The choice of ideal headphones depends on your budget. Premium models offer advanced noise cancellation, enhanced comfort, and high sound quality, despite their higher cost. At the same time, more affordable options suit those looking for versatile headsets for daily use, featuring long battery life and good sound at lower prices.
Tecnoblog presents a list of ten best headphone models currently available, describing the pros and cons of brands such as Apple, Bose, AKG, Sony, JBL, Anker Soundcore, and QCY.
AirPods Max 2
The AirPods Max 2 are over-ear headphones weighing 384g, distinguished by a rich set of features for those striving for the most complete audio experience. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is 1.5 times more effective compared to the previous model, thanks to the H2 chip and new processing algorithms, according to Apple. Furthermore, the new high dynamic amplitude amplifier works with the drivers to ensure more detailed sound reproduction. The headphones support lossless streaming and low latency via USB-C, which is useful for listening to high-quality music or watching videos without audio-visual desynchronization. The battery lasts up to 20 hours with ANC and Spatial Audio enabled. AirPods Max 2 are also compatible with Live Translation, based on Apple Intelligence. Supported codecs: AAC and ALAC.
Sony WH-1000XM6
The Sony WH-1000XM6 over-ear headphones (254g) are equipped with adaptive ANC, 12 microphones, and algorithms that adjust noise reduction in real-time. There is also an automatic ambient sound mode to balance played music with external sounds. A 30mm diameter driver is designed to provide clear and crisp sound, especially in high frequencies. Support for high-resolution audio (wired and wireless) and spatial audio enhances the overall sound experience. Battery life is 30 hours with ANC on, and up to 40 hours without it. A drawback is the charging time: a full charge takes 3 hours and 30 minutes. Supported codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC, and L3.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 are over-ear headphones weighing 260g, distinguished by their active noise cancellation (ANC). The user can customize this feature through the Bose app or completely disable it to adapt the experience to a specific environment. One of the main innovations is the wired connection via USB-C, which allows for lossless audio playback. This connection also provides low latency, which may be relevant for gamers or video watchers. The battery lasts up to 30 hours on a single charge, and up to 45 hours with ANC off. The model supports Bluetooth 5.3 and multipoint connection, allowing simultaneous connection to two devices. Supported codecs: SBC, AAC, and aptX Adaptive.
AKG K361-BT
The AKG K361-BT are professional headphones aimed at artists, podcasters, and beatmakers. They do not have ANC, as they are designed for studio and closed-room use. Nevertheless, their oval earcups provide passive sound insulation for better immersion. 50mm drivers deliver advanced performance and extended bass, with a frequency range from 15 Hz to 28 kHz. Oxygen-free pure copper coils optimize acoustic accuracy to improve bass, mids, and highs. The battery promises 24 hours of wireless operation (with Bluetooth 5.0). Operation can continue using a cable if the battery runs out. Supported codecs: SBC and AAC.
JBL Tour One M3 Tx
The JBL Tour One M3 Tx weighs 278g and features adaptive ANC 2.0 with real-time adjustment. Eight microphones (four in each earcup) are used to capture ambient noise, which is then fed back out of phase to enhance isolation from external sounds. Thanks to 40mm drivers, the headphones support high-resolution wireless audio (Bluetooth 5.3) for high-quality sound. You can also enjoy lossless sound, but only in wired mode (USB-C). The battery impresses with up to 70 hours of autonomy with ANC off. A distinctive feature is the Smart Tx device—a small transmitter with a display that activates wireless audio playback on cable-only devices. Supported codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC, and LC3.
The Live 780NC is also an over-ear model with adaptive ANC 2.0. However, it uses six microphones for precise background noise filtering, which is two fewer than the JBL Tour One M3 Tx. This wearable gadget weighs 260g, has a 40mm driver, and supports high-resolution audio both wired and wirelessly. It also supports multipoint connection using the latest Bluetooth 6.0 standard. Battery life reaches 50 hours with ANC and increases to 80 hours without noise cancellation. Although the device is compatible with Smart Tx, the audio transmitter itself is not included in the package. Supported codecs: not specified.
Anker Soundcore Q31i
The Anker Soundcore Q31i are over-ear headphones weighing 265g with adaptive ANC. Although noise cancellation only functions when connected by cable, it is capable of adapting to changes in seal caused by movement, glasses, or hair. The driver features a dual diaphragm and reaches up to 98 dB, combining metal-ceramic and silk for optimized bass and treble. To further improve sound quality, the headphones support high-resolution audio (wired and wireless) and spatial sound. Multipoint connection (with Bluetooth 6.0) and a battery with up to 80 hours of autonomy (without ANC) complete the technical specifications of this wearable device. Supported codecs: AAC, SBC, and LDAC.
QCY H3 Pro ANC
The QCY H3 Pro ANC has an over-ear design weighing 231 grams. The headphones feature adaptive ANC up to 50 dB and use three AI microphones to reduce noise during calls. 40mm dynamic drivers are designed to deliver rich bass and clear highs. Hi-Res Audio and Hi-Res Audio Wireless certifications guarantee compatibility with high-resolution audio both wired and wireless. The headphones operate for about 40 hours with ANC and up to 55 hours without noise cancellation. Multipoint connection is also provided for simultaneous pairing with two devices via Bluetooth 5.4. Supported codecs: AAC, SBC, and LDAC.
JBL Tune 720BT
The JBL Tune 720BT (220g) is a more basic over-ear headset focused on long usage time. Since the peripheral does not have active noise cancellation, protection against external noise is provided only by the earcups, which perform a passive function. The headphones are equipped with 40mm drivers and offer preset equalization modes via the JBL Headphones app. However, they do not support high-resolution audio or spatial sound. The main advantage of this model is the battery, which can last up to 76 hours. Furthermore, charging for just 5 minutes provides an additional 3 hours of listening time. Supported codecs: not specified.



