10 Best Headphones In 2023 (Both Wired & Wireless)

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With the audio industry flooded with audio gadgets, it is difficult to find a good pair of headphones at the right price. To enjoy a decent sound quality investing in a good pair of headphones is essential. It is crucial to buy the right headphones for the optimal audio experience.

Of course, there are many styles of headphones- on-ears, over-ears, wired, wireless, studio, or noise-canceling. Ultimately, it depends on your convenience and preference to get the best headphones. If you are still unsure about which headphones to get, don’t worry. We have listed some of the best headphones available in the market for you.

10 Best Headphones for Everyone in 2023

Sony WH-1000XM4

Best headphone in all aspects

Image Credits: Sony

Sony WH-1000XM4 has the Industry-leading ANC, which gives you a virtually soundproof experience.

Specifications

Size 7.27 x 3.03 x 9.94 inches
Weight 0.56 lbs
Battery Life 30-hour battery life with quick charging
Bluetooth Yes
Special Features Digital Noise Cancellation, foldable design, touch control
Price $197.99

Sony WH-1000XM4 might be the best in terms of all-around ability. Especially if you are looking for the best noise-canceling functions, look no further. With its Industry-leading noise canceling, paired with Dual Noise Sensor technology WH-1000XM4 is a beast.

Besides, when it comes to performance, WH-1000XM4 is unbeatable. It delivers next-level music with Edge-AI. The Touch Sensor lets you control pause, play, skip tracks, control volume, activate your voice assistant, and answer phone calls.

On top of all, the headphone’s speak-to-chat technology automatically reduces volume during conversations.

Moreover, with up to 30-hour battery life and quick charging, you can seamlessly enjoy the music.

Furthermore, its DSEE Extreme mechanism upscales compressed digital music files in real-time. It is also lightweight making it super comfortable.

Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
Impressive sound No IP rating
Lightweight and comfortable  No aptX support
Best noise-canceling
DSEE Extreme
Adaptive Sound Control

Bose 700

Best for active noise-canceling

Image Credits: Amazon

Bose 700 excels at noise-canceling with adjustable world-class noise-canceling

Specifications

Size 8 x 6.5 x 2 inches
Weight 9 ounces
Battery Life 20-hour (with ANC)
Bluetooth Yes
Special Features Adjustable Active Noise Cancellation, customizable EQ
Price $369

Critically acclaimed for its powerful noise-canceling, Bose has launched yet another masterpiece. Bose 700 is the best Bose headphones to date. Its adjustable noise canceling allows you to control how much outside noise you want to hear.

Additionally, the Conversation Mode allows you to adjust noise-canceling for a quick chat. Bose 700 delivers size-defying audio that stays consistent at any volume.

Furthermore, its revolutionary mic system is engineered for crystal-clear calls. The voice pick-up of the Bose 700 is unrivaled.

Moreover, its capacitive touch controls make the headphones more convenient. Its low-profile buttons control the power, the ANC, and the Voice Assistant. As a result, Bose 700 is undoubtedly one of the most intuitive noise-canceling headphones to date.

Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
Adjustable ANC levels Expensive
Touch controls Decent battery life
Excellent noise-canceling on calls and music
Chic and attractive design
High-fidelity audio

Apple AirPods Max

Best for high-fidelity audio

Apple AirPods Max

Image Credits: Apple

AirPods Max does not disappoint in terms of balanced audio and listening experience

Specifications

Size 7.4 x 6.6 x 3.3 inches
Weight 13.6 ounces
Battery Life 20-hour (with ANC)
Bluetooth Yes
Special Features ANC, Spatial Audio, Voice Assistant

(Siri)

Price $549

If you are thrown off guard by the price, AirPods Max justifies the hefty price tag. The plush headphones are designed for comfort to create the optimal acoustic seal. Also, the Digital Crown lets you control volume, skip tracks, answer phone calls and activate Siri.

Moreover, AirPods Max delivers an unparalleled audio experience with its Active Noise Cancelation. It provides a crystal clear sound.

Furthermore, it is embedded with six outward-facing microphones to filter out unwanted noise. And with a powerful Apple-designed H1 chip in each cup, AirPods Max uses computational audio.

Besides, its Adaptive EQ tailors sound to the bespoke fit and seal created by the ear cushions. You can enjoy an offbeat listening experience as its industry-best ANC counters external sound with equal anti-noise. And finally, you can press the noise control button to switch to Transparency mode.

Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
Luxurious design Lofty price
Superb Spatial Audio         Audio cable not included
Excellent noise-cancellation
High-fidelity audio
Lightweight and comfortable

Sony WH-1000XM3

Best for wireless and noise-canceling

Image Credits: Sony

The Sony Wh-1000XM3 offers the best noise-cancellation at this range.

Specifications

Size 7.31 x 2.94 x 10.44 inches
Weight 9 ounces
Battery Life 30-hour 
Bluetooth Yes
Special Features Digital Noise Cancellation, Voice Assistant enabled, Quick Attention mode
Price $148.75

Sony WH-1000XM3 has established the brand’s reputation as the best noise-cancelation headphones. The WH-1000XM3 definitely sounds better than the previous /sony model’s sound.

Also, you can enjoy the noise cancelation of Sony that is a generation ahead of its competitors. With the new HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1, noise-canceling power is a great enhancement. As a result, it keeps the music quality quite intact.

Moreover, it comes powered with an LDAC Bluetooth that transmits approximately three times more data than its conventional counterparts. This allows you to enjoy High-Resolution Audio content of exceptional quality.

Furthermore, Sony’s built-in amplifier offers you the best signal-to-noise ratio and delivers exceptional sound quality. Also, its Adaptive Sound Control automatically detects your activity and adjusts ambient sound settings for you. As a result, Sony WH-1000XM3 is undoubtedly the best in its class.

Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
Rounded sound quality   Sub-par Bluetooth connection
Extremely comfortable          
Excellent noise-cancellation
Voice Assistant (Alexa)
Long battery life

Bose QuietComfort 45

Best for refined sound

Bose QuietComfort 45 - bose

Image Credits: Bose

One of the best headphones offering refined sound quality with longer battery life

Specifications

Size 7.25 x 6 x 3 inches
Weight 8.5 ounces
Battery Life 24-hour 
Bluetooth Yes
Special Features Two-level Noise Cancellation, Volume-optimized Active EQ
Price $279

Bose is back with its iconic Active Noise Cancellation with QuietComfort 45. The next-gen headphones now come with the best-in-class combination of noise-canceling performance and premium comfort. It further allows you to switch to different modes.

Most notably, the Acoustic Noise Cancelling technology continuously detects, compares, and reacts to outside noise with an opposite signal to neutralize it, letting you focus only on the music.

Moreover, QC45 is engineered with TriPort acoustic architecture and Volume-optimised Active EQ to produce balanced music. In addition, QuietComfort 45 focuses on your comfort, staying true to its name. It comes with smooth cushions and luxuriously plush leather for a premium feel. And finally, the QuietComfort 45 headphones come equipped with a noise-rejecting mic system for an improved voice pick up.

Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
Great comfort   ANC mode cannot be disabled
Increased battery life          
Excellent ANC
Extended connectivity
High-fidelity audio

Sennheiser HD 450BT

Best for Bluetooth audio

Image Credits: Sennheiser

Sennheiser’s HD 450BT delivers consistently good audio with precise reproduction.

Specifications

Size 6.1 x 2.6 x 7.6 inches
Weight 8.4 ounces
Battery Life 30-hour 
Bluetooth Yes
Special Features USB-C Fast Charging, Virtual Assistant Button, Foldable
Price $199.95

You can be sure about Sennheiser that you will get your money’s worth. The HD 450BT steps up its game with great wireless sound. The combination of superior sound quality and advanced Bluetooth technology allows you to enjoy enhanced audio quality.

Moreover, it delivers superb audio with dynamic bass and features like active noise cancellation and AptX Low Latency. In addition, the AptX Low Latency keeps audio perfectly synced with on-screen action while watching videos.

Furthermore, the Sennheiser Smart Control App makes it easy to customize the sound through the equalizer. The HD 450BT offers an excellent 30-hour battery life with fast USB-C charging, making it a great travel companion. It also features a button that triggers the Voice Assistant of your device.

Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
Excellent audio performance   Decent noise cancellation
Passive mode with a cable          
Wired mode with ANC enabled
User-adjustable EQ
Fast charging

Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X

Best for personal and professional listening

Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X - Beyerdynamic

Image Credits: Beyerdynamic

The DT 900 Pro X delivers the resolution, stability, and control required for a recording in a studio.

Specifications

Size 6.65 x 3.94 x 7.68 inches
Weight 12.2 ounces
Battery Life 30-hour 
Bluetooth No
Special Features Open-back, STELLAR.45 driver, detachable cables
Price $299

The open-back DT 900 Pro X headphones are ideal for both professional and personal listening. It delivers accurate audio with a rich, detailed, and balanced sound. Also, the Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X comes with the STELLAR.45 sound transducer that delivers studio-headphones level performance.

Moreover, the headphones produce clear mids with well-balanced tuning. The lows are punchy and precise with added sub-bass. The sound stage is also perfect- not too wide or closed-in. In addition, it includes mini XLR cables along with a gold-plated adapter. These cables connect to either a 3.5mm jack or a ¼ inch plug.

Furthermore, the build quality of the headphones is also excellent. It comes beautifully packed in a high-quality carrying bag as an added benefit.

Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
Rich and detailed audio No noise cancellation
Closed design for studio recording          
Sturdy build
Top-tier audio reproduction
Spacious sound

Jabra Elite 45h

Best for budget

Image Credits: Jabra

The Jabra Elite 45h delivers excellent wireless audio without burning a hole in your pockets.

Specifications

Size 10.39 x 10.24 x 6.73 inches
Weight 5.6 ounces
Battery Life 50-hour 
Bluetooth Yes
Special Features Voice Assistant, Music Equalizer, MySound
Price $99.99

At 40mm, these are the most oversized speakers from Jabra’s headphone category. The sound quality really packs a punch. With almost 50 hours of capacity, Jabra Elite 45 provides probably the most extended battery life. Even if you run out of charge, you can get up to 10 hours of listening time in just 15 minutes of charging.

Furthermore, this headphone is user-friendly and can be worn for hours with no discomfort. Moreover, it can connect to two devices simultaneously.

Besides, featured with the latest technology, this headphone tests your hearing using the Jabra Sound+ app and tailors music to suit your hearing requirement. Also, the buttons on the earpiece are easy to use.

And lastly, the 2-microphone call technology lets you make and take clear calls.

Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
Adjustable EQ No jacks for wired connection
Long battery life          
Sturdy build
Customizable sound
Stable connectivity

Sennheiser HD 250BT

Best for affordability

Image Credits: Sennheiser

The HD 250BT strikes a great bargain with its dynamic audio and advanced wireless technology.

Specifications

Size 9.45 x 3.54 x 9.45 inches
Weight 1.76 ounces
Battery Life 25-hour 
Bluetooth Yes
Special Features USB-C Fast Charging, AptX codec-support, Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity
Price $69.95

Sennheiser HD 250BT packs a punch above its weight. It delivers a thrilling DJ-inspired audio experience. An in-built transducer technology ensures the high audio quality. It is further supported by high-quality codecs such as aptX and (Advanced Audio Coding) AC for dynamic bass.

Also, with a 25-hour battery life and advanced wireless technology, HD 250BT offers a remarkable listening experience.

Moreover, the Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity adds quality to your listening. HD 250BT comes embedded with the aptX Low Latency, which makes audio perfectly synchronized with the onscreen action. It is also equipped with an Omni-directional microphone for call pick-ups.

Furthermore, the Sennheiser Smart Control App makes it possible to personalize your audio using an intuitive equalizer.

Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
High-quality sound No active noise cancellation
In-app EQ optimization Small speakers
Built-in microphone for phone calls
Stable connectivity
Dynamic bass

Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless

Best for noise-canceling

Image Credits: Sennheiser

Momentum 3 adapts to your environment for a seamless listening experience.

Specifications

Size 7.8 x 6.7 x 1.78 inches
Weight 10.8 ounces
Battery Life 17-hour 
Bluetooth Yes
Special Features Auto on/off and smart pause, Automatic pairing mode
Price $249.95

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 3 provides an incredible sound stage and warmer sound. In addition, the bass is a bit boosted, and the phone app Equalizer allows you to customize your sound the way you want.

Moreover, this headphone introduces Auto On/Off, and Smart Pause features so that you never miss a beat. In addition, Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Transparent Hearing functions allow you to experience the best of music and the outside world. Also, you can choose between three modes for the ANC.

With the intuitive 3-button interface, you can switch between music and make calls in a flash.

Furthermore, it allows you to activate volume control and trigger your Voice Assistant immediately at the click of a button.

Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
Active Noise Cancellation Uncompetitive battery life
Easy button interface          
Premium build
In-app EQ
2-device Bluetooth connectivity

Why You Should Purchase the headphone

Headphones give you a uniquely personal hearing experience that other audio devices cannot. It allows you to hear more details that go unnoticed.

Moreover, with the addition of new features, you can now customize your music according to your taste.

Headphones Buying Guide

There are several things to consider before purchasing a headphone. First, it is essential to pick a headphone that is best suited for you. Here are some criteria to refer to while choosing the right pair:

Type of headphones – There are different types of headphones available in the market. Some of the most common types are-

  • On-Ear – These headphones rest on top of your outer ears but do not enclose your ears. These are generally smaller and lighter than their over-ear counterparts.
  • Over-ear – These headphones fully enclose your ears. They are usually the most comfortable headphones.
  • Closed-back headphones –These headphones come with an outer casing with no holes or vents, which traps the sound inside the cups. Closed-back also keeps external noises out.
  • Open-back headphones – These headphones are more acoustically transparent and allow the outer sound to be heard by the headphone user. As a result, open-back headphones allow air to pass through the ear cups and avoid pressure build-up.
  • Wired headphones –Wired headphones have no lag and do not need constant charging of batteries. However, sometimes the cable can tangle and break very easily.
  • Wireless headphones –Wireless headphones are usually costlier than wired ones. They typically come with a battery life of 15-30 hours. These headphones come equipped with improved Bluetooth codecs such as AAC, AptX, AptX Low Latency to enhance the listening experience and solve latency issues.

Budget – There are loads of expensive headphones in the market. However, the price tag is not always justified by the product. To purchase a headphone in your budget, you can select the one that suits you the most. There is no use buying an expensive product with unnecessary features that will remain useless.

Audio quality – It would be purposeless to buy a pair of headphones if they don’t offer better audio quality than your current audio device. Hence, picking a headphone pair that delivers decent audio quality is essential.

Comfort – You will probably wear your headphones for a long time. Keeping that in mind, you should purchase a pair that sits comfortably on your ears. If the headphones are too tight, they might hurt your ears or head. If the fit is too loose, you won’t get the optimal hearing experience.

FAQs

What kind of headphones should you get?

It is sagacious to choose a pair of headphones that serve your interests. If you want one with super noise-cancellation, you should choose Bose QuietComfort 45. If you are looking for the best overall headphone, you should get Sony WH-1000MX4. However, if you need something budget-friendly, pick Sennheiser HD 250BT.

Why should you get over-ear headphones?

Over-ear headphones are the best at producing accurate sound across the frequency spectrum- from bass to treble notes. These headphones completely encompass your ears and are the most comfortable to wear. Sennheiser HD 450BT provides an excellent pair of over-ear headphones.

Are headphones comfortable to wear?

Comfort is a subjective feature because some headphones can be comfortable for one; they might cause discomfort to others. It mostly depends on your sensitivity to materials, the size of your head, and your endurance.

Is it better to get wired or wireless headphones?

There is no right or wrong answer to this question. Both types of headphones have their own set of pros and cons. If you don’t want the hassle of tangled wires, you may consider going wireless. However, you also need to consider the repleting battery charge if you are a fanatic headphone user.