The best headphones for your iPhone

AirPods have been the iPhone standard for several years now. And if it’s time for you to upgrade, the AirPods Pro step things up by refining the sound and packing in extra tiny mics for improved ANC.

Those mics are impressively smart. They scan your ears to ensure the AirPods fit properly (you get a selection of small, medium, and large tips). If you’re someone who tends to have a problem with earbuds dislodging and falling out, the AirPods Pro are sure to fix that problem. They hold very firm. Even better, they live up to the ‘Air’ moniker — so lightweight you’ll barely notice they’re in.

To activate noise cancellation and playback features, just give the stems a little squeeze. There’s a mildly frustrating design quirk — you have to control the volume on your phone (or by asking Siri, which isn’t always practical in public). The sound itself has punchy bass and vocals. They’re great for contemporary music, though it's fair to say that no one buys Apple products expecting the most nuanced, detailed, or audiophile-pleasing sounds. 

Other features include IPX4 water resistance (though don’t be mistaken: these are not the best option for working out), ANC transparency mode, and a charging case that will give your AirPods 30 hours’ worth of power overall.  

If classic-style headphones are more your thing, Apple has your ears covered. Quite literally in the case of the Apple AirPods Max, with their comfy, memory foam ear pads. They’re feature-packed too, with Apple-built dynamic drivers, top-of-the-range ANC, and iOS extras. And — thanks to Apple’s increasingly broad palette — there are good colour options too, something that can be frustratingly unusual in high-end, high-price headphones.

The AirPods Max have just two physical controls — one for controlling the ANC (including a transparency mode) and a multi-functional dial to cycle through the volume and playback options. The ANC operates via an eight-microphone system. The ear cups are stacked with sensors, plus an accelerometer and gyroscope. They also boast spatial audio with dynamic head tracking.

Less impressive is the battery life of just 20 hours. Other headphones in this price range (or lower) offer much more. But the Apple AirPods Max do go into a low power mode when you put them in the carry case. Be warned that they will need to be charged even when you have them wired to your device. Those small quibbles aside, headphones for the iPhone don't get much better.

If you’re shopping for over-ear headphones anywhere other than the Apple store, look no further than the Sony WH-1000XM4. They’re rated as some of the best headphones in every other category.

Sony’s QNe1 processor chip delivers some high-powered, innovative technology. This includes exceptional ANC, with Dual Sense microphones that can adjust 700 times per second to deliver real-time noise cancellation. You can control the amount of external noise you want to let in or set different ANC levels for different locations, which adjusts automatically as you enter those locations (such as the office or the gym). Other features include an automatic pause when you take the headphones off, auto-switch off, voice assistant, and a “Speak-to-Chat” function that pauses the music when you begin a conversation.

The sound quality is fantastic, bolstered by advanced LDAC Bluetooth and other audio-enhancing tech. What else do you expect from the world’s most popular audio brand? The battery life is impressive too, maxing out at 30 hours (that's with ANC switched off). It’s fast charging too, with five hours of juice from just ten minutes plugged in. 

It's worth noting that the next-gen version of these headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM5, are now available. They're fantastic, of course, but considering the price hike we're still recommending the Sony WH-1000XM4.

Beats is one of the biggest names in quality audio tech. And they're technically an Apple product — Apple bought the brand back in 2014. That means the Beats PowerBeats Pro give you the full package: The brilliant sound of Beats’ bass wizardry, plus Apple’s all-powerful H1 chip. 

Beats PowerBeats Pro wireless earphones are a good alternative if you aren't a fan of the AirPods Pro fit. And “fit” is the operative word. The Powerbeats Pro have a slimline silicone nozzle (with different size options) and over-ear hooks that ensure these never come loose.

They come with intuitive controls, which include playback and volume buttons. In fact, you can control the volume via either earbud — a small but subtly brilliant addition that other brands would do well to follow. Other nice touches include hands-free Siri, micro-laser barometric venting holes to relieve in-ear pressure, and an oversized charging case (though it may be too big for some people). The case will give you two full charges before it needs plugging back in.

There are downsides. These are splash proof rather than fully waterproof. Plus, there's no ANC or adjustable EQ levels. But these gripes can be overlooked given how impressive the Powerbeats Pro are elsewhere.

Not every set of headphones costs the earth. In fact, the EarFun Air Pro aren’t just affordable — you’ll also be impressed with what they can do. 

At a budget price, you have to manage expectations about what the noise cancellation will achieve. But unless you’re very fussy about controlling the nuances of noise cancellation and ambient noise levels, this ANC is very respectable. There’s even a transparency mode, which allows some external noise in — great if you need to quickly stop and chat. 

The sound comes courtesy of 10mm dynamic drivers and a tuning collaboration with speaker brand Edifier. As you’d expect from the EarFun name, these deliver a fun, punchy sound profile — especially good for contemporary tunes and upbeat pop. The more serious-minded audiophiles, however, will need to look elsewhere.

Other nice touches include a single earbud mode, a six-microphone system for improved call quality, and infrared detection tech that pauses the music whenever you remove the buds. With a 9-hour battery life (a little less with the ANC switched on), these are in it for the long haul, though the buds might get uncomfortable after long sessions.

Audio enthusiasts will know Sennheiser already. The German-built brand has decades of experience perfecting the art — and it very much is an art — of manufacturing top-quality, class-leading sound. 

The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 are no exception. These third-gen earbuds include adaptive noise cancellation and a slim, lightweight design. But where these really excel is their tremendous sound. It comes via single 7mm drivers, which create an epic soundstage that gives you everything you need from the lows, mids, and highs. It's layered and highly-detailed.

The noise cancellation is solid though perhaps not as strong as some competing earbuds. The battery life, however, is very competitive, clocking up seven hours plus a further 28 hours from the carry case charger. Noise cancellation and other features, including the touch control functions, can be adjusted in the Sennheiser’s Smart Control app (totally compatible with iOS). Other features include transparency mode for letting in ambient sounds. They are, of course, pricey. But sound purists know the cost of having the very best quality.

If you want headphones with reliable sound, ANC, and connectivity — and you don’t need the latest tech — check out the JBL Tune 660NC. These mid-level favourites are made from premium, hard-wearing plastic, with a sound that's robust and bass-heavy. Large, over-ear cups block out external sound, which combines with highly efficient ANC tech to keep out any unwanted ambient noise. The noise cancellation is as good as it gets at this low price.

They have multi-point pairing, which means they can hook up to two devices at once. It's a very handy addition to the overall package. They’re very portable too, with ear cups that fold and turn inwards. Just throw them in your bag and off you go. They're certainly tough enough to handle being bashed about.

JBL has upgraded to Bluetooth 5.0, meaning that connection problems reported on older models are no longer a problem. The controls — placed on the right ear cup — are tricky at first but you soon get used to them. You’ll get up to 50 hours of battery life, depending on which features are switched on.