's version is one of the most compelling: the first generation was subtle but effective and really did add an extra dimension to music. This newer, more advanced version offers 10 intensity levels and personalized profiles for different use cases: music, movies, gaming or just adjusting the audio to suit your preferences.

Even without the impulse drivers the Beyond headphones offer an impressive specification, although there's no active noise cancellation. The Beyond headphones have Bluetooth 5.4, LDAC, aptX Lossless, Bluetooth LE Audio, LC3, USB-C digital audio, 3.5 mm analogue audio and multipoint connectivity. There's also Beyond Link, a dongle that gives you low-latency connectivity for gaming, and you can expect up to 40 hours of battery life.

Other than the somewhat tacky "eargasm" marketing slogan, which Sonic Lamb is still using, our main gripe we had with the initial model was the design, which we said was "a little unrefined".

But the key features — sound, comfort, weight and padding — were all very good. As our audio editor Becky put it: "they recreate the experience of being at a live gig much better than I could've imagined."

The Sonic Lamb Beyond headphones go on sale in the US in November 2026 with a price tag of $249 (about £187 / AU$357).

Sony WH-CH730N review

If you want affordable wireless headphones with a lot of the fancy features and design elements found on Sony’s flagship cans, then the Sony WH-CH730N might just be perfect for you.

With ANC, highly customizable and energetic sound, and a neat folding design, there’s a lot to like about the WH-CH370N right off the bat. I’ve spent hours upon hours listening to music with Sony’s latest affordable cans, so here’s whether I think they’re worth picking over some of their fiercest rivals in this competitive segment of the market.

Of course, if you want to stand out against the best headphones in the budget category, you need to do one thing above all: provide great sound quality with as few sacrifices as possible. And all in all, I think that the WH-CH730N do just that.

If I’m honest, these headphones didn’t make an amazing first impression on me. They have a somewhat strange tuning out of the box that makes them sound unbalanced, with a slightly restricted soundstage and both vocals and drums in the treble-range are especially held back. But this can be solved. Just hop onto the Sound Connect app and switch to the Clear EQ (that enhances treble), or create your own Custom tuning. After doing this, you’ll be able to experience far more open and revealing audio that’s genuinely impressive for budget headphones.

When tuning into Just Gets Better by TJR and Xavier, I was impressed by the WH-CH730N’s ability to provide pumping bass that sounded satisfyingly deep yet controlled, never obscuring vocals or higher-pitched percussion in the process. Sure, bass doesn’t have the level of texture and warmth that Sony’s pricier WH-1000XM6 headphones supply, but it’s far more impactful and regimented than I’ve come to expect from most affordable over-ears.

In Miracles by Change, the WH-CH730N continued to impress, with clear guitars in the mid-range beautifully weighted against smooth, punchy bass, tight and expressive drums in the treble-range, and expressive, well-defined vocals. Again, you’re not going to get the grand expansiveness and expert instrument separation that Sony’s flagship headphones plate up, but the clarity and balance available is commendable for the price.

It certainly feels like these headphones have a preference for the low-end, and as a result, you get a really energetic, exciting listen out of them for certain genres — think house, funk and hip-hop. But they’re more than capable of handling more stripped-back tracks too. For instance, with Yuta Orisaka’s Yureru, I was struck by the tonal accuracy and tastefully forward vocal performance, but emotive strings were also given plenty of room to express themselves.

Yes, the WH-CH730N require a bit of tuning to sound their best, and they’re not quite serving up flagship-level audio. But they do sound great for the price. And considering you gets DSEE upscaling (which you’ll need to activate in the Sound Connect app) to elevate lower-quality files, as well as 3.5mm audio for wired listening and highly customizable EQ, there’s a lot to love about these, sonically speaking.

Some may have wished for LDAC support, which enables you to stream in higher-res quality over Bluetooth — especially as it's Sony’s proprietary technology. There’s also no USB-C audio passthrough (though this is common for Sony headphones). But aside from this, there are plenty of features for you to dig into — both related and unrelated to sound.

Most of these features can be found in Sony’s Sound Connect app, which is easy to use, with no sign of bugs or faults during my testing. Other than what I’ve already mentioned, you’ll be able to switch between your devices (with multi-point available), customize the function of the noise cancelling button, activate a voice assistant and more.

Although some features (including wear detection, which is one you may miss) are absent, there’s so much to explore on the WH-CH730N. There's an option to prioritize sound quality, stability, or use a Bluetooth LE connection. Then, there's the ability to activate a background music mode, turn on battery life conservation modes, and to switch between ANC or a transparency mode (there’s also an option to turn these off altogether).

And while we’re on the topic of ANC, let’s talk about how effective it is. The WH-CH730N make use of four microphones in total — which isn’t all that many in 2026 headphones. And the noise-cancelling capabilities are, in my view, fairly middling. They dull external sounds pretty well, meaning harsher noises (the roar of traffic and the like) aren’t too invasive. But when typing in the office, or when playing a video out loud, I could still hear the clicking and clacking of keyboards and the video presenter’s voice, even when listening to music above 50%. If you just want to dampen the world around you, these are up to the task — but if you want to shut it out completely, you might be left wanting more.

The four mics do handle calls pretty well though, and whether I was taking a video call or listening back to a recording, my speech was clear and articulate.

Something else that I liked about the WH-CH730N was their battery life. You get 50 hours with ANC on, and up to 75 hours when it’s switched off. While some budget rivals, like the Nothing Headphone (a) outdo it here, that’s still an awful lot of playtime, and more than double of what you’d get from Sony’s most premium wireless headphones, the Sony 1000X The Collexion.

In terms of design, the WH-CH730N aren’t quite setting the world alight, but I do like how they’re fully foldable, which is useful if you’re on the go and want to tuck them away in a small-sized bag. They’re pretty plasticky, and the headband isn’t the sturdiest around, but the WH-CH730N do have plush ear cups which feel nice and comfortable in use. They’re also available in an enticing set of colors, including Pink, Blue, Beige, Black, and White.

So, are the Sony WH-CH730N worth the money? I think so. They supply good sound quality, a boatload of features, a practical design and strong battery life. The ANC is by no means bad either, even if it's not the most impressive I’ve experienced. So, as long as you don’t expect the most expansive soundstage and intricate detailing, sonically speaking, and you don’t need top-tier noise cancelling, you’ll almost certainly be satisfied with the Sony WH-CH730N.

Sony WH-CH730N review: price & availability

• Priced at $179 / £99.99 / AU$229
• Released in September 2026

The Sony WH-CH730N were released in September 2026, about three and a half years after their predecessor, the Sony WH-CH720N. The previous model was $149 / £99 / AU$259 at launch, meaning that the WH-CH730N are a bit pricier than their predecessors at the point of release, but there’s been no change in the UK, and an actual decrease in Australia.

These headphones sit in the budget camp, but are a little costlier than the Sony WH-CH530, a cheap pair of on-ear headphones that launched alongside the Sony WH-CH730N. Still, they’re considerably cheaper than the flagship model, the Sony WH-1000XM6 and ultra-premium Sony 1000X The Collexion. Price-wise, the WH-CH730N are in competition with models like the Nothing Headphone (a), the Sennheiser Accentum Plus, and the Anker Soundcore Space 2.

Sony WH-CH730N review: specs

Sony WH-CH730N review: should you buy them?

Buy them if…

Don’t buy them if…

Sony WH-CH730N review: also consider

Sony WH-CH730N review: how I tested them

• Spent two weeks testing
• Used at home, on walks, and on public transport
• Predominantly streamed tunes over Tidal

I spent two weeks testing the Sony WH-CH730N, using them everywhere I went — the office, public transport, on walks…you name it.

For the most part, I streamed tunes over Bluetooth via Tidal on my Xiaomi 17 phone, but I also tried them out using a wired connection with my laptop. As always, I commenced testing by sifting through the TechRadar reference playlist, but I also listened to hours worth of tunes from my personal library.

More generally, I’ve spent years testing audio gear here at TechRadar, where I serve as a Senior Reviews Writer. I’ve reviewed everything from wired earbuds like the Sennheiser CX 80U through to party speakers, such as the Marshall Bromley 750. I’ve also tested a whole host of wireless headphones, so I know exactly what it takes for a model to stand out in this highly competitive market.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed: October 2026

• The rumored name for Samsung's first over-ears in a decade was spotted
• They may be called Galaxy Studio, according to a leak and a trademark
• And also, they'll give Samsung's various audio brands something to do

For almost a decade, Samsung has been the proud owner of a who's-who of legacy audio brands, and it finally looks like it's ready to do something with them. A potential AirPods Max 2 rival, possibly called the Galaxy Studio, is rumored to be on the way.

That Samsung has some over-ears in the works has been leaked before, but people are finally taking the rumors seriously now because of the mention of an actual name. These fresh leads stem from a leaker on Twitter called @evowizz, who also successfully leaked the Pixel 11 Pro Fold. It is they who gave us the Galaxy Studio moniker.

Now, the title 'Studio' might suggest professional uses for these headphones. Maybe they're made for music mixing and/or critical listening? This is Samsung though, a tech giant that typically sticks to the consumer product realm to support its ecosystem, so perhaps the name was simply chosen because it makes them sound premium.

In fact, Samsung trademarked this name a whole decade ago, and re-filed it in mid-September. So the Galaxy Studio is sounding increasingly likely. And with the brand's recent push into new audio form factors, including the Galaxy Buds On, it makes the new cans seem increasingly likely.

There's no indication of price, feature set or release date just yet. Some fans are hoping for a 2027 release date, so maybe they'll come alongside the Galaxy S27, Galaxy Z Fold 9s or another release that year. But it's impossible to say for sure.

It's an audio party and everyone's invited

Samsung bought Harman International in November 2016, which means the likes of Harman Kardon, JBL and AKG are all in its trophy cabinet. A later acquisition of Masimo's audio brands in late 2025 means that Bowers & Wilkins, Denon and Marantz are also on its roster.

Despite all that knowledge and R&D on its shelves, the brand has been content releasing in-ears only, including the Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. We haven't seen any over-ears since the likes of the Samsung Level On Pro, back when ANC was a new novelty, rather than a mandatory feature for any new wireless over-ears.

The shame is that some of the Harman International brands have languished recently. JBL and Bowers & Wilkins still push out glorious over-ears regularly, but Harman Kardon now seems to exist solely as a brand which tunes others' headphones, and when was the last time we saw a major AKG release? These are legacy audiophile brands, seemingly going to waste.

Hi-fi fans have been begging for an proper AKG revival for a long time, and the Samsung Galaxy Studio won't be that — they won't be designed and honed for audiophiles in the same way that AKG's cans might be.

But if there's even a small splash of juice from all of its well-known names, the Studio could turn out to be a pretty tasty smoothie. For now, we wait… 

I've tested more sets of headphones than I can even count during my time here at TechRadar, but Sony's most premium cans ever are true stand-outs. Be it their incredibly expansive sound, stellar look, or capable ANC, these headphones really have it all… but one thing has held me back from recommending them more regularly: their steep asking price. Thanks to an early Amazon Prime Day Big Deal Days offer, though, the Sony 1000X The Collexion can be yours for $598 (was $649.99) at Amazon US and just £474 (was £549) at Amazon UK. As a result, I think they're well and truly worth snapping up if you're looking for premium headphones.

• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale

I like to think of The Collexion as Sony's answer to Apple's AirPods Max 2. They go all in on a spacious, immersive soundstage that affords every element in a track plenty of breathing space, but the headphones are also immensely stylish and feature-rich. Android users who can't get the iOS-specific features from Apple's cans should seriously consider these. They have a highly customizable EQ, LDAC and DSEE Ultimate for higher-quality Bluetooth listening, and class-leading touch controls — things that Apple's cans skip on entirely.

There's even more to love about The Collexion, and I'll delve a bit deeper down below. However, the bottom line is that these are an excellent pair of headphones, and now, at a record-low price in both the US and UK, they're all too easy for me to recommend. So, make sure to scroll down for the best deals and more details on the Sony 1000X The Collexion.

Today's best Sony 1000X The Collexion deal in the US

Today's best Sony 1000X The Collexion deal in the UK

When I reviewed the Sony 1000X The Collexion earlier in 2026, they impressed me in a few key areas. Of course, sound is one of them. I've already spoken about their expansiveness, but they also offer excellent balance across the frequency range, with impactful and dynamic bass output, rich and intricate mids, and expressive treble. If you have LDAC switched on for higher-res streaming — or if you're using a wired connection — The Collexion can also unearth some of the finest details in your favorite tracks, resulting in a highly insightful, engaging listening experience.

Something else that impressed me was their active noise cancellation. Although these headphones have a relatively relaxed fit, they still crush external sounds to impressive effect, and whether I was using them on public transport or just while working in the office, they kept me focused on my tunes with ease. There's also a transparency mode if you want to be more aware of your surroundings, something that you can trigger by placing your hand over the right earcup, or with a simple button press.

I also absolutely loved the look and feel of the Sony 1000X The Collexion. Thy have a much sleeker look than the aforementioned XM6, with gorgeous metal details, a faux-leather exterior, and plush earcups. These headphones are some of the most, if not the most, comfortable I've ever used, and I had no problems using them for hours on end without stopping.

Even with this discount, they're still expensive, sure. But for the all-round quality you get in return, I think they're well worth the investment. If you're looking for some cheaper Sony headphones, though, I've got you covered with a few extra deals in the US and UK — head on down for more details.

More Sony headphones Prime Day deals in the US

More Sony headphones Prime Day deals in the UK

Earfun Wave Pro X: Two-minute review

Earfun is not a company known for unveiling premium tech. The audio specialist keeps to the budget side of the tracks, and we’re better off for it — see winning products such as the Air Pro 4 Plus in-ear buds or Earfun Clip 2 open options for starters.

The Earfun Wave Pro X aren’t premium headphones; they’re not going up against the AirPods Max 2 or Sony WH-100XM6 in our list of the best headphones you can buy. But nevertheless, they’re Earfun’s most high-end over-ears yet; the company says it took over 30 months to design them — and it’s clearly true, given the year-long gap between their announcement and actual release.

All of Earfun's typical traits — which I’ve come to really appreciate from the brand’s kit — are evident in the Wave Pro X. The battery life is great, lasting 90 hours if you turn ANC off, and the app is chock-full of useful features — including one of the most in-depth equalizers I’ve ever seen on headphones I’ve reviewed.

The Wave Pro X also have a more refined design than I’ve seen from Earfun headphones in the past. Neat flourishes and smart material choices make these feel like headphones that’d usually cost twice the price. Before them, I tested the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen), and these feel just as well-designed as those pricey options.

In fact, I was surprised by how how similar these cans are in general, focusing on comfort and solid noise cancellation. The Earfun don’t sound quite as good, but if you want budget Boses, these are a pretty solid pick.

You’re getting all that for a relatively affordable price. These won’t find a place on our list of the best cheap headphones by any means, but they’re an inexpensive option which you could feasibly buy as a gift or pick up for yourself without it being a scary purchase.

However they’re not perfect, and I wish the sound was a little bit more refined. The Wave Pro X offers a slightly muddy performance overall, which occasionally drowns out trebles with overstated mids and bass, and presents some peaking as well as a reduced soundstage.

In true Earfun fashion though, the list of features may overwhelm some, especially in the ANC menu (there are loads of different modes), and with a listening test that challenges you to pick your favorite in a carousel of honestly identical-sounding mixes. I also associate top-end headphones with fun color ways, thanks in part to Bose’s range of hues, and Earfun has nothing of the sort.

But these are affordable, offer some of the perks of the recent Bose headphones, and beat them in a few departments — including battery life. So they’re well worth picking up if you want a premium-adjacent set of headphones that won’t break the bank.

Earfun Wave Pro X review: Price and release date

• Released in August 2026, almost a year after their official unveiling
• Sells for $129.99 / £119.99 (about AU$240)
• Earfun's most premium offering

The Earfun Wave Pro X had a long road to release; they were first announced in September 2025, re-announced in January 2026 with some tweaks, and then actually unveiled to buy in August 2026. Better late than never, then!

You can buy the Earfun Wave Pro X for $129.99 / £119.99 (about AU$240; Earfun does ship globally but the cost will be the current conversion from the USD price). So they’re not quite affordable cans — they’re a touch too pricey to qualify for our best cheap headphones round-up — but you’re not going to confuse these for premium cans.

The original Earfun Wave Pro sold for $79.99 / £79.99 (about AU$120) but they came out two and a half years prior, and so can be found for about half that price now.

Earfun Wave Pro X review: Specs

Earfun Wave Pro X review: Features

• ANC good for most uses
• Fantastic 90h battery life (with ANC off)
• Range of app features including loads of EQ tools

You’ll get a solid, commendable amount of listening time with the Earfun Wave Pro X; the company estimates that they last for 90 hours with ANC turned off, or 50 hours with it turned on. And from my testing, those figures sound about right. That means these puppies will last for much longer than your standard flagship ANC cans, with top options from the likes of Bose, Sony and Apple generally lasting 20-30 hours, but they don’t quite match the longest-lasting options on the market.

The ANC works well, doing a reliable job of blocking out most annoying noises around you. I can’t pretend it’s best-in-class, suffering most to unpredictable and non-repetitive nearby sounds, but it’s close enough that you won’t mind if you’re not a silence connoisseur. Earfun overcomplicates matters with a range of different noise cancelling modes, such as "AI Ear Adaptive ANC" and "AI Environment Adaptive ANC", but take my advice: just slap on full-strength normal ANC, and leave it there.

‘Loads of features’ was likely another bullet-point on the flipboard when Earfun was workshopping these headphones, because the brand’s audio products always come chock-full of the kind of tools you’d be lucky to get on another device.

I’m talking hearing health protection modes; I’m talking gaming-focused low-latency settings; I’m talking dual-device connections, AI translation and the ability to change the volume and language for voice prompts. I know!

The highlight on the features list — which I don’t recall from other Earfun products — is an equaliser that beats basically anything else in the business right now. There are 30 presets, a 10-band custom EQ mode, a listening test to create a personal EQ, and a ‘Professional EQ’ tool which gives you even more control over filters, frequency and gain. It’s a wonderful range of customization — even if the listening test is quite hard to use.

If you really love EQ, a tool called SoundSense lets you adjust the EQ on the fly and customize it per song. That’s a lot of admin, but a way to fine-tune your favorites, if you're so inclined.

These all come courtesy of the Earfun Audio app, readily available on the Play Store or App Store. Over my several weeks of testing, connection was generally impeccable, save for one occasion in which my Android phone couldn’t detect the Wave and I had to ‘Forget’ then re-pair them.

• Features score: 4.5/5

Earfun Wave Pro X review: Design

• Comfortable to wear thanks to soft padding
• Some premium materials; folds up small
• No IP rating; useful buttons on cup

The Earfun Wave Pro X are the brand’s premium headphones, and it lets you know in their design. Banish the thought of some all-plastic, generic-looking cans; there are some refinements in the Wave.

Look at the headband, for example. It has a soft fabric top, and comfortable leather padding. Like in the Sony WH-1000XM6, a sleek cylindrical bar, not a thin plasticky beam, connects the band with the cups. They’re little details, but they paint the picture of a more refined design than we’ve seen from Earfun before.

The Wave Pro X is comfortable to wear; I used it for hours at a time without any kind of ear or head pain. The cans weigh 259g so they’re not particularly heavy, and the soft material used for the cups and band keeps your cranium happy.

You can rotate the cups inwards, extend the band a fair way, and fold the Wave Pro X up too; they even come in a protective carry case. Oh, and while I’m mentioning neat touches: they have a 3.5mm jack, which I can’t say about every pair of over-ear headphones I’ve tested recently.

That joins the power button, volume rocker and noise cancellation toggle on the right cup (all of which save the first can be customized to change their function). The left cup has the USB-C charging port.

If the Earfun Wave Pro X has an IP rating, I haven’t been able to find any information on it. That’s not particularly unusual for over-ear headphones, but worth knowing in case you were planning on wearing these in the rain.

• Design score: 4/5

Earfun Wave Pro X review: Sound quality

• 40mm woofer + 10mm tweeter
• Slightly muddy, bass-heavy sound
• 24-bit audio; LDAC, aptX, Snapdragon Sound

Are the Earfun Wave Pro X some of the cheapest over-ear headphones with dual drivers? Not quite, but only because the company itself has the even-cheaper Tune Pro. In the Wave Pro X you’re getting a 40mm dynamic woofer for low-end, as well as a 10mm diaphragm precision tweeter to handle the high-end; they’re positioned on top of each other to avoid undue sonic spacing.

So Earfun’s talking audiophile-grade language, but do those words translate to music? Unfortunately, not to the degree you’d hope.

Bass is controlled and powerful, instilling songs like Fire by Kasabian with a punchy undercurrent. Despite the tweeter, though, treble doesn’t have quite the sparkle you’d want, often falling low in the mix to bass and mids. In something like I IV V by Don McCloskey, it sometimes sounds like the singer is hiding behind their guitar.

It all gives the impression that the woofer and tweeter are working independently, not creating one cohesive sound. It’s like having some really great performers in your band, but no matter how great they shred or sing, they’re playing the song with no thought for their other band members — so it’s not going to sound especially harmonious. That’s especially true if one’s playing a loud electric guitar, and the other an ocarina.

Of course, you can use the numerous EQ tools to fix the audio a little bit, but it doesn’t help with the other issue: they often sound a little muddy. Mids are more prominent than I’m used to in consumer headphones like these, but they sound a little… gloopy, is the best word I can think of. At the same time, sounds from hi-hats and high-pitched acoustic guitars often turn into a hiss, reminding you of the artifice of what you’re listening to. The soundstage also isn’t what you’ll get from other headphones at this price.

You’re getting highly-detailed music, at least. The Wave Pro X supports 24-bit audio with Snapdragon Sound, and a range of codecs including LDAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive and apTX Lossless.

• Sound quality: 3.5/5

Earfun Wave Pro X review: Value

• In many areas, these are top-value headphones
• The only minor issue is that the audio isn't exceptional

The Earfun Wave Pro X are a little pricier than some other headphones from the brand, but they justify that price in a few ways, particularly the design and noise cancellation. If you’ve been considering a budget option but would be open to a step-up alternative, you’ll get the uptick in quality you're paying for.

However, they're also a great step-down alternative to pricier options, like the aforementioned (and contemporary) Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen). They're comfortable, long-lasting and full of features.

If they sounded better, Earfun could sell these for a fair-amount more, so if you don't care especially about top-tier audio quality, they're an even more tempting pick.

• Value: 4.5/5

Should I buy the Earfun Wave Pro X?

Buy them if…

Don’t buy them if…

Earfun Wave Pro X review: Also consider

Looking for alternative over-ears? Here are a few we've tested and would recommend.

How I tested the Earfun Wave Pro X

• Tested for over two weeks
• Paired with Android phone for Bluetooth and USB-C
• Used on walks around neighborhood, at work, and on public transport

I used the Earfun Wave Pro X for two weeks before writing this review, and it got another week of use during the writing process.

During this time, I used the headphones alongside an Android smartphone, paired mostly with Bluetooth but occasionally over USB-C. I mostly listened to music via Spotify, but also watched videos and played games. Listening was done at home and on walks around my neighborhood, as well as on public transport and while working out at the gym.

I've been testing gadgets for TechRadar since early 2019, and in that time have tested many other pairs of over-ears, and countless Earfun audio products.

• First reviewed in October 2026

• Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

Noble Audio FoKus Artemis: two-minute review

In Ancient Greece, Artemis was a goddess of many things: vegetation, hunting, wild creatures, childbirth… the list goes on. It’s fair to say that she was considered abundant in talent. And her moniker is not wasted on the Noble Audio FoKus Artemis: a set of wireless headphones that have far-reaching, broad talents of their own.

The FoKus Artemis are, put simply, an exceptionally strong performing set of cans. In fact, they might be the best-sounding pair of wireless headphones I’ve used. They have a triple-driver configuration, with dynamic, balanced armature, and planar drivers, affording them all of the dynamism, precision, and speed required to showcase your favorite tracks in their best light.

Like the best headphones around, the Artemis supply palpable yet regimented bass, beautifully detailed and textured mids, and expressive, articulate treble. But the real shining star is their excellent soundstaging. The Artemis bring forth an immense sense of space and scale, making for a highly immersive listen time after time. With aptX Lossless, LDAC, and USB-C audio, you also get high-resolution, nuanced sound that competes with the greatest headphones on the market.

But something else that sets these headphones apart from the crowd is their granular sound control. With help from Audiodo, Noble has included personalized EQ on the Artemis, which can account for hearing loss and provide optimized audio for all users. There’s also parametric EQ and a number of presets that will suit any listener.

The FoKus Artemis boast quite the suite of features, actually, with an effective companion app, wear detection and multi-point connectivity to give you the everyday convenience that you’d hope for at this money. ANC is here too, with a number of modes, including a transparency option. Noise cancellation here isn’t the best of the best, and the Artemis’ looser fit also means a fair few external sounds creep in now and then. But it’s still relatively effective, and will still help dull the world around you.

Spatial audio modes, though functional, also felt a little underwhelming to me during testing, but the Artemis’ wide soundstage means you get a nice and expansive listen from the headphones anyway. Call quality is strong, though, owing to the headphones’ seven-mic array, and you get up to 55 hours of playback (35 hours with ANC on), as well as a replaceable battery, adding longevity to the headphones.

In my view, the Artemis look great as well. Their metallic detailing, fabric headband, and textured ear cups ensure they exude all of the style and luxury you’d look for in an ultra-premium pair of headphones. There aren’t any touch controls, but the physical buttons work well, and are highly responsive. It also helps that the headphones are extremely well-fitting, and they feel comfortable to wear throughout the day.

But here it comes: the price. The Noble Audio FoKus Artemis cost a whopping $899 / £799 (about AU$1,200). Is the price-tag justified? It really depends on your outlook. They’re a seriously advanced set of headphones, with the triple-driver set-up, personalized EQ and premium build adding a lot in terms of value. But you can get phenomenal sound for less — even the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 are $100 / £170 less than these.

Still, if you want truly stellar audio and ultra-precise sound control, then it really doesn’t get much better than the Noble Audio FoKus Artemis. They’re a wonderful pair of headphones, and if you’ve got the budget, then they’re pretty easy for me to recommend. But for some slightly cheaper yet excellent alternatives, be sure to head down to the ‘also consider’ section.

Noble Audio FoKus Artemis review: price & release date

• Priced at $899 / £799 (about AU$1,200)
• Released in August 2026

The Noble Audio FoKus Artemis started shipping in August 2026, although I got to try them back in June, when the headphones were showcased at High End Vienna 2026. The Artemis are an ultra-premium pair of wireless headphones, and as a result, they carry a very hefty asking price. They’ll typically set you back $899 / £799 (about AU$1,200).

Sure, some rivals, like the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H100 and Focal Bathys MG, will set you back even further, but I won’t pretend that the Artemis aren’t a huge investment. And you can get exceptional sounding headphones for considerably less — for example, the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 are a good $100 / £170 less than the Artemis at $799 / £629 / AU$1,299.

Noble Audio FoKus Artemis review: specs

Noble Audio FoKus Artemis review: features

• Personal EQ can account for hearing loss
• Strong battery life of up to 55 hours
• ANC is acceptable, rather than great

Noble Audio has put a ton of thought and effort into the feature-set of the FoKus Artemis, and this results in a great user experience.

Where to start? Well, I think the most interesting function is the personalized EQ, which offers surprising depth. Noble Audio partnered with Swedish firm Audiodo to implement a hearing test on the Artemis, meaning you can unlock a sound that suits you — it even accounts for hearing loss. Using Noble’s app, you’ll be asked to listen to a set of prompts, which test your hearing across the frequency range in each ear, and you’ll get a custom EQ that provides bespoke, optimized audio.

This works really well, and can be toggled on or off. There are also a number of presets and a parametric equalizer if you want more granular control. Few headphones offer this attention to detail, and even though I loved the default tuning on the Artemis, they really can sound however you want them to.

There are also some spatial audio modes, with a subtle and immersive option. I didn’t love these so much — I found that tracks sounded less clear and concise, and given that the Artemis whip up an impressive sense of space anyway, I kept this off.

Let’s talk about one of the most important features next, ANC. The Artemis have a seven-microphone system with multiple noise-cancelling modes, including low, mid, and strong ANC and a transparency mode.

So, how good is noise-cancellation with the Artemis? Well, it’s decent. I used them across a huge range of environments: flights, trains, when out on walks, in the office, and at home. When using the strongest mode, I found that they eliminated sounds like typing and light chatter nicely, but more intensive stuff, like a plane’s engine running and passing-by traffic, tended to seep in quite easily. In part, this comes down to the more relaxed fit and clamping on the Artemis, but I did expect a bit more in terms of noise-crushing from these cans, given their price.

Something the mics handle very well, though, is calls. Whenever I made a video or voice call, people on the other end of the line reported that my speech was clear, and never tinny or obscured. This was also the case when I made some recordings and listened back.

The Artemis also impressed me a fair bit in terms of battery life. They offer up to 55 hours of playback with ANC off, and 35 hours. That’s slightly above the standard 30 hours that a lot of premium models offer, and means you’ll be able to listen for days on-end without having to charge the Artemis at all. The battery is also user-replaceable, which is becoming more common with EU legislation making this a requirement for portable devices.

Controlling the Artemis is also pretty straightforward. They feature traditional button controls, favored by a lot of audiophiles for their reliability. Personally, I’m a fan of touch controls (when done right), but this is omitted on the Artemis. Something that does feature, though, is wear detection and this is highly responsive and accurate — it can be toggled off if you’d prefer. Finally, the app is incredibly easy to use and well-laid out. I’ve seen some reports of iOS users having issues, but on my Android phone, the companion software worked perfectly.

• Features score: 4/5

Noble Audio FoKus Artemis review: sound quality

• Triple driver configurations delivers exceptional balance across the frequency range
• Wide soundstage creates a hypnotic listening experience
• Top-tier codec support and USB-C audio passthrough

It may not surprise you to find out that the Noble Audio FoKus Artemis are a truly spectacular-sounding pair of wireless headphones. In fact, they’re up there with some of the best performers I’ve tested here at TechRadar.

This model stands out from the crowd due to one specific design choice: its triple driver configuration. Dynamic drivers are great for handling the bass and mids, but balanced armature and planar drivers enable the Artemis to deliver enhanced precision, speed, and fidelity. But what’s the actual listening experience like?

Well, the most striking thing about the Artemis for me is their ability to conjure up a tremendously spacious, wide sound. For closed back, wireless headphones, the scale on offer is striking, and I was always treated to an almost hypnotic experience, no matter what genre I threw on.

In What We Got by Midas Field and Marjin Jensen, pumping bass hit with great impact and dynamism, without ever shrouding vocals in the mid-range or percussion up high. The speed and responsiveness of the low-end is excellent, and extends nice and low, meaning that even the darkest sounds in the frequency range sound full-bodied and controlled. Drums in the treble range were also precise and expressive without sounding overly bright, helping the Artemis to perfectly capture the energy of the track.

Switching over to Miracles by Change, and the Artemis continue to impress. Electric guitars were perfectly weighted in the mix, and sounded beautifully textured. They were also expertly separated from emotive vocals, which were in turn given plenty of room to express themselves. Subtle percussive elements were also perfectly audible, and the wide soundstage opened up a highly immersive listening experience.

As my phone supports both LDAC and aptX, I was able to get a highly detailed listen from the FoKus Artemis. USB-C audio passthrough also opens up genuine lossless playback, and with this, the Artemis offer up a phenomenally revealing, layered, and nuanced sound that helps to justify their high asking price.

• Sound quality score: 5/5

Noble Audio FoKus Artemis review: design

• Stunning design with fabric headband and metallic detailing
• Very comfortable in use, though looser fit has its downsides
• IP52 dust and waterproof rating

If I could use one word to describe the look of the Noble Audio FoKus Artemis, it would be ‘striking’. The silver metallic detailing on the earcups is bold and eye-catching, and truly exudes a sense of luxury. The fabric headband is also built to a great standard, and the plush earcups appear textured and stylish.

There are a few plastic elements on the Artemis, and you could argue that some parts — like the buttons and carry case — don’t exactly look the most premium. But overall I think that the Artemis are a great-looking pair of headphones. They’re also relatively flat and low-profile, which I really like — I’ve never been a fan of the bulkier look of headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM6.

On top of this, the Artemis are amazingly comfortable in-use. I happily kept them on for hours upon hours when making a long train journey, and never found them to be uncomfortable or overbearing. On my (relatively large) head, I’d say that the Artemis fall on the looser side, fit-wise. While this ensures great comfort, it could sometimes mean that external noises crept in a bit too easily — combined with the fairly middling ANC, this means that the Artemis fail to challenge the gods of the ANC domain, such as Bose and Sony.

Something that’s good to see, though, is that the Artemis have an IP rating. Sure, it’s nothing ground-breaking at IP52 — meaning they’re protected against dust ingress and water sprays — but very few over-ears actually display a rating, so kudos to Noble Audio for this.

• Design score: 4.5/5

Noble Audio FoKus Artemis review: value

• Undoubtedly expensive
• But the exemplary sound quality helps to justify this
• Still, exceptional performers are available for less

Look, the Noble Audio FoKus Artemis are a very expensive pair of wireless headphones. At $899 / £799 (about AU$1,200), they sit right up there with models like the Focal Bathys MG, and even exceed the excellent Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 in cost.

But are they really worth it? It honestly depends. If you want some of the best-sounding wireless cans on the market, then you’ll get just that with the Artemis. I’m not sure I’ve experienced any wireless headphones that outperform these. Their spacious, nuanced sound is a delight, and has made me never want to take them off. They also look great and offer a real sense of luxury, while features like the personalized EQ are rarely seen elsewhere.

Still, I can’t help but feel that their ANC could be better for the price, and you can still get incredible sound for a fair bit less with a luxury design from the Px8 S2. As a result, I’d consider the Artemis to be good value if you’re all in on sound, but perhaps consider the options in the ‘also consider’ section if you want to spend a little less.

• Value score: 3.5/5

Should I buy the Noble Audio FoKus Artemis?

Buy them if…

Don’t buy them if…

Noble Audio FoKus Artemis review: also consider

How I tested the Noble Audio FoKus Artemis

• Tested for one month
• Used on flights, trains, on walks, and in the office
• Mainly streamed tunes over Tidal

I spent one month testing the Noble Audio FoKus Artemis, using them as my primary set of headphones. I used them on flights, trains, and buses, but also when out on walks, working at the office, or relaxing at home. Using them in such a range of environments helped me to fully understand the effectiveness of their ANC capabilities.

When listening to music, I typically streamed tunes over Tidal on my Xiaomi 17 phone, which supports aptX and LDAC codecs, but I also dipped into Spotify from time to time. As always, I sifted through the TechRadar reference playlist when testing, but I also listened to countless hours of music from my personal library.

More generally, I’ve spent years testing audio gear here at TechRadar, including everything from wired IEMs like the Beyerdynamic DT 30 IE to party speakers such as the Marshall Bromley 750. I’ve also tested a whole host of premium headphones, including the Sony 1000X The Collexion and Bang & Olufsen H100, so I know exactly what a pair of headphones needs to stand out in a highly competitive market.

• Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
• First reviewed: October 2026

The Sonos Ace Ultra just dropped, and they might just be my favorite headphones of 2026. They’re a considerable upgrade over the original Ace, boasting far better musicality, incredible movie audio, expanded Sonos ecosystem support, and seriously good ANC. It really feels like Sonos has made a statement with this release, and the multi-room specialist is finally ready to take on the titans of the headphone world.

But just how well do the Sonos Ace Ultra shape up against their class-leading rivals at this money? I wanted to find out for myself, so I tested them against one of their fiercest competitors: the Sony WH-1000XM6. Sony’s flagship headphones come in at the same price point as the Ace Ultra and they too supply stellar sound, noise-crushing ANC, and a swathe of fantastic features.

So, which headphones are better: the Sonos Ace Ultra or the Sony WH-1000XM6? I’ve compared them across four key areas: features, sound quality, design, and value, to help you decide which are the best headphones for you. The Sony WH-1000XM6 have been my go-to headphones for well over a year, but this contest was genuinely far closer than I’d expected. But anyway, let the battle commence — oh, and make sure to stick around 'til the end, for my verdict.

Sonos Ace Ultra vs Sony WH-1000XM6: price & availability

The Sonos Ace Ultra were released in September 2026, about two years after the original Sonos Ace headphones arrived on the scene. The Ace Ultra cost $449 / £399 / AU$699, which is cheaper than the standard model cost at launch in the UK, and the same price as the original Ace launched at in both the US and Australia.

Meanwhile, the Sony WH-1000XM6 are a little older, and hit the market back in May 2025. They cost the same as the Sonos Ace Ultra, carrying a price tag of $449 / £399 / AU$699. As they’ve been about for a little longer, it’s more likely that you’ll find these cans on sale, and we have seen them drop below $380 / £300 / AU$500 before. While neither of these models are cheap, they both offer incredible quality across the board, with excellent sound quality and features, which helps to justify the steep asking price.

Sonos Ace Ultra vs Sony WH-1000XM6: specs

Sonos Ace Ultra vs Sony WH-1000XM6: features

Let me be clear from the offset: when it comes to features, these two pairs of wireless headphones are arguably the very best on the market. So, as you can imagine, it’s hard to pick a winner here.

The Sonos Ace Ultra and Sony WH-1000XM6 share a lot of the same positives: they each have extensive EQ options, with multi-band custom options, wired and Bluetooth connectivity, wear detection, and impressive ANC.

When it comes to noise-cancelling specifically, both are excellent performers, and easily dispose of external sounds like surrounding chatter and traffic noise. In my testing, I found the Sony WH-1000XM6 to have a very slight edge, though, perhaps lending to their larger microphone system (12 mics to the Ace Ultra’s 10) — they dulled deep sounds like engines rumbling to slightly greater effect.

Something that the Sonos Ace supply that Sony can’t compete with, is wider ecosystem support. TV Audio Linking enables you to transfer audio from a compatible Sonos soundbar and enjoy immersive sound privately, while Headphone Linking gives you the option to hand off audio to supported speakers, including the Sonos Play (or vice versa) for a seamless listening experience, no matter where you are.

Another thing that I love about the Ace Ultra is their native Dolby Atmos support. This means you can enjoy Dolby Atmos music and movies at their very best, and with the help of head-tracking, I’ve been able to enjoy deliciously expansive movie audio with impressive height effects and clear dialogue to boot. The Sony WH-1000XM6 aren’t as accomplished for movies, and while they feature a Cinema upmix mode, which transfers a stereo signal into a more expansive format, the actual quality of this is a little disappointing.

While we’re on the topic of sound-related features, it’s worth talking about codecs. Each of these headphones possesses something the other does not. And that’s because the Sonos Ace Ultra boast aptX codec support — something Sony skips on — while the XM6 feature LDAC, which their competitor leaves out. Both of these open up higher-res Bluetooth streaming, opening up a more detailed listen than you’d get with SBC or AAC, for instance.

The key differentiator here is compatibility. Apple fans, I’m sorry, but your phone supports neither of these. Android users, there’s a very high chance that your handset can make use of LDAC, which is actually a proprietary technology developed by Sony itself. However, it’s a different story with aptX. Fewer phones support this, and although I get to enjoy it on my Xiaomi 17, a lot of models leave it out. Both models support lossless wired listening, although only Sonos has USB-C audio passthrough, which is more convenient in my view — after all, so many of us carry around USB-C cables to charge our phones and other devices

In terms of battery life, these cans are close, but Sonos is the overall winner. The Ace Ultra provide 35 hours of playback with ANC switched on, whereas Sony give you 30 hours. That’s a pretty average amount of playtime to get from headphones in this price-class, but if you do run out of charge, you can use both pairs while they regain life via USB-C.

Finally, a word on controls. The Sonos Ace Ultra feature responsive, well-sized, and precise button controls. But they don’t have touch controls, something the WH-100XM6 pull off brilliantly. Sony’s cans have reactive and intuitive touch controls that I love. A single press won’t trigger anything so you can avoid accidental commands, but you can swipe on the right earcup to adjust playback and even cover it with your hand to enter into transparency mode. As much as I appreciate the reliability of Sonos’ buttons, I prefer Sony’s approach.

So, who’s the winner in the features category? It’s such a close one: I think Sony has a slight edge in ANC, I like the touch controls, and the broader compatibility of LDAC is a win. However, Sonos’ ecosystem interplay, native Atmos support, USB-C audio, and better battery life is pretty impressive too. Let’s call this category a tie.

Sonos Ace Ultra vs Sony WH-1000XM6: sound quality

While both of these headphones sound great, and there’s not a big different in quality, there’s only one winner for me.

The Sonos Ace Ultra made a big step up from the original Ace, especially when it comes to musicality. They provide well-balanced sound, with satisfyingly deep, regimented bass, clean mids, and expressive highs. But how do they compete against the Sony WH-1000XM6?

Well, allow me to reference my listening notes. In the funk tack, Joía rara by Brylho, both sets kept electric guitars well-separated from vocals and other instruments in the mid-range, almost making it sound as if they were playing in a unique pocket. Both also plated up well-weighted, clean bass, and finer details, like subtle percussive elements came through nicely. I did find, though, that the XM6 handled vocals with a bit more care — they sounded a bit more natural, and more effectively defined in the mix.

Moving onto a house track next, with Get it on by Jansons. This was a tight contest, the Ace Ultra’s deep bass came through with palpable impact, and higher-pitched drums sounded tastefully forward without getting shrill or tinny. It was the same on the XM6 — thumping yet agile bass alongside bright and precise treble, helping to capture the exciting, energetic vibe. I perhaps found that the XM6 offered slightly better dynamism, though — drops just had a bit more impact, which isn’t to say that the Ace fell flat, they were just marginally outclassed.

More generally, I found that the XM6 slightly edged out the Ace Ultra with more dynamic low-end output and better detailing, especially in the mid-range.

It’s worth noting that I do consider the Ace Ultra to be superior for movies. They have native Dolby Atmos support, and with built-in head-tracking, you can experience truly mesmerizing audio for all your movie-watching needs. When I connected the headphones up to the Sonos Beam Ultra via TV Audio Swap, I was blown away by the fidelity of height effects, the phenomenal width, and clear dialogue available. Sony’s headphones are good for movies, and they do feature some head-tracking technology (albeit more restrictive), but the Ace Ultra were clearly designed with movies in mind to a much greater extent.

Still, it’s important to have some perspective. The vast majority of people aren’t buying wireless headphones solely to watch movies. The most important thing is portable musical performance, and while the Sonos Ace Ultra get close to the Sony WH-1000XM6, they fall just short overall — and as a result, I’m handing Sony the W here.

Sonos Ace Ultra vs Sony WH-1000XM6: design

At a glance, these headphones might not look wildly different, especially as I tested two very similar colorways… but there are some notable deviations worth discussing.

In my view, the Sonos Ace Ultra are the better looking pair of headphones. They have a slimmer form factor with flatter ear cups, which look a bit more flattering than the XM6’s bulky ones. Their metallic details and curved look also gives them a premium yet understated aesthetic which I can’t get enough of.

The XM6 aren’t bad-looking at all, I just don’t think they quite match the luxurious vibe of the Ace Ultra. But what I do like about these is that they’re fully foldable. This means they’re amazing for travel — just fold’ em up, throw them in your bag, and you’re good to go. The ear cups can fold down on the Ace, enabling them to fit in their carry case, but they’re not quite as flexible as Sony’s flagship model.

On the topic of cases, Sony takes the win here. They have an enticing hard case which uses a magnet lock, meaning it’s so quick and easy to whip them out or stow them away. The Ace Ultra’s case doesn’t have the same premium feel, and it also has a pretty low-quality zip that jams a bit too regularly for my liking.

Neither of these models have an IP rating, which denotes dust and waterproofing capabilities — something that, in fairness, is rarely seen on over-ears (though some, like the Noble FoKus Artemis, do boast an IP rating).

But both models are very comfortable and don’t clamp too hard on my head, which makes it easy to listen to music for hours on end. This means they’re pretty close overall in the design section, but personally, I’d take the sleeker look and more luxurious design of the Ace Ultra over the XM6 — even if the latter are fully foldable and have a better carry case.

Sonos Ace Ultra vs Sony WH-1000XM6: value

So, it’s been a tight contest so far. And when you consider that both the Ace Ultra and XM6 have the same list price, deciding which offers better value for money is very tough indeed.

The truth is this: the better-value model is going to be very dependent on your needs and expectations. If you already own a Sonos system, and want interplay with your speakers and maybe even a soundbar, then the Ace Ultra are incredibly attractive. Their ANC and sound quality isn’t far off the XM6’s, they’re superior for movies, and I think they’re more stylish too.

But if you want the best all-round pair of headphones in this price bracket, I still don’t think you can beat the Sony WH-1000XM6 right now. They offer slightly more detailed, dynamic audio than the Ace Ultra, their ANC is class-leading, and they have no shortage of features, a fully foldable design, and their battery life is close to that of their Sonos rival.

In the context of this showdown, the XM6’s older age also works in their favor somewhat — we’ve seen them go on sale a few times here and there, so chances are, you’ll be able to swipe them up for less than the Ace Ultra in practice. I think you’ll be exceedingly happy with either of these models, but unless you want interplay with your Sonos system and top-tier Atmos for movies, then I think the Sony WH-1000XM6 give you ever-so-slightly more bang for your buck.

Sonos Ace Ultra vs Sony WH-1000XM6: verdict

So, there you have it. As I mentioned in the value section, it’s been a close affair, but I think the Sony WH-1000XM6 are the best headphones for most people at the time of writing. Ultimately, their marginal wins over Sonos in terms of ANC, musicality, and flexibility give them the edge.

If you have a Sonos system, though, I do think the Ace Ultra are worth picking for their seamless connectivity with your speakers and soundbar. And the Ace Ultra do offer a few improvements over Sony’s cans, like higher battery life, a more luxurious look, and better sound for movies.

Both are great options, however, so you can feel confident in your choice, whether you opt for Sonos or Sony. But what do you think? Would you choose the Sonos Ace Ultra or Sony WH-1000XM6? Let me know in the comments.

• Bose releases Thom Browne redesign of recent flagship headphones
• Adds a cashmere band, tag and cup stripes
• Very much designer label, costing twice as much as the original pair

If you still wish you could rock the emo aesthetic as readily as an adult as you did when you were young, I've got a new pair of headphones which will have you screaming "I'm not oooookaaaay" in no time.

Fashion house Thom Browne has teamed up with Bose, to release a special-edition run of the latter's QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen). The new model is due to release on September 28, although you can pre-order them already.

Now, these cans aren't cheap; there is a designer fee to be paid. They cost $950 / £760 (about AU$1,500, although Bose's Australian website makes no mention of them). And that — depending on where you live — is more than double the price of the standard Bose QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)'s $449 / £449 / AU$699 price, in any other finish.

So what do you get for the designer surcharge? Well, it is purely the design flourishes that set them apart from the standard flagship pair. Not only do you get those distinctive white stripes on the left cup, but the ear cushions and headband are made from cashmere. You also get a new Browne-designed protective case, and the color option is called Smoked Pearl. Let's also not forget the bragging rights of throwing down that much money on some headphones.

Similar cans, other than the design?

Other than the design flairs (which are "delightful, I must have them", according to my audio editor), the Thom Browne cans are pretty similar to the aforementioned Ultra set. These are not to be confused with the newer standard Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen), to which I awarded a very respectable four stars to in my recent review.

So, you're getting wonderful five-star Bose-tuned sound, fantastic spatial audio and solid noise cancellation. In fact, the comfort of the QC range is something I flagged in my review as being outstanding, and I'm sure some added cashmere will only make them more snug.

I tested the delightfully Shrek-like finish of the non-Pro cans which you see above, although those obviously don't have the same fashionable bent (unless you live in a swamp) but they come in a range of other colors including pink, mauve and mint.

Ironically, one of my issues with the Bose QCs was that they felt a little pricey compared to the competition, and the more-than-double-cost versions definitely aren't going to solve that.

That is to say, these are a buy for 'money no object' music lovers who think nothing of splashing out on fancy designer headphones. Saying that, if you have a malleable budget, the regular Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) might still be the top buy if you don't care about the designer extras.

Not for my audio editor though. She is already saving up…

The Sonos Ace Ultra are here, and they’re beautiful. I’ve spent two weeks testing them, and to tell the truth, they really exceeded my expectations.

See, I liked the original Sonos Ace, but the Ultra bring so many meaningful upgrades to the fore, be that their expanded microphone system, fancy new drivers, or new smart features. And as you’ll see in my Sonos Ace Ultra review, I think these updates establish Sonos as a major player in the world of wireless headphones.

The standard Sonos Ace fell just short of greatness when they released due to their somewhat middling musicality, and with rivals like Sony and Bose releasing excellent iterations in the WH-1000X and QuietComfort Ultra series’ respectively, it felt like the multi-room giant couldn’t quite go toe-to-toe with the best of them.

But the Ultra have changed that, and I’m here to share my five favorite improvements that make Sonos’ new headphones an excellent option for anyone looking to buy a top-tier pair of wireless headphones — or make the step-up from the original Ace. And make sure to stick around for number five, which is the most game-changing upgrade of them all.

1. A more customizable listening experience

First of all, you have a lot more control over the listening experience with the Sonos Ace Ultra compared to what the original Ace allowed.

This is largely down to a far more fleshed-out equalizer, which lets users take a far more granular approach tuning-wise. That’s because the Sonos Ace Ultra feature an eight-band equalizer, letting you make adjustments to specific parts of the frequency range. Want to give those lower-mids a bit of a boost? Want to temper the upper-treble a bit? No problem — you can do that here.

Meanwhile, the Sonos Ace had very basic two-band EQ options that only let you increase the bass or treble. Sure, there’s the option to use a three-band equalizer on the Sonos Ace Ultra if you want a simpler way of making changes, but the more extensive controls on the audio specialist’s new headphones are welcome for someone like me, who wants to tailor sound to his specific tastes.

While we’re on this topic, it’s also worth flagging that the Sonos Ace Ultra have adaptive EQ. This automatically adjusts EQ to account for factors such as fit, glasses, hair, and other elements that could cause leakage. This works well and was something that the original Ace skipped.

2. Enhanced ANC

The Sonos Ace Ultra increase the number of microphones onboard to ten from the eight seen on the standard Sonos Ace. This results in a number of improvements, like enhanced calling, for instance. But the biggest difference is heard when it comes to active noise cancellation.

This expanded microphone system helps the Sonos Ace Ultra to deliver excellent ANC that competes with some of the best noise cancelling headphones on the market. When working in the office, sounds of typing were totally eliminated. When on walks, construction work and traffic passing by was subdued to incredible effect. And even when taking public transport, the rumble of engines and conversations surrounding me were silenced without hesitation.

It helps that the Ace Ultra also have a relatively secure (yet still comfortable) fit, providing a seal that keeps the world around you at bay. I’ve tried far more expensive cans that can’t hold a candle to the Sonos Ace Ultra in this regard, so if you want great ANC, look no further.

ANC is adjustable, so you can decide whether you want full-blast silencing or a light bit of blockage if you find that disorienting. Of course, you also get a transparency mode if you want to be more aware of your surroundings or to have a quick conversation.

3. More interplay with your Sonos system

The Sonos Ace Ultra offer even more interconnectivity with other Sonos products than the original headphones, in part thanks to the Ultra’s new Headphone Engine 2.

With the Ace Ultra, you unlock a new feature called Headphone Linking. This lets you seamlessly transfer audio from compatible speakers — like the Sonos Play — over Wi-Fi, directly to your headphones (or vice versa). Just a single press of a button, and you can easily transfer music or movie audio across; it's seamless and works like a dream.

Like the original Ace, you also get TV Audio Swap. This lets you connect the Ace Ultra to a compatible soundbar, like the Sonos Arc Ultra, and hear movie audio on your headphones instantly. Because the Ace Ultra support Dolby Atmos and head tracking, you get an incredibly immersive, rich listening experience here — and it's ideal if you want to enjoy private listening without disturbing anyone else in your household.

4. Better battery — and its fully replaceable

First of all, I should say that the battery life on the standard Sonos Ace is by no means bad. You get 30 hours of playback with ANC on, which is basically the standard for headphones in the premium price-bracket — in fact, some rivals like the AirPods Max 2 and the first-gen Bose QuietComfort Ultra fall short of this.

But the Sonos Ace Ultra provide a slight bump, with 35 hours of battery life with ANC switched on — still nothing game-changing, but certainly a welcome improvement. You also only need to charge them for three minutes to get three hours of playback, which makes them incredibly convenient when you’re on the go and need some additional battery life in a pinch.

Perhaps more interestingly, the Sonos Ace Ultra feature a user-replaceable battery. Yes, you’ll need to get some specialist kit for this, but it means that the Ultra can live on, even if the battery degrades after years of listening. That only makes your investment more worthwhile in the long run.

5. New drivers provide a huge performance upgrade

And now for the largest upgrade of them all: the one that truly puts the Sonos Ace Ultra head and shoulders above the first Sonos Ace. Of course, I’m talking about the significant sound quality step-up, which comes, in part, thanks to new 40mm custom drivers.

When it comes to music, the original Sonos Ace are OK. They provide relatively energetic audio, but they lack balance, often sound quite busy and disorganized, and lack the width and detail of some premium rivals. But the Sonos Ace Ultra take things up a notch. They deliver expansive, dynamic, and intricate audio, especially when using aptX codecs or wired listening.

The Sonos Ace Ultra also provide improved instrument separation, letting them handle more complex mixes with ease. Low-end sounds are more full-bodied and agile, never sounding lethargic or lacking rhythmically. Mids aren’t as overzealous as they were on the original Ace, taking a more natural, detail-oriented approach. And treble is expressive and articulate, giving higher-pitched percussion some seriously satisfying bite.

Like the standard Ace, the Ace Ultra sound impeccable for movies, delivering a three-dimensional listening experience with convincing height effects and engrossing expansiveness, and they’re probably the best wireless headphones you can buy for movies. But the Ultra’s improved musicality helps them attain greatness — even more impressive when you consider that they’ve launched at the same price as the original Ace did back in 2024.

A habitual Bluetooth earbuds wearer, I often forget about the sheer audio pleasure of a pair of over-the-ear headphones (or as my audiophile friends like to call them, "cans"), which is why my experience with the new Beats 360 wireless Bluetooth headphones was even more revelatory.

You see, the Beats 360 — announced today — reminded me why I usually eschew headphones in favor of, say, AirPods: over-the-ear audio is usually too uncomfortable for me to wear for any length of time. That, though, has not been the case with the new Beats 360, an elegantly engineered pair of headphones that push the technology to each earcup, thereby stripping down and lightening the head strap.

They also feature far more forgiving memory foam and cover material than I've found on other headphones. As a result, the cups form to the contours of my head without unnecessary pressure, and my ears aren't throbbing after hours of listening.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. Comfort is important for headphones — and to be honest, earmuffs — but what will matter most is audio quality. Beats has done a lot of work to ensure high-quality sound. The audio company, which is owned by Apple, describes it as a high-fidelity acoustic architecture, built around a high-dynamic-range amplifier and a custom-designed dual magnetic transducer. There's even a custom venting system around the transducer to help reduce distortion.

A host of good design and audio choices

As I noted above, a lot of this technology — even most of the wiring — sits in each of the headphone cups. That leaves the headband thinner, lighter, and more comfortable. Beats 360 let you turn each headphone 90 degrees to flatten the entire headphones for easier travel.

The band does not fold in half, but at least the Beats 360 headphones are light enough (294.5g) that throwing them into your backpack (as I did, with the included fabric case), or walking about with them around your neck won't be a problem.

The headphones even support swappable ear-cushions: if you sweat on one pair, you can wash them while popping on a different set. Mine arrived with a couple of pairs, including a plush set. Each took a simple quarter turn on the headphones' body to remove and replace.

Beat 360 are easy to set up and use. I had them unboxed and connected to my MacBook Air in no time, and the controls make sense. On the left ear cup is my power and pairing button, as well as one for a quick touch switch between transparency mode and effective active noise cancellation (ANC). There's also a USB-C charge port. On the right cup is the volume rocker and play/pause button.

The metal band has enough give to fit over a head considerably larger than mine. A comfortable memory foam cushion sits on top of my head, and the metal band extends to line the cups up perfectly over my ears.

Putting the super in Supergirl

Since I was traveling when I first tried out the Beats 360 headphones, I decided to treat myself to a movie on HBOMax, which had just added Supergirl. As an avid Superman fan and someone who truly enjoyed James Gunn's 2025 Superman movie, I was anxious to see this in-universe take on Supergirl.

I settled into my hotel room bed with the MacBook Air propped on my lap and the Beats 360 headphones over my ears. The movie is, unfortunately, a misfire. While not miscast, Milly Alcock is stuck in a repetitive and muddled quest story with uninspiring heroes and villains, and while aiming to show the main character's growth, it seemed unsure of whose story it's telling. (We officially awarded it three stars in our Supergirl review.)

Ah, but the sound. Through the Beats 360, and probably thanks in part to the adaptive EQ, which automatically adjusts the audio to work with my fit, it was thoroughly engrossing, punchy, and loud, but never screeching, with clear effects and sharp audio. The sound often felt like it was coming from all around me. I honestly think the Beats 360 headphones made Supergirl watchable.

The incredible sound of silence

At home, I started wearing them while working, listening to my favorite David Bowie playlists and then a string of Simon and Garfunkel hits on Apple Music.

On Simon and Garfunkel's The Boxer, I was shocked to hear what sounded like a kazoo but is, in fact, the rough sound of a bass harmonica. I swear, in all the decades I've listened to that song, I never detected that before, nor have I previously heard what sounds like someone gently tapping on their guitar but is actually an analog recording artifact that is so in sync with the tempo that it's easy to mistake it for fingers gently beating on wood. So many exquisite details jumped out at me; it was like listening to these iconic hits for the first time.

Overall, Beats 360 produced fantastic, head-filling audio in every scenario and were also quite good for my Google Meet video meetings, providing clear voice, and with the 3 voice-pickup mics (out of a total of 9 — 6 are for ANC) doing a good job of delivering my voice to my fellow attendees. Naturally, the headphones include access to Siri, accessible via voice or by long-pressing the power button. So I used them for hands-free audio control and to ask some general interest questions.

I did not get to push the headphones to their battery limit, but they're rated for 32 hours (with ANC on) and, since I've had them, I have yet to charge them up.

At $349 / AU$499 (UK price TBC), Beats 360 ends up in the more affordable range of top-tier headphones. Sure, they're pricier than a pair of AirPods, but, as I see it, you can't put a price on this combination of sound quality and comfort.

Sonos Ace Ultra: two-minute review

Sonos is making a real statement of intent with its new wireless headphones, the Sonos Ace Ultra.

The multi-room master has made a whole host of improvements to this upgraded wireless over-ear model, which has arrived two years after the original Ace came to market. The Sonos Ace Ultra have enhanced custom 40mm drivers, a new headphone engine, better battery life, better noise-cancelling, and more detailed EQ to name a few things. So can they finally compete with flagship rivals from the likes of Sony and Bose to become some of the best noise-cancelling headphones we've tested? Here’s what I think after weeks of testing.

Let’s start by addressing the most important area of all: sound quality. We felt that the original Ace fell short of the best headphones around due to one main issue: their middling musicality. But the Ace Ultra have remedied that, and then some.

When listening to the Sonos Ace Ultra beside the original model, the differences were stark. Where the standard Sonos Ace sounded confined, overstretched, and unrefined, the Ace Ultra offered openness, intricate detailing, and a broader, more organized soundstage. What’s more, they provide better balance across the frequency range, with deep yet controlled bass, rich but less overzealous mids, and tight, articulate treble.

While I still consider some similarly priced competitors, like the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 to supply slightly more premium, detailed sound (for music, that is), the Ace Ultra are really not far behind. Sonos listened to the critics, and proved that it's up to the task of going toe-to-toe with the titans of the headphone world.

We already loved the original Ace for movies, though, finding that they offered immersive Dolby Atmos audio with effective head-tracking to boot. And that’s much the same on the Ace Ultra. They whip up wonderful width, strong command over height effects, and never neglect the fundamentals like clear dialogue and cinematic, pounding bass.

But what’s new on the Ace Ultra? Although music got a seismic upgrade, other alterations feel a bit more incremental — but that’s by no means a bad thing. Two more microphones have been added to the Ultra, bringing the total to ten, and ANC is great here. Wherever I was, my soundings were subdued to great effect, almost creating a bubble of silence. ANC is adaptive this time around and adjusts nicely, and the transparency mode works a treat. Call quality is strong too, as you may expect.

Battery life has also seen a boost, and you’ll now get up to 35 hours with ANC on. Is this anything groundbreaking? No. But it’s slightly above the 30-hour standard for headphones in this price bracket, and I never felt that I had to charge these cans very regularly. The battery is also replaceable, and a rapid charging mode means you can get three hours of playback if you spend three minutes juicing them up.

EQ options have also been expanded beyond the basic two-band equalizer found on the standard Ace headphones. There’s an eight-band option now as well as adaptive EQ, meaning you can genuinely tailor sound to your specific tastes.

We also need to talk about the Wi-Fi capabilities of the Sonos Ace Ultra. No, we’re still not at the point where we can directly stream tunes over a local internet connection, but there are some nifty features at play. First of all, TV Audio Swap is back, enabling you to link the headphones to a compatible Sonos soundbar, and transfer sound seamlessly. This is highly responsive and effective, and while I didn’t find myself using this feature a ton, you can avoid the latency issues you’d get from connecting headphones to your TV over Bluetooth.

The Ace Ultra also add Headphone Linking, though, which means you can also transfer sound from compatible speakers, like the Sonos Play, for instance. This is equally reliable as TV Audio Swap, and is a great option if you’re listening to music at home but want to keep listening without distracting others.

It’s clear to see that the Sonos Ace Ultra don’t look very different from the previous model, but that’s no bad thing. They’re sleek, well-built, and offer a neat combination of comfort and over-ear security. They’re not fully foldable, and the included case could be better quality-wise, but these are fairly minor pain points in the grand scheme of things.

Considering that the Ace Ultra cost the same as the original Ace at the point of launch — and actually less in the UK — they feel like a much more worthwhile investment. They’re by no means cheap, but their enhancements are meaningful and substantial, making these a great pair of headphones whether you have a pre-existing Sonos system or not. As a result, these are a great pair of headphones for music and movie lovers alike that feel worth the outlay — and are easy to recommend if you want a great all-round pair of premium wireless headphones.

Sonos Ace Ultra review: price & release date

• Priced at $449 / £399 / AU$699
• First released September 2026

The Sonos Ace Ultra were released in September 2026, about two years after the original Sonos Ace headphones. The new model is priced at $449 / £399 / AU$699, which is the same as the standard Ace cost at launch in the US and Australia, though they’re actually cheaper in the UK than the original Ace were at the point of release.

Given their price, the Ace Ultra have some extremely hot competition. For example, the Sony WH-1000XM6 are similarly priced, and offer an incredible mix of balanced, dynamic, and impactful sound alongside some of the best noise-cancelling on the market and a giant suite of features. Other competitors include the noise-crushing Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Gen 2, the spacious sounding Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3, and the ultra-detailed Sennheiser HDB 630.

Sonos Ace Ultra review: specs

Sonos Ace Ultra review: features

• Excellent ANC with adaptive mode and effective transparency option
• Higher-res audio available as well as Dolby Atmos for spatial sound
• TV Audio Swap and Headphone Linking works very well

The Sonos Ace Ultra boast an excellent suite of features and are a highly personalizable, smart set of headphones.

Let’s kick off with ANC, which has had quite the revamp. Now, you can toggle on an adaptive mode, which adjusts for things like fit, whether you’re wearing glasses, and if you make sudden head movements. But that’s not all.

Sonos has also boosted the number of mics for the Ultra, with ten to the original Ace’s eight. The mics can monitor your surroundings and cut out external noise in real time, and they do this to great effect. Yes, the Ace Ultra supply great ANC, and no matter my environment, I was treated to satisfying, distraction-free listening.

When out on walks, the sounds of cars passing by were totally nullified. When typing away in the office, the clacking of keyboards was fully subdued, and when travelling on public transport, engine sounds and surrounding chatter were put right to the sword. The Aware Mode is also very effective, and makes it incredibly easy to tune into your surroundings, with the new Voice Boost mode able to improve the clarity of voices around you if you toggle it on.

The upgraded microphone system also helps the Ace Ultra to handle phone calls with greater care than ever before. When taking calls when out and about, my speech was perfectly comprehensible, and never sounded obscured by background noise, even when walking in a busy part of my city.

Something else that’s received a boost is battery life. Sonos says that the Ace Ultra are capable of staying alive for 35 hours on a single charge, and my testing found this to be pretty accurate. This is a slight improvement on the original Ace, which could deliver 30 hours of use, which is essentially the standard for headphones in this price category. There’s also a rapid charging option, which gives the Ace Ultra three hours of playback from a three minute charge and a power saving mode if you want to extend the headphones’ life in a pinch.

One of the more welcome additions to the Ace Ultra is their expanded EQ options. Now, you can make use of an eight-band equalizer to customize the sound of the headphones to your specific taste. This is a big improvement on the basic two-band equalizer on the original Ace (for bass and treble levels), though there’s a more basic three-band option on the Ace Ultra if you prefer a less detail-oriented approach.

Let’s stick with sound, because there are a number of great features here that help you get the best out of both music and movies. First of all, you get all the hi-res goodness from the original Ace, with aptX codec support, as well as lossless audio via USB-C — and there’s a USB-C to 3.5mm cable bundled if you want to use them with a laptop, DJ controller, or other source device.

Dolby Atmos also returns on the Ace Ultra, enabling you to enjoy spatial audio on the go. Once again, this works an absolute treat — especially for movies, where head-tracking also helps to further immerse you in on-screen action. I tried using the TV Audio Swap feature, which enabled me to connect the headphones to the Sonos Beam Ultra, and Atmos movies sounded wonderful — more on that in the ‘sound quality’ section.

While the situations in which I’d use TV Audio Swap are admittedly niche, it's a very reliable feature. It harnesses Wi-Fi connectivity, so you don’t have to deal with the latency issues that connecting headphones to your TV over Bluetooth would bring. And you can easily switch between the soundbar, headphones, and other compatible Sonos speakers with a simple press of a button, which is highly convenient.

The Ace Ultra’s new Headphone Engine 2 also enables Headphone Linking, which allows them to directly connect to other components in your Sonos system — including compatible speakers such as the Sonos play — and move audio to and from your speakers and headphones. Like TV Audio Swap, this feels seamless and speedy to activate, and is great if you’re blasting music at home, but don’t want to disturb others if they want some peace and quiet.

On top of all of this, you get the usual good stuff: multi-point pairing, Bluetooth 6.0 connectivity, wear detection, and a relatively intuitive companion app. And when you add all of this together, I think it's fair to say that the Ace Ultra offer an incredibly fleshed-out, and well-refined feature set.

• Features score: 5/5

Sonos Ace Ultra review: sound quality

• Big improvement over original Ace with better soundstaging, detailing, and control
• Deep, immersive bass, clean mids, and tight, expressive treble
• Fantastic Dolby Atmos performance

While we considered the original Sonos Ace to be a good pair of headphones, their somewhat middling musicality ended up holding them back from greatness. But luckily, Sonos has listened to the criticism, implemented next-gen 40mm custom drivers, and remedied a lot of the issues we had with the previous model. The result? A genuinely great-sounding pair of headphones.

I tried comparing the Sonos Ace Ultra against the original model directly, and when I say that the difference is striking, I truly mean it. In essence, the Ace Ultra provide a significantly broader soundstage with far better organization and balance, as well as deeper, more controlled bass, and more articulate, detailed treble. I also found them to offer superior handling of dynamics and enhanced instrument separation, meaning that, for me, Sonos is closer to rivals like Bose and Sony than ever before.

Sonos has been keen to talk up the Ace Ultra’s improved bass, so I started out by listening to a house track, Get It On by Jansons. The Ace Ultra delivered palpable, pumping bass, that was rhythmic and rapid, never sounding lethargic or boomy. This never concealed other sounds across the frequency range, either, with synths in the mid-range sounding well defined and tonally accurate, and high-pitched drums coming through with precision and vigor, helping the track to maintain its high energy.

Treble was especially tighter on the Ace Ultra compared to the original model, and the wider soundstage gave each individual element more room to breathe, and this became a theme across all of my listening tests.

For instance, with the funk track Joía Rara by Brylho, the upgrade the Ultra provided was considerable. On the original Sonos Ace, the soundstage felt confined, with guitars lacking definition in the mix, and as the track built, the horns, bass, vocals, and guitars sounded slightly convoluted, resulting in a messier presentation than I’d expected. But on the Ace Ultra, things were totally different. Guitars in the intro occupied a unique pocket, bass was well-balanced, and finer percussive details were perfectly audible. Vocals were also separated to greater effect, and while they weren’t the most textured or forward, they were more than clear enough.

Are the Sonos Ace Ultra the best-sounding headphones in their price bracket? Well, they’re not far behind the competition, though I do still think a couple of models edge just ahead. For example, I tested them side by side with the Sony WH-1000XM6, and I found that Sony’s cans supplied a slightly more dynamic low-end output and detailing in the mid-range. It was very close between these two, though. Of course, if you want the most expansive soundstage, headphones like the AirPods Max 2 will edge out the Ace Ultra, but they’re slightly more expensive.

Before we move onto design, we have to talk about the Ace Ultra’s handling of spatial audio. They support Dolby Atmos as well as head tracking, really helping you to immerse yourself in your favorite movies and TV shows, and the expansiveness that the headphones supply is seriously impressive.

When using TV Audio Swap with some 4K UHD Blu-ray discs, the Ace Ultra were able to conjure up an excellent sense of width, almost like some of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars can. I started by watching Elio, and the Ace Ultra did an incredible job — voices were clear, and as characters moved across the screen, they were tracked with precision, and if I tilted my head, sound shifted dynamically as if I was speaking with characters directly. As Elio returned to earth, deep, pounding bass hit with immense power too, but didn’t sound muddy or overbearing.

With Godzilla Minus One, the sense of a plane flying overhead in the opening scene was captured far more effectively than expected. It was genuinely convincing, as if the sound was truly coming from above. Dialogue was clear again, and Godzilla’s almighty screech was both tonally accurate and controlled, rather than tinny. More generally, the movie’s action scenes had tremendous width, creating a genuinely immersive experience.

• Sound quality score: 4.5/5

Sonos Ace Ultra review: design

• Beautiful design, and very well made
• Comfortable yet secure fit
• Not fully foldable, but case included for added security

The Ace Ultra look an awful lot like the original Ace, but as someone who loved the way those headphones looked, that’s a big plus. The ear cups are relatively flat and understated, the rounded look is sleek and sexy, and the metallic details only add to the sense of premium. The button controls have shifted about slightly, but they’re incredibly easy to reach, and are all very responsive.

I tried the Soft White version which is stylish and modern, but the Ace Ultra are also available in Black, Agave, and Sand. All of these colorways are minimalistic and suit the luxurious vibe of the headphones to perfection.

In terms of fit, the Ace Ultra strike a really strong balance between comfort and security — they’re the goldilocks of headphones, if you will. There’s enough clamping power to prevent excess sound seeping in and keep them on your head during a workout or similar, but I never found this to be overbearing. Even when I was wearing a hat, the Ace Ultra felt really snug, with the plush ear cups and padded headband helping me to enjoy my music for many hours on end.

One subtle thing I like is how the inside of the right ear cup is green, making it easy to know which side is which when throwing the cans on. The right cup also features a slider, which can be used to easily adjust volume or trigger the Audio Swap feature. I usually prefer touch controls, but the tactile and reliable nature of these buttons might just have converted me.

Something that may frustrated a few users is that the Ace Ultra are not foldable. Yes, the ear cups rotate flat for when you want to stow the headphones in the case, but rivals like the Sony WH-1000XM6 offer a more compact, travel-friendly design. In addition, the case itself doesn’t quite offer the quality I was expecting, with a fuzzy exterior that’s a bit prone to picking up fibers. I also found that the zip jammed a bit easily. I much prefer the magnetic case of the XM6, which is more seamless to use and has a more quality look and feel.

• Design score: 4.5/5

Sonos Ace Ultra review: value

• More fully featured and better sounding than the original Ace…
• …but for the same price (at the point of launch)
• A worthwhile choice for those with or without a pre-existing Sonos system

The Sonos Ace Ultra cured the single ailment that plagued the original model above else: their middling musicality. When I tested both headphones side by side, the difference was night and day. The original Ace were held back by a limited soundstage, underwhelming instrument separation, and a lack of balance across the frequency range. But the Ace Ultra sound so much more open, organized, and detailed, and truly compete with flagship rivals from Sony and Bose.

On top of that, you’re getting excellent Dolby Atmos performance, Headphone Linking and TV Audio Swap for linking up to other Sonos products, a beautiful design, and strong noise-cancelling capabilities. Considering that the Sonos Ace Ultra cost the same as the original model did at the point of launch — and less than the standard Ace initially cost in the UK — that’s pretty impressive.

At $449 / £399 / AU$699, they’re still quite the investment, of course. And I do think that some rivals, including the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 just edge above them in terms of sound quality. But those models can’t compete when it comes to movies — a big selling point of the Ace headphones. And the interactivity that these have with other Sonos products makes them a slam-dunk for owners of products like the Sonos Beam Ultra and Sonos Play.

Even if you don’t have a Sonos system, these headphones still justify their price with great all-round performance, a delicious design, higher-res audio codecs and wired lossless sound, as well as solid battery life. All in all, then, the Ace Ultra feel like a much more worthwhile investment than the original Ace, and manage to earn their price.

• Value score: 4.5/5

Should I buy the Sonos Ace Ultra?

Buy them if…

Don’t buy them if…

Sonos Ace Ultra review: also consider

How I tested the Sonos Ace Ultra

• Spent about two weeks testing
• Compared to competitors and original Sonos Ace
• Predominantly streamed music over Tidal; also watched Dolby Atmos movies

I spent about two weeks testing the Sonos Ace Ultra headphones, during which time I exhausted their various features, like TV audio swap, watched a handful of movies with Dolby Atmos soundtracks, and listened to hours worth of music.

When listening to music, I predominantly streamed tunes over Tidal on my Xiaomi 17 phone, which supports aptX codecs. To start with, I sifted through the TechRadar testing playlist, but I also listened to a wide variety of tracks from my personal library. On top of this, I compared the Sonos Ace Ultra to some of their major competitors, like the Sony WH-1000XM6, as well as the original Sonos Ace.

More generally, I’ve spent years testing gadgets here at TechRadar, where I serve as a Senior Reviews Writer. I’ve tested a wide range of audio gear, including other premium headphones like the Sony 1000X The Collexion, party speakers like the Marshall Bromley 750, Dolby Atmos soundbars like the JBL Bar 1300MK2, and more.

• Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
• First reviewed: September 2026

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen): Two-minute review

Bose often seems to pay more attention to its Ultra-suffix devices, which absolutely make up some of the best noise-cancelling headphones we've tested. And that is perhaps why the second-generation Bose QuietComfort Headphones — that is to say, those launched in the post-QC 35 II era — took three years to come to market, following the launch of the older QC Headphones in 2023.

These are basically the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Gen 2 for people who don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for their sound, and given how I only ever see the non-Ultra cans when I’m out and about in the UK (a fact my editor also confirms), I’d wager that this new release is the model people have been waiting for.

Meet the QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen), so named because they’re quiet, thanks to Bose’s sought-after Active Noise Cancellation, and comfortable (thanks to the use of soft protein leather for pads and bands).

Having used them for several weeks, I can say that the latter is definitely true: these are incredibly easy to use for hours on end, without your ears aching or the top of your head feeling sore. You can basically use them until the battery runs down, although that’s partly because the 24-hour battery life is rather poor in 2026.

I’m not convinced on the ANC sell though. Bose has a reputation for industry-leading noise cancellation, and the Headphones Gen 2 are supposed to match the Ultra Headphones Gen 2 in this department. However, after testing the cans on multiple flights, train rides and around several cities, I’m not fully sold on the claim. They’re great at removing background sound, but not flawless; other brands have caught up, and those similarly-priced competitors surpass them in a few ways.

That’s not to say ANC is an actual problem with the QC Headphones Gen 2, but there are several departments which will raise eyebrows. The cans feel quite cheap, rattling in the hand and offering some odd gaps in the body which shouldn’t be there. They’re also quite light in the feature department, more so than you’d expect for the price.

So why have I given the Bose a four-star review? Well, despite a seemingly-unchanged driver set-up from the older models, and an EQ which barely offers you any control over your music, these cans sound fantastic. They offer detailed and precise treble and energetic and punchy bass. Because of this, listening to tune after tune on them never gets old. The spatial audio is great too, adding an immersive slant to the already-great sound.

Despite quirks, I really enjoyed using the Bose QuietComfort Headphones Gen 2; you will too if you can find them for a price that makes sense. I’m not sure they justify the premium price tag right now, but if you find them discounted, they’re a must-buy.

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) review: Price and release date

• Launched in August 2026
• Sells for $359 / £299 / AU$549.99
• Comes with carry case and two cables

The Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) were announced on August 6, 2026. That’s three years after the first-gen model came out, and a year after the Ultra Gen 2.

Despite not being the ‘Ultra’ member of the family, the ‘standard’ QuietComforts aren’t cheap. You can pick up the cans for $359 / £299 / AU$549.99, which is cheaper in the UK but more expensive in the US than the last-gen models (and the same cost in Australia). It is, of course, cheaper than the Ultra Gen 2 model, which launched for $449 / £449 / AU$699 and haven’t seen a massive price cut since.

So they’re premium headphones, if not ultra-premium ones. They undercut the likes of the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 and Sony WH-1000XM6 (though the newer WH-1000XM4C are cheaper in most regions).

You can pick the cans up in five color options: black, white, mauve, mint and green you see depicted. In the box you get a protective carry case, USB-C to USB-C wire and a USB-C to 3.5mm cable.

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) review: Specs

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) review: Features

• ANC great, but not best
• Poor 24h battery life
• App doesn't offer that much

At 24 hours, the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) don’t have a very long battery life. I’ve tested other options this year which last for literally 100 extra hours; don’t buy these if you need something for a long-haul flight. That listening time is with ANC turned on; you’ll get a few hours more if you turn it off, but less if you use some of the other listening features.

You charge the cans via their USB-C port, which takes 3 hours according to Bose. A new feature for the Gen 2 model is that you can also enjoy wired audio from this port, which is a real get for people who like high-quality audio. It almost makes up for the lack of a 3.5mm jack!

I suppose we should discuss that ANC. As mentioned in the introduction, it was good but not great, and certainly not the best I’ve ever used in over-ear headphones. The difference was small but noticeable: on a flight, I could hear the hum of the engines more than in some other cans I’ve tested, and surrounding sounds would creep into my music more often than I’d like.

They’re not bad by any means, and they’re still some of the better ANC headphones I’ve tested. But they’re not the best, and that’s a surprise given the name and the price point.

The headphones offer a range of listening modes beyond ‘standard’ ANC (which it calls Quiet mode), but I was surprised by how much most of these also affected audio quality. I’d recommend only sticking to Quiet or Aware, which lets in some surrounding sound.

You can toggle between these modes in Bose’s app, which has a few other tools. You can set up multi-point connection, change what that shortcut button does, check the battery life, set up immersive audio and play with the equalizer.

If your ears perked up at the mention of EQ, don’t get too excited. The custom mode only offers 3-band control, and there are four presets which change these three bands for bass or treble reduction or boost. It’s a surprisingly lightweight amount of customization for premium headphones, and people who like to tweak their audio sound will be greatly disappointed.

To be honest, that’s my general takeaway from the Bose app: it offers only a fraction of the tools, features and customization that you’d get from cans costing a third of the price.

One stand-out is Immersive Audio though. In the past, I've found similar offerings from rival brands a tad gimmicky, but Bose’s works very well. You can choose between Still or Motion (depending if you’re still or in motion), and it’ll deliver an encompassing sound that spreads the sound of your music or movie around you. It’s not so overt as to be distracting, and makes music a little more immersive — though I much preferred Still mode, which had a more audible spread which changed as I moved my head.

• Features score: 3/5

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) review: Design

• Comfortable to wear for long periods
• Smartly-placed and designed buttons
• A few cheap-feeling elements

The second-gen Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) look pretty similar to the original pair, but with some refinements in the looks department. Hinges and the retractable arm are better hidden, and the headband’s padding looks better integrated. The cans make the older model look like a prototype.

Oddly, though, the headphones feel pretty cheap. The cups rattle, there’s a noticeable seam between the headband and pad, and parts of the headphones flop around unsupported when you hold the gadget by its headband. There are a few other similar traits which make the buds feel loose, most noticeably that there’s a worrying amount of flex in the band. After several weeks of testing, I’ve yet to have these traits manifest in any actual problem, but I’m constantly surprised by how the build quality flags behind half-priced rivals.

I do appreciate that they're based on a design many users have loved, for many years — and this is likely the key reason they've largely been kept as-is (or was). But still, in the intervening years competing design teams have worked hard on other, newer headphones, and the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) feel a little flimsy and clunky in direct comparison today.

At least the QuietComfort are supremely comfortable to wear. The padding which rests across the top of your head, and the soft cups, both go a long way in ensuring you can listen for long periods of time without getting any aches or strains. It gives the impression of them being light, even though at 241g, they weigh about the same as many other pairs.

When you’re wearing the cans, the right cup has the volume and pause/play buttons; their prominence is different so you can easily tell what button your finger is on. The right edge has the shortcut button, and power slider; I love this latter, as it’s easy to flick to instantly turn the cans on, without needing to press and hold like you do on most rivals. Bose has really nailed the buttons here, which I admit is a small detail, but that is where the devil is according to the idiom.

There’s a decent amount of malleability here: you can rotate the cups a fair way left and right, and the band is quite extendable (though it’s fairly stiff, so you’ll have to give it a hearty tug). The cups don’t move much up and down, but they still fit my head well.

You can fold down the QCs to make them more portable, or put them in the travel case. My aforementioned issues with the ‘loose’ feel of the cans returns here; you can’t stack them on a flat surface without them falling over.

• Design score: 4/5

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) review: Sound quality

• V-shaped audio with energetic bass, treble
• Spatial audio sounds great
• Unspecified drivers inside

If you’ve read the design and features sections of this review, you’ll know I’ve had compliments and criticisms in each department. Not so for audio quality.

Bose hasn’t detailed the driver in the QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen), but the previous-gen model had a 40mm unit, and the brand hasn’t boasted any audio improvements beyond generations. It doesn’t need to; the previous models sounded fantastic and the new ones do too.

Out of the box, you’re getting V-shaped sound from the QuietComfort Headphones. Treble is crisp, sharp and detailed, letting you hear tremolo and tones that many other cans miss. Bass is hefty and punchy, but with a precision and control which avoids lower frequencies drowning out the rest of your song.

As is generally the case with headphones offering V-profile audio, the mids lack just a little bit. I’d often notice guitars playing harmonies, piano accompaniments or high alto/low tenor backing vocals that’d be missing the ‘oomph’ I’d like them to have. But you’re not buying the Bose for a neutral sound: this is for fun and energetic music.

The sound set-up of the QuietComforts is best shown in songs like Fitz and the Tantrum’s Man on the Moon, which has hard-hitting vocals and bass but loses its rhythm guitar and strings a little, or The Hoosiers' Automatic Glow, which sees its harmonic synth line dropped to the back of the mix, in favor of the energetic sung word, and rising hook.

To return to the Bose app, you can use the EQ to try and add some emphasis on mids, but I found this only a limited solution which didn’t have much of an effect on the music.

• Sound quality: 5/5

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) review: Value

• Should be top-value earbuds
• Unfortunately, longevity isn't guaranteed

If your headphone equation is simply “I’ll spend more money for better audio”, the Bose QuietComfort Headphones Gen 2 will be a good option. They sound great and they’re comfortable, so you can enjoy music for a long time (at a fairly high cost).

But to me, a few aspects of these headphones make the premium price seem a little too high. The loose-feeling build quality, lack of app features and poor battery life all point to the cost being higher than it should be. If you see the Bose discounted by about $100 / £100 / AU$200, then these will be good-value cans. Alternatively, the previous-gen models should be enjoying a decent price cut due to being a bit older.

As it stands, the Gen 2 are still good buys, but I’d personally save money and buy cheaper headphones. Which in particular? Well, thankfully there's a competition section below…

• Value: 3.5/5

Should I buy the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)?

Buy them if…

Don’t buy them if…

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) review: Also consider

Looking for alternative over-ears? Here are a few we've tested and would recommend.

How I tested the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)

• Tested for roughly four weeks
• Paired with Android phone for Bluetooth, Android tablet for audio
• Used on walks around neighborhood, at work, on flights and on trains

To write this full review, I used the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) for just over four weeks, which gave me time to fully put them through their paces.

For the majority of the testing time, the buds were paired with my Fairphone 6 Plus smartphone, though I plugged them into a Xiaomi tablet using the cable for some wired audio. Over the course of the review I tested them on multiple flights, countless train and bus journeys, while working at home and on various walks around my city.

I listened on Spotify, to my own digital library, for movies on Now TV and videos on YouTube, and various games.

I've been testing gadgets for TechRadar since early 2019, and in that time have used countless pairs of over-ears.

• First reviewed in September 2026

• Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

JBL Live 680NC: Two-minute review

The JBL Live 680NC are a strong pair of headphones for the price. They have a lot to offer, such as a whole litany of features including well-implemented active noise cancellation (ANC) and Ambient Aware, a lot of EQ-related options, spatial audio, and Auracast support. They also offer a very, very long battery life.

But they come with some compromises to meet that $160 price point. The sound quality, while good, does have an unruly low-end and a more rolled off high end than I would like. The spatial audio is a bit underwhelming in practice. They don’t come with a charging cable. And they do put a little bit of pressure on the top of the head during long listening sessions.

If you’re trying to stretch your budget, they may be the best wireless headphones for you, but manage your expectations; they’re not going to compete with something like the Sony WH-1000XM6. And if you have the ability to spend an extra hundred bucks (or the equivalent in your regional coin), the slightly more expensive JBL Live 780NC do sound a fair bit better and handle the weight distribution a little better as well. That said, these are tough times for a lot of people, and the price tag on the Live 680NC is reasonable, especially considering everything that they can do.

JBL Live 680NC: Price and release date

• Priced $159.95 / $129.99 / AU$199.95
• Launch date March 12, 2026

With a price tag of $159.95 / £129.99 / AU$199.95, the JBL Live 680NC technically fit into the mid-range tier of headphones while still being a cool $100 cheaper than the JBL Live 780NC that was released concurrently in March 2026.

As you’ll see in this review, there are a few reasons to spend that extra hundred dollars (though you could spend even more for the JBL Tour One M3 Smart Tx). But if you’re okay with a slightly less articulate sound quality or marginally less comfortable fit, you can save that hundred bucks if you’re on more of a budget.

JBL Live 680NC: Specs

JBL Live 680NC: Features

• Multipoint connectivity and Auracast available
• Very adjustable Active Noise Cancellation and Ambient Aware
• Powerful EQ including personalization options

The JBL Live 680NC are chock full of features. Multipoint connectivity, Auracast (allowing connection to multiple headphones from one source), Bluetooth with LE Audio (unavailable for Apple users), the ability to customize on-ear controls, and on-ear wear detection are just some of what’s on offer. You can also upmix via JBL’s own spatial audio feature.

Adaptive active noise cancellation (ANC), Ambient Aware, and TalkThru modes are available with a good amount of customizations for the first two through the app. And while these modes won’t beat the best of Sony or Bose, they work pretty well. I don’t hear ambient noise with the ANC on at 50% (while something is playing), while I can hear ambient noise clearly with music at around 60%, which is nice when using these headphones for a walk or run.

There’s plenty more fine tuning available through the app. Of course, there’s plenty in the way of EQ. Not only are there a handful of EQ presets, but there’s a parametric EQ with the ability to boost or cut up to 6 dB anywhere between 32 and 16kHz, which is much more powerful than a lot of EQs available with other headphones.

Plus, JBL’s Personi-Fi 3.0 feature allows for creating a personalized EQ curve based on how you hear. It does so via a test of different frequencies at different volumes for each ear. Not only do I appreciate the personalization aspect of it, but also that it takes the guesswork out of trying to adjust the EQ.

Call-related features are available in the app as well, including allowing you to hear your own voice, as well as some relaxation focused features that, while they feel a little gimmicky, are a nice addition for anyone who wants to hear the sound of rain or birds chirping without pulling up a youtube channel for it.

• Features score: 5 / 5

JBL Live 680NC: Design

• Light, on-ear headphones
• Weight sits a little heavily on top of head though
• Comes without a charging cable

The JBL Live 680NC are fairly sharp looking headphones for around $160. They’re not quite premium, but they’re pretty close with a combination of plastic, metal (particularly the hinges), and leatherette-covered foam. There’s plenty of padding on the headband and ear cups, but since they’re on-ear more than over-ear, their fit is a bit different to the JBL Live 780NC I just reviewed.

They’re not that heavy at around 231 grams, but since they sit on the ear instead of over, more of the weight sits on top of the head. So while there’s plenty of cushion, I feel the headphones pressing on my skull in a way that lingers after wear. It’s not a lot so I didn’t feel discomfort, exactly, but it is something that separates it from its more expensive big brother.

Other than the fit and, relatedly, the ear pads, the JBL Live 680NC are identical to the Live 780NC in terms of design. They’re available in the same five colors (black, blue, green, white, champagne), have the same round ear cups, and have the same one and a half inch height adjustment per side. They’re foldable and have a big L or R on the inside of the non-removable ear pads as well.

Controls and ports are the same as well. The left ear cup houses the volume controls, while the right has the power and bluetooth slider along with the ANC / AmbientAware / TalkThru cycle button, not to mention that you can top on the center of the ear cup in various configurations to play or pause, rewind, or fast forward to the next song. The USB-C charging port is also on the right side.

And just like the JBL Live 780NC, the JBL Live 680NC come with a soft carrying case, a USB-C to Aux cable for analog listening, and come without an actual charging cable, though you can just use whatever you charge your phone with (you don't still have a Lightning iPhone, do you?).

• Design score: 4/5

JBL Live 680NC: Sound

• Low-end is often overwhelming
• Warmer sounding headphones with slight high-end roll off
• Incredible battery life

The JBL Live 680NC is a competent, if not quite inspiring set of headphones to listen to. There’s plenty of volume thankfully, so if you’re trying to fast track hearing loss, you can certainly do that with these headphones.

Just like the more expensive 780NC, the low end on these headphones is almost out of control. I’ve done a lot of my listening with the “studio” EQ preset, which is basically a flat EQ with a slight bass cut, and I still feel like I’m hearing too much bass, regardless of whether I’m listening to Bruno Mars or Nothing. Of course, fans of EDM and Hip Hop will probably love that.

And just like the 780NC, the JBL Live 680NC use 40mm drivers. However, they don’t have quite as much ‘sparkle’ or clarity in the top end so don’t have quite the presence. I would describe the high-end as slightly rolled off. It’s still pleasant to listen to, but just doesn’t sound as Hi-Fi despite also having the 10Hz to 40kHz frequency range, which is considered high resolution.

That roll off does give the JBL Live 680NC a little warmer of a sound, helped along by the fact that the mids are a bit more forward here. Some people may like that. Of course, audio can sound a little bloated with mid-heavy mixes, aka any dense rock-leaning mixes.

This also affects the soundstage as there isn’t quite the separation I’m used to. I am setting the bar a little high as I experienced better separation between instruments and audio elements in the more expensive JBL headphones, but that’s a hundred dollar difference. And these wireless headphones sound good for $150.

Also worth noting, the spatial audio here is not a fully immersive experience but just a virtual upmix of existing stereo audio (the headphones only have one driver per side). It’s an interesting inclusion that adds a little space to any audio I’m listening to, but is fairly nuanced to the point where you might not even realize that it’s on.

On the other hand, the battery life on the JBL Live 680NC is outright impressive. You get 80 hours on a single charge without ANC on, and 50 hours of use with it on. A fast charge of five minutes gives an additional four hours of use.

• Sound performance: 4 / 5

JBL Live 680NC: Value

• Great value proposition
• Comes with similar tradeoffs of other budget / mid-tier headphones
• As fully featured as anything else at this price point

The JBL Live 680NC is a very good value proposition. I do like the JBL Live 780NC more — it sounds better and has a better fit — but its $250 price tag might be a big ask for some. And the JBL Live 680NC still sound good if slightly different, having a warmer sound signature while still have the same battery life and feature set of the more expensive headphones.

Other headphones trying to bridge the gap between budget and mid-tier end up closer in price to the 780NC than the 680NC. The Beyerdynamic Aventho 100, for example, are a pair of headphones that I really enjoyed that also came with a handful of compromises to keep cost down, except that cost is higher at $229.99 / £199 / AU$314. They sound good but not great, have an interesting look, great battery life, and solid implementation of ANC.

• Value: 4.5/5

Should I buy the JBL Live 680NC?

Buy them if…

Don’t buy them if…

JBL Live 680NC: Also consider