Top Headphones 2023

The HyperX Cloud II is attractive for many reasons, including its modular and comfortable design, premium build quality, great 7.1 surround and stereo sound, and affordable price. It's also great for laptop gamers since it obviates the need for a dedicated sound card, and overall is one of the best headsets I've ever used.

Sony's WH-1000XM3 headphones feature some of the best audio performance we've heard paired from a pair that also boasts excellent noise cancellation.

The HyperX Cloud Alpha offers a winning mix of affordability, comfort, and outstanding audio quality. The dual-chamber driver design produces superior sound, but I do wish Kingston didn’t do away with the 7.1 surround sound found on the Cloud II. Also on my wishlist is for Kingston to develop a wireless version of the headset. Still, you’d be hard pressed to find a better sounding, more comfortable headset than the Cloud Alpha for the price. Unless, of course, you opt for the HyperX Cloud II and its convincing 7.1 virtual surround sound.

The Beyerdynamic MMX 150 is a solidly made, if a bit pricey, gaming headset with a lot of parts that can be replaced and good basics. It has some nice extra features, but they can only be used with a wired USB connection.

The HiFiMan Ananda are great for neutral sound and are some of the best sounding headphones we've tested. They have a well-balanced sound that caters to all genres, with a good amount of bass and an accurate representation of the instruments and vocals in the mid-range. They also have an excellent soundstage that will feel large and open. They're comfortable to wear for hours, although they're not quite as breathable as other open-back over-ears. They're a great choice for any neutral listener. If you don't mind a bit less bass, check out our review of the Stax SR-L300. They have a similar performance for neutral listening, and some may prefer their sound thanks to their Electrostatic drivers, although the slight lack of bass does mean they won't be ideal for all listeners and genres.

Overall, if you're looking for a premium headset that offers excellent sound quality and doubles as a stylish pair of headphones, the Razer Barracuda Pro is worth considering.

The Grado GW100x forego almost all the niceties of modern wireless headphones, but they deliver the fundamentals with some style, and they might be exactly what wire-hating audiophiles have been waiting for.

The Grado SR80x Prestige Series headphones are unique. They have a light, comfortable design with a distinctive aesthetic that sits on (rather than over) your ears. Their open-back style means you'll experience sound leakage – be wary where you use them – but they deliver a clear and punchy experience that's a delight to listen to.

Edifier Stax Spirit S3 offer a beautifully detailed, expansive and energetic listen that lasts and lasts – for days. As long as the lack of active noise cancellation on the spec sheet doesn't bother you, they're a winning (and great looking) set of headphones.

Fitted with graphene drivers that are much more rigid and more lightweight than standard drivers, the Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed delivers incredibly detailed audio with an amazing soundscape – just the perfect headset for competitive gaming. It’s very mids forward, which almost sounds too much when surround sound is turned on, but that’s not a deal-breaker. Our only question is, is it worth all that effort?