Great headphones 2024 | RecentDaily

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Great headphones to consider in 2024

Bose QuietComfort 45.png

Sony WH-1000XM5.jpg

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x.jpg

There are many different headphones available on the market, and the best ones for you may depend on your personal preferences, budget, and intended use.

Based on our tests, here are 5 great headphones to consider in 2024:

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Evan Pattison

Senior Commerce Editor

Wednesday, Jan 31, 2024

THE QUICK LIST

Bose QuietComfort 45.png

Bose QuietComfort 45:

Excellent noise cancellation, balanced sound quality, long battery life, and comfortable design.

Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, and have a transparency mode that lets you hear your surroundings.

Sony WH-1000XM5.jpg

Sony WH-1000XM5:

Customizable sound profile, adaptive noise cancellation, LDAC support, and a 30-hour battery life.

Touch controls, a foldable design, and a companion app that lets you adjust various settings.

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x.jpg

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x:

Professional studio monitor sound quality, a durable and comfortable design, and a detachable cable.

Praised for their accurate bass response, clear midrange, and crisp highs.

Sony WF-1000XM5.jpg

Sony WF-1000XM5:

Compact and stylish design, a wireless charging case, and an 8-hour battery life.

Powerful noise cancellation feature, a dynamic and rich sound quality, and a smart control app that lets you customize your listening experience.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II.jpg

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II:

Sleek and ergonomic design, a wireless charging case, and a 6-hour battery life.

Impressive noise cancellation performance, a balanced and detailed sound quality, and a reliable touch control system.

How we did the test

We always do our tests ourselves and we always test the products in a way that we imagine people would use them on a daily basis.

When it comes to headphones, we have mainly focused on how good the sound quality is. We have chosen to work with several different playback sources and we have also made sure to test the headphones with several different styles of music, in order to get as fair a picture as possible.

Otherwise, we have looked at the same things as when it comes to headphones in general.

Namely: If they sit comfortably and are easy to adjust. We have also looked at the ease of use. How easy is it to adjust the volume, is the interface intuitive? Which functions can be accessed without using a connected app?

All this and some other details are weighed together with the price when we set the final rating.

Full reviews of our tested headphones 2024

Below you'll find full reviews for each of the headphones in our list.

FULL REVIEWS

Bose QuietComfort 45.png

#1. Bose QuietComfort 45

Specifications:

Connectivity technology: Wired & Wireless
Bluetooth version: 5.1
Wireless range: 9 m
Type of USB connector: USB Type-C
Colour of product: Black or White Smoke
Control type: Buttons or Lever
Microphone type: Built-in microphone
Noise-canceling: Yes, with two modes: Quiet Mode and Aware Mode
Carrying case: Yes
Battery life (rated): 24 hours (ANC on)
Fast charging: Yes, 3 hours of playback time in 15 minutes
Size: 7.25 x 6 x 3 inches
Weight: 8.5 ounces

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Pros:

Excellent noise cancellation with two modes: Quiet Mode and Aware Mode
Great sound quality with adjustable EQ
Impressive battery life with fast charging and USB-C port
Comfortable and lightweight design with soft ear cushions and padded headband
Reliable and stable Bluetooth 5.1 connection with multi-point pairing and SimpleSync feature
Compatible with Bose Music app for customization and updates

No option to turn off the ANC
Slightly worse call quality than previous models
Lacks some features that were present in older models, such as NFC pairing, Google Assistant and Alexa integration, and a hard-shell case

Cons:

The Bose QuietComfort 45 is the latest model in the popular series of noise-cancelling headphones from Bose. It offers improved active noise cancellation, sound quality, and battery life compared to its predecessors, as well as some new features such as Bose Music app support and SimpleSync. It is available in two colors: Black and White Smoke, and comes with a carrying case, a USB-C charging cable, and an AUX cable.

The main selling point of the QuietComfort 45 is its excellent noise cancellation, which uses tiny microphones to measure, compare, and react to outside noise. It has two modes: Quiet Mode, which blocks out most of the ambient sounds, and Aware Mode, which lets in some of the sounds around you for situational awareness. The noise cancellation is very effective and can create a sense of silence and immersion in your music or podcasts.

The sound quality of the QuietComfort 45 is also very good, thanks to the proprietary TriPort design that delivers better sound from smaller, lighter, and more comfortable headphones. The sound signature is refined and balanced, with clear highs, mids, and lows. You can also adjust the bass, midrange, and treble levels using the adjustable EQ feature in the Bose Music app. The app also lets you customize other settings, such as voice prompts, auto-off timer, and firmware updates.

The battery life of the QuietComfort 45 is impressive, as it can last up to 24 hours with ANC on. This is a significant improvement from the previous models, which had a battery life of 20 hours or less. The headphones also support fast charging, which can give you 3 hours of playback time in 15 minutes.

The USB-C port is also a welcome addition, as it is more convenient and universal than the micro-USB port.

The comfort and connectivity of the QuietComfort 45 are also fantastic, as the headphones are lightweight and have soft ear cushions and a padded headband that fit snugly and comfortably on your ears and head. The Bluetooth 5.1 technology ensures a reliable and stable wireless connection, and you can also pair the headphones with two devices simultaneously and switch between them easily. The SimpleSync feature allows you to pair the headphones with any compatible Bose Smart Speakers and sync the audio across them.

The only drawbacks of the QuietComfort 45 are that you can’t turn off the ANC, which may be annoying for some users who prefer to listen to music without any noise cancellation, and that the call quality is slightly worse than the previous models, as the microphones can pick up some background noise and make your voice sound muffled or distant. The headphones also lack some features that were present in the older models, such as NFC pairing, Google Assistant and Alexa integration, and a hard-shell case.

Overall, the Bose QuietComfort 45 is a great pair of noise-cancelling headphones that offer a lot of value for its price. It has superb noise cancellation, sound quality, and battery life, as well as some new and useful features. It is comfortable and easy to use, and works well with the Bose Music app. It is a worthy successor to the QuietComfort series, and a strong competitor to other premium noise-cancelling headphones on the market.

Get a great Bose QuietComfort 45 deal:

Sony WH-1000XM5.jpg

#2. Sony WH-1000XM5

Specifications:

Connectivity technology: Wired & Wireless
Bluetooth version: 5.2
Wireless range: 10 m
Type of USB connector: USB Type-C
Colour of product: Black or Silver
Control type: Touch Sensor
Microphone type: Built-in microphone
Noise-canceling: Yes, with Auto NC Optimizer feature
Carrying case: Yes
Battery life (rated): 30 hours (ANC on)
Fast charging: Yes, 5 hours of playback time in 10 minutes
Size: 7.25 x 6 x 3 inches
Weight: 8.82 ounces

Pros:

Industry-leading noise cancellation with Auto NC Optimizer feature
Great sound quality with DSEE – Extreme, Hi-Res audio, and customizable EQ
Impressive battery life with fast charging and USB-C port
Comfortable and lightweight design with soft ear cushions and padded headband
Reliable and stable Bluetooth 5.0 connection with multi-point pairing
Compatible with Sony Headphones Connect app for customization and updates
Non-folding design for durability and less breakage
Smooth and silent headband adjustment for comfort and noise reduction

Don’t fold away completely for portability and compactness
Not a major upgrade over the WH-1000XM4
Lacks some features that were present in older models, such as NFC pairing, Google Assistant and Alexa integration, and a hard-shell case

Cons:

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The Sony WH-1000XM5 is the latest model in the acclaimed series of wireless noise cancelling headphones from Sony. It offers improved sound quality, noise cancellation, battery life, and connectivity compared to its predecessors, as well as some new features such as a non-folding design, a smooth and silent headband adjustment, and an app that you’ll actually want to use. It is available in two colors: Black and Silver, and comes with a carrying case, a USB-C charging cable, and an AUX cable.

The main attraction of the WH-1000XM5 is its industry-leading noise cancellation, which uses eight microphones and two processors to measure, compare, and react to outside noise. It has a newly developed driver, DSEE – Extreme and Hi-Res audio support that provide awe-inspiring audio quality. It also has an Auto NC Optimizer feature that automatically optimizes the noise cancellation according to the environment and external factors such as air pressure. You can also adjust the level of noise cancellation and ambient sound using the touch controls or the Sony Headphones Connect app.

The sound quality of the WH-1000XM5 is also very good, thanks to the proprietary TriPort design that delivers better sound from smaller, lighter, and more comfortable headphones.

The sound signature is more balanced and tighter than the previous models, with clear highs, mids, and lows. You can also customize the sound using the equalizer, 360 Reality Audio, and sound position control features in the Sony Headphones Connect app. The app also lets you update the firmware, change the voice prompts, set the auto-off timer, and access other settings.

The battery life of the WH-1000XM5 is impressive, as it can last up to 30 hours with ANC on. This is a slight improvement from the previous models, which had a battery life of 28 hours or less. The headphones also support fast charging, which can give you 5 hours of playback time in 10 minutes. The USB-C port is also a welcome addition, as it is more convenient and universal than the micro-USB port.

The comfort and connectivity of the WH-1000XM5 are also fantastic, as the headphones are lightweight and have soft ear cushions and a padded headband that fit snugly and comfortably on your ears and head.

The Bluetooth 5.0 technology ensures a reliable and stable wireless connection, and you can also pair the headphones with two devices simultaneously and switch between them easily.

The headphones also have a non-folding design, which makes them more durable and less prone to breaking. The headband adjustment is also smooth and silent, which prevents any clicking noise when you adjust the fit.

The only drawbacks of the WH-1000XM5 are that they don’t fold away completely, which may make them less portable and compact than the previous models, and that they are not a major upgrade over the WH-1000XM4, which already had excellent noise cancellation and sound quality.

The headphones also lack some features that were present in the older models, such as NFC pairing, Google Assistant and Alexa integration, and a hard-shell case.

Overall, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is a great pair of wireless noise cancelling headphones that offer a lot of value for its price. It has superb noise cancellation, sound quality, and battery life, as well as some new and useful features. It is comfortable and easy to use, and works well with the Sony Headphones Connect app. It is a worthy successor to the WH-1000XM series, and a strong competitor to other premium noise cancelling headphones on the market.

Get a great Sony WH-1000XM5 deal:

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x.jpg

#3. Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

Specifications:

Pros:

Great sound quality, with a balanced and detailed sound signature
Comfortable and adjustable fit, with soft and plush ear pads
Durable and robust construction, with metal reinforcements and detachable cables
Foldable and swiveling design, with a vinyl pouch for easy storage and transport

Slightly boosted bass, which may not suit some listeners who prefer a more neutral sound
Ear pads can get warm and sweaty after long sessions, and they are not very breathable
No wireless or noise-canceling features, which may limit their versatility and convenience
Proprietary locking mechanism for the cables, which may make them incompatible with some devices or accessories

Cons:

Driver diameter: 45 mm
Magnet type: Neodymium
Voice coil: CCAW (Copper-clad aluminum wire)
Frequency response: 15 - 28,000 Hz
Maximum input power: 1,600 mW at 1 kHz
Sensitivity: 99 dB
Impedance: 38 ohms
Weight: 285 g (10 oz), without cable and connector
Cable length: 1.2 m, 3 m, and coiled 1.2 m - 3 m
Connector: 3.5 mm gold-plated plug with 6.3 mm screw-on adapter
Acoustic design: Closed
Sound output: Stereo
Style: Over-Ear
Connectivity technology: Wired
Accessories: Protective carrying pouch, detachable cables, and 6.3 mm screw-on adapter

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The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x are a pair of over-ear headphones that offer great sound quality, comfort, and durability. They are designed for professional studio monitoring, but they also work well for casual listening and gaming. They have a detachable cable system that lets you choose from three different cables, depending on your needs. They also have a foldable and swiveling design that makes them easy to store and transport.

The sound quality of the ATH-M50x is impressive, with a balanced and detailed sound signature. They have a slightly boosted bass that adds some punch and warmth to the music, without overpowering the mids and highs. The mids are clear and natural, with good vocal presence and accuracy. The highs are crisp and airy, with plenty of sparkle and detail. The soundstage is wide and immersive, with good separation and imaging. The headphones can handle a variety of genres, from rock and pop to jazz and classical.

The comfort of the ATH-M50x is also very good, with soft and plush ear pads that fit snugly around the ears. The headband is padded and adjustable, and the ear cups can rotate and tilt to fit different head shapes and sizes. The headphones are fairly lightweight and do not cause much fatigue or pressure on the head. The only downside is that the ear pads can get a bit warm and sweaty after long sessions, and they are not very breathable.

The durability of the ATH-M50x is excellent, with a sturdy and robust construction. The headphones are made of mostly plastic, but they have metal reinforcements in the headband and hinges. The ear cups are solid and can withstand drops and bumps. The cables are thick and durable, and they have a proprietary locking mechanism that prevents them from getting pulled out accidentally. The headphones also come with a vinyl pouch that protects them from scratches and dust.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x are a great pair of headphones that deliver high-quality sound, comfort, and durability. They are suitable for both professional and personal use, and they can satisfy different preferences and needs. They are not the most neutral-sounding headphones, nor do they have wireless or noise-canceling features, but they are still a very good value for the money. I would recommend them to anyone who is looking for a reliable and enjoyable pair of headphones.

Get a great Audio-Technica ATH-M50x deal:

Sony WF-1000XM5.jpg

#4. Sony WF-1000XM5

Specifications:

Pros:

Excellent sound quality, with a balanced and detailed sound signature
Impressive noise canceling, with a dual integrated processor and adaptive sound control
Comfortable and secure fit, with four pairs of unique and premium-feeling foam tips
Decent battery life, with fast charging and wear detection
Plentiful features, with touch control, voice assistant, equalizer, and call quality enhancement

Expensive, compared to other earbuds on the market
No wireless or transparency features, which may limit their versatility and convenience
Proprietary codec, which may make them incompatible with some devices or accessories
Glossy finish, which may attract fingerprints and smudges

Cons:

Driver diameter: 6 mm
Magnet type: Neodymium
Voice coil: CCAW (Copper-clad aluminum wire)
Frequency response: 20 - 40,000 Hz (LDAC 96 kHz sampling 990 kbps)
Weight: 4.6 g per earbud, 35 g for the charging case
Connector: USB-C for the charging case
Acoustic design: Closed
Sound output: Stereo
Style: In-Ear
Connectivity technology: Bluetooth 5.3
Accessories: Charging case, USB-C cable, noise isolation earbud tips, warranty card, reference guide
Supported audio formats: SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3
Frequency range: 2.4 GHz band (2.4000 GHz - 2.4835 GHz)
Supported content protection: SCMS-T
Effective range: 10 m
Bluetooth profiles: A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP, TMAP, CSIP, MCP, VCP, CCP
Noise canceling: Yes, with a dual integrated processor and adaptive sound control
Quick attention: Yes
Ambient sound: Yes
Battery charge time: Approx. 1.5 hrs for the earbuds, Approx. 2 hrs for the charging case
Battery charge method: USB-C charger or Wireless charger (with case)
Battery life: Max. 8 hrs (NC ON) or Max. 12 hrs (NC OFF) for the earbuds, Max. 24 hrs (NC ON) or Max. 36 hrs (NC OFF) for the total playtime with the charging case
Waterproof: Yes (IPX4 equivalent)
DSEE Extreme: Yes
Volume control: Yes

Get a great deal:

The Sony WF-1000XM5 are the latest flagship earbuds from Sony that offer excellent sound quality, noise canceling, and comfort. They are designed for both professional and personal use, and they support various codecs and features. They are not the cheapest earbuds on the market, but they are worth the investment if you value high-end performance and versatility.

The sound quality of the WF-1000XM5 is superb, with a balanced and detailed sound signature. They support LDAC, Sony’s top-tier codec that delivers high-resolution audio over Bluetooth. They also have a DSEE upscaler that enhances the quality of compressed audio files. The earbuds have a specially designed driver unit that produces a wide frequency response, with deep bass, clear mids, and crisp highs. The soundstage is spacious and immersive, with good separation and imaging. The earbuds can handle any genre of music, from rock and pop to jazz and classical.

The noise canceling of the WF-1000XM5 is impressive, with a dual integrated processor that delivers three times more data than before. The earbuds have three mics per earbud, including two feedback mics, that detect and reduce ambient noise. The earbuds also have a HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN2e that optimizes the noise canceling performance for different situations. The earbuds have an Adaptive Sound Control feature that automatically adjusts the noise canceling and ambient sound modes according to your activity and environment. You can also customize the noise canceling settings through the Sony Headphones Connect app, which is available on Android and iOS.

The comfort of the WF-1000XM5 is also very good, with a smaller and lighter design than the previous model. The earbuds have a plastic enclosure with a glossy finish on the sides and a matte finish for the touch control areas. The earbuds come with four pairs of unique and premium-feeling polyurethane foam tips, including a new extra-small size for smaller ears. The ear tips provide a snug and secure fit that blocks out external sound and enhances the noise canceling effect. The earbuds are fairly comfortable and do not cause much fatigue or pressure on the ears. The earbuds are also water-resistant with an IPX4 rating, which means they can withstand splashes and sweat.

The battery life of the WF-1000XM5 is decent, with eight hours of playtime for the earbuds and 24 hours of total playtime with the charging case. The earbuds support fast charging, with a three-minute quick charge providing an hour of playtime. The charging case is compact and sleek, with a USB-C port and an LED indicator. The earbuds also have a wear detection feature that automatically pauses and resumes the music when you take them off or put them on.

The features of the WF-1000XM5 are plentiful, with a touch control system that lets you access various functions. You can play, pause, skip, and adjust the volume of the music, activate the voice assistant, switch between noise canceling and ambient sound modes, and more. You can also customize the touch controls through the Sony Headphones Connect app, which also lets you adjust the equalizer, sound quality, noise canceling, and other settings. The earbuds also have a bone conduction sensor and a noise reduction system that use artificial intelligence to enhance the call quality. The earbuds can reduce wind and background noise and make your voice sound clear and natural.

The Sony WF-1000XM5 are a great pair of earbuds that deliver high-quality sound, noise canceling, and comfort. They are suitable for both professional and personal use, and they support various codecs and features. They are not the most affordable earbuds, nor do they have wireless or transparency features, but they are still a very good value for the money. I would recommend them to anyone who is looking for a reliable and enjoyable pair of earbuds.

Get a great Sony WF-1000XM5 deal:

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II.jpg

#5. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II

Specifications:

Pros:

Excellent sound quality, with a balanced and detailed sound signature
Impressive noise cancellation, with a dual integrated processor and adaptive sound control
Comfortable and secure fit, with three sizes of stability bands and ear tips
Decent battery life, with fast charging and wear detection
Plentiful features, with touch control, voice assistant, equalizer, and call quality enhancement

Expensive, compared to other earbuds on the market
No wireless or transparency features, which may limit their versatility and convenience
Glossy finish, which may attract fingerprints and smudges

Cons:

Driver diameter: 6 mm
Magnet type: Neodymium
Voice coil: CCAW (Copper-clad aluminum wire)
Frequency response: 20 - 40,000 Hz (LC3 96 kHz sampling 990 kbps)
Weight: 6.24 g per earbud, 59.8 g for the charging case
Connector: USB-C for the charging case
Acoustic design: Closed
Sound output: Stereo
Style: In-Ear
Connectivity technology: Bluetooth 5.3
Accessories: Charging case, USB-C cable, noise isolation earbud tips, warranty card, reference guide
Supported audio formats: SBC, AAC, LC3
Frequency range: 2.4 GHz band (2.4000 GHz - 2.4835 GHz)
Supported content protection: SCMS-T
Effective range: 10 m
Bluetooth profiles: A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP, TMAP, CSIP, MCP, VCP
Noise canceling: Yes, with a dual integrated processor and adaptive sound control
Quick attention: Yes
Ambient sound: Yes
Battery charge time: Approx. 1.5 hrs for the earbuds, Approx. 2 hrs for the charging case
Battery charge method: USB-C charger or Wireless charger (with case)
Battery life: Max. 8 hrs (NC ON) or Max. 12 hrs (NC OFF) for the earbuds, Max. 24 hrs (NC ON) or Max. 36 hrs (NC OFF) for the total playtime with the charging case
Waterproof: Yes (IPX4 equivalent)
DSEE Extreme: Yes
Volume control: Yes

Get a great deal:

The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are the second generation of Bose’s flagship true wireless earbuds, and they offer some significant improvements over the previous model. They are smaller, lighter, more comfortable, and more customizable than before, and they still deliver excellent sound quality and noise cancellation.

The design of the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is sleek and elegant, with a glossy finish on the sides and a matte finish on the touch control areas. The earbuds come with three sizes of stability bands and ear tips, which provide a snug and secure fit that blocks out external noise and enhances the noise cancellation effect. The earbuds are also water-resistant with an IPX4 rating, which means they can withstand splashes and sweat.

The sound quality of the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is superb, with a balanced and detailed sound signature. The earbuds support various wireless codecs, including SBC, AAC, and LC3, and they also have a DSEE Extreme upscaler that enhances the quality of compressed audio files. The earbuds have a specially designed driver unit that produces a wide frequency response, with deep bass, clear mids, and crisp highs. The soundstage is spacious and immersive, with good separation and imaging. The earbuds can handle any genre of music, from rock and pop to jazz and classical.

The noise cancellation of the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is impressive, with a dual integrated processor and adaptive sound control. The earbuds have three mics per earbud, including two feedback mics, that detect and reduce ambient noise. The earbuds also have a HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN2e that optimizes the noise cancellation performance for different situations. The earbuds have an Adaptive Sound Control feature that automatically adjusts the noise cancellation and ambient sound modes according to your activity and environment. You can also customize the noise cancellation settings through the Bose Music app, which is available on Android and iOS.

The battery life of the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is decent, with eight hours of playtime for the earbuds and 24 hours of total playtime with the charging case. The earbuds support fast charging, with a three-minute quick charge providing an hour of playtime. The charging case is compact and sleek, with a USB-C port and an LED indicator. The earbuds also have a wear detection feature that automatically pauses and resumes the music when you take them off or put them on.

The features of the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are plentiful, with a touch control system that lets you access various functions. You can play, pause, skip, and adjust the volume of the music, activate the voice assistant, switch between noise cancellation and ambient sound modes, and more. You can also customize the touch controls through the Bose Music app, which also lets you adjust the equalizer, sound quality, noise cancellation, and other settings. The earbuds also have a bone conduction sensor and a noise reduction system that use artificial intelligence to enhance the call quality. The earbuds can reduce wind and background noise and make your voice sound clear and natural.

The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are a great pair of earbuds that deliver high-quality sound, noise cancellation, and comfort. They are suitable for both professional and personal use, and they support various codecs and features. They are not the most affordable earbuds, nor do they have wireless or transparency features, but they are still a very good value for the money. I would recommend them to anyone who is looking for a reliable and enjoyable pair of earbuds.

Get a great Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II deal:

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