Rolling Stone Audio Awards: The Best Headphones of 2026
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It was a banner year for headphone releases. Bose and Sony both released updated versions of their flagship headphones, the QuietComfort Ultra 2 and WH-1000XM6, respectively. Their fierce competition is a boon for audio enthusiasts, with both upping the ante in features, audio quality, and noise-canceling performance. But there were plenty of other exciting headphone releases to pay attention to. Cambridge proved its expertise in home audio extends to headphones with the P100 SE, and Sennheiser showed that hi-fi audio doesn’t have to come at the expense of wireless convenience. Below, you’ll find the best headphones of 2026.
How We Chose Products for Rolling Stone Audio Awards 2026
Audio gear is our bread and butter here at RS Recommends. Over the last year, we’ve tested hundreds of new products from earbuds and speakers to record players and instruments. We scrutinize each product for design, durability, features, and, above all, sound quality. Some are not worth buying, and many are fine, but a select handful earn our ultimate seal of approval: a spot in the Rolling Stone Audio Awards.
Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones
Sony’s XM6 proved that the fierce competition between Bose, Apple, and Sony is a boon for headphone enthusiasts. The latest XM6 headphones improve on their predecessor in a few key ways, mostly owing to design. The headband has been beefed up for a more comfortable fit, and Sony brought back rotating earcups.
That means the headphones and case are more compact and travel-friendly. Crucially, you get 30 hours of battery life and top-tier noise-canceling that turns roaring jet engines to a quiet whisper. Once again, Sony proves how seriously it takes sound quality, with a rich, neutral profile. — Jonathan Zavaleta
Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2
Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra 2 Headphones were a modest upgrade for the storied audio brand, but they brought enough new features — while maintaining best-in-class noise-canceling — to make for one of the best audio releases of 2025. They now automatically sleep when you set them down and reconnect when worn, rendering the power button a formality.
It’s the kind of convenient feature that comes in handy for frequent flyers and commuters. Plus, they boast a superbly comfortable fit and stylish design, making for headphones you’ll want to wear all day. — J.Z.
Sennheiser HDB 630
There’s a big catch with high-res codecs — both the headphone and the source device need to support it in order to get the best possible audio quality. Sennheiser HDB 630 figured out a clever workaround to ensure high-res audio from any device, thanks to the included USB-C dongle.
With support for Qualcomm’s aptX HD and aptX Adaptive high-resolution codecs, you can stream wirelessly with the best possible quality. It’s the kind of simple innovation that cements Sennheiser’s place as one of the best audio brands in the business. — J.Z.
Fosi i5 Planar Headphones
Fosi Audio bridges high-end design and audiophile quality with a more accessible price point. Fosi’s i5 Magnetic Planar headphones are capable of expansive sound thanks to their open back design, adding depth to home listening sessions. They’re still an investment, but given the stratospheric prices of much of the audiophile world, they’re a comparably more affordable entry point. — J.Z.
Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active
Skullcandy’s Crusher 540 Active headphones were built with workouts in mind. They feature comfortable fabric earcups, rather than pleather, to better handle sweat. The primarily plastic build is lightweight during exercise, while the tactile controls come in handy for handling with sweaty hands.
There’s even a slider to drive up the bass. The added oomph is no joke — the headphones literally rattle with some bass-heavy songs. If you’re looking for a pair of headphones that are lightweight enough for workouts but deliver heavy bass, the Crusher 540 Active are up to the task. — J.Z.
Cambridge P100 SE
Cambridge’s P100 SE headphones boast up to 100 hours of battery life, meaning they can keep up with even the most brutal travel itineraries. They have rich sound and solid ANC performance, and while the case and headphones are somewhat bulky, they’re comfortable to wear for hours at a time.
The sleek, streamlined app gives you plenty of control over EQ, while the headphones have creature comforts like auto-pause when you take them off. Best of all, they’re more affordable than many high-end headphones, making them an under-the-radar contender for one of the best travel headphones on the market. — J.Z.
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 (McLaren Edition)
Some partnerships get better with time, and that’s the case with storied audio brand Bowers & Wilkins and automaker McLaren. The British brands extended their partnership to F1 last year and launched a McLaren-inspired colorway of the Px8 S2 headphones. They’re expensive, yes, but a fitting homage to F1’s reigning champs. And not for nothing, they sound great and have robust noise canceling that could keep you comfortable on the side of a racetrack. — J.Z.
EarFun Tune Pro
EarFun’s Tune Pro combines a comfortable, lightweight design with handy tactile controls, surprisingly solid noise canceling, and convenient multipoint pairing in an affordable package. The headphones also boast solid audio performance. Plus, with days-long battery life and the ability to use a wired connection, they make a solid option for travel. — J.Z.
BeyerDynamic Aventho 100
Comfortable and compact, on-ear headphones deserve more love. BeyerDynamic’s new Aventho 100 reminded us of that fact. The Aventho 100s deliver portability, looks, and exceptional sound quality in equal measure, proving that great on-ear headphones can contend with or even outshine their over-the-ear siblings.
The listening experience is very refined overall, and the soundstage is remarkable given the headphones’ size. Speaking of which, the smaller build makes them ideal for commuting or travel companions, and we love the subtly retro look. — Oscar Hartzog
OneOdio Studio Max 1 DJ
OneOdio’s Studio Max 1 DJ headphones are exactly what they sound like: a pair of premium headphones designed specifically for DJing. They deliver on that promise better than any pair of cans we’ve tested behind the booth — so much so that they’re our No. 1 headphones for DJing two years running.
The star feature of the Studio Max 1 DJs is their ultra-low latency wireless performance to all but eliminate lag. You also get powerful, crisp sound, partially thanks to a big 50mm driver, and a range of wide connectivity options. — O.H.
JLab JBuds Open-Ear Headphones
We love the zen of noise-cancelling headphones, but sometimes it’s better to maintain awareness of the world while listening to music. JLab just made that easier and better than any other pair of headphones with these JBuds Open-Ear headphones.
The groundbreaking headphones feature an open-back design that provides true feedback from your surroundings, instead of audio played through microphones (like most headphones and earbuds). Best of all, the headphones still produce dynamic, clear sound and plenty of features for maximum versatility. — O.H.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite is an elegant and refined gaming headset that sits alone in the premium gaming audio category. The headset features upscale sound, first-class performance, and immersive gaming experiences that are enhanced with high-fidelity wireless audio that’s sharp, robust, and deep.
The wireless gaming headset is comfortable to wear over the head and on the ears, while it features new carbon fiber audio drivers for low distortion, smooth clarity, and faster response times when gaming. Those drivers are held in place with new brass surround rings that add to the headset’s audio accuracy and reproduction. It has enhanced active noise-canceling features for deeper immersion and a retractable microphone for rich and clear audio for online multiplayer games. — Rudie Obias