Best Headphones & Earbuds 2026

After 60+ days of testing across daily commutes, focus work, gym sessions, and long flights — these are the headphones our editors keep reaching for. Each pick passed our subway-line ANC test and our 8-hour comfort threshold.

1

Best Overall

Sony WF-1000XM6

Best earbuds overall

Class-leading ANC, dialed-in EQ, and a fit that survives gym sessions. The only earbuds we keep recommending to everyone — non-audio nerds and audiophiles alike.

$300Read full review →

2

Editor’s Pick

Sony WH-1000XM6

Best over-ear flagship

Quieter than the previous gen on plane noise, lighter on the temples, and the touch controls finally make sense. 30-hour battery is honest. Our pick for long-haul travel.

$450Read full review →

3

Best ANC

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

Best ANC, immersive sound

Spatial Audio actually adds something here — podcasts feel closer, music has air. ANC is the strongest we have tested. Battery is the weak link at ~6 hours real-world.

$300Read full review →

4

Best for iOS

Apple AirPods Pro 3

Best for iPhone users

Effortless across Apple devices, transparency mode is still uncanny, and the new hearing-health features land. Sound has more body than Gen 2. Only buy if iPhone-first.

$249Read full review →

5

Best Sound

Sennheiser Momentum 4

Best sound quality

Audiophile tuning out of the box, no app tweaking required. Build is plasticy compared to Sony but battery is 60 hours of music. Pick this if sound > everything.

$380Read full review →

6

Best Value

Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2

Best value flagship

Dolby head-tracking actually works for movies. ANC is a step behind Sony, but the case is slimmer and call quality is the best in the test. Often on sale under $200.

$250Read full review →