Which headphones or headphones to buy in 2022 and how to choose well

Updated on 01/25/2022 - With the new year in mind, we have updated this guide by adding new information and modifying our product recommendations in light of from our latest tests.

The market for headphones and earphones is very varied and it can be tricky to navigate. To find the ideal headset or headphones best suited to your needs, you still need to know in which situations you plan to use it or them. You must imperativelydetermine the uses that interest you before proceeding to checkout, this is a fundamental step in making your choice. Some products are designed to be used in the living room with a movie, others for video games, music in public transport, sports etc... And they are not always versatile so better not be mistaken !

In this article we will detail the key points to know in order to choose your headphones or earphones well and we will give you some useful technical knowledge to fully understand the technical characteristics that you can see a little everywhere in store or on the Internet. However, if you want to save yourself reading this article and are simply looking for the best devices on the market, then we advise you to take a direct look at one of our rankings:

If you're still here, then get ready, we're taking you for a ride into the exciting world of audio.

The necessary budget

From one category to another and from one range to another, the price of listening devices varies greatly. A constant that applies to most electronic devices. Just because a helmet is cheap doesn't mean it's bad, and vice versa. In this part we'll take a quick tour of market prices, but before that, here's a principle that we strongly advise you to follow:Do not buy your headphones or earphones off promotions.

Wait for the promotions!

It's the golden rule: you have to be patient and buy your helmet during promotional periods. Let's say it clearly: today there are so many promotional periods (Sales, Prime Day, French Days, Black Friday, Cyber ​​Monday...) that buying electronic equipment (whatever it is but it's worth even more for headphones or TVs) excluding promotions is a real mistake. Even recent products can be discounted on certain occasions.

Keep up to date with the shopping periods when you are looking for a product. The calendar is relatively simple, here are the main events organized each year: the Winter Sales in January, the French Days in the spring, the Summer Sales at the end of June/beginning of July, the French Days of the start of the school year at the end of September, and finally the most interesting of all in terms of discounts: Black Friday at the end of November. Scattered from right to left, we also find Amazon's Prime Day organized twice a year and reserved for Prime subscribers (little tip: you can subscribe to the Prime service for free for a month to take advantage of promotions), the Single Days Chinese retailers like AliExpress and Cyber ​​Monday, right after Black Friday.

Sometimes there are also some really good flash offers. To be kept informed you can take a look at our dedicated page or subscribe to our newsletter:

Don't hesitate to come back to CNET during promotional periods as we select the best offers in each product category each year.

How much for a headset? In the portable closed-back headset segment, the best models are currently between 300 and 400 euros, such as the Sony WH-1000XM3 and M4 for example. There are still more expensive headphones out there, but in our opinion there is no need to spend more, even for the most music-loving among you, because the models mentioned already have great sound quality and many functions, including a wired or Bluetooth connection. selectable and active noise reduction. If your budget is tighter, the best value for money is between 100 and 200€. We can mention the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 or the JBL Live 650 BTNC. Don't worry, you can also find things for less than €100, but beware, there are a lot of bad products in this price range and there will still be a gap between these devices and those we mentioned before.

At a low price, we recommend the Jabra Elite 45h. These are the cheapest wireless headphones from the brand and they are frankly good for their price. Otherwise there is also the very vintage Koss PortaPro or the Sennheiser HD250BT. The other solution to save money is to go for a wired headset that is a little dated, but which for the same price will undoubtedly give better results than a Bluetooth headset.

How much for headphones? In the in-ear segment, there is no need to go for so much money to benefit from quality listening. For less than 100€, there are very good quality products. Of course, there are significantly more expensive headphones, but the audio input will not necessarily be enough to justify the financial difference. On the other hand, you can put a little more to gain more advanced features or increased performance.

In this regard, we strongly recommend the Apple AirPods Pro or the Sony WF-1000XM4 for those who can afford it, or the Jabra Elite Active 75t for athletes, or even the most accessible Nothing Ear (1), Jabra Elite 3 and Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro with active noise reduction because we believe they offer the best value for money on the market with a price under 100€. Don't be fooled by products under $30 though, their lifespan will likely be short and their audio quality disappointing. Of course, there are exceptions, but the odds are not on your side.

As for the rest, we think that going over 200 euros is only useful for very demanding enthusiasts and going over 400€ is totally useless. There are even very good quality wired open headphones for less than 100 euros from Sennheiser or AKG, for example. Do not fall for the marketing discourse of the elegant product either, but with below-average listening qualities. Beats by Dre or Skullcandy headphones are among them.

What are your uses?

As we told you a little earlier, it is imperative to ask yourself what you want to do with your helmet. Are you looking for a headset for your trips between home and office, do you want a headset for video games, for listening to music at home in high quality or for all of the above? Because this question will determine the type of product you need. Let's take a quick look at what the most common uses entail.

In transport

For transport use, insulation is very important. Thus, open headphones and earphones (which provide little or no insulation) such as the Apple AirPods are not the best suited. Opt instead for closed headphones, good insulation, or in-ear headphones. If you have the budget, you can choose active noise reduction headphones, they are generally more expensive but effective. In addition, there is a good chance that you will use your mobile headset with your phone. In this case, you will need a good built-in microphone for phone calls and controls for answering, changing songs, etc. You will have the choice between a wired headset or a Bluetooth headset. Wireless is useful for this purpose as it gives more freedom without compromising the sound too much. In addition, these headphones are the most versatile, they can also connect to your television (if it is smart and recent) without cables between your sofa and your screen, or to your PC. On the other hand, for video, make sure by watching tests that the latency level is low, otherwise you will have a lag between sound and image.

Here are two products that we recommend for this use, one is high-end, the other is more accessible:

In the street

Most of the considerations valid in transport also apply on the street. Small difference however: an open helmet is useful for safety issues. Indeed, it is better to hear the cars coming when you cross the street. Some devices, especially those with active noise reduction systems, also have a transparency mode using the built-in microphones to amplify ambient noise. It's very useful.

Here are two products that we recommend for this use:

At home for TV or music

Just about any headset will do for listening to music at home on your smartphone, music player, PC, TV or stereo. Same for movies. We advise you to opt for wireless (but beware of latency). Indeed, with a wired headset, you risk finding yourself blocked one meter from the screen by the length of the cable (and using an extension cord is not terrible for the sound quality). If your TV has a Bluetooth chip, you can connect it without any problem, but if it doesn't, you can also buy a small adapter or an Android box for example. Finally, be aware that, although they are increasingly rare, certain wireless headphones designed specifically for the home can be a good alternative, a transmitter is generally included for the connection between the source and the headphones, and they often integrate spatialization effects for films, which is a plus. On the other hand, they are less versatile, you will not be able to take them on transport.

On the helmet side, our recommendations in the Transport section remain valid. Just add an Android box or a Bluetooth transmitter to your TV and you're done. Here are two proven Android boxes:

For computer and video games

If here too, you can theoretically use any audio device, it is advisable to use headphones specifically designed for computers or video games. These have microphones, sometimes useful spatialization technologies for video games and above all optimized connectivity for this use (some use USB for example). With a mobile headset, you may have latency and compatibility issues, especially with game consoles. In the latter case, be careful to choose a headset displaying on the packaging its compatibility with your gaming system (PlayStation, Xbox, PC, etc.).

Here are two products that we recommend for this use. The Logitech is wired and can also be transformed into a portable headset thanks to the various cables included, while the HyperX, purely dedicated to gaming, connects wirelessly using a supplied USB key:

For sport

There are two main criteria for an audio device to be suitable for sports use. First, the form factor must be adapted. It is necessary to prefer the headphones, which are lighter and more stable, especially since the models intended for sport often incorporate systems to ensure good support in the ears. Our preference goes to the in-ears, which give a richer sound. For more freedom of movement, we strongly advise you to opt for wireless. Then, the headphones must be resistant to sweat (be careful, if you use a model that is not, it could give up the ghost prematurely). This information is usually found on the box in full. You can also rely on the protection indexes (IPxx), click here to learn how to decipher them. Be aware, however, that the IP standard indicates resistance to water and/or dust, not really to sweat as such. Some models are even waterproof, although you should know that Bluetooth does not cross water, and others even have sensors on board to obtain various information (heart rate, number of steps, speed, etc.). Convenient. Finally, if you run in the street, the recommendations of the "In the street" section, a little above, also apply.

Here are two products that we recommend for this use, two big names that need no introduction at two different price levels:

In the office

A mobile headset with a hands-free kit function (with microphone therefore) will be very suitable for use at work (at least for office work), especially if it can apply active noise reduction or amplification, at least choice, ambient sounds. On the other hand, the microphone must be of good quality, there are certain headsets designed specifically for this use, such as the excellent Jabra Evolve 75, but they are expensive. We particularly recommend Bluetooth headsets capable of managing multiple connections in order to connect to several sources at the same time (several PCs or telephones in particular). Take a minimum Bluetooth 4.1 device. Be aware on this subject that if your PC is not compatible, you just need to buy a small USB Bluetooth key, for a cost of around 10 euros.

Here are the products we recommend, the Jabra is specially designed for the office, the Bose can also be suitable for mobile use:

For budding DJs or video/music production

For these very specific uses, we will use so-called monitoring headphones. One of the benchmarks on the market is the Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro. Other well-known brands in this segment include Sennheiser, AKG and AudioTechnica. Unlike the others, these devices are designed to provide the most neutral sound possible, that is to say that the bass, midrange or treble are not supposed to be more present than the other frequencies, their audio spectrum must be as flat as possible. This allows sound adjustments to be made on a neutral basis, to ensure a good balance of instruments and a good diffusion on all types of devices. A person wishing to produce music or videos will move towards an open and comfortable helmet (to allow long work sessions), while a DJ will prefer a closed helmet and, above all, having a rotating earpiece for the lay flat and listen with only one ear. Note that these headsets are not suitable for mobile use. First, they are often large and impractical on the move, and then their impedance is too high, resulting in low volume levels and degraded sound on smartphones. Conversely, avoid using your portable headphones to mix music.

Here are two products that we recommend in this category, the Beyerdynamic is more for studio use and the closed AudioTechnica is more versatile, it is also for DJs:

Sound quality and color

In terms of sound, the ideal headset depends on the music you listen to. Not everyone has the same rendering, everyone has their own "audio signature", their "color", with more or less treble, midrange or bass. You will notice, for example, that some models overemphasize the bass, or on the contrary contain it. If you like R&B, Hip Hop, then you will probably prefer headphones with deep bass in order to enjoy the rhythm. For classical music, it is the opposite. Because many are the clear instruments, whose sounds are masked by an excess of bass. Some ranges of headphones clearly indicate on their packaging the musical styles to favor with the different models: rock, jazz and blues, classical or R&B.

Be aware that it is however easier to find headphones that accentuate the bass than the opposite. Do not be seduced by the first big bass. This is not necessarily a guarantee of listening quality. The models offering the best listening, whatever the color of your playlist, are those which reproduce both low and high frequencies. Some users also appreciate so-called "neutral" headphones, with a balanced and little "colored" rendering, because this allows them to have a sound closer to the settings chosen by the artists and their sound engineers during the production of the songs. In addition, the latter do not forgive when the source is not of good quality.

Of course, good sound is not just a matter of taste. The headphones must have a precise, rich rendering, with little distortion, dynamics (ability to render the volume nuances of certain notes or instruments) and good spatialization. To find out, it is best to try the helmet and/or read tests.

Some technical basics on audio quality

Here's a basic principle that you absolutely need to know: whatever headset you choose, the audio quality you will get will be determined by the worst part of your audio chain. The audio chain is all the devices you use. It starts with the audio file (or even with the equipment used to record and mix the song, but you can't do anything about that): MP3 is a compressed format so it takes up little space but it is not not the best sounding side, FLAC, Apple ALAC or WAV are superior.

Compression

Unlike MP3, the compression of FLAC and ALAC is not destructive, so we say that these formats are "lossless" or "without loss" in French. In fact, compressions such as those of MP3, AAC or OGG for example remove certain frequencies that are not very audible to the human ear in order to reduce the size of the file while the compression of FLAC is only a reorganization of data to make it occupy less space. At the time of listening, the data is decompressed to return to its "normal" form without any of it being destroyed. To illustrate this, consider the following number sequence: 0,0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,1. Instead of writing it this way, we could also write it: 5x0,1,6x0,1. As you can see, the message is the same but it takes up less space. This is sort of what lossless compression algorithms do. WAV, on the other hand, simply doesn't do any compression (in general). These formats thus offer better audio quality. On the other hand, they take up much more space on your storage media.

Hi-Res, high definition audio

Then in your audio chain is the device that will play the file. It too must send a good quality signal (not all smartphones do!). If your phone does not allow you to obtain good audio quality, be aware that there are still some walkmans. Generally, these devices put the package on the audio quality precisely, here are two that we recommend:

Finally, there is the headset must be able to reproduce the signal cleanly in turn. Do you see where we are coming from? Buying a super expensive "Hi-Res" headset to play MP3 from a bad source is pointless! If you invest in this type of headphones, you need a good player and FLAC or WAV files, and be aware that Spotify will send you compressed sound in OGG, only Tidal, Qobuz, Amazon Music and Apple Music offer tracks in FLAC Hi- Res (Deezer offers a "Hi-Fi" formula in Flac 16 bits/44kHz, CD quality in short). Do not hesitate if you can to test the Bluetooth AND the wired mode of a helmet before buying it, it will save you some surprises. For example, the Jabra Move is a great low-cost headset, but Bluetooth only...Last thing, Hi-res or high definition audio starts from 24-bit 96kHz sampling, and we usually talk about quality" Master" when dealing with 24-bit 192 kHz files.

Sampling

Did you not understand the previous paragraph? Ok, let's go back to the beginning. As you probably know, sound is a wave produced by vibrations (the vibrations of your loudspeaker, your vocal cords, your guitar strings, etc.) moving through the air. The faster the vibration, the higher the sound. The speed of the vibration is its frequency. When we want to produce a digital file, we have to encode these waves, ie transform them into information that can be read by a computer, smartphone or other digital device. During this process, the sound wave is cut into small pieces called "samples", a bit like with digital images, which are cut into small squares, pixels. The sampling frequency, like the one mentioned in the previous paragraph (192 kHz), is the number of samples per second of your music. The higher it is, the more accurate the digital version of the wave, and the greater the frequency response of the signal (i.e. the "range" from the lowest sound to the highest sound). A sampling rate of 192 kHz therefore means that one second of your music counts 192,000 samples.

Image credit: Audacity - Pluke via Wikimedia

The 16 or 24 bit number is called bit depth. Because the number of samples per second is one thing, but for the wave to be digitized faithfully, the sample itself must also be precise. A greater bit depth means that we have a greater quantity of information in each sample, therefore that we record the wave more finely.

Finally, it is generally said that the human ear perceives sounds ranging from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, but in reality it depends a lot on people, and often the spectrum is narrower, especially in adults. Be aware that Hi-Res certified headphones have an even wider frequency response (below 20 Hz and above 20 kHz therefore), it's a good marketing argument, but the human ear does not go that far so it's not really useful in reality. Indeed, with CD quality in 16bit/44kHz sampling, we are already able to reproduce frequencies up to 22kHz.

The "form factor": supra, circum, intra-auricular...

During your research, you will have to compare several helmet formats. There are four main ones. They almost correspond to the size of the headphones:

The specificities of each:

Circum-aural or Supra-aural? Circum-aural headphones isolate well and are often more comfortable than supra-aural (this is not an absolute rule), the sound can also be richer sometimes, but they are large and less transportable . The supra-aural is more compact, generally easy to transport but sometimes less good on the sound side and often less comfortable since the pressure of the ear cups is applied to our ears. It also benefits from more varied constructions (hoops behind the ears and head).

Buttons or in-ear? In-ear headphones isolate well and generally produce more bass and better sound than conventional headphones, but in-ear headphones are also more intrusive since they go into the ear, some people can't stand them. There are also "semi-open" in-ear headphones, which go less deeply into the ear and can therefore represent a good compromise. This is the case with the AirPods Pro.

Let's get back to helmets for now. Regarding the headband, it generally passes over the head, but can also pass behind the neck or separate into two parts to stick to the ear. Not all are ergonomic. Some poles fold, which gives them an advantage for transport. The question then arises of the fragility of the hinges. Note that some models have joints at the level of the headphones. Two advantages to this: in addition to less bulk when stored, the headphones adapt better to the shape of your head. The pressure is less and the helmet is more pleasant during prolonged use. Don't overlook the importance of comfort, it's as important as the sound. Some headphones are too tight on the head and therefore only allow for short listening sessions.

Lastly, wireless has enabled the arrival of new formats, in particular earphones, with True Wireless, for example, which have no cables. There are now excellent models on the market, even under 100€ and the teething problems of this market segment have since been resolved so do not hesitate to take a look at our guide to the best True Wireless.

Comfort and material: foam, leather, rubber...

The headphones are the centerpiece of the headset. Not only because they produce the sound you are going to hear, but also because they are in direct contact with your ear. The choice of helmet is therefore also an ergonomic, even tactile choice. The thickness of the cushion is important, they must be well padded, but not only: the material also plays a role.

The majority of helmets will offer you soft cushions in leather (or in a material approaching it). A few rare models offer fabric or velvet cushions. It's comfortable but also much warmer, which is useful in winter but annoying in summer. Conversely, some devices for video games (like the Logitech G433) or sports have mesh cushions so that they breathe better and retain less heat. In general, prefer leather, more durable over time. Or even better, opt for a model with removable and easy to replace cushions, there are quite a few on the market but this detail is not always mentioned. Ask a salesperson, or read some reviews again.

What about headphones?

In-ear: If you decide to go for an in-ear, know that the choice of the earmold is not just a question of comfort, it is a crucial parameter for the quality of the sound because they must ensure a good phonic seal. If the insulation is not perfect, you instantly lose bass and active noise reduction (if the model of your choice is equipped with it). These headphones generally offer two tip materials: silicone and memory foam. The first is a great classic. These tips usually come in multiple sizes. They are available in three versions: triflanges, biflanges and simple. The simple tips can be rounded or conical like on the Jabra Elite 85T, it is the latter that we personally prefer (Be aware that you can change them at any time, it is very easy to find replacement tips on Internet).

As for the memory foam tips, they are more comfortable than the silicone ones, especially when putting them on and taking them off (less feeling of decompression). Plus, they automatically adjust to your ear for optimal isolation. The only problems: they get dirty faster and sometimes have a shorter lifespan. Finally, for sports, in-ear headphones are more suitable because they generally hold better in the ears, and if the model chosen offers support fins like the Bose SoundSport, that's a plus.

Classic headphones (supra): These headphones are sometimes delivered with a thin protective foam which makes wearing them slightly more pleasant. Their insulation is less so they often offer little bass and they are not always very comfortable. For us, the best headphones of this format are the Apple AirPods (True Wireless), without a doubt, but their audio quality remains inferior to the best in-ear headphones. Avoid models claiming to offer active noise reduction in a non-in-ear format. By nature more open than in-ear headphones, these headphones are not able to provide good noise reduction performance.

Connection

The headphone cable is often its weak point. It's the one that gives out first, causing crackling, loose contact, or no sound at all in one (or both) of the headphones. In the choice of headphones, the configuration of the cable is therefore very important, at least when you do not opt ​​for a wireless model.

Choice of wireframe

There was a time when the jack cable reigned supreme on the market, the choice was then much simpler. We opted for 2.5 mm, 3.5 mm (by far the most common) or 6.3 mm jack depending on the source we wanted to connect, and that's it. But wireless has been there and some manufacturers are now removing the jack ports from their mobiles, like Apple with its iPhones for example. However, it is still possible to connect wired headsets to these smartphones, but this goes through the charging port. At Apple, you will need a Jack to Lightning adapter, with Android, you will need a jack to USB-C adapter. Main flaw of this option: impossible to listen to music while charging your phone. Also, some adapters may degrade the audio.

Other types of connectors: USB-C, which you will sometimes find on the headphones supplied with your new phone and USB-A, used mainly on headsets for PCs or game consoles as we told you earlier high. You can still use analog Jack with your PC, it will work (if you have ports available of course), but you will probably lose some functionality.

Choose a strong cable: As for the cable itself, two other points should be observed: the length and the reinforcement. The length first. The cable should be long enough to reach the jack where you want to plug it in. Many models are offered with insufficient lengths. One meter is not a luxury, it's a minimum. For use in the living room, opt for a minimum of two meters (or more). Then the reinforcement. The cable must be reinforced to avoid having to replace it too quickly, especially in the case of simple and in-ear headphones. Because by pulling on it (taking it out of its case, untangling it, making a sudden movement, etc.), you run the risk of breaking it. There are flat cables (at Jays for example) which prove to be rather solid or reinforcements in nylon, braided fabric... Reinforcements only on the ends are not sufficient.

In any case, it is best to choose a model with a detachable cable. On the one hand, it is simpler and more economical to change a cable than a headset, and on the other hand the cable can be disconnected instead of breaking if you pull too hard on it. This is very common on headphones, almost non-existent on headphones. On the other hand, make sure that the removable cable is in jack format on both sides, some brands use proprietary formats and it is then more complicated to change them, this is particularly the case with the AKG K702 studio headphones.

The choice of Bluetooth

The Bluetooth wireless standard is a real asset these days, and if you have compatible devices, this is the alternative we recommend. It will cost you more than wired for the same quality (there are very accessible models, however), but when you have tasted the freedom of movement and the practicality of wireless headphones, it is impossible to go back to wired. In addition, you can sometimes connect them to several sources at the same time, and goodbye to the problems of wear and tear on the connectors. In return, you will have to worry about battery wear, knowing in addition that most models do not allow you to change the battery.

Let's also take this opportunity to debunk a received idea that is still too widely conveyed today: no, Bluetooth headsets do not necessarily offer lower audio quality than wired headsets. Yes, Bluetooth 2 is over! Today, most headsets use at least Bluetooth 4 and some are compatible with "high definition" codecs such as Sony's LDAC (up to 24-bit 96kHz with a maximum bit rate of 990 kbps) or AptX HD (24/48), which allow playback at very high quality. Even if there is a slight degradation due to the compression operated by these codecs, the sound is most likely still beyond the capabilities of your ears! Truth be told, even more common codecs like SBC or AAC are enough to ensure decent audio quality. The difference will be heard especially on the high frequencies, the harmonics of the drum cymbals for example or on the amplitude of the audio scene.

On the other hand, the highest samplings such as Master quality 24 bits 192 kHz and more are only accessible by wire with Hi-Res certified headphones. Some smartphones like the iPhone may also require the use of an external DAC to take advantage of it. Here are two examples:

As with everything, these wireless headsets also have drawbacks. Here are the main ones in our opinion: use is limited to compatible devices (although there are adapters), the headset must be paired with each device with which you use it, the sound quality still depends on the Bluetooth protocol that the mobile and headphones use, Bluetooth consumes more energy from the player than wired (with modern devices, however, this remains reasonable), in some places there may sometimes be some interference, and the headphones include a rechargeable battery which will eventually make the 'soul. You will then have to change headphones.

The special case of True Wireless: While most traditional Bluetooth headphones and earphones offer a very stable wireless connection these days, this is not always the case with True Wireless. To put it simply, the connection of the headphones to each other (since with True Wireless, there is no longer a wire between the two headphones) can be done in different ways, while the connection between the headphones and the audio source will be in Bluetooth. When the first True Wireless models appeared, some manufacturers also used Bluetooth between the headphones, but at the time we had to settle for Bluetooth 4 and this technology was far from ideal. The first models tended to suffer from micro-cuts and many brands broke their teeth when they arrived on this new market segment, this is the case of Sony or Bose for example. And when there were no micro-cuts, the audio latency was then very high, causing desynchronization of sound and image when watching a video.

Some manufacturers like Jabra, B&O or Sennheiser then opted for another technology coming from hearing aids, called NFMI (near field magnetic induction). The latter was much better at linking the two headphones, especially in terms of stability (few micro-cuts), but also in terms of latency. On the other hand, it was more expensive and it did not allow you to share your music with friends since the headphones had to be aligned to work. But since then, Bluetooth 5 has become widely available, sweeping away the shortcomings of these two technologies. Not only is the connection more reliable, but the latency is often contained and you can now share your headphones with a friend without any problem. You can even choose to use any of the earphones independently, whereas before there was always a master and a slave earphone. If you are moving towards this type of headphones, check that they use Bluetooth 5 or at least NFMI.

Here, with these few basics, you should have no more trouble making your choice, and will be able to decipher the technical sheets without too many problems.