Top 10 Headphones of 2023: Ultimate Sound Experience

Choosing the perfect pair of headphones has become a daunting task with the plethora of features available in the market today. To add to the complexity, noise-cancelling headphones have made the decision-making process even more challenging. With thousands of options available, it can be overwhelming to select the right hardware that fits your needs and budget. However, some headset brands are making a conscious effort to provide the best possible audio experience to their customers. In this article, we have curated a list of headphones from top brands like Sony, Bose, SteelSeries, and more, to assist you in making an informed purchase decision.

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones are the best overall headphones in the market. They are perfect for anyone who wants a great all-rounder that delivers exceptional sound quality, noise cancellation, and comfort. Available for $398 at Amazon.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 boasts exceptional noise-cancellation technology, utilizing two processors and eight microphones to effectively block out ambient noise. The Auto NC Optimizer further enhances the filtering process by automatically optimizing the headphones to the environment. With a battery life of up to 30 hours and fast charging capabilities, getting three hours of playback from just three minutes of charging, this headphone is perfect for everyday use and long trips. Additionally, hands-free calling is made crystal clear with the help of four beam-forming microphones.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones are an improved version of the highly acclaimed Sony WH-1000XM4 and Sony WH-1000XM3. With better bass, a tuned soundstage, and improved microphone quality, the XM5s deliver a punchier and clearer sound than their predecessors while also boasting longer battery life and a more appealing aesthetic. Although the XM5s draw inspiration from the XM4s, they feature significant upgrades such as a new 30mm carbon fiber-based driver. Despite mixed reception to the design changes, we consider the XM5s the best overall headphones of 2023.

The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 boasts an impressive 11 levels of active noise cancellation, providing an uninterrupted listening experience no matter the surroundings. With noise-reducing microphones, the headphones deliver clear and crisp sound quality with full bass and crystal-clear voice call quality. Additionally, the headphones offer hands-free control with voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Enjoy up to 20 hours of battery life with a single charge, making these headphones the perfect travel companion.

The Bose Noise Cancelling 700 Headphones are a sleek and premium option for consumers seeking excellent active noise canceling capabilities. With a modern, less-is-more design and intuitive gesture-based controls, these headphones offer a high-quality experience. While they are on the expensive end of the spectrum, they come with a hard case for storage and USB-C charging capabilities. The 20-hour battery life with ANC and eight microphones, six for ANC and two for communication, make up for any shortcomings in this area. These headphones are compatible with all Bluetooth-enabled devices and come in Triple Black or Luxe Silver colors. Supported codecs include SBC and AAC, and the headphones fold flat for easy storage. While the Sony XM5s may outperform the Bose 700s at lower frequencies, the Bose headphones offer impressive audio calling performance.

With Bluetooth 5.0, the headphones can connect with most devices currently available on the market, and Bluetooth compatibility works both ways. However, the codec support is limited to SBC and AAC out of the box, which may seem disappointing when compared to its closest competitor's LDAC support. Nevertheless, these noise-cancelling headphones are exceptional and a top choice in this category.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Gaming Headset The Best Headphones For GamingGaming Supernova

The Arctis Nova Pro Wireless gaming headset by SteelSeries is the ultimate tool for serious gamers. This feature-rich headset delivers premium high-fidelity sound through customizable options with Sonar Software, allowing for a fully immersive gaming experience with 360-degree spatial audio. The four-mic hybrid system is enhanced with active noise-cancelling technology, allowing users to tune out any background noise with transparency mode. Additionally, the microphone is retractable and noise-cancelling, making for clear communication with teammates. Its compatibility with PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and Bluetooth devices make it a versatile choice. With its excellent sound quality, potential for unlimited battery life through hot-swapping, and outstanding build quality, this headset is an excellent choice for both gaming and casual use. However, its price point may be a limiting factor for some, and it is limited to one console per version (Xbox or PlayStation). It can be purchased for $350 at Amazon or Best Buy.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Headphones are a top-tier option for gamers seeking the best possible experience. Despite being on the pricier side, these headphones boast a range of features that put them far ahead of most gaming headsets currently on the market. With outstanding sound quality and the convenience of wireless connectivity via both 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth, the Arctis Nova Pro challenges the notion that gaming headsets must be restricted to budget constraints. Additionally, these headphones feature active noise-cancelling technology for audio and an exceptional noise-cancelling microphone. However, like many gaming headsets, the Arctis Nova Pro is limited by licensing restrictions and cannot be used simultaneously with both current-gen Xbox and Playstation consoles. While it is possible to connect the headphones to a compatible smart TV using Bluetooth audio, this inconvenience is still worth noting.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Headphones are not only a great option for gaming but also for casual use such as music and streaming. Their Bluetooth support, comfort and ability to hot-swap batteries make them a versatile and long-lasting choice. That's why we consider them the top pick for gaming headphones available on the market. For more information, feel free to read our review of the Arctis Nova Pro.

The Beats Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earbuds are the ultimate headphones for workout enthusiasts. These earphones provide a completely wireless experience and offer up to nine hours of listening time on a single charge. The adjustable, secure-fit ear hooks provide lightweight comfort and stability, making them perfect for tough workouts. Additionally, they have a reinforced design for sweat and water resistance, ensuring they can withstand even the toughest of workouts. With Fast Fuel technology, you can get 1.5 hours of playback with just a five-minute charge when the battery is low. At a discounted price of $200, down from $250, these earbuds are the perfect gym buddies for all your workout needs.

The Beats Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earbuds, designed for workouts, have excellent features such as 9 hours of battery life without the case and 24 hours with the case, AAC and SBC audio codecs, and Bluetooth v5.0. With a driver size of 12mm rigid aluminum linear piston drive and a weight of 80g, these earbuds are comfortable to use for long hours. The earbuds come in black, navy, and ivory colors and are included with a charging case. The Powerbeats Pro uses physical buttons to avoid accidental touch during workout sessions, making it a standout from other earbuds. Although relatively expensive at $200, the earbuds are water and sweat-resistant with an IPX4 certification, making them perfect for intense workout sessions.

While the Beats Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earbuds may not be perfect, they still perform well without any unnecessary complications. It's worth noting that they don't have active noise-cancelling and are pricier than other options with similar features, which may offer slightly better audio quality in certain cases. Despite this, we believe they are the best headphones for working out or running in 2023.

For those looking for a budget-friendly option, the Anker Soundcore Life Q35 Wireless Headphones offer unbeatable value.

The Anker Soundcore Life Q35 headphones offer superior sound quality with custom silk-diaphragm drivers that accurately reproduce music across a wider frequency range. It delivers Hi-Res Audio and Hi-Res Audio Wireless certified sound with minimal distortion. The LDAC technology allows for lossless transfer of up to three times more data than standard Bluetooth codecs, which ensures that all the details in the music are heard. The headphones also have Multi-Mode Noise Cancelling that eliminates distracting noises in your surroundings. The memory foam padded earcups and headband make for comfortable wear. Additionally, it has a battery life of up to 40 hours, supports Bluetooth 5, has a built-in microphone, and is compatible with devices that have Bluetooth support. The headphones are foldable and come with a hard shell case and can be charged via Type C Port, taking up to 2 hours for a full charge. The Anker Soundcore Life Q35 headphones are available for $100 on Amazon and $110 on Newegg.

Compared to its competitors, the Anker Soundcore Life Q35 Wireless Headphones offer impressive value and are able to compete with higher-end versions of premium brands in terms of audio quality and cost. While the bass may be overpowering, the Q35 provides strong audio performance at its price point and delivers on its promise of an optimized listening experience. The headset boasts excellent battery life and charge times, and even supports NFC pairing out of the box, which is typically only found in more expensive options. Additionally, the Q35 is Hi-Res Audio certified and supports Sony's LDAC codec. However, it falls short in terms of noise-canceling capabilities compared to some of its competitors in the same price range.

Consider the renewed version of the SAMSUNG Galaxy Buds Pro 2 if price is a concern. Currently available for under $70, this option is a great value for outstanding in-ear wireless headphone performance.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro 2 offer exceptional ANC performance and a sleek, contemporary design, complete with Samsung-specific features and an IPX7 rating perfect for sports enthusiasts. They boast up to 8 hours of battery life for the earbuds alone, and up to 29 hours with the charging case. The buds support Bluetooth 5.3, Samsung's Seamless Codec, and three high SNR microphones, as well as wireless charging. They are also equipped with an IPX7 water resistance rating, allowing them to be used in adverse weather conditions. However, the battery life may be lacking as the buds last only up to 5 hours between charges with ANC turned on, and they do not offer true multipoint support. Instead, they have Samsung's own smart-switching mode.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro 2 boast impressive active noise cancellation capabilities and intelligent features that are characteristic of Samsung's product range. They incorporate cutting-edge technology that makes them an attractive option for users, even those who don't own Samsung phones. With an IPX7 certification, these earbuds are perfect for workouts and are designed with a contemporary and fashionable aesthetic that makes them a practical and stylish choice for daily use. Unfortunately, the Samsung 'Seamless' codec, which is capable of delivering 24-bit audio and is a key feature of Samsung's latest devices, is currently exclusive to Samsung devices, which may limit their appeal to users who own other Android or iOS devices.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro 2 are a top-tier choice for in-ear headphones, offering exceptional value for their price. Currently discounted by nearly $100 off MSRP, they come highly recommended by the experts at GameRant.

Yes, it is possible to use non-Samsung earphones with a Samsung phone. However, some of the advanced features such as the Seamless Codec may not be supported on these earphones. Nonetheless, they will function perfectly fine as regular earphones.

Q: Can I use Samsung Buds Pro 2 with an iPhone?

Q: How important is Active Noise Canceling (ANC) for Headphones?

ANC technology is crucial for areas with ambient noise that can interfere with your listening experience. Most headphones allow sound to seep in from the sides, leading to subpar quality. ANC solves this problem by reducing incoming noise and filtering what you hear. Additionally, some headphones with ANC microphones amplify your voice while decreasing background noise, providing clarity and coherence for conversations or voice assistant use.