At PCMag, we know products—our experts review and recommend thousands of them. Our deals team works tirelessly to find the lowest prices on the technology you want most.
As someone who works from home, headphones are a vital part of my day-to-day. With noise cancelling technology, I can block out outside sounds and boost my focus. And, thanks to a built-in mic, I can also use them during Slack and Zoom calls. Even if you’re using them for leisure, headphones are packed with features that can make it easier to accomplish whatever task you’re attempting. Tackling that homework, for example.
Over-ear options have significantly longer run times and are generally more comfortable for extended use than in-ear headphone, though the latter has the advantage of a rechargeable case. We also like to see headphones that have an app for tuning the EQ to your preference and making adjustments based on what you’re listening to. If you listen mostly to music, headphones with a bass boost are nice to have.
Active noise canceling is extra important in noisy situations like a shared work space, a public-transit commute, or an airplane trip; a “transparency mode” is crucial for those who need to let the sounds of the outside world in for a brief conversation. And on that note: on-ear headphones are an easy way to tell others that you want to be left in peace with your music.
Back in 2020, our expert called the Sony WH-1000XM4 over-ear headphones “Sony’s best noise-cancelling headphones yet” and, despite the release of the WH-1000XM5, they’re still a top contender for excellent audio performance and noise cancellation. At $50 off retail, you shouldn’t miss out on these comfortable, customizable over-ear headphones.