The 18 Best Headphones of All Time

Studio workhorses, audiophile grails, cultural icons, and pocket-friendly legends all share this stage, from marble-and-tube dream systems to the buds in everyone's ears. Which reigns supreme?

1

Sony WH-1000XM5

The reigning benchmark for wireless noise-canceling headphones with class-leading sound.

1000pts

2

Sennheiser HD 650

A gold-standard open-back reference prized by audiophiles for natural, detailed sound.

973pts

3

Beats Studio

The Dr. Dre-founded headphones that turned personal audio into a fashion statement.

910pts

4

Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro

A closed-back studio classic famed for its durability and punchy bass.

762pts

5

AKG K701

An open-back audiophile favorite recognizable by its distinctive white design.

762pts

6

STAX SR-009

A reference electrostatic headphone celebrated for its lightning-fast detail.

762pts

7

HiFiMan Sundara

A midrange planar-magnetic standout that redefined value for the money.

708pts

8

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

A studio-turned-consumer classic praised as a do-it-all workhorse.

708pts

9

Audeze LCD-2

The 2009 planar-magnetic breakthrough that brought high-end clarity to more listeners.

643pts

10

Koss Porta Pro

A beloved 1984 on-ear budget icon still cherished for its warm, fun sound.

643pts

11

Apple AirPods Max

Apple's premium over-ear headphones with machined aluminum and spatial audio.

643pts

12

Sony MDR-7506

A studio-monitoring staple found in recording booths worldwide since 1991.

566pts

13

Sennheiser HD 600

A revered open-back reference that remains a benchmark for tonal accuracy.

566pts

14

Grado SR80

An entry-level open-back that punches far above its price with lively sound.

566pts

15

Sennheiser HE-1 Orpheus

The $60,000 electrostatic dream system regarded as the ultimate in headphone fidelity.

566pts

16

Apple AirPods Pro

The wildly popular wireless earbuds that made active noise cancellation mainstream.

471pts

17

Bose QuietComfort

The pioneering noise-canceling line beloved by travelers for decades.

471pts

18

Sennheiser HD 800 S

A flagship open-back known for its vast, holographic soundstage.

471pts