The best headphones for every situation

For non-specialist, everyday (but premium) headphones, there’s one choice — the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones. These stunning Bluetooth over-ear headphones deliver the full package of great sound, class-leading noise cancellation, and tons of features. The secret to their brilliance is an advanced bit of tech from the ever-popular brand: Sony’s new QNe1 processor chip.

As you’d expect from Sony, the sound is up to scratch and then some. There’s a broad soundscape with plenty of power in the lows and fine detail in the mids and highs. Sound comes via 40mm drivers, backed up by 360 Reality Audio tech — which works with select streaming services to boost performance — and the LDAC Bluetooth codec for hi-res audio files. 

Where these really excel over competing headsets is active noise cancellation. Dual Sense technology puts two mini microphones in each ear cup. These react to external noise in real time and adjust a staggering 700 times per second. 

The Sony Headphones Connect app allows you to customise the ANC and ambient noise levels. Set noise cancellation levels for different places — home, work, the park — and geo-location tech will do the rest, automatically adjusting the ANC as and when you arrive in that location.

There are other big features, including an auto-pause that kicks in whenever you remove the headphones, and Speak to Chat, which stops the music whenever you start a conversation. That makes these excellent for the office but be warned: Speak to Chat might pause if you sing along too loudly. There's also voice assistant and multipoint pairing, meaning they can pair with two Bluetooth devices at once. 

There’s plenty of life in them too. The battery bumps up to 38 hours with ANC turned off. But don’t expect to take this on a long run. The biggest drawback is that these babies are not really built for the rough and tumble of fitness. 

Apple products are pricey but Apple users know why. Apple’s ever-evolving tech sets the standard, from laptops to earbuds. It’s little wonder then that the Apple AirPods Pro make it to the upper tier of this list. As far as earbuds go these are close to unbeaten. And for Apple users they're almost a lifestyle choice. You’ll realise just how smart they are straight out of the box. 

Apple's audio tech range has come a long way since those little wired buds that came free with your iPhone and leaked sound to the whole train carriage. Powered by Apple’s H2 chip, the AirPods Pro offer a more elegant sound than ever before and solid noise cancellation. 

Their first port of call is to scan your ears and tell you whether the tips you’re using (they come with three size options) fit properly. The tips have an internal taper, which conforms to the shape of your ear, securing them with tight seal. But they’re so lightweight, you’ll barely notice them in your ears. 

Already blocking out external sounds with their tightly-sealed design, the AirPods Pro add active noise cancellation, which uses both inward and outward facing microphones to keep you fully immersed. There’s a transparency mode too. The ANC even adapts to the geometry of your ear. The sound quality is similarly designed — Adaptive EQ automatically tunes and tweaks the music to suit the shape of your ear.

They’re brilliantly simple to use, too. Just give the stems a little squeeze for playback and to activate noise cancellation features. Other features include Siri, Audio Sharing — which allows two sets of AirPods to connect to the same audio — and a charging case for 24 hours’ worth of juice.

The only real negative is having to control the volume on your phone. Or by asking Siri to adjust, which isn’t always convenient.

The German-built Sennheiser brand has been perfecting the art — and it very much is an art — of masterful audio technology for generations. The family-owned manufacturer is well known for highly durable craftsmanship. Their headphones are built both to last and excel in performance. It’s no coincidence than Sennheiser is a go-to brand for serious audiophiles. 

For over-ear fans, the Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless are arguably their best ever. The sound is pretty much unmatched in their range, which combines with high-quality build and multifunctional features. 

The sound is both big and nuanced, picking out details within a rich, full-bodied depth. Sound performance is further boosted by high-end codecs and fully adjustable levels within the Sennheiser Smart Control app. 

Also adjustable within the app are the noise cancellation levels. There are three ANC modes each designed for listening in different environments — Max, Anti-Wind, and Anti-Pressure. Plus, an adjustable Transparent Hearing mode for keeping tuned in to the outside world. 

You can’t help but be impressed by the sleek, retro-esque design of the headset. The Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless are built with a genuine leather head strap, steel arms, sliders, and oval ear cups. Indeed, the upgraded Sennheiser Momentum 4 are also available. They also sound excellent but they don't have the classic style of the Momentum 3.

The ear cups do a good job of passive noise cancellation — that’s even before you’ve switched on the active noise cancellation on. Meanwhile, the headset is equipped with three control buttons for playback, volume, switching between music and calls, and connecting to the voice assistant. Another handy feature is smart TILE tech which helps you find your headset if you lose it.

Needless to say, a pair of headphones like this are not made for fitness, so if exercise is part and parcel of your listening lifestyle these aren’t for you. There’s better noise cancelation (check out Sony) and battery life around too, in case those are crucial features for you.

The Beats PowerBeats Pro combine two things with unmatched qualities in the wireless headphone sphere — the booming audio smarts of Beats by Dr Dre, and the standard-setting technology of Apple. They also mark Beats’ first (and still unbeaten) attempt at purpose-built running earbuds. Reviewers have rated them as not just the best running buds, but a contender for the best true wireless buds overall. 

The design is a little different from the buds that you’re probably used to wearing. They have silicone nozzles (three size options included) that push into and sit in the ear canal, over-ear hooks that hold on tight. The sensation of wearing them might take a bit of getting used to at first but they won’t budge — run as fast and hard as you like. This design also helps block out noise, though there’s no active noise cancellation. There’s an added level of comfort, with barometric venting holes that help relieve in-ear pressure. 

The tech is powered by Apple’s H1 chip. Other Apple standards include hands-free Siri and a highly intuitive design. The volume can be controlled from either bud — a surprisingly ingenious addition that allows you to pump the sounds up or down via a small button — and playback is controlled by touch controls on the buds’ B-emblazoned surface.

Not only do they have an impressive battery life — nine hours is around the best you get from most earbuds— but there’s a charging case that’s good for two full charges.

There are a couple of drawbacks that might make some listeners think twice — the sound isn’t as adjustable as other models and they’re not fully waterproof. If price is an issue, you can try cheaper (but not true wireless) Beats Flex.

The Brooklyn-based Grado might not have the world-famous rep of Sony or Apple, but audio tech nerds know them very well. The Grado SR80x are part of Grado’s Prestige X series and descendants of the brand’s first-ever headphones (which were built on the table of a Brooklyn family kitchen 30 years ago).

The open-backed, wired design seems quite old school by modern Bluetooth standards but these features are often the first clue that you’re in the company of audiophile-friendly headphones.

Open-backed headphones seem old school for a reason. In this modern, action-packed world — when much of our listening is done on packed commute, at the gym, or in a busy office — they’re not always fit for purpose. Open-backed headphones leak sound both in and out. But the sound, as proved by the Grado SR80x, is more natural and spacious — closer to the sound of live music. 

These won’t block out external noise and people around you will be able to hear what sounds you’re rocking along to. But that’s why the Grado SR80x are a top-tier pick for listening at home — perfect for plugging into the stereo system and doing some serious me-time listening. The same goes for plugging in for movie watching on the home cinema set-up — pure cinematic epic-ness.

The sound comes in via fourth-generation 44mm drivers — an upgraded design that delivers a classic (but also upgraded) sound. They’re also lightweight, with a slider for adjusting to the perfect size and foam ear pads that hold cosily on the ears. A braided cable keeps you from getting damaging tangles and kinks. The plastic built might not feel like much, but the real quality is in the sound.

If you want the Grado open-backed experience but prefer the freedom of using Bluetooth, you can try the Grado GW100. 

The British-made Bower & Wilkins are continuously breaking ground and upping the quality of high-end, crystal-clear headphones. Even if you’re used to the very best names in audio tech, you’ll find the specs of the Bower & Wilkins PI7 to be very competitive. 

The sound is exceptional — in fact, Bower & Wilkins rival the likes of Sennheiser for audio quality. The Bowers & Wilkins P17 have Dual Hybrid Drive units with individual amplifiers. These are designed by the same technicians who produced Bowers & Wilkins’ high-performance Diamond Series speakers (as used in the iconic Abbey Road Studios). 

They’re also packed with six microphones for perfect sound and call quality — plus, adaptive noise cancelling, which uses these tiny microphones to react in real time to stop external noise from ever reaching your ears. Be warned, however: If top-of-the-range noise cancellation is a deal breaker, there are better performing noise cancellation headphones out there.

The Bower & Wilkins PI7 are especially good if you’re a fan of watching Netflix and other streaming apps on your phone. They support aptX Adaptive, one of the best, most up-to-date codecs around. The aptX Adaptive codec has an always-adjusting bitrate, which means the best possible sound at an impressively low latency. The codec keeps everything in sync and ensures your movies and shows are both lag and glitch-free. 

There’s another nice feature for watching. The charging case acts as a unique retransmission system, which can be plugged directly into an audio source and will retransmit the sound to your earbuds. For instance, if you’re on a flight, the case plugs straight into the in-flight system. The sound just flies.

You simply cannot talk about the best headphones without giving at least an appreciative nod in the direction of JBL — it has emerged as one of the most popular headphone brands, enjoying the kind of popularity that ranks it alongside more expensive options and names. JBL caters for different price points, but where it really pulls ahead is in the mid-level range. Its more affordable options really strike that balance of price and performance.  

The JBL Tune 660NC are wireless Bluetooth headphones that look the part, with premium style and hard-wearing plastic. Large, over-ear cups create a comfortable seal that blocks out external sound — that's before you've switched on active noise cancellation. The cups swivel and fold inwards for storage and portability. The padding can handle plenty of listening action. They can last literally years before you notice any wear and tear. 

The crucial part is performance. The sound is solid and packed with bass. Some reviewers have argued too much bass — good if bass is your thing, but not so much if you’re precious about picking out nuances in the mids and highs. 

The ANC is as good as it gets at this price. Just one push of the button and the ANC activates — you’ll immediately hear the difference. Add to that Ambient Aware technology for transparent mode, plus a TalkThru feature that lowers the music while amplifying voices.

The buttons on JBL headphones can be slightly fiddly — they're not quite as intuitive as some headsets — but you’ll soon feel your way around them. Plus, they have a handy multi-point pairing feature, which means these can hook up with two devices at once.