The 7 best Sony headphones, tested for noise cancellation, sound, and cool factor

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, budget cans under $50, or a wireless headphones with a wider sound range than the best Bose headphones, Sony has you covered on all fronts. I spent the past several months testing and re-testing all of Sony’s most popular headphones and earbuds (and the better part of a decade reviewing headphones) to help you find the right pair.

Now, let’s check out the best Sony headphones of 2025.

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 ANC 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. And while Sony doesn’t specialize in sports earbuds like Beats (and increasingly Apple as well), the Sony LinkBuds Fit let you stay in the Sony ecosystem while you work out.

As in all shopping decisions, it all comes down to preference and budget.

Recent changes to this guide

the sony xm5 and xm6 headphones on a couch

The Sony XM5 and XM6 headphones.
Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Sony WH-CH520 on-ear headphones: We added these headphones in September 2025 after re-reviewing them and having a positive experience. We’ve named them our new “Budget pick.”
Sony WH-CH720N noise-cancelling headphones: Previously our “Budget pick,” we named them the “Best Sony headphones under $100” in our most recent update.

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