Headphone buying guides
Headphone buying guides
Ranked picks by budget, by phone, and by what you actually do with them — commuting, calls, workouts, or long-haul flights.
- 01
The Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones of 2026
Our 2026 over-ear noise-cancelling picks: Sony's WH-1000XM6 for most people, Bose's QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) as runner-up, and AirPods Max 2 for iPhone.
- 02
The Best Wireless Earbuds of 2026
Our 2026 earbud picks: Sony's WF-1000XM6 overall, AirPods Pro 3 for iPhone, Galaxy Buds4 Pro for Samsung phones, and Soundcore's Liberty 5 on a budget.
- 03
The Best Headphones Under $100
The best headphones under $100 on Amazon: Soundcore's Space One over-ears and Liberty 5 earbuds, plus the Beats Solo 4, which is only under $100 on sale.
- 04
The Best Headphones Under $200
Under $200 on Amazon: AirPods Pro 3 for iPhone, Powerbeats Pro 2 for workouts, Soundcore's Space One and Liberty 5 for value, and the Beats Solo 4 on sale.
- 05
The Best Travel Headphones of 2026
For flights and commutes: Sony's WH-1000XM6 over-ears and WF-1000XM6 earbuds, Bose's QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), and the 57-hour Sennheiser Momentum 5.
- 06
The Best Headphones for iPhone in 2026
AirPods Pro 3 are the best headphones for most iPhone owners. AirPods Max 2, Powerbeats Pro 2, Beats Solo 4, and Sony's WH-1000XM6 cover everyone else.
- 07
The Best Headphones for Android in 2026
Sony's WF-1000XM6 earbuds and WH-1000XM6 over-ears lead for Android. Galaxy Buds4 Pro are for Galaxy owners only, and Soundcore covers tight budgets.
Product images: official manufacturer photos (Apple, Beats, Bose, Samsung, Sennheiser, Sonos, Sony, Soundcore).