Audio Technica ATH-W1000Z £530
Sony WI-1000X £206
February 2018
The best of both worlds thanks to great sound and fine noise-cancelling capabilities. Absolutely worth your time and money.
In-line controls Yes Cable length 1m
AKG N40 £249
Best in-ears £300+, Awards 2018
These sound great, but you’ll need a decent portable DAC and hi-res tracks to make the most of them, so they’re not for the casual user. In-line controls No Cable length 1.2m
Shure KSE1500 £2549
November 2016
At this price they won’t be for everyone, but they are the finest in-ears we’ve heard and arguably one of the best headphones money can buy. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.3m
Koss Porta Pro £49
August 2018★★★★★
Headphones that stretch all the way back to 1984, these deliver decent punch and detail and, most of all, they’re a lot of fun to listen to.
Type Open Connection 3.5/6.3mm Weight 60g
AKG Y50 £75
Best portable on-ears under £100, Awards 2018
Our Product of the Year cans for 2015 are portable on-ears, and deliver a rhythmic, clear, detailed, dynamic sound. At this price they’re amazing. Type Closed Connection 3.5mm Weight 190g
Grado SR80E £99
Best home on-ears under £100, Awards 2018
These Grados aren’t the most relaxing listen, but the excellent treble and midrange make for an exceptional performer. Type Open Connection 3.5/6.3mm Weight 210g
Grado SR125E £135
December 2014
These might look suited to the ears of a wartime radio operator, but they sound great. Best used in the home though, as they’re very leaky. Type Open Connection 3.5mm/6.5mm Weight 363g
Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 £199
Best portable on-ears £100+, Awards 2018
We love the design, but it’s more than just pretty – these Momentums are comfortable on your ears and fold away neatly when not in use. Type Closed Connection 3.5mm Weight 240g
Grado SR325E £299
Best home on-ears £100-£400, Awards 2018
If you don’t mind the amount of sound leaking from them, you’re free to enjoy the fluid dynamics and wonderfully musical presentation. Type Open Connection 3.5mm/6.5mm Weight 330g
Beyerdynamic Amiron £478
Best home on-ears £400+, Awards 2018
Beyerdynamic has produced a pair of headphones that sound as good as they feel. Be careful though; their open-backed nature leaks sound. Type Open Connection 3.5mm/6.3mm Weight 340g March 2017
The 11th version of the W1000z opts for evolution over revolution and with a spacious sound that packs power and punch, it’s a good choice. Type Closed Connection 6.3mm Weight 320g
B&W P9 Signature £699
December 2016
They’re not cheap but there’s no doubt these are talented cans. A retro look, stunning sound and a comfy fit make these worth their price. Type Closed Connection 6.3mm/lightning in 2017 Weight 413g
Sennheiser HD800S £1399
June 2016
If the price invites doubts, rest assured the performance is absolutely worth it, provided your source and amplification are up to the job. Type Open Connection 6.3mm Weight 330g
Sony MDR-Z1R £1650
April 2017
The finest closed-back headphones we have heard. Feed them with quality electronics and there is no doubt the Z1RS will shine. Type Closed Connection 3.5mm/6.3mm Weight 385g
Sennheiser HD820 £1999
October 2018
Probably the best-sounding closed-back headphones we’ve heard. They have lots of detail, plenty of punch and a strong bass performance. Type Closed Connection 4.4mm/6.3mm/xlr4 Weight 360g
Focal Utopia £3499
June 2017
With these cans Focal has aimed for the moon and reached it, delivering one of the finest pairs of headphones we’ve heard. Type Open Connection 6.3mm Weight 490g
Beyerdynamic Byron BT £59
Best wireless in-ears under £100, Awards 2018
These affordable Bluetooth in-ears retain much of the sonic charm and detail of their Award-winning wired siblings. Controls Yes Battery 7.5 hours
AKG Y500 Wireless £129
Reviewed online, 2018
This second-generation wireless on-ear is robustly made and nicely finished. Sonically, they’re nicely balanced and as refined as they come.
Folding Yes Battery 33 hours
Sony WF-1000X £145
Best wireless in-ears £100+, Awards 2018
In terms of ‘proper’ wireless in-ears, these Sonys are the best example we’ve had the pleasure of testing so far. They’re genuinely fantastic. Controls Yes Battery 9 hours
Sennheiser Momentum M2 IE Free £170
Reviewed online, 2018
These wireless in-ears continue the Momentum range’s fine reputation by delivering a comfortable sound packed with insight. Controls Yes Battery 6 hours
Bose Soundsport Free £179
Reviewed online, 2018
While not totally glitch-free in terms of connection, the Soundsport Frees still produce an even and enjoyable sound. Controls Yes Battery 5 hours
AKG N60 NC Wireless £195
Best wireless headphones under £300, Awards 2018
They’ve lost the cable, but the N60s retain the superb character of their wired equivalents. These are a great pair of portable noise-cancellers. Folding Yes Battery 15 hours Noise-cancelling Yes
B&W P5 Wireless £229
Awards 2016
All the characteristics of the P5 Series 2 without the wire. The Bluetooth connection works well and the sound is as good as the Series 2. Folding Yes Battery 17 hours
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless £280
April 2019
An impressive True Wireless debut by Sennheiser. The design is classy, they boast some useful features, battery life is good and so too is sound quality. Controls Yes Battery 4 hours (plus an extra 8 from charging case)
Bose Quietcomfort 35 II £329
January 2017
The second-gen Quietcomforts benefit from being truly wireless and also from a switch to rechargeable batteries. Folding Yes Battery 20 hours Noise-cancelling Yes
Sony WH-1000XM3 £330
Best wireless headphones £300+, Awards 2018
You can’t get better than these Sonys when it comes to combining noise cancelling, sound quality and comfort. Our favourite headphones this year. Folding Yes Battery 30 hours Noise-cancelling Yes
B&W PX £330
Best wireless headphones £300+, Awards 2017
The PXS are a fantastic package, boasting excellent sound quality, successful noise-cancelling and a smart design. Folding Yes Battery 22 hours Noise-cancelling Yes