Top Headphones 2023

The Skullcandy PLYR 2 is a relatively inexpensive, lightweight gaming headset that lets you cut the cord for $130.

The iClever BTH02 are sub-par for mixed usage. They have a plasticky build, so they may not be durable enough for use by children who like to play rough with their toys. Their on-ear fit isn't very adjustable and may not be comfortable for all listeners. On the plus side, they have a long battery life that should last throughout long road trips and don't leak that much noise.

The BlueParrott B450-XT is disappointing for office use. Some may not find it comfortable when worn for long periods. However, it can be used on either ear as the mic is flippable. It also has a long continuous battery life that can easily get you through your shift without dying and it has handy controls for taking phone calls at your desk.

The Koss Porta Pro are average-at-best mixed usage headphones. They are best used for critical listening or sports thanks to their well-balanced sound and lightweight, open design. They look identical to the old model but have a much greater range since they are wireless. However, their wireless implementation feels a bit lazy and they're now Bluetooth-only headphones so you cannot reduce the latency when watching movies by using an audio cable.

The SMS Audio STREET by 50 are below-average for mixed usage. They're bulky headphones that leak a lot and feel cheaply built. They're a little uncomfortable but have a decent but bass-heavy sound that might work for some listeners.

The Avantree HT5009 aren't intended for neutral sound, and you're going to be very disappointed if you're looking for balance. A lot of their sound profile is overemphasized, so mixes have intense thump, punch, and boom. Vocals and instruments are also harsh, while sibilants like cymbals are piercing. There's a massive dip in their low-mids too. While this is meant to help reduce bass bloat, it also thins out and nudges vocals and lead instruments to the back of the mix. Unfortunately, there's static present in our unit, and they have some issues localizing sound effects correctly.

V-Moda’s S-80 wireless headphones can transform into a personal speaker, but nothing about their performance is in line with their high price.

The Sony MDR-ZX110NC deliver a decent sound but a mediocre mixed usage experience. They feel cheaply built and poorly isolate listeners from ambient noise. They're a low budget pair for casual listening or recording thanks to their low leakage but lack too many features to be versatile enough for all use cases.

The Koss UR20 are not good as everyday headphones. They have a poor sound, poor isolation, and a cheap, fragile design.

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20+ headphones deliver rumbling bass and active noise cancellation for less than $70, but audio quality takes a big hit when noise cancellation is engaged.