rabbit.reviews

The Best Headphones

Updated April 2026·Experts: The Verge, RTINGS, Tom's Guide, WIRED · Community: SonyHeadphones, headphones, bose

Best OverallSony WH-1000XM5

Sony WH-1000XM5

$278
$278 at Amazon→
Long-term owners of the WH-1000XM5 consistently praise its staying power, with one user noting after two years that it remains the “best anc wireless sounding headphones for the price, over Sony, Bose and Apple still”. Battery endurance draws repeated approval, with owners reporting “at least 25,hrs B4 a charge” even under heavy use. Not all experiences are frictionless, however: a vocal minority finds the software frustrating, particularly the Speak-to-Chat function that “randomly activates on its own” at the slightest throat clear or spoken word. Still, when stacked against the newer XM6 at a significantly higher price, community consensus lands firmly on the XM5, with users arguing the two “sound amazing and almost identical”.

What holds up

  • Best-in-class active noise cancellation beats all major competitors
  • 30-hour battery life with multipoint Bluetooth for two devices simultaneously
  • Speak-to-chat and quick attention mode are genuinely useful daily features
  • More balanced, detailed sound than the XM4 with tighter bass
  • Excellent voice call quality

What to know

  • Plasticky build feels cheap for a $400 headphone
  • Bulky, awkward carrying case
  • No major new features over the XM4, incremental upgrade
  • Does not fold flat like the XM4
Expert verdict
Sony's still the best overall, but there are reasons to go elsewhere, too.
The VergeView source
Expert verdict
Sound quality is more detailed and balanced than the older XM4; the low end is still punchy but tighter and less boomy than before.
The Verge (full review)View source
From the community
Great headphones no issues whatsoever. Best N/C I've had on any headphones. Used with the poweramp equaliser the sound is incredible even full blast no distortion. The battery life is fantastic I get at least 25,hrs B4 a charge.
r/SonyHeadphonesView source
From the community
I hate these Sony WH-1000XM5. The "SPEAK TO CHAT" feature is extremely annoying. It randomly activates on its own. If I say a word, clear my throat or make any vocal sound the headphones shut down.
r/SonyHeadphonesView source
Bottom line ★

After two-plus years in the wild, the WH-1000XM5 continues to outperform pricier rivals on ANC and sound quality per dollar, making it the rare flagship headphone that holds its value long after the next generation arrives.

Get it for $278
Read the full breakdown →
Best for TravelBose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

$399
$399 at Amazon→
Owners upgrading from older Bose models report that “the crackling treble issues that occur on the 35's and 45's are totally gone on the QC Ultra's”, with the added ability to tune treble to personal taste. Comfort remains a consistent strength, with one reviewer noting the new headphones are “90% as comfortable as my QC35II's”, though the revised ear cup materials drew attention as a deliberate durability trade-off, since “many people see the cushions fall apart within a year” on older models. The Bose Immersive Audio feature divided users, with some finding it hit-or-miss depending on genre, while the Gen 2 earned a straightforward summary from one owner: “the sound, comfort, and noise canceling are all top-tier, and the features make them super versatile”.

What holds up

  • Exceptional comfort for extended wear, ideal for long flights
  • Immersive spatial audio (Bose Immersive Audio) adds depth to music
  • Superb ANC performance, among the best available
  • Traveler-friendly foldable design with premium carrying case
  • Excellent voice call performance

What to know

  • Expensive at $350-$429
  • Battery life (24 hours) trails Sony and Sennheiser competitors
  • Spatial audio feature can feel gimmicky for some listeners
  • Heavier than some competitors
Expert verdict
Best for travel, Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (first-gen) at $299.
The VergeView source
Expert verdict
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones review: predictable excellence, with a traveler-friendly design and superb comfort.
The Verge (full review)View source
From the community
These are some of the best headphones I've ever owned. The sound, comfort, and noise canceling are all top-tier, and the features make them super versatile.
r/headphonesView source
From the community
I'd say mine are 90% as comfortable as my QC35II's. They're very similar.
r/boseView source
Bottom line ★

For longtime Bose users frustrated by treble distortion and disintegrating ear cushions on older QC models, the QuietComfort Ultra addresses both problems directly while delivering noise cancellation and comfort that owners consistently describe as best-in-class for daily and travel use.

Get it for $399
Read the full breakdown →
Best for iPhone UsersApple AirPods Max (USB-C)

Apple AirPods Max (USB-C)

$499
$499 at Amazon→
Reddit owners of the AirPods Max USB-C largely agree that the headphones themselves deliver real quality, with one user noting they “sound great, better than my Bose QC-45's”, yet the consensus sours quickly when the price and update history come into focus. Critics point out that Apple “never upgraded any other tech in the headphones” beyond new colors and a port swap, leaving many feeling the $529 ask is hard to justify. The experience also proves highly dependent on ecosystem commitment, with users warning that the headphones are “a completely different pair of headphones if you aren't on Apple Music”. Those already invested in Apple hardware find genuine satisfaction in daily use, but the broader community cautions that the upgrade is only defensible if you “NEED the software features”.

What holds up

  • Best-in-class spatial audio with dynamic head tracking on Apple devices
  • Seamless switching between iPhone, iPad, and Mac
  • Premium aluminum and mesh build quality that feels genuinely luxurious
  • Excellent ANC and transparency mode
  • USB-C charging on the latest version

What to know

  • Very expensive at $549
  • Heavy, causes fatigue during long sessions
  • Many features locked to Apple ecosystem only
  • No foldable design, awkward to travel with
  • Battery life (20 hours) trails competitors at this price
Expert verdict
Best for iPhone owners, AirPods Max (USB-C) at $529.
The VergeView source
Expert verdict
I hate that the AirPods Max 2 are the best headphones I've ever used.
Tom's GuideView source
From the community
They great headphones but seriously, Apple have absolutely taken the Micky with this one. New colors and USB C. Never upgraded any other tech in the headphones. From a technical perspective the AirPods Pro 2 are more capable.
r/AirpodsmaxView source
From the community
I did decide to keep them - they sound great, better than my Bose QC-45's. The Lightning port isn't an issue - I just use a tethered adapter on one of my USB-C charge cables.
r/AirpodsmaxView source
Bottom line ★

If you are a committed Apple Music subscriber already living in the Apple ecosystem, the AirPods Max USB-C deliver over-ear sound quality that outperforms competing headphones like the Bose QC-45, making them a durable long-term investment despite the steep price and minimal hardware changes.

Get it for $499
Read the full breakdown →
Best Battery LifeSennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

$219
$219 at Amazon→
Owners who spent weeks comparing the Momentum 4 against Sony and Bose competition consistently landed in the same place: one user spent time “watching 100s of youtube videos and comparing brands like sony, bose, jbl, bowers & wilkins, apple” before settling on the Momentum 4 at $211, then found it could handle “anything from late night podcasts, drumming loud rock music, jazz music during chores”. A former XM5 owner noted that Sony's flagship “even after EQ they sound muffled”, while the Momentum 4's “sound quality does impress big time” by direct comparison. Practical limitations do exist, with one reviewer flagging “0,5-1 second delay when using wireless” that rules it out for competitive gaming. Buyers who caught it on sale reported the refurbished Sennheiser outlet experience as “perfect, like new and probably a return or open box” with full warranty intact, making the value argument even harder to dismiss.

What holds up

  • Industry-leading 60-hour battery life on a single charge
  • Audiophile-tuned sound quality that rivals much pricier headphones
  • Comfortable, premium build with plush ear cushions
  • Multipoint Bluetooth for two simultaneous device connections
  • Excellent ANC performance

What to know

  • ANC not quite as aggressive as Sony or Bose flagships
  • Larger, bulkier design than competitors
  • App is functional but less polished than Sony's
  • No spatial audio features
Expert verdict
Best battery life, Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless at $300.
The VergeView source
Expert verdict
Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless consistently listed as a top popular pick across best headphones and noise-cancelling categories.
RTINGS.comView source
From the community
I used to have the XM5 (2 years) and although good ANC, even after EQ they sound muffled and aren't good at all compared to high end wired. I understand the justifications they give, but at that price point it is not worth it. Just got the Momentum 4 and the sound quality does impress big time.
r/sennheiserView source
From the community
Previously, I was using samsung galaxy buds 2 pro and over time, my ears started hurting a lot... After watching 100s of youtube videos and comparing brands like sony, bose, jbl, bowers & wilkins, apple, other... I decided to buy Momentum 4 ($211). They can do anything from late night podcasts, drumming loud rock music, jazz music during chores, anything. I love these things so much and they are super easy to use.
r/sennheiserView source
Bottom line ★

After months of real-world use spanning podcasts, rock, jazz, and daily commutes, owners who researched exhaustively before buying consistently report the Momentum 4 delivers sound quality that outlasts buyer's remorse and justifies the purchase over better-marketed rivals.

Get it for $219
Read the full breakdown →
Best BudgetAnker Soundcore Space Q45

Anker Soundcore Space Q45

$119
$119 at Amazon→
Community members consistently highlight the Soundcore app as a genuine differentiator, with one user noting that “when I use it with the bass up feature on the soundcore app it makes them sound even better” to the point where “you can make the bass rattle your head”. Owners also appreciate practical ownership details like “you do get LDAC with both devices” and easy warranty resolution through Amazon or Soundcore directly. However, the Q45 is not without critics: one user who upgraded from JBL Live 660s reported being “very disappointed”, finding the sound did not compare even after extensive EQ adjustments, with the only edge being “slightly punchier bass”. The consensus points to a headphone that rewards users willing to tune it but can underwhelm those expecting out-of-box sound quality to beat established mid-range rivals.

What holds up

  • Exceptional value, ANC performance that rivals headphones 3x the price
  • 50-hour battery life with ANC enabled
  • Multipoint Bluetooth for two simultaneous connections
  • Foldable, travel-friendly design
  • Regularly available for under $60 on sale

What to know

  • Sound quality not as refined as Sony or Bose flagships
  • ANC less effective on high-frequency sounds
  • Build quality feels plasticky at this price point
  • App has limited EQ customization options
Expert verdict
Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless consistently appears as a top popular pick across best headphones and budget/cheap headphone categories.
RTINGS.comView source
Expert verdict
Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless featured in best budget and cheap headphones recommendations.
RTINGS.com (budget guide)View source
From the community
When I use it with the bass up feature on the soundcore app it makes them sound even better you can make the bass rattle your head.
r/ankerView source
From the community
I have the soundcore q45 and from my own perspective I think it's so good for the money as well as their app is amazing and they have An eq on their app which is nice.
r/headphonesView source
Bottom line ★

The Anker Soundcore Space Q45 delivers genuine LDAC support, a robust companion app with precise EQ controls, and reliable warranty backing at a sub-$130 price point that no direct competitor currently matches for ANC over-ear headphones.

Get it for $119
Read the full breakdown →