If sound is important to you but you don't want to break the budget (or you want to spend it wisely), here are eight headphone models that bring clear ideas to 2025: better noise cancellation, longer battery life, repairability, and even heart rate monitoring.
The headphone market has become as fun as a catwalk—except there are more algorithms than glitter. Google has introduced “real” ANC and a replaceable case battery to the budget, Sony has brought back stacking, Nothing is back in love with physical buttons, and Beats suddenly has a heartbeat. Bowers & Wilkins took its earbuds for a lap around the track with McLaren, Sonos connected the living room and head with Acom, Skullcandy lent its ears to Bose, and Audio-Technica is running its own battery marathon. Here's a list that separates the hype from the truth.
Google Pixel Buds 2a — The ANC the A-series has been waiting for
Google Pixel Buds 2a are a budget daily driver that finally brings ANC to the A-series. The Silent Seal 1.5 is powered by the Tensor A1 chip, and the sound is based on an 11-mm driver and a new treble chamber. They last up to 7 hours with ANC (20 with the charging case), have an IP54 rating and — a rarity in this class — a replaceable battery in the case. They support Gemini, quick pair and Bluetooth 5.4. A quick charge gives an hour of listening in 5 minutes, and a new stabilizer gives a better grip in the ear. The price is 129 $ (approx. €152); sales start on October 9. You won't be without these headphones this fall!
Nothing Headphone (1) — physical buttons against touch tyranny
Nothing Headphones (1) are an anti-touch manifesto: instead of gestures, you get three physical controls — a volume roller, a skip paddle, and a customizable button. The transparent design hides 40mm drivers developed with KEF, LDAC, and a wired USB-C or 3.5mm connection. ANC quiets down to 42dB, and the battery lasts up to 80 hours (about 35 with ANC on). Add IP52, Bluetooth 5.3, a frequency range of 20Hz–40kHz, in-app EQ, Channel Hop, and a quick “5 min = 2.4h” charging sprint. Price: 299 $, black or white housing, retro charm. You simply won’t be cool without these headphones!
Sony WH‑1000XM6 — the king folds again
Sony WH‑1000XM6 bring back the most missed feature: foldable. The new QN3 processor is seven times faster, and twelve microphones provide more aggressive noise cancellation — and an additional six for better calls. The battery lasts 30 hours with ANC (three minutes of charging for three hours of listening), LDAC, LE Audio, 360 Reality Audio Upmix, Game EQ and “listen-while-charging” are available. The thinner case has a magnetic closure mechanism, the headband is wider and more comfortable. Bluetooth 5.4, new 30-mm carbon diaphragms. Price: ~450 $.
Skullcandy Method 360 — Bose tuning, street price
Skullcandy Method 360 are “Sound by Bose” — tuning by Bose, character by Skullcandy. Hybrid 4-microphone ANC, transparency mode and low latency are packed into an unusual tubular case with an O-ring that you can attach to your backpack. Autonomy: up to 9 hours with ANC (32 with case) or 11/40 without, IPX4, colors (black, white, red, gold, leopard). “Sound by Bose” means tuning; ANC algorithm is Skullcandy. Ear sensors provide auto-pause/play. Price 100 $ at launch, later 130 $. Stabilizing wings with attachments keep the earbuds in place.
Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 McLaren Edition — F1 elegance for your ears
Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 McLaren Edition are audiophile glamour: Galvanic Grey with Papaya Orange accents, McLaren logos and top-notch engineering. Inside are 12mm Carbon Cone drivers, 32-bit DSP, aptX Lossless and adaptive ANC with three microphones per ear. The battery lasts 6.5 hours (another 13.5 in the case), and the IP54 rating means they can withstand sweat. The case is grey-orange, and there is a retransmitter for wired sources. After a decade of collaboration with McLaren, the limited edition (499 $, +100 $) has disappeared from the shelves.
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 — fitness with a beat
Powerbeats Pro 2 are back for the gym: 20 % lighter earhook, case body is 33 % smaller and supports Qi and USB‑C. The biggest new feature? Optical heart rate measurement during exercise, which syncs data with Apple Health, Peloton and NRC and prioritizes when necessary Apple Watch. You also get ANC, Transparency, Find My, “Hey Siri” and personal surround sound via the H2 chip. Battery: 8 hz ANC (36 with case) or 10/45 without. IPX4, colors Jet Black, Quick Sand, Hyper Purple, Electric Orange. Price: 250 $ / comparable euros. Without these headphones, you simply will not be able to do if you are an athlete.
Audio‑Technica ATH‑CKS50TW2 — battery marathoner
Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2 They play for a marathon: up to 25 hours (15 with ANC) in the earbuds and another 40/25 hours in the case. The trick is the “Magnetic Switch” — when the earbuds magnetically connect in your pocket, they automatically turn off and don’t drain the battery. 9-mm HD drivers, wireless charging (2.5 hours earbuds; 4.5/7.5 hours case), IP55 and hybrid ear tips for a tight fit round out the package. Since the magnet connects the earbuds into a larger unit, they’re easier to find in your bag. AT is known for its ingenuity (UV cleaning!), so for 149 $ / comparable euros – they’re ideal for long flights.
Sonos Ace — home theater on your head
Sonos Ace are the brand’s first headset for living room hi-fi: 30 hours with ANC (3 hours after a 3-minute charge), ultra-comfortable ear cushions, and room for surround sound with Dolby Atmos and dynamic head tracking. The icing on the cake is the TV Audio Swap: long-press to switch audio from select Sonos soundbars to your headphones and enjoy a private cinema. The housing is sleek, the ear cushions are magnetic, no water resistance rating; USB-C allows for wired listening. Price: €499. They don’t fold — but they sound grown-up.
FAQ: quick shopping guide – choose by user type
K: I work in an open space and need silence. What do I take?
A: They are a safe bet for “cutting off the world” Sony WH‑1000XM6 – very good noise cancellation and all-day comfort. If you're already at home in the Sonos ecosystem and want a private cinema, consider Sonos Ace (Watching movies privately through a Sonos soundbar is magical.) For a more budget-friendly approach with a pocket case, however Google Pixel Buds 2a, which surprise with effective ANC for the price.
K: I exercise, run, jump – I want the plugs to stay in place.
A: Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 they're made for that: the earloop keeps them where they need to be while you move. If you want something cheaper with good stability and fun tuning, check out Skullcandy Method 360 (Sound by Bose)For Android, first aid with good ANC and a lightweight body offers Pixel Buds 2a.
K: I travel far and wide – the battery is what matters most to me.
A: They are marathon runners. Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2; this is the model that runs out of podcasts before running out of electricity on the road. If you want ocean-going silence and comfort on your head, these are Sony WH‑1000XM6 still a “long-haul” classic. For quick “top-up” stops between transfers, look for models with express charging (most in this selection offer at least an hour of listening after a few minutes on the cable).
K: I'm a design geek. Make the sound sound good and look even better.
A: Aesthetic revolt against boredom Nothing Headphones (1) (transparent industrial look + physical buttons) and Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 McLaren Edition (F1 elegance for the ear). The first is an “anti-touch” statement – buttons instead of gestures; the second is a luxury capsule with McLaren’s signature and audiophile pedigree.
K: iPhone or Android? Do ecosystems even matter?
A: They count. On Android they will Pixel Buds 2a frictionless take advantage of quick pair, headphone search, and voice tricks. In Apple the world has Beats (and most over-ears) the smoothest hand-off, Find My, and surround sound. If you use it at home Sonos, Ace adds “tv-to-headphones” magic. All models work everywhere, but the “native” ecosystem often unlocks a few useful goodies.
Conclusion: which headphones to choose?!
The world of headphones is like jeans: there is no universally perfect model, but there is a perfect model for you. If you need zen in a noisy office, let quality ANC and comfort guide you (Sony). If you work out, let grip and resistance decide (Beats or Skullcandy). If you're a mileage nomad, let it take precedence battery (Audio‑Technica). If you are an aesthetic maximalist, let them win design and prestige (Bowers & Wilkins or Nothing). And if your heart beats to the rhythm of your living room, the Sonos Ace is a shortcut to a private cinema without cables.
The key is simple: think, where you listen (office, plane, gym, living room), how long you listen (battery), What's bothering you? (noise, fit) and in which ecosystem your phone or TV lives. Then choose according to the user type from the compass above. The result? Fewer compromises, more music. The next step is easy: a short “test drive” with the model that convinced you – and your ears will immediately tell you whether you have found the right ones.
