A good pair of headphones is a must-have for musicians, gamers, and anyone who wishes to enjoy optimal sound quality...and get a bit of tranquility.

If you ever walked into a tech store, you know that there are tons of headphones available on the market, ranging from wireless or wired headphones, with or without a microphone, or even with Bluetooth compatibility. Before choosing the best headphones for your needs, it's important to first assess how you'll be using them. Do you want noise-canceling, a model that completely covers your ears, or a headset with an integrated microphone? Do you want to connect your headphones to your computer or your phone?

Once these decisions are made, you will be able to choose the best headphones from our recommendations listed here.

How to choose the best headphones?

To establish this selection, we based our assessment on the following:

• Price-performance ratio
• Comfort Battery life and autonomy
• Cable length, in the case of wired headphones

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

 

 

This wireless headset is definitely one of the best on the market right now. This model seamlessly combines sleek style and comfort with its large memory foam ear cups. Its revamped noise reduction technology utilizes new algorithms and artificial intelligence to adapt to real-time usage and the environment. The Sony WH-1000XM5 also incorporates Bluetooth 5.2 technology, perfect for seamless connections with your phone and computer.

With approximately 32 hours of battery life, this is one of the best choices for travel or office use. The integration of touch controls on the side of the headset enhances the user experience. This headset is simply a success from every perspective and is a serious option to consider, regardless of the user's tastes and needs.

Strengths:

• Sleek style
• Voice and touch controls (buttons)
• Long battery life
• Can be paired with multiple devices simultaneously
• Comfort, top-notch build quality
• Foldable, swiveling structure
• Bluetooth 5.2

Weaknesses:

• Not water-resistant
• Some excess decibels in the bass

Features:

• Removable battery: No
• Detachable cable: Yes
• Wireless connection: Bluetooth
• Battery life: 32 hours

2. Bose Headphones 700

 

 

This wireless headset is perfectly suited for those who wish to move around, travel, or even exercise with their device on their ears. With 20 hours of battery life, 11 ambient noise cancellation modes, and a built-in transparency mode, it is an extremely comprehensive model. Additionally, its high resistance to water and sweat makes it an ideal headset for athletes.

Regarding comfort, the weight of the Bose Headphones 700 is well distributed, and the ear cups that sit inside the ears and rest on the head are comfortable. Therefore, you can wear it for several hours without feeling any discomfort.

Finally, the audio quality is excellent, as it delivers very clear sound that is truly pleasant to the ear.

Strengths:

• Comfortable
• Adequate battery life (20 hours)
• Excellent ambient noise cancellation
• Very good audio quality
• Integrated microphone

Weaknesses:

• The mobile app is complex to use
• No high-quality codec
• Non-foldable design

Features:

• Headphone type: Closed-back
• Ear cup: Over-ear (Circumaural)
• Weight: 250 g
• IP Certification: Not specified (NC)
• Removable battery: No
• Cable length: 1 m

3. Jabra Elite 85h

 

 

The brand may be less well-known than some other major names, but the affordable Jabra Elite 85h offers unmatched value for money. The battery life provides up to 36 hours without recharging. The Bluetooth headphones are easy to use, recharge quickly when needed, and offer good sound customization through their mobile app.

Whether you're listening to rock, hip-hop, electronic, or jazz, the audio quality is truly excellent. Noise reduction is also a significant strength of these headphones, allowing you to enjoy your movies, series, and music without being disturbed by ambient noise during your flights or train journeys.

The headset is configured using Jabra Sound+, an app available on Android and iOS that is very user-friendly and highly effective. The headset updates are done directly through the app.

Strengths:

• Compatible with multiple voice assistants
• Long battery life (36 hours)
• Excellent noise reduction
• High-quality integrated microphone
• Water and dust-resistant
• Foldable design

Weaknesses:

• Not the most comfortable on the market
• Some software issues

Features:

• Headphone type: Closed-back
• Ear cup: Over-ear (Circumaural)
• Weight: 300 g
• IP Certification: Not specified (NC)
• Removable battery: No
• Cable length: 1.2 m

4. Bowers & Wilkins PX7

 

 

This ergonomically designed wireless headset, made of carbon fiber, offers 30 hours of battery life, making it a good choice for office use. Its noise reduction is highly effective, and the high-quality sound is suitable for all music styles seamlessly.

The audio performance of the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 is not flawless, with occasional inaccurate reproduction, but it excels in detail thanks to its refined highs and responsive mids.

The design quality of the PX7 is exemplary, featuring highly aesthetic lines and premium finishes. Moreover, despite a relatively higher weight of 310g (compared to 250g for the Bose Headphones 700), this headset manages to distribute its weight harmoniously, providing extreme comfort.

A nice bonus: it is one of the most aesthetically pleasing models on our list.

Strengths:

• Extremely comfortable
• Aesthetically well-designed
• Good ambient noise reduction
• Good battery life (30 hours)

Weaknesses:

• Relatively expensive
• Sound fidelity not always optimal
• No native voice assistant
• Mediocre hands-free microphone

Features:

• Headphone type: Closed-back
• Ear cup: Over-ear (Circumaural)
• Weight: 310 g
• IP Certification: Not specified (NC)
• Removable battery: No
• Cable length: 1.2 m

5. Bose QuietComfort 45

 

 

For its new headphones, the Bose brand had the choice between two types of designs: that of the Headphones 700, which we presented to you earlier, and that of the Bose QuietComfort 35 II. As the name suggests, the QuietComfort 45 (or QC 45) is nothing less than the successor to the latter model.

In addition to the consistently effective noise reduction in this new Bose model, the significant difference between the QC 45 and the QuietComfort 35 II is the introduction of a "transparency" mode to hear external sounds without having to remove the headphones. This model remains a reliable choice despite its classic appeal and stands on par with the Bose 700, Sony WH-1000XM4, or even the AirPods Max.

Strengths

• Very comfortable
• Excellent noise reduction
• Foldable design
• Easy to use
• Portable and easy to carry
• Aware mode

Weaknesses

• Disappointing Bose application
• Limited customization options and features
• Few improvements compared to the QC35 model

Features

• 24-hour battery life
• Weight: 238 g / 0.52 lb
• Cable length: 1.2 m / 47.24 in
• Removable battery: No

6. Apple AirPods Max

 

 

The major strengths of the AirPods Max lie in its design and technologies. This headset offers exceptional comfort, even when worn for extended periods, and its active noise reduction is highly effective (even surpassing that of the excellent Bose 700). The device is also easy to use, with only two buttons. It automatically activates when removed from the case and goes into standby after a certain period when placed on a table.

In terms of appearance, Apple's signature is easily recognizable, with steel and aluminum finishes. The digital crown, used to adjust volume and control music, is similar to the one found on the Apple Watch, albeit more substantial. When not in use, the AirPods Max can be stored in its foldable case with the appearance of an origami creation. However, this case has the advantage of taking up less space than a conventional case, even though it does not protect the fabric of the headband, which could pose a long-term risk.

Furthermore, this headset seamlessly integrates into the Apple ecosystem: switching between screens is easy. It can also be used with an Android or Windows device, but some features are lost, making its price even more challenging to justify compared to its performance.

Strengths:

• Elegant and recognizable design
• Exceptional comfort, even during extended use
• Effective active noise reduction
• Easy to use with only two buttons
• Seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem

Weaknesses:

• Not very practical storage case
• Loses some features when used with Android or Windows devices
• The high price may make its acquisition difficult to justify

Features:

• Removable battery: No
• Wireless connection: Bluetooth
• Battery life: 22 hours
• Charging cable: Lightning