Top Headphones for iPhone 2025: Affordable to Premium Options

Explore the best headphones for iPhone in 2025, featuring options from budget to premium without compromising on sound quality.

Introduction: A New Era for iPhone Headphones

Spoiler alert: The latest AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation didn’t make this list. While they are excellent headphones for iPhone, they land in the "Also Consider" section. Their ANC isn’t as effective as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, they’re not as affordable as the Sony WF-C510, and lack the versatility of the AirPods Pro 2. Thus, they only receive a four-star rating.

So, the best headphones for iPhone aren't always AirPods. This list includes models from Focal and Technics alongside the previously mentioned options, providing a wide selection based on your needs.

All models mentioned below have passed our rigorous testing. We've been reviewing audio products for nearly 50 years and have over 100 years of combined experience, so we can identify a great pair of headphones, whether they're the most expensive or on sale.

Quick List of Best Headphones

Best Overall Headphones

Apple AirPods Pro 2

With fantastic sound quality and user-friendly controls, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 are the perfect complement to your iPhone.

Best Premium Over-Ear Headphones

Apple AirPods Max

If you can afford them, these are the best full-size premium headphones you can buy for your iPhone.

Best Budget On-Ear Headphones

Sony WH-CH520

These on-ear headphones compensate for their plastic build with sound quality that far exceeds their price.

Best Over-Ear Headphones with ANC

Sony WH-1000XM5

With stunning sound clarity, rich playback, and a range of convenient features, these Sony over-ear headphones with noise cancellation offer true enjoyment in use.

Best Audiophile Headphones

Focal Bathys

The Bathys headphones are highly recommended for anyone needing portability in premium headphones.

Best Affordable Headphones

Sony WF-C510

The excellent C510 succeeds the C500, being a minor upgrade. They are highly affordable and remarkably good in every aspect. They also work well with iPhone.

Best ANC Headphones

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

The latest wireless headphones from Bose may be a bit on the pricey side, but they set a new standard for noise cancellation in in-ear headphones.

Best Premium Headphones

Technics EAH-AZ100

These Technics headphones sound fantastic and are a joy to use with the iPhone. Fans of other brands should definitely take notice.

Best Overall Headphones for iPhone

Apple AirPods Pro 2

These wireless headphones offer the best sound quality—if you have an iPhone, they are a no-brainer.

Specifications

• Noise Cancellation: Yes
• Bluetooth: AAC, SBC
• Battery Life: 6 hours (+24 hours with charging case)
• Wireless Charging: Yes
• Water Resistance: Yes
• Finish: White

Pros:

• Clear, detailed, and powerful sound
• Excellent noise cancellation
• Longer battery life
• Smooth and intuitive use with iOS devices

Cons:

• Many features are only available for iOS
• No customizable ANC

While the AirPods have historically been a good but not great option, the introduction of the AirPods Pro 2 has changed the narrative. With improved noise cancellation, longer battery life, a host of new features, and better sound quality, they finally earn the five-star rating that Apple headphones previously lacked.

And the best part? There’s no price increase. Considering the tough past few years, that feels like a minor miracle.

The new XS ear tips make the headphones more versatile for a wider range of ear sizes, and they feel less intrusive than some competitors. Finally, AirPods have on-ear controls, making them much faster and easier to use.

Among the new features is adaptive transparency, which muffles loud sounds while still allowing surrounding sounds like conversations, passing cars, and station announcements. The idea is to let you hear the surroundings without being bothered by them. This means you can enjoy the superb sound quality of the Pro 2 headphones (with enhanced bass and improved dynamics), without being distracted by background noise.

In most cases, the Sony WF-1000XM5 are the best all-around wireless headphones you can buy, but for iPhone users, the AirPods Pro 2 are the better fit. After all, they’re designed for this, and using them is so convenient that ignoring them would be a mistake.

Best Premium Over-Ear Headphones for iPhone

Apple AirPods Max

Expensive, but the Max delivers excellent sound and noise cancellation.

Specifications

• Bluetooth: AAC
• Battery Life: 20 hours
• Charging: USB-C
• Built-in Microphone and Controls: Yes
• Transparency Mode: Yes

Pros:

• Exceptional sound and noise cancellation
• Cinematic spatial sound
• Outstanding build quality

Cons:

• Expensive case
• Audio cable not included
• Almost exclusively for Apple devices

As the first full-size headphones from Apple, they don't come cheap, but they compete with the best in sound quality. In fact, with their detail and spatial sound, they rank among the best headphones for iPhone we’ve ever tested.

They work with third-party products, but you’ll miss out on their most unique features, namely the cinematic spatial audio that delivers an engaging virtual surround sound effect in 5.1, 7.1, and even Dolby Atmos formats.

Using premium Apple materials ensures excellent comfort, but they weigh almost 150 grams more than the Sony WH-1000XM5, which is worth considering. Some may find the design a bit peculiar, but you can’t argue with Apple’s superior build quality.

Overall, these iPhone headphones are an absolute triumph, albeit a very pricey one. In late 2024, they were updated with new color options and USB-C charging, but those were the only changes.

Best Budget On-Ear Headphones for iPhone

Sony WH-CH520

Affordable yet uncompromised, these headphones are a real find for iPhone owners.

Specifications

• Bluetooth: SBC, AAC
• Battery Life: 50 hours
• Charging: USB-C
• Built-in Microphone and Controls: Yes

Pros:

• Balanced and appealing sound
• Great battery life
• Useful and extensive management app

Cons:

• Dynamically suppressed sound
• Could have more insight

“Promise less than you deliver” is often said to be a recipe for success. While Sony doesn’t shy away from praising the WH-CH520, at £50, you wouldn’t expect much. But you would be surprised.

Let’s take it down a notch—they don’t look premium. But they don’t feel cheap either. They are definitely well-built, and the ear cups are comfortable for long listening sessions. Which you can definitely enjoy, given that the battery lasts an impressive 50 hours.

Their sound is balanced and rich, making them easy to enjoy (with the usual caveat “for the money”). The dynamics could use a bit more punch, but they deliver an engaging listening experience, and there's something to like about them.

As for the features, they include Bluetooth multipoint connection (which may not be present on pairs costing five times as much), quick Android pairing, and the Sony Sound Connect app, which allows you to manage the equalizer and customize the sound to your hearing preferences.

And all this for just 5,300 rubles. Your iPhone won’t know what hit it.

Best Over-Ear Headphones with ANC for iPhone

Sony WH-1000XM5

Premium Sony headphones with noise cancellation — an excellent choice for iPhone users.

Specifications

• Bluetooth: SBC, AAC, LDAC
• Battery Life: 30 hours
• Charging: USB-C
• Built-in Microphone and Controls: Yes
• Transparency Mode: Yes

Pros:

• Sensational sound clarity
• Comfortable to use
• Powerful and precise bass

Cons:

• Less premium build than before
• Do not fold completely

The Sony XM4s were among our favorite over-ear headphones, and this raises an important question: how do you improve a classic? If you’re Sony, you do it with a complete redesign and enhanced sound quality. As a result, you get the best over-ear headphones at this price point, perfect for your iPhone (or any other phone).

Credit where it’s due: a complete overhaul is a risky move for such a successful pair of headphones, but Sony has managed to pull it off. The new design without noise cancellation is thinner and more cohesive, with fewer places for wind to gather and disrupt the sound. They feel slightly less premium than their predecessors and significantly less premium than pricier models like AirPods Max, but we're willing to make that compromise.

ANC has also been updated, and for the first time, it automatically optimizes based on your environment. So if background noise increases, ANC works a bit harder to neutralize it. They still remain one of the best noise cancellers for your money.

While many features of the XM4 remain unchanged, they have been improved and added to. For instance, the lag between when a user starts speaking and when the headphones pause playback when the ambient sound mode is turned on (a feature called “Speak to Chat”) has been slightly shortened. Also, they now pause and resume playback much faster when you remove and put the headphones back on (the “Wearing Detection” feature).

But perhaps the most significant advantage is the sound quality, which has improved even from the XM4. It’s now more detailed, with a great sense of rhythm and wonderful musicality. If you're looking for full-size headphones for your iPhone, the XM5 are the best at this level.

Best Audiophile Over-Ear Headphones for iPhone

Focal Bathys

We’ve never seen Bluetooth headphones quite like these…

Specifications

• Bluetooth Version: aptX Adaptive, aptX, SBC, AAC
• Noise Cancellation: Yes
• Battery Life: 30 hours
• Charging: USB-C
• Built-in Microphone and Controls: Yes

Pros:

• Impressive, spacious, clear sound
• Pleasant rich balance
• Beautifully constructed

Cons:

• Plastic buttons

Focal has made a name for itself with its premium wired headphones, and they've paid the same attention to detail in their first Bluetooth pair.

They are still at the top of the market, but not at the peak—somewhere between Bowers & Wilkins Px8 and Mark Levinson No 5909. That’s a very good company.

It’s not surprising that given the price, these are high-quality headphones. And the quality of wireless connectivity is one of the most appealing we’ve ever heard: smooth, rich, with ample rhythmic capability. They’re comfortable enough for long music listening—just connect them to the USB-C port (you’ll need an adapter if you’re using an iPhone 14 or earlier model, as they have Lightning ports instead of USB-C in the iPhone 15). Their wired version performs even better than the wireless, as it is more reliable and well-thought-out.

Oh, and they're noise-cancelling too. They aren't the best full-size headphones out there, but they are very effective and do not significantly compromise sound quality.

Best Budget Headphones for iPhone

Sony WF-C510

These excellent Sony headphones offer superb battery life and sound quality.

Specifications

• Noise Cancellation: No
• Bluetooth: 5.3 (AAC, SBC)
• Battery Life: 11 hours (+11 hours with charging case)
• Wireless Charging: No
• Water Resistance: IPX4
• Colors: Blue, Yellow, Black, White

Pros:

• Compact, comfortable, lightweight design
• Solid, musical sound
• Strong specs

Cons:

• Feels and looks a bit cheap
• Ambient mode isn't outstanding

We always get a little nervous when sequels to award-winning films are announced. If we love the original so much, how can a sequel surpass it? Fortunately, once we got the Sony WF-C510 for review, we breathed a huge sigh of relief: it’s another award-winning effort from Sony.

They feel a bit cheaper than the C500, but we can forgive them for that given the quality of enjoyment they provide (they also launched at a significantly lower price than their predecessors). In terms of sound, they are clearly superior, retaining the same musicality and detail as the C500 but with a richer, denser sound—imagine Michelin-starred sauce compared to store-bought. In our review, we described the sound as “solid, weighty, and energetic.” You won’t find better for the money. If you want to step up, you’ll need the WF-C700N, which also features active noise cancellation (ANC).

The WF-C510 may lack ANC, but they do have Ambient Sound Control. This lets you hear some external sounds while listening so you stay aware of your surroundings. Usually, this feature is only found in headphones with active noise cancellation, but here it works very well and will be particularly useful for runners who want to stay safe or those who are wary of busy places.

iPhone owners are treated just as well as Android owners, thanks to the excellent Sony Sound Connect app (formerly known as Headphones Connect). And with 11 hours of battery life (and 22 hours when using the case), you won’t have to plug in often.

For the money, they truly have no rivals, whether you're using an iPhone or not.

Best Over-Ear Headphones with ANC for iPhone

Sony WH-1000XM5

Premium Sony headphones with noise cancellation — an excellent choice for iPhone users.

Specifications

• Bluetooth: SBC, AAC, LDAC
• Battery Life: 30 hours
• Charging: USB-C
• Built-in Microphone and Controls: Yes
• Transparency Mode: Yes

Pros:

• Sensational sound clarity
• Comfortable to use
• Powerful and precise bass

Cons:

• Less premium build than before
• Do not fold completely

The Sony XM4s were among our favorite over-ear headphones, and this raises an important question: how do you improve a classic? If you’re Sony, you do it with a complete redesign and enhanced sound quality. As a result, you get the best over-ear headphones at this price point, perfect for your iPhone (or any other phone).

Credit where it’s due: a complete overhaul is a risky move for such a successful pair of headphones, but Sony has managed to pull it off. The new design without noise cancellation is thinner and more cohesive, with fewer places for wind to gather and disrupt the sound. They feel slightly less premium than their predecessors and significantly less premium than pricier models like AirPods Max, but we're willing to make that compromise.

ANC has also been updated, and for the first time, it automatically optimizes based on your environment. So if background noise increases, ANC works a bit harder to neutralize it. They still remain one of the best noise cancellers for your money.

While many features of the XM4 remain unchanged, they have been improved and added to. For instance, the lag between when a user starts speaking and when the headphones pause playback when the ambient sound mode is turned on (a feature called “Speak to Chat”) has been slightly shortened. Also, they now pause and resume playback much faster when you remove and put the headphones back on (the “Wearing Detection” feature).

But perhaps the most significant advantage is the sound quality, which has improved even from the XM4. It’s now more detailed, with a great sense of rhythm and wonderful musicality. If you're looking for full-size headphones for your iPhone, the XM5 are the best at this level.

Best Audiophile Over-Ear Headphones for iPhone

Focal Bathys

We’ve never seen Bluetooth headphones quite like these…

Specifications

• Bluetooth Version: aptX Adaptive, aptX, SBC, AAC
• Noise Cancellation: Yes
• Battery Life: 30 hours
• Charging: USB-C
• Built-in Microphone and Controls: Yes

Pros:

• Impressive, spacious, clear sound
• Pleasant rich balance
• Beautifully constructed

Cons:

• Plastic buttons

Focal has made a name for itself with its premium wired headphones, and they've paid the same attention to detail in their first Bluetooth pair.

They are still at the top of the market, but not at the peak—somewhere between Bowers & Wilkins Px8 and Mark Levinson No 5909. That’s a very good company.

It’s not surprising that given the price, these are high-quality headphones. And the quality of wireless connectivity is one of the most appealing we’ve ever heard: smooth, rich, with ample rhythmic capability. They’re comfortable enough for long music listening—just connect them to the USB-C port (you’ll need an adapter if you’re using an iPhone 14 or earlier model, as they have Lightning ports instead of USB-C in the iPhone 15). Their wired version performs even better than the wireless, as it is more reliable and well-thought-out.

Oh, and they're noise-cancelling too. They aren't the best full-size headphones out there, but they are very effective and do not significantly compromise sound quality.

Best Budget Headphones for iPhone

Sony WF-C510

These excellent Sony headphones offer superb battery life and sound quality.

Specifications

• Noise Cancellation: No
• Bluetooth: 5.3 (AAC, SBC)
• Battery Life: 11 hours (+11 hours with charging case)
• Wireless Charging: No
• Water Resistance: IPX4
• Colors: Blue, Yellow, Black, White

Pros:

• Compact, comfortable, lightweight design
• Solid, musical sound
• Strong specs

Cons:

• Feels and looks a bit cheap
• Ambient mode isn't outstanding

We always get a little nervous when sequels to award-winning films are announced. If we love the original so much, how can a sequel surpass it? Fortunately, once we got the Sony WF-C510 for review, we breathed a huge sigh of relief: it’s another award-winning effort from Sony.

They feel a bit cheaper than the C500, but we can forgive them for that given the quality of enjoyment they provide (they also launched at a significantly lower price than their predecessors). In terms of sound, they are clearly superior, retaining the same musicality and detail as the C500 but with a richer, denser sound—imagine Michelin-starred sauce compared to store-bought. In our review, we described the sound as “solid, weighty, and energetic.” You won’t find better for the money. If you want to step up, you’ll need the WF-C700N, which also features active noise cancellation (ANC).

The WF-C510 may lack ANC, but they do have Ambient Sound Control. This lets you hear some external sounds while listening so you stay aware of your surroundings. Usually, this feature is only found in headphones with active noise cancellation, but here it works very well and will be particularly useful for runners who want to stay safe or those who are wary of busy places.

iPhone owners are treated just as well as Android owners, thanks to the excellent Sony Sound Connect app (formerly known as Headphones Connect). And with 11 hours of battery life (and 22 hours when using the case), you won’t have to plug in often.

For the money, they truly have no rivals, whether you're using an iPhone or not.

Best Over-Ear Headphones with ANC for iPhone

Sony WH-1000XM5

Premium Sony headphones with noise cancellation — an excellent choice for iPhone users.

Specifications

• Bluetooth: SBC, AAC, LDAC
• Battery Life: 30 hours
• Charging: USB-C
• Built-in Microphone and Controls: Yes
• Transparency Mode: Yes

Pros:

• Sensational sound clarity
• Comfortable to use
• Powerful and precise bass

Cons:

• Less premium build than before
• Do not fold completely

The Sony XM4s were among our favorite over-ear headphones, and this raises an important question: how do you improve a classic? If you’re Sony, you do it with a complete redesign and enhanced sound quality. As a result, you get the best over-ear headphones at this price point, perfect for your iPhone (or any other phone).

Credit where it’s due: a complete overhaul is a risky move for such a successful pair of headphones, but Sony has managed to pull it off. The new design without noise cancellation is thinner and more cohesive, with fewer places for wind to gather and disrupt the sound. They feel slightly less premium than their predecessors and significantly less premium than pricier models like AirPods Max, but we're willing to make that compromise.

ANC has also been updated, and for the first time, it automatically optimizes based on your environment. So if background noise increases, ANC works a bit harder to neutralize it. They still remain one of the best noise cancellers for your money.

While many features of the XM4 remain unchanged, they have been improved and added to. For instance, the lag between when a user starts speaking and when the headphones pause playback when the ambient sound mode is turned on (a feature called “Speak to Chat”) has been slightly shortened. Also, they now pause and resume playback much faster when you remove and put the headphones back on (the “Wearing Detection” feature).

But perhaps the most significant advantage is the sound quality, which has improved even from the XM4. It’s now more detailed, with a great sense of rhythm and wonderful musicality. If you're looking for full-size headphones for your iPhone, the XM5 are the best at this level.

Best Audiophile Over-Ear Headphones for iPhone

Focal Bathys

We’ve never seen Bluetooth headphones quite like these…

Specifications

• Bluetooth Version: aptX Adaptive, aptX, SBC, AAC
• Noise Cancellation: Yes
• Battery Life: 30 hours
• Charging: USB-C
• Built-in Microphone and Controls: Yes

Pros:

• Impressive, spacious, clear sound
• Pleasant rich balance
• Beautifully constructed

Cons:

• Plastic buttons

Focal has made a name for itself with its premium wired headphones, and they've paid the same attention to detail in their first Bluetooth pair.

They are still at the top of the market, but not at the peak—somewhere between Bowers & Wilkins Px8 and Mark Levinson No 5909. That’s a very good company.

It’s not surprising that given the price, these are high-quality headphones. And the quality of wireless connectivity is one of the most appealing we’ve ever heard: smooth, rich, with ample rhythmic capability. They’re comfortable enough for long music listening—just connect them to the USB-C port (you’ll need an adapter if you’re using an iPhone 14 or earlier model, as they have Lightning ports instead of USB-C in the iPhone 15). Their wired version performs even better than the wireless, as it is more reliable and well-thought-out.

Oh, and they're noise-cancelling too. They aren't the best full-size headphones out there, but they are very effective and do not significantly compromise sound quality.

Best Budget Headphones for iPhone

Sony WF-C510

These excellent Sony headphones offer superb battery life and sound quality.

Specifications

• Noise Cancellation: No
• Bluetooth: 5.3 (AAC, SBC)
• Battery Life: 11 hours (+11 hours with charging case)
• Wireless Charging: No
• Water Resistance: IPX4
• Colors: Blue, Yellow, Black, White

Pros:

• Compact, comfortable, lightweight design
• Solid, musical sound
• Strong specs

Cons:

• Feels and looks a bit cheap
• Ambient mode isn't outstanding

We always get a little nervous when sequels to award-winning films are announced. If we love the original so much, how can a sequel surpass it? Fortunately, once we got the Sony WF-C510 for review, we breathed a huge sigh of relief: it’s another award-winning effort from Sony.

They feel a bit cheaper than the C500, but we can forgive them for that given the quality of enjoyment they provide (they also launched at a significantly lower price than their predecessors). In terms of sound, they are clearly superior, retaining the same musicality and detail as the C500 but with a richer, denser sound—imagine Michelin-starred sauce compared to store-bought. In our review, we described the sound as “solid, weighty, and energetic.” You won’t find better for the money. If you want to step up, you’ll need the WF-C700N, which also features active noise cancellation (ANC).

The WF-C510 may lack ANC, but they do have Ambient Sound Control. This lets you hear some external sounds while listening so you stay aware of your surroundings. Usually, this feature is only found in headphones with active noise cancellation, but here it works very well and will be particularly useful for runners who want to stay safe or those who are wary of busy places.

iPhone owners are treated just as well as Android owners, thanks to the excellent Sony Sound Connect app (formerly known as Headphones Connect). And with 11 hours of battery life (and 22 hours when using the case), you won’t have to plug in often.

For the money, they truly have no rivals, whether you're using an iPhone or not.

Best Over-Ear Headphones with ANC for iPhone

Sony WH-1000XM5

Premium Sony headphones with noise cancellation — an excellent choice for iPhone users.

Specifications

• Bluetooth: SBC, AAC, LDAC
• Battery Life: 30 hours
• Charging: USB-C
• Built-in Microphone and Controls: Yes
• Transparency Mode: Yes

Pros:

• Sensational sound clarity
• Comfortable to use
• Powerful and precise bass

Cons:

• Less premium build than before
• Do not fold completely

The Sony XM4s were among our favorite over-ear headphones, and this raises an important question: how do you improve a classic? If you’re Sony, you do it with a complete redesign and enhanced sound quality. As a result, you get the best over-ear headphones at this price point, perfect for your iPhone (or any other phone).

Credit where it’s due: a complete overhaul is a risky move for such a successful pair of headphones, but Sony has managed to pull it off. The new design without noise cancellation is thinner and more cohesive, with fewer places for wind to gather and disrupt the sound. They feel slightly less premium than their predecessors and significantly less premium than pricier models like AirPods Max, but we're willing to make that compromise.

ANC has also been updated, and for the first time, it automatically optimizes based on your environment. So if background noise increases, ANC works a bit harder to neutralize it. They still remain one of the best noise cancellers for your money.

While many features of the XM4 remain unchanged, they have been improved and added to. For instance, the lag between when a user starts speaking and when the headphones pause playback when the ambient sound mode is turned on (a feature called “Speak to Chat”) has been slightly shortened. Also, they now pause and resume playback much faster when you remove and put the headphones back on (the “Wearing Detection” feature).

But perhaps the most significant advantage is the sound quality, which has improved even from the XM4. It’s now more detailed, with a great sense of rhythm and wonderful musicality. If you're looking for full-size headphones for your iPhone, the XM5 are the best at this level.

Best Audiophile Over-Ear Headphones for iPhone

Focal Bathys

We’ve never seen Bluetooth headphones quite like these…

Specifications

• Bluetooth Version: aptX Adaptive, aptX, SBC, AAC
• Noise Cancellation: Yes
• Battery Life: 30 hours
• Charging: USB-C
• Built-in Microphone and Controls: Yes

Pros:

• Impressive, spacious, clear sound
• Pleasant rich balance
• Beautifully constructed

Cons:

• Plastic buttons

Focal has made a name for itself with its premium wired headphones, and they've paid the same attention to detail in their first Bluetooth pair.

They are still at the top of the market, but not at the peak—somewhere between Bowers & Wilkins Px8 and Mark Levinson No 5909. That’s a very good company.

It’s not surprising that given the price, these are high-quality headphones. And the quality of wireless connectivity is one of the most appealing we’ve ever heard: smooth, rich, with ample rhythmic capability. They’re comfortable enough for long music listening—just connect them to the USB-C port (you’ll need an adapter if you’re using an iPhone 14 or earlier model, as they have Lightning ports instead of USB-C in the iPhone 15). Their wired version performs even better than the wireless, as it is more reliable and well-thought-out.

Oh, and they're noise-cancelling too. They aren't the best full-size headphones out there, but they are very effective and do not significantly compromise sound quality.

Best Budget Headphones for iPhone

Sony WF-C510

These excellent Sony headphones offer superb battery life and sound quality.

Specifications

• Noise Cancellation: No
• Bluetooth: 5.3 (AAC, SBC)
• Battery Life: 11 hours (+11 hours with charging case)
• Wireless Charging: No
• Water Resistance: IPX4
• Colors: Blue, Yellow, Black, White

Pros:

• Compact, comfortable, lightweight design
• Solid, musical sound
• Strong specs

Cons:

• Feels and looks a bit cheap
• Ambient mode isn't outstanding

We always get a little nervous when sequels to award-winning films are announced. If we love the original so much, how can a sequel surpass it? Fortunately, once we got the Sony WF-C510 for review, we breathed a huge sigh of relief: it’s another award-winning effort from Sony.

They feel a bit cheaper than the C500, but we can forgive them for that given the quality of enjoyment they provide (they also launched at a significantly lower price than their predecessors). In terms of sound, they are clearly superior, retaining the same musicality and detail as the C500 but with a richer, denser sound—imagine Michelin-starred sauce compared to store-bought. In our review, we described the sound as “solid, weighty, and energetic.” You won’t find better for the money. If you want to step up, you’ll need the WF-C700N, which also features active noise cancellation (ANC).

The WF-C510 may lack ANC, but they do have Ambient Sound Control. This lets you hear some external sounds while listening so you stay aware of your surroundings. Usually, this feature is only found in headphones with active noise cancellation, but here it works very well and will be particularly useful for runners who want to stay safe or those who are wary of busy places.

iPhone owners are treated just as well as Android owners, thanks to the excellent Sony Sound Connect app (formerly known as Headphones Connect). And with 11 hours of battery life (and 22 hours when using the case), you won’t have to plug in often.

For the money, they truly have no rivals, whether you're using an iPhone or not.

Best Over-Ear Headphones with ANC for iPhone

Sony WH-1000XM5

Premium Sony headphones with noise cancellation — an excellent choice for iPhone users.

Specifications

• Bluetooth: SBC, AAC, LDAC
• Battery Life: 30 hours
• Charging: USB-C
• Built-in Microphone and Controls: Yes
• Transparency Mode: Yes

Pros:

• Sensational sound clarity
• Comfortable to use
• Powerful and precise bass

Cons:

• Less premium build than before
• Do not fold completely

The Sony XM4s were among our favorite over-ear headphones, and this raises an important question: how do you improve a classic? If you’re Sony, you do it with a complete redesign and enhanced sound quality. As a result, you get the best over-ear headphones at this price point, perfect for your iPhone (or any other phone).

Credit where it’s due: a complete overhaul is a risky move for such a successful pair of headphones, but Sony has managed to pull it off. The new design without noise cancellation is thinner and more cohesive, with fewer places for wind to gather and disrupt the sound. They feel slightly less premium than their predecessors and significantly less premium than pricier models like AirPods Max, but we're willing to make that compromise.

ANC has also been updated, and for the first time, it automatically optimizes based on your environment. So if background noise increases, ANC works a bit harder to neutralize it. They still remain one of the best noise cancellers for your money.

While many features of the XM4 remain unchanged, they have been improved and added to. For instance, the lag between when a user starts speaking and when the headphones pause playback when the ambient sound mode is turned on (a feature called “Speak to Chat”) has been slightly shortened. Also, they now pause and resume playback much faster when you remove and put the headphones back on (the “Wearing Detection” feature).

But perhaps the most significant advantage is the sound quality, which has improved even from the XM4. It’s now more detailed, with a great sense of rhythm and wonderful musicality. If you're looking for full-size headphones for your iPhone, the XM5 are the best at this level.

Engage with us! Have you tried any of these headphones? Which one caught your attention the most?

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