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The Best Headphones and Wireless Earbuds of 2023

We round up our favorite headphones and earbuds across a wide range of categories: noise-cancellation, workout, budget-friendly and hi-fi.

headphones wireless earbuds headline with colored squares and a pair of headphones

By Tucker Bowe

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This story is part of the 2023 Gear Patrol Tech Awards. To see the full list of winners, click here.

There are headphones and earphones out there right now for everybody and everything. Commuting or traveling? Get a pair of headphones or wireless earbuds with active noise-cancellation. Do you frequently exercise? Get a pair with a high IP rating. Want to listen to the best quality audio? There are endless wired headphones that you can choose from. On a budget? You’ve got options, too.

We’ve reviewed a lot of headphones and wireless earbuds over the years. Below, you’ll find our favorites available in 2023.

To learn more about our testing methodology and how we evaluate products, head here.

Products in the Guide

  • Sony WH-1000XM5

    Best All-Around Noise-Canceling Headphones

    Read more
  • Beats Fit Pro

    Best Wireless Earbuds for Workouts

    Read more
  • Amazon Echo Buds (2023)

    Best Wireless Earbuds Under $50

    Read more
  • Anker Soundcore Space One

    Best ANC Headphones Under $100

    Read more
  • Nothing Ear (Stick)

    Wireless Earbuds With the Best Design

    Read more
  • Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

    Best ANC Wireless Earbuds

    Read more

The Sony WH-1000XM5 are the total package. In a vast field of noise-canceling headphones, Sony’s flagships combine expansive sound, powerful noise-cancellation and a comfortable lightweight design. Sure, they’re a touch pricey, but you pay for quality.

RELATED: Read Our Review

If you’re a runner and have an iPhone, the Beats Fit Pro are top-tier wireless earbuds. They pack one of Apple’s special chips and thus work very similarly to the AirPods Pro in terms of ease of pairing and listening; they even have active noise-cancellation. And their silicone earwing tips grip your ears, so they stay secure while you’re moving.

RELATED: The Best Wireless Earbuds

Don’t be dismissive of Amazon’s modestly priced Echo Buds — they’re quite good. They’re the first Echo Buds that look and fit like Apple’s entry-level AirPods. They sound better than you might think. And they come with built-in Alexa (which you can turn off if you like).

RELATED: The Best Wireless Earbuds

If you’re shopping for “flagship quality” noise-canceling headphones, you’re going to drop at least $330. Anker’s Soundcore Space One headphones come in well below that, but compromise very little. They’re super-comfy, have decent noise-canceling and transparency modes, and support LDAC high-resolution audio files.

RELATED: The Best Noice-Canceling Headphones

Nothing’s Ear (Stick) are wireless earbuds that have a lot going for them. They’re less than $100 and fit similar to the AirPods Pro, but they’re standouts because, well, just look at them. In addition to having a transparent design, they have a lipstick-shaped charging case that twists open and close — it’s super-fun.

RELATED: The Best Wireless Earbuds

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)Amazon

Best ANC Wireless Earbuds

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

If you have an iPhone, it’s honestly tough to not recommend the AirPods Pro. They have top-notch noise-cancellation and sound quality. They have the best transparency mode of any wireless earbuds. They’re packed with features galore. And, of course, they work incredibly well with all your Apple devices.

RELATED: The Best Wireless Earbuds

In this wireless age, you can get a lot more bang for your buck when shopping for wired headphones. The Grado SR80x are open-back headphones that cost just $125 — less than most AirPods. They’re comfortable and stylish, and they deliver a clean sound with a wide soundstage that most closed-back headphones can’t match.

RELATED: The Best Wired Headphones

For any serious hi-fi enthusiast, Focal’s 2022-released Utopias are the crème de la crème of open-back headphones. Their drivers are modeled after the French hi-fi company’s Grande Utopia loudspeakers — which cost $140,000 — and they deliver a warm, neutral and incredible sound.

RELATED: The Most Expensive Noise-Canceling Headphones

If you’re for a true audiophile and you’re willing to break out the checkbook, the Audeze LCD-5 are the top of the line when it comes to planar magnetic headphones. They deliver an extremely high-fidelity sound over the entire frequency range with very little distortion. Plus, they’re as comfortable as they are gorgeous.

RELATED: The Most Expensive Noise-Canceling Headphones