The best on-ear headphones in 2026

• Does not matter1, 1 model
• Traveling and commuting0, 0 models
• Sport and running0, 0 models
• At work or in the office0, 0 models
• At home, for music1, 1 model
• 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 matter1, 1 model
• Over the ear0, 0 models
• On the ear1, 1 model
• 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 matter1, 1 model
• Every day0, 0 models
• Now and then1, 1 model

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

• Does not matter1, 1 model
• A full day1, 1 model
• A long trip1, 1 model
• With a cable, no charging0, 0 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 matter1, 1 model
• Wireless1, 1 model
• Wired0, 0 models

Whether the headphones connect without a cable.

• Does not matter1, 1 model
• Any noise cancelling0, 0 models
• Adaptive0, 0 models

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

• Does not matter1, 1 model
• IPX4 or better0, 0 models
• IPX5 or better0, 0 models

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

• Does not matter1, 1 model
• 8 hours or more1, 1 model
• 30 hours or more1, 1 model
• 50 hours or more1, 1 model

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

• Does not matter1, 1 model
• Two devices at once1, 1 model

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

• Does not matter1, 1 model
• 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 matter1, 1 model
• 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.