When people find out I've written more than 1,000 audio reviews for PCMag over the last 5 years, the first thing they usually want to know is which headphones are the best. But, to me, that's like asking what type of music is best. Sure, we all have favorites, but the category is too broad to break down so simply.
The real question is, what are the right headphones for you? And to answer this, you have to consider your sound preferences, desire for extra features, and, of course, budget.
With that in mind, we've gathered the absolute best headphones (and earphones) we've tested here, for a range of users and budgets. Read on for our top picks, followed by everything you need to know to find the perfect pair
The AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) are the successor to the original AirPods Pro and come with several improvements, including better noise cancellation, adaptive transparency, personalized spatial audio, and a MagSafe charging case.
The earbuds feature an H1 chip with 10 audio cores that enable real-time noise cancellation, spatial audio, and adaptive EQ. The active noise cancellation has been improved and can now block out more external noise, making it easier to focus on your music or podcast. The transparency mode allows you to hear the sounds around you while still enjoying your music.
One of the standout features of the AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) is the personalized spatial audio. This technology uses head tracking to create a 3D audio experience that feels like the sound is coming from all around you. This makes watching movies or playing games on your iPhone more immersive.
The earbuds also come with a MagSafe charging case that snaps onto the back of your iPhone for easy charging. The case provides up to 24 hours of battery life for the earbuds, and a 5-minute charge can give you an hour of listening time.
Overall, the AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) are a solid choice for anyone who wants high-quality wireless earbuds with advanced features and seamless integration with their iPhone.
The Bose QuietComfort 45 Bluetooth Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones are a premium over-ear headphone designed for maximum comfort and noise cancellation.
They feature advanced noise-cancellation technology that blocks out external sounds and lets you focus on your music or calls. The noise-cancelling feature can be adjusted to different levels, depending on your environment, and the ear cups are designed to seal tightly around your ears, providing excellent isolation from outside noise.
The headphones use Bluetooth technology for wireless connectivity, allowing you to connect to your phone, tablet, or other Bluetooth-enabled devices. They also feature a built-in microphone, making it easy to take calls while on the go.
The QuietComfort 45 headphones have a battery life of up to 24 hours, which is impressive for a noise-cancelling headphone. They also have a quick charge feature, where a 15-minute charge can give you up to 2.5 hours of listening time.
The headphones have a sleek and modern design, with soft leather ear cushions and a lightweight construction, making them comfortable to wear for extended periods. They also fold flat for easy storage and transport.
Overall, the Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones are an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality wireless headphone with advanced noise-cancellation technology, long battery life, and superior comfort.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are a premium pair of true wireless earbuds designed for audiophiles who value high-quality sound and noise cancellation.
These earbuds are equipped with advanced noise-cancellation technology that can be personalized to your environment using the Bose Music app. This feature ensures that you can enjoy your music or calls with minimal distractions, no matter where you are.
The earbuds use Bluetooth 5.1 technology for wireless connectivity, allowing you to connect to your phone or other Bluetooth-enabled devices. They also support a range of audio codecs, including AAC and SBC, for high-quality audio streaming.
The QuietComfort Earbuds II feature an intuitive touch interface that lets you control your music, take calls, and access your voice assistant with ease. The earbuds have a battery life of up to 6 hours, and the charging case provides an additional 12 hours of battery life.
One of the standout features of these earbuds is the quality of sound they produce. They are engineered with proprietary active equalization technology that delivers a rich and immersive sound experience. You can also use the Bose Music app to personalize your sound preferences and create custom EQ settings.
The earbuds have a sleek and stylish design, with a comfortable and secure fit that ensures they stay in place during intense workouts or while on the go. They come in a Triple Black colorway, which gives them a premium and sophisticated look.
Overall, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality pair of true wireless earbuds with advanced noise-cancellation technology, personalized sound, and a comfortable and secure fit.
The Apple AirPods Max are a pair of premium wireless over-ear headphones designed for use with Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers. They come in a sleek silver color and feature active noise cancellation, transparency mode, spatial audio, and a digital crown for volume control.
The active noise cancellation technology blocks out external noise and allows you to fully immerse yourself in your music or other audio content. Transparency mode, on the other hand, lets you hear what's going on around you while still enjoying your music.
The AirPods Max also feature spatial audio, which provides a more immersive listening experience by simulating surround sound. This technology uses gyroscopes and accelerometers to track the movement of your head and adjusts the audio accordingly to make it feel like the sound is coming from different directions.
The digital crown on the right earcup allows you to control the volume, play/pause, skip tracks, and activate Siri. It works similarly to the crown on an Apple Watch, and you can also press it to switch between active noise cancellation and transparency mode.
These headphones connect to your device via Bluetooth and offer up to 20 hours of battery life on a single charge. They come with a Smart Case that puts them into an ultra-low power state when not in use to help conserve battery life.
Overall, the Apple AirPods Max are a high-quality option for anyone looking for a premium pair of wireless headphones with advanced features and seamless integration with Apple devices.
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