PCMag UK headphones

The Best Headphones for 2026

Tim Gideon — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 17:51:27 +0000

Whether you're looking for a big over-ear set of cans or sleek in-ear buds, these are the top headphones and earphones we've tested, along with everything you need to know about active noise cancellation, Bluetooth codecs, driver types, and more.

Should You Pick Earphones or Headphones?

Earbuds do not seal off the ear canal and typically offer the worst audio performance. Earphones seal off the ear canal, offering better bass response, a more balanced stereo mix, and a more secure fit.

On-ear headphones (also called supra-aural headphones) …

The Best Wired Headphones for 2026

Tim Gideon — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 19:08:29 +0000

Audiophiles, studio musicians, and pretty much anyone looking for the absolute best audio quality should still opt for wired headphones. These are the best we've tested.

Do Headphone Drivers Matter?

Between headphones and earphones, there's a range of driver styles. In headphones, the most common option is the dynamic driver—headphones typically only employ a single full-range driver in each earcup’s enclosure.

In recent years, audiophiles have gotten excited about planar magnetic drivers, which use a magnetic field …

The Best Bose Headphones for 2026

Eric Zeman — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 14:07:59 +0000

Not sure which Bose headphones or earphones to buy? Whether you want class-leading noise cancellation or a fitness-friendly design, we’ve reviewed them all and are here to help you pick a pair.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)

(Credit: Christian de Looper)

The Best Alternatives to Bose

Still not sure Bose makes the right headphones for you? Check out our wireless earbud showdown between the Quiet Comfort Ultra Earbuds, the Space One, delivering impressive sound, excellent battery life, good noise cancellation, and a solid feature set at a very accessible price. They're an easy pair to recommend …

Your AirPods Are in Your Ears All Day. Here's How to Clean Off All That Wax

Chandra Steele, Jason Cohen — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 21:35:25 +0000

Your earbuds are probably disgusting. Keep them looking and sounding their best with these safe, effective cleaning tips.

If you think about it, your earbuds are probably pretty gross. They're inserted into your ear canal and sit there all day, touching earwax, sweat, and dirt. And if they fall on the floor? Grime and bacteria can accumulate, affect their performance, and cause irritation or infection in …

Apple AirPods Max 2 vs. Bose QuietComfort Ultra vs. Sony WH-1000XM6: Who Wins High-End ANC?

Christian De Looper — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 18:00:00 +0000

We tested the latest premium noise-cancelling cans from Apple, Bose, and Sony. Here’s how they stack up on price, performance, and features. And boy, is it a close race!

Price: One Costs a Lot More

Bose and Sony raised the prices of their premium headphones over the past year. Apple didn't, but that doesn't mean Apple's price is lower. The QuietComfort Ultras cost $499, up from $429 for the previous generation. Similarly, Sony increased the price of its WH-1000XM6 headphones …

AirPods Max 2 vs. Original AirPods Max: Is It Time to Upgrade Your Apple Headphones?

Christian De Looper — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:52:36 +0000

They haven’t changed much on the outside, but our extensive testing tells a different story. Here’s how to decide whether Apple's AirPods Max 2 headphones are right for you.

Price: Maximum Dollars

Apple kept the price at $549 generation over generation. It’s nice that the headphones aren’t more expensive, given that Bose and Sony have raised the prices of their most recent premium headphones. However, both Bose and Sony’s flagship headphones are still about $100 cheaper than the AirPods Max …

The Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones for 2026

Eric Zeman — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:59:33 +0000

Block out the world and simply enjoy your music, media, or the sweet sound of silence with the best noise-cancelling headphones we've tested.

What's the Difference Between Active Noise Cancellation and Passive Noise Isolation?

Plenty of headphones and earphones claim to isolate or reduce noise, but that doesn't mean they offer proper ANC.

Passive noise isolation, sometimes referred to as passive noise cancellation, is a technical term for what earplugs do. Simply, when an object …

The Best Apple AirPods to Buy in 2026

Tim Gideon, Eric Zeman — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:21:01 +0000

Apple sells four types of AirPods, including three sets of earbuds and one pair of headphones. We compare them all to help you determine which is right for you.

The Best Cheap Wireless Earbuds for 2026

Tim Gideon, Eric Zeman — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:08:48 +0000

You don't need to spend a ton of money to get a decent pair of earphones. The best cheap wireless earbuds we've tested deliver high-quality audio and useful extra features for as low as $40.

The Best Cheap Earbuds for Exercise

Will you be sweating a lot or moving around vigorously while using your earphones? The good news is that nearly all wireless models deliver a secure fit. The bad news is that not all of them provide the same level of protection against the elements.

A …

The Best Earbuds (In-Ear Headphones) for 2026

Tim Gideon, Eric Zeman — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 17:10:47 +0000

Prefer buds that sit in your ears to the bulk that often comes with over-ear headphones? Us too. Start and end your search here with the top earbuds we've tested.

What's the Difference Between Earphones and Earbuds?

The terms earbuds and earphones might seem interchangeable, but they usually indicate an important distinction. For our purposes, earbuds don't enter your ear canal but sit just outside. This design fits more loosely and can cause problems with accurate stereo imaging (in which both …

The Best Wireless Earbuds for 2026

Tim Gideon — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 16:50:58 +0000

Apple popularized the wireless earbud category with the AirPods, and now the market is teeming with alternatives. We've tested hundreds of earphones and narrowed them down to this list of the very best.

What Should You Know About Bluetooth Earphones?

Wireless earphones have largely replaced tethered earphones, and you can now find a good pair for under $100. Of course, performance improves drastically with our higher-priced recommendations. The very best models here cost $300 and up.

Even if you subscribe …

Apple AirPods Max 2

Eric Zeman — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Apple's $549 AirPods Max 2 arrive more than five years after the originals, and while they don’t reinvent the formula, they refine it in all the right ways. The headline upgrade is active noise cancellation (ANC), which now edges out top rivals from Bose …

EarFun Clip

Mark Knapp — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:47:03 +0000

When staying aware of your surroundings matters more than top-tier audio, open-style earbuds shine. The $69.99 EarFun Clip buds clip securely to your ear, channeling audio into your ear canal without isolating you from the world. They handle both energetic workout tracks and podcasts with ease, …

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro

Christian De Looper — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:37:57 +0000

Samsung's flagship wireless earbuds for 2026, the $249 Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, are designed to pair seamlessly with the company's latest Galaxy S26 phones. Replacing the Buds 3 Pro—which I found offered …

Time Is Running Out on These Epic Amazon Big Spring Sale Headphones Deals by Apple, Bose, Sony, and More

Juhi Wadia — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 15:52:30 +0000

Amazon's annual spring sale has arrived, and the savings are significant. Treat your ears with some great deals on headphones and earbuds from Sennheiser, Sony, Soundcore, and more.

Amazon’s Big Spring Sale ends tomorrow, and if you've been waiting for the right time, it's now! I'm looking at some of these headphone and earbud deals, and the savings are massive! If you’ve been holding on to

Weekend Watchlist: I’ve Found the Best Amazon Big Spring Sale Headphones Deals by Apple, Bose, Sony, and More

Juhi Wadia — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 18:11:58 +0000

Amazon's annual spring sale has arrived, and the savings are going to be significant. Treat your ears with some great deals on headphones and earbuds from Sennheiser, Sony, Soundcore, and more.

Amazon’s Big Spring Sale is alive and kicking, and there is no reason to keep calm anymore! I'm looking at some of these headphone and earbud deals, and the savings are massive! If you’ve been holding on to

The Best Amazon Big Spring Sale Deals on Apple AirPods Are Here

Cierra Cowan — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 17:04:58 +0000

Upgrade your listening experience for less with the AirPods 4 for under $100, or the premium Apple AirPods Pro 3 for less than $200, thanks to Amazon's seasonal sale.

Apple AirPods are known for their unique design and top-notch audio performance, but they don't always come cheap. With Amazon's Big Spring Sale happening now, it's a great time to pick up a pair of AirPods for less. We're seeing markdowns on …

EarFun Air Pro 4+

Mark Knapp — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 12:51:46 +0000

EarFun knows how to deliver an exceptional product for the money, and the Air Pro 4+ wireless earbuds prove it once again. For $99, they punch well above their weight. They deliver on high-end features like advanced codecs and potent …

Our Favorite Sony Headphones Are 40% at Amazon's Big Spring Sale

Carlos Mejia — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 17:43:09 +0000

Bring home one of the best pairs of noise-cancelling Sony headphones (according to PCMag Editors) during Amazon's Big Spring Sale.

It doesn’t take a new season to get new headphones, but Amazon’s Big Spring Sale certainly helps. The sale just put one of our favorite headphones on sale, and it’ll perform perfectly regardless of the weather. If you’re looking to stream a podcast, …

The Best Amazon Big Spring Sale Deals on Apple AirPods Are Here

Cierra Cowan — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 15:42:14 +0000

Upgrade your listening experience for less with the AirPods 4 for under $100, or the premium Apple AirPods Pro 3 for less than $200, thanks to Amazon's seasonal sale.

I’m Vetting the Best Amazon Big Spring Sale Headphones and Earbuds Deals From Apple, Bose, Sony, and More

Juhi Wadia — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 12:55:58 +0000

Amazon's annual spring sale has arrived, and the savings are going to be significant. Treat your ears with some great deals on headphones and earbuds from Sennheiser, Sony, Soundcore, and more.

Amazon’s Big Spring Sale has officially begun, and I cannot keep calm anymore! I'm looking at some of these headphone and earbud deals, and the savings are massive! If you’ve been holding on to old earbuds way longer …

We've Already Found the Best Amazon Big Spring Sale Discounts Up To 50% on Headphones & Earbuds

Juhi Wadia — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 17:20:12 +0000

Amazon's annual spring sale is approaching, and the savings are going to be significant. Get started with some great early deals on headphones and earbuds from Sennheiser, Sony, Soundcore, and more.

Amazon’s Big Spring Sale is only 24 hours away, but I've been poking around early to see what was already live. Turns out some headphone and earbud deals have already started showing up. If you’ve been holding on to …

JLab JBuds Open

Christian De Looper — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 19:06:44 +0000

Open-back, over-ear headphones have been around for many years. But they've traditionally lived in audiophile territory—for people looking for the immersive, expansive soundstage the design delivers, and not for everyday users who want to stay aware of their surroundings. Open earbuds, on the other hand, are …

Apple Partners With Nike for New Powerbeats Pro 2 Special Edition

James Peckham — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 15:10:42 +0000

The brands are partnering on a new special edition for an existing pair of headphones.

Apple’s second audio announcement of the week, following the AirPods Max 2 reveal on Monday, is a new special-edition of its Powerbeats Pro 2, this time made in partnership with Nike.

The two brands have worked together before on …

Apple’s Long-Awaited AirPods Max 2 Are Here With 1.5x Better ANC and a New Live Translation Mode

Jibin Joseph — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 15:36:48 +0000

The company has kept the price steady at $549, with preorders set to begin March 25.

At last, Apple is launching a successor to its 2020 AirPods Max over-ear headphones. The new AirPods Max 2 retain the overall design and price of its predecessor but add several new audio features, thanks to an upgraded H2 chip.

The chip brings features like

The Best Gaming Headsets for 2026

Will Greenwald — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 18:55:09 +0000

You need a high-quality headset to strategize with teammates or smack-talk friends in multiplayer games. The top gaming headsets we've tested let you easily communicate on PC, PlayStation, Switch, or Xbox.

Wired vs. Wireless Gaming Headsets

Headsets are available in wired or wireless varieties, with the latter typically being more expensive. More importantly, each gaming headset supports different console, handheld, and PC connections.

You can use Bluetooth with a wireless headset to connect to a Nintendo Switch, …

Apple Launches AirPods Max 2 With Improved ANC, Live Translation Support

Jibin Joseph — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 15:15:26 +0000

Apple has kept the price steady at $549, with preorders set to begin March 25.

Apple has finally launched a successor to its 2020 AirPods Max over-ear headphones. The new AirPods Max 2 retain the overall design and price of its predecessor but add several new audio features, thanks to an upgraded H2 chip.

The chip brings features like SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless ($379.99) has been one of my favorite wireless gaming headsets, thanks to its excellent sound, comfortable feel, flexible connection options, effective active noise cancellation (ANC), and swappable …

No Headphones? United Airlines Can Now Ban You for Playing Audio Out Loud

Jibin Joseph — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 09:15:06 +0000

The airline has updated its Contract of Carriage to note that it can boot passengers or permanently ban them if they refuse to use headphones while playing audio on their devices.

The next time you get on a United Airlines flight, make sure you put on your headphones to listen to music or watch videos. According to the airline’s updated Contract of Carriage, it has “the right to refuse transport on …

New Nothing Over-Ear Headphones Last for Up to 5 Days, Cost $199

James Peckham — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 12:55:47 +0000

The Nothing Headphone (a) features a similar design to previous models but comes in four different colors.

Nothing’s next pair of over-ear headphones are $100 cheaper than its Nothing Headphone (1), come in even bolder colors, and offer battery life that will last for the best part of a week.

Announced alongside the Nothing Phone 4a and Phone 4a Pro, the new …

The Sound of Satisfaction: The Headphone and Speaker Brands You Rank Highest

Eric Griffith — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 16:01:50 +0000

Whether you're an elite audiophile or you just want to listen to your podcasts comfortably, our latest reader survey results reveal some interesting picks.

How you enjoy music, video, podcasts, and audiobooks is intensely personal and demands top-notch gear. That's why every year we poll hundreds of readers across the country about the headphones and speakers they buy. The competition is fierce, with heavy hitters like Apple, Sennheiser, and Sony vying for our top …

Anker's Soundcore Space 2 Headphones Sent My Ears to Heaven

PCMag UK — Sun, 01 Mar 2026 23:36:20 +0000

They cost $30 more than the originals, but the Anker Soundcore Space 2 headphones are the best ones I've heard at Mobile World Congress.

BARCELONA—One of our favorite things about the Anker Soundcore Space One headphones is the value. For $100, you get high-res audio and decent noise cancellation in a comfortable pair of headphones. Anker announced the Soundcore Space 2 headphones at

These Are the Blingiest Headphones I've Ever Seen, and I Would Totally Rock Them

Angela Moscaritolo — Sun, 01 Mar 2026 22:22:09 +0000

I tried the TCL CrystalClip headphones at MWC 2026, and they are a fashion statement I want to make.

BARCELONA—I love sparkly things, so when I walked into TCL's media preview event ahead of Mobile World Congress, one product immediately caught my eye: the CrystalClip. Amid a room full of different gadgets to check out, the CrystalClip beckoned me, and I could not …

The Best Waterproof Headphones for 2026

Eric Zeman — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 20:00:00 +0000

If you want to wear your headphones at the gym and rinse them off afterward, make sure they have an IPX7 rating or higher. Start your search with the top waterproof headphones we've tested.

IP Ratings Explained: How Waterproof Are Your Headphones?

Let’s start here: Waterproof is a flexible term, and water-resistant is even more so. To qualify as either, a product ostensibly has to undergo standard testing to determine its level of protection against liquids. The resulting score is called an ingress protection (IP) …

Nothing CMF Headphone Pro

Christian De Looper — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 19:56:29 +0000

Nothing's CMF line has been pretty successful at offering ultra-budget versions of not just its phones but also its headphones. The company launched its first pair of over-ear cans last year, the Nothing Headphone 1. Its budget CMF brand is now following suit with the new CMF Headphone Pro ($99). …

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs. Apple AirPods Pro 3: There's a Clear Winner

Christian De Looper — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 13:20:25 +0000

From design and comfort to noise cancellation and sound quality, I put the WF-1000XM6, AirPods Pro 3, and Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds head-to-head to tell you which pair reigns supreme.

Price: Apple Undercuts the Competition

Apple sells the AirPods Pro 3 for $249, the same price its pro-level earphones have been for many years. Meanwhile, Bose charges $299 for the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, and Sony asks $329.99 for the WF-1000XM6. That leaves an $80 price gap between the …

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs. WF-1000XM5: Are the New Earbuds Actually Better?

Christian De Looper — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 20:00:00 +0000

I tested Sony's new WF-1000XM6 earphones against the XM5 to see if the upgrades are really worth your money.

Price: A 10% Bump

Whether it's the upgraded tech within or the tariffs placed on goods from Japan, Sony hasn't said, but the new buds cost more than the old ones. The WF-1000XM5 earphones launched at $299.99, which is still their retail price today. The WF-1000XM6 costs $30 more at $329.99. …

Sony WF-1000XM6

Christian De Looper — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 16:00:00 +0000

Last year, Sony's WH-1000XM6 ($459.99) over-ear headphones arrived to critical acclaim, thanks to their category-defining noise cancellation and accurate audio response. Sony has now employed that same methodology in developing its WF-1000XM6 earphones ($329.99, reviewed here), which feature a brand-new design, …