PORTABLE HEADPHONES
BIN THE BUNDLED BUDS AND INVEST IN BETTER SOUND
Soundmagic E11C £50
Best in-ear headphones under £50, Awards 2020 ★★★★★
The latest version of Soundmagic’s budget in-ears continues to impress with a full-bodied, energetic and informative sound. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m
Beyerdynamic Soul Byrd £69
April 2019 ★★★★★
You’ll struggle to find a better pair of in-ear headphones costing less than £70 than these Beyerdynamics.
In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m
Sennheiser Momentum M2 IEI £70
Best in-ears £50-£100, Awards 2017 ★★★★★
You wouldn’t think anything so small could sound quite so good – not for just £70. But they are wonderfully smooth, expressive and balanced. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.3m
Klipsch T5M Wired £70
Best in-ear headphones £50-£100, Awards 2020 ★★★★★
Not only do they have some of the most comfortable tips around, but these T5M Wireds also show a maturity that’s rare at this price. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.3m
Klipsch R6i II £89
Awards 2018 ★★★★★
2018’s Product of the Year in-ear headphones are as natural and transparent as they come at this price. Few can match their insight. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m
Shure Aonic 3 £190
Best in-ear headphones over £100, Awards 2020 ★★★★★ Breathtakingly musical and comfy to wear, the Shure Aonic 3s set a new benchmark for in-ear headphones at this level.
In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m
Bose Soundsport Pulse £179
February 2017 ★★★★★
The best-sounding pair of wireless in-ears we’ve heard so far. The modest battery life is a downside, but the sound is fun and enjoyable. In-line controls Yes Cable length n/a
Shure SE425 £185
Best in-ears over £100, Awards 2019 ★★★★★
If you’re serious about the quality of your in-ear headphones, we’d point you here. The energetic, immersive performance is irresistible. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.6m
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
AKG Y50 £69
Best portable on-ear headphones, Awards 2019 ★★★★★
Our Product of the Year cans for 2019 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 on-ear headphones under £150, Awards 2020 ★★★★★ 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
Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 £199
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 £350
Best on-ear headphones £150-£400, Awards 2020 ★★★★★
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 £520
Best on-ear headphones over £400, Awards 2020 ★★★★★ 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
Audio Technica ATH-W1000Z £530
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
Beyerdynamic T1 (3rd Generation) £899
February 2021 ★★★★★
The latest T1 over-ears are a step up in performance and compatibility from their predecessor; among the best headphones at this price.
Type Open Connection 3.5mm/6.3mmweight 360g
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
Earfun Air £55
Best wireless in-ears under £75, Awards 2020 ★★★★★
If it’s inexpensive, good-sounding waterproof buds you seek, the Earfun Air are tough to beat.
Controls Yes Battery 7 hours (35 hours with charging case)
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 Y400 £110
Best wireless headphones under £150, Awards 2020 ★★★★★
If it’s an affordable, portable set of energetic wireless on-ears you seek, the AKG Y400s are currently unbeatable.
Controls Yes Battery 20 hours
Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 £120
Best wireless in-ears £75-£150, Awards 2020 ★★★★★
These budget-conscious in-ears offer a cohesive, expansive and rhythmically driven sound, and an intuitive, playful soundstage that few match at this price. Controls Yes Battery 9 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
JBL Reflect Flow £130
February 2020 ★★★★★
Solid performers sonically and with a nicely secure fit, the JBL Reflect Flow are about as good as it gets for a truly sporting pair of true-wireless buds Controls Yes Battery 10 hours (plus another two full charges from the case)
Grado GW100 £169
December 2019 ★★★★★
Grado’s first pair of wireless headphones are truly excellent.
They won’t be for everyone, but for sound there’s not much to beat them. Controls No Battery 15 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
Jaybird Vista £195
December 2019 ★★★★★
Ideal for runners, the fit is the best we’ve yet tested. These are a front-runner in the niche, true wireless sport category. Controls Yes Battery 16 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
Sony WF-1000XM3 £220
Best wireless in-ears £150-£200, Awards 2020 ★★★★★
A new benchmark for true wireless earbuds, the WF-1000XM3S combine effective active noise-cancelling with a real sense of musicality. Controls Yes Battery 6 hours
Bose Quietcomfort Earbuds £249
February 2021 ★★★★★
The Bose Quietcomfort Earbuds deliver an energetic, balanced sound and brilliant noise-cancelling. A serious candidate for best-in-class.
Controls Yes Battery 6 hours (18 with case) Noise-cancelling Yes
Sony WH-1000XM3 £249
Best wireless headphones £150-£250, Awards 2020 ★★★★★
Our favourite headphones of last year are still superb, and are now more affordable. Jack of all trades and master of all too…
Folding Yes Battery 30 hours Noise-cancelling Yes
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 £279
Best wireless in-ears over £200, Awards 2020 ★★★★★
These Sennheisers are among the most refined-sounding wireless earbuds we’ve tested - if your budget can stretch this far, you won’t be disappointed. Controls Yes Battery 7 hours (28 with case) 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
Sony WH-1000XM4 £350
Best wireless headphones over £250, Awards 2020 ★★★★★
We weren’t sure if Sony could improve on the XM3S, but somehow the WH-1000XM4S have managed it; a serious hike in quality for the money. Folding Yes Battery 30 hours Noise-cancelling Yes