Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

Pros

• High-quality audio playback
• Long playtime
• Super lightweight

Cons

• Pricey
• Noise cancellation can make us feel weird

Bose's line of QuietComfort over-ear headphones has been a crowd favorite for a long time—and for good reason. These high-quality headphones sound good, and they're lightweight and comfortable for extended periods of listening.

They're one of the pricier pairs, but they come through on both how well they sound and how well they block unwanted sounds. In addition to Bose's signature active and adjustable noise cancellation, there's also echo reduction for clear phone calls. Unfortunately, some of us around here suffer from weaker inner ears, which means ANC can cause dizziness and motion sickness. This particular one is not our favorite in that regard.

Sony WH-1000XM5 T Headphones

Pros

• Next-level noise cancellation
• Very comfy ear cushions
• Good mics

Cons

• No buttons

If you need a good pair of headphones to last you through the workday or a long flight, these flagship Sonys are hard to beat. The headband is notably smaller than those on other similar options, and the oversize ear cups are lightweight and sit comfortably on the outside of your ears. The excellent noise canceling optimizes as the noises around you change, so you can stay in the zone (or decidedly out of it, depending where you are). And it doesn't make us feel as sick as some of the other ANC.

Soundcore by Anker P40i Smart ANC Wireless Earbuds

Pros

• Adaptive ANC
• Case supports wireless charging
• Charging case doubles as a phone stand

Cons

• Comfortable but won't convert earbud haters

We've been recommending the Soundcore P3 as our go-to for noise-canceling wireless earbuds for so long that they all sold out. The logical upgrade are these—the P40i Smart ANC earbuds. They are good earbuds, super comfortable if you're used to wearing AirPods or something similar. If your ears just aren't built for earbuds, there may be some better options further on.

The adaptive ANC on these impressed with how effective it can be. As far as earbuds go, this is some good noise cancellation. The charging case supports wireless charging and can even act as a stand to prop up your phone in a pinch.

JLab JBuds Mini

Pros

• The smallest charging case I've ever seen
• Fit larger ears comfortably as well
• Surprisingly good sound for the size
• Easily attach to key chain

Cons

• No noise canceling
• Not the most durable
• Case only carries 20 hours of charge

I've yet to encounter a smaller pair of earbuds than the JLab JBuds Mini. Seriously, these even come equipped with a key ring attached to the charging case. The case does its job and keeps the world's tiniest earbuds charged.

Remarkably, I didn't have much troubled fitting these buds in my normal-man-sized ears. I see how they could be extremely helpful for people who typically have issues with larger buds. Oh, and they sound pretty good, too. No ANC, but JLab has other options with noise canceling that remain affordable and compact.

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Headphones

Pros

• Top-tier sound
• Smart Pause
• 60 hours of playtime
• Extremely padded headband

Cons

• Top-tier price
• Not water-, sweat-, or rain-resistant

Take one look through the recommendations of the Internet and you're likely to see at least one pair of Sennheiser headphones. By a wide margin, the Momentum 4 remains the most popular pair. As it turns out, the big reason for that is comfort. These just feel good to wear for hours on end.

The cushioning here is real, with a material that's not just soft but sits nicely—and forgettably—on your head. Switch your noise-cancellation mode with a touch to the side, and it automatically saves its own energy stores by pausing when you take it off or put it down. Top this off (literally) with the second-most-comfortable headband on this list and now we are cooking with gas.

Philips Audio Fidelio X2HR Headphones

Pros

• Detachable cable
• Elite sound quality
• No worrying about charging
• Replaceable ear cushions

Cons

• No Bluetooth
• Only comes in boring black

If you're a real audiophile, you know Bluetooth won't cut it. You need something reliable. Reliable and with a cord. Presenting the Fidelio 2XHR from Philips.

Philips Audio's wired over-ear headphones make for some excellent listening with a comfortable feel. The mesh-hammock headband is more like a cradle than a prison, and the double-layered ear shells are made with memory-foam ear pads that you can replace once you wear through them. If you're planning on plugging this sucker into an amp, you can. It comes with a 6.3mm adapter for the included 3.5mm cable.

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX

Pros

• Our favorite ANC
• The comfortable headphone headband to beat
• One of the best-looking pairs of headphones
• Includes USB-C and 3.5mm cables

Cons

• Specific touch controls can take some getting used to

I've already written at length about my feelings on Bang & Olufen's over-ear headphones. When it comes to which pair to get, I'll always recommend these. The Beoplay HX is classy, comfortable, and my go-to pair of headphones for any time I have to travel further than a borough over from Brooklyn.

Know what you're getting into with these. B&O makes premium products at premium prices. That much is apparent just by looking at them. These will last. That's the difference.

Bowers & Wilkins pi8 Wireless Earbuds

Pros

• Sound and ANC are top-notch
• Comfortable for hours at a time
• Best touch-control feedback on a pair of earbuds
• Fast charging case with Bluetooth transmission

Cons

• Expensive
• Can be a bit bulky for smaller ears

The other premium headphone brand I'm a mark for. As far as I'm concerned, Bowers & Wilkins can do no wrong on the audio front. Well, except maybe have a sale every once and a while, because boy can it be hard to keep up with those prices.

If dropping $400 on a pair of earbuds isn't a big deal to you, you're going to be rewarded. To be honest, these have been my go-to earbuds every single day since I got them. The ergonomic shape keeps them comfortable for hours, and the excellent noise canceling toggles on with one satisfying touch of either bud. And then there's the case. It supports wireless charging, sure, but the real star of the show is being able to use it as a Bluetooth transmitter for those long flights.

Sony LinkBuds Open

Pros

• An elegant hybrid of earbud and open-ear design
• Long battery life
• Decent passive noise canceling

Cons

• You can get better sound for $200
• Still won't fit all ear types

Historically, I haven't trucked with open-ear headphones. I just don't find the majority of them comfortable, even from brands like Bose and Shokz that I know make otherwise fantastic products. So I was just as surprised as anyone else when it was Sony that finally got me with its LinkBuds Open.

The design of these just works for me. You put them in and rotate slightly to lock into place and then, bam, super secure. They are great for working out or just wearing around the office where you never know who is going to be calling your name. Obviously there's no powerful ANC tech here, but you'd be surprised how far its passive noise canceling can get you.

Dyson OnTrac headphones

Pros

• Super-comfortable ear cups and headband
• Noise canceling that doesn't make us sick
• A unique look

Cons

• Expensive at full price
• Heavy

Listen, I don't really get it either. Dyson makes vacuums, damn good ones at that. But our commerce editor Luke Guillory didn't just give these headphones a glowing review. He won't stop wearing them, either. Here's what he had to say in summary.

"I love them top to bottom.... The headphones sound good, and they're more comfortable, more durable, and better looking than others on the market. That's what you're paying for."

Our Testing Process

We are working round the clock all year for articles and lists like these. Between me, Luke, and the rest of the commerce team at Esquire, we are all constantly testing out new audio equipment. For me, this means a new pair of earbuds and over-ears every other week. I have tested dozens of others this year that I liked, but these ten headphones were the most comfortable that our team found (and agreed upon) in 2024.

How to Choose the Most Comfortable Headphones

There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to headphones. When choosing the best ones for you, think about these things.

Form factor: Do you want earbuds or over-ear headphones? Simple question.

Usage:Are you going to be primarily using your headphones for listening to music or podcasts? Or will they be for watching movies and TV? Different answers yield different results. For gaming? Might want to go with a headset.

Lifestyle:Do you travel a lot, or are you typically going to be using these at home? Are you using them to work out? If so, you might want something a little more durable and resistant to sweat and water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are earbuds or over-ear headphones more comfortable?

Honestly, it just depends on who you are. Many people I know prefer over-ear headphones when it comes to comfort for an extended period of time, but as someone who wears glasses, I know that can get uncomfortable. Depending on the thickness of your frames, certain earbuds may be more comfortable for long sessions. And that's just one of many variables, not to mention ear size, shape, or piercings.

What are open-ear headphones?

Open-ear headphones are an alternative to earbuds that deliver sound without your needing to stick something in your ear. Open-ear options on the market are expanding faster than ever. There is no definitive best approach yet, but most major brands, including Bose, Beats, and Sony, are trying something and seeing what sticks.

What are the best headphones for travel?

Uh, c'mon man, aren't you listening? There is no one answer. When it comes to travel, though, in addition to comfort, we tend to prioritize battery life. You want to be able to get through a long ride without needing access to a charger. We understand it's 2024, but this is just so you can have uninterrupted access to your entertainment.

Why Trust Esquire?

At Esquire, our testing process and combined expertise allow us to recommend the best tech for your hard-earned money. Whatever the product, we've tried it, and you know we sure as shit have an opinion on it. Love it, hate it, don't care either way—we'll let you know.

Our product reviews and gift guides are compiled by performing heavy research and testing, and the gadgets we choose to award are the ones we'd spend our own money on. That's the Esquire way.