What Are the Best Headphones & EarBuds?

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Here are some of the Best Headphones and Earbuds for 2024, covering various needs and preferences.

Rating Criteria

The ratings are based on several key factors:

• Performance: Includes refresh rate, response time, and input lag.
• Image Quality: Considers color accuracy, brightness, contrast, and resolution.
• Features: Looks at additional features like HDR support, adaptive sync, and connectivity options.
• Build Quality: Assesses the overall design, durability, and ergonomics.
• Value for Money: Evaluates the price relative to the features and performance offered.
• Sales Data: Popularity and market acceptance based on the number of units sold.
• User Feedback: 
  • Customer Reviews: Analysis of user reviews and ratings from various retail and review platforms.
  • Expert Reviews: Insights from professional reviewers and tech experts.

Best Headphones:

1. Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones (wireless and wired)
   • Approx. Units Sold: 500,000
   • Overall Units Sold in Class: 2 million
   • Rating: 9.5/10
   • Details: Known for industry-leading noise cancellation, excellent sound quality, and comfortable design. Supports both wireless and wired connections
2. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (wireless and wired)
   • Approx. Units Sold: 300,000
   • Overall Units Sold in Class: 1.5 million
   • Rating: 8.5/10
   • Details: Features CustomTune technology for personalized sound, excellent ANC, and immersive audio with head tracking. Supports both wireless and wired connections
3. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Headphones (wireless and limited wired)
   • Approx. Units Sold: 250,000
   • Overall Units Sold in Class: 1.5 million
   • Rating: 9/10
   • Details: Known for exceptional sound quality, long battery life (up to 60 hours), and adaptive noise cancellation. Limited wired connectivity.
4. Apple AirPods Max (wireless and wired – purchased)
   • Approx. Units Sold: 400,000
   • Overall Units Sold in Class: 2 million
   • Rating: 9/10
   • Details: Features high-fidelity audio, active noise cancellation, and spatial audio with dynamic head tracking. Supports wired connection via USB-C.
5. Bowers & Wilkins PX8 Headphones (wireless and wired)
   • Approx. Units Sold: 150,000
   • Overall Units Sold in Class: 800,000
   • Rating: 9/10
   • Details: Combines high-resolution sound with advanced noise cancellation and luxurious materials. Supports both wireless and wired connections.
6. Beats Studio Pro (wireless and wired)
   • Approx. Units Sold: 350,000
   • Overall Units Sold in Class: 2 million
   • Rating: 8.5/10
   • Details: Improved sound quality, noise cancellation, and spatial audio with head tracking. Supports both wireless and wired connections.
7. Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 Headphones (wireless and wired)
   • Approx. Units Sold: 100,000
   • Overall Units Sold in Class: 600,000
   • Rating: 8/10
   • Details: Offers premium studio-quality sound, improved ANC, and up to 45 hours of battery life. Supports both wireless and wired connections.
8. Jabra Elite 85h (wireless and limited wired)
   • Approx. Units Sold: 200,000
   • Overall Units Sold in Class: 1 million
   • Rating: 8/10
   • Details: Features SmartSound technology, long battery life (up to 36 hours), and water resistance. Limited wired connectivity.
9. JBL Tour One M2 (wireless and limited wired)
   • Approx. Units Sold: 200,000
   • Overall Units Sold in Class: 1 million
   • Rating: 8/10
   • Details: Offers True Adaptive Noise Cancelling, Smart Ambient technology, and high-quality JBL Pro Sound. Limited wired connectivity
10. Urbanista Los Angeles Headphones (wireless)
    • Approx. Units Sold: 100,000
    • Overall Units Sold in Class: 500,000
    • Rating: 7.5/10
    • Details: World’s first self-charging wireless headphones using solar cell technology. Offers hybrid ANC and infinite playtime.
11. Sony INZONE H9 Gaming Headphones (2025) (wireless and wired) – NEW LISTING
    • Approx. Units Sold: 50,000
    • Overall Units Sold in Class: 300,000
    • Rating: 8/10
    • Details: Designed for gaming with high-quality sound, noise cancellation, and comfortable fit. Supports both wireless and wired connections.

Best Earbuds:

1. Apple AirPods Pro 2 – approximately $249
   • Approx. Units Sold: 1 million
   • Rating: 9/10
   • Overall Units Sold in Class: 5 million
   • Price: Approximately $249
   • Details: Known for excellent noise cancellation, seamless integration with Apple devices, and high-quality sound.
2. Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Earbuds – approximately $129
   • Approx. Units Sold: 300,000
   • Rating: 8/10
   • Overall Units Sold in Class: 2 million
   • Price: Approximately $129
   • Details: Features adaptive ANC, long battery life, and customizable sound profile.
3. Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 Earbuds – approximately $229.99 
   • Approx. Units Sold: 200,000
   • Rating: 8.5/10
   • Overall Units Sold in Class: 1.5 million
   • Price: Approximately $229.99
   • Details: Offers strong noise cancellation, customizable sound, and an innovative charging case.
4. Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds – often discounted to around $228
   • Approx. Units Sold: 400,000
   • Rating: 9/10
   • Overall Units Sold in Class: 5 million
   • Price: Often discounted to around $228
   • Details: Known for superior sound quality, excellent noise cancellation, and long battery life.
5. Technics EAH-AZ80 Earbuds – sometimes discounted to around $197.99
   • Approx. Units Sold: 150,000
   • Rating: 8/10
   • Overall Units Sold in Class: 1.2 million
   • Price: Sometimes discounted to around $197.99
   • Details: Features stellar sound, good noise cancellation, and multipoint connectivity.
6. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds – approximately $299
   • Approx. Units Sold: 250,000
   • Rating: 9/10
   • Overall Units Sold in Class: 1.5 million
   • Price: Approximately $299
   • Details: Offers best-in-class noise cancellation, immersive audio, and comfortable fit.
7. Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 – approximately $299
   1. Approx. Units Sold: 200,000
   2. Rating: 8.5/10
   3. Overall Units Sold in Class: 1.2 million
   4. Price: Approximately $299
   5. Details: Known for excellent sound quality, improved noise cancellation, and long battery life.
8. Beats Fit Pro – approximately $199
   • Approx. Units Sold: 300,000
   • Rating: 8/10
   • Overall Units Sold in Class: 2 million
   • Price: Approximately $199
   • Details: Features dynamic sound, strong ANC, and secure fit for workouts.
9. Nothing Ear (a) – approximately $99
   • Approx. Units Sold: 100,000
   • Rating: 7.5/10
   • Overall Units Sold in Class: 1 million
   • Price: Approximately $99
   • Details: Offers unique design, respectable noise cancellation, and good sound quality for the price.
10. Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro – approximately $249
    • Approx. Units Sold: 250,000
    • Rating: 8.5/10
    • Overall Units Sold in Class: 1.2 million
    • Price: Approximately $249
    • Details: Features powerful ANC, customizable sound, and seamless integration with Samsung devices.
11. Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 – approximately $229 – NEW  LISTING
    1. Approx. Units Sold: 50,000 (new listing)
    2. Rating: 8/10
    3. Overall Units Sold in Class: 1,2 million
    4. Price: Approximately $229
    5. Details: Known for good sound quality, effective noise cancellation, and integration with Google Assistant.

Would you like to know more about any specific device or have any other questions, please comment!