Made It Here Awards 2026: Best Headphones

Made It Here Awards 2026: Best Headphones | Latest Tech News

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In town that never sleeps, it’s good to have a few moments of quiet.

And though it’s not often quiet right here in New York City, a good pair of headphones can create that silent oasis for you. Which headphones are the most NYC-proof, though?

Even if it appears simple, there are many components that go into selecting the correct headphones. Rather than evaluating pairs in managed workplace environments, we took to the streets. Twelve testers tried between one and three pairs each, operating each pair through a sequence of assessments.

It all led to this.

See our full testing standards

These are the headphones that stand up to subway noise, offer crystal clear telephone calls even when you’re strolling through Times Square and help you keep conscious of your environment as you navigate town.

Best earbuds

Best total: Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro

Tamara Beckwith/NY Post

Pros:

Customizable match
App-less design
Flexible noise cancelation
Bluetooth multipoint connection

Cons:

“Bean-like” form could also be a dealbreaker for some

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro headphones have 5 ranges of noise cancellation that will be adjusted to your preferences, with one being a step above nothing at all and 5 being excessive energetic noise cancellation. On a 5, you’re getting extraordinarily efficient noise cancellation.

Entertainment Reporter Eric Todisco examined these on the subway and famous that the noise cancellation was so efficient he “mostly only wore one” so he may hear his environment.

The headphones come with a full charge out of the box (all three testers called out the superb battery life), and the case is exclusive in that it has a touchscreen for controls, displaying battery life, sound modes (noise cancelling, transparency, and many others.), and even has a screen that acts as a distant for your telephone’s digicam. The “bean-like’ formed buds are customizable with 5 sizes of ear-tips and three wing-tip sizes included in the bundle so you will discover your good, secure match.

Frank Massaro

Commerce Partnerships Manager Frank Massaro was impressed from the bounce. “The LED interface showing battery of case and buds with easy to read visual indicators is a major plus,” he said.

Massaro also praised the case’s sturdiness. He dropped them from a few different heights and never discovered himself scrambling to choose up scattered earbuds.

In phrases of sound, these are geared up with Dolby Spatial Audio and optimized for Dolby Atmos. Massaro places it, “sound really pops.” All of the testers have been impressed with the sound high quality and talked about having the ability to dissect songs by figuring out devices within them.

Best Apple headphones: Apple AirPods Pro 3

Tamara Beckwith/NY Post

Pros:

Best suited for Apple devices
Hearing health safety options

Cons:

Fall out of the case simply
Only obtainable in white, dirties simply

Despite not being an total winner, AirPods are a traditional option and after utilizing a few pairs of Apple headphones over the past 10 years, I can confidently say these are the best pair from the tech giant.

The latest AirPods Pro 3 are loaded with options, including live translation when paired with an iPhone utilizing Apple Intelligence and listening to health safety with the option to use as a listening to assist for perceived mild-to-moderate listening to loss.

AirPods are extremely simple to set up and use with other Apple merchandise, and join seamlessly to your devices without the need for an further app obtain.

The noise cancellation is as good as it will get, with fascinating options like an adaptive mode, which sits someplace between energetic noise cancellation and transparency mode, dynamically adjusting the extent of exterior noise based on your altering setting. Additionally, it adjusts quantity based on your environment no matter which mode you’re utilizing.

Angela Tricarico, Nishka Dhawan

There’s also Conversation Awareness mode, which routinely lowers your media quantity and enhances voices in entrance of you once you start talking, then restores your audio when you end. I’ve discovered this to be particularly useful as somebody who doesn’t usually use modes other than noise cancellation.

AirPods Pro 3 assist Dolby Atmos where doable, but only on Apple Music. As somebody who switches between Apple Music and Spotify, there’s a noticeable distinction relying on which app I’m at present utilizing. With AirPods, Apple Music audio has more depth, while Spotify’s has more quantity.

Battery life: Up to 8 hours on one charge, up to 24 hours with charging case | Water resistant: Yes, IP57 ranking against mud, sweat and water | Noise cancelling: Yes + Transparency mode | AUX option: no | Case included: Yes | Weight: 2.56 ounces | Special options: Live translation, listening to health safety, customizable match, auto-adjusting quantity | Warranty: 1-Year Apple restricted guarantee, AppleCare add-on option obtainable

Best noise-canceling: Sony WH-1000XM6 Earbuds

Tamara Beckwith/NY Post

Pros:

Effective noise cancellation
Great call high quality
Sleek design

Cons:

Earbuds themselves are heavy
Case isn’t as secure as other pairs examined

Like all the other earbuds examined, the Sony WH-1000XM6 earbuds have noise cancelling and transparency modes; Massaro called it “too good,” while Todisco famous that it was just the correct amount when on the subway and Reporter Jolie Zenna agreed.

Dual processors and eight adaptive microphones help adapt noise cancellation or transparency to your setting in real time without sacrificing music high quality. Developed with mastering audio engineers, you’re getting studio-level readability no matter what mode you’re listening in.

Jolie Zenna; Eric Todisco

Two of three testers also talked about that the call high quality was better on these than other examined pairs, thanks to the twin beamforming microphones, a bone conduction sensor and AI-powered noise discount technology.

The design is smooth, but testers still famous some flaws. Massaro discovered them heavy and Todsico discovered they sat awkwardly inside his ear. However, Zenna discovered them snug. “Sometimes I even forget I’m wearing them,” she said.

The case also wasn’t as sturdy, as dropping it despatched the earbuds flying nearly every time.

Battery life: 24 hours whole (eight with the earbuds and 16 hours with the case) | Water resistant: Yes, IPX4 ranking | Noise cancelling: Yes + Transparency mode | AUX option: No | Case included: Yes | Weight: 2 ounces | Special options: Mastering Engineer tuned + 10 Band EQ, bone conduction sensor for telephone calls | Warranty: 1-year restricted guarantee

Best over-ear headphones

Best total: Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen)

Tamara Beckwith/NY Post

Pros:

Lightweight, with snug cushioning
Adjustable ranges of noise cancellation
Spatial audio

Cons:

Price could also be prohibitive for some
Ear cups usually are not detachable or washable

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) actually stood out for its consolation and was the best-sounding pair of over-ear headphones.

Tester, Commerce Partnerships Associate Brooke Parker, has a quantity of ear piercings and sometimes wears glasses (as do I), and discovered that these have been so snug that she “forgot [she] even had them on at times.” Parker also famous that the sliders adjusting the headscarf dimension are simple to use, pushing the headphones up moderately than widening the width.

The smooth design and shiny chrome particulars are another great contact. “I feel like Charli XCX when I wear these,” Senior Commerce Social Media Marketing Manager Michelle Moezam said.

As for sound, Bose has a great setting in its app that permits full customization of the sound profile, from ranges of noise cancellation to transparency mode and different sorts of spatial audio. Quiet mode (one of the defaults, with high noise cancellation and static audio) impressed our testers.

Holly J Coley; Brooke Parker

“Minus the music, I couldn’t hear anything,” said Commerce Deputy Editor Holly J Coley. “I tried the mode while standing next to my TV on full blast and couldn’t hear anything other than my SoundCloud playlist.”

The same goes for the alternative, transparency mode. The awareness mode “picks up train announcements and oncoming bikes, cars and foot traffic,” Parker shared.

With all these options, the battery life was one thing to contemplate, as more energetic options have a tendency to drain it quicker. Coley famous the battery dropped faster when utilizing more of the immersive options. Parker used them for two full workdays with noise cancellation on and completed with about 30% of battery remaining.

Best for journey: Beats Studio Pro

Tamara Beckwith/NY Post

Pros:

Available in a vary of colours
Integration with Apple devices
Folds up small both inside and exterior the case

Cons:

Ear cups usually are not detachable or washable
More structured, can change into uncomfortable

Available in a vary of fashionable colours, the Beats Studio Pro are fashionable and great for journey.

Coley seen that the Beats didn’t impression the weight of her bag when she needed to store them. Parker echoed this sentiment, saying that even though the Beats, which fold up into a rectangular mushy case, are still a little cumbersome, “it was a minimal issue.”

The Beats Studio Pro are also my favourite for touring, in half because of the included AUX cable that permits me to plug them into the TV on a airplane. The case is also simpler to pack in contrast to other large headphones.

Holly J Coley; Brooke Parker

Testers also famous the Beats’ call readability (Coley said she felt less disconnected from the call while sporting them, and Parker said they supplied a little more transparency).

With energetic noise cancellation, a transparency mode and assist for Dolby Atmos, you’re always getting crisp, immersive sound. Coley discovered the noise cancellation to be less all-encompassing than the Bose, but famous that when she waited on the subway platform, she may see the prepare method without listening to it.

It is price mentioning that the Beats are a little heavier and have less cushioning than the Bose. The ear cups are barely smaller, but still do the job, though one tester did have to take them off to give her ears a break after a while.

Battery life: Up to 40 hours | Water resistant: No | Noise cancelling: Yes, Adaptive ANC, Transparency Mode, with quiet controls | AUX option: Yes | Case included: Yes | Weight: 260 grams | Special options: Built-in sound profiles, 10-minute fast charge, Personalized spatial audio | Warranty: 1-year restricted and 90-day complimentary technical assist

Most fashionable: Apple AirPods Max (2nd Gen)

Tamara Beckwith/NY Post

Pros:

Multiple colour choices obtainable
Sleek aluminum and chrome steel design
Ear cups are detachable and will be washed

Cons:

Never absolutely flip off
Case doesn’t defend the headscarf
Less cushioned headband

The Apple AirPods Max are extremely fashionable. Available in 5 colour choices that vary from daring navy to pastel purple, the aluminum casing and chrome steel headband look great on anybody.

However, I discovered consolation was sacrificed for fashion right here. The headband lacks any real cushioning and the virtually rectangular form of the ear cups made them a pair of headphones that I struggled to put on for long durations. By the end of my hour-long commute, I wished to rip them off of my head.

But consolation is extraordinarily subjective and Moezam favored how cozy these are. Like the AirPods Pro 3, these over-ear AirPods have dialog mode and the routinely adjusting quantity function that I discover a enormous professional, particularly when utilizing them on the subway or strolling across Times Square.

Michelle Moezam

I’ve no complaints about the sound, either, as the standard is great and the personalised spatial audio is a great addition, particularly when listening to music on Apple Music. Moezam discovered these “less ‘techy’ than the others” despite being more costly.

A design distinction price mentioning is that, not like other examined headphones, these don’t fully energy down. They lack a conventional energy button and enter low-power sleep modes once positioned inside the good case. Since they’re still actively utilizing battery, it’s possible you’ll need to charge them more continuously.

Best open-ear headphones

Best total: Shokz OpenDots 2

Tamara Beckwith/NY Post

Pros:

Interchangeable (no left or proper)
Five colour choices
Dolby audio
Multipoint connection

With open-ear headphones, noise cancellation turns into less of a precedence, as these pairs will all sit on top and curve around your ear instead of sitting inside it. Still, Commerce Senior Manager of Growth Adam Schubak said, “The Shokz were effective in blocking out most noise but failed to cancel out the sound of a screeching train entering the station.”

Commerce Associate Editor Hannah Southwick deliberately tried making noise (shuffling papers, cooking, and many others.) around her condo while sporting these to see what she may hear, and in the end, heard barely more than when she wore a different pair.

Nishka Dhawan; Hannah Southwick

Essentially, they’re doing their job and doing it nicely, making them the best in this class.

Even without fancy modes like noise cancellation, OpenDots 2 are geared up with Dolby Audio. When testing for sound high quality, Southwick said the music felt immersive and she may “hear the different instruments clearly.”

Commerce reporter Nishka Dhawan famous that there was little-to-no audio leakage and identified that in the workplace, she was ready to hear to music and have a full dialog with a coworker.

Southwick, who has also tried an earlier model of this product, said, “These feel far more secure.” They are, in fact, the only open-ear headphones I can comfortably put on for hours, sometimes forgetting they’re even there.

Best for figuring out: JBL Soundgear Clips

Tamara Beckwith/NY Post

Pros:

Bold colour choices and enjoyable design
Clip-on design, but still secure
Waterproof and sweatproof

Cons:

No noise cancelation
Case will be tough to put headphones in
Some might discover these uncomfortable

If you’re taking a pair of headphones to the gymnasium, it’s your decision to contemplate these.

“These were the most effective in drowning out noise for me,” Schubak said. “I had co-workers walk in and try to get my attention for several minutes, which I was totally oblivious to. They also successfully drowned out common subway noise aside from the train brakes.”

Designed for minimal sound leakage, the JBL Soundgear Clips use an Adaptive Bass Boost algorithm for clean, wealthy sound.

JBL open ear headphones are displayed. Adam Shubak

It’s the clip-on design that pushes them toward the top of the heap when it comes to figuring out. Due to the bigger back half of the clip, these are a lot more secure and you received’t really feel such as you’re consistently needing to modify them just to keep on.

However, this design is also a flaw in some circumstances, as a number of testers discovered them to get uncomfortable after a little while, particularly due to that bigger piece of the clip.

Best transparency mode: Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

Tamara Beckwith/NY Post

Pros:

Best transparency mode
Waterproof

Cons:

Require more adjusting to keep on

If you’re trying for Bose sound in a smaller, less noise-cancelling bundle, the Bose Ultra Open earbuds are a strong alternative.

With Bose Immersive Audio spatialized sound, these open-ear earbuds deliver you nearer to the music without drowning out every little thing else around you.

Commerce and Content Strategy reporter Victoria McDonnell was impressed by the sound after listening to 4 different items of instrumental music, noting she “heard an immersive 360-degree soundstage with every instrument sounding crisp, outlined, and nicely separated.

Adam Schubak; Victoria McDonnell

“The bass was full without overpowering the rest of the mix, and the layered orchestration came through beautifully.”

Schubak discovered that these open-ear headphones supplied the most transparency, explaining that the “open-ear offering sits enough outside of the ear that you can still hear what’s happening in the world around you.”

Headphones in contrast

HeadphonesPriceStandout OptionsBest Overall: Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro$169.99Touchscreen case, Dolby audio, customizable match, 5 ranges of noise cancellation, waterproofBest Apple headphones: Apple AirPods Pro 3$249.00Live translation, listening to health options, auto-adjusting quantity, waterproofBest noise-canceling: Sony WH-1000XM6 Earbuds$328.00Bone conduction sensor for telephone calls, AI-powered noise discount technology, waterproofBest over-ear headphones: Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen)$449.00Customizable sound profiles with ANC, transparency, spatial audio, long battery lifeBest for journey: Beats Studio Pro$299.99AUX connection, fast charge, spatial audioMost fashionable: Apple AirPods Max (2nd Gen)$549.99Multiple colour choices, detachable ear cups, Dolby Atmos spatial audio, live translation, auto-adjusting quantityBest open-ear headphones: Shokz OpenDots 2$199.95Multipoint pairing, Dolby audio, interchangeable (no assigned left or proper), waterproofBest for figuring out: JBL Soundgear Clips$149.95Super secure design, daring colour choices, bass increase, multipoint connection, waterproofBest transparency mode: Bose Ultra Open Earbuds$299.00Spatialized sound, simple pairing, waterproof

How we examined

We examined headphones across three different classes: earbuds, over-ear and open-ear. For the most half, testers have been constant across classes to not only decide which pair was absolutely the best, but also to have one thing to evaluate to.

Tamara Beckwith/NY Post

For each class, the query was always the same: Which pair of headphones is best for long NYC days, from subway to streets?

Testing standards

Subway noise (for over-ear and earbuds): Can it block screeching brakes, platform bulletins, performers, crying infants and the particular person watching TikTok out loud?
Call readability: Can somebody hear you while you’re strolling down Broadway, close to construction?
Comfort: Can you put on them from commute to workplace to errands without ear pain?
- Over-ear: Consider pierced ears and glasses as issues that might make headphones less snug. Is the headscarf itself tight?
- Earbuds: Do they arrive with ear suggestions in different sizes? Did you could have to change the scale of the ear suggestions to comfortably put on them? How long do you last before you need to rip them out of your head?
- Open-ear: Do they really feel secure on your ear, or do you end up having to consistently modify?
Battery life: Can they last a full outside-all-day New York schedule?
Awareness mode (for all, but particularly for open-ear): Can you hear enough to not miss your stop or get hit by a Citi Bike?
Bag compatibility (primarily for over-ear): Do they store nicely or are they eating up your whole work tote?
Style issue: Do they appear smooth or such as you work in airport security?
Durability (for open-ear and earbuds): Drop your earbuds in the case. Does it keep closed? Do they fall out and fly in all places?
Sound high quality: Listen to these 4 songs from movie scores. How do they sound? Are songs layered and complicated, or do they sound flat? Can you clearly hear the different devices? Which of the pairs make these songs sound the best?
- “Cantina Band” by John Williams (“Star Wars: A New Hope”)
- “Run Free” by Hans Zimmer (“Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron”)
- “The Mandalorian” by Ludwig Göransson (“The Mandalorian – Chapter 1”)
- “Enterprising Young Men” by Michael Giacchino (“Star Trek”)

Tamara Beckwith/NY Post

Which is price it? Final verdict

Nine pairs of headphones and one very musical testing period later, right here we’re: fully blown away by the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro.

Our testing proved that these headphones have what it takes to make it in NYC. They’re snug, with loads of changes obtainable to maximize that consolation, have battery life for a week at a time and do noise cancellation better than any other pair we tried. Fun bonuses, like a touchscreen case and Dolby audio, also make the pair even better.

That’s not to say all of the other headphones aren’t worthy of metropolis life. Headphones, like most issues, are extraordinarily subjective, which is why we tried to deliver you well-rounded suggestions. Not an earbud particular person? Then our over-ear total winner, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen), is likely to be the one for you.

But for the average, on-the-go New Yorker, it’s exhausting to beat the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro.

Our testers

Angela Tricarico, commerce streaming reporter | Products examined: all 9 pairs

“After using a few pairs of Apple headphones over the past ten or so years, I can confidently say these AirPods Pros are the best pair the tech giant has ever put out.”

Michelle Moezam, senior commerce social media advertising and marketing supervisor | Products examined: Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen), Beats Studio Pro, Apple AirPods Max (2nd Gen)

“As a woman, I get scared sometimes wearing over-the-ear headphones with noise cancelling and I love how [Bose has] so many options in the app about customizing the specific levels of sound cancelling you’d like.”

Holly J Coley, commerce deputy editor | Products examined: Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen), Beats Studio Pro

“I never understood what noise cancellation was until I tested the Beats Studio Pro. However, Bose noise cancellation may have Beats beat. I walked through a block party — maybe I heard one voice.”

Brooke Parker, commerce partnerships affiliate | Products examined: Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen), Beats Studio Pro

“Both the Beats and Bose have great awareness mode that picks up train announcements and oncoming bikes, cars and foot traffic.”

Frank Massaro, commerce partnerships supervisor | Products examined: Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro, Sony WH-1000XM6

“There is a noticeable difference between ANC and transparency sound mode [on the Soundcore Liberty Pro 5], much more comes through on transparency mode.”

Jolie Zenna, Reporter | Products examined: Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro, Sony WH-1000XM6

“Both Sony and Soundcore earbuds effectively block loud noises on the subway, but Soundcore blocks the extra loud noise like screeching brakes a bit better.”

Eric Todisco, Entertainment Reporter | Products examined: Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro, Sony WH-1000XM6

“The Soundcore fit much more comfortably and never bothered me when I was on the move, to the point where I’d forget they were in.”

Adam Schubini, commerce senior supervisor of growth | Products examined: Shokz OpenDots 2, JBL Soundgear Clips, Bose Ultra Open

“For me, the JBL wins out simply because the design sits better on my ear and makes for a more comfortable and enjoyable listening experience.”

Nishka Dhawan, commerce reporter | Products examined: Shokz OpenDots 2, JBL Soundgear Clips

“The music sounded a lot more well-rounded [with Shokz]. Whether I used to be listening to musical scores or jamming out to some Bollywood dance hits, the sound felt even and clear, and there was little to no audio leakage.

Hannah Southwick, commerce affiliate editor | Products examined: Shokz OpenDots 2, JBL Soundgear Clips

“Overall, I liked the sound quality much better on the Shokz. It made these songs feel immersive, and I could definitely hear the different instruments clearly.”

Victoria McDonnell, commerce & content strategy reporter | Products examined: Bose Ultra Open

“[Bose] delivered a truly impressive listening experience. Across all four film score tracks, I heard an immersive 360-degree soundstage with every instrument sounding crisp, defined, and well separated.”

Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post

This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping, Page Six, and Decider.com. Angela retains readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly offers, and data on how to watch your favourite sports activities groups, TV reveals, and motion pictures on every streaming service. Not only does Angela take a look at and evaluate the streaming providers she writes about to guarantee readers are getting the best costs, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of purchasing, tech, sports activities, and popular culture. When she’s not writing about (or watching) TV, motion pictures, and sports activities, she’s also preserving up on the underrated fragrance dupes at Bath & Body Works and testing headphones. Prior to becoming a member of Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and client tech at Insider Reviews.

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Made It Here Awards 2026: Best Headphones

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