The best headphones for every budget in 2026

• Does not matter0, 0 models
• Travelling and commuting0, 0 models
• Sport and running0, 0 models
• At work or in the office0, 0 models
• At home, for music0, 0 models
• TV and gaming0, 0 models
• For a child0, 0 models

Travel asks for noise cancelling, sport for water resistance and no cable, work for clear calls, the TV for a headphone jack or LE Audio, and a child for a volume limit.

• Does not matter0, 0 models
• Over the ear0, 0 models
• On the ear0, 0 models
• Earbuds0, 0 models
• Open, ears free0, 0 models

Over-ear headphones close around the ear and keep out the most sound. On-ear ones are lighter, earbuds fit in a pocket, and open-ear ones leave your ears free.

• Does not matter0, 0 models
• Nothing, just quiet0, 0 models
• Traffic and voices0, 0 models
• Both, at the press of a button0, 0 models
• Help hearing conversations0, 0 models

Noise cancelling silences a train or an office. A transparency mode or an open fit lets traffic and voices through, and a few models can amplify voices like a hearing aid.

• Does not matter0, 0 models
• An iPhone0, 0 models
• An Android phone0, 0 models
• A laptop0, 0 models
• A phone and a laptop together0, 0 models

Every Bluetooth headphone pairs with an iPhone and an Android phone. Switching between a phone and a laptop without pairing again takes multipoint, so only that answer narrows the list.

• Does not matter0, 0 models
• Every day0, 0 models
• Now and then0, 0 models

For daily calls we keep models with at least two microphones, which pick your voice out of the noise around you.

• All types
• with an over-ear fit
• with an on-ear fit
• with an in-ear fit
• with an open-ear fit
• with bone conduction

• Does not matter0, 0 models
• Alexa0, 0 models
• Google Home0, 0 models
• Apple HomeKit0, 0 models
• SmartThings0, 0 models
• Home Assistant0, 0 models
• Matter0, 0 models

Based on the voice assistants and Matter support the maker lists. A model that lists none of them is left out.