Best Headphones 2022

The design of the Sony WH-1000XM5 offers a more modern look than the WH-1000XM4 with redesigned earcups that don’t fold flat, following in the footsteps of Bose’s NC 700 HP and Apple’s AirPods Max. This change has been done in the name of better noise cancelling performance, and in testing we did find this design to reduce wind noise to offer a more satisfying ANC experience.

With this redesign in mind, we also found an improvement with the WH-1000XM5’s noise cancelling, tackling higher frequency sounds with more confidence than the XM4, although in our time with the headphones we felt that the XM4 model dealt with voices a tad better. It coped with other noises well, with everything from big crowds to commuting on transport reduced to a hush. With eight microphones to assist call quality and noise cancellation, we found the Ambient Mode offered a noticeable improvement over with a clearer, natural sound.

There have also been incremental improvements made to the already great audio performance. We found the mid-range to sound slightly richer and detailed than before, with better definition and clarity of instruments and voices. Music also takes place within a wide soundstage and bass has more texture to its performance than we heard on older models. Taken all together and it makes the WH-1000XM5 a great listen with any genre.

On the feature front, it’s much the same story as the XM4. Quick Attention (which filters through outside sound at a moment’s notice) and Speak To Chat (which pauses music when you’re speaking) are back, while battery life remains at at 30 hours of runtime. We managed to get around a week’s use from these headphones, but if you’re after more longevity then both the Technics EAH-A800 and Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless exceed the WH-1000XM5’s stamina.

Reviewer: Kob Monney
Full Review: Sony WH-1000XM5

If you prefer the convenience and small size of wireless in-earphones, then we’d highly recommend the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, especially if you’re after supreme noise cancelling performance.

The noise cancellation is one of the best we’ve tested in a pair of earbuds to date. The QC Earbuds virtually blocked out all the noise around us, from traffic to large gatherings. A positive of this suppression is that there’s little need to raise the music to higher volumes, protecting your ears from potential damage from listening to higher volumes.

We also found the QuietComfort Earbuds comfortable to wear due to their StayHear Max ear-tips which kept the earphones securely locked in. Along with their IPX4 resistance that protects them against water and sweat, this would make them a good option for use with exercise, although we found during runs that the design did amplify wind noise, something Bose’s Sport Earbuds didn’t produce.

The audio has a neutral and detailed sound, with the top end of the frequency sharp and bright, the midrange spacious and detailed along with decent weight and power to the bass frequencies. Since the QuietComfort Earbuds launched, Bose has added EQ options for treble and bass so listeners can refine the sound more to their tastes. These earphones aren’t as musical as the Sony WF-1000XM4, nor quite as rich as the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3, but are well suited to those who prefer a neutral and uncoloured sound.

Compared to other premium earbuds, the Bose have a low battery life. The QuietComfort Earbuds only have 18 hours in total, 6 hours less than the WF-1000XM4 and ten hours fewer than Sennheiser. They could survive regularly use across a day, but will need charging fairly often as a result.

Reviewer: Kob Monney
Full Review: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds

The Røde NTH-100 are a fantastic choice if you’re in need of a pair of headphones for professional use. This is reflected in their detailed and balanced audio that makes them ideal as a pair of reference headphones for mixing, especially when dealing with lossless audio.

Our reviewed found the bass carried plenty of depth without the typical superficial excitement present with cheaper headphones. The mid-range unpacks every last detail of a track, alongside a smooth top-end that makes listening to these headphones a pleasure.

The NTH-100 lack the features of wireless headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds on this list. What you do get is a very long 2.4m cable (an optional 1.2m is available for extra cost) and a clever fitting system known as FitLock that allows you to lock in the headband position of the NTH-100 so it remains in the correct position for your head at all times.

In terms of their design, the NTH-100 adhere totally to the expectation of what over ear headphones look like in general. They build quality is very fine, the all-black finish and Alcantara-covered memory foam for earpads contact helps them to be especially comfortable. If performance-per-pound is what you’re in the market for, then the Røde are great whether it’s for casual or critical listening.

Reviewer: Simon Lucas
Full Review: Røde NTH-100

Anyone familiar with the Grado brand will be able to identify the SR325x as one of theirs in a heartbeat, A pair of on-ear headphones with an open-backed design, it’s an approach that’s been at the heart of Grado’s offering for decades, the open-backed design grants these on-ears a bigger, more spacious soundstage to delve into.

It does of course make them a leaky-sounding pair of headphones, so if you’re using this pair on public transport, then be prepared to to face people looking at you as they hear your favourite tunes. The Grado SR325x offer terrific consistency in their balanced approach to music, emphasising a natural tone and fantastic clarity with instruments and vocals. We found the stereo image to be full of depth, the sharpness and definition of these headphones gives music a great sense of fidelity.

You will need high quality files to get the best from them but with their 38 ohm impedance, you’ll be able to connect these wired headphones to a range of devices without the need for further amplification to drive them.

We found the design to be of premium quality, the metal housing for each earcup offers a durable finish, and the brand’s ‘F’ type earcups are ones we felt were especially comfortable during use. As seems to be the case with on-ears, you may experience a degree of pinching depending on the size of your ear, in which case an over-ear such as the Monolith M1070 may be preferable. Nevertheless, these are an insightful, precise and detailed pair of on-ear headphones, an audiophile pair of cans without the price tag to go with it.

Reviewer: Kob Monney
Full Review: Grado SR325x