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Credit: Reviewed.com / Chris Thomas

The Best Headphones on Amazon of 2024

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

Credit: Reviewed.com / Chris Thomas

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Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.

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Editor's Choice Product image of Sony WH-1000XM4
Best Overall

Sony WH-1000XM4

Check Price at Amazon

Sony’s noise-canceling headphones are comfy, lightweight, and offer amazing sound. They also offer a handful of really useful features. Read More

Pros

  • Excellent audio quality
  • Top-notch noise cancelling
  • All day comfort

Cons

  • Effective operation has a learning curve
Editor's Choice Product image of Jabra Elite 4 Active
Best Value

Jabra Elite 4 Active

Check Price at Jabra

Jabra’s Elite 4 Active serve up good battery life, great features like active noise canceling, and a rugged design at a refreshing price point. Read More

Pros

  • Snug, weatherproof design
  • Active noise canceling
  • Great features and battery

Cons

  • No auto-pause
  • Sluggish app connection
Editor's Choice Product image of Sony WH-1000XM5
Best Noise Canceling

Sony WH-1000XM5

Check Price at Amazon

Sony's WH-1000XM5 headphones offer significant upgrades over the WH-1000XM4, with a higher price to match. Are these the best wireless headphones? Read More

Pros

  • Lush, powerful sound
  • Top-notch comfort and features
  • Incredible noise canceling

Cons

  • Same battery as XM4
  • Less portable than rivals
Editor's Choice Product image of SteelSeries Arctis Pro
Best for Gaming

SteelSeries Arctis Pro

Check Price at Amazon

Our continued favorite for a few years now, the SteelSeries Arctis Pro is a top-notch choice for PC and PlayStation users. Read More

Pros

  • Great for gaming
  • Top-notch sound
  • Comfortable

Cons

  • Doesn't work with Xbox
Editor's Choice Product image of Puro Sound Labs PuroQuiet Kids Headphones
Best for Kids

Puro Sound Labs PuroQuiet Kids Headphones

Check Price at Amazon

The PuroQuiets were some of the best noise-canceling headphones for kids we've lab tested, while also keeping their hearing safe in style. Read More

Pros

  • Cuts ambient noise with no technical issues
  • Safe for up to 8 hours
  • Tangle-free

Cons

  • Expensive for kids headphones
  • Best Overall Sony WH-1000XM4
  • Best Value Jabra Elite 4 Active
  • Best Noise Canceling Sony WH-1000XM5
  • Best for Gaming SteelSeries Arctis Pro
  • Best for Kids Puro Sound Labs PuroQuiet Kids Headphones
  • Other Top Headphones We Tested
  • What You Should Know About Headphones
  • More Articles You Might Enjoy

If you're looking for a new pair of headphones, there's a good chance one of the first things you're going to do is head to Amazon. Especially if you're a Prime member, Amazon is an excellent way to find huge amounts of headphones that will quickly arrive on your doorstep. But with so many headphones to choose from, are you really going to chance listening to music based on random top reviewers like DogDad57? Do you know what "Amazon's Choice" even means? While we're not discounting the value of popularity and consumer reviews, we are saying that we've professionally tested hundreds of headphones over the years, and we have a pretty rock-solid idea of which are the best headphones.

If you just want to cut to the chase and grab our top-rated headphones, check out the newer Sony WH-1000XM3 over-ear headphones (available at Amazon for $248.00) , which offer great sound, wireless/Bluetooth functionality, supreme comfort, and industry-leading noise-canceling. However, if you don't want to fork out a lot of money, we don't blame you.

Editor's Note:

The recommendations in this guide are based on thorough product and market research by our team of expert product reviewers. The picks are based on examining user reviews, product specifications, and, in some limited cases, our experience with the specific products named.

Credit: Reviewed / Lee Neikirk

Sony's new WH-1000XM4 noise-canceling headphones need to be heard to be believed.

Best Overall
Sony WH-1000XM4
  • Ambient sound modes: Noise canceling, transparency mode
  • Weight: 254 grams
  • Battery life: 30 hours per charge

Sony's WH-1000XM4 noise-canceling over-ear headphones don't reinvent the wheel compared to our previous top pick, the WH-1000XM3, but they do make a suite of welcome improvements within an "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach.

The XM4 checks off all the right boxes where essentials are concerned: they're exceedingly comfortable, incredibly lightweight, they offer amazing sound, and offer noise canceling that's among the best available. They provide a wide array of useful features and functions like Quick Attention, to pause music and illuminate your environment instantly when you put your hand over the right cup, and multipoint pairing to connect to two Bluetooth devices at once, perfect for flipping between devices for all those Zoom calls.

Using Sony's highly tooled Headphones Connect app, you can adjust their EQ on the fly, tailor the transparency mode, and multiple other settings. But even if you don't take a deep dive into the massive array of customization features at your disposal, you'll have no complaints about how brilliantly these comfy headphones operate in all areas. They even include noise-canceling optimization for everything from your glasses to your current barometric pressure.

They also offer simple and intuitive touch controls (alongside some physical keys), up to 30 hours of battery life, and plenty of other features to explore. If you can't spend up for the XM4, you can get a taste of their best features in the much cheaper Sony's WH-CH710N. And of course, there are reams of cheaper cans out there, with varying amounts of quality and value that try and compete with the high bar the XM4 have set.

That said, we've never met anyone who felt buyer's remorse once they slip these cushy cans over their ears and take a trip to music town. They're a premium experience across the board, and you'll be hard-pressed to find a pair that can beat them at their price point.

Pros

  • Excellent audio quality

  • Top-notch noise cancelling

  • All day comfort

Cons

  • Effective operation has a learning curve

$248.00 from Amazon

$249.99 from Best Buy

$249.99 from Target

$248.00 from Abt
A navy earbud sits in the ear of a man with brown and grey hair with trees and grass in the background.
Credit: Reviewed/Ryan Waniata

The Elite 4 Active offer mid-tier noise canceling and adjustable transparency mode to go with a balanced sound signature.

Best Value
Jabra Elite 4 Active
  • Ambient sound modes: Noise canceling, transparency mode
  • Water resistance: IP57
  • Battery life: 6-7 hours with ANC, 28 hours with the case

Jabra’s Elite 4 Active offer a package that includes nearly everything you could want in a pair of true wireless earbuds at a great price. That's why they're an easy choice for the best value on our list.

The stacked feature set offers something for everyone. Whether you need a snug pair of earbuds with transparency mode for walking and running, a water-resistant pair you can rinse off in the sink (or dunk for short periods), or just decent noise canceling to keep out distractions while working from home, it’s a loaded package.

You’ll get plenty of functionality in Jabra’s Sound+ app, like a 5-band EQ and an earbuds finder. The buds themselves offer comprehensive onboard controls (including volume control), battery playback of 6-7 hours per charge (and plenty more in the case), and the ability to use either bud on its own.

As the price suggests, they don’t have it all. You obviously won’t get the seamless connection to Apple’s ecosystem found in iOS favorites like the AirPods or Beats Fit Pro, and you’ll have to forgo the multipoint pairing of Jabra’s top earbuds like the Elite 85t and Elite 7.

You’ll also have to give up a few convenience features, like auto-pause when you pull an earbud out, or a wireless charging case. But Jabra attempts to make up for those omissions for Android users with extras like Google Fast Pair and one-tap access to Spotify.

When it comes to performance, the Elite 4 Active offer clear, accessible sound and noise canceling that meets or beats most similarly priced rivals. They can’t match top picks in these categories, but again, you won’t be paying the sticker-shocking prices of the top performers. Whatever you’re into, Jabra’s versatile Elite 4 Active bring you a huge slice of the best features at a nice price.

Pros

  • Snug, weatherproof design

  • Active noise canceling

  • Great features and battery

Cons

  • No auto-pause

  • Sluggish app connection

Buy now at Jabra

$89.99 from Amazon

$89.99 from Walmart
Sony WH-1000XM5 white and black models sit on a black desktop.
Credit: Reviewed/Ryan Waniata

The new pads are lined with ultra-smooth synthetic leather.

Best Noise Canceling
Sony WH-1000XM5
  • Ambient sound modes: Noise canceling, transparency mode
  • Weight: 250 grams
  • Battery life: 30 hours per charge

Sony’s WH-1000XM5, the XM4's well-to-do cousin, come with a royal pedigree. And a more kingly pair of active noise-canceling headphones you’ll be hard-pressed to find. Offering marked upgrades on Sony’s proven formula, the XM5 are a pricey addition to the family, but they're well worth the premium for those who demand the ultimate in ANC performance.

After years of iterative tweaks to Sony’s 1000X lineup, the 1000XM5’s design is a full reboot of the 1000XM4. The headphones (which will live alongside the XM4) offer more oval-shaped ear cups reminiscent of Apple’s AirPods Max. Plush pads on the cups and headband are covered in ultra-smooth synthetic leather, resulting in even more luxurious comfort and longer wearability.

There are other improvements to note, but the XM5’s incredible noise canceling is the standout. With dual ANC chipsets and eight dedicated microphones, the adaptive ANC reacts to your environment to squash droning sounds like fans and engines, and even higher frequency chatter with impressive authority. The cans outpace the XM4 and virtually every other pair of travel cans we’ve tried, with Bose’s QC45 as the only exception.

The QC45 can’t stand with the XM5 when it comes to sound quality, though, which again improves on the XM4 for dynamics and definition. The soundstage is simply immaculate, offering brilliant detail for any and every genre, especially once you’ve tweaked a few EQ settings to your preference in the Sony Headphones app.

Speaking of the app, there you’ll find easy navigation for the same barrage of features that have helped keep Sony’s WH-1000XM4 atop our list for so long. From the EQ and adjustable transparency mode to engaging multipoint pairing or Quick Attention, it’s easy to tailor these cans to your liking. The convenient touch controls and battery life are the same as the XM4, as is the 30-hour battery, now with faster charging.

There are only a couple of downsides. The ear cups don’t fold inward, which makes the case longer and tougher to pack. The other handicap is price, which is significantly higher than the XM4 at launch. That makes these a deeper investment, and most people (especially heavy travelers) will likely find the XM4 the better buy. But if you’re looking for the ultimate noise-canceling headphones, your search has ended.

Pros

  • Lush, powerful sound

  • Top-notch comfort and features

  • Incredible noise canceling

Cons

  • Same battery as XM4

  • Less portable than rivals

$328.00 from Amazon

$329.99 from Best Buy

$328.00 from Abt

$328.00 from Walmart
A competitive gamer sits at their computer while wearing the SteelSeries Arctis Pro headset.
Credit: SteelSeries

The SteelSeries Arctis Pro headset is our recommendation for anyone looking for a solid gaming headset.

Best for Gaming
SteelSeries Arctis Pro
  • Connection type: USB, 3.5mm jack
  • Noise canceling: Microphone only
  • Supported systems: PC, Mac, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Mobile

One of the most comfortable gaming headsets on the market, the SteelSeries Arctis Pro uses a flexible suspension band to customize size, with super soft ear cups that let you game for hours—even while wearing glasses. Comfort alone isn't enough reason to buy a wired gaming headset that keeps you tethered to your station. But the Arctis Pro is often on sale and it offers plenty of reasons to pick it up.

Both music and games sound fantastic using the Arctis Pro. We played both quiet indie games and loud, booming matches of Overwatch with this headset and were pleased with both. The headset balances soft music with in-game sound effects, like the crunching of grass beneath your character's feet, with excellent subtlety.

In first-person shooters, we were able to clearly distinguish allies' voices from in-game noise, which can sometimes be a struggle. That's largely thanks to the mixer that comes with the SteelSeries, which makes for a perfectly customizable balance between game and chat.

Customization includes an equalizer that lets you change frequencies without any extra software. Just note that although this one will work with Xbox consoles if you connect the 3.5mm headphone jack through a controller, you may not get the full functionality—for that, you'll need to check out the Turtle Beach Recon 500 (our Best for Xbox pick), or our upgrade pick, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro.

Pros

  • Great for gaming

  • Top-notch sound

  • Comfortable

Cons

  • Doesn't work with Xbox

$190.00 from Amazon

$229.00 from Walmart
Credit: Reviewed

These headphones are the best choice for keeping your kids' hearing safe

Best for Kids
Puro Sound Labs PuroQuiet Kids Headphones
  • Ambient sound modes: Noise canceling, transparency mode, decibel reduction
  • Weight: 169 grams
  • Battery life: 22 hours per charge

If you're looking for the best headphones for kids, the Puro Sound Labs PuroQuiet Kids Headphones are the best we've tested. Like other Puro headphones, the PuroQuiet offer noise limiting, meaning the volume won't go above the recommended volume level to keep your child's hearing safe.

The PuroQuiet are a bit pricier than our previous favorite—the Puro BT2200—but that comes with the bonus of noise canceling. Though it may seem like a luxury feature for many children, it's not only great for when kids want to detach from the chatter at restaurants or get togethers, but it’s also an awesome addition for those who have sensory issues.

The noise canceling also helps reduce the urge to crank the volume to the absolute max, and gives adults a bit of a break as well. Though volume-limiting headphones are critical for protecting your child's hearing, the recommended max of 85dB(a) simply isn't very loud in noisy environments. These headphones help solve that by further cutting down ambient noise.

In our lab tests, the PuroQuiet's noise canceling performed quite well for their price point, cutting down a significant amount of ambient noise with no major technical issues. Though our tests showed they could get up to around 87dB(a), that's still near the recommended level experts deem safe for up to 8 hours of listening.

The main drawback here is the price, but Puro frequently discounts these. Headphones like these can be a gamble for younger kids who are likely to forget them somewhere (or simply break them), but especially for an older kid wanting nicer headphones, they're a great investment.

The wireless capability ensures that your kids can't easily circumvent the volume protections, and the headphones work with a wider range of modern devices including newer smartphones that don't have built-in headphone jacks. If the battery dies, you can also use the included cable, but the volume limiter on the cable only works when plugged in properly.

Pros

  • Cuts ambient noise with no technical issues

  • Safe for up to 8 hours

  • Tangle-free

Cons

  • Expensive for kids headphones

Buy now at Amazon

$139.00 from Walmart

Other Top Headphones We Tested

Product image of Jabra Elite 85t True Wireless
Jabra Elite 85t True Wireless
  • Ambient sound modes: Noise canceling, transparency mode
  • Water resistance: IPX4
  • Battery life: 5.5 hours with ANC (7 without), up to 25 hours with the case

Jabra’s Elite 85t offer a great blend of smooth and balanced sound, impressive noise cancellation, comprehensive controls, and a barrel full of other top-flight features.

While a more bulbous design means their fit isn’t quite as secure as sportier pairs, the oval ear tips provide a proper seal without plugging up your ears, keeping internal sounds like chewing or walking at by

It’s a similar fit to the AirPods, but since they’re device agnostic, you get the same features for Android or iOS, and you can choose any of the major voice assistants (or none). The comprehensive controls are fully customizable through Jabra’s stalwart Sound+ app, as is the noise cancelation and the natural-sounding transparency mode

The word "natural" keeps coming up when using the Elite 85t, and it's a big key to their success. You can wear them for hours, even when you’re not listening to audio, and never miss a beat thanks to how seamlessly they transition between noise canceling and transparency mode; a few taps of the keys (even while wearing gloves) lets you slide between jamming out in solitude and striking up a conversation. Multipoint connection also makes it easy to switch between fun and work modes.

As for downsides, the Elite 85t’s looser fit is comfy, but they’re not as sport-ready as offerings like Jabra's Elite 7 earbuds or the Beats Fit Pro. Battery life is about middle-pack, and you can also only use the right bud on its own (the left only works in stereo).

Those are relatively minor complaints though, as the Elite 85t offer a very complete package marked by good sound, great features, and usability that's among the best around.

Pros

  • Outstanding features and design

  • Rich, balanced sound

  • Impressive noise canceling

Cons

  • Not as sport-friendly as other Jabra buds

Buy now at Jabra

$176.37 from Amazon

$88.99 from Walmart
Product image of Sony WF-1000XM4
Sony WF-1000XM4
  • Ambient sound modes: Noise canceling, transparency mode
  • Water resistance: IPX4
  • Battery life: 8 hours with ANC (12 without), up to 36 hours with the case

Sony’sWF-1000XM4 (not to be confused with the WH-1000XM4 over-ears) offer a brilliant mix of incredible sound quality, innovative design, and noise canceling that puts them at the very top of the marketplace.

There’s only one pair of earbuds we’ve tested that compares to the XM4's ANC at the time of publication: Bose’s well-regarded Quietcomfort Buds. Both pairs have their pros and cons, but the XM4 make for a more natural inclusion in most collections thanks to their smaller profile, next-gen battery life of up to 8 hours with active noise canceling (ANC) and a whopping 12 hours without it, and of course, their lovely, luscious sound—which is sweet, smooth, accessible, and yet riddled with detail.

The headphones also have plenty of features accessed in Sony’s Headphones Connect app, which lets you tweak the EQ to your heart’s content (from ramping up the bass to cycling through a dozen presets). You can even set the earbuds to rotate between noise canceling and ambient audio based on your routines and locations.

They’re a bit of an investment, and they aren’t perfect—the XM4 don’t allow you to use volume controls without giving up other integral functionality and are missing Find My Earbuds and multipoint pairing—but if you’re looking for excellent noise-canceling earbuds, look no further. If you’re after a more affordable pair of Sony noise cancelers, the Linkbuds S are a great buy as well, especially when they’re on sale.

Pros

  • Fantastic noise canceling

  • Superb sound

  • Next-gen battery life

Cons

  • No good solution for volume control

  • Missing some features

Buy now at Amazon

$279.99 from Walmart
Product image of Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
  • Ambient sound modes: Active noise canceling, transparency mode
  • Water resistance: IPX7
  • Battery life: up to 5 hours with ANC (8 without), up to 30 hours with the case

Samsung continues to improve on their earbuds with the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, an excellent choice for Android device users. They’re 15% smaller than the now-retired Galaxy Buds Pro, come in a matte finish as opposed to the Samsung gloss of previous earbuds iterations, and still deliver sparkling audio and solid noise canceling performance.

There’s a boatload of features with the Buds 2 Pro that you’d expect from flagship earbuds, including a dunkable design, quick pairing, a wireless charging case, Voice Detect, Find My Earbuds, and 24-bit audio support. Many of these features, though—including the 24-bit audio support, Voice Detect, Bixby assistant, and quick pairing—are only available for Android users with the Samsung Wearables app. The app is not available for iPhone. They also don’t support Bluetooth multipoint pairing, instead allowing fast switching between only Samsung devices within the app.

But with an Android device, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro deliver. The sound profiles, particularly Normal, sound fabulous and instruments sit well within the sonic landscape with clarity and ample presence. While the highs can be a bit sizzly, the buds midrange frequencies down through the low end are robust and supportive. The ANC performs well, eliminating low drones and tamping down some midrange chatter.

They’re a bit pricey, but for Android users looking for an experience tailored to their device, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are the best earbuds you can find.

Pros

  • Small, lightweight, comfortable

  • Excellent audio performance

  • Solid ANC

Cons

  • No multipoint pairing

  • Samsung-only features

$229.00 from Samsung

$179.99 from Amazon

$189.99 from Best Buy

$189.99 from Target
Product image of JBL Tour One
JBL Tour One
  • Ambient sound modes: Noise canceling, transparency mode
  • Weight: 268 grams
  • Battery life: Up to 50 hours per charge

JBL’s Tour One wireless over-ear headphones aim for the moon—and certainly land among the stars. The Tour One are rather similar to their top competition, the beloved Sony WH-1000XM4. Like our favorite headphones, these JBL cans deliver a comfortable design, effective noise canceling, a massive range of features, and great sound.

Controlling the Tour One with their mix of on-set buttons and a single-use tap control is plenty intuitive, and we were especially impressed with their subtle but impactful soundstage. Best of all, it was easy to wear them for hours without complaints, thanks to their relatively light 268-gram weight.

While we noted a few finicky software functions in our review, such as settings going back to default, the issues were minimal. You’re also getting a great set of accessories, including a zip-up carrying case, USB-C and 3.5mm cables, and an airplane adapter. Battery life of up to 50 hours per charge doesn't hurt either.

The Tour One don’t surpass the Sony WH-1000XM4 or the pricier WH-1000XM5—which rule the roost together. But it’s a close comparison, often at a lower price. If you're looking for a little something different in the travel headphones game, JBL's Tour One offer a plush experience in a stylish package that's well worth consideration.

Pros

  • Great sound

  • Solid noise cancelling

  • Huge battery life

Cons

  • Software is occasionally finicky

Buy now at JBL

Buy now at Amazon

$129.00 from Walmart
In-ear vs. on-ear vs. over-ear headphones.
Credit: Reviewed

Three popular types of headphones: in-ear, on-ear, and over-ear.

What You Should Know About Headphones

You've probably seen a bunch of different headphones in your everyday life, but what you may not realize is that headphones, while they have a number of different selling points, are primarily categorized into three types: in-ear, on-ear, and over-ear.

Knowing the basic terminology of modern headphones is the best way to estimate what you need (or want) in a pair of headphones, which will guide you towards deciding how much to spend. Usually if you have an idea of what style you're looking for, what features you want or need, and how you'll be using your new headphones, you can start to estimate how much you want to spend. For example, Sony's super-popular WH-1000XM3 headphones are Bluetooth (wireless) over-ears with Adaptive Noise Canceling. If you're not sure what all that means, read on to see which pair is right for you.

  • Style: Deciding on one of the three common form factors—in-ear, on-ear, or over-ear—should be your first step. Generally, in-ear headphones are the most portable and convenient, over-ear headphones are the most comfortable, while on-ear headphones are somewhere in between. Check out our guide to the pros and cons of each form factor.
Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

Selecting a style of headphone comes down to many factors, including comfort, portability, and stylishness.

  • Bluetooth/wireless: Do you want wireless headphones? A pair of Bluetooth headphones will let you go completely without wires, while a set of "true wireless" earbuds are even more minimalist. If you're looking for an experience that won't tether you to your phone, tablet, or laptop, Bluetooth headphones are what you need—and fortunately, they're ubiquitous enough these days that you can find them in every style and price range.

  • Noise-canceling: Noise-canceling headphones, originally designed for pilots, aren't just for frequent flyers anymore. These headphones reduce the volume of ambient noise around you, and over the last several years they've become a mainstay for travelers, public transit commuters, gym-goers, and even people in extra-chatty offices. If you already know you're looking for noise canceling headphones, check out the best ones we've tested.

  • Open-backed: Last but not least, this niche kind of over-ear headphone is a style that's especially preferred by people mixing and matstering audio. Unlike traditional "closed-back" headphones, open-backed headphones have, literally, open backs, allowing some of the sound to escape into the room around you. While these headphones are primarily meant for audio professionals and audiophiles, it's worth knowing about them even if it's so you can decide if they're something you want or not.

Meet the testers

Lee Neikirk

Lee Neikirk

Former Editor, Home Theater

@Koanshark

Lee was Reviewed's point person for most television and home theater products from 2012 until early 2022. Lee received Level II certification in TV calibration from the Imaging Science Foundation in 2013. As Editor of the Home Theater vertical, Lee oversaw reviews of TVs, monitors, soundbars, and Bluetooth speakers. He also reviewed headphones, and has a background in music performance.

See all of Lee Neikirk's reviews
John Higgins

John Higgins

Managing Editor, Tech

@johntmhiggins

John is Reviewed's Managing Editor of Tech. He is an ISF Level III-certified calibrator with bylines at ProjectorCentral, Wirecutter, IGN, Home Theater Review, T3, Sound & Vision, and Home Theater Magazine. When away from the Reviewed office, he is a sound editor for film, a musician, and loves to play games with his son.

See all of John Higgins's reviews

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