Top Headphones 2023

The Sennheiser GSP 370 wireless gaming headset delivers strong audio quality but a dearth of connection options and extra features.

The Sennheiser PXC 550-II are very good for commuting or travel. Thanks to their well-padded design, they're comfortable and can be worn for extended periods without fatigue or soreness. They also have a very good battery life, great for long flights. Their ANC performance is also great, and they do an effective job of blocking out the engine noise on a plane or bus. Unfortunately, they aren't the most portable, though they do fold flat and come with a soft carrying case to give them some protection.

The SteelSeries Arctis 9X are good for wireless gaming. They're comfortable enough to wear for long gaming sessions, and they're wirelessly compatible with Xbox One, thanks to Xbox Wireless Technology. Their boom microphone lets you easily communicate with your teammates, and the SteelSeries Engine software offers many gaming-oriented customization options. However, some users have experienced issues regarding their units disconnecting on their own. They have also noted that the audio stutters, sounds muffled, or there's a clicky sound present, which can be annoying while gaming.

The Focal Stellia are decent for neutral sound; they have a fairly balanced sound with overall good audio reproduction. They have deep, punchy bass, good treble, and an even and flat mid-range. However, their bass response is sensitive to fit, and whether you wear glasses, their mid-range is a bit overemphasized, which can make vocals and leads sound slightly forward, and their treble is somewhat veiled, which can negatively affect brightness and detail. Overall, they sound versatile enough to accommodate most genres of music and are comfortable enough to wear for long periods.

The HyperX Cloud Flight are decent wireless gaming headphones. They have a fairly well-balanced and excited sound profile that gives gunshots and explosions a good amount of thump and rumble, without drowning out dialogue during cut-scenes. They have a very good detachable boom microphone that's able to separate your voice from background noises, making them suitable for use in loud environments. They work wirelessly with very low latency when used with a PC, PS4, and PS5 consoles with their USB receiver, but unfortunately, they don't work wirelessly with Xbox One. Their comfortable design and long battery life make them good for long gaming marathons, though they'll likely cause your ears to get fairly warm after a few hours.

Good for neutral listening. The BRAINWAVZ HM5 are comfortable headphones you can wear for long listening sessions with a balanced sound profile that caters well to all genres. They have a good amount of bass that doesn't overpower instruments and vocals in the mid-range, and their treble doesn't sound overly sharp. Unfortunately, despite their large ear cups, they're closed-back headphones that can't create a soundstage as spacious as the open-back neutral listening models.

The Audio-Technica MSR7NC are good for neutral sound. They're comfortable enough to wear for hours and have a well-balanced sound profile. Their bass extends into the lower frequencies, which gives a good kick without being overpowering, so you can still clearly distinguish instruments and vocals. However, there's a slight bump in the high-mid/low-treble that may push instruments a bit too forward on some tracks, which could sound a bit harsh.

Great sound quality for neutral listening. The K701 are super comfortable and have a great audio reproduction. Bass mids and treble are well balanced, and the large and open ear cups give these headphones a spacious and immersive soundstage. They're treble can be somewhat inconsistent a bit sharp but overall they have a good sound that will please most neutral listeners.

The Corsair HS65 Wireless is a headset that is very similar to the

Even though it’s big and costs $499, the Yamaha YH-L700A is a good alternative to the AirPods Max when it comes to spatial audio.