Headphone Reviews
After the smartphone, headphones are the gadget we reach for most often in our daily lives. Here, The Verge tracks the best headphones for every budget and purpose, whether they be wireless, noise cancelling, in-ear, or over-ear. With all the big brands — from Bose and Beats to Sony and Sennheiser — and a few of the over-performing smaller ones, there’s a perfect pair of headphones out there for everyone, and we’ll have it covered.
Headphone Reviews Follow Follow After the smartphone, headphones are the gadget we reach for most often in our daily lives. Here, The Verge tracks the best headphones for every budget and purpose, whether they be wireless, noise cancelling, in-ear, or over-ear. With all the big brands — from Bose and Beats to Sony and Sennheiser — and a few of the over-performing smaller ones, there’s a perfect pair of headphones out there for everyone, and we’ll have it covered. The Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds reclaim the noise-canceling crown The new flagship earbuds are the best at ANC, if you can get a good seal in your ear. John Higgins Feb 12 Sony’s first clip earbuds don’t quite hit the mark The Sony LinkBuds Clip are comfortable with good sound, but are light on features for the price. John Higgins Jan 25 Latest In Headphone Reviews The best noise-canceling headphones to buy right now John Higgins and Chris Welch Jan 13 The best earbuds we’ve tested for 2026 John Higgins and Chris Welch Jan 8 8 Verge Score The Bose Ultra gen 2 earbuds are still chunky, but their ANC is incredible While the noise-canceling improvements are great, there’s not much to set them apart from the first gen. John Higgins Oct 31, 2025 Fractal made one of the most elegant gaming headsets I’ve ever used Cameron Faulkner Oct 10, 2025 Google Pixel Buds 2A review: the right kind of compromise David Pierce Oct 8, 2025 6 Verge Score Nothing Ear 3 review: work in progress Innovative earbuds with a microphone built into the charging case. Dominic Preston Oct 8, 2025 7 Verge Score Anker’s latest sleep buds can silence snoring Good for side sleepers but ANC kills battery life. Thomas Ricker Sep 20, 2025 9 Verge Score AirPods Pro 3 review: tripling down on a good thing Everything you already liked about these earbuds just got better. Victoria Song Sep 15, 2025 7 Verge Score Nothing Headphone 1 review: head-turning Bluetooth headphones these days are computers, and Nothing’s over-the-ear headphones will always remind you of that. Andru Marino Jul 1, 2025 Play 0 Sony WH-1000XM6 hands-on: back to the fold Better sound, better noise cancellation, and some design improvements, but a higher price. Chris Welch May 15, 2025 8 Verge Score Powerbeats Pro 2 review: the workout buds to beat The wait was worth it thanks to a host of smart updates to sound and fit. I guess heart rate monitoring is there, too. Victoria Song Feb 27, 2025 8 Verge Score Technics AZ100 earbuds review: audiophiles and multitaskers unite Three-way multipoint, even better sound, and a more comfortable design make these appealing if you’re willing to splurge. Chris Welch Feb 15, 2025 SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds review: earbuds for your PlayStation or Xbox SteelSeries brings its EQ audio expertise to consoles and mobile devices. Tom Warren Nov 22, 2024 8 Verge Score Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro review: light ’em up The company’s latest flagship earbuds might lack originality, but they nail sound quality, transparency mode, and voice call performance. Chris Welch Oct 9, 2024 9 Verge Score Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review: big upgrade, much smaller earbuds With a slew of improvements led by a far more comfortable design, Google’s latest earbuds are a compelling upgrade for Pixel owners. Chris Welch Sep 25, 2024 Apple AirPods 4 review: defying expectations The AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation are worth springing for compared to the regular pair. Both sound good, but the ANC works surprisingly well — most of the time. Chris Welch Sep 16, 2024 Shokz’s new bone conduction headphones have a clever solution for bass The OpenRun Pro 2 add USB-C charging, a dedicated speaker for bass, reduced vibration, and AI noise cancellation. Victoria Song Aug 28, 2024 The Shokz OpenFit Air would’ve been perfect if not for my glasses The bass is pretty good for open-ear fitness buds, but alas, my glasses foiled the ear hook design. Victoria Song Aug 24, 2024 Suunto’s new headphones finally made me appreciate bone conduction Usually, I’m all about the bass for workout headphones, so I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the Suunto Sonic and Wing. Victoria Song Jul 21, 2024 7 Verge Score Sonos Ace review: was it worth it? The first headphones from Sonos deliver on comfort, sound, and more — with a unique TV Audio Swap feature that’s very convenient (when it works). But the ongoing app fiasco casts a cloud over the company’s big moment. Chris Welch Jun 3, 2024 7 Verge Score Beats Solo 4 review: playing both sides Beats’ on-ear headphones get an overdue refresh with a more comfortable design, longer battery life, and wired audio over both USB-C and the 3.5mm jack — but no ANC. Chris Welch Apr 30, 2024 7 Verge Score Anker’s latest Soundcore Sleep earbuds actually improve slumber The Soundcore Sleep A20 are decent passive earbuds that are great for side sleepers, even if Anker overpromises. Thomas Ricker Apr 16, 2024 Sennheiser’s new fitness buds do heart rate tracking right For once, I didn’t have to worry about a fiddly fit getting in the way of heart rate tracking. Victoria Song Apr 8, 2024 8 Verge Score Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 review: redemption never sounded so good The company has always delivered on audio quality, but after stumbling with some bugs and hardware issues on the Momentum True Wireless 3 earbuds, Sennheiser is focusing on the little things — and it shows. Chris Welch Feb 29, 2024 6 Verge Score Bose’s Ultra Open Earbuds are its boldest, most unique earbuds yet With a design that clings to your outer ear, these earbuds are unlike anything the company has made before. Chris Welch Feb 15, 2024 Sony’s Pulse Explore earbuds deliver immersive audio and one very useful trick The first wireless earbuds from Sony’s PlayStation unit have unique planar magnetic drivers and an equally unique style. Chris Welch Nov 13, 2023 7 Verge Score Samsung Galaxy Buds FE review: sometimes the fit is everything These $100 earbuds offer good sound and impressive noise cancellation for the price, and they bring back the wing tip design of the Galaxy Buds Plus. Chris Welch Nov 10, 2023 8 Verge Score Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones review: predictable excellence With a traveler-friendly design and superb comfort, Bose’s latest flagship headphones right the course after the Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 — but they don’t come cheap. Chris Welch Oct 17, 2023 8 Verge Score Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds review: still great but a questionable ‘upgrade’ Spatial audio and voice call improvements are the main new features, but these earbuds are largely identical to last year’s QuietComfort Earbuds II otherwise. Chris Welch Sep 21, 2023 8 Verge Score Technics’ AZ80 earbuds have superb sound and one truly unique feature With sound quality worthy of Technics’ name and unique three-way multipoint, the EAH-AZ80 are a comprehensive package worth their $300 price. Chris Welch Aug 5, 2023 8 Verge Score Sony WF-1000XM5 noise-canceling earbuds review: better in every way — for now Sony’s latest flagship earbuds are excellent on multiple fronts, but the lack of an ecosystem will hold them back in the not-too-distant future. Chris Welch Jul 24, 2023 7 Verge Score Beats Studio Pro headphones review: leaning on a legacy They look like a lazy refresh from the outside, but the noise-canceling Studio Pros include a ton of new features like transparency mode and lossless USB-C audio. And they solidify Beats’ unique appeal as a dual-ecosystem brand. Chris Welch Jul 19, 2023 Sennheiser SoundProtex earplugs review: concert safety without sacrifice Foam earplugs are convenient and cost virtually nothing. But with ticket prices these days, it’s worth spending a bit more on earplugs that preserve the fidelity of live music. Chris Welch Jun 21, 2023 Beats Studio Buds Plus review: it’s cool to be clear With better sound, improved noise cancellation, and a standout translucent design, these are everything the original Beats Studio Buds should’ve been. Chris Welch May 17, 2023 Sony’s budget wireless earbuds are a good value with inevitable compromises The WF-C700N earbuds fit great, sound decent, and offer plenty of software tricks. But even within Sony’s own lineup, you might have better options. Chris Welch May 12, 2023 Fairbuds XL review: modular headphones designed to go the distance With readily available spare parts and a modular construction, Fairphone’s first over-ear headphones are a suitable companion to its repairable smartphones. I just wish they sounded better. Jon Porter May 11, 2023 JBL Tour Pro 2 review: these earbuds have a screen The touchscreen offers quick access to earbud settings along with extras like timers and even a flashlight. It’s not a super compelling addition right now, but this is only the beginning of what’s sure to become a trend. Chris Welch May 5, 2023 Nothing Ear 2 review: it’s what’s on the inside that counts The second-generation earbuds might look almost identical to the Ear 1s but with a $50 higher asking price. Lucky for Nothing, their sound quality is in a different league. Jon Porter Mar 22, 2023 The best workout earbuds you can buy right now Our top fitness earbuds pick from Beats now comes in more colors, but there are also great options from Sony, Jabra, Sennheiser, and more. Chris Welch Mar 17, 2023 Sennheiser IE 200 earbuds review: reconnecting with music — literally We all get tired of Bluetooth sometimes, and the IE 200s are a nice reminder of what we’ve lost by trading the headphone jack for wireless convenience and platform-specific earbud features. Chris Welch Feb 11, 2023 Most Popular Most Popular Apple’s doing something on March 4th Why are Epstein’s emails full of equals signs? OpenClaw founder Peter Steinberger is joining OpenAI The Pocket Taco is the best way to turn your phone into a Game Boy Anker’s USB-C cable that lets you charge two gadgets at once is 20 percent off Advertiser Content From This is the title for the native ad
Executive Summary
The article 'Headphone Reviews' from The Verge provides a comprehensive overview of the latest headphone models, focusing on various categories such as wireless, noise-canceling, in-ear, and over-ear headphones. The reviews cover a range of brands, from industry giants like Bose and Sony to innovative smaller brands like Nothing and Fractal. The article highlights the strengths and weaknesses of each model, offering insights into their performance, design, and value for money. It serves as a valuable resource for consumers looking to make informed decisions about their headphone purchases.
Key Points
- ▸ The article covers a wide range of headphone models and brands.
- ▸ Reviews are detailed, focusing on performance, design, and value for money.
- ▸ The article highlights both high-end and budget-friendly options.
- ▸ Noise-canceling and wireless technologies are key focus areas.
Merits
Comprehensive Coverage
The article provides a thorough review of various headphone models, catering to different consumer needs and preferences.
Expert Analysis
The reviews are written by knowledgeable experts who offer detailed insights into the performance and features of each headphone model.
Balanced Perspective
The article presents both the strengths and weaknesses of each model, providing a balanced view for potential buyers.
Demerits
Lack of Technical Depth
While the reviews are comprehensive, they could benefit from more technical details, such as specific frequency responses and impedance measurements.
Subjective Scoring
The Verge Score system is subjective and may not align with the preferences of all readers.
Limited Long-Term Testing
The reviews primarily focus on initial impressions and may not account for long-term durability and performance.
Expert Commentary
The article 'Headphone Reviews' from The Verge offers a valuable resource for consumers navigating the complex landscape of headphone options. The detailed reviews provide a balanced perspective, highlighting both the strengths and weaknesses of various models. However, the lack of technical depth and the subjective nature of the Verge Score system may limit its applicability to all readers. The article's focus on initial impressions also raises questions about long-term durability and performance. Despite these limitations, the comprehensive coverage and expert analysis make it a useful tool for consumers and manufacturers alike. The insights provided can help consumers make informed decisions and manufacturers understand market trends and areas for improvement. Additionally, the article's emphasis on technological innovation reflects the evolving nature of the headphone industry, highlighting the importance of staying current with the latest advancements.
Recommendations
- ✓ Incorporate more technical details, such as frequency responses and impedance measurements, to provide a more comprehensive analysis.
- ✓ Consider a more objective scoring system to better align with the preferences of a diverse readership.
- ✓ Include long-term testing to assess the durability and sustained performance of headphone models.
