From Budget to Premium: 10 Best Bluetooth Headphones in 2025

Price: $399

Battery: 30 to 35 hours

Sony got everything right here. The XM5s are lighter than the previous XM4s and sit easier on the head. The noise cancellation is some of the best out there — it blocks traffic, chatter, and even office noise without that weird pressure feeling.

Sound is clean. The bass hits but doesn’t drown out the mids or highs. The microphones pick up your voice clearly on calls, even in busy places.

You get touch controls that actually respond, plus a quick attention mode that lowers the volume when you cover one ear. It supports LDAC for better quality audio if you're using it with a compatible phone.

No water resistance though, and they don’t fold anymore.

Price: $429

Battery: About 24 hours

Bose knows comfort. The QC Ultra headphones are some of the easiest to wear for long sessions. No tight clamp, just soft pads and a lightweight frame.

Noise cancelling is excellent. Not quite as customizable as Sony, but it’s strong and consistent. They added immersive audio this time — it's their version of spatial sound, and it works well with movies and podcasts.

Sound is warm. Vocals stand out, and nothing feels overdone. Not made for heavy bass lovers though.

Great call quality, supports multipoint connection, and works with both Android and iOS without issues.

The case is large and battery life is just okay.

Price: $549

Battery: 20 hours

If you’re deep in the Apple ecosystem, this is the one that makes sense. Pairing is instant, switching between devices is seamless, and the spatial audio is genuinely cool if you watch a lot of content.

Build quality is premium. Aluminum earcups, mesh headband, and memory foam pads. They’re heavy though. Not uncomfortable, but not ideal for moving around a lot.

Noise cancelling is strong. Transparency mode is the best on the market — it sounds natural, not robotic.

The sound profile is wide and adaptive, meaning it adjusts based on your fit and environment. Mic quality is sharp too.

No power button, which is annoying. They turn off only when placed in their case, which is a weird design choice.

Price: $379

Battery: 60+ hours

If battery life matters to you, this is the one. Over 60 hours with ANC on — no joke.

Sound is very clean. Not too much bass, not too flat either. Vocals and instruments come through clearly. It’s great for people who like detail and listen to a range of genres.

ANC is adaptive and works well in most situations. Not the best for airplane engines, but solid in day-to-day life.

Build is light but feels premium. It’s comfortable for long sessions — no pressure on the head, and the cups are soft.

The mic is fine, not amazing. And the design is plain, kind of forgettable.

Price: $399

Battery: 30 hours

Not everyone talks about these, but they should. Sound is rich and natural, especially good for vocals, acoustic, and jazz. They’re tuned for clarity, not punchy bass.

ANC is strong, though not quite up to Sony or Bose. It uses hybrid tech, blending external and internal mics to adjust on the fly.

These headphones are heavier than others on this list, but they feel premium — nice materials, firm build, padded well.

No auto-pause when you take them off, which is a miss. The companion app is basic too.

Mic is above average, totally usable for calls.

Price: $349

Battery: 40 hours (ANC off), 24 hours (ANC on)

These lean more toward the casual listener who likes bass and wants something simple. Bass is boosted, but not as muddy as older Beats models.

ANC is better than expected — works well in gyms and public transport. The transparency mode is decent too.

They support spatial audio and even USB-C lossless audio, which is rare. And yes, they work with Android just as well as with iOS now.

Fit is snug and secure, which is good for movement but gets warm after a while. Mic has improved a lot and works fine even with background noise.

Design still has that Beats look — not for everyone.

Price: $99

Battery: 40 hours

A solid budget option. You’re not getting audiophile-level sound here, but it’s more than enough for regular listening.

ANC is surprisingly good for the price. It cuts down office noise and general street sounds. Not as effective for lower frequencies like engines.

Sound is bassy out of the box but tweakable through the app. You can actually customize the EQ, which is rare in this price range.

Fit is light, build feels a bit plasticky but it’s not uncomfortable.

The mic is okay — works fine in quiet environments, struggles with wind or loud rooms.

Price: $599

Battery: 35 hours

These focus on elegance. High-end look, premium materials, and soft leather everywhere. They’re light and comfortable, especially if you wear them for hours.

Sound is natural. Not trying to impress you with bass — just well-tuned, clean audio that works for podcasts, classical, and chill music.

ANC is good, but not class-leading. It’s fine for office noise and occasional travel, not for loud commutes.

Mic is fine, not standout. Touch controls can lag sometimes.

You’re paying more for design and materials here.

Price: $299

Battery: 50 hours

This one often gets overlooked, but it’s a great all-rounder. Sound is balanced and works well with most genres. Nothing feels harsh or overdone.

ANC is adaptive and performs better than expected. It adjusts to your environment automatically.

Battery life is solid, and you can use them wired if needed.

Controls are easy to use, and the app lets you change EQ, set smart ambient features, and even tweak how much of your voice you hear during calls.

Mic is solid. Build quality is good but buttons feel a bit cheap.

Price: $349

Battery: 45 hours

For people who care about audio accuracy, this one hits. It's tuned like studio monitors — clean, neutral, no fake bass boost.

ANC uses a hybrid system and blocks out most daily noise without affecting the sound.

Mic is clear, works well on calls and meetings.

They’re a bit bulky but feel solid. Ear pads are plush and wide.

The app is powerful — lets you adjust filters, ANC modes, and even create custom sound profiles.

They’re not flashy, but they’re reliable and sound great.

Not everyone needs the most expensive headphones. What matters more is how you’re going to use them.

If you're traveling or commuting every day, noise cancellation should be your top priority. Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose QC Ultra are made for that. They block out everything from engine hum to office buzz, and they don’t crush your ears after a few hours.

If you’re on Team Apple and your phone, laptop, and tablet all have the Apple logo, then yeah — AirPods Max will make your life easier. They’re expensive, but they work well together with Apple devices in a way nothing else really does.

Want to save money without getting trash sound? Anker Soundcore Space One is way better than it has any right to be. It won’t beat Sony or Bose, but for under $100, it’s not trying to.

If you care about how your headphones look and feel, B&O and Bowers & Wilkins have that premium thing going on. Soft leather, clean design, and solid builds. They’re not the loudest, but they don’t need to be.

For workouts and loud environments, Beats Studio Pro might be more your speed. They’re tough, stay in place, and don’t mind sweat.

Bottom line — don’t pick headphones just because everyone else has them. Focus on what you need: Long battery? Get Sennheiser. Deep bass? Go with Beats. Clean sound with no gimmicks? Shure has you. Tight budget? Grab the Anker.

There’s no one perfect pair for everyone. But there is one that fits how you listen. And if you’re clear on that, you won’t waste your money.