Sony is the current king of headphones and earbuds. Look no further than the new flagship WH-1000XM6 headphones and WF-1000XM5 earbuds. These are two category leaders and global top sellers praised for their marvelous active noise cancellation, sound quality, and special features. However, the legacy audio brand also sells terrific entry-level and mid-range products that deliver near-flagship performance at accessible price points.
Whether you’re looking for an AirPods alternative or a pair of wireless headphones with a wider sound range than Bose headphones, Sony has you covered on all fronts. We’ve spent the past several months testing all of Sony’s most popular models to help you find the right pair.
How to choose the best Sony headphones
Sony headphones and earbuds juggle several priorities, including ANC, battery life, hi-res sound, and multipoint pairing. However, you may need to compromise on some of these features if you’re not willing to spend $300 or more, the minimum price for flagship headphones in 2025.
If you want audio you can tailor to your liking, look for headphones carrying Sony’s adaptive sound features: 360 Reality Audio, DSEE, and Find My Equalizer. Travelers and road warriors need a model with noise cancellation powerful enough to eliminate sounds across the entire frequency spectrum, not just airplane engines. Those who live active lifestyles or exercise regularly can find buds with a transparency mode that keeps them aware of their surroundings. Lengthy playtimes and wireless perks (e.g., Bluetooth multipoint, mobile app) have their benefits as well.
It all comes down to preference.
Now, let’s check out the best Sony headphones of 2025, hands-on tested by Mashable staff.
