Buying Guide · Tech & Gadgets
Best Affordable Headphones
Published · by Home Visions
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Headphones are one of the few tech categories where spending less can still get you something excellent. The trick is matching the type of headphone to how you will actually use it.
For commuting and the office: wireless noise-cancelling
Noise cancelling is the feature you will notice most on trains, planes and in open-plan offices. Look for long battery life and multipoint Bluetooth so you can stay connected to a laptop and phone at the same time. If you can stretch the budget once, this is the category where the premium pair earns it.
Tech & Gadgets
Sony WH-1000XM5
Over-ear wireless headphones with class-leading noise cancelling for travel and focus.
Why we like it: The noise cancelling makes a plane or an open-plan office genuinely quiet.
For recording and editing: closed-back studio headphones
Wired studio headphones give you a more honest sound and no latency, which matters when you are recording. Replaceable pads and cables mean they last for years.
💰 Best Budget ChoiceMusic & Studio
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x
Closed-back studio headphones at a price that makes them an easy first purchase.
Why we like it: Honest sound and enough isolation to record with a microphone in the same room.
What to ignore
Huge bass claims, gold-plated everything and 'studio quality' printed on a box. Comfort, battery life and build quality matter far more day to day.