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The Best Sony Headphones and Earbuds: How to Choose the Right Pair for You

There’s a great option for every need and budget.

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sony headphones and earbuds
BestProducts.com; Courtesy Sony

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Sony is easily one of the most iconic consumer electronic brands of our time. It has a rich history of making amazing headphones and earbuds, dating all the way back to 1964, when the tech giant introduced its first stereo headset for tape recorders. In the following decades, the audio maker continued to expand its lineup by launching countless incredible products, keeping the brand as relevant as ever to this very day.

Today, the lineup of Sony headphones and earbuds spans from impulse-buy products for less than $10, all the way to ultra-premium headphones that cost more than a good laptop. To help you pick the best Sony headphones and earbuds for your lifestyle and budget, we sifted through specs, model numbers, and reviews of the brand's latest offerings to narrow down the best of the best. And, of course, we personally tested many of them ourselves to give you first-hand feedback regarding user experience.

The Best Sony Headphones and Earbuds

  • 1
    WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones

    Best Wireless Headphones

    Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones

    $328 at Amazon
    Read more
  • 2
    LinkBuds S Wireless Earbuds

    Best True Wireless Earbuds Under $200

    Sony LinkBuds S Wireless Earbuds

    Read more
  • 3
    WF-1000XM4 Wireless Earbuds

    Best True Wireless Earbuds

    Sony WF-1000XM4 Wireless Earbuds

    Read more
  • 4
    LinkBuds Wireless Earbuds

    Most Innovative Wireless Earbuds

    Sony LinkBuds Wireless Earbuds

    Read more
  • 5
    WF-C500 True Wireless Earbuds

    Best True Wireless Earbuds Under $100

    Sony WF-C500 True Wireless Earbuds

    Read more

    What to Consider

    Form Factor

    When you're on the hunt for the best Sony headphones and earbuds, you'll quickly find that there are a ton of form factors to choose from. From true wireless and neckband earbuds like the WF-1000XM4 and the WI-1000XM2 to compact on-ear headphones such as the WH-CH510, all the way to Bluetooth and wired over-ear cans like the latest WH-1000XM5 and the timeless MDR-1AM2, we can guarantee that you'll find the perfect pair for your needs. Be aware that today's best Sony wireless headsets have up-to-date Bluetooth 5.0 (or higher) connectivity.

    A neckband set will deliver a comparable sonic experience and longer battery life compared to similarly priced true wireless earbuds. However, if ultimate convenience is what you're after, you'll find the more frequent charging sessions that a wire-free headset requires to be well worth it. If you plan on using the earbuds for exercising, look for an option with a robust rating for water resistance.

    There's no doubt about it — wireless Sony headphones and earbuds are more convenient than their wired counterparts. But in terms of sheer acoustic performance, you're likely to get more for your money if you opt for a similar or higher-priced wired pair.

    Audio Performance

    As always, when it comes to wireless headphones and earbuds, the more you spend on a product, the better the audio performance, the longer the battery life, and the more abundant the available features will be. All high-end headphones and earbuds by Sony can play Hi-Res Audio content with higher quality than CDs. Countless headsets are also compatible with the audio giant's own 360 Reality Audio standard. The latter brings a more lifelike listening experience.

    Extra Features

    Sony's best Bluetooth headsets deliver superb audio quality and equally great noise cancellation, stellar battery life, and elaborate tools for customizing the sound and controls. All wireless headphones and earbuds sport a USB-C charging connector, ensuring they'll be as futureproof as possible for years to come. Wireless charging is also available on the range-topping true wireless earbuds.

    Once exclusive to Sony's range-topping headphones and earbuds, speak-to-chat is a smart feature, which pauses the playback and the noise cancellation, and activates ambient mode upon detecting your voice. Thankfully, the super convenient functionality is also available on more reasonably priced products like the Sony LinkBuds and LinkBuds S.

    Ready to upgrade your listening experience and find your next favorite pair of headphones or earbuds? Check out our extensively researched picks below.

    1
    Best Wireless Headphones

    Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones

    #1 New Release
    WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones
    1
    Best Wireless Headphones

    Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones

    Now 18% Off
    $328 at Amazon$322 at Walmart$400 at dell.com
    Pros
    • Excellent call quality
    • Long battery life
    • Class-leading sound and noise cancellation
    Cons
    • Expensive

    Key Features

    • 30-millimeter audio drivers with Hi-Res Audio, digital noise cancellation with real-time processing
    • Up to 30 hours of battery life, USB-C connector
    • Companion app

    The all-new WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones are Sony’s best yet and a worthy follow-up to a fantastic product. The over-ear cans deliver improved comfort, next-level sound, more robust noise cancellation, and better call quality than the already excellent Sony WH-1000XM4. The improvements make the new iteration worth its $50 higher sticker and the new high watermark for noise-canceling headphones.

    Sony’s latest headphones also have a redesigned storage case. You can order the headphones in black or silver with subtle gold accents. If you don’t want to spend $400 to upgrade, the frequently discounted Sony WF-1000XM4 headphones are your next best option.

    More: Our Review of the Sony WH-1000XM5

    2
    Best True Wireless Earbuds Under $200

    Sony LinkBuds S Wireless Earbuds

    Best Tested
    LinkBuds S Wireless Earbuds
    2
    Best True Wireless Earbuds Under $200

    Sony LinkBuds S Wireless Earbuds

    Now 26% Off
    Pros
    • Excellent sound quality
    • Lightweight and very comfortable
    • Understated design
    Cons
    • Case is not wireless charging-capable

    Key Features

    • 5-millimeter audio drivers, noise cancellation with integrated processor
    • Up to 6 hours of battery life
    • Companion app

    The LinkBuds S — Sony’s latest true wireless earbuds — are your best option if you don’t want to drop almost $300 for the brand’s range-topping WF-1000XM4 buds. For less than $200, the LinkBuds S offers a much comfier fit and reliable, if not as powerful, noise cancellation. On the other hand, the earphones’ supremely balanced sound is a solid contender for the best a $200 set of wireless earbuds can produce.

    As their name suggests, the LinkBuds S will also keep you aware of your surroundings exceptionally well. The ring driver-toting regular LinkBuds are still better at this task, but I found the noise cancellation and the better sound of the S model to be tradeoffs worth making.

    3
    Best True Wireless Earbuds

    Sony WF-1000XM4 Wireless Earbuds

    Best Tested
    WF-1000XM4 Wireless Earbuds
    3
    Best True Wireless Earbuds

    Sony WF-1000XM4 Wireless Earbuds

    Pros
    • Best-in-class sound and noise cancellation
    • Stellar battery life
    • Sleek and durable
    Cons
    • Expensive

    Key Features

    • 6-millimeter audio drivers with AI-powered upscaling engine, noise cancellation with integrated processor
    • Up to 12 hours of battery life (8 with noise cancellation)
    • Companion app

    Sony’s recently launched WF-1000XM4 true wireless earbuds are its best yet. Like the WH-1000XM4 headphones we just mentioned (their product category’s gold standard), these sleek buds offer sound and noise cancellation with exceptional quality, a comfy fit, and solid battery life.

    The earbuds’ IPX4 rating for water resistance is a noteworthy upgrade over the excellent previous generation, making them great for exercising. We also love that the tiny storage case has wireless charging compatibility. You can order these buds in black or silver.

    More: Our Review of the Sony WF-1000XM4 Wireless Earbuds

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    4
    Most Innovative Wireless Earbuds

    Sony LinkBuds Wireless Earbuds

    Best Tested
    LinkBuds Wireless Earbuds
    4
    Most Innovative Wireless Earbuds

    Sony LinkBuds Wireless Earbuds

    Now 23% Off
    Pros
    • Groundbreaking open-back design
    • Good sound and excellent call quality
    • Lightweight and comfy
    Cons
    • Battery life could be longer

    Key Features

    • Ring-shaped audio drivers
    • Up to 5.5 hours of battery life
    • Companion app

    The all-new Sony LinkBuds have a groundbreaking design, allowing you to always be aware of your surroundings while listening to content. The earphones’ audio drivers have a ring shape with a hole in the middle, taking the concept of an open-back headset to a whole new level. The LinkBuds’ unique looks are also worthy of a sci-fi movie.

    Sony’s latest wireless earbuds deliver high-quality sound and superb call quality. Despite their quirky design, the earbuds are exceptionally comfy and equipped with dependable controls. Available in black or gray, the product is manufactured using recycled plastic.

    More: Our Review of the Sony LinkBuds

    5
    Best True Wireless Earbuds Under $100

    Sony WF-C500 True Wireless Earbuds

    Best Tested
    WF-C500 True Wireless Earbuds
    5
    Best True Wireless Earbuds Under $100

    Sony WF-C500 True Wireless Earbuds

    Pros
    • Balanced, easily customizable sound
    • Fantastic battery life
    • Understated design
    Cons
    • Battery case holds only one additional charge

    Key Features

    • 5.8-millimeter audio drivers with upscaling tech
    • Up to 10 hours of battery life
    • Companion app

    The Sony WF-C500 earbuds are the audio maker’s best true wireless offering under $100. The buds deliver a harmonious sonic experience with plenty of customization tools and sophisticated tech that makes compressed content sound much better. (Note that such performance is usually not typical for a product in this price range.)

    To top things off, the buds have an impressively long battery life, although we wish their case had a bigger charging capacity. An understated design and water-resistant build with an IPX4 rating round up the key WF-C500 features. You can order a pair in black or white, with a matching case.

    More: Our Review of the Sony WF-C500 Wireless Earbuds

    6
    Noise Cancellation for Bass Heads

    Sony WH-XB910N EXTRA BASS Wireless Headphones

    Amazon’s Choice
    WH-XB910N EXTRA BASS Wireless Headphones
    6
    Noise Cancellation for Bass Heads

    Sony WH-XB910N EXTRA BASS Wireless Headphones

    Now 41% Off
    Pros
    • Entertaining sound with enhanced bass
    • Long battery life
    • Comfy fit
    Cons
    • Speak-to-chat is not available

    Key Features

    • 40-millimeter audio drivers with digital noise cancellation
    • Up to 30 hours of battery life, USB-C connector
    • Companion app

    Sony WH-XB910N EXTRA BASS wireless headphones deliver robust noise cancellation and entertaining sound, with an enhanced low range that’s worthy of their name. The sonic experience is customizable via the Sony headphones app, so you can adjust the bass intensity to your liking. The cans can also enhance high-frequency tones in compressed content.

    The WH-XB910N headphones also offer an understated design with convenient controls, reliable call quality, and a long battery life. With a $100 lower price tag, the product is a more affordable alternative to the range-topping Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones ... especially for avid bass heads.

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    7
    Best Wireless Neckband Earbuds

    Sony WI-1000XM2 Wireless Earbuds

    WI-1000XM2 Wireless Earbuds
    7
    Best Wireless Neckband Earbuds

    Sony WI-1000XM2 Wireless Earbuds

    Pros
    • Excellent audio quality and noise cancellation
    • Convenient button controls
    • Optional wired mode
    Cons
    • Battery life should be longer

    Key Features

    • 8.9-millimeter audio drivers, noise cancellation with an integrated processor
    • Up to 10 hours of battery life (14 in wired mode)
    • Companion app

    The WI-1000XM2 is your best option if you're looking for a feature-packed set of wireless neckband earbuds. As expected from a product at this price point, the earbuds deliver excellent sound and a noise-canceling experience to match. Available in black or silver, the earphones will magnetically snap together when not in use.

    Compared to the true wireless WF-1000XM4 earbuds, the WI-1000XM2 also offers tactile button controls and a slightly longer battery life with noise cancellation. You can also use the headset in wired mode — its retail package includes an audio cable and flight adapter.

    8
    Best Budget Wireless Headphones

    Sony WH-CH510 Wireless Headphones

    Amazon’s Choice
    WH-CH510 Wireless Headphones
    8
    Best Budget Wireless Headphones

    Sony WH-CH510 Wireless Headphones

    Now 37% Off
    Pros
    • Stellar sound for the money
    • Excellent battery life
    • Affordable
    Cons
    • No wired playback

    Key Features

    • 30-millimeter audio drivers
    • Up to 35 hours of battery life
    • Fast USB-C connector

    Sporting a price tag that hovers around $50, the Sony WH-CH510 wireless headphones are the best option for budget-conscious shoppers. The on-ear cans have a utilitarian design, lightweight and durable build with a textured finish, stellar audio performance for their price point, and excellent battery life with fast USB-C charging. There are three colors to pick from: black, white, and blue.

    The WH-CH510 headphones also have convenient button controls and a swivel design for effortless storage. However, you should be mindful that they're Bluetooth-only, meaning you can't use them over a wired connection.

    9
    Best Budget Wireless Earbuds

    Sony WI-C310 Wireless Earbuds

    On Sale
    WI-C310 Wireless Earbuds
    9
    Best Budget Wireless Earbuds

    Sony WI-C310 Wireless Earbuds

    Pros
    • Solid audio quality for the price
    • Comfy fit and convenient controls
    • Stellar battery life
    Cons
    • Controls are integrated into a bulky module

    Key Features

    • 9-millimeter audio drivers
    • Built-in magnets for convenient storage
    • Up to 15 hours of battery life

    The Sony WI-C310 wireless neckband earbuds are priced like a guilt-free impulse buy but are as dependable as a good pair can be. They have a surprisingly sleek design, lightweight build, comfy fit with easy-to-access button controls, and great battery life with fast charging capabilities. The buds’ audio performance is also respectable, especially considering how insanely affordable they are.

    When not in use, the Sony WI-C310 wireless earbuds will magnetically snap together for seamless wearing and storage. You can order the neckband earphones in black, white, or blue.

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    10
    Best Wired Headphones

    Sony MDR-1AM2 Wired Headphones

    MDR-1AM2 Wired Headphones
    10
    Best Wired Headphones

    Sony MDR-1AM2 Wired Headphones

    Now 41% Off
    Pros
    • Exceptional audio quality
    • Lightweight and comfortable
    • Rich retail package
    Cons
    • Expensive

    Key Features

    • 40-millimeter audio drivers with Hi-Res Audio support
    • Bundled audio cables with a standard and balanced connector
    • Soft storage case

    The Sony MDR-1AM2 headphones are our favorite wired option for most buyers and are well worth their hefty $300 sticker. The over-ear cans can deliver a detail-rich sound that similarly- and higher-priced wireless offerings can't match. Sony has also made these headphones incredibly lightweight and comfortable.

    If you're looking for an even better-wired sound and are on a more flexible budget, consider the bulkier Sony MDR-Z7M2 headphones instead. The MDR-Z1R headphones, on the other hand, are Sony's priciest and best-sounding offering worth your attention.

    11
    Best Wired Earbuds

    Sony IER-M7 In-Ear Monitors

    IER-M7 In-Ear Monitors
    11
    Best Wired Earbuds

    Sony IER-M7 In-Ear Monitors

    Pros
    • Fantastic sound quality
    • Comfy fit won't cause fatigue
    • Plenty of bundled accessories
    Cons
    • Pricey

    Key Features

    • Four balanced armature drivers per earbud
    • Lightweight magnesium alloy inner housing
    • Bundled audio cables with a standard and a balanced connector

    If you’re searching for an audiophile-grade sonic experience in a super-portable package, consider the Sony IER-M7 wired in-ear monitors. Each earbud packs four balanced armature drivers that deliver sound with incredible quality. The buds’ audio performance will help you rediscover your favorite tracks in a whole new light when playing high-quality content.

    The earphones' cables have an around-ear shape for a comfier fit. Their retail package includes a wide selection of ear tips, a cleaning cloth, and a handy cable clip. Sony also offers pricier — but more capable — IER-M9 and IER-Z1R wired earbuds.

    12
    Most Affordable Headphones

    Sony MDR-ZX110 Wired Headphones

    On Sale
    MDR-ZX110 Wired Headphones
    12
    Most Affordable Headphones

    Sony MDR-ZX110 Wired Headphones

    Now 50% Off
    Pros
    • Cool design and comfy fit
    • Impulse-buy price
    • Good sound for the money
    Cons
    • Flimsy build

    Key Features

    • 30-millimeter audio drivers
    • On-ear fit with cushioned ear pads
    • Tangle-free cable

    The Sony MDR-ZX110 on-ear headphones deliver a powerful and enjoyable audio performance for their $10 price point. Their sound quality exceeded my toned-down expectations while I tested them. But when it comes to finer acoustic details, they leave quite a bit to be desired.

    The impossibly lightweight wired cans have swiveling cups for easy storage, and you can order them in black, white, or pink. A slightly pricier version with a built-in microphone is also available.

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    13
    Most Affordable Earbuds

    Sony MDR-EX15LP Wired Earbuds

    On Sale
    MDR-EX15LP Wired Earbuds
    13
    Most Affordable Earbuds

    Sony MDR-EX15LP Wired Earbuds

    Now 50% Off
    Pros
    • Super affordable
    • Lightweight build
    • Adequate sound for the money
    Cons
    • Built-in microphone adds bulk

    Key Features

    • 9-millimeter audio drivers
    • In-ear fit with soft ear tips
    • Tangle-free cable

    Sporting a sub-$10 price tag, the Sony MDR-EX15LP wired earbuds will reliably entertain you on the cheap ... just as long as you don't expect any feats of acoustic excellence. The earphones bring a powerful sound, a lightweight build with a tangle-free cable, and a comfy fit with soft ear tips. You can order the Sony MDR-EX15LP earbuds in a multitude of colors.

    A version of the product with a built-in microphone is also available. And just in case you're looking for open-type Sony buds, consider the MDRE9LP instead, which delivers a reliable sound, but poorer noise isolation.

    Headshot of Stefan Vazharov
    Stefan Vazharov
    Senior Technology Editor, Reviews

    Stefan is the senior technology editor for Best Products, where he’s been covering the tech industry and testing the latest gadgets since 2015. He is an award-winning editor with more than a decade of experience reporting on and reviewing consumer tech products, especially smartphones, tablets, laptops, and audio gear like headphones, earbuds, speakers, and soundbars. Stefan was previously the U.S. editor for GSMArena.com. His writing can also be found in Popular Mechanics.

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