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Sony is one of the biggest names in headphones and electronics for a reason. They have been consistently turning out quality products, while incorporating new technology. Sony’s headphones are designed to provide you with plenty of options to fit what you need, while also offering the staples of high-quality headphones. While you will typically see at least one pair of Sony headphones on lists and reviews for the best, our list will focus entirely on Sony and show you the best headphones they have on the market.
According to our tests, the best Sony headphones are the Sony WH-1000XM3. These headphones have 30 hours of battery and the best sound quality of any bluetooth over ear headphones we've ever tested.
7 Best Sony Headphones: Wireless & Noise Cancelling Picks
With 30 hours of battery and easy touch controls, you can easily use these headphones in a wide range of situations. It is also a digital trend winner for the best noise-canceling headphones.
If you want that extra bass, but are on a tight budget, these are a great option. These bluetooth headphones are NFC connected with a built-in microphone.
These headphones come with a wide range of features, including extra bass, quick attention mode, and touch sensor controls. You can also connect it to voice assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant.
If you want one of the best wireless earbuds, look no further. They are noise canceling and quick charging bluetooth headphones.
These headphones come with extra bass and have fifteen hours of battery, with only 10 minutes giving you an hour of playback time. The cable is also lightweight and flexible to prevent an uncomfortable feeling.
Another affordable option with extra bass is the Sony XB950N1. They are also noised canceling and come with Bluetooth and NFC.
The splash-proof design is ideal for those who want to workout with headphones. You also get Bluetooth and NFC connectivity.
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Summary:
Named one of Digital Trends’ best noise-canceling headphones, the WH-1000XM3 has industry-leading soundproofing for an amazing listening experience. The touch controls are extremely easy to use, including quick attention mode to immediately turn down your music. It also includes smart listening that automatically adjusts to ambient sound and connects to Bluetooth and NFC.
The best part? An ergonomic design makes it easy to wear for long periods of time. And 30 hours of battery provides you with plenty of time to enjoy your audio without needing to recharge. These headphones also connect to Amazon’s Alexa for easy voice controls.
The overall sound quality is fantastic, and it's often the benchmark other headphones use to showcase their quality. These headphones are the industry standard to compete with.
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Summary:
A relatively inexpensive option, these headphones include many of the things more expensive models have 30 hours of battery life and extra bass makes it easy to listen to your favorite music all day long. You can also connect to Bluetooth and NFC, as well as access your smartphone’s voice assistant. Swivel ear cups provide greater comfort for the over-ear design and you can easily make and take calls with a built-in microphone. For more control over your setting, you can also access the Sony Headphones Connect app to customize it to your needs.
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An Amazon exclusive, these headphones are designed to provide you with 30 hours of battery and access to voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant. Touch sensors make it easy to control your settings without interruption and can let you play, pause, skip, adjust volume, answer calls and access your virtual assistant. You also get Quick Attention to effortlessly turn down your music with a simple motion. To add on, these headphones also give you the extra bass and high-quality noise cancellation.
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If you are looking for truly wireless headphones, then look no further. They have industry-leading, noise cancelling headphones technology and come in two different colors. You will have 24 hours of battery life and 24-bit audio signal processing for superior performance. Just ten minutes of charging will get you 90 minutes of playback time, and you can can use these bluetooth headphones to connect to a variety of devices. Quick attention allows you to turn down the volume in one quick motion if you need to, and smart listening uses ambient noise to provide you with a better listening experience.
5. Sony XB950N1
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Summary:
Extra bass isn’t just for over-ear headphone users. These earbuds will provide you with the bass you want, while also staying in place and keeping your ears free. This makes them perfect for on the go listening. Especially when you consider the lightweight and flexible cable design that will keep them from dropping, while still being comfortable. You can connect to Bluetooth and access hands-free calling and voice assistance. Magnets on the bugs link them together to prevent losing them while not using them and preventing tangling.
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Another affordable option for those on tight budgets that don’t want to sacrifice on audio quality is Sony’s XB950N1. They feature Sony’s industry-leading noise-canceling technology, as well as Bluetooth and NFC connectivity. You will get that extra bass sound experience you want, while also easily controlling the settings on your headphones. For more control of your audio, you can also use the Sony Headphones Connect app. Simply download it on your device and open it to customize the audio to fit your needs. It doesn’t have the typical connection issues that other apps and brands have.
Pros
Cons
Summary:
If you are looking for high-quality headphones to use while working out, sweat proofing is a must. These headphones are splash-proof, sweatproof and come with a wrap-around band to keep it in place no matter how much you sweat. You can connect to Bluetooth and NFC and there is a built-in microphone for hands-free calls. Style-wise, you get to choose between three colors. Need to go out for an entire day? There are 8.5 hours of battery life to provide you with enough time to get your workout in, plus a little extra.
Sony Headphones Buyer’s Guide
To help you select the best Sony headphones, it is important to consider certain features.
Sound Quality
Perhaps the most important part of any headphone design is sound quality. Headphones have a range of frequencies that they can pick up. The greater this range, the more your headphones will be able to pick up. For example, if you enjoy a little extra bass in your music, you will want to make sure you have significant low-frequency coverage.
Comfort
Whether you use headphones for exercise, recording or just casual listening, it is important for them to fit comfortably and stay in place. Headphones should never be painful to wear and you should not have to adjust them or place them back where they should be after the slip. For the most comfortable fit, it is recommended that you really take into consideration what you will be using them for and what you did and did not like about previous headphones.
Noise Canceling
If you are a fan of uninterrupted listening, it can be helpful to have features like noise cancellation and ambient sound modes. This will help you block out the world around you and avoid interference.
Durability
When you spend money on something, you should expect it to hold up when used as advertised. This is where durability comes into play. By buying headphones that can handle life and all the accidents that come with it, you protect your investment. This is especially important for those who use headphones while exercising.
Price
While you should never spend more than you have, it is important to recognize that high-quality headphones will cost money. To get all the features you want, you can expect to pay a minimum of $50. The more you want out of your headphones, the more money it will cost you. But it is well worth it for those who truly love a great audio experience once you compare it to cheaper models.
The Battery Life
To get the most out of your headphone’s battery life, it is important to consider how different features use power. For example, by having your noise-canceling function on, you are looking at losing at least an hour of total battery life. Ambient sound modes can also draw power away and decrease battery life, but less than noise-canceling will. Having them off when you don’t need them will help keep your battery running for as long as possible. You should also use your charging case whenever your headphones aren’t being used.
Types of Headphones
On-Ear vs Over-Ear vs In-Ear
One of the biggest choices you will need to make is what type of headphones fit you would like.
There are three styles of headphones: on-ear, over-ear and in-ear. In-ear headphones are also referred to as earbuds and are designed to be small and lightweight. Over-ear headphones are designed to cover your entire ear, making it ideal for those who want to block out any outside noise and really enjoy the audio quality. On-ear headphones are a happy medium between the two. It provides you will less ear coverage to prevent overheating or reverb, while also covering your ear enough to help block out the noise around you.
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Wired vs Wireless
Another important distinction between types of headphones is wireless or wired. True wireless headphones will run on batteries and be charged in a carrying case, rather than being plugged in. They also connect to your devices with wireless Bluetooth. Wired headphones require you to be plugged into a device to connect to it. There are also headphones that can be used as a wired or wireless depending on your preference.
Conclusion
Sony is a household name for a reason. Their products have been incredibly popular for decades and that shows no sign of changing. If you are in the market for the best sony headphones, or just want to upgrade, Sony is a brand you can trust and you won’t want to go back.
