What is the best alternative to&#x20;Sony WH-1000XM2?

Most full-sized, wireless over the ear headphones are quite heavy and bulky. The QC 35 IIs on the other hand are relatively compact and light, yet still deliver great performance, battery life and top notch noise cancelling. The integration of Google Assistant is also a first in headphones, and gives you a host of smart features like notification reading, quick music searches and call making using voice commands and many more. See More

59 1

score 26 · Answer 2

Bose QuietComfort 35 II

Top Pro

Great sound performance, effective noise cancelling, long battery life and Google Assistant smart features in a compact package

Top Con

Noise cancelling may cause ear discomfort

Some experience a feeling of extra pressure into the ears when noise cancelling is on. Many find this to be unpleasant. See More

Top Pro

Great active noise cancelling

Bose's noise cancelling tech is quite effective at blocking ambient noise. This will help you fully enjoy the music by virtually eliminating outside noise. See More

Top Pro

Fairly balanced sound signature with slight boosts to the mids and highs

Bass is full and punchy. While the sub-bass is not pronounced, there is good and fast bass extension, and this is what gives the music punch and a sense of tightness. The mids are full and slightly forward so vocals and guitars can be clearly heard. The highs are clear and do not distort at high volumes. There is a peak on the upper treble which helps to add more detail and clarity to the music, but some may also find the high frequencies to be quite harsh at times. See More

Top Pro

Very good Google Assistant integration

These headphones are much more convenient to use and functional thanks to the Google Assistant upgrade. Press the long, flat button on the left ear cup to activate the feature, and you’ll be able to make voice commands to search for music, start calls, set reminders, get weather updates and many other features. This addition makes the QC 35 II one of the best travelling headphones you can get today. See More

Top Pro

Has wired and Bluetooth connectivity

Aside from Bluetooth connection, you can also connect the QuietComfort 35 II to a source using a 3.5mm cable. This makes the headphones usable even with the battery depleted. See More

Top Pro

Ear cup buttons allow easy control

You can easily control playlist functions using the buttons on the right ear cup. These functions include volume control as well as the play, pause, next track and previous track commands. The on/off switch for the headphones is also on this ear cup. See More

Top Pro

Very good battery life

The QC35 IIs can play music continuously for up to 20 hours. This should cover most of your trips' duration before needing to recharge. See More

Top Pro

Mic produces great voice quality

Multiple microphones are strategically located on both ear cups, allowing for great voice quality when taking calls. The noise cancelling also helps to clean up the voice quality that goes into the headphones. See More

Top Pro

Built in mic allows hands-free calls

You can simply press a button on the right ear-cup to answer a call. This reduces the hassle of having to remove the headphones to take a call. See More

Top Pro

Not straining on the head/neck

Despite having internal batteries, these headphones are still fairly lightweight, coming in at under 300 grams. This makes the headphones really easy to wear for extended periods, even when you are on the go. See More

Top Pro

Feels soft and comfortable

The QC 35 II's ear cups and headband feature quality memory foam material which are soft and supportive so they do not pinch on your ears or apply too much pressure to the top of the head. These contact points are also covered with a quality leather material which feels nice and smooth on the skin. See More

Top Pro

Great for on the go use as they are wireless

With these, you won't have to deal with long and dangling cables that can be difficult to manage. See More

Specs

Bose's noise cancelling tech is quite effective at blocking ambient noise. This will help you fully enjoy the music with little to virtually no outside noise interfering. See More

26 4

score 55 · Answer 3

Bose QuietComfort 35

Top Pro

Effective noise cancelling

Top Con

Noise cancelling may cause ear discomfort

Some experience a feeling of extra pressure into the ears when noise cancelling is on. Many find this to be unpleasant. See More

Top Pro

Great for on the go use as they are wireless

With these, you won't have to deal with long and dangling cables that can be difficult to manage. See More

Top Pro

Very good battery life

The QC35s can play music continuously for up to 20 hours. This should cover most of your trips' duration before needing to recharge. See More

Top Pro

Connects to multiple devices

Bose QC35 connects to 2 devices (for media and phone calls) allowing one to listen to music on the laptop and get calls from the cell phone. Allows to change the music provider (laptop or cell phone) automatically. With Sony or Senheiser all you can do is connect media on one device and phone on the other device... functional but really restricted one you get used with QC35. See More

Top Pro

Feels soft and comfortable

The QC 35's ear cups and headband feature quality memory foam material which are soft and supportive so they do not pinch on your ears or apply too much pressure to the top of the head. These contact points are also covered with a quality leather material which feels nice and smooth on the skin. See More

Top Pro

Light and easy to wear

Despite having internal batteries, these headphones are still fairly lightweight, coming in at 235 grams. This makes the QC35 really easy to wear for extended periods and even while traveling. See More

Top Pro

Ear cup buttons allow easy control

You can easily control playlist functions using the buttons on the right ear cup. These functions include volume control as well as the play, pause, next track and previous track commands. The on/off switch for the headphones is also on this ear cup. See More

Top Pro

Has wired and Bluetooth connectivity

Aside from Bluetooth connection, you can also connect the QuietComfort 35 to a source using a 3.5mm cable. This makes the headphones usable even with the battery depleted. See More

Top Pro

Fairly balanced sound signature with slight boosts to the mids and highs

Bass is full and punchy. While the sub-bass is not pronounced, there is good and fast bass extension, and this is what gives the music punch and a sense of tightness. The mids are full and slightly forward so vocals and guitars can be clearly heard. The highs are clear and do not distort at high volumes. There is a peak on the upper treble which helps to add more detail and clarity to the music, but some may also find the high frequencies to be quite harsh at times. See More

Top Pro

Mic produces great voice quality

Multiple microphones are strategically located on both ear cups, allowing for great voice quality when taking calls. The noise cancelling also helps to clean up the voice quality that goes into the headphones. See More

Takes a lot of power for volume. Not all phones have enough audio output to reach high volume. See More

55 4

score 36 · Answer 4

Bose QuietComfort 25

Top Con

Audio has not enough power on some phones

Top Pro

Good portability

The traveling case is small and provides room for spare batteries and other components. This makes it pretty portable, for those that can't or don't want to leave their headphones at work. See More

Top Con

High frequency noise may still mix with audio

While low frequency sounds are effectively blocked, high frequency ones can still be heard. Female voices and high pitched noises may still get in the way of your music. See More

Top Pro

Battery is easily replaceable

These headphones use a triple-A battery to power noise canceling. Should it run out of charge, it can easily be replaced. See More

Top Con

No noise canceling auto shut-off

The feature continues to drain battery even if the headphones are not used. Turn this off before storing. See More

Top Pro

Active noise canceling is very good

With the feature switched on, you can really zone in on the music. Noise canceling is very effective at blocking out ambient noise, especially the lower frequencies. On a flight for example, engine noise is drastically reduced, as well as most of the sound from the conversations in your vicinity. See More

Top Con

Noise canceling is uncomfortable for some users

A number of users complain about the headphones' noise canceling having a feeling of pressure in the ears, which they find to be quite uncomfortable. See More

Top Pro

Plenty of comfort features

The QC25 feels comfortable even after wearing it for several hours. The pads go over the ear and feel soft, as the ample cushioning is covered with supple and high quality synthetic leather. Aside from the usual headband padding, it also has an inner Alcantara lining that feels really nice on the skin. See More

Top Pro

Noise canceling levels can be adjusted

You have a number of options as to how you want to use these headphones' active noise canceling feature. You can either have the feature on or off while you are listening to music, or have noise canceling on without audio. This is a nifty feature if you just want to enjoy some peace and quiet when in a noisy place. See More

Top Pro

Light and easy to wear

These headphones will not tire your head or neck out, even if you wear them for quite some time. These are pretty light at around 196 grams. See More

Top Pro

Fun sound with boosted highs

Sub-bass is a bit laid back, but the overall low-end production is punchy and with good extension. Mids are clear and forward so vocals, guitars and keys sound good with these. The upper treble is boosted, which results in good detail, but can also give harshness to the sound. Overall, this is a really fun set of cans to listen to, especially if you just want to have a fun music listening experience. See More

Specs

The ear cups can be folded into the headband. This reduces the headphones' size so that it can easily fit inside bags. See More

36 1

score 38 · Answer 5

Sony MDR-1000X

Top Pro

Headphones can fold down to a more compact size

Top Con

Highs can be too piercing

The boosted highs add a lot of detail to the sound that these headphones produce.This also makes it too harsh for some. See More

Top Pro

Good noise isolation

These have great noise isolating properties and can block out a good amount of sound even with the noise cancelling off. The ear cups are closed back, the ear pads go over the ear and seal well, and this effectively minimizes sound leakage to and from the headphones. See More

Top Con

Weight can cause comfort issues

If heavy headphones are not your thing, then these may not be for you. The use of quality yet hefty and the internal battery contributes to the overall weight. As such, these can put a little extra strain on the head and neck when worn for long periods. See More

Top Pro

Quick Attention mode allows easy conversations

If you need to talk while using these, all you need to do is to cover the right ear cup with the palm of your hand. This activates Quick Attention mode which cuts off the music and amplifies voice for easy conversation. To get back to listening to music, all you need to do is to remove the palm from the ear cup. See More

Top Pro

4 noise cancelling modes to choose from

Users can set the feature to fully on or off, or set it to Ambient Sound which then offers 2 more options. Normal Mode allows some outside noise through, while Voice Mode allows voice frequencies through the noise cancelling. See More

Top Pro

Effectively cancels outside noise

The MDR 1000x's active noise cancelling is one of the best in the market today. With the mode activated, a significant amount of outside noise is blocked, allowing you to really enjoy your music with minimal distractions. See More

Top Pro

Noise cancelling otimizer

The noise cancelling optimizer runs a series of quick tests, with beeping noises, to adapt to ambient noise. This is handy against construction work noise in front of your window. See More

Top Pro

Can be used wired or wireless

You can use these headphones wired using the detachable 3.5mm cable or you can go wireless with Bluetooth. See More

Top Pro

Fun-sounding with good details to the audio

The bass is impactful and controlled and works really well with most genres that are popular today. The mids are slightly forward at just the right levels, which ensures that the vocals can be clearly heard. The highs are emphasized and sound great with a lot of clarity and detail, especially on the upper registers. See More

Top Pro

Right ear cup functions as touchpad remote

Swiping or tapping on the right ear cup's surface can pause or play track, go to the next track or go back to the previous one and can control volume levels as well. See More

Top Pro

Built in mic makes taking calls very easy

There is a built in microphone which negates the need to remove the headphones to answer a call. See More

Top Pro

Carrying case allows for easy and secure transport

This comes with a carrying case that is made from high quality materials. It should provide extra protection to the headphones against scratches and minor impacts, which are quite common when taking these while traveling. See More

Top Pro

Long battery life

The internal battery can give up to 20 hours of listening to music. See More

Specs

Weight:275g (No Cable)

Battery Life:20 Hours (Playback Time, Noise Cancelling On)

Connectivity:Bluetooth / 3.5 mm

Frequency Response:4 - 40,000 Hz

The highs are the highlight of the Parrot Zik 2.0's sound signature. They are very clear and crisp without adding any harshness to the sound. The bass is also very good as the headphones can produce a very satisfying rumble and punch in the low end. The mids are slightly recessed, so instruments like guitars and the vocals are not too prominent, but are still clear. See More

38 6

score 26 · Answer 6

Parrot Zik 2.0

Top Pro

Detailed highs and punchy bass

Top Con

Charging can be slow

You may need to remember to charge these headphones on a frequent basis. It takes around two and a half hours to charge this battery from empty to full, which may be too long, especially if you are always on the go. See More

Top Pro

Decent battery life

From a full charge with all of the audio features on, you can get anywhere from 5 to 7 hours of listening time. However, if you choose to run these in airplane mode (wired connection with noise cancellation) you can get around 16 to 18 hours of use. See More

Top Con

Presence Sensor can be too sensitive

At times, even slight unintentional movement of the head can trip off the Presence Sensor, pausing the music. This can get very annoying if it happens frequently. See More

Top Pro

Music automatically pauses when taking these off

When you take the headphones from your head or put it back on, the music can automatically pause or resume. The Zik 2.0's Presence Sensor detects such motions, negating the need to manually pause/play the music. See More

Top Con

Can be a hassle to take on the go

The industrial design of the Parrot Zik 2.0 looks amazing, but also comes at the cost of the portability. The ear cups cannot be folded into the headband. You will need to account for its size when travelling. An alternative will be for you to hang these off your neck while on the go, which may not always be comfortable. See More

Top Pro

Tapping on the outsite of the cup activates Siri or Google Now

Top Pro

Wired and wireless connectivity

The Parrot Zik 2.0 features Bluetooth as well as NFC connectivity for wireless use, which is great for modern smartphones or devices. If your music player does not have wireless connectivity, a 3.5mm jack can be used. See More

Top Pro

Light and comfortable

Top Pro

Excellent adaptive noise-cancellation

Consisting of 8 microphones (4 inward facing, 4 - outward) these headphones have excellent noise-cancellation. A feature called "Street Mode" uses the microphones to add noise from the outside to whatever's currently playing allowing you to be aware of your surroundings. You can also adjust how much outside noise you wish. See More

Top Pro

Informs of who's calling

Top Pro

A number of color variants available

Aside from the sleek looking design, the Zik 2.0 also comes in a number of colors including black, white. blue, red and many more. These options are great if you have a specific color preference. See More

Top Pro

Right ear cup accommodates gesture controls

You can swipe left or right for previous or next track, tap to play or pause as well as answer calls with the headphones on. This can be very convenient, as you do not need to deal with small and difficult to press buttons. See More

Top Pro

Companion app offers lots of customizability

There are iOS and Android companion apps for advanced settings. These allow for equalization, virtualization, turning noise-cancellation on and off, changing output frequencies and sound stage among other things. These settings can be applied on an artist/album/song basis and shared with other owners of Zik headphones. See More

Specs

Weight:270g

Connectivity:Wired / Bluetooth 3.0 / NFC

Cable:Mini-jack cable: 1,30 m

Frequency Response:20Hz – 22kHz

The Zik 3 features a solid build. The headband is made out of metal and can flex a good bit without breaking. Headband adjustment is quite stiff, which ensures that your adjustments stay in place. The ear cup surfaces are covered with leather which makes the headphones look and feel premium. See More

26 1

score 16 · Answer 7

Parrot Zik 3

Top Pro

Very good build quality

Top Con

Presence Sensor can be too sensitive

At times, even slight unintentional movement of the head can trip off the Presence Sensor, pausing the music. This can get very annoying if it happens frequently. See More

Top Pro

Interchangeable battery

You can remove the right ear cup cover to gain access to the headphones’ battery. You can replace the battery if the performance is diminishing, or you can bring a spare, charged battery to swap in with the depleted one for longer playback use. See More

Top Con

Can be a hassle to take on the go

The industrial design of the Parrot Zik 3 looks amazing, but also comes at the cost of the portability. The ear cups cannot be folded into the headband. You will need to account for its size when travelling. An alternative will be for you to hang these off your neck while on the go, which may not always be comfortable. See More

Top Pro

Punchy bass with good clarity

The bass reproduction is full and punchy, yet does not get overpowering. Bass hits sound tight, fast and have fairly good depth. The mids sound natural while the highs are clear, yet a bit rolled-off. This allows the Zik 3 to deliver fairly clear sound without getting harsh. The punchy bass makes these heapdhones work well with popular modern genres like EDM, hip-hop and the like yet can still work well with pop, jazz, classical and similar music genres. See More

Top Pro

Good at blocking ambient noise

The noise cancelling is fairly effective. While it does not cancel out all ambient noise, the feature reduces a good chunk of it, so it does not interfere too much with your music. See More

Top Pro

Gesture controls on right ear cup

You can swipe left or right for previous or next track, tap to play or pause as well as answer calls with the headphones on. This can be very convenient, as you do not need to deal with small and difficult to press buttons. See More

Top Pro

Wired and wireless connectivity

The Parrot Zik 3 features Bluetooth as well as NFC connectivity for wireless use, which is great for modern smartphones or devices. If your music player does not have wireless connectivity, a 3.5mm jack can be used. See More

Top Pro

Music automatically pauses when taking these off

When you take the headphones from your head or put it back on, the music can automatically pause or resume. The Zik 3's Presence Sensor detects such motions, negating the need to manually pause/play the music. See More

Top Pro

Decent battery life

From a full charge with all of the audio features on, you can get around 7 hours of listening time. However, if you choose to run these in airplane mode (wired connection with noise cancellation) you can get around 16 to 18 hours of use. See More

Specs

Weight:275 g

Type:Over-Ear, Closed-Back

Battery Life:7 - 8 Hours ( Playback, Wireless, Noise Cancelling Activated )

Connectivity:Bluetooth, 3.5mm Wired

These headphones feel high quality, and give the impression that they will last long. The headband is made out of metal which is very resistant to damage, yet also is quite flexible. The ear cups are made of thick plastic and not feel brittle, while the aluminum shields add a satisfying heft and premium feel to the headphones. See More

16 0

score 8 · Answer 8

V-MODA Crossfade 2 Wireless

Top Pro

Well-built

Top Con

Heavy

The Crossfade Wireless 2 tips the scales at a little over 300 grams which may cause strain on the head and/or neck. See More

Top Pro

Boosted treble and highs

The Crossfade 2 Wireless produces detailed audio with a good level of oomph. The highs are boosted, so you’ll be able to hear a lot of detail from your music. However, the high frequencies do not get harsh, so these are quite easy to listen to for extended periods. The bass is powerful, as with most of V-Moda’s headphones. However, the bass does not sound bloated, so overall clarity of the audio is still very good, and the punchy bass helps make music sound more exciting. See More

Top Pro

Comfortable

These headphones won’t have a pinching effect on your head. The ear cups as well as the headband feature really thick cushioning, so these headphones will feel very soft on the head. See More

Top Pro

Great battery life

You’ll get long hours of wireless music listening off these headphones. The Crossfade 2 can deliver around 13 to 14 hours of music playback from a full charge. Should the battery run out, these headphones can also function wired, so you can go on with your music listening. See More

Top Pro

On-ear cup buttons

You can easily control your music using the buttons on the left ear cup. You get a pause/play/skip/digital assistant button, as well as volume adjustment functionality. See More

Top Pro

Clamshell case is included

These headphones can get adequate protection from scratches and bumps if you use the included case. It is a hard shell plastic case with a felt inner lining and is durable enough to withstand minor impact. The case is compact (modeled after the headphones when folded) so you can easily fit the case in your bag. See More

Top Pro

Folds down to a compact size

These headphones can be easy to travel with. You can fold the ear cups and yokes up to the headband, reducing the overall footprint. You can easily chuck these headphones into a bag or large purse with ease. See More

Specs

With the BackBeat Pro 2, you get powerful yet clear sound that is comparable to higher end models but at a noticeably more affordable price. Wireless range and stability is quite good and the noise cancelling, while not the best, can reduce a good amount of external noise. See More

8 0

score 29 · Answer 9

Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2

Top Pro

Good sound reproduction, wireless signal stability and decent noise-canceling for the price

Top Con

Heavy

These headphones may put some strain on your head and neck due to these being quite heavy, coming in at almost 300 grams. See More

Top Pro

Decent noise cancelling

While the active noise canceling is not the best, it is able to reduce a good amount of noise from your surroundings. Loud engine sounds or high pitched noise may still mix in with your music though. See More

Top Con

Bulky for traveling

These headphones may not be ideal for on-the-go use, as they are large, full-sized headphones that do not fold down to a compact size. See More

Top Pro

Clear and powerful sound

The BackBeat Pro 2’s mids and treble are not forward, yet sound clear and neutral. You may hear a bit of sharpness in the higher frequencies, but overall you’ll get a pleasant listening experience with great details from your music. The low-end is quite emphasized, so you’ll get a lot of thump from bass hits. Bass lovers will likely find these headphones to be up their alley. See More

Top Pro

Music automatically pauses when taking the headphones off

You won’t need to press a button on the headphones or on your source device to pause the music when you need to remove the BackBeat Pro 2. There are sensors inside the headphones that detect this motion, so the music is automatically paused, and then resumed when you put the headphones back on. See More

Top Pro

Open-listening mode

Listen to the environment via a microphone without taking off the headphones. See More

Top Pro

Wired or wireless functionality

These headphones have Bluetooth connectivity for wireless convenience, but you can also switch to 3.5mm wired mode if the battery runs out and you cannot charge right away. See More

Top Pro

Good wireless range and stability

You’ll be able to hear audio even if you are around 100 feet away from your source device, provided there is a clear line of sight. Signal quality is also pretty good with minimal music cuts and drops. See More

Top Pro

Very good battery life

These headphones can last up to 24 hours of playback from a full charge, and this with moderate volumes in wireless mode with noise cancelling activated. This is very good battery life, considering other wireless headphones at the price range only have around half the battery life on average. See More

Specs

The over-ear, closed back design allows for good sound isolation, minimizing sound leak while also minimizing the outside noise that can interfere with the music. This is further enhanced by active noise cancellation, which actively blocks out noise frequencies. See More

29 1

score 23 · Answer 10

Naztech i9BT

Top Pro

Good passive noise isolation with active noise cancelling

Top Con

Noise cancelling can introduce hiss

Some users hear hiss added to the music with active noise cancelling on. This can be distracting, especially if you are sensitive to these high frequencies. See More

Top Pro

Long listening sessions should not be a problem

From a full charge, these headphones can give you 12 hours of playback when listening to music via Bluetooth along with active noise cancelling on. Playback time can last up to around 15 hours with noise cancelling off. See More

Top Pro

Feature rich for the price

The i9BT has a good combination of features that is difficult to find in its price range. It has a fun sound, a closed back design for good noise isolation and active noise cancelling. See More

Top Pro

Active noise cancelling can be used on its own

You can turn on just active noise cancelling feature without the music, for when you just want to shut out outside noise. See More

Top Pro

Powerful bass and bright highs

The i9BT has a V-shaped sound signature where the mids take a bit of a back seat in favor of the low and high frequencies. The bass is quite powerful so bass drum hits definitely have a lot of punch and depth. This is balanced out by highs that are very airy, bordering on harsh. The powerful bass makes the i9BT great for bass heavy music like hip hop and dance. The overall V-shape sound however also makes these headphones a good pick for rock and pop genres. See More

Top Pro

Feels very soft on the head

Along with the fairly thick and high quality memory foam used on the head band and ear cups, the cushions' surface features real leather. Not only does this combination feel really soft, but is also quite smooth on the skin. See More

Specs

Weight:175 grams

Type:Over-ear / Closed-back

Battery Life:12 Hours (Playback and Active Noise Cancelling On)

Connectivity:Bluetooth 4.1 / Wired 3.5mm

The BTS Pro is quite robust and can withstand some minor splashes of sweat or rain as these are sweat-proof. They are not completely water-proof though, so you should not get them soaking wet. See More

23 0

score 23 · Answer 11

66 Audio BTS Pro

Top Pro

Great for use when outdoors, going for a run or working out

Top Con

Some distortion can be heard at lower volumes

There may be audible levels of a scratching sound or distortion when using these at lower volume levels. This can be quite distracting, and can have a negative impact on your listening experience. See More

Top Pro

Good sound quality with focus on the lower frequencies

There is good detail in the highs and the mids can also be heard clearly with very little muddiness. The lower frequencies are boosted, resulting in a good level of depth and power to each bass thump. See More

Top Con

Motion Control App is for iOS only

At the moment, users of non-iOS devices will not be able to take advantage of the companion app's functionality. However, 66 Audio have announced that an Android app is currently in development. See More

Top Pro

Will stay snug on your head

The BTS Pro ear cups sit on the ears with hooks keeping them in place. The flexible connecting band provides good clamping force and can adjust to your head size with continued use. Combined with cushioning on the cups, these are comfortable to wear and will stay in place. See More

Top Pro

No long cables to deal with

Bluetooth connectivity allows the BTS Pro to connect with smartphones and compatible music players wirelessly, so cables won't be an issue. See More

Top Pro

Companion iOS app adds extra functionality

66 Audio's Motion Control iOS App gives users added functionality, including EQ control and presets selection, battery status indicator, and even headphone position tracking. These features can improve the listening experience and also minimize the chances of you losing these headphones. See More

Top Pro

Can last through multiple long listening sessions

With up to 40 hours of playback time at full charge, it's more than enough for most listening sessions. You won't have to charge these frequently. See More

Top Pro

Hardshell case makes transport more secure and convenient

A hard shell carrying case is included, which can protect the headphones from minor impact and also make transport much easier. The case also has good aesthetics. See More

Top Pro

Can be folded to a more compact size

They are easy to bring on the go as the ear cups can be folded into the headband. This further reduces the already slim and compact size, making them easy to chuck into a bag when on the go. See More

Top Pro

Ear cup functions as a remote

The right ear cup of the BTS Pro features buttons for controlling headphone features. You can play/pause tracks, increase/decrease volume as well as answer/end calls by pressing the corresponding buttons, negating the need to pull out your phone to do so. See More

Top Pro

Allows taking calls

You do not need to take the BTS Pro off in order to answer incoming calls. There is a built-in microphone which allows you to easily take or make calls in the middle of your run or workout. See More

Specs

The microphone has good clarity and can actually be used for tasks other than talking on the phone - like recording podcasts on the go for example. See More

23 0

score 16 · Answer 12

Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7B

Top Pro

Exceptional mic

Top Con

Requires an amp for optimal volume/sound quality

If you really want to get the best sound quality as well as volume from these headphones then you will need a decent headphone amp. The impedance of these headphones is quite high at 300 Ohms, so these require a good bit of power to function optimally. See More

Top Pro

Comes with two different cords

One cord comes with an inline mic and with controls, and the other cord is your standard audio cable. This inclusion not only allows you to pick a cable to best suit your use-case for the headphone, but this also ensures that you have a spare cable should one get damaged. See More

Top Con

Can get uncomfortable for people with larger ears

The ear cups of these headphones are quite compact, and may rub against the ears of some users, which can get quite uncomfortable. See More

Top Pro

Good bass reproduction, warm mids and smooth highs

The bass of these headphones is pretty good. Bass drum hits have good power to them, yet they do not muddy up the sound. The mids are warm and forward, and should present vocals and mid-range sounds quite well. The highs do not have a lot of sparkle, but they are clear and present a good level of detail. See More

Top Pro

Can effectively cancel out noise

With these headphones it will be much easier for you to focus on your music, or whatever it is that you are listening to. Combined with the closed back design, airplane/train/bus engine noises are effectively cancelled out. See More

Top Pro

A good number of accessories are included

Along with the two headphone cables, you get a carrying case, an airline adapter and a 6.3mm plug. These should help make the headphones easier to transport and also make them compatible with a wider range of audio sources. See More

Specs

These headphones are ideal for long flights. In addition to having overall impressive noise-cancelling (-33dB across all frequencies on some tests), these headphones excel when you need to cancel out low frequencies like jet engine sounds (-45dB). See More

16 0

score 42 · Answer 13

Bose QuietComfort 20

Top Pro

Best in class noise-cancelling

Top Con

Expensive

The suggested retail price for these headphones is $300. And although you can get a pair on Amazon for around $200 it still is a lot to pay for a pair of earbuds. See More

Top Pro

Comfortable

The headphones stay comfortably in your ear. They don't always offer a complete seal but surprisingly, this doesn't affect noise cancellation or reduce comfort. Also included are 3 sizes of eartips to help better fit your ear. Note that these tips have a unique design so you won't be able to use aftermarket tips. See More

Top Con

Average sound

The sound of the in-ear headphones is decent. The highs are a bit withdrawn, but the sound doesn't come off as too muddy. See More

Top Pro

Cord doesn't tangle easily

These headphones have a 2.5 ft cord that's split chest high with a control module near the jack. It does a good job of not getting too tangled. See More

Top Pro

Comes bundled with a small pouch

The pouch will make it much easier to bring the headphones and its accessories on the go. See More

Top Pro

Disable noise-cancelling with "Aware Mode"

You can disable active noise canceling at a press of a button. Aware Mode can be quickly accessed from the remote, which will disable active noise-cancelling and open up the microphones to allow you to hear your surroundings better. LEDs on the control module will let you know when this mode is turned on. See More

Top Pro

16-hour battery

These QC20 has a lithium-ion battery that promises to work for 500 charge cycles without diminished returns. After that it will still work, but won't last as long. Note that the battery is non-replaceable so when it finally does stop working, you will need to buy a new pair of headphones. See More

Top Pro

Different remote options for different phone OSs

These headphones come in 2 flavors: QC20 that includes a 1-button remote intended for Android users QC20i that includes a 3-button remote intended for iOS users See More

Specs

Type:In-Ears & Earbuds

The highs stand out from the overall sound. They are quite forward and come with a lot of clarity. This quality makes it very easy for listeners to hear the details of the music. While the bass is not that powerful, it has good presence and gives the music a full feel. See More

42 1

score 5 · Answer 14

Panasonic RP-HTX7

Top Pro

Forward highs and ample bass

Top Con

Treble can be too bright

The treble can come off as quite harsh for some people. Others may prefer this due to the detail and clarity that is added to the music. Those who are sensitive to washy or zingy highs may find this to be quite distracting if not uncomfortable to listen to. See More

Top Pro

Very good sound isolation

The closed back ear cups effectively keep sound in and the noise out,. You can use these in quiet places without sound leaks disturbing others, or use these in noisy areas to isolate yourself. See More

Top Con

Bass may be inadequate for some

While the bass output may be enough for most genres, bass heads may find it lacking power and thump. See More

Top Pro

Not tiring to wear

Weighing just 154 g, wearing these won't strain your head and neck. They're also rather small, making it a good option for mobile and travel use. See More

Top Con

Not travel friendly

These headphones don't fold, so they are a little bit more difficult to travel with. See More

Specs

You control the headphones by swipes taps. Swipe up and down to adjust the volume, swipe left and right to change the track and tapping will pause. See More

5 0

score 2 · Answer 15

Parrot Zik

Top Pro

Touch sensitive controls

Top Con

Short battery life

Top Pro

Stops playing when you take them off

A jawbone and motion sensors that are built in the headphones can detect when you take off your headphones and stop playback as it happens. See More

Top Con

Slightly uncomfortable

Top Pro

Companion app

There are iOS and Android companion apps for advanced settings. These allow for equalization, virtualization, turning noise-cancellation on and off, and other minor things. See More

Top Con

Tied to its app

Anything past basic functions, like noise-cancellation, is manageable only with the app. See More

Top Pro

Wireless & wired modes

You can use these headphones both in as a wireless and a wired device. See More

Top Pro

Decent sound quality

Compared to other Bluetooth solution the sound quality is good, compared to wired solutions the sound quality leaves room for improvement. See More

Top Pro

Active noise-cancellation

Consisting of 4 microphones (2 inward facing, 2 - outward) these headphones have an excellent noise-cancellation. You can also choose to disable the feature via the app. See More

These Beyerdynamics offer impressive sound isolation, keeping exterior noise out and your music in. See More

2 0

score 87 · Answer 16

beyerdynamic DT770 PRO

Top Pro

Impressive isolation and minimal sound leakage

Top Con

May require extra power/amplification for optimal sound

Depending on which model is purchased (16/80/250-ohm), your system may have trouble powering them to get a full sound and comfortable volume. 16/80-ohm should work fine in most systems. If not, you may need an external amplifier. See More

Top Pro

Sits well over your ears

The DT770s are very comfortable to wear with deep and spacious ear pads. The velour material used on these are smooth and breathable, and the thick foam provides ample cushioning. These headphones can be worn for long periods of time with ease. See More

Top Pro

Good soundstage for closed back headphones

The DT770 Pro, when amped properly, creates an open feeling sound stage that is very impressive for a headphone with a closed design. See More

Top Pro

Great sound quality with deep and powerful bass

The bass is not overpowering. Instead, it is clean and controlled. The overall sound signature is focused on the bass but the mids and highs are in no way lacking either. See More

Specs

Sound signature is quite accurate, almost flat. Bass is much more controlled instead of boomy, while there is a slight elevation on the highs, resulting in extra energy and detail up top. These offer a nice middle ground between a fun sound and a more reference/analytical sound signature. This sound quality makes the headphones quite versatile as music enjoyment headphones or studio-use cans. See More

87 14

score 34 · Answer 17

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x

Top Pro

Fairly neutral sound signature

Top Con

Incompatible with cables from other brands

Only Audio Technica cables can be used with these headphones. See More

Top Pro

These have a high quality and durable feel

The M40xs feel solid and are known to be quite durable. The plastics used in the build do not easily flex or make creaks, giving the impression that these can last quite a long time. See More

Top Pro

Can be used in noisy environments

The over-ear, closed back design along with the thick pleather ear pads can block out quite a lot of ambient noise, and will help users to focus in on the music. These make the headphones great for travel or for mixing/monitoring use. See More

Top Pro

Comes with two detachable cables

The headphones come with a straight cable and a coiled cable, making them useful in the studio or while walking. See More

Specs

You get a lot of useful features from the BT 100 NC which includes decent noise cancelling, Bluetooth as well splash resistance, which makes these earphones great for casual or active use. Sound reproduction has great clarity as well as full mids and okay bass, and should work well with many music genres. See More

34 0

score 29 · Answer 18

Phiaton BT 100 NC

Top Pro

Combines good sound, splash resistance, noise cancelling and wireless connectivity at a great price

Top Con

Bass-light with slightly aggressive treble

If you love powerful bass or non-fatiguing treble, then the BT 100 NC’s sound signature may not be for you. The bass is present, but the quantity may not be enough. The slightly emphasized treble can make the sound harsh and can be fatiguing to listen to for long periods, especially if you are sensitive to treble. See More

Top Pro

Detailed and clean sound

Bass is not emphasized yet is full and has good punch so the sound does not sound lean. The mids are warm and full, so guitars, vocals and drums sound great. The highs are slightly emphasized, which brings out a lot of detail from the music, but can also make cymbal and “s” sounds quite harsh. See More

Top Con

Collar design may be uncomfortable

The collar rests on your neck. While lightweight, you may find this piece of plastic to be annoying, especially when doing vigorous moves when running or working out. See More

Top Pro

Collar design houses all earphone controls

You’ll be able to control the various earphone functions using the buttons and switches on the BT 100 NC’s collar. It houses the earphones’ battery and noise cancelling circuitry along with the buttons for answering and ending calls, play/pause/skip/previous tracks, volume adjust and the noise cancelling switch. Aside from being easy to reach, the collar also takes as much weight off of the earpieces as possible, so they stay inside the ears well. See More

Top Pro

Good battery life

You’ll get a good amount of wireless listening time off of these earphones. Battery life with noise cancelling and wireless activated is around 8 hours, while you can get 12 hours of noise cancelling when these are used in wired mode. See More

Top Pro

Okay noise cancelling

While not the best, the noise-cancelling is decent and can reduce noise that may mix in with your music. You’ll still be able to hear some low pitched noise like the sound of engines though. See More

Top Pro

Earpieces can be stored in the collar

You can bring these earphones on the go without the earpieces flopping all over the place when they are not in use. There is a space in each end of the collar where you can dock the earpieces for easier transport. See More

Specs

Type:In-Ears & Earbuds

Connectivity with source devices is via Bluetooth, so in place of a full headphone cable is a flexible, soft and short cord made of rubber material that keeps the earpieces connected. You won't have to deal with a long and dangling cable. See More

29 0

score 29 · Answer 19

Plantronics BackBeat Fit

Top Pro

Bluetooth connectivity minimizes the hassle of wires

Top Con

Flopping earpiece cord can be annoying

When you start moving, it is likely that the short but fairly chunky cord connecting both earpieces will flop up and down. This can come into contact with your skin which can be distracting, and can even cause skin irritation. See More

Top Pro

Full mids, punchy bass, and smooth highs

The highs are not the most detailed, but they are clear and do give an airy feel to the music. The mids are full and forward so vocals will definitely sound great. Bass is hit or miss though, depending on how well these headphones seal in your ear. If there is a good seal then bass is punchy and tight though not very powerful. Otherwise, it is likely that the bass will sound a bit on the thin side. See More

Top Con

Noise leakage can be distracting

While these headphones allow you stay aware of your surroundings, this also means that a lot of environmental sound will get in the way of your music. If you want to zone-in on your audio while running or working out then these may not be the best ones for you. See More

Top Pro

The included case doubles as an armband

The case can be converted into an armband by reversing it inside out. This is very useful as you can use the arm band to store your smartphone while on a run, along with some essentials like your keys or some cash. See More

Top Pro

Fits nice and snug in the ears

The ear tips are made out of a soft and flexible material that is comfortable and supports the weight of the earpieces quite well. This is enhanced by the wing tips that further help to keep the headphones in place. See More

Top Pro

Earbud design allows ambient sound in

The design does not create a thorough seal in your ears, which can be a good thing as this will allow you to maintain awareness of what's around you. See More

Top Pro

Good battery life

The BackBeat Fit can last up to 8 hours of playback from a full charge. See More

Top Pro

Sweat resistant

A sweat resistant coating is applied to the interior parts, so splashes of liquid aren't likely to cause damage. See More

Top Pro

On-earpiece buttons allow basic smartphone/music player function control

Each of the earpieces have a single button. Different combinations of presses will allow you to pause/play tracks, answer/end calls, adjust volume and do other functions which can be convenient. See More

Top Pro

Built in microphone has a decent sound

The audio from the microphone is not amazing, but it is quite clear with no distortion so it should be good for most conversations. See More

Specs

True Wireless:No

Playtime Per Charge:8h

Total Playtime:8h

You can get around 8 to 10 hours of use from a full charge. See More

29 0

score 25 · Answer 20

Bose QuietControl 30

Top Pro

Good battery life

Top Con

There is no way to secure the earpieces when not in use

The earpieces will dangle off of the collar and flop around when they are out of your ears. There are no magnets in the ear pieces to keep them together, and there are no fasteners or docks in the collar to secure the earpieces. Other collar style earphones have this feature. See More

Top Pro

Earphones stay in place well

The earpieces won’t easily fall from your ears when using these on the go. You get Bose’s StayHear+ wing tips which securely fit inside the ears. Also, since the noise cancelling electronics are in the collar instead of an inline module, there is not a lot of weight that pulls down on the earpieces. See More

Top Con

Bluetooth only

You won’t be able to continue using the QuietControl30 when the battery runs out. You only get Bluetooth connectivity, with no wired option, so you’ll have to charge these earphones in order to use them again. See More

Top Pro

Very good noise cancelling

While the noise cancelling does not eliminate all of the ambient noise, it does a good job of preventing most of it from mixing in with your music. With the audio turned up to a good volume, you aren’t likely to hear your surroundings except for the loudest of sounds. See More

Top Pro

Adjustable noise cancelling

You can dial in the level of noise-cancelling that you want using the Bose Connect app which is available for Android and iOS. This gives you more flexibility with active noise cancelling compared to other earphones. See More

Top Pro

Full sound with good detail

The bass of the Quiet Control 30 sounds full, with good punch and power. It doesn’t add any bloat though, preventing the sound from getting too muddy. The mids are quite forward with a slight boost. Vocals and guitars can easily be appreciated, though heavy guitars may sound quite aggressive due to the slight elevation. The highs are clear and offer a good level of detail yet do not get harsh in any way. These earphones are good for general music listening, and should excel in vocal-heavy tracks. See More

Specs

Type:In-Ears & Earbuds