Best Headphones in 2026 as reviewed by Australian consumers

What's the difference between earbuds and headphones?
Should I get wired or wireless headphones?
Other things to consider when choosing headphones
What are the best cheap wireless headphones?
Which company is best for headphones?

A woman wearing over-ear headphones while using a laptop. There is a piano beside her.

What's the difference between earbuds and headphones?

Headphones come in a few different forms.

Earbuds fit partially into your ear canal, and are commonly referred to as earphones or in-ear headphones.

Pros

Compact and can be stored in a pocket or small bag.

Less obtrusive than headphones; you can easily wear them under a hoodie or while wearing sunglasses.

Less expensive than headphones, with many decent models only costing a few hundred dollars.

Available in round-the-neck or clip-on ear models, letting you easily exercise while wearing them.

Cons

Lower audio quality than headphones.

For wired models, the thin wires can be prone to damage or breaking which can further lessen sound quality.

Lower ability to block out ambient noise. (You'll have to look for a specific model designed for noise cancellation).

Generally have shorter battery life than headphones.

Headphones sit over your head. You can get either over-ear headphones or on-ear headphones.

Over-ear (circumaural) headphones completely surround the ear, which helps make them more comfortable and more effective at noise cancelling. However, they're heavier and bulkier.
On-ear (supra-aural) headphones rest on the outside of your ears, allowing for more airflow. They're smaller, however can be more uncomfortable to wear over long periods of time and tend to be less noice cancelling.

Pros

Better sound quality than earbuds.

Significantly better at blocking out ambient noise.

Generally have longer battery life than earbuds.

Because they're larger, they often have control buttons that are easier to use.

Cons

Much bulkier than earbuds.

Usually cost more than earbuds.

Range of headphones — *Top row:* A pair of wireless, on-ear headphones.
*Bottom row, left to right:* Wired, in-ear headphones with loops, wired, in-ear headphones (or earphones) and wireless in-ear headphones.

Should I get wired or wireless headphones?

Wired headphones

Wired headphones are physically connected to a device via a cable and headphone jack. They're great if you want good audio clarity and no-fuss connection.

Some features of wired headphones include:

Stable and reliable way to listen to music.
Generally have superior sound quality, as Bluetooth can only handle so much information across its signal.
Don't have batteries that need to be charged.
Often cheaper than wireless headphones.
Don't allow for a lot of movement, so are more suited to travelling or office work than jogging on a treadmill.
Require you to be in close reach of your devices.

Wireless headphones

Wireless headphones provide a cord-free connection between your headphones and your device, using Bluetooth or WiFi.

Some features of wireless headphones include:

Great for those who want freedom of movement and to not be limited by cables, such as those who use their headphones while exercising.
Headphones need to be charged; how often depends on the battery life of your model.
Sound quality may not be as good as wired models.
Devices need to be close to limit interference.

Other things to consider when choosing headphones

Open back vs closed back headphones

If you're looking for on-ear or over-ear headphones, you'll find that both are available with either open or closed backs. This refers to whether they're designed to allow better airflow.

Open-back headphones let more air flow through, helping improve audio quality and creating a more natural sound. However, this means they have less noise cancellation, so they might be more suited to when you want to listen to high-quality audio somewhere with less ambient noise, such as at home.

Closed-back headphones keep music close to the hear by reducing sound leakage and blocking background noise. They're sealed off, which makes them useful for noisy environments.

Noise-cancelling headphones

There are two types of noise cancelling headphones: passive and active. These may be used independently in most models, or in some, together.

Passive noise cancellation involves a physical barrier that blocks outside noise. Most headphones on the market use passive noise-cancelling technology.
Active noise cancellation involves specific frequencies that counteract external noise.

Noise-cancelling headphones are usually pricier, but they're useful for anyone who wants to be fully immersed in their music or audio.

Connection

If you're after wired headphones, then you should check that the connection is compatible with the devices you want to play music from. Some newer smartphone models don't have standard headphone jacks, so you may need to buy a converter to be able to use headphones.

Battery life

If you travel a lot and want to use your headphones wirelessly, having long battery life will be important. If your headphones have detachable cables, you'll still be able to use them even when the battery dies, but you'll lose active noise cancellation.

Weight and comfort

If you expect to be wearing your headphones for longer periods at a time, then comfort will be more important for you. If you expect to be carrying your headphones around with you often, then you should look for a lightweight model.

It's a good idea to try out the headphones in-store to see how they feel.

Cable length

The length of your cable should be long enough to comfortably reach where you're playing the music from, without having too much excess wire that can be fiddlesome to untangle. Some wired headphones will come a few cable options, such as straight and coiled cables of different lengths.

Features

Headphones have certain features that can make them easier to use and more versatile.

Built-in microphone: This is useful if you want to answer calls while using your headphones.
Charging case: Many in-ear headphones will have a charging case that lets you charge them on the go.
In-line controls: These are buttons either on the cable or on the ear cups that let you control phone functions, such as answering calls, adjusting volume, playing and pausing music, and skipping songs.
Foldable design: This lets your headphones become more compact for when you need to travel with it.
Voice commands: These allow you to communicate with digital assistants like Alexa.

Water resistance

If you intend to use your headphones when working out or getting active, it's a good idea to look for a model with some level of water resistance.

There are varying degrees of water resistance, including:

IPX0 - no water resistance.
IPX1 - protection against some water drops that fall vertically.
IPX2 - protection from dripping water falling at an angle of 15° or less.
IPX3 - protection from water drops falling at an agnel of 60° or less.
IPX4 - protection from water splashes.
IPX5 - protection from heavy water streams.
IPX6 - protection from high-pressure water streams.
IPX7 - can be submerged in water up to one metre deep.
IPX8 - can be submerged in water deeper than one metre.

What are the best cheap wireless headphones?

If you’re seeking the convenience of wireless headphones but would prefer not to use up all your cash on a pair, there are plenty of high-quality yet affordable options to choose from. According to reviewers, here are the most popular headphones under $100.

Which company is best for headphones?

There are a range of brands that are well-known for their exceptional audio quality and are popular for all-round listening. Here are some brands to consider.

Audio Technica • See all

Audio Technica is well known in the headphone world, and it shows - the Audio Technica ATH-M50x is consistently ranked as one of the top models on ProductReview.com.au. Expect high audio quality and sleek designs.

Apple • See all

If you’re after a popular and convenient pair of headphones to pair with your iPhone, AirPods are a sought-after choice. While you shouldn't expect studio quality, these in-ear headphones do produce a clear, vibrant sound.

Beats • See all

You might recognise Beats from their high-profile ads featuring a plethora of celebrities. Known for their sleek design and streetwear style, Beats are a go-to brand. Although Beats produce a decent enough sound quality, some reviewers have noted that both their over-ear and on-ear headphones focus on bass and don’t provide a rounded-out experience.

Bose • See all

Bose has a wide range of headphones, with both their in-ear and over-ear models being popular with reviewers. Some Bose headphones have been ProductReview.com.au Award Winners for multiple years.

Sony • See all

Sony has an impressive line of headphones which rival the Quiet Comfort 35 II. If you’re after value for money, Sony is a great bet - plus, you can sometimes score great deals on Sony headphones.

Sennheiser • See all

Produces high-quality headphones for a decent price, Sennheiser is renowned for producing industry-level audio equipment that is often used in professional settings.

JBL • See all

According to reviewers, JBL headphones have decent sound quality for an affordable price. JBL have many headphones which accommodate different budgets, ranging from $39 to around $400.

Cheaper JBL headphones will have useful features such as an integrated microphone, but typically have a lower battery life and a lower frequency rate than a more expensive option. Premium JBL headphones are also noise cancelling.

Best Headphones

Soundcore Space A40 🏆 2026

Soundcore Space Q45 🏆 2026

Contents