The EE Pocket-lint Awards is fast approaching, and the shortlist for the 20 main categories – spanning smartwatches and cars to games and TVs – has now been announced, with six nominations in each.
The Best Headphones award focuses on the best on-ear headphones that immerse you in sound on the go – and the competition is tough, with some excellent options having appeared over the last 12 months.
The shortlisted nominees for Best Headphones 2022 are:
B&W Px7 S2Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro XFinal UX3000M&D MW75Sennheiser Momentum 4Sony WH-1000XM5
You can click on each of the titles above to read our full reviews on each nomination, which will give you an idea as to why they have been nominated, or you can read our short verdicts about the nominees below.
B&W Px7 S2
The B&W Px7 S2 don’t just improve on their predecessors, they take the fight to the competition – and, in many cases, they better them Audio performance is throaty and robust, with fine control over clarity, and noise cancellation has been enhanced, too – without impacting sound quality.
Perhaps what elevates them to compete more readily with the competition, though, is the design. Not only do the Px7 S2s look incredibly slick, but they are also by far the most comfortable Bowers & Wilkins wireless headphones yet.
Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X
The Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X headphones are undeniably awesome – delivering superb sound, incredible comfort, super style, and long-lasting durability. In fact, we struggled to pick any holes in these headphones. There’s no ANC on board, but the passive noise isolation does a good job at blocking out a good chunk of environmental noise.
They’re also comfortable, deliver super-loud, superb-sounding audio, and are durable too. Unlike many headphones, you can even swap out parts to keep them running for years, making them a solid investment all round.
Final UX3000
We were really impressed with the performance of the UX3000. They sound like they should cost double – if not triple – their asking £99 price.
While features might be thin on the ground, and build quality is representative of theirg lower price point, the UX3000 are all about the audio performance, and, in that department, the UX3000 delivers in spades. You might even find them to be a good companion for gaming, thanks to the aptX Low Latency support and the spatial accuracy of the soundstage.
Master & Dynamic MW75
The MW75 might not be the absolute perfect pair of headphones when it comes to portability, but you’ll be pushed to find another option with the same combination of premium materials and exciting, bold sound. They’re super comfortable to wear too, with effective noise cancelling and excellent sound quality.
A solid battery life tops things off here, with up to 32 hours of listening. For music lovers craving a premium and comfortable listening experience, these are right up there with our favourite pairs of wireless headphones.
Sennheiser Wireless Momentum 4
For a person that’s always on the go, the Momentum 4 offer a whopping 60 hours of battery life – one of their headline upgrades over their predecessor. Their design is also a little more understated than some of the other options on the market too, so they’re a good choice if you prefer something more low-key.
Of course, the core attraction is still Sennheiser’s excellent, balanced sound, and with solid ANC rounding out the package they’re an extremely creditable set of high-end wireless headphones.
Shure Aonic 40
There’s no doubt the Shure Aonic 40 are large over ear headphones, but if the design suits you, there’s a lot to love here. For a start, they offer superb battery life, there’s a sturdy carry case included and the extensive EQ allows you to create a listen to suit your preferences. The cost is fair too, undercutting the larger Aonic 50.
From a performance perspective, the Shures deliver a sound as big as their design, with support for aptX HD with compatible devices. If you’re after comfortable, customisable and capable over-ear headphones for both using at home and while on the go, these bigger-scale cans tick plenty of boxes.
Sony WH-1000XM5
The WH-1000XM5 is another masterclass from this line of Sony headphones, pairing comfort, a fresh new design and stellar performance – both sonically and in terms of active noise cancellation.
That makes for a great combination. Whether you’re a regular traveller and want to cut out all that background noise, or if you just want to lose yourself in your music while walking to work or school, the Sony WH-1000XM5 has something to offer.
The negatives are minimal. The lack of aptX support might irk some potential users, and the fact that they now don’t fold as flat as they used to is all we have to complain about. The Sony WH-1000XM5 come highly recommended.
How the Pocket-lint Awards judging works
The winner for the Best Headphones category is decided by the Pocket-lint team, along with a panel of expert judges from publications across the industry. Following the scoring process, the Best Headphones winner for 2022 will be announced at an in-person event on 30 November 2022 in Central London, along with the winners from the other 19 categories.
A Product of the Year winner will also be announced, chosen from the winners of the 20 categories and a winner of the EE Superfast Award, will also be revealed at the event. We will be announcing the results on the Pocket-lint Twitter handle as they unfold on the night so keep an eye out there.