Best Headphones 2025

Best Headphones (Overview) – Contents

Headphone trends 2025

Wireless technology dominates the headphone market, with Bluetooth headphones, especially True Wireless models, becoming increasingly popular. True Wireless headphones, such as the well-known Apple AirPods are entirely cable-free and communicate with each other via Bluetooth. Their growing popularity comes down to convenience: they are small, lightweight (even in their charging case they fit in your pocket), and free you from cable clutter.

The old assumption that wireless headphones must compromise on sound quality no longer holds true, and even audiophiles are embracing them. This is why wireless headphones now appear in the Hi-Fi category, which naturally sparks debate: can something truly be Hi-Fi without a cable? We believe it can, and trends support this view. Bluetooth now has a wide enough bandwidth to handle large data transfers.

Some models even offer detachable cables, allowing connection to a receiver. Mobile phone manufacturers are responding to this trend as well; many current models no longer include a standard 3.5mm headphone jack. The solutions are either an inconvenient adapter or convenient Bluetooth connectivity.

Another major trend is ANC, or Active Noise Cancellation. This technology filters out unwanted background noise, such as traffic or office sounds, for an uninterrupted listening experience.

Advanced ANC can adjust the level of noise reduction depending on your environment. This makes it safe to use headphones with ANC outdoors, as only important sounds pass through—repetitive noises are minimised, while alerts like sirens or tram bells remain audible.

The advantage of ANC is that you don’t need to turn up the volume to unsafe levels to block out surrounding noise, protecting your hearing in the long term. More information on this technology can be found in the article Headphones with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): How They Work and Which to Choose.

Best in-ear Bluetooth headphones

Wireless Bluetooth headphones have truly freed music listening, and in-ear designs (also called earbuds) take this to the next level. Tiny, lightweight, and completely cable-free—this is the main advantage of this type of headphone. Another great feature is the ability to control them directly via touch, taps, or gestures. You can adjust volume, answer calls, or skip tracks without needing to reach for your phone. They also have a solid signal range, so your music source can even be in another room. Which models provide the ultimate relaxed listening experience?

Apple AirPods Pro 3

• Heart rate monitoring
• Live translation (limited languages for now)
• Up to 10 hours playback without ANC

Apple’s latest True Wireless headphones, the AirPods Pro 3, look very similar to the previous generation but offer improved sealing. Inside, the H2 chip manages all components. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) has been enhanced, and sound performance delivers better bass and treble. New health features include heart rate monitoring via sensors. Integrated with watchOS 26, AirPods can pause playback when the user falls asleep. You can also control the iPhone camera by tapping the stem, functioning as a remote for photos and videos. With supported languages, live translation is possible, displaying the translation on your phone screen. Battery life reaches up to 10 hours (8 with ANC), and the case extends it to 30 hours.

Apple AirPods Pro 3 Apple headphones

Sony Noise Cancelling WF-1000XM5

• Frequency range: 20 Hz – 40 kHz
• Up to 24 hours playback with case
• Premium design

Sony’s WF-1000XM5 offers top-tier True Wireless and Noise Cancelling headphones. Dynamic Driver X drivers deliver high-quality sound, while advanced ANC reduces background noise. Bluetooth 5.3 ensures a stable connection with AAC, LDAC, and SBC codec support, plus Hi-Res audio compatibility. Battery life reaches 24 hours with the case, and the earbuds alone last up to 8 hours. Fast charging provides 60 minutes of playback in just 3 minutes, and wireless charging is also supported.

Sony WF-1000XM5 Sony headphones

Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro

• Light-up side stripes
• Galaxy AI for EQ and translation
• New 11mm driver

The stylish Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro earbuds are available in the usual white as well as an attractive silver variant. At first glance, the new generation has undergone a redesign, which results in a slightly different feel when inserted into the ears. With swipe and tap gestures, you can perform several actions directly on the earbuds without having to take your phone out of your pocket. The improved 11mm driver delivers faithful sound reproduction. A pair of microphones comes in handy for phone calls. As part of Galaxy AI, the earbuds feature an adaptive equalizer that adjusts sound settings according to the situation. The ambient noise cancellation mode is also adaptive when listening in the city or in the office. If you select one of the supported languages, the earbuds can also provide simultaneous translation thanks to Galaxy AI.

Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro Samsung headphones

Best over-ear Bluetooth headphones

The lightness and, one might almost say, unobtrusiveness of in-ear Bluetooth headphones were initially the domain of lightweight models intended for casual listening only. More recently, however, this technology has begun to dominate the segment of over-ear headphones designed for focused listening as well. A major advantage of over-ear headphones is that, due to their construction, they isolate surrounding noise more effectively. Combined with ANC, they place you inside your own sound bubble, where nothing will disturb you – neither the environment nor the ever-present cables. Which Bluetooth over-ear headphones do we consider the best?

Sony WH-1000XM6

• Foldable design + carrying case
• Improved ANC
• 3 minutes of charging for 3 hours of listening

A brand-new generation of Sony’s popular over-ear headphones focuses on improving ANC technology, while also bringing back a useful feature. This is the ability to fold the headphones into a more compact form and store them in a portable case with magnetic closure. Active noise cancellation has been enhanced by integrating a total of 6 microphones for better capture of unwanted noise. Renowned recording studio sound engineers helped fine-tune the sound of the 30mm drivers to the highest level. Battery life remains at 40 hours, or 30 hours with ANC enabled. Just 3 minutes of charging provides enough power for another 3 hours of listening. The headphones are available in black, white, and blue.

Sony WH-1000XM6 Sony headphones

Bowers & Wilkins PX7S3

• Stylish design, pleasant materials
• 8 microphones
• Fast charging

The new generation of headphones from Bowers & Wilkins has a lot to offer in terms of appearance, sound quality, and features. In addition to black and white versions, they are also available in blue. The ear cups are covered with memory foam, and the headband is padded. The drivers are once again 40mm, contributing to high-quality reproduction. Music can be listened to using codecs such as aptX Lossless, aptX HD, and others. A total of 8 microphones are useful not only for ANC noise reduction, but also for high-quality voice transmission during phone calls. Battery life reaches up to 30 hours. Just 15 minutes of charging provides an additional 7 hours of listening time. Connection to devices is handled via Bluetooth 5.3 or a 3.5mm jack.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7S3 Sluchátka Bowers & Wilkins

JBL Tour One M3

• Tough construction
• Long battery life
• JBL mobile app

Another addition to the lineup of over-ear headphones that impress with their quality-to-price ratio comes from JBL. The JBL Tour One M3 headphones feature powerful 40mm drivers that deliver the sound quality they are rightly praised for. At first glance, the solid construction might seem bulky, but fortunately the headphones are not overly heavy. You will also appreciate the ANC and battery life of up to 50 hours. This is further enhanced by the fact that just 10 minutes of charging adds another 5 hours of listening time. In the mobile app, you can fine-tune the equalizer and other sound settings. In addition to the gold-toned colour variant, blue and black versions are also available.

JBL Tour One M3 JBL headphones

Best sports headphones

Sports headphones emphasise different parameters than models designed for calm, focused listening. Comfort during longer wear is essential, as well as a secure fit. Sports headphones must not fall out of your ears even during more vigorous exercise. Resistance to external influences is also important, especially moisture—namely sweat and rain. Which sports headphones will best pump energy into your veins even during a tough workout?

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

• Open design
• Auto Volume
• 27 hours of listening

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds feature an open design that allows you to stay aware of your surroundings. Bose refers to this patented technology as OpenAudio. They do not sit inside the ear; instead, they wrap around the ear using a cuff. Sound is transmitted through the air, which—compared to bone conduction—allows for higher-quality audio reproduction. With the Auto Volume function, the headphones always deliver a volume level that lets you hear even in noisy environments. Connection to your phone is handled via the latest Bluetooth 5.3 standard, and thanks to the built-in microphones, you can take calls directly from the earbuds. You can also work out in the rain, as they offer IPX4 water resistance. Overall, they are ready for up to 27 hours of listening. The earbuds themselves last 7.5 hours, with an additional 19.5 hours provided by the charging case.

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Bose headphones

Samsung Galaxy Buds FE

• Ergonomics
• Galaxy AI
• 30-hour battery life

Samsung Galaxy Buds FE headphones combine playful features with excellent ergonomics designed specifically for sports activities. They are True Wireless, fitting fully into the ears and staying secure even during movement. Since every ear is different, the package includes several ear tip options. Active noise cancellation helps in noisy environments, supported by a trio of microphones. The battery allows for up to 30 hours of continuous playback, including charging from the case. Quick switching between different devices is enabled by the Auto Switch function. Thanks to integration into the Samsung ecosystem, finding the headphones if you misplace them is easy. They also support Galaxy AI features, including real-time interpreting. Samsung Galaxy Buds FE are available in black and white and come at an attractive price.

Samsung Galaxy Buds FE Samsung headphones

Intezze WINGS PRO

• Smaller and lighter design
• Dual microphones
• 24 hours of listening

Intezze headphones feature an open design that allows for comfortable wear behind the ears. This makes them suitable even for long-term use, as they do not put pressure on the ear canal. Compared to the first generation, the manufacturer has refined the construction—the headphones are smaller and lighter. Sweat and rain are no issue thanks to IPX4 resistance. They are equipped with two microphones that ensure effective suppression of ambient noise, which is also useful for phone calls where your voice is prioritized. They connect to your phone via Bluetooth 5.3 and are easily controlled using touch panels. Total battery life reaches 24 hours of listening, with the earbuds themselves lasting 8 hours and the charging case adding another 16 hours.

Intezze WINGS PRO Intezze headphones

Best gaming headphones

Gaming headphones are usually part of the broader category of over-ear headphones. The key requirement here—besides sound quality itself—is comfort, even during longer gaming sessions. A microphone for in-game communication is essential. A major recent development is the improved ability of gaming headsets to handle spatial audio. This contributes both to deeper immersion in the game and to better spatial awareness in the game world. So which headphones for gaming on PC or consoles do we recommend?

Logitech G PRO X 2 Lightspeed

• Headphones for professional gaming
• Excellent sound quality
• Premium construction

The closed-back Logitech G Pro X 2 headphones were designed in collaboration with professional gamers, reflecting their needs in both sound performance and build quality. They offer high durability thanks to the use of aluminum and steel and are overall quite robust. For this reason, they are not particularly suitable for frequent transport or casual music listening on the go—the focus on gaming is unmistakable. Sound quality is handled by new 50mm graphene drivers, offering a frequency range from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. You can connect them in three ways: via LIGHTSPEED wireless, Bluetooth, or a wired connection using the included 3.5mm jack cable. A detachable microphone and replaceable fabric ear pads are, of course, included.

Logitech G PRO X 2 Lightspeed Logitech headphones

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5P

• 60-hour battery life
• More than 100 sound presets
• Retractable microphone

SteelSeries has several strong contenders in its gaming headset lineup, and the Arctis Nova 5P stands out among them. Gamers will appreciate several features, most notably the impressive 60-hour battery life on a single charge. After connecting via USB-C, just 15 minutes of charging provides an additional 6 hours of use. When not needed, the microphone stays out of the way—it can be easily retracted into the ear cup. There are more than 100 gaming sound presets available, which you can tailor to specific game genres. Their very low weight makes them ideal for long gaming sessions, as they won’t feel heavy on your head. Connection to a computer is always wireless, either via a 2.4GHz dongle or Bluetooth. A fast-switching mode allows you to change the input source, for example to answer a phone call. Sound quality is handled by neodymium drivers, ensuring faithful reproduction of all tones. Spatial audio support is also included.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5P SteelSeries headphones

HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless

• Massive battery life of up to 300 hours
• Frequency range 15–21,000 Hz
• 7.1 surround sound

The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless gaming headset can easily compete with its wired counterparts—and even surpass them in some respects. One standout feature is the almost unbelievable battery life of up to 300 hours. Comfortable ear cups fully cover the ears and immediately immerse you in the gaming world. The headset offers a very solid dynamic range from 15 Hz to 21 kHz, making it suitable not only for in-game sound effects but also for listening to music across all genres. A sensitive detachable microphone with Discord and TeamSpeak certification is a given. For connection to a PC or console, a radio-frequency receiver is included.

HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless HyperX headphones

Best Hi-Fi headphones

The Hi-Fi headphone category is intended for the most demanding listeners. These models deliver outstanding sound quality, often paired with a very luxurious design and a range of advanced technologies. Despite some objections, wireless technology has also made its way into this category, as the amount of data that can be transmitted via Bluetooth has increased significantly. We have taken this into account in our selection as well. Which headphones will bring you music in the highest possible quality without compromise?

Beyerdynamic T5

• High-quality materials
• Hi-Fi amplifier
• Outstanding sound quality

Given their price exceeding CZK 20,000, it’s clear that the Beyerdynamic T5 are top-tier headphones. With their Hi-Fi focus, they are primarily aimed at delivering the best possible sound quality, comparable to that of a recording studio. These are, of course, closed-back headphones with excellent ear pad sealing, and they also feature a built-in Hi-Fi amplifier. A weight of over 350 grams clearly reflects the emphasis on premium materials during their handcrafted production. Connection to the audio source is handled exclusively via a 3.5mm jack. The cable runs to both ear cups, and a sturdy case is included for transport. The headband can be adjusted to fit different head sizes, ensuring comfortable long-term wear.

Beyerdynamic T5 Beyerdynamic headphones

Sennheiser HD 599

• Colour combination
• E.A.R. technology
• 2 different cables included

The Sennheiser brand is synonymous with quality, and the HD 599 is no exception. At a pleasantly affordable price, it offers impressive specifications. At first glance, it charms with its brown and ivory colour combination. Sound is produced by the Sennheiser SYS 38 driver, and the patented E.A.R. technology helps direct sound precisely into the ear canal. The package includes two cables: a 3-meter cable with a 6.3mm connector and a travel cable just over one meter long with a standard 3.5mm jack. The ear pads are replaceable.

Sennheiser HD 599 Sennheiser headphones

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

• Synthetic leather ear pads
• Swiveling ear cups
• 45mm drivers

The professional Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones feature comfortable synthetic leather ear pads that remain pleasant even after many hours of use. Each ear cup is mounted on a swivel joint, allowing for easier handling. Sound reproduction is handled by 45mm drivers using neodymium magnets. The manufacturer specifies a frequency range of 15–28,000 Hz. Connection to an audio source is via a 3.5mm jack, and the package also includes a 6.5mm adapter, cables, and a carrying pouch.

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Audio-Technica headphones