The Best Headphones for Gaming, Traveling, and Music 2024

The WH-1000XM5s (“XM” for short) are over-ear, closed-back and wireless. They’re comfortable, not too tight, mushy in all the right spots, and the touch-sensitive buttons and voice control (Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant) are as good as it gets. This model replaces Sony's best-selling WH-1000XM4 and the WH-1000XM5 boasts a handful of upgraded features. They have a slightly larger carrying case, with a storage case inside for cables or a portable headphone amplifier. The XM5s come with a USB-C to USB-A for charging and a 1/8" analog audio cable. They've got a different form factor - a lay-flat design, more soft material of the top of the band to go further down and the band is thinner, while weighing slightly less than the XM4s. Sony improved the touch reaction and controls with the XM5s, too.

The WH-1000XM5s last around 30 hours with noise-cancelling switched on, or around 40 hours with the tech switched off. The USB-C port is for charging only, and a 3-minute quick-charge will give you three hours of playtime - that alone makes these headphones worth a look. The new WH-1000XM5s feature 4 noise-cancelling sensors on each earcup, which means more environmental data Sony can use to increase performance. The WH-1000XM5 come equipped with Bluetooth 5.2 and aptX HD for processing hi-resolution audio up to 24bit/96kHz – Sony’s own best-in-category proprietary format.

But the biggest two reasons they made our “best” list: they sound absolutely incredible – and after years of incremental progress, Sony’s noise-cancelling tech now rivals their competitors. So yes, it’s a tough choice, but easily solved with a coin toss.

Focal headphones are a statement piece; they stand out visually just as much as they do audibly. And the Bathys are no exception. They are both fashionable and functional. Making the Bathys travel-friendly was a primary concern for Focal. They had a target weight of 350g, so components were designed and decided on specifically for that point. The Bathys are made with a Black/Silver aluminum and magnesium construction and have been designed to share the same aesthetics as their fellow Focal closed-ear headphones, like the Celestee or Stellia.

For the sound, they chose to invest in magnesium for the driver and then use aluminum mechanical construction. The Bathys are tuned to the Focal sound so the naturally are dynamic. They reproduce a nice full sound and when the bass hits it’s present but not too boomy. You can listen to them for hours at end without feeling ear fatigue. However, you don’t have to listen to them loud to enjoy them.

Technologically, the Bathys are Bluetooth 5.1 with multipoint (meaning it can connect to multiple devices so you can pick up a call from your phone and listen to music from your computer) and they’ve moved to some of the latest Bluetooth Codecs. The Bathys have the standard SBC connection (which is universal among Bluetooth headphones), AAC for iPhone connectivity, and AptX as well as AptX Adaptive for Android devices (with AptX Adaptive being capable of up to 24bit/96kHz sources). The Bathys have 8 microphones for their Active Noise Canceling and they can be used for phone calls or virtual meetings. There (4) mics per ear cup. (1) for Bluetooth. (1) for ANC and (2) set inside to monitor the output of headphones to reduce total harmonic distortion per ear cup.

The Bathys are an exceptional set of Bluetooth headphones and sound great wirelessly. But if you want to be extra, Focal created a DAC mode. Just connect the Bathys to your phone or computer via a USB-C cable, and you can listen to music up to 24bit/192kHz. Focal wanted to make sure they weren’t just making one of the best Bluetooth headphones on the market, but they wanted to make sure the Bathys didn’t disappoint if you went deep into listening to them.

Made for music, the Focal Celestees have a sound that is on par with headphones that cost much more. The closed-back cups are lined with soft leather, so they’re comfortable yet secure on your ears, and won’t leak your music to the person at the next table in the café — though you’ll meet them anyway, because they’ll ask you what is up with these gorgeous navy blue cans with copper highlights.

Focal’s driver design is innovative and brings out the detail in your tunes with a generous 40mm driver with a unique shape and made from top-end materials. Low impedance means you’ll enjoy full performance from these headphones whether you’re listening though your home theater amplifier or your smart phone on the go. And they do like being out and about, with a rigid case that’s made for traveling. You don’t have to learn a new voice assistant or worry about re-charging the Celestees: Just enjoy the music.

Focal. The industry expert. The leader in clear sound… the most perfect sound. Ok. Enough about Focal the manufacturer and let’s talk about the Focal Clear MG Open-Back headphones.

Where do we start? Let’s start with the fact that the MG Open-Back headphones deliver just plain and simple the most outstanding sound performance using the most sophisticated design-led features. Those features? If you’ve made it this far, you know that Focal’s manufacturing process is unrivaled in the audio industry and these headphones are no exception. The MG open-back headphone drivers are composed of a unique magnesium cone, a material that enables sharp, precise impactful playback that results in the most impressive sound.

If you’re just entering the conversation and you want to talk about comfort, well the MG Open-back headphones are designed with a chestnut and mixed metal design, combined with the precision comfort of a leather headband and microfiber ear cushions. The yoke is made of a solid aluminum, that flawlessly wraps around the contour of the listener, and follows a smooth curve regardless of the head size of the user. The aesthetic mixed with the astounding comfort and superior sound quality is what makes the Clear MG the best high fidelity headphones we’ve found.

You know you’re dealing with a top-notch pair of headphones when the manufacturer lets you know that the headphones themselves require a break-in period in order to reach their maximum operational potential. This break-in period will stabilize the speaker drivers and allow the user to get the very best out of their purchase.

These ultra-stylish headphones are a sure-fire winner and should not be passed up when considering an open-back headphone purchase.

Pros: Weighing in at under 1 pound, these lightweight headphones provide super-heavyweight sound.

Cons: I honestly can’t find one.

Sennheiser is practically synonymous with pro audio and music production. They’ve been creating audio gear for the professional world for decades and there’s hardly a Grammy given to a project that didn’t involve their stuff.

So, it’s almost no surprise that the Momentum 4 headphones sound completely clear, transparent, and natural. Sometimes, headphones that offer Bluetooth connectivity and noise cancellation can sometimes have bass that’s boosted and vocals that are emphasized, the Momentum 4 delivers music the way it was intended by its producers and engineers. Highs and lows are perfectly balanced. Center elements such as guitar solos and vocals are right where they should be: Comfortably nestled in the mix. That right there is why we’re calling the Momentum 4 the Best Headphones for Music Production.

You’re not going to want to take them off when you leave your studio, however. The adaptive hybrid circuitry and four-mic noise cancelling system deliver a new level of quiet, analyzing your surroundings and quite literally making the world go away. Your commute will turn into an opportunity for close listening, rather than simply rocking out. The latest Bluetooth technology makes the Momentum 4’s wireless connection unbelievably clear, especially when you’re making phone calls. It also lets you stream high-definition audio in aptX and AAC formats — something pro mixers, audiophiles, and YouTube addicts alike will appreciate.

The sleek industrial design isn’t just attractive, it also facilitates some advanced touch technology for controlling settings and accessing features. Like a multi-touch tablet, the right ear cup has a touch pad that responds to single- and two-finger gestures to control volume, noise cancelling vs. transparency ratios, playback controls, phone controls, and other handy functions. The touch pad is pretty cool, but it may take a bit of practice to get just the right swipe distance or double-tap strength. Sennheiser’s Smart Control app gives you a very powerful set of controls to adjust the sound to your liking, though you may fall in love with the sound you get the moment you first put the Momentum 4s on.

Pros: Classic Sennheiser pro audio sound. Superior noise cancellation. Smart Control app very thorough and useful.

Cons: Touch control is very clever, but can take time to master.

Have you just spent all morning getting ready for work and getting every single detail of your hair looking just perfect? Do you want to fire up some tunes on the commute in to work, but don’t want your time preening to go to waste by throwing a pair of over the ear headphones on? Sennheiser has a couple of options for in-ear headphones that sound, feel and perform just as great as a traditional set of headphones.

Introducing the IE 600 and IE 900 headphones. We’ll start off with chatting about the IE 600’s and then make our way up the mountain to the IE 900’s.

The IE600 Wired In-Ear Monitor Headphones are comprised of an Ultra-Resilient ZR01 amorphous metal housing and utilize two 7mm TrueResponse transducers. These transducers are assembled by Sennheiser and they are built for the long haul. The production of the amorphous metal housing is completed by both machine and manual steps in a plant in Germany. The result of the careful manufacturing is a pair of IE 600 headphones that will remain in near perfect condition year after year of use. The IE 600 headphones have a robust protection against corrosion and scuffs and dings from wear. These headphones are designed to keep delivering amazing sonic – and visual – joy for many, many years.

We’ve tried these out and not only do they sound incredible, but their comfort is off the charts. Included with the IE 600’s are two different styles of ear bud tips, both silicone and memory foam, and they are provided in three different styles to make a comfortable seal in the ear. The ear hooks themselves are flexible and have some adjustments to ensure long-lasting comfort. The IE600 is quite possibly the best audiophile in-ear headphones we’ve seen, and we have seen A LOT.

Included in the box with the IE 600’s are both a balanced and unbalanced para-aramid reinforced cable with a 4.4mm and 3.5mm connector, respectively. There is also a balanced para-aramid reinforced cable with a 4.4mm connector. Another nice touch by Sennheiser is a serial numbered carrying case and a presentation box with a signed customer certificate as well as user manuals.

Next, let’s look at the IE 900’s. The IE 900’s physical characteristics are that unlike the IE 600’s these are made of a precision-milled and anodized aluminum housing. A five-axis CNC machine precision cuts each housing individually out of a solid block of aluminum. Once the aluminum is anodized the housing of the IE900’s are super resistant to showing signs of wear and corrosion. On top of that, the drivers in every pair of IE 900’s sold are matched during the manufacturing process to eliminate variance, which provides a totally accurate soundstage.

A huge point of separation between the IE 600’s and the IE 900’s is that the IE 900’s utilize what is referred to as and Acoustic Back Volume. What is that, you’re asking? It’s a small chamber within a chamber that Sennheiser has tuned to separate the low frequency and the mid-range frequency. The back volume helps to achieve a clear and natural sound signature by controlling the direction of the overall volume as it flows through the transducer system. The result of this is a very consistent and disciplined bass and mid-range listening experience.

Comfortable? Comfortable. Included with the IE 900 headphones are silicone ear adapters as well as three different elastic ear adapter sets in three different sizes. The “what’s in the box” for the IE 900’s is almost exactly the same as the IE 600’s except for one BIG difference. There is a balanced 4.4mm (quarter-inch) cable included for a connection to a hi-fi system in the home. Why have the best headphones in your ears and not be able to utilize them in your home system? Yeah, Sennheiser thought of that too.

Pros: Carefully designed headphones priced for all audiences.

Cons: Wired headphones are looked down on in favor of Bluetooth.

There are two certainties in life: taxes and kids not listening when their parents tell them to turn their music down. The JBL JR460NC Wireless Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Kids Headphones have a max volume set under 85dB to ensure that kids can use these and enjoy JBL sound quality safely.

These headphones were designed with kids in mind from the ground up. In addition to the max dB level, there’s Active Noise Cancelling to help them stay focused whether they’re learning online or listening to their favorite music. Google Fast Pair, a detachable audio cable, and Bluetooth capabilities make switching between devices a breeze. The built-in mic makes communicating with friends, classmates, or family easy. The controls are easy to use, and the battery has up to 20 hours of playtime with Active Noise Cancelling and 30 hours without.

These features are wrapped in child-friendly, safe materials that won’t damage or break. For parents and kids alike, these headphones are a clear winner for the best headphones under $100 for kids. As JBL says, “It’s never too early to appreciate JBL Safe Sound: quality sound has no age.”