The best headphones for you need to tick a variety of boxes. Naturally, you want them to sound good and if they benefit from nose-cancelling capabilities, then you want that to be effective, too. Comfort is another area you want to have covered, especially since some pairs can cause your ears to become hot pretty quickly, or they're perhaps too small for your head.
And then there's price. As you'll see from our list of the best headphones in Australia below, there are talented pairs to suit all budgets – while it's certainly possible to spend north of AU$500 on a new pair, you'll also find that you can find a great-sounding pair with plenty of features, for well under AU$200 too.
Whether you’re looking for the best sound quality, a worthwhile budget option or a versatile all-rounder, you’ll find the best headphones for you below.
The quick list
Get right to it with our easy-to-browse list of the best headphones for different needs. You can click to instantly jump to more full write-up of each model.
The best headphones for most people
Sony’s latest over-ears, the XM6s, now take the top spot on our list. Expect outstanding noise cancellation, excellent audio performance and a comfortable design. They are pricey, but if your budget stretches, they’re absolutely worth it.
The best low-price headphones
For under AU$200, these over-ears deliver a seriously impressive package. Customisable sound, strong ANC, and fantastic battery life. They're not the most solidly-built headphones ever, but for the price, it should be expected and forgiven.
The best premium headphones
They could easily be the best premium pick too, as there's no denying the Px8 S2 look and sound ever
The best for ANC
The Sony XM6s are excellent at noise cancellation, but our top pick goes to Bose. They offer class-leading ANC, detailed sound and a comfortable fit. They’re not cheap, but worth it if blocking out the world is your priority.
The best for battery life
If it's stamina you seek from a pair of headphones, you can't go past these Sennheisers, with up to 60 hours on a single charge with ANC on. They sound great, too.
The best affordable Sony buy
The WH-1000XM4 sat at the top of this list for years, but while they’ve now been replaced by the newer XM6s, they’re still a fantastic choice if you want Sony’s quality without paying top dollar.
December 12, 2025
Changed the guide to focus solely on over-ear headphones, so removed all pairs of earbuds. Moved the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 into the best premium spot, and removed the 'best for design' category. Updated the introduction also.
The best headphones in Australia 2025
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Here you'll find more in-depth reviews of the best headphones in Australia right now. Each entry has a direct link to its full review, written by TechRadar's team of audio experts.
The best headphones overall
✅ You want industry-leading ANC: These headphones deliver best-in-class noise cancelling, rivalling even Bose’s top models. Whether it’s urban noise, appliances, or office chatter, they effectively mute the outside world.
✅ You value advanced features: With LDAC, DSEE Extreme, adaptive ANC, customizable EQ, and spatial audio support, these headphones are built for serious audio fans.
❌ You’re trying to keep costs down: These are premium headphones with a premium price. For something more affordable, look at Sony WH-1000XM4 at #1 on the list or the 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 at #2 on the list.
❌ You need extended battery life: 30 hours per charge is respectable, but not standout.
The Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones are the most advanced the brand has ever made. We loved how they blend the design strengths of the XM4 and XM5 that came before them, and build on everything Sony’s already done well with noticeably better ANC and more expressive sound. Sony promised “improvements in every single way,” and this time the marketing line holds up.
The on-ear touch controls are sleek and intuitive, and elsewhere the headphones are packed with features. But it's the ANC that stands out the most here, thanks to Sony’s new QN3 processor and a whopping 12 microphones, you get world-class noise cancelling that we think just about outperforms the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. Public transport becomes blissfully quiet.
It's not all good news though, unfortunately. Battery life is average at 30 hours, which is passable given the power behind the ANC and you can use them while charging. They support fast charging too, with a quick three-minute charge giving you three hours of playtime, which is a big win if you're on the go. The Sony Headphones Connect app is also excellent, with EQ settings, adaptive sound control, LDAC higher-res wireless, and a neat spatial mode for more immersive audio.
The 30mm drivers combined with that new QN3 chip deliver punchy bass, detailed mids, and sparkling treble. It’s a clean, balanced listen, whether you're tuning into a podcast or getting lost in an album. Those 12 mics don’t just help with ANC either, they make call quality crisp and reliable.
Design-wise, they’re incredibly comfy. Lightweight with a wider headband and snug fit. They fold, unlike the XM5s, which means they’re more portable again. The hinges feel sturdier, the case is more compact, and the overall finish is smoother and more refined. There's still no waterproofing, though, and some might find them a bit bulky on the head compared to a few alternatives.
They're not cheap at AU$699, and the price bump over the Sony WH-1000XM5 is notable. But if you're after class-leading ANC that also comes with all the best smart features, this is the all-rounder you're after. They're just kept from being further up the list by the superior sound of the B&W Px7 S3 at #3 in the list.
Read our full Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones review
The best budget headphones
✅ You want surprisingly good ANC: They block out background noise better than you'd expect for the price, with a handy passthrough mode.
✅ You’re on a budget: At under AU$200, they pack in solid sound and features without draining your wallet.
❌ You want audiophile-level sound: Yes, they sound great for the price, but they don’t quite reach the rich, detailed heights of premium headphones.
❌ You want a luxury finish: They look sleek enough, but the build feels a bit plasticky – if you're after something ultra-sturdy or high-end, they might not hit the mark.
If you want great over-ear headphones without spending a fortune, the 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 are hard to beat, and are our top budget pick. They pack in a lot for the price, including solid active noise cancellation, a whopping 100 hours of battery life, and surprisingly decent sound.
The 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 go big on features. You get ANC and a transparency mode, LDAC support for higher-quality Bluetooth streaming, and up to 100 hours of battery life – that’s if you turn off LDAC and ANC, but there’s still an impressive 65 hours with ANC on. In our testing, we found that ANC performance is better than expected for the price, easily clamping down on background chatter, traffic and general noise. The passthrough mode does a good job of helping you to stay aware of your surroundings.
Sound quality is seriously respectable here. While they don’t match more premium pairs of headphones we've tested, the audio is clear and pleasingly bassy. You can adjust the EQ through the companion app if you’d prefer a more balanced profile, and this had good results too. In general, there's an energy and dynamism to them that's easily lost in cheaper headphones – especially if the budget has gone on supporting lots of other features too. There's no feeling of being short-changed here on sound.
We found them comfortable enough to wear for long sessions, thanks to soft padding and a lightweight frame. They also look pretty slick, with a matte finish and sleek forward-tilted design. The build is where you feel the price a little – the buttons and headband are more plasticky than more premium headphones – but they’re still perfectly durable for everyday use.
For under AU$200, you’re getting a strong all-rounder here. These over-ears are comfy, capable, long-lasting, and good-looking. If you’re after an affordable pair of headphones with premium features, the Sonoflow Pro HQ51 are a standout budget pick.
Read our full 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 review
The best premium headphones
✅ You appreciate sophisticated industrial design: These headphones are incredibly well made, and don't around shouting about it.
✅ Sound quality is your top priority: If you’re in it for pure audio performance, these deliver in spades. The positives massively outweigh the negatives.
❌ You demand the very best ANC available: They handle noise well, but they’re not class-leading in this area. The ANC is “very good” rather than jaw-droppingly great.
❌ You like your luxury loud and proud: They ooze premium quality, but in a quiet, confident way. If you want big logos or a design that screams “I spent a lot on these,” the Px8 S2’s are more understated.
The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 are the very epitome of luxury. Hailing from the esteemed British hi-fi brand, these over-ear, wireless ANC headphones place a strong focus on sound quality. In fact, we simply cannot fault the audio performance on offer here. If you want the most musically convincing noise-cancellers in their class, these are it – although if you demand the very strongest ANC above all else, look elsewhere.
B&W hasn’t reinvented the wheel with these headphones, just refined it. In the Px8 S2 you get 40mm carbon-cone drivers, Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC/AAC plus aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless, USB-C audio, and around 30 hours of battery life with fast charging. The ‘Music’ control app is excellent too, with an EQ and wear-sensor controls.
The audio here is big, open and properly organised. They're capable of building a spacious, coherent sound stage, and they manage to dig out fine detail and swing through dynamic shifts easily. Bass is deep, textured and controlled. Mids are articulate and expressive for voices, and highs have bite. Tonality sits on the neutral side, so they flatter a wide range of genres and don’t fall apart with lower-quality streams – though they clearly do a better job with better sources.
Design and comfort levels match the sound. The aluminium and nappa leather look and feel expensive without shouting about it, the 310g frame is well balanced, and the fit is plush for long sessions. ANC is very good rather than Bose-level great, but the trade-off is worth it. If you value musicality, insight and elegant execution, the Px8 S2 are the best premium wireless headphones to beat.
Read our full Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 review
The best headphones for ANC
✅ You want class-leading ANC: Look, the XM6s at the top of this guide do ANC fantastically well too, but Bose has long been a leader in terms of noise-nixing and these headphones truly deliver.
✅ You want comfort and practicality: They're incredibly comfortable to wear, look slick and fold up, making them portable, too.
❌ You want hi-res audio support: You can use a wired connection for high-quality sound, but if you’re looking for aptX or USB digital Hi-Res Audio certification, the QuietComfort Ultra won’t deliver.
❌ You want marathon battery life: At 24 hours, battery life is decent. But it falls well short of rivals, which can offer more than double the time these days.
If quality audio and ultimate silence are your top priorities, then the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are our top pick. Bose pioneered active noise cancellation, and the ANC here is among the most effective we’ve ever experienced.
We tested them across as many noisy environments as possible, including long-haul flights and busy buses to crowded city streets, the TechRadar office, and at home. In every case, they shut out distractions with remarkable consistency. If what you want is silence and focus, these are hard to beat. That said, the cheaper Bose QuietComfort Headphones perform almost as well for ANC, though they can’t quite match the Ultras for audio quality.
Audio quality is a clear step up from Bose’s previous models. Even with ANC on, the sound is powerful and stunningly detailed. “Some of the most alive, exciting, textured, finely resolved, deeply engaging music I've ever heard from a pair of wireless headphones,” as we wrote in our review.
There are some drawbacks. Battery life is just 24 hours, which feels underwhelming when many rivals reach more than double that now. The Ultras also only support Snapdragon Sound for higher-quality audio, with no LDAC, aptX, or USB-C hi-res input. And no, they’re not cheap. But, as we said in our review: “From the moment you start using them, they feel worth every penny.” If those aren’t dealbreakers, though, the overall package more than lives up to the “Ultra” name and they provide the best noise-nixing around.
While we are recommending the Bose QC Headphones here as our top ANC pick, it is worth mentioning that a new 2nd gen set of has just landed and we're in the process of reviewing those – we have high hopes given they’re expected to deliver even better ANC, USB-C audio and a much-needed battery bump.
Read our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones review
The best headphones for battery life
✅ You like a very minimalist aesthetic: Not everyone wants blingy and overtly branded tech. If you want people to wonder what those Sony-alternative cans are, these are probably the set for you.
✅ You want a battery life that lasts for days: 60 hours. Six, zero. Yes really – with ANC on.
❌ You want supremely portable listening gear: A carry case is included, but these Sennheiser cans only lay flat and can't fold up for easy transport.
❌ You like your headgear to do the talking: These aren't stylish conversation-starter cans. They sound excellent, but they don't necessarily scream it.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless have incredible battery life, extensive feature set, and zealous sound that'll have you nodding your head happily wherever you go, not to mention some very talented noise cancellation that adapts to your surroundings.
These are an evolution to the November 2019-issue Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless headphones, which we commended for their excellent sound, feature set and active noise-cancellation (ANC) while feeling disappointed by its underwhelming 17-hour battery life. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless now boast a whopping 60-hour battery life even with ANC deployed, eliminating our main downside to the third generation Sennheiser Momentum headphones entirely.
The sound quality and battery life are excellent here and the ANC truly shines, particularly as it is so easily adjustable with the ability to control it by 'pinching' the right ear cup in the same way you would to pan in and out of photos on your smartphone. If you want fantastic noise-cancelling in a design that boasts strong battery life, these are for you.
The Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 are a worthy alternative here with a mammoth 100-hour battery life, but they're hard to come by in Australia right now. If that changes, they'll earn themselves a spot on this list.
Read our full Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless review
The best affordable Sony buy
✅ You want versatile headphones that sound good: The Sony WH-1000XM4s deliver hgh-quality sound in a lightweight folding design.
✅ You're working from home and need some peace and quiet: With the volume turned up and the noise cancelling on, the WH-1000XM4s will isolate you from everything around you.
❌ You plan on bringing them to the gym or beach: A looser fit and lack of water-resistance should make you think twice before putting them inside your gym bag.
❌ You take tons of conference calls: While these are great for travel, their call quality isn't that strong.
The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones sat at the top of this guide – and were our top pick for most people – for a very long time. They’ve now been outdone by the Sony WH-1000XM6s, which are an upgrade in almost every way. But we’re still recommending the XM4s here as our best choice if you want Sony quality at a lower price.
We think the XM4s will still suit a lot of readers. Especially since they've had a permanent price drop and they’re often discounted during sales events. They make a lot of sense if you can find them for less than other premium headphones, while still delivering excellent all-round performance.
These over-ear headphones sound weighty yet well-balanced, with a warm and inviting tone. They're generous with the bass, but not overly so. The active noise cancellation is very strong too, and though it's been notably bettered by the Sony XM6, again, it's great for the price.
The WH-1000XM4 headphones also support Sony’s 360 Reality Audio format, which delivers spatial audio on stereo headphones, plus the LDAC codec that can send a bitrate of up to 990 kbps. However, it no longer supports aptX or aptX HD, so your hi-res audio support mileage may vary.
Regardless, these are a wonderful pair of wireless over-ear headphones and deliver exactly what they promise (and then some) thanks to their exceptional noise cancellation and cutting-edge codec support
Read our full Sony WH-1000XM4 review
Other headphones to consider
Apple AirPods Max: Refined and detailed sounds, superb active noise cancellation, amazing spatial audio for movies, and a load of useful smart features when used with Apple devices. So what's the catch? Well, the high price, for one – these cost a lot, and you can get similar audio performance for less. We also noted in our AirPods Max review that they're heavy and have quite a clamping fit. Plus you need to be all-in on Apple for them to be worthwhile value. They're very good, but in terms of total value, we prefer what's in the list above.
Bose QuietComfort Headphones: Love the idea of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones above but can't quite justify the price? Read our Bose QuietComfort Headphones review. These older over-ears aren't as good as the Ultras, but they're still comfortable, ANC is excellent and sound is very good indeed. If you can afford the Ultras, have at it. Otherwise, they're a solid alternative – and still have the Bose stamp of approval.
Nothing Headphone (1): It's unfortunate that sound quality lets these headphones down, because otherwise they're technically impressive and have a very interesting and bold design. Take a look at our full Nothing Headphone (1) review to find out more. And fingers crossed for what Nothing does next with its over-ears, as the update might be great.
Sonos Ace: Sonos' first headphones are a very premium price, and have a design to match. But the audio quality for music is a step behind the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones we recommend above. However, we absolutely loved them for their movie performance and spatial audio, either when used with a Sonos soundbar or with any Dolby Atmos-capable device – if you're a big movie fan, you should still read our Sonos Ace review.
How to choose the best headphones for you
One of the key parts of being able to choose the best headphones for you is knowing what you're talking/reading about. There's a lot of jargon around headphones, so here's an explanation of all the key terms you'll need to know when buying headphones today.
3.5mm jack: The classic wired connection for headphones – not all of today’s wireless headphones support this, though, so we make sure to highlight it, for when only wired use will do.
Active noise cancellation (ANC): A way of processing audio to counteract extraneous sounds around you and remove them from what you’re hearing. Microphones on the outside of the headphones listen for ambient external sounds, then create an ‘antiphase’ (often called ‘anti-noise’) soundwave, which is mixed into your music to ‘cancel out’ the ambient noise. This means you can listen to music at lower volume levels, or can hear podcasts more clearly.
aptX: A higher-quality audio streaming system from compatible devices, that works over Bluetooth, but is capable of streaming higher-resolution files. There are multiple versions of aptX, but in new headphones you are mostly likely to see aptX Adaptive, which can work at different quality levels depending on connection strength. You may also see a reference to aptX Lossless, which is part of aptX Adaptive, and is the highest-quality connection the tech currently offers. There is also aptX Voice, which is designed to make your voice clearer on calls, and is also part of aptX Adaptive.
Auracast: A new Bluetooth connection system, still in its early stages. It enables you to connect Auracast-ready headphones to any Auracast transmission source without needing to ‘pair’ your headphones in the usual Bluetooth method, meaning that you could connect to a TV in a bar to hear a sports game, or connect to your airport gate to hear announcements. It was developed for hearing-aid use, but will be supported by a large number of headphones due to its convenience.
Bluetooth: The technology that effectively all headphones rely on for a wireless connection. It is capable of supporting many different music streaming technologies, including aptX, LDAC and LHDC. The two standard and most common streaming technologies are called SBC and AAC, and are supported on the vast majority of earbuds. There are many different versions of Bluetooth, and higher versions enable newer features such as Bluetooth LE Audio or Auracast – however, supporting a new version of Bluetooth doesn’t guarantee that these technologies are supported, so always check the specs. Bluetooth 5.4 is the latest version at the time of writing, though Bluetooth 5.3 is more common, and supports every major Bluetooth feature.
Bluetooth LE Audio: The next-gen version of Bluetooth’s standard music streaming technology, which is technically called LC3. LC3 is capable of delivering higher-quality music than SBC or AAC while using less power – or much higher quality at the same level of power use. There are limited models that currently support LE Audio, and even fewer phones that support it. We hope that will change in the future.
Dolby Atmos: A spatial audio format used in both music and movies. Instead of music being encoded into ‘channels’, different parts of the audio are encoded as ‘objects’ that can be positioned in 3D space, meaning that they can be heard in specific and realistic positions.
Drivers: The part of the headphones that make the sound – often called speakers. The type used on almost all headphones and earbuds are ‘dynamic’ drivers, which are the traditional cone-shaped speakers you see on loudspeakers, just smaller (usually between 5mm and 13mm on earbuds, and between 20mm and 50mm on headphones). However, some headphones use ‘planar magnetic’ drivers, which are more precise and favored by audiophiles, but are typically more expensive and harder to produce.
EQ: This is the short term for ‘equalizer’, which is a way to adjust the sound balance of a pair of headphones, to enable you to increase or decrease the bass tones, mid-range and treble. Many wireless headphones these days come with an app that enables you to control the EQ, either by choosing presents for different genres (such as rock, classical or pop), or by giving you a series of sliders to adjust these frequencies yourself. EQs are split into ‘bands’, so a three-band EQ has three sliders: one for bass, one for mid, one for treble. A nine-band EQ has nine sliders, giving you finer control across the sound range.
Hi-Res Audio: High-resolution audio is music that has been digitally stored with much more information in the file than the more compressed versions you get if you use MP3 files, or stream from Spotify. We have a whole guide on what Hi-Res Audio is, but the idea is that you can hear more detail in your music, so they’re closer to the original recordings. Hi-Res files also tend to offer more dynamic range, and expansiveness, so they sound more natural. This all depends on the headphones being good enough to express this extra quality level, of course – you will find that many headphones are ‘Hi-Res Certified’, but this is just on a technical level, not a quality level. Most of the best streaming services support some kind of Hi-Res Audio files now, though they’re a lot larger than the lower-quality files we’re used to before, so some services won’t default to playing these files unless you’re on a Wi-Fi network.
In-ear: This means that a pair of earbuds has tips that fit into your ear canal. You may see the term ‘IEM’ used, which means ‘In-ear monitor’ – this is a particular kind of in-ear bud favored by professionals, and it’s often used even in consumer wired earbuds to say that a pair of earbuds is very high-quality and will have a very noise-isolating fit.
Find My: Both Apple and Android phones have a system that enables them to find lost devices, and some headphones support this. On iPhones, it’s simply called Find My. On Android, it’s called Find My Device. Some headphones have a custom version of this feature based on their app, rather than the version built into the phone software. The built-in version is strongly preferable.
Head tracking: On headphones that support spatial audio, head tracking is an additional piece of processing whereby the headphones can detect the movement of your head from the source device, and use it to make the 3D sound of Dolby Atmos or other spatial formats feel more true to life. It means that the sound you’re listening to doesn’t have to move with you when you move your head – it can sound more like you’re sitting in a room of speakers, even when you’re wearing headphones.
LDAC: This is a higher-quality music streaming technology that works over Bluetooth, much like aptX. It was developed by Sony, and is heavily supported by the company’s products, and support is possible on Android phones, and many of the best portable music players.
LHDC: This is another higher-quality music streaming technology, and a rival to aptX and LDAC: It is also possible for Android phones to support it.
Lossless: Lossless music is essentially music that has been streamed/transmitted using technology that doesn’t lose detail from the original file. The original files of a music recording are very large, and must be reduced for efficient streaming or download. MP3 is a ‘lossy’ technology, which means it removes information from the track in order to make it much smaller. Other file types, such as FLAC (used by Tidal) and ALAC (used by Apple Music) are lossless, which means that the files are larger than MP3, but they retain all the original audio information. Read more in our dedicated audio file format explainer.
Multi-point Bluetooth: A newer Bluetooth feature that enables your headphones to be paired with two (or even three, in rare cases) devices at the same time, so you can switch between them instantly, without needing to disconnect and reconnect, or re-pair, your headphones each time.
Noise isolation: This refers to the passive ability of a pair of headphones or earbuds to isolate you from ambient sounds, without using the processing of active noise cancellation. So it refers to the way that earbuds also act like earplugs to block outside sound, or the way that over-ear headphones provide a seal around your ears to do the same thing.
On-ear: An on-ear fit refers to headphones with a small earpad that sits directly on your auricle (the part of the ear that’s outside the head). This tends to provide a less-perfect seal for noise isolation than over-ear headphones, and some find it less comfortable – but some prefer it.
Over-ear: An over-ear fit means the earpads of the headphones are larger, and sit around your auricle, so your whole ear is encompassed within their seal. This is the fit of choice for the best noise-cancelling headphones, because it provides the best passive noise isolation, which they can then enhance with active noise cancellation.
Planar magnetic: This type of speaker driver can be more precise and dynamic than the dynamic drivers used in most headphones, and is a favorite of audiophiles. However, it’s expensive and hard to power, meaning that headphones that use it tend to be heavy and pricey.
Snapdragon Sound: This is a combination of wireless technologies designed to provide a better experience if you have both a phone and pair of headphones that support it. It combines the higher-quality streaming of aptX with other features designed to reduce the latency of the Bluetooth connection (ie, how long it takes to transmit the sound), to improve the quality of voice calls, and to improve the overall reliability of the connection. ‘Snapdragon’ is a series of chips made by Qualcomm, and are used in many Android phones. Read more in our in-depth Snapdragon Sound explainer.
Spatial audio: A generic term used to describe various types of 3D sound technologies used in headphones. Apple uses it to refer to its own particular mix of Dolby Atmos support with head tracking. Other brands may use it for equivalent features, but there’s no rule as to exactly what it means, other than that the idea is to make the sound feel like it’s coming from all around you, not right in your ears – think Dirac Virtuo, DTS:X, THX and of course Dolby Atmos. It’s especially good with movies, where it can recreate the home theater experience in headphones.
Transparency mode: A variation of active noise cancellation. Instead of blocking the outside noise, the processing actually mixes ambient noise into your music intelligently, so you can hear what’s going on around you without overwhelming your music. That way, you can hear a train announcement, have a conversation, or be aware of traffic. Different manufacturers call this mode different things – it may be something like ‘Aware mode’, “HearThru’ or ‘Ambient mode’. We tend to call it ‘Transparency mode’ as a rule, to make it easy to compare products in our guide.
USB-C Audio: Some headphones offer the ability to play digital audio from a computer or phone when connected by a USB-C cable, and the advantage of this is that it can support extremely high-quality resolution tracks – far beyond what any version of Bluetooth currently supports. For audiophiles, a pair of headphones that can do both wireless for convenience and USB-C Audio for wired Hi-Res Audio playback, can be preferential.
How we test the best headphones
☑️ More than 2,400 audio reviews
☑️ 15 years of product testing
☑️ Over 16,000 products reviewed in total
☑️ Nearly 200,000 hours testing tech
When it comes to the best headphones, we focus on sound quality above everything else. We look at both wired and wireless cans and earbuds that would appeal to audiophiles, as well as those working in professional roles.
However, we also appreciate that budget is important too, so we compare like for like, picking out budget headphones that perform admirably for the price.
We also look at other features such as ANC, battery life, fit, and of course the usability and extra perks offered by any companion apps. Of course, design and whether they look (and feel) good all adds to the model's desirability – and this is noted as we listen to music across a wide range of genres over several days.
We have tested all of the headphones in this guide extensively, spending plenty of time analyzing the sound, fit, design, specs, and value for money so that you will be able to choose a product you'll be over the moon with.
FAQ
Which brand is best for headphones?
There's no one perfect headphone brand out there. It all depends on your budget, audio needs, the features you want, and even the comfort or design involved with the headphones.
That's why we've included numerous headphones covering different price ranges and feature sets. While major brands like Sony and Bose may stand out most, relative newcomers to the headphone scene such as Technics prove the high-street brands aren't always the outright best.
What are the best headphones for working out?
When it comes to finding the best headphones for working out, the first thing you will need to determine is if they're water resistant. The last thing you want is to ruin your new pair of headphones because they aren't prepared for dealing with the sweat that comes with most exercise.
The next thing to consider is fit. Many people choose to go for true-wireless earbuds when working out due to their portability, however this style does come with some downsides. Without wires and being so small, it's pretty easy for them to pop out of your ear while you're bouncing around and can then get lost.
For this reason, our pick for the best headphones for working out are the Powerbeats Pro 2, or even the Beats Fit Pro. These true wireless earbuds that employ clever designs to ensure they remain locked into your ears. The sound profile differs between the two pairs, and they have differing sets of features, so the best pair for you will likely come down to personal preference.
Are wired headphones better than wireless?
Generally speaking, wired headphones do deliver better sound quality than wireless headphones. But audio tech has seen so much positive advancement in recent years that many of the best wireless headphones offer more than enough performance to ensure you're unlikely to notice a difference.
We often still recommend that strict audiophiles continue to opt for wired headphones, but for everyone else it will be mostly down to personal preference.
The latest updates to this best headphones in Australia guide
December 12, 2025
Changed the guide to focus solely on over-ear headphones, so removed all pairs of earbuds. Moved the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 into the best premium spot, and removed the 'best for design' category. Updated the introduction also. Added the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless back into the guide as the 'best for battery life' pick. October 10, 2025
Conducted a full check of the guide. Replaced the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds with their second-generation successor as the 'best earbuds for ANC'. Moved the Sony XM6 to the top spot. June 3, 2025 Replaced the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless with the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 as the 'Best Premium' choice based on our testing. Replaced the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones with the Sony WH-1000XM6 as the 'Best headphones for ANC'. May 8, 2025 Added a new Quick List menu of all featured pairs of headphones to provide quick summaries for each pick. Added the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 earbuds as the 'best earbuds for sound'
