Your questions on headphones answeredWhat are the best headphones in 2026? Although I found myself thoroughly impressed with the upgrades found on the AirPods Max 2, when it comes to the best headphone experience for users of iPhone and Android alike, nothing comes close to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd Gen, which fire on all cylinders. The soundscape is notably wider than before, and you can enjoy true lossless playback over a wired connection, but it’s the improved noise cancelling (which was already outstanding on the previous gen pair) which puts them into another orbit, giving you the chance to better enjoy your favourite tunes no matter where you are.What is the difference between PNC and ANC?Passive noise cancellation (PNC, or sound isolation) is a physical element, whereby the shape of the headphones dictates how much ambient sound can sneak in. PNC can be enough for many people, as headphone designs are more sophisticated than ever, and designers regularly conceive of ingenious ways of putting a barrier between your ear and the outside world. This is, therefore, the most effective way of protecting your ears against loud, sudden noises, such as explosions or jet engines.Active noise cancellation (ANC) brings tech into the equation. A series of microphones within the headphones listen out for any nuisance noise in your surroundings. Then, speakers match the frequencies of those sounds, cancelling out this noise and giving you the blissful sound of silence. ANC technology usually needs a few moments to settle and note the various sounds in your surroundings, working most efficiently in settings with consistent ambient sound, like chatter in a cafe or the wheels of a train.Is noise-cancelling bad for your ears?Some people experience a little dizziness or a vacuum effect when first wearing ANC headphones, as the technology removes the sound and frequencies that our brains would expect to hear or feel. This isn’t harming your hearing at all. In fact, noise-cancelling headphones can actually protect against hearing loss, dampening external noise instead of having you just turn up the volume to potentially dangerous levels.How I tested the best headphones There are plenty of factors to bear in mind when choosing a pair of headphones, from sound quality and battery life to comfort and noise cancelling. To ensure that only the very best headphones and earbuds are featured here, these are the key testing criteria that all of the entries were measured against:Sound quality: One of the most important factors when choosing headphones. This involved playing as many genres as I could to determine how versatile the audio is at adapting to different musical styles and showing them off at their best.Noise cancelling: I made sure to test out all available ANC modes both at home and in loud, busy areas around central London, as well as during the train ride into the city.Battery life: Longevity is crucial for headphones and earbuds, especially if you’re using them all day long or while travelling, so I timed to see how far I could get on a single charge with each device and also kept tabs on how long it takes to charge.Comfort: Headphones have to be comfortable for hours. I tested this by seeing how long I could wear each device for while sitting down and walking outdoors before any discomfort could creep in.Durability: Even if a pair of headphones passes all of the other tests, it doesn’t amount to much if they break down easily. I looked for quality materials and, where appropriate, high IP ratings to make sure the headphones and earbuds are designed to last.Ecosystem: Lots of headphones are designed to work particularly well within a certain product ecosystem; for example, Apple AirPods work best with an iPhone. I wanted headphones that complemented their ecosystem but were also at home with other companies’ devices.Why you can trust IndyBest reviewsThe Independent’s reviews section. IndyBest team reviews all kinds of headphones to provide you with the best buying guides for a perfect music-listening experience. From sleep headphones to the best open-ear headphones, you can be assured that every review is backed by extensive testing processes. For this roundup, expert tech reviewer Thomas Deehan used his years of experience to test a range of headphones and bring you his honest opinions. Read our review of the best wireless earbuds for 2026