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Headphone & Headset Reviews

Updated: Mar 19, 2023 17:25
Brand
alaScore
Price
Type
Signal Connection
Headsets Only
#1
alaScore 100

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 / QuietComfort Earbuds II

“Quiet and comfortable really are the best words to describe Bose's latest buds.”

28 expert reviews

sound  
noise isolation  
price  
design  
#2
alaScore 99

Sony WH-1000XM5

“Sony proves once again that it's the brand to beat in noise-canceling headphones.”

57 expert reviews

noise isolation  
sound  
comfort  
price  
#3
alaScore 99

Apple AirPods Pro 2 (2022)

“There's simply no better option for anyone with Apple devices.”

36 expert reviews

sound  
noise isolation  
price  
usability  
#4
alaScore 98

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

“Superb Sennheiser sound sets these wireless cans apart.”

37 expert reviews

sound  
design  
comfort  
price  
#5
alaScore 98

Google Pixel Buds Pro (2022)

Android fans wishing they had a true AirPods Pro alternative will be thrilled with the Pixel Buds...

49 expert reviews

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comfort  
design  
noise isolation  
#6
alaScore 98

OnePlus Buds Pro 2

“The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 have excellent musical performance and long battery life but are let down...

31 expert reviews

price  
sound  
#7
alaScore 97

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2

The high-end Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 headphones look, feel, and sound fantastic, which makes...

23 expert reviews

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noise isolation  
design  
comfort  
#8
alaScore 97

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3

Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless 3 keep everything we liked about the second generation...

56 expert reviews

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comfort  
design  
price  
#9
alaScore 97

Huawei FreeBuds 5i

The Huawei FreeBuds 5i model makes its global debut. A great value proposition that allows you to...

21 expert reviews

noise isolation  
design  
portability  
sound  
#10
alaScore 97

Sony LinkBuds S

“Excellent ANC and unique features make these earbuds an intriguing new option.”

41 expert reviews

sound  
portability  
comfort  
price  
#11
alaScore 97

Jabra Elite 5

Jabra's true wireless Elite 5 earphones sit comfortably in the middle of the company's lineup...

23 expert reviews

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design  
price  
durability  
#12
alaScore 97

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro

“The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are good for Samsung users, but not great in the world of earbuds.”

32 expert reviews

sound  
comfort  
design  
price  
#13
alaScore 96

Sennheiser IE 200

Well-balanced sound from a keenly-priced pair of IEMs. The IE200 is as good a place to start your...

2 expert reviews

#14
alaScore 96

NuraTrue Pro

NuraTrue Pro is innovation all the way, and in a very successful way. Here, technology is...

9 expert reviews

sound  
usability  
price  
portability  
#15
alaScore 96

Bowers & Wilkins PX8

The $699 Bowers & Wilkins PX8 cost a pretty penny, but they're well worth the investment for...

15 expert reviews

sound  
price  
durability  
design  
#16
alaScore 96

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro

“ANC, top-shelf audio quality, and expansive software are just the start of what the SteelSeries...

20 expert reviews | 137 user reviews

sound  
comfort  
usability  
price  
#17
alaScore 96

Anker Soundcore Liberty 4

At $149, the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 gives you high-end features like adaptive ANC and spatial...

9 expert reviews

sound  
price  
noise isolation  
design  
#18
alaScore 96

Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2

Huawei nails the premium earbuds formula at a lower cost than its competition

21 expert reviews

sound  
price  
noise isolation  
comfort  
#19
alaScore 96

Oppo Enco X2

“The Oppo Enco X2 set the bar high with its sound quality and ANC performance for the price tag.”

23 expert reviews

sound  
comfort  
price  
design  
#20
alaScore 96

OnePlus Nord Buds

The new Nord Buds from OnePlus cost just $39 and offer lively sound, seven-hour battery life, and...

32 expert reviews

sound  
price  
design  
noise isolation  
#21
alaScore 96

Nothing Ear (stick)

“The Nothing Ear Stick earbuds and case look incredible, with a design that's unlike any other...

34 expert reviews

sound  
design  
bass quality  
comfort  
#22
alaScore 95

Grado GS3000x

They’re not cheap, they could easily be considered a bit daft-looking, and they leak sound in the...

2 expert reviews

price  
design  
sound  
comfort  
#23
alaScore 95

Sennheiser IE-600 In-ear Headphones

The IE 600 is probably the most credible-sounding monitor I have tested from Sennheiser in a...

9 expert reviews

usability  
sound  
portability  
soundstage  
#24
alaScore 95

Audio Technica ATH-WP900

The price and configuration is going to make the appeal of Audio-Technica's WP900 very select...

3 expert reviews

sound  
design  
comfort  
price  
#25
alaScore 95

Bose QuietComfort 45

“Bose's most popular headphones get a bigger battery, but drop some features.”

39 expert reviews | 1 user reviews

sound  
noise isolation  
comfort  
portability  

Compare

    Buying Guide

    Buying Guide - Headphones & Headsets

    Most people already know this, but it bears repeating – without a set of good headphones, it does not matter how fancy your audio media device is, you just won't get a satisfactory listening experience. The headphones that come pre-packaged with audio devices are often not of high quality, and it may be to your benefit to purchase a new pair. Headphones come in a wide range of types that fit in with all lifestyles – although all types of headphones are versatile, be sure to choose a set that fits in with your needs. How you intend to use your headphones – for music, gaming, or home theater – and where you plan to do your listening – on the go or at home – will narrow the range of possible types you'll want to choose.



    Contents

    Types of Headphones

     

    • Earbud – Earbud headphones fit directly into the ears, are lightweight, compact, and discreet, allowing listening on the go in a portable package. Earbud headphones are perfect for those who value convenience and portability.
    • Over the Ear – This is the traditional style of headphone, and offers the greatest sound fidelity. Because many models cover the ears completely, over the ear headphones are likely to include noise reduction technology. Over the ear headphones are for music professionals and purists who demand the best in sound quality.
    • Behind the Neck – As the name suggests, behind the neck headphones fit behind the neck, instead of over the head. This is particularly useful for people who wear hats or other head coverings. The behind the neck style is also very secure, an added benefit for those on the go.
    • Sport – Generally made in the earbud style, sport headphones are water-resistant, lightweight, soft, and durable, and are able to withstand the pounding from jogging or a vigorous workout. They also feature a resilient grip, to reduce slippage during energetic use.
    • Wireless – Cordless headphones have been around for years, but they have only recently started to approach the sound-quality standards of the better corded phones. Wireless headphones use Bluetooth technology, radio frequency (RF) or infrared to provide the ultimate listening convenience. Your mobility is guaranteed, and with wireless headphones you no longer need to worry about wires becoming tangled, snagging on exposed edges, and headphones being ripped off your head or out of your device. But the wireless headphones generally don't sound quite as good as equivalently priced wired headphones. The audio gets processed by electronics in the base unit, gets transmitted via radio frequency (or in some cases infrared) and then is converted back to an audio signal by the headset. All this processing adds extra noise to the audio signal.

        Additional Headphones Features

        Noise Reduction – Noise reduction and canceling technology comes in a number of different forms. It may be design-centric, meaning the headphones are molded to fit snuggly over the ears, with no room for outside noise to enter. Or, they may have an active noise-reduction function, which creates interference along a number of different frequencies that can cancel out extraneous noise. Since you no longer have to turn up the volume to overcome background noise, you can listen at lower levels, hear more low-level detail in your music and reducing ear fatigue. Noise reduction is an absolute requirement for music purists and frequent commuters.

    • Bass – Even at its very best, headphone bass is never the sort of driving experience you literally feel from massive speakers or subwoofers. Those systems' bass is as much felt by your body as heard by your ears. Earbuds are tiny and portable, but – except for a couple of high-end models – they can't compete with full-size, over-the-ear headphones for deep bass response or visceral dynamic range. As with speakers, headphones need at least 10 hours of vigorous use before they sound their best.

        Connectivity Options – Headphones generally use different connectors, make sure your new headphones' plug fits the jack for your stereo or portable MP3 player. The 1/4-inch (6.33-mm) plug is still the professional audio standard and may be found in nonportable AV equipment such as receivers, home stereos, and DVD players. The minijack (3.5-mm) plug is the most common headphone connector, especially for portable audio devices. Small, 2.5-mm (0.1-inch) headphones are typically used in cell phones and other small devices. Of course, if you have a good pair of headphones that don't fit your audio equipment, you can always find an adapter.

        Popular Brands of Headphones

        Whimsically-named Skullcandy headphones are a popular choice for hipsters and the younger crowd. Philips and Sony have a wide selection of headphones of all types, featuring the most up-to-date audio technology available. Sennheiser specializes in wireless headphones and accessories, also they offer a full range of headphone types which will suit your need at different prices.

        Whenever shopping for new headphones, be certain that the model you select is completely compatible with your primary audio media device. Headphones are generally priced very reasonably, so you may want to purchase a different set for different occasions (one set for travel, another set for the home, etc.).

    Popular Headphone & Headset products

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    Headphones & Headsets on alaTest

    alaTest.com has collected and analyzed millions of reviews from 2642 sources to help you choose the best Headphone & Headset from top brands like Sennheiser, Sony, Huawei, Bose, Oneplus and more.

    Buying Tips Read our Buying Guide
    before you make your purchase