If smartphones and laptops rule the roost in the tech hierarchy, then it’s headphones and earbuds that come in just behind them. Whether you’re listening to music, hearing directions on the move or even just zoning out with some noise-cancelling as you try and stay productive, headphones are an essential addition to anyone’s everyday carry in 2026. What’s more, there’s never been a better time to buy.

Thanks to continued innovation from big brands including Sony and Bose, alongside impressive newcomers like Nothing, headphones (and their more compact earbud alternatives) have never been more powerful or feature-packed. While they might have once been deemed inferior to full-on speakers, headphones are now a more preferable choice for many, and I include myself in that mix.

As a tech journalist who’s been testing the latest gadgets for almost a decade, I’ve never left the house without some means of enjoying my favourite albums in a pinch, and it means I know exactly which of the latest cans are worth buying and why. Whether you’re thinking about picking up your first-ever pair of headphones or are hoping to upgrade from your current pair, I’ve put the most recent contenders through their paces, using them in real-world scenarios to find out exactly which of them are best suited for your needs. Off the back of that testing, here are my recommendations for the best headphones you can buy in 2026.

Read more: **Best laptops, reviewed **

The best headphones for 2026 are:

  • Best overall– Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd Gen: £399.95, Amazon.co.uk
  • Best budget buy– Anker space one pro: £150, Amazon.co.uk
  • Best for audio– Sony WH-1000XM6: Was £399, now £349, Amazon.co.uk

  • Best for battery life– Marshall monitor III A.N.C: £299, Amazon.co.uk

  • Bestheadphones overall

  • Why we love it- Industry-leading ANC, again
  • Lightweight design that’s easy to wear

  • Superior battery life

  • Take note- Slightly beaten on pure audio quality

  • Volume controls are a bit fiddly

When I originally put this list together, the first-generation model of Bose’s premium headphones shot straight to the top as my favourite pick of the bunch, with noise cancelling that felt like it was in another league to everything else out there. It seems only fitting then that those cans have been superseded by their direct successor, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd Gen.

Even though I didn’t think it could be possible, Bose has found a way to improve the ANC performance yet again, and the best way I can convey this is that, when trying to work in a busy London cafe, with additional noise pouring in from outside and the constant hum of a fan pointed directly at my face as I tried my best to battle the day’s heatwave, putting on the new QuietComfort Ultra Headphones made it all go away, giving me the chance to recentre my focus and be productive once more. No other pair of headphones can match that kind of power.

It’s not just about the ANC however, as there’s a very enjoyable soundscape at play here with a seriously thumping bassline. I am slightly more partial to the sound of Sony and Apple’s headphones, but with external noise kept at bay, you have more of a chance to enjoy your tracks here. Plus, there’s now lossless playback with a USB-C cable in tow, and the battery life is longer at up to 30 hours in total. I didn’t think that Bose could do it, but the best just got better.

Key specifications

  • Dimensions:16cm x 4.5cm x 20.5cm
  • Weight:250g
  • Battery life:30 hours
  • Colourways:Black, Desert Gold, Midnight Violet, Driftwood Sand, White

  • Bluetooth:5.4

  • Bestbudget headphones

  • Why we love it- Outstanding value that makes the headphones a great option for students and buyers on a budget
  • Enjoyable soundscape that works well will bouncier tracks

  • Battery life that exceeds far more expensive ANC headphones

  • Take note- They don’t quite hit the highs of the headphones they’re trying to emulate

  • Equaliser settings in the app are disappointing

While big-brand headphones cost a fair amount of money, the Anker soundcore space one pro prove that there are great budget alternatives for those who decide to shop around.

Already known for great value devices in the world of portable chargers and Bluetooth speakers, Anker’s sense for bringing a top-tier experience down to the budget level is obvious here, as the soundcore space one pro aim for the same high-energy sound profile as the Sony WH-1000XM6 (£399, Amazon.co.uk). The sound isn’t as detailed as Sony’s offering, but it works really well given the £149.99 asking price.

There’s a nice amount of weight afforded to the bassline, so you can really bop along whilst studying or trying to get some work done. Both the headband and the ear cushions are wonderfully comfortable when in use, and much like the Marshall monitor III ANC, these headphones can be folded up into a very compact state, so if you need to chuck them in a backpack filled with books and a laptop, they’ll barely take up much space at all.

I don’t recommend trying to change the sound profile in the soundcore app – trying to amp up the bass even further only made it worse, so it’s best to stick with the default sound profile. When you also consider the 40 hour battery (60 hours with ANC off), it’s hard to argue with Anker’s value proposition here.

Key specifications

  • Dimensions:19.1cm x 16.3cm x 8.9cm
  • Weight:286g
  • Battery life:40 hours (60 hours without ANC)
  • Colourways:Jet black, cream white

  • Bluetooth:5.3

  • Bestheadphones for Apple users

  • Why we love it- The most comfortable (and stylish) headphones to wear
  • Conversational awareness now onboard

  • Very inviting soundscape

  • Take note- The price tag hurts

  • The lacklustre case is still here

In spite of their admittedly eye-watering price tag, the first-gen AirPods Max ticked off so many boxes that Apple didn’t need to change too much in an eventual successor, and while I would have liked to see a rethink for the purse-style case which remains unchanged, the brand has made sure to include upgrades in the two most crucial areas: sound quality and noise-cancelling.

On the former, I could hear the difference the moment I switched the AirPods Max 2 on. I’ve been on a real Fall Out Boy kick throughout the course of my testing, and when returning to Take This to Your Grave, an album I’ve listened to countless times, I was amazed when I started picking up on parts of the rhythm guitar that I simply hadn’t heard before. It was an absolute delight as it felt like I was hearing some of my favourite songs for the first time, something that felt exhilarating yet wonderfully nostalgic.

Even though the AirPods Max 2 aren’t the best buy for Android fans, because I am an iPhone user, I found myself reaching for these headphones more than any other in this list. Their ability to work so seamlessly with Apple’s ecosystem never gets old, and I adore the fact that they now include Conversational Awareness, something which has been on the more compact AirPods for ages and dips the volume when you’re having a chat. For moments when I’m working from home but my wife needs to get my attention, it’s been a huge help. It also doesn’t hurt that, despite being a tad bulkier than Bose’s headphones, they are actually more comfortable to wear with ear cushions that never agitate the skin.

**Key specifications **

  • Dimensions:168.6mm x 83.4mm x 187mm
  • Weight:386.2g
  • Battery life:20 hours
  • Colourways:Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, Orange

  • Bluetooth:5.3

  • Bestearbuds for Apple users

  • Why we love it- Much wider soundscape
  • Longer battery in each bud

  • Heart rate monitor is a nice touch

  • Take note- ANC is better, but not the best

  • Not an essential upgrade for Pro 2 users

Although I’ll always pack the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2nd Gen if I plan on working in a cafe for a day, for almost all other scenarios, the AirPods Pro 2 have long been my go-to earbuds. Just like with the AirPods Max 2, it’s the way in which they work quickly and without issue with Apple’s ecosystem that has made them feel like a warm blanket (or some better suited simile during the hotter days of the year). The AirPods Pro 3 double down on that sentiment, but with better performance across the board.

The soundscape is now much wider than before, creating a very immersive experience that completely belies your expectations of what’s possible with a pair of buds. On the design front, the stem is now shorter than before but the head has been reconstructed to provide a tighter seal, making them better suited for when you’re running for a bus or beating a personal best on the treadmill as they’re less likely to become dislodged. Speaking of which, Apple has made these AirPods more workout-focused than before with a tougher IP57 rating and a built-in heart rate monitor so those without an Apple Watch can still keep tabs on their exertion.

Noise-cancelling has been given an uptick as well, and I was impressed to see how much more equipped these buds are at dimming the noise of traffic. It’s still not a touch on what Bose’s buds are capable of however, so if you are looking to buy based purely on ANC prowess, the AirPods Pro 3 just miss the mark. For everything else however, they’re right on target.

**Key specifications **

  • Dimensions:62.2mm x 21.8mm x 47.2mm
  • Weight:43.99g
  • Battery life:8 hours per charge (24 hours in total)
  • Colourways:White

  • Bluetooth:5.3

  • Bestbudget earbuds

  • Why we love it- Some of the best audio quality you can find at this price tag
  • ANC does a solid job at beating back ambient noise

  • Great battery life

  • Take note- Case is prone to scratches

While there are definitely cheaper options available, I think that at £119, the Cambridge Audio melonania A100 are the perfect pick for still getting a great value buy without compromising on top-shelf features. The earbuds benefit from Cambridge Audio’s signature style, which really brings the lows and mids to the forefront – put on any rock or hip hop track and you’ll see exactly what I mean.

Playing a thumping track like Million Dollar Baby by Tommy Richman, the bass pulsates in a way that other earbuds wish they could achieve, and the ANC only serves to further your enjoyment as you listen on the go.

My only gripe is durability. You get what you pay for, but I wish the earbuds and the charging case had a sturdier build, as the latter picked up some notable marks after just one trip to the gym.

Still, any setbacks on the A100 are nothing compared to the audio quality you get for the price. Throw in the fact that you get up to 39 hours of use in total when the charging case is factored in, and you’re looking at the best value ANC earbuds available right now.

Key specifications

  • Dimensions:6.1cm x 4.5cm x 2.4cm
  • Weight:4.7g per earbud, 48.1g including case
  • Battery life:12 hours per charge (39 hours in total)
  • Colourways:Black, white

  • Bluetooth:5.4

  • Bestheadphones for audio

  • Why we love it- Hugely enjoyable soundscape with thumping volume
  • Very comfortable to wear for long periods of time

  • Foldable design makes the headphones easy to stow away

  • Take note- ANC is bested by Bose

  • Pricier than other Sony wireless headphones

Much as Bose has ANC locked down, audio quality is where Sony excels, and the WH-1000XM6 headphones show off the company’s expertise at its very best. The moment you put on a pair of XM6, you’ll wonder how you ever put up with anything less – every layer of a song is given its due, and all with a punchy attitude that’ll have you dancing along in no time.

Don’t think that ANC is lacklustre here, however – when washing the dishes, I couldn’t hear a thing beyond the playlist I’d chosen to accompany the chore. You also have tons of customisation options via the sound connect app, although I do think it’s a bit more cluttered and less user-friendly than similar apps from Bose and Marshall.

These headphones are also more expensive than anything Sony’s made before, which can make the WH-1000XM4 (£199, Amazon.co.uk) a more tempting option for those on a budget. If you can indulge, however, you’ll find the Sony WH-1000XM6 worth every penny. The only reason they aren’t in the top spot is that the noise cancelling on the Bose above is a hair better. If that’s not a dealbreaker, you need these headphones.

Key specifications

  • Dimensions:27.6cm x 21.7cm x 7.6cm
  • Weight:254g
  • Battery life:30 hours
  • Colourways:Black, midnight blue, silver

  • Bluetooth:5.3

  • Bestnoise-cancelling earbuds

  • Why we love it- No other earbuds are this good at noise cancelling
  • Sturdy design that stays in place during cardio workouts

  • Touch controls are simple to use

  • Take note- The larger design won’t suit everyone

  • Pricier than most of the competition

Given just how far Bose’s headphones excel at noise cancelling, it shouldn’t be too surprising that the company’s earbuds are also the cream of the crop in their respective field. Trust me when I say that I’ve never used earbuds more powerful than these – they brought down the cacophony of Waterloo Station at rush hour to a far more manageable hum.

The trade-off for this technical wizardry is that the Bose quietcomfort ultra earbuds are a little bulkier than most true wireless earbuds. They’re nowhere near as svelte as the AirPods Pro 2 (£199, Amazon.co.uk), but the larger build and the wing-tip feature make them well-suited for workouts, as they stay in place without worry.

The biggest problem with the ultra earbuds is their price. At £299, they are among the most expensive earbuds on the market, and you can find options with great ANC for half the price – the problem is, none of them can withhold ambient noise like Bose can.

Key specifications

  • Dimensions:6.6cm x 5.9cm x 2.7cm
  • Weight:7.7g per earbus, 61.2g including case
  • Battery life:6 hours per charge
  • Colourways:Black, white smoke, deep plum, midnight violet

  • Bluetooth:5.3

  • Bestheadphones for battery life

  • Why we love it- Class leading battery life that’s perfect for travelling abroad
  • Punchy audio which brings out the best in rock tracks

  • Very compact when folded away

  • Take note- The old-school design won’t be to everyone’s tastes

  • The ANC is outdone by most other options on this list

Ever been on a long-haul flight and seen the dreaded ‘low battery’ alert come up for your headphones? If the answer is a resounding yes, then the Marshall monitor III ANC headphones should probably be your next upgrade. They can last for a whopping 70 hours with noise-cancelling, and 100 hours with the feature switched off.

Several days of battery longevity runs rings around every pair of headphones on this list. Even the Dyson ontrac (£499, Amazon.co.uk), which can go for 55 hours, are a full 15 hours short compared to what Marshall is offering.

Because this is Marshall, after all, I’ve found the headphones really come alive when listening to rock of any sub-genre. Drums are given lots of weight, so when it all kicks in with a song like Welcome to the Jungle by Guns N’ Roses, you really feel the energy. When you do need to pack them away, the Monitor III contorts unlike any pair of headphones I’ve seen, aside from the Anker soundcore space one pro, so they won’t be taking up much space in a carry-on bag.

The only things working against the headphones are the design, which may be a bit old-school for some, and the noise cancelling, which is good but isn’t as powerful as you’ll find elsewhere. However, if you travel a lot and need something compact and long-lasting, these are the headphones.

Key specifications

  • Dimensions:20.6cm x 14.5cm x 7.4cm
  • Weight:250g
  • Battery life:70 hours (100 hours without ANC)
  • Colourways:Black

  • Bluetooth:5.3

  • Bestheadphones for audiophiles

  • Why we love it- Crystal clear sound that brings out the very best version of your favourite songs
  • Using a wired DAC connection only heightens the detail that you can draw from playback

  • Build comprised of premium materials

  • Take note- Eye-watering price

  • The bass isn’t given quite as much attention as other layers

If you’re the type of person who obsesses about the details of a song above all else, then the Focal bathys MG are made with you in mind. As soon as I put the headphones on, it felt like I was being treated to a level of audio luxury I hadn’t experienced before. Lead vocals felt so real as to convince my brain that I was sitting in the recording studio, and even back-up vocals have a level of clarity unlike any other pair of headphones I’ve tested.

The whole thing is a joy to listen to, especially when you use the USB-C cable included for beefed-up DAC playback, but the price (£999) is what instantly rules out the headphones for most buyers. I was also surprisingly disappointed by the bass performance, as these headphones lack the punch that you’ll find on the Sony WH-1000XM6 (£399, Amazon.co.uk). If you tend to focus more on the lower end of a track, as is crucial for dance music or a good hip hop 808, you’ll do better elsewhere – even the Melomania A100 (£119, Amazon.co.uk) have stronger bass.

Overall, they’re the type of headphones that I’d only recommend to musicians and audiophiles who can appreciate the expansive soundscape that the Bathys MG can achieve.

Key specifications

  • Dimensions:24cm x 21cm x 7cm
  • Weight:350g
  • Battery life:30 hours (42 hours without ANC)
  • Colourways:Chestnut

  • Bluetooth:5.2

  • Bestheadphones for customisation

  • Why we love it- Eye-catching design with tons of colourway options
  • Strong noise cancelling thanks to the thick ear cushions

  • Up to 55-hours of battery life on a single charge

  • Take note- Overpriced compared to the competition

  • Sound quality doesn’t quite match the premium price tag
  • Can feel a bit heavy after prolonged use

As much as I love Sony and Bose’s headphones, they both lack an eye-catching design. Thankfully, the Dyson ontrac make up for that by letting you customise the colour of every aspect, ranging from the headband to the ear cushions, so you can develop the pair of headphones that best suits your style.

Because of the thickness of the ontrac’s ear cushions, they do a good job of minimising external noise before you even switch the ANC on, at which point you can just zone out in your own little audio world. While the sound quality is solid, and you can amp up the bass via the Dyson app, it’s nowhere near as detailed as the Focal bathys MG, or as energetic as the WH-1000XM6 (£399, Amazon.co.uk) or the Marshall monitor III ANC (£291, Amazon.co.uk). They also aren’t helped by their higher-than-average price point, so you may want to wait until they’re on offer before nabbing a pair.

Still, the one thing you can’t criticise the Dyson ontrac for is being boring, and the ANC is powerful enough to put the headphones somewhere between Bose and Sony, which is quite impressive.

Key specifications

  • Dimension:20.1cm x 22.1cm x 5.5cm
  • Weight:451g
  • Battery life:55 hours
  • Colourways:Black nickel, cinnabar, aluminium, copper
  • Bluetooth:5.0