Best Headphones & Earbuds of 2024: ANC, Audiophile, Spatial, Budget
We tested 22 headphones and earbuds. These 6 win for noise canceling, sound quality, spatial audio, comfort, and value.
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Our Top Picks
Sony WH-1000XM5
Commuters, travelers, open-office workers
Pro: Best ANC, 30h battery, multipoint, LDAC, 250g comfort
Con: No aptX, bulky case, warm sound signature
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
All-day wearers, spatial audio fans, Android users
Pro: Best comfort, Immersive Audio spatial, aptX Adaptive, great ANC
Con: 24h battery, huge case, $429, multipoint finicky
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4
Audiophiles, Snapdragon Sound phone owners
Pro: Best TWS sound, aptX Lossless, 30h ANC battery, neutral tuning
Con: Bulky case, large nozzle fit issues, $299, no spatial
Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C)
iPhone + Mac + iPad users
Pro: Ecosystem magic (Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness), USB-C, IP54
Con: No multipoint, AAC only, fit dependent, $249
Sonos Era 300 (Stereo Pair)
Music lovers wanting speaker spatial audio, Sonos homes
Pro: Real spatial audio in-room, Trueplay, Sonos ecosystem, Atmos music
Con: $898/pair, Alexa only, iOS for Trueplay, no battery
JBL Charge 5 Wi-Fi
Versatility seekers: home Wi-Fi + portable Bluetooth
Pro: Wi-Fi + Bluetooth dual-mode, 20h/12h, power bank, IP67, $179
Con: Wi-Fi drops battery to 12h, SBC/AAC only, app quirks