Trying to find a new set of headphones? Sony now produces some of the greatest headphones on the planet, therefore its products ought to be on the top of your list. There is a pair of Sony headphones for you whether you want in-ear, on-ear, wireless, or noise-cancelling headphones.
The top Sony headphones have all been put through rigorous testing by the professionals at What Hi-Fi?, with several of them receiving five stars and coveted What Hi-Fi? Awards. These models are listed below in order of overall performance and cost-effectiveness.
Looking for high-end wireless earbuds? It’s important to keep in mind that Sony is likely to announce the WF-1000XM5 soon.
WH-1000XM5 from Sony
The What Hi-Fi? Award-winning WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones from Sony have continually improved sound quality from generation to generation, which can be challenging for manufacturers to do.
We were more than a little taken aback when we first saw the Sony WH-1000XM5’s official photos. We questioned if it was a good idea to completely rebuild some of the best headphones ever produced and one of Sony’s most notable recent success stories. But it worked out.
The Sony XM5 headphones may not feel as high-end as the 2020 WH-1000XM4 headphones (below), but the improvement in sound quality over the previous generation is significant, and competitors may once again find it difficult to compete. The XM5 should be at the top of your list if you’re looking for a new set of Sony headphones and don’t mind spending more money for cutting-edge technology.
Sony WH-1000XM4
The Sony WH-1000XM4 offers remarkable music quality, outstanding noise cancellation, and a lightweight, ergonomic design.
The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are the best headphones in 2022, despite the fact that they don’t look all that different from their predecessors, the Sony WH-1000XM3. These new features include multipoint pairing, DSEE Extreme upscaling, conversational awareness, and auto-play/pause using a built-in sensor.
The Sony WH-1000XM4 are excellent wireless noise-canceling headphones by all standards. Because to their excellent noise cancellation and state-of-the-art codec support, they offer precisely what they guarantee and even more.
In addition to the changes mentioned above, the Sony WH-1000XM4 supports the LDAC codec and Sony’s 360 Reality Audio format, which allows spatial audio on stereo headphones. Unfortunately, they no longer support aptX or aptX HD, thus your experience with Hi-Res Audio support may differ.
Wireless Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones
Prior to the XM4, the Sony WH-1000XM3 were our top-rated wireless, noise-canceling, and overall headphones for two consecutive years.
But, because aptX HD and Sony’s LDAC are two of the greatest ways to listen to high-resolution music, and because they are wireless, you won’t have to deal with clumsy cords, they might still be superior for audiophiles.
You can instantly access a voice assistant wherever you are thanks to the WH-1000XM3’s connection with Google Assistant and, as of 2019, Amazon Alexa.
The WH-1000MX3s are ideal for commuting because of this and their excellent noise-cancelling features, whether you require a pair of headphones to get you through a long-haul flight or your everyday commute to work.
LinkBuds S Truly Wireless by Sony
The Sony LinkBuds S Truly Wireless are the best earbuds from Sony that we have tested if you prefer something smaller and lighter than over-ear headphones. They are the open-ear Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless’s closed-back sister. The S variant of LinkBuds offers both ANC and an ambient sound mode, unlike the original LinkBuds, which have an open-ear design that allows ambient noise to passively blend with your music. It gives you the freedom to hear your surroundings without removing your earbuds and to filter off external sounds when necessary. They particularly excel at reducing the low rumble of bus or airplane engines as well as background noise because to its ANC technology. They have a respectable continuous battery life of about seven hours, and their carrying case can hold two more full charges, giving them a total battery life of about 24 hours.
Some customers may appreciate their sound quality because it is less bass-heavy than earlier models like the Sony WF-1000XM4 Truly Wireless. They lack some thump and rumble, but they still have warmth without overpowering the vocals or the instruments. They are compatible with The Sony | Headphones Connect app, which offers EQ choices to fine-tune music to your preferences, just like our top over-ear pick. Although having significant latency when linked to PCs, they have lower latency when connected to Android and iOS devices, which is convenient for watching a movie on your phone. They also support Sony’s LDAC codec if you wish to listen to high-resolution audio.
Wi-Fi C310 from Sony
The Sony WI-C310 Wireless are the best Sony wireless headphones at this price point that we have tested, so if you’re on a tight budget, you should have a look. Because of the neck cable design on these in-ears, you can wear them around your neck when not in use. Given their affordable price, they don’t feel as well-made as the Sony LinkBuds S Truly Wireless, but they’re still a good option for those who don’t mind their straightforward, unadorned style. Even better, they run nonstop for 17 hours, so you can easily get through the day.
These earbuds fit reasonably well, and three sets of ear tips in various sizes are included to assist you choose the right size. Moreover, they feature a warm tone profile that works well with jazz and folk music. In your mixes, vocals and instruments still sound natural, clear, and detailed. They rely on their passive qualities to assist suppress ambient sound because they lack an ANC system. They don’t do a great job of reducing office-range noise like background talk and the hum of computer fans, but they will significantly reduce noise from low-range bus engines.
