The best headphones for every budget in 2026

• Does not matter83, 83 models
• Traveling and commuting41, 41 models
• Sport and running38, 38 models
• At work or in the office42, 42 models
• At home, for music83, 83 models
• TV and gaming26, 26 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 matter83, 83 models
• Over the ear38, 38 models
• On the ear4, 4 models
• Earbuds31, 31 models
• Open, ears free10, 10 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 matter83, 83 models
• Nothing, just quiet41, 41 models
• Traffic and voices64, 64 models
• Both, at the press of a button39, 39 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 matter83, 83 models
• An iPhone83, 83 models
• An Android phone83, 83 models
• A laptop83, 83 models
• A phone and a laptop together61, 61 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 matter83, 83 models
• Every day42, 42 models
• Now and then83, 83 models

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

• Does not matter83, 83 models
• A full day59, 59 models
• A long trip77, 77 models
• With a cable, no charging33, 33 models

A full day asks for 24 hours on headphones, or 6 hours on earbuds and 24 with the case. A long trip asks for 15 hours, or 5 on earbuds. A cable never runs out.

• Does not matter83, 83 models
• Wireless70, 70 models
• Wired13, 13 models

Whether the headphones connect without a cable.

• Does not matter83, 83 models
• Any noise cancelling41, 41 models
• Adaptive34, 34 models

Active noise cancelling as the maker states it. A model whose maker does not say is in neither option.

• Does not matter83, 83 models
• IPX4 or better38, 38 models
• IPX5 or better15, 15 models

The water rating the maker states. IPX4 takes splashes and sweat, IPX5 a jet of water.

• Does not matter83, 83 models
• 8 hours or more63, 63 models
• 30 hours or more30, 30 models
• 50 hours or more21, 21 models

Hours on one charge as the maker states them, with noise cancelling off where given.

• Does not matter83, 83 models
• Two devices at once61, 61 models

Connected to two devices at the same time, a phone and a laptop for example.

• All types83, 83 models
• with an over-ear fit38, 38 models
• with an on-ear fit4, 4 models
• with an in-ear fit31, 31 models
• with an open-ear fit8, 8 models
• with bone conduction2, 2 models

• all83, 83 models
• ★★★★☆ 4 stars or higher41, 41 models
• ★★★☆☆ 3 stars or higher42, 42 models
• ★★☆☆☆ 2 stars or higher42, 42 models
• ★☆☆☆☆ 1 star or higher42, 42 models

Counts only models with at least 20 reviews: with fewer, the average says little.

• Does not matter83, 83 models
• 5% & up0, 0 models
• 20% & up0, 0 models
• 30% & up0, 0 models
• 50% & up0, 0 models

Below what the same store usually asked in the 30 days before, at a store we followed on all those days.

• Does not matter83, 83 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.