Summary

Anywhere you go looking for a new pair of headphones, you will see a list of the best options you could possibly choose from.Game Rant has a ton of these guides; however, more often than not, when we are asked in real life, the answer starts nine times out of ten with “Well, it really depends.”

That’s not to say a best-of-guide isn’t helpful for starting the search, but by no means should it be your only reference point when it comes to choosing a new pair of headphones. There are so many determining factors that make a pair of headphones the best option for each individual person; often, selecting the option that is deemed the best is a bit misguided.

Sony WH1000XM5 on a desk

What Makes A Pair of Headphones The Best

While it would be nice just to choose the headphones with the highest review rating and be done with them, unfortunately, it is not that simple. Asking for the best pair of headphones is like asking for the best tool: you wouldn’t necessarily want a screwdriver when you needed a hammer, and vice versa. The same principle applies to headphones, too. If you are looking for a pair of headphones that will become yournext workout companion, you don’t want to pick up a pair ofaudiophile open-back headphones.

Moving past use cases, features like sound quality, ANC, battery life, and connectivity are all very subjective for those using headphones. One pair of headphones with 10 hours of continuous playback might seem more than enough, though to others, it might seem like nothing. While this applies to other peripherals like keyboards and mice, headphones have such a personal feeling to them that it is hard to separate your idiosyncratic preferences from the pair of headphones a lot of the time. They need to fit with your lifestyle and meet the technical specifications to keep up with your wants for a pair of headphones.

Wireless Earbuds and Headphones Set For Huge Upgrade in 2025

Before you go searching for a new pair of headphones or ask for a recommendation for the best headphones for you, you should ask yourself some questions first to make the decision a bit easier.

Don’t Be Afraid To Use What Headphones Work For You

At the end of the day, you have to decide which headphones are your best option. They don’t have to be the fanciest or the newest, and they don’t have to include all the features that the best headphones typically have. Even though there are some basic headphones available, a considerable group of people still use Apple Earbuds and will readily say they are their favorite headphones without a doubt.

That doesn’t mean the Apple Earbuds are going to be the best headphones for you, but that also doesn’t mean they are wrong. No one pair of headphones is going to change your life, but a good pair will make you appreciate the music you are listening to or the games you are playing just a bit more. Whichever headphones make that appreciation easy and enjoyable for you is what truly makes them the best option.

FAQ

Q: Is there a perfect headphone?

One perfect headphone does not exist regardless of who asks, but you may find some fantastic headphones that deliver excellent sound quality and meet all your headphones-related needs at the given time.

Q: Do expensive headphones really sound better?

While the sound quality of more expensive headphones might go unappreciated by some, if you are looking for a pair of headphones that sound incredible no matter what is playing through them, you will probably have to spend a bit more money than budget options like the Apple Earbuds.