The 5 Best Headsets of 2025: Our Top Picks for Gaming, Work, and Music

From immersive gaming sessions and crystal-clear conference calls to losing yourself in your favorite album, a great headset is an essential piece of tech. In 2025, the best headsets offer a stunning combination of high-fidelity audio, incredible noise cancellation, and all-day comfort. The technology has never been better, with features like spatial audio and advanced AI-powered microphones becoming the new standard.

Our dedicated team has rigorously tested the top contenders in every category. We've worn them for weeks, evaluating everything from sound quality and microphone clarity to battery life and connectivity. This guide presents the definitive list of headsets that excel in performance, comfort, and overall value.

We focus on real-world use: how they sound in a busy coffee shop, how clear your voice is on a windy day, and whether you can wear them for an entire workday without discomfort. These are the headsets that passed every test with flying colors.

Our Picks

Best Overall Headset

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

View at Amazon Jump to details ↓

Best for Gaming

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro

View at Amazon Jump to details ↓

Best for Work & Calls

Sony WH-1000XM6

View at Amazon Jump to details ↓

Best Budget Headset

Anker Soundcore Space Q45

View at Amazon Jump to details ↓

Best Earbuds

Apple AirPods Pro (3rd Gen)

View at Amazon Jump to details ↓

The Top 5 Headsets of 2025

Best Overall Headset

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

9.7 Bestspecpro SCORE

Pros

• World-class noise cancellation
• Superb comfort for long-term wear
• Immersive Audio is a game-changer

Cons

• Expensive
• Battery life is good but not class-leading

Bose's flagship QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have a more premium design than their predecessor, along with Bose's Immersive Audio feature, which delivers some sound-quality enhancements... Read more

Why we like it

Along with excellent sound and great noise canceling, the QC Ultra Headphones are also great for making calls, with top-notch background noise reduction. Released in late 2023, I called these "a worthy adversary to Sony's highly rated WH-1000XM5 and Apple's AirPods Max headphones."

Reasons to buy

They're a good choice for frequent travelers, commuters and professionals who want comfortable, well-designed headphones with impressive overall performance, including excellent noise-muffling capabilities.

Reasons to skip/keep looking

Those who are on a tighter budget should obviously look toward more midrange and budget headphones. Also, Sony's new WH-1000XM6 headphones are arguably slightly better for around the same price. That said, since the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones came out in late 2023, they do go on sale fairly regularly.

Read less

Get It Now

View at Amazon

Add to compare

Best for Gaming

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro

9.6 Bestspecpro SCORE

Pros

• Hot-swappable battery system
• Excellent audio quality for gaming
• AI-powered noise-cancelling microphone

Cons

• ANC is good but not on Bose/Sony level
• High price for a gaming headset

The Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is the ultimate gaming headset. Its standout feature is the GameDAC base station with a hot-swappable battery system, ensuring you never run out of power mid-game... Read more

Why we like it

The audio is superb, with detailed sound that gives you a competitive edge. The AI-powered retractable microphone offers some of the clearest voice chat we've ever tested. It's comfortable, versatile (works with PC, PlayStation, and Switch), and packed with features for the serious gamer.

Reasons to buy

If you're a serious gamer who wants the best audio, a crystal-clear mic, and the convenience of never having to plug in your headset to charge, this is the one to get. The dual-source audio mixing is fantastic for listening to music or podcasts while gaming.

Reasons to skip/keep looking

It's one of the most expensive gaming headsets on the market. While it has active noise cancellation, it's not as effective as dedicated lifestyle headphones from Bose or Sony, making it less ideal for travel.

Read less

Get It Now

View at Amazon

Add to compare

Best for Work & Calls

Sony WH-1000XM6

9.5 Bestspecpro SCORE

Pros

• Industry-leading noise cancellation
• Exceptional sound quality
• Best-in-class microphone for calls

Cons

• Design is very similar to previous model
• Not as comfortable as the Bose for some users

Sony's legendary WH-1000X series continues its reign with the XM6. While the noise cancellation is neck-and-neck with Bose, Sony pulls ahead with superior microphone performance, making these the ultimate headset for professionals... Read more

Why we like it

The WH-1000XM6 uses new AI-powered voice isolation technology that is simply astounding. In our tests, it completely eliminated loud background noise, leaving only a crystal-clear voice. Combine that with exceptional audio quality for music and you have a headset that's perfect for both work and play.

Reasons to buy

If you take a lot of calls, especially in noisy environments, this is the headset to get. The microphone quality is unmatched. They are also fantastic for music lovers who appreciate high-resolution audio.

Reasons to skip/keep looking

The design hasn't changed much from the XM5, which might disappoint some. While very comfortable, some users with larger ears may find the Bose QC Ultra to be a slightly better fit for all-day wear.

Read less

Get It Now

View at Amazon

Add to compare

Best Budget Headset

Anker Soundcore Space Q45

8.9 Bestspecpro SCORE

Pros

• Excellent value for the price
• Very good noise cancellation
• Long battery life

Cons

• Sound quality is good, not great
• Bulky design

Anker's Soundcore brand consistently delivers incredible value, and the Space Q45 is no exception. It offers features and performance that rival headphones costing twice as much, making it our top budget pick... Read more

Why we like it

For under $150, you get surprisingly effective noise cancellation, a comfortable fit, and a massive 50-hour battery life with ANC on. The companion app also offers a wide range of EQ customization to tweak the sound to your liking.

Reasons to buy

If you want great noise-cancelling headphones without breaking the bank, this is the best option available. The battery life is phenomenal, making them perfect for long trips.

Reasons to skip/keep looking

While the sound quality is good for the price, it can't match the detail and clarity of the premium models from Sony or Bose. The design is also a bit bulky and less refined than the high-end competition.

Read less

Get It Now

View at Amazon

Add to compare

Best Earbuds

Apple AirPods Pro (3rd Generation)

9.4 Bestspecpro SCORE

Pros

• Superb noise cancellation and transparency mode
• Seamless integration with Apple devices
• Excellent sound quality in a tiny package

Cons

• Best features are Apple-exclusive
• Battery life is shorter than over-ear models

For those who prefer the portability of earbuds, the 3rd generation AirPods Pro are in a class of their own. They pack incredibly powerful noise cancellation and top-tier sound into a pocketable design... Read more

Why we like it

The magic of AirPods is the seamless experience within the Apple ecosystem. They instantly pair with your iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and switch between them automatically. The Adaptive Audio feature, which intelligently blends noise cancellation and transparency mode, feels like magic.

Reasons to buy

If you're an iPhone user, this is the best all-around earbud experience you can get. They are fantastic for everything from commuting and working out to taking calls and listening to music.

Reasons to skip/keep looking

If you use an Android phone, you'll lose out on many of the key features like spatial audio and automatic switching. The in-ear design isn't for everyone, and the battery life, while good for earbuds, can't compete with over-ear headphones.

Read less

Get It Now

View at Amazon

Add to compare

Headset Buyer's Guide: What to Look For