In today’s world, social decorum seems to be fading as many individuals overlook basic etiquette in public spaces. From rowdy theater audiences to cinema-goers endlessly scrolling on their phones, it’s apparent that some reminders about appropriate behavior are needed. On public transportation, we often encounter people blasting videos or music without a second thought for those around them. We may be old-fashioned, but we believe that headphones are essential for enjoying entertainment discreetly in public settings.
When it comes to headphones, a wide range of options is available, from budget-friendly to premium models. Your choice will likely depend on your budget and intended use. Are you devoted to your vinyl collection? High-end headphones can elevate your listening experience significantly (though audiophiles often prefer reliable wired options). If you work in a noisy environment or frequently participate in video calls, noise-canceling headphones can enhance productivity, allow you to enjoy late-night shows without disturbing others, and offer a sense of tranquility during flights. Runners may seek out water-resistant models that fit securely while still enabling awareness of their surroundings.
Ultimately, the right headphones can vastly improve everyday life, whether it’s making your commute quieter, enhancing focus for essential tasks, or enriching your enjoyment of music and shows. Investing in a model that is comfortable, delivers excellent sound quality, has a long battery life, and also looks appealing is well worth it.
Here are 11 headphones that check all the boxes.
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95
Bang & Olufsen epitomizes exquisite design and unparalleled sound. The Beoplay H95 feels so comfortable that you might forget you’re wearing them. Available in elegant color options like sophisticated gold, the lambskin ear cushions add a touch of luxury.
With 40mm titanium drivers powered by the B&O app’s customizable equalizer, the sound experience is remarkable, particularly for genres such as classical, jazz, and vocals. While the bass may seem understated initially, it can easily be adjusted to meet your preferences through the app.
The adaptive active noise cancellation is impressive, and the transparency mode allows for a controlled intake of outside sounds, ensuring you won’t miss important notifications like a doorbell. Additionally, battery life stands out, offering a robust 38 hours with noise cancellation enabled, and 50 hours without.
One downside is the higher price point associated with Bang & Olufsen products. Although the H95 is positioned as their mid-range model, it still comes at a premium, appealing mainly to those who appreciate elegance and high-fidelity sound. Moreover, its protective carry case is quite bulky.
While it may not be budget-friendly, the Beoplay H95 represents a blend of style and performance, making it a coveted choice for discerning audiophiles.
Sonos Ace
The Sonos Ace, priced at roughly half that of the Beoplay H95, offers remarkable style and marks the popular home audio brand’s foray into the headphone market. Featuring premium attributes, lightweight design, and a sleek aesthetic, the Sonos Ace competes effectively with other high-end models.
Simple to set up and highly comfortable, the headphones deliver excellent noise cancellation with a 30-hour battery life. They also provide fast charging capabilities, offering three hours of playback after just three minutes of charging, ensuring you won’t find yourself waiting around. The sound quality impresses, with a balanced yet dynamic listening experience, excelling particularly in bass-heavy tracks and possessing spatial audio with head tracking for a cinematic effect.
However, some users, particularly those with Android devices, report limited integration with other Sonos products, such as the Soundbar. Others suggest that using different apps like Spotify resolves this issue easily.
All in all, the Sonos Ace makes a strong debut, delivering impressive sound and comfort for extended listening sessions.
BOSE QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
In a similar price range to the Sonos Ace is BOSE’s QuietComfort Ultra headphones, widely acknowledged as premier noise-canceling headphones. These models deliver exceptional sound quality, marrying immersive audio with advanced noise cancellation that effectively minimizes external distractions—ideal for travel, work, or relaxation.
Light and comfortable, these headphones feature plush, replaceable ear cushions and an elegant design suited for prolonged use.
Support for advanced spatial audio offers an engaging listening experience for music and films. The controls are user-friendly, featuring touch-sensitive panels and customizable options through the app and Siri. The battery life is satisfactory, lasting up to 24 hours on a single charge, while fast-charging capabilities provide quick boosts when needed.
The only downside? Some might feel they are priced a bit high. Still, the cost of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones is warranted by their exceptional performance and build quality, including useful accessories like an in-flight jack, making them an excellent pick for both audiophiles and frequent travelers.
Bowers & Wilkins Px8
Bowers & Wilkins’ Px8 headphones exhibit outstanding build quality and superb sound performance along with effective noise cancellation, boasting sophisticated color choices akin to the Beoplay H95.
Crafted from premium Nappa leather and featuring cast aluminum arms and plush earcups, the Px8 promises durability and comfort for extended listening sessions. The sound quality is exceptional, delivering a clear and dynamic range with intricate musical details. They provide a controlled bass response, crisp midrange, and articulate highs, making them ideal for meticulous listeners.
Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive ensures high-quality audio streaming, and the intuitive on-ear controls enhance user experience. Solid battery life of 30 hours, coupled with a quick charge that provides seven hours of playback in just 15 minutes, adds to their appeal.
However, they do come with a high price tag. The noise cancellation is effective but might not match that of certain competitors, and the transparency mode could be more adjustable. While the Bowers & Wilkins Music app enhances usability, it lacks comprehensive EQ customization. The Px8 excels at higher volumes, but some users find they lose clarity at lower levels.
Ultimately, while the Px8 is priced above many comparable models, it impresses with its aesthetics, exceptional sound, and refined listening experience.
Apple AirPods Max
For Apple enthusiasts, the AirPods Max are a clear choice, seamlessly integrating with Apple devices while delivering impressive audio quality and noise cancellation.
The design is sophisticated; featuring a unique mesh canopy and a wide array of chic colors, they fit comfortably despite their relatively heavier build. The custom 40mm drivers yield clear, expansive sound with rich bass and an adaptive EQ that tailors to your fit, ensuring a high-end listening experience.
However, there are a few drawbacks: non-Apple users may find some features limited to the brand’s ecosystem. The battery lasts around 20 hours, which is less than other models within this price range. While the contour case is light and compact, it offers less protection than a hardshell alternative. Some users have also mentioned issues with sound leakage, which might be a concern for those trying to sleep nearby.
Nonetheless, their noise-cancellation capabilities are superb, effectively minimizing ambient noise without introducing pressure or hissing, complemented by a natural-sounding transparency mode. The spatial audio feature stands out, providing a surround sound-like experience for compatible content. Plus, customization options, including personalized emojis or initials, add a fun touch.
Sony WH-1000XM5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 has garnered numerous awards, reinforcing its status as one of the best noise-canceling headphones available. They make a strong choice for anyone seeking exceptional sound quality, superb noise cancellation, and comfort for extended wear.
Designed with sleek aesthetics available in various chic colors, they also boast a commendable battery life of 30 hours, with just three minutes of charging providing three hours of playback.
Equipped with 30mm carbon fiber-composite drivers, they deliver clarity and dynamic sound across an array of genres. The adaptive noise-canceling technology is among the best available, automatically adjusting to environmental changes. Additional features like multi-device connectivity, excellent call clarity, and compatibility with voice assistants enhance versatility.
On the downside, profiting fully from the WH-1000XM5 requires some time spent on setting the equalizer options in the accompanying app, and they are not water-resistant. Some users also find the soft-fit leather a bit sweaty during lengthy use.
Despite these minor flaws, the WH-1000XM5 stands out as an excellent option for anyone prioritizing premium audio performance and advanced features in a wireless headphone, all at a more accessible price than designer brands.
JBL Tour One M2
If you’re open to lesser-known brands, the JBL Tour One M2 presents a compelling option. These headphones offer superb audio quality, advanced customization features, and effective noise cancellation. With 40mm dynamic drivers, you can expect a well-balanced audio profile suited for various music styles, complemented by customizable settings in the JBL Headphones app.
Features such as Personi-Fi calibration and a ten-band graphic equalizer allow users to tailor their listening experience precisely. The noise cancellation effectively blocks out most ambient sounds, while the 30-hour battery life with ANC engaged ensures they’re reliable for extended use. Added conveniences include wear detection, spatial audio toggles, and sidetone adjustment for phone calls.
However, while the brand might not have the same recognition as some competitors, and its build quality doesn’t quite reach ultra-premium standards, the Tour One M2 delivers remarkable quality for its price point.
For those in search of versatility and audio customization, the JBL Tour One M2 stands out as an excellent choice.
Sennheiser Accentum Plus
For those looking for headphones under £200, the Sennheiser Accentum Plus is a strong contender. Available in stylish black and off-white, these headphones come packed with premium features, including a smart control app, travel case, adaptive noise-cancellation, and sound personalization.
Battery life is exceptional, with an impressive 50 hours of use, and a mere 10-minute charge provides an additional five hours of playtime. Touch controls enable easy operation, and a 3.5mm jack for wired listening offers additional flexibility.
However, they may not be as comfortable for extended wear, and while sound quality is very good, it might not reach excellence for discerning audiophiles. The adaptive ANC works well, but it doesn’t quite match the performance of more expensive models.
The Sennheiser Accentum Plus is a noteworthy option for budget-conscious users, offering solid features, practicality, and portability, though it may fall short for those seeking superior sound clarity.
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2
Tech issues can ruin a run, but with Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 wireless headphones, you’re free from worrying about misplaced earbuds.
Bone conduction technology delivers impressive audio, while the lightweight and waterproof design caters to both marathon runners and travelers. The 12-hour battery life is suitable for various activities, and the open-ear design ensures situational awareness, along with noise-canceling microphones for clear phone calls.
Available in black, eye-catching safety orange for nighttime runners, and even a special Eluid Kipchoge edition, the OpenRun Pro 2 comes in two sizes to ensure a perfect fit.
Bear in mind that while designed for active use, these headphones do not provide an immersive sound experience, so keep expectations aligned with their intended purpose.
Apple AirPods Pro 2
For an in-ear option that stands out, consider the second-generation Apple AirPods Pro. They retain a similar design to their predecessor while offering additional extra-small ear tips for a better fit and a USB-C charging case with extended battery life (up to six hours on a single charge).
The H2 chip enhances active noise cancellation (ANC), now cancelling double the noise level when compared to the original model. Sound clarity and bass response have improved, complemented by spatial audio for an immersive experience. Sweat and water resistance (IPX4) makes them ideal for workouts.
However, their premium pricing compared to similar in-ear alternatives may deter some users, as they may not work as seamlessly with non-Apple devices. Also, their small size makes them easier to misplace than over-ear headphones, so it’s wise to link them with a tracking app.
Despite these minor drawbacks, the AirPods Pro 2 excel in noise cancellation, efficiently drowning out ambient sounds without pressuring the ear, all while providing a natural-sounding transparency mode. Their spatial audio feature adds a remarkable surround-sound experience for compatible content, plus the option to personalize with emojis or initials adds a unique touch.
Sony WF-C700N
If you’re looking for affordable options under £100, consider the Sony WF-C700N. Despite their small size, they deliver impressive audio quality. With an exceptional fit, app integration, adaptive sound control, and Crystal-clear reproduction thanks to Sony’s Digital Sound Enhancement Engine, they also feature touch controls for those who prefer traditional buttons.
Constructed with hybrid silicone rubber, these earbuds ensure comfort, even for smaller ears. The integrated charging case is compact and features a strong magnetic closure to keep the earbuds secured. Battery life is decent, offering 15 hours of use, and they come water and sweat-resistant (IPX4) in a variety of colors.
However, some users may find the sound quality decreases during phone calls. Still, you receiveall the advantages of high-end Sony earbuds at a very reasonable price.
In conclusion, whether you are exploring premium options or looking for something more budget-friendly, there’s a wide variety of headphones designed to fit your specific needs and preferences. Quality sound, comfort, and advanced features are essential aspects to consider, and with the extensive options available today, you are sure to find the perfect pair to elevate your listening experience.
