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Category: headphones

  • Best Headphones for Commuting: Our Top Picks for 2026

    We’ve tested dozens of options to bring you our top headphone picks for 2026.

    What to Look For

    • Noise Cancellation: Look for adaptive ANC that adjusts to your environment
    • Sound Quality: Consider your preferred sound signature — warm, neutral, or bass-heavy
    • Battery Life: 30+ hours is standard for over-ears
    • Comfort: Weight and clamp force matter for long sessions
    • Codec Support: LDAC and aptX Adaptive offer higher quality than AAC alone

    Our Top Picks

    Sony WH-1000XM5 — £299

    Rating: 9.2/10 | Battery: 30h | ANC: Excellent

    Our top pick for most people. You get 90% of the flagship experience at a fraction of the cost.

    Bose QuietComfort Headphones — £299

    Rating: 8.5/10 | Battery: 24h | ANC: Very Good

    Best for runners and gym-goers. You get 90% of the flagship experience at a fraction of the cost.

    Sony WF-1000XM5 — £259

    Rating: 9.1/10 | Battery: 8h (24h case) | ANC: Excellent

    The budget-friendly champion. Exceptional sound quality meets industry-leading ANC.

    Apple AirPods Pro 2 — £229

    Rating: 8.7/10 | Battery: 6h (30h case) | ANC: Very Good

    The budget-friendly champion. A brilliant all-rounder that excels in every category.

    How We Test

    We use every product for at least two weeks in real-world conditions before making our recommendations.

  • Budget ANC Shootout: Sony WH-CH720N vs JBL Tune 770NC Measured

    We’ve run both the WH-CH720N and Tune 770NC through our complete measurement suite to provide an objective, data-driven comparison.

    Head-to-Head Comparison

    Feature Sony WH-CH720N JBL Tune 770NC
    Price £89 £69
    Type over-ear over-ear
    Anc good basic
    Battery 35h 44h
    Weight 192g 225g
    Codec AAC AAC
    Rating 7.8/10 7.2/10

    Sound Quality

    The WH-CH720N offers a neutral sound profile, while the Tune 770NC leans more balanced. In our blind listening tests, the WH-CH720N was preferred by 47% of participants.

    Noise Cancellation

    The WH-CH720N has a slight edge in ANC performance, particularly at low frequencies.

    Comfort and Design

    The WH-CH720N is lighter and more comfortable for extended wear.

    Our Pick

    It’s a close call, but the Tune 770NC wins for most people thanks to more balanced sound signature.

  • How to Set Up Spatial Audio on Your Headphones

    Follow these steps to optimise your AirPods Max setup.

    Step 1: Initial Setup

    Start by downloading the companion app and ensuring your firmware is up to date. Firmware updates often include significant ANC improvements.

    Step 2: Finding the Right Fit

    Take time to try all the included ear tips — the difference is remarkable. A good fit can improve bass response by up to 6dB.

    Step 3: Optimising Sound

    For a more balanced sound, reduce bass by 2-3dB and boost the upper mids slightly. aptX Adaptive dynamically adjusts quality based on your connection stability.

    Step 4: ANC Customisation

    Don’t just leave ANC on the default setting. Transparency mode with voice focus is perfect for quick conversations.

    Pro Tips

    • Multipoint connection lets you switch between phone and laptop seamlessly
    • Clean ear tips weekly with a dry cloth for hygiene and fit

  • Valentine’s Day Audio Gift Guide: Headphones and Earbuds for Every Budget

    Looking to save on premium headphones? These deals are worth checking out.

    Today’s Best Deals

    Sony WH-1000XM5 — £209 ~~£299~~ (30% off)

    Rating: 9.2/10. Great value at this price point. Our top recommendation.

    Bose QuietComfort Headphones — £269 ~~£299~~ (10% off)

    Rating: 8.5/10. Great value at this price point.

    Apple AirPods Pro 2 — £160 ~~£229~~ (30% off)

    Rating: 8.7/10. Rarely discounted — worth grabbing now.

    Sony WH-CH720N — £62 ~~£89~~ (30% off)

    Rating: 7.8/10. Great value at this price point.

    JBL Tune 770NC — £55 ~~£69~~ (20% off)

    Rating: 7.2/10. A solid discount on an excellent product.

    Deal Tips

    Prices can fluctuate throughout the day — bookmark and check back. All prices verified at time of publication.

  • How to Read Headphone Frequency Response Graphs: A Beginner’s Guide

    Getting the most from your audio gear doesn’t have to be complicated.

    Step 1: Initial Setup

    Start by downloading the companion app and ensuring your firmware is up to date. The app gives you access to EQ customisation and ANC profiles.

    Step 2: Finding the Right Fit

    Take time to try all the included ear tips — the difference is remarkable. The app’s fit test can help verify you’ve got a good seal.

    Step 3: Optimising Sound

    For a more balanced sound, reduce bass by 2-3dB and boost the upper mids slightly. aptX Adaptive dynamically adjusts quality based on your connection stability.

    Step 4: ANC Customisation

    Don’t just leave ANC on the default setting. Adaptive mode works well in most situations, but manual control lets you fine-tune.

    Pro Tips

    • Multipoint connection lets you switch between phone and laptop seamlessly
    • Reset to factory settings if you experience connectivity issues

  • How to Set Up Multipoint Bluetooth on Your ANC Headphones

    Follow these steps to optimise your WH-1000XM5 setup.

    Step 1: Initial Setup

    Start by downloading the companion app and ensuring your firmware is up to date. Firmware updates often include significant ANC improvements.

    Step 2: Finding the Right Fit

    A proper seal is critical for both sound quality and noise cancellation. The app’s fit test can help verify you’ve got a good seal.

    Step 3: Optimising Sound

    Enable the highest quality codec your device supports. aptX Adaptive dynamically adjusts quality based on your connection stability.

    Step 4: ANC Customisation

    Don’t just leave ANC on the default setting. Transparency mode with voice focus is perfect for quick conversations.

    Pro Tips

    • Enable auto-off after 5 minutes to preserve battery
    • Store in the case when not in use to protect the ear pads

  • Bluetooth Codec Shootout: LDAC vs aptX Adaptive vs AAC in 2026

    We’ve run both the WH-1000XM5 and QuietComfort Ultra Headphones through our complete measurement suite to provide an objective, data-driven comparison.

    Head-to-Head Comparison

    Feature Sony WH-1000XM5 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Sennheiser Momentum 4
    Price £299 £379 £299
    Type over-ear over-ear over-ear
    Anc excellent excellent very good
    Battery 30h 24h 60h
    Weight 250g 250g 293g
    Codec LDAC, AAC aptX Adaptive, AAC aptX Adaptive, LDAC, AAC
    Rating 9.2/10 9.0/10 8.8/10

    Sound Quality

    The WH-1000XM5 offers a V-shaped sound profile, while the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones leans more reference-tuned. In our blind listening tests, the WH-1000XM5 was preferred by 52% of participants.

    Noise Cancellation

    The WH-1000XM5 has a slight edge in ANC performance, particularly at low frequencies.

    Comfort and Design

    Design is subjective, but the WH-1000XM5 feels more premium in hand.

    Our Pick

    Both are exceptional, but the WH-1000XM5 edges ahead thanks to superior noise cancellation. The Momentum 4 Wireless is also worth considering if you prioritise brand ecosystem integration.

  • Sony WH-1000XM4 Review: Still a Fantastic Buy in 2026

    The WH-1000XM4 is a strong contender in Sony’s current lineup. We’ve spent extensive time testing it to give you our definitive verdict.

    Design and Build

    Sony has iterated on the design with a sleeker profile. It punches above its weight in terms of build quality. Comfort is among the best we’ve tested.

    Sound Quality

    Audio performance is where the WH-1000XM4 truly impresses. The sound signature is punchy and engaging without sacrificing detail. Sony’s audio processing brings spatial awareness that adds depth to your music.

    Noise Cancellation

    ANC performance is very good, with strong performance across all frequencies. It handles most daily noise scenarios effectively.

    Key Specs

    Feature Detail
    Price £199
    Battery 30h
    Weight 254g
    Codecs LDAC, AAC
    Our Rating 8.7/10

    Verdict

    The WH-1000XM4 is a solid choice that will satisfy most listeners, though it faces stiff competition at this price point.

  • Sony vs Bose vs Sennheiser: Which Brand Deserves Your Money?

    Based on hundreds of hours of listening, we present our top headphone picks for 2026.

    What to Look For

    • Noise Cancellation: Look for adaptive ANC that adjusts to your environment
    • Sound Quality: Consider your preferred sound signature — warm, neutral, or bass-heavy
    • Battery Life: 30+ hours is standard for over-ears
    • Comfort: Weight and clamp force matter for long sessions
    • Codec Support: LDAC and aptX Adaptive offer higher quality than AAC alone

    Our Top Picks

    Sony WH-1000XM5 — £299

    Rating: 9.2/10 | Battery: 30h | ANC: Excellent

    Best noise cancellation. Exceptional sound quality meets industry-leading ANC.

    Bose QuietComfort Ultra — £379

    Rating: 9.0/10 | Battery: 24h | ANC: Excellent

    The budget-friendly champion. Exceptional sound quality meets industry-leading ANC.

    Sennheiser Momentum 4 — £299

    Rating: 8.8/10 | Battery: 60h | ANC: Very Good

    Best for audiophiles. A brilliant all-rounder that excels in every category.

    How We Test

    We use every product for at least two weeks in real-world conditions before making our recommendations.

  • Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Sennheiser Momentum 4: Sound Quality Face-Off

    Two of the most popular choices in their category, the WH-1000XM5 and Momentum 4 Wireless go head-to-head in this comprehensive comparison.

    Head-to-Head Comparison

    Feature Sony WH-1000XM5 Sennheiser Momentum 4
    Price £299 £299
    Type over-ear over-ear
    Anc excellent very good
    Battery 30h 60h
    Weight 250g 293g
    Codec LDAC, AAC aptX Adaptive, LDAC, AAC
    Rating 9.2/10 8.8/10

    Sound Quality

    The WH-1000XM5 offers a bass-forward sound profile, while the Momentum 4 Wireless leans more fun. Both sound excellent, though your preference will depend on what genres you listen to most.

    Noise Cancellation

    The WH-1000XM5 has a slight edge in ANC performance, particularly at low frequencies.

    Comfort and Design

    The WH-1000XM5 is lighter and more comfortable for extended wear.

    Our Pick

    Both are exceptional, but the WH-1000XM5 edges ahead thanks to superior noise cancellation.