GoKawiilThere are plenty of headphones to choose from. Whether you want them over-the-ear, like the AirPods Max 2 or the in-ear like the AirPods 4. Then there are countless features, like active noise cancellation and spatial audio, that almost instantly make you a audiophile while you search for the perfect pair. That endless maze of research stops here.
Our readers chose CNET's People's Picks to share their favorite headphones with you. CNET's People's Picks is a survey-powered awards program where our readers tell us about the products they love and use the most. Listen up, here's what they recommend.
CNET's People's Picks
Viva Tung/CNET Sony Sony is the overall People's Pick winner for the best headphone brand. It wins in several categories, including comfort and audio quality. Sony's over-the-ear headphones, the WH-1000XM6 is CNET's best headphone pick for its noise cancellation and battery life -- two more awards the brand gets recognition for. Winner: Audio quality, active noise cancellation, battery life, comfort, deep focus and creativity, over-the-ear wireless headphones, sleep and relaxation, and video editing
Viva Tung/CNET Apple Apple is a household brand we're all familiar with, and its AirPods are well-loved for a few reasons: call quality, ease of use and connectivity. Apple wins for both wireless earbuds, giving a nod to the AirPods and AirPods Pro models, but also the wired earbuds, EarPods, that Apple offers. They're still a part of readers' homes and heads. Wins for: Brand loyalty, call quality, durability, earbuds, ease of use and connectivity, listening to music, audiobooks and podcasts
Viva Tung/CNET Sennheiser CNET experts say that if you want the best sound quality, wired headphones are the way to go. And readers say Sennheiser is it. Sennheiser offers high-quality wired and wireless headphones at an affordable price for audiophiles, such as the Sennheiser HD 505 and Sennheiser 660S2. Wins for: Wired headphones
Which headphones should you pick: wired or wireless?
Choosing between wired and wireless headphones boils down to how you want to connect to hear sound. Wired headphones mean you won't have to worry about Bluetooth connectivity issues or battery life, whereas wireless headphones give you the freedom to avoid tangled wires and keep your phone in your pocket while using your earbuds. You'll also want to make sure there's a headphone jack since most smartphones don't include it anymore. Based on CNET's findings, most respondents have wireless earbuds.
By brand, Apple is the most popular pick for both wired and wireless earbuds, with popular models including the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Max and AirPods Max 2. Sennheiser wins for wired headphones, while Sony wins for wireless headphones. Here's a closer look:
Over-the-ear or in-ear headphones
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