The 9 best headphones of 2025 — how do the new Sony XM6 compare?
All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.
In 2025, a pair of headphones or earbuds is pretty much non-optional. That's why there are hundreds of different headphones and earbuds in varying shapes, sizes, styles, colors, and, of course, prices. And these days, you can grab a random pair off the digital shelf without too much research and find that they do the job just fine.
However, if you're tired of settling for "just fine", then it's worth investing in the best headphones available. Through hours and hours of listening, we sorted through dozens of headphones to find the very best models, from the just-released Sony XM6 headphones to old favorites from Bose, Beats, and Apple.
We won't beat around the bush: There's no definitive "best" product here. Sure, elite audio brands put out high-quality products across the board, but even within each of those brands, you'll find different tiers of products. Some will deliver better value, and some will deliver better hardware and active noise cancellation.
All this to say, the best pair of earbuds or headphones largely comes down to personal preference and how you plan to use them. Some listeners swear by over-ear headphones, while others prefer the minimalism of earbuds — one is not necessarily better than the other. Athletes who like to use headphones at the gym will appreciate waterproof materials and the best open earbuds, while frequent fliers will prefer devices with long battery life, comfort, and portability. Finally, music lovers and audiophiles will want to invest in premium features like a custom equalizer, spatial audio, or best-in-class active noise cancellation.
To help you pick, we tested all of the headphones in this guide (and a lot that didn't make the cut). Here, you'll find the top headphones of 2025 for noise cancellation, music, price, and wired connections.
We focused primarily on the best wireless headphones for this guide. While wired headphones have their fans, wireless headphones are just more convenient for most of us. If we had to pick, we'd recommend the Marshall Mode earbuds as our top wired pick.
Most recently, we tested the JBL Tour One M3 headphones and the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC, and we may add them to this guide in a future update. We also tested the Marshall Major V headphones and Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 headphones, both of which had excellent sound profiles and easy-to-navigate custom equalizers on their companion apps. Ultimately, they didn't make the cut on our final list for a couple of reasons. With the Major V headphones, we love that their claim of 100+ hours of battery life held up under our testing, but we found them to get uncomfortable after a couple of hours. We also would have appreciated ANC at their $149 price point.
For the B&W headphones, we loved their design and premium feel in addition to their truly impressive sound, but we found that their ANC was only so-so. If you're willing to spend $399, you can find a better balance of sound and ANC in the Sony XM5 headphones.
We've also tested the Sonos Ace headphones and Dyson OnTrac headphones. And while we loved them both for sound quality and noise cancellation, they fare in the way of AirPods Max — left out of our recommendations for their high price points.
For our future updates, we're testing out more budget noise-cancelling earbuds. Right now, we're also considering the Sony WF-710N earbuds.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
How to shoot 4K video on iPhone just like Danny Boyle did for '28 Years Later'
I have a confession: 2002's 28 Days Later was the movie that sparked my obsession for zombies during my teenage years. I loved that movie, and so I'm dying to see the latest chapter, 28 Years Later, when it hits theaters on June 20. A lot has happened since director Danny Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland's original flick came out, including the launch of the iPhone in 2007. When I first saw 28 Days Later, my cell phone had a retractable antenna. For the sequel, Boyle actually used iPhones to help make the movie. As Boyle recently told Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko in an interview for our video podcast Say More, the director deployed iPhones shooting in 4K video mode for pivotal scenes in the movie. (Boyle isn't the first director to use iPhones while making feature-length movies, from Sean Baker's Tangerine to Steven Soderbergh's Unsane.) Featured Video For You Say More: Danny Boyle reveals the tech and origins of '28 Years Later's most shocking moments In the behind-the-scenes photo below, you can see a custom-made camera rig featuring 20 iPhone 15s, which was used to shoot "bullet time" scenes in 28 Years Later. As Boyle told Mashable, there are actually distinct advantages to shooting movies with an iPhone. "They're lightweight. They do now record at 4K, which, when you make your own videos, you have to put a special setting in to make it 4K because otherwise your cloud storage would be just ginormous for every little video that you made," Boyle said. "But they allowed us to visit places, remote places in the UK, with a very light footprint." Behind the scenes of "28 Years Later." Credit: Sony Pictures So, while you might not have Boyle's plethora of devices or a custom-built rig, how can you shoot in 4K video mode on your own iPhone? It's actually incredibly easy. SEE ALSO: Watch Stormzy's short film 'Big Man' shot on iPhone 16 Pro Essentially, the key to shooting 4K video on iPhone is activating it in your device's settings. The precise steps might vary depending on the type of iPhone you have, but in general, it's a simple process. By default, your iPhone usually shoots HD video (1080p) at 30 frames per second. On my iPhone 15 Pro, I can change my video settings in the upper-right corner of the Video mode. Look for symbols that say "HD" and "30." The HD version of me. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable Do I look more or less handsome in 4K? Don't answer that. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable By tapping on "HD," your camera should switch to "4K" mode instantly. On the iPhone 15, you can also update the frame rate, choosing from 24 fps, 30 fps, and 60 fps. The higher the frame rate, the higher the video quality and the smoother the motion in the video. And if you have an iPhone 16 Pro or Pro Max, you can jack those settings all the way up to 120 fps. Be warned, 4K video files are "ginormous," as Boyle put it. How large? According to Apple, one minute of 4K video at 60 fps will be 440 MB large. Your efforts will also cost you precious battery life, so plan accordingly. Save this video mode for special occasions, such as when you're filming the long-awaited sequel to your 2002 horror masterpiece. For other advanced camera settings, go into your iPhone's Settings, select Camera, and select Record Video. There, you can toggle HDR video on and off, lock white balance, and make other adjustments. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable And that's it. Apple makes the entire process relatively painless once you know what you're looking for. So, what's stopping you from making your own legendary horror film trilogy?
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Miami Herald
Nissan Launches Killer Sentra Lease Offer for June
Amid a summer full of rising lease prices-Nissan included-one name in the lineup still stands out: the 2025 Sentra SV. While the brand has hiked signing costs on popular models like the Kicks, Rogue, and Altima, and demands over $6,000 up front for the Murano or Pathfinder, the compact Sentra continues to offer one of the most approachable new-car leases available. The Sentra has always played the value card well, and in 2025, it doubles down on it. The SV trim, recommended for its added tech and comfort, adds Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual-zone climate control, and access to the NissanConnect infotainment system with a Wi-Fi hotspot. And now, it's more affordable than ever. For $209 per month for 39 months with $3,259 due at signing, the Sentra SV offers one of the lowest monthly payments for any gas-powered car or crossover on the market. With a total lease mileage of 32,500 miles, it's a compelling package for budget-conscious shoppers who need practical, fuel-efficient daily transportation. If you want a little more style and luxury, Nissan's got an answer there, too. The Sentra SR, with its sharp-looking two-tone paint, 18-inch wheels, and available quilted leather interior, is available for $319/month. While that is a fairly large jump, it's still notably cheaper than most compact crossovers or hybrid sedans, and the upgrades do bring a touch of premium feel to an otherwise budget-friendly ride. The SR trim also adds LED headlights, a sportier exterior design, and access to more tech options, including an 8.0-inch touchscreen and premium Bose audio. These extras don't just look good on paper-they elevate the Sentra from a basic commuter to something that actually feels a little upscale inside. It's still the same practical car underneath, but with a more refined edge that's rare in this price range. The 2025 Sentra may not be the most thrilling car to drive, given that its 149-hp engine and CVT are more focused on economy than excitement, but it's quiet, comfortable, and equipped with class-leading safety tech. With EPA ratings of up to 34 mpg combined, supportive front seats, and a spacious 14-cubic-foot trunk, it covers all the basics and then some. If you're shopping for a new daily driver under $250 a month, this summer lease may be hard to beat. Even in a segment filled with great options, the Sentra SV makes a strong case for best overall value. *Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. The information presented herein is based on manufacturer-provided lease offer information, which is subject to frequent change and may vary based on location, creditworthiness, and other factors. We are not a party to any lease agreements and assume no liability for the terms, conditions, availability, or accuracy of any lease offers mentioned. All terms, including but not limited to pricing, mileage allowances, and residual values, require direct verification with an authorized local OEM dealership. This article does not constitute financial advice or an endorsement of any particular lease or vehicle. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
USA Today
2 days ago
- USA Today
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are less than $170 ahead of Prime Day
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are less than $170 ahead of Prime Day Save up to 49% on Beats headphones, Apple AirPods, plus tons of must-have Apple accessories. Amazon Prime Day 2025 is coming back with double the deals, and the early discounts are already music to our ears—especially for Apple fans. While the official sale starts on Tuesday, July 8, Amazon is rolling out early Prime Day savings on some of the most popular Apple audio gear. Whether you're upgrading your old earbuds or finally grabbing that pair of AirPods you've been eyeing, now's the time to score serious savings. Right now, you can save up to $80 on select Apple earbuds, headphones and accessories. Top early Prime Day Apple AirPods on sale at Amazon These deals are part of Amazon's lead-up to Prime Day, but they're also a solid sneak peek at what's to come for the official Prime Day 2025 sale in July. If you're an Apple audiophile or shopping for a techie in your life, this is your chance to grab premium audio gear at a discount. Below, shop the most popular early Prime Day deals on Apple AirPods, Beats headphones and accessories. Early Prime Day 2025 deals: Shop Apple AirPods and Beats headphones on sale at Amazon 1. Apple AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C Charging: 32% off 2. Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds: 23% off 3. Beats Studio Pro Wireless Bluetooth Noise Cancelling Headphones: 49% off 4. Apple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear Headphones: 9% off 5. Apple AirPods (3rd Generation) Wireless Earbuds: 20% off Amazon is one of our favorite online retailers for Apple AirPod accessories, especially if you need something fast and for an affordable price. Here are a few top deals to consider today: More: Is an Amazon Prime membership worth it? Here's what you need to know What are other early Prime Day deals people are shopping? When is Prime Day? Amazon announced that Prime Day 2025 will run from Tuesday, July 8 at 12:00am PT/3:00am ET through Friday, July 11. This is the first year that the sale has been extended from the usual two days to four days. That means 96 hours of Amazon deals! Do I need to be an Amazon Prime member to shop Amazon Prime Day? Yes, you must be an Amazon Prime member to access most deals. The July Prime Day sale has tons of special Prime-exclusive discounts on select products that can help members save more than anyone else. Plus, joining Prime helps guarantee you get other perks like fast shipping all year long, access to Prime Video, Prime Reading and Prime Gaming and more. → More: Is an Amazon Prime membership worth it? Here's what you need to know How much does an Amazon Prime membership cost? New members can try one week of Amazon Prime benefits for just $1.99. After that, Prime costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year. More: Amazon Prime for Young Adults is back! Do you qualify for the discount? Find out here
