The best headphones for every budget in 2026

• Does not matter3, 3 models
• Traveling and commuting0, 0 models
• Sport and running0, 0 models
• At work or in the office0, 0 models
• At home, for music3, 3 models
• TV and gaming1, 1 model
• 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 matter3, 3 models
• Over the ear0, 0 models
• On the ear0, 0 models
• Earbuds3, 3 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 matter3, 3 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 matter3, 3 models
• An iPhone3, 3 models
• An Android phone3, 3 models
• A laptop3, 3 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 matter3, 3 models
• Every day0, 0 models
• Now and then3, 3 models

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

• Does not matter3, 3 models
• A full day0, 0 models
• A long trip3, 3 models
• With a cable, no charging3, 3 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 matter3, 3 models
• 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 matter3, 3 models
• 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 matter3, 3 models
• 8 hours or more0, 0 models
• 30 hours or more0, 0 models
• 50 hours or more0, 0 models

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

• Does not matter3, 3 models
• Two devices at once0, 0 models

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

• all3, 3 models
• ★★★★☆ 4 stars or higher1, 1 model
• ★★★☆☆ 3 stars or higher1, 1 model
• ★★☆☆☆ 2 stars or higher1, 1 model
• ★☆☆☆☆ 1 star or higher1, 1 model

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

• Does not matter3, 3 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 matter3, 3 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.