The Best Music Headphones Of 2025: Expert Tested And Reviewed

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In theory, each headphones should sound awesome erstwhile you're listening to music, but not each are specifically designed to supply a high-quality euphony listening experience. That's not ever a bad thing, arsenic immoderate headphones are built much to connection tons of features and bully noise-cancelation, while others attraction much connected a sleek and stylish design.

Still, immoderate headphones are designed much pinch high-quality sound successful mind. These headphones don't ever person fantabulous noise-cancelation aliases immoderate of nan high-tech features that consumer-level wireless headphones offer, but they do person an fantabulous audio response.

What are nan champion headphones for euphony correct now?

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 are nan champion headphones for euphony correct now, and you will commonly spot them connected nan ears of audio professionals. These headphones person a marathon artillery and tin execute complete a wired relationship moreover if nan artillery is dead. The ATH-M50xBT2 are not nan astir feature-packed headphones retired there, but if euphony is your priority, they will not disappoint.

If you for illustration headphones that sound awesome but connection modern features for illustration sound adjunct compatibility and noise-cancelation, nan Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 are different coagulated option. They person a beautiful sound profile, a stylish build, and capable noise-canceling properties for mundane use.

Best euphony headphones of 2025

Why we for illustration them: The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 headphones are nan latest loop of Audio-Technica's iconic master headphones. They connection that signature Audio-Technica sound successful summation to wireless connectivity. They characteristic 45mm large-aperture drivers for exceptional and meticulous sound reproduction, and present deep, impactful bass pinch detailed, crisp highs.

These headphones are awesome for professionals and casual listeners alike because they harvester Audio-Technica's fantabulous AK4331 digital-to-analog converter and an soul headphone amp. These thief nan headphones present high-quality audio, nary matter nan euphony genre.

Review: Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2

Outside of nan studio, they still sound awesome pinch Bluetooth connectivity and support Sony's LDAC Bluetooth codec for high-res audio. They person a very neutral audio profile, truthful don't expect a booming bass aliases scooped-out mid frequencies. Not only that, but they person an perfectly monolithic artillery life that sits astatine 60 hours of continuous listening.

Who they're for: The ATH-M50xBT2's wave scope makes them awesome for professionals and casual listeners. These headphones fto you perceive done a wired relationship astatine their table aliases adjacent their vinyl subordinate aliases pinch a wireless relationship connected your phone.

If you're looking for a awesome brace of euphony headphones that don't break nan bank, nan Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 headphones are worthy considering.

Who should look elsewhere: If you're an audiophile who's consenting to walk a ton of rate connected nan champion headphones you tin find, past you mightiness want to support looking. Alternatively, if you're connected a tight budget, location are different options connected this database for you.

Part of really these headphones execute specified a lengthy artillery life is by not having noise-cancelation, which is thing to support successful mind for those who want a brace of headphones that they tin return connected a level aliases usage successful a engaged cafe.

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Why we for illustration them: The Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones are nan latest successful Sony's agelong statement of much-loved wireless headphones. They're a small much costly than their predecessors, but successful return they connection improved noise-cancelation, fantabulous audio response, and a comfortable fit.

Review: Sony WH-1000XM6

The XM6 headphones aren't conscionable amended than nan preceding XM5 headphones but tin besides artifact much sound than Bose's best. Whether you're connected a plane, a bus, aliases successful a engaged cafe, these headphones are amended astatine blocking sound than thing other connected nan market.

The XM6 besides sound stunning. They're not rather audiophile headphones, still catering to user aliases casual use. Still, for user headphones, they sound very earthy and detailed. Sony says it collaborated pinch well-known mastering engineers for nan tuning of these headphones, and it shows. They person heavy and impactful bass, neutral mids, and clear, elaborate highs. The Sony Sound Connect app besides offers a 10-band EQ that lets you tweak nan audio consequence to your preferences.

As you would expect, they besides support Sony's ain LDAC Bluetooth codec, truthful pinch nan correct phone, you tin get high-res audio to maximize nan awesome wave response. The headphones travel pinch a cablegram for wired listening, truthful if you for illustration to perceive pinch a wired connection, you tin do so. They besides travel pinch a awesome recreation case, and pinch folding receptor cups, they're much portable than nan WH-1000XM5 headphones.

Who they're for: The Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones connection a comfortable fit, fantabulous audio response, and nan champion noise-cancelation successful nan industry. If you're consenting to salary for those things, past these headphones are for you. If you're seeking a brace of do-it-all headphones that sound great, these are nan measurement to go.

Who should look elsewhere: If you're an audiophile looking for a brace of ultra high-resolution, open-back headphones, these aren't rather nan measurement to go. Additionally, if you're connected a tight budget, past it's worthy looking astatine different option, arsenic these headphones are a small pricey.

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Why we for illustration them: The Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S3 debuted pinch slim earcups, a comfortable fit, a high-quality build, and unthinkable sound. We for illustration nan Px7 S3 for its expertise to supply exceptional sound value and a stylish creation to consumers looking for mundane features for illustration upwind microphone sound reduction, progressive noise-cancelation, and aptX Bluetooth codecs.

Review: Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S3

The Px7 S3 person a elaborate sound, offering a flimsy bump successful nan bass for nan bass-forward user and different boost successful nan treble for a crisp sound profile. Their soundstage is wider than likewise priced competitors, providing an unfastened and highly enjoyable listening experience.

Aside from their awesome sound, nan Px7 S3 are very stylish and person a well-dressed build and design, offering consumers an elevated look that's nan correct magnitude of casual and classy.

Who these are for: The Px7 S3 are champion suited for group pinch a refined sonical palate who want a brace of mundane headphones that they tin return connected their regular activities. These headphones don't fold, but their slim creation gives them an unimposing shape factor.

Who should look elsewhere: The Px7 S3 sound, feel, and look great, but their noise-canceling capabilities autumn down competitors wrong nan aforesaid value range. These headphones person capable noise-cancelation, but struggle successful noisy environments. For nan aforesaid magnitude of money, you tin get industry-leading noise-cancelation from Sony aliases Bose.

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Why we for illustration them: Wireless earbuds aren't typically known for their audiophile-level wave response, but nan Technics EAH-AZ100 earbuds are an exception. These are possibly nan best-sounding earbuds retired there, offering excellently clear precocious frequencies and tight, heavy bass.

It's not astonishing that they sound truthful good. The preceding EAH-AZ80 earbuds were considered to beryllium among nan best-sounding earbuds connected nan market. For nan EAH-AZ100 earbuds, Technics redesigned nan drivers for a punchier, much neutral sound. Even astir audiophiles will admit really they sound retired of nan container for a brace of wireless earbuds, and they support a coagulated EQ that tin thief users dial successful nan sound to their preferences.

The earbuds person a sleek and stylish build and a mini and portable charging case. Perhaps their biggest downside is that they're not rather nan astir comfortable earbuds retired there. I recovered that they didn't enactment successful my ears arsenic good arsenic immoderate others, but astir will find that they're comfortable capable to perceive for longer sessions.

The headphones are built for high-res listening pinch LDAC support, and they person Bluetooth multipoint pinch up to 3 simultaneous connections, beating nan 2 connections that astir headphones support.

The Technics EAH-AZ100's noise-cancelation is good, but not arsenic high-quality arsenic nan Apple AirPods Pro, Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, aliases Sony WF-1000XM5. Still, they tin efficaciously trim retired astir sound from a level motor aliases a engaged street, truthful nan noise-cancelation is not subpar.

Who they're for: The Technics EAH-AZ100 earbuds are for those who want a brace of earbuds and prioritize audio value supra each else. Their noise-cancelation little awesome than others, but it's still rather good. They're besides not arsenic comfortable arsenic immoderate earbuds pinch stems, but astir will find that they're comfortable capable for astir listening sessions. If you attraction astir about getting a neutral and meticulous audio consequence and want earbuds, these are nan measurement to go.

Who should look elsewhere: If you're looking for a much well-rounded brace of earbuds, location are others that don't sound rather arsenic bully but person a much comfortable fresh and amended noise-cancelation. Additionally, nan Technics EAH-AZ100 earbuds are a small expensive, truthful if you're connected a tight budget, it mightiness beryllium worthy looking elsewhere.

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Why we for illustration them: The Edifier Stax Spirit S3 are nan company's closed-back return connected planar magnetic headphones. Planar magnetic headphones usage different metals and methods of sound transmission than nan move drivers you commonly find successful user headphones. They're good known for their fantabulous clarity and item successful nan precocious end, and galore audio brands person been gravitating toward them complete nan past fewer years. While they were initially comparatively expensive, they've been getting cheaper, making nan awesome caller exertion much accessible.

These headphones present a smooth, clear, and highly enjoyable listening experience, adding magnitude and item to immoderate opus you perceive to, wired aliases wireless, acknowledgment to nan planar magnetic drivers.

Compared to headphones pinch ample move drivers, nan Stax Spirit S3 delivers a smoother sound that's meticulous pinch very small harmonic distortion, moreover astatine louder volumes. Because these are closed-back planar magnetic headphones, nan soundstage is not arsenic open, airy, aliases freely arsenic open-back planar magnetic headphones. The trade-off is that you tin artifact extracurricular noise, truthful you won't perceive each of nan sounds astir you erstwhile you listen.

Who they're for: If you're willing successful planar magnetic headphones but don't want to walk what galore of them cost, past nan Edifier Stax Spirit S3 headphones are worthy considering for their elaborate sound and high-res support.

Who should look elsewhere: If you want much well-rounded headphones amended suited for mundane life, these headphones astir apt aren't for you. They don't person noise-cancelation, truthful they aren't champion for group who want headphones for commuting aliases traveling.

Also, they don't sound arsenic bully arsenic much costly planar magnetic headphones, but they still sound excellent, particularly for wireless headphones. So, if you're consenting to walk a batch much connected a brace of planar magnetic headphones, past you tin get headphones that sound amended than these.

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What are nan tariffs successful nan U.S.?

The caller U.S. tariffs connected imports from countries for illustration China, Vietnam, and India purpose to boost home manufacturing but are apt to thrust up prices connected user electronics. Products for illustration smartphones, laptops, and TVs whitethorn go much costly arsenic companies rethink world proviso chains and measurement nan costs of shifting production.

CNET: Tariff Pricing Tracker: We're Watching 11 Products You Might Need to Buy

Headphones and wearable devices, which are predominantly manufactured successful these regions, are now taxable to tariffs arsenic precocious arsenic 54% connected Chinese imports and 46% connected Vietnamese goods. As a result, consumers whitethorn spot value increases of astir 20% connected these items.

Manufacturers are exploring options for illustration relocating accumulation to countries pinch little tariffs, but specified shifts are analyzable and whitethorn not supply contiguous relief. In nan short term, shoppers should expect higher costs for headphones and wearables owed to these waste and acquisition policies.

Right now, it looks for illustration immoderate tech whitethorn beryllium exempt from nan issued tariffs, but since it's ever changing and developing, we are keeping an oculus connected it and will update you connected nan latest.

Also: Tariff exemptions for electronics connection a break for tech - but not for long

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 are a awesome action for group who want to perceive much retired of their music. You tin perceive successful high-resolution clarity for hours connected extremity and usage them for low-latency gaming, positive they double arsenic headphones for master use. To spot really they stack up, present is simply a summary of nan champion headphones for music.

Headphones	Price	Type	Connectivity options	Bluetooth codecs
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2	$219	Over-ear	Bluetooth, 3.5mm jack	SBC, AAC, LDAC
Sony WH-1000XM6	$450	Over-ear	Bluetooth, 3.5mm jack	SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3
Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S3	$449	Over-ear	Bluetooth, 3.5mm jack, USB-C	SBC, AAC, aptX Standard, Lossless, HD, Adaptive
Technics EAH-AZ100	$300	In-ear	Bluetooth	SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3
Edifier Stax Spirit S3	$348	Over-ear	Bluetooth, 3.5mm jack	SBC, aptX Standard, HD, Adaptive

Headphone experiences are individual and subjective. What useful for you whitethorn not activity for nan adjacent person, and vice versa. Some options, for illustration nan Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S3, are highly commuter-friendly, while nan Edifier Stax Spirit S3 aren't.

Choose these headphones...	If you want...
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2	Simple workplace headphones that tin beryllium utilized for podcasting, recording, and listening to music.
Sony WH-1000XM6	Everyday headphones pinch awesome sound and industry-leading sound cancellation.
Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S3	Casual, mundane headphones pinch impeccable sound and a stylish design.
Technics EAH-AZ100	True wireless earbuds pinch a compact creation and big, enjoyable sound.
Edifier Stax Spirit S3	An entry-level brace of planar magnetic headphones.

I've spent nan past twelvemonth testing 25 different headphones. Through my testing, I've tried decent headphones, while others person fixed maine a listening acquisition that keeps maine up astatine night. Although sound value is highly subjective, location are immoderate nonsubjective measures I considered earlier curating this list.

Price: For immoderate people, value is nan first facet they see erstwhile buying a brace of headphones. This is understandable, arsenic spending hundreds of dollars connected headphones isn't feasible for everyone. I included headphones that scope from $70 to $400.
Drivers: Simply put, headphone drivers are nan speakers wrong nan receptor cups that person electrical signals into sound. Other components for illustration magnets, coils, and diaphragms besides lend to sound creation and movement. Drivers scope successful size, but galore move drivers are betwixt 30mm and 45mm successful diameter. Bigger driver size doesn't ever mean amended sound, but it usually intends deeper bass consequence and, sometimes, much distortion.
Form factor: Headphones travel successful different shape factors: Over-ear, on-ear, existent wireless, and in-ear monitors. I included galore over-ear options because these headphones create a seal astir your ears to amended immerse you successful nan euphony you perceive to. Over-ear headphones connection a realistic soundstage, much comfort, and longer artillery life. However, over-ear headphones tin beryllium bulky and cumbersome.
Use cases: Some headphones successful this database are workplace headphones, while others are accepted user headphones. The quality lies successful their usage cases and sound reproduction. Studio headphones are made for master use, truthful they sound neutral and balanced. Consumer headphones are made for mundane use, truthful they thin to person an overemphasized bass consequence and noise-canceling technology.

Although immoderate group are concerned pinch nonsubjective sound measurements that tin beryllium quantified connected a graph, I walk astir of my clip testing headphones successful real-world situations. I deterioration them for hours while I activity astatine my table to trial comfort, successful quiet and large environments to trial noise-cancelation, and I usage them regular for weeks astatine a clip to measurement artillery life.

Also: How we trial headphones astatine ZDNET successful 2025

Sound is incredibly subjective, and your ears whitethorn disagree pinch nan actual measurements connected sound curves, charts, and graphs. The only measurement to cognize if a brace of headphones useful for you is to trial them retired yourself.

I propose you bargain a brace of headphones and deterioration them to work, connected your regular commute, and astatine home. Make judge to support your receipt, arsenic you tin ever return them wrong a retailer's refund model if you don't for illustration them.

Wired and wireless headphones some person their pros and cons depending connected where, how, and why you scheme to usage a brace of headphones. You should bargain wired headphones if you person a discerning receptor for euphony listening, arsenic wired headphones person little latency and tin execute higher spot rates for clearer audio quality.

The number 1 pro of wireless headphones is nan deficiency of wires. You don't request to beryllium tethered to a device, and wireless headphones connection features for illustration noise-canceling, entree to sound assistants, and car play and pause. If you scheme to return your headphones connected your regular commute, to work, aliases to nan gym, you should bargain wireless headphones.

Open-back headphones let for your euphony to leak retired of nan unfastened receptor cups, offering an airy, spacious, and multidimensional listening experience. Open-back headphones tin beryllium much expensive, but their sound reproduction is much earthy than closed-back headphones.

Open-back headphones connection small to nary protection from ambient biology noises, truthful they're champion for captious listening sessions successful backstage indoor environments. I do not urge you bargain open-back headphones if you for illustration to deterioration headphones successful public.

Closed-back headphones are closed astatine nan backmost of nan receptor cups and dress up each of nan over-ear headphones options connected this list. Closed-back headphones whitethorn sound little earthy than open-back headphones, but they connection you protection from outer noises and connection different group astir you protection from your music.

Most group tin get much of their money's worthy from closed-back headphones owed to their versatility successful various environments. However, euphony professionals and anyone who enjoys backstage listening astatine location should put successful a brace of open-back headphones.

Listening to euphony complete a wired relationship allows you to perceive to euphony losslessly aliases successful hi-res. Lossless and hi-res audio files person not been compressed, and you tin perceive to nan songs arsenic intimately arsenic really they primitively sounded erstwhile recorded successful nan studio. Uncompressed audio files are ample and require tons of data, and Bluetooth connections cannot prolong this benignant of information transmission.

However, galore user headphones are compatible pinch upgraded Bluetooth codecs, for illustration Qualcomm's AptX and Sony's LDAC. Still, your listening instrumentality must beryllium compatible pinch these Bluetooth codecs for you to entree them, and galore celebrated smartphones successful nan U.S. are not.

So, wired headphones are amended astatine reproducing your favourite songs successful their original form, but wireless headphones are amended if portability and convenience are astir important to you. Many headphones connected this database tin beryllium wired aliases wireless truthful that you tin get nan champion of some worlds.

Are location replacement headphones for euphony worthy considering?

There are plentifulness of different headphones connected nan marketplace that are awesome options to perceive to euphony with. Through my testing, these headphones are worthy checking out.