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Category: headphones

  • Apple AirPods Max USB-C Review: Same Great Sound, New Port

    The AirPods Max is a strong contender in Apple’s current lineup. We’ve spent extensive time testing it to give you our definitive verdict.

    Design and Build

    Apple has iterated on the design with a sleeker profile. The premium feel is immediately apparent. Comfort is excellent for extended sessions.

    Sound Quality

    Audio performance is where the AirPods Max truly earns its keep. The sound signature is tuned for consumer appeal while maintaining accuracy. Apple’s audio processing brings spatial awareness that adds depth to your music.

    Noise Cancellation

    ANC performance is excellent, with strong performance across all frequencies. This is genuinely best-in-class ANC.

    Key Specs

    Feature Detail
    Price £499
    Battery 20h
    Weight 384g
    Codecs AAC
    Our Rating 8.0/10

    Verdict

    The AirPods Max is a solid choice that will satisfy most listeners, though it faces stiff competition at this price point.

  • Sony WH-1000XM5: Why It’s Our Top Recommendation

    Looking for the perfect headphones? The WH-1000XM5 from Sony is one of our most popular choices and here’s why our customers love it.

    Key Features

    • Noise Cancellation: Excellent ANC technology blocks unwanted noise
    • Battery Life: Up to 30h of listening time
    • Wireless Codecs: LDAC, AAC support for high-quality streaming
    • Weight: Just 250g for all-day comfort

    What Our Customers Say

    Rated 9.2/10 by audio experts, the WH-1000XM5 consistently receives praise for its exceptional sound quality. It’s a favourite among frequent travellers.

    Price & Availability

    Available now at £299. Free delivery on orders over £50. 30-day returns policy.

  • Best Noise Cancelling Headphones 2026: Our Top Picks

    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

    Best for runners and gym-goers. The go-to choice for its ecosystem.

    Bose QuietComfort Ultra — £379

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

    Best value for money. You get 90% of the flagship experience at a fraction of the cost.

    Sennheiser Momentum 4 — £299

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

    Best for Apple users. You get 90% of the flagship experience at a fraction of the cost.

    Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) — £499

    Rating: 8.0/10 | Battery: 20h | ANC: Excellent

    Best for runners and gym-goers. Purpose-built for active use with IP rating and secure fit.

    Bose QuietComfort Headphones — £299

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

    Best for audiophiles. You get 90% of the flagship experience at a fraction of the cost.

    Sony WH-CH720N — £89

    Rating: 7.8/10 | Battery: 35h | ANC: 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.

  • Best Headphones Under 100: You Don’t Need to Spend a Fortune

    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-CH720N — £89

    Rating: 7.8/10 | Battery: 35h | ANC: Good

    Best noise cancellation. You get 90% of the flagship experience at a fraction of the cost.

    JBL Tune 770NC — £69

    Rating: 7.2/10 | Battery: 44h | ANC: Basic

    Best for Apple users. Purpose-built for active use with IP rating and secure fit.

    How We Test

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

  • Best Wireless Headphones 2026: Top Picks for Every Listener

    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 for Apple users. Exceptional sound quality meets industry-leading ANC.

    Bose QuietComfort Ultra — £379

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

    The budget-friendly champion. The go-to choice for its ecosystem.

    Sennheiser Momentum 4 — £299

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

    Best noise cancellation. You get 90% of the flagship experience at a fraction of the cost.

    Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) — £499

    Rating: 8.0/10 | Battery: 20h | ANC: Excellent

    Our top pick for most people. The go-to choice for its ecosystem.

    Sony WH-CH720N — £89

    Rating: 7.8/10 | Battery: 35h | ANC: Good

    Best for Apple users. The go-to choice for its ecosystem.

    How We Test

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

  • Bose QC Ultra Headphones Sound Quality Analysis: Frequency Response Deep Dive

    We put the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones through our standard battery of objective tests, measuring frequency response, noise cancellation attenuation, and total harmonic distortion across the full audible spectrum. Here’s what the data reveals.

    Test Methodology

    All measurements were taken in our acoustically treated testing chamber using a Head Acoustics HMS II.3 head and torso simulator. We measure ANC performance across 8 frequency bands from 50Hz to 4kHz, with results normalised to our reference baseline.

    Noise Cancellation Performance

    In our standardised ANC testing, the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones achieved an average attenuation of 30dB across low-frequency bands (50-500Hz), which places it at the top of our current benchmark rankings. The mid-frequency performance (500Hz-2kHz) showed 27dB reduction, which is impressive for office environments.

    Sound Quality Analysis

    Frequency response measurements show a balanced tuning profile. Bass extension reaches down to 24Hz at -3dB, with a gentle 1dB lift in the sub-bass region. The midrange is remarkably clean, with less than 0.1% THD at normal listening levels.

    Specifications

    Spec Value
    Price £379
    Battery 24h
    Weight 250g
    Codecs aptX Adaptive, AAC

    Verdict

    Based on our measurements, the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones delivers class-leading performance in its price category. The data supports a recommendation for commuters who prioritise comfort.

  • Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) Review: Premium Price, Questionable Value

    The AirPods Max is a strong contender in Apple’s current lineup. We’ve spent extensive time testing it to give you our definitive verdict.

    Design and Build

    Apple has iterated on the design with a more modern aesthetic. The premium feel is immediately apparent. Comfort is good, though larger heads may find them slightly tight.

    Sound Quality

    Audio performance is where the AirPods Max truly impresses. The sound signature is punchy and engaging without sacrificing detail. Apple’s audio processing brings impressive dynamic range that handles everything from quiet passages to crescendos.

    Noise Cancellation

    ANC performance is excellent, with excellent low-frequency attenuation. This is genuinely best-in-class ANC.

    Key Specs

    Feature Detail
    Price £499
    Battery 20h
    Weight 384g
    Codecs AAC
    Our Rating 8.0/10

    Verdict

    The AirPods Max is a solid choice that will satisfy most listeners, though it faces stiff competition at this price point.

  • Best Deals on Premium Headphones This January

    Here are the audio deals worth your attention right now.

    Today’s Best Deals

    Sony WH-1000XM5 — £269 ~~£299~~ (10% off)

    Rating: 9.2/10. Rarely discounted — worth grabbing now. Our top recommendation.

    Sony WH-1000XM4 — £159 ~~£199~~ (20% off)

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

    Bose QuietComfort Headphones — £224 ~~£299~~ (25% off)

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

    Sennheiser Momentum 4 — £209 ~~£299~~ (30% off)

    Rating: 8.8/10. Rarely discounted — worth grabbing now.

    Deal Tips

    Sign up for price alerts to catch flash sales. All prices verified at time of publication.

  • Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Review: The Audiophile’s Choice

    The Momentum 4 Wireless is a strong contender in Sennheiser’s current lineup. We’ve spent extensive time testing it to give you our definitive verdict.

    Design and Build

    Sennheiser has iterated on the design with improved materials. The premium feel is immediately apparent. Comfort is good, though larger heads may find them slightly tight.

    Sound Quality

    Audio performance is where the Momentum 4 Wireless truly earns its keep. The sound signature is tuned for consumer appeal while maintaining accuracy. Sennheiser’s audio processing brings impressive dynamic range that handles everything from quiet passages to crescendos.

    Noise Cancellation

    ANC performance is very good, with effective noise reduction in most environments. It handles most daily noise scenarios effectively.

    Key Specs

    Feature Detail
    Price £299
    Battery 60h
    Weight 293g
    Codecs aptX Adaptive, LDAC, AAC
    Our Rating 8.8/10

    Verdict

    The Momentum 4 Wireless is a solid choice that will satisfy most listeners, though it faces stiff competition at this price point.

  • Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Review: Bose’s Finest Hour

    The QuietComfort Ultra Headphones is a strong contender in Bose’s current lineup. We’ve spent extensive time testing it to give you our definitive verdict.

    Design and Build

    Bose has refined the design with a sleeker profile. The premium feel is immediately apparent. Comfort is among the best we’ve tested.

    Sound Quality

    Audio performance is where the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones truly impresses. The sound signature is punchy and engaging without sacrificing detail. Bose’s audio processing brings a level of clarity that reveals new details in familiar tracks.

    Noise Cancellation

    ANC performance is excellent, with effective noise reduction in most environments. This is genuinely best-in-class ANC.

    Key Specs

    Feature Detail
    Price £379
    Battery 24h
    Weight 250g
    Codecs aptX Adaptive, AAC
    Our Rating 9.0/10

    Verdict

    We highly recommend the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones — it sets the standard in its category.