In fact, it is difficult to choose the best of the best to evaluate the best headphones. After all, there are countless options for this type of equipment, and it is impossible to review them all at once. But Cnet tried their best. They tend to focus on wireless headphones, especially true wireless.
In the past few years, Apple AirPods have been welcomed globally, but when it comes to the best headphones, you must also consider head-mounted and in-ear types. The function is divided into noise reduction levels, and even the price is affordable. For people who come to get excellent sound quality and comfort, this is also the “best” product in their hearts.
This article will recommend Cnet’s “Best Headphones” of the year. Note that the premise is “currently.” Considering that these headphones will also be launched in updated versions, and even some of them will be exhibited at CES 2021. Over time, I will Update the list.
01/ The best listening true wireless noise reduction——Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2
The second-generation “Wooden Mantou” TWS headset is smaller in size and more comfortable in design. Active noise reduction is benchmarked with AirPods Pro. The noise reduction effect during the call is also better, and the battery life is stronger. The official even advertised it up to 28 hours. In addition, it weighs only 12g and is waterproof at the IPX4 level.
In Cnet’s view, the excellent sound quality of Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 is obviously better than AirPods Pro from the perspective of true wireless headphones. This headset can be said to be the best true wireless headset on the market today, and won the CNET Editors’ Choice Award. The current price of this headset in Amazon US is $267.25.
02/ Top noise reduction——Sony WH-1000XM4
Sony’s previous generation WH-1000XM3 performed well, but there was a weakness in voice calls, especially in noisy environments. Sony WH-1000XM4 has made improvements in this area and added multi-point Bluetooth pairing, which can connect two devices at the same time, such as mobile phones and computers. In other words, when you connect the headset when you are using the computer, if a call comes in, the headset will automatically switch to connect to the mobile phone after you connect.
The Bose 700 noise reduction headphones of the same level may still have a slight advantage in voice calls, but the WH-1000XM4 headphones are a little more comfortable, and there are some other subtle improvements in noise reduction and sound, making it a very comprehensive choice. The current price on Amazon US is $348.00.
03/ The best true wireless noise-canceling headphones——Apple AirPods Pro
Even if it doesn’t sound as magical as the $249 headset you were expecting, AirPods Pro is still a great example of a truly wireless in-ear noise-canceling headset. This is largely because of their design, improved bass performance and effective active noise reduction. It is a good choice when you need to make a phone call or listen to music.
Although the price is not cheap, it is a frequently used product and will accompany you for a long time until the battery is completely aging…
04/ Best call headset——Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
This is the successor to the long-awaited Quiet Comfort 35 II. Although it is not a qualitative leap, it provides better sound quality, calls and noise cancellation (11 levels of controllable noise cancellation). Although the price in Amazon US is also $379, the Bose 700 is indeed a full-featured headset with powerful performance and a battery life of up to 20 hours under comprehensive use of podcasts, music or other applications.
Although the design and adaptability of the Sony WH-1000XM3 have a lower price, and these two pairs of headphones can often be argued over which is better. But one thing is certain, the noise canceling mode of Bose 700 will be better for calls. For some people, this may be worth the higher cost.
05/ Excellent all-round true wireless——Jabra ELITE 75t
The Jabra ELITE 75t looks like an upgraded version of the Elite 65t, and there are more updates than expected. The volume of the Jabra Elite 75t headset with charging case is 20% smaller than that of the Elite 65t. The longer battery life and USB-C charging are also major upgrades.
Although the Jabra Elite 75t is not as comfortable to wear as AirPods Pro, it also has good active noise reduction, and is better for listening to songs, with clearer sound and better bass. Waterproof performance is also better, IP55 level. The current price on Amazon US is $129.99.
06/ The best true wireless for $35——Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2
If you feel AirPods Pro is slightly more expensive, Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 is a good choice, and it is also a first-class device for making calls or listening to songs. Like AirPods Pro, Anker’s soundproof headphones do a very good job in eliminating environmental noise. According to the Cnet test, even if there is a lot of street noise and background noise, the person on the other side of the phone can hear his voice.
Cnet believes that although this headset does not have active noise cancellation, the sound is almost as good as AirPods Pro, it is also comfortable to wear, well-sealed, and supports wireless charging. It is priced at $99.99 in the official Soundcore Amazon store.
07/ The best true wireless for $40——EarFun Free
EarFun Free has impressive features: Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C and wireless charging, and waterproof. Although they are not top-notch, and there will be no high-end true wireless earphones with the clarity of more than $100, but the overall is still ok. EarFun Free’s bass is full and detailed enough to not sound dull.
The key is that this headset is only $40 on Amazon and won the CES 2020 Innovation Award. “EarFun Free is recognized as an honor for its innovative design and engineering in some of the most advanced technologies and services on the market.”
08/ The best audiophile headset——V-Moda M-200
V-Moda M-200 is a wired headset with extremely clean and accurate sound, excellent bass response, and comfortable earmuffs. The sound unit uses 50mm neodymium magnets and copper-clad aluminum wires, CCAW voice coils, and fine-tuning by Roland engineers.
M-200 has Hi-Res Audio certification, with clear and neutral sound that is more suitable for music producers and studio professionals. It has two lines, one of which has a built-in microphone for calls. It would be better if V-Moda provides Lightning or USB-C adapter cables for mobile phones without 3.5mm jacks.
09/ The cheapest noise-canceling headphones——Anker Soundcore Life Q20
Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is normally priced at US$60, but it is often sold at a price of more than US$10. The sound quality of Life Q20 is not as good as that of high-end models such as Sony WH-1000XM3, but it also sounds good. The clarity and full bass are well balanced, and it doesn’t sound bloated or muddy (if you want extra bass, you can use bass boost or BassUp mode).
It is also very comfortable to wear, the noise cancellation effect is acceptable, it can be used for calls, and the battery life is up to 40 hours. Includes a simple carrying bag.
10/ Value-for-money true wireless sound quality——Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro
Anker is known for its premium headphones, but it is trying to enter the higher end of the field with Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro, which is priced at $109.99 on Amazon. From the design point of view, it has some similarities with Sony WF-1000XM3, although it lacks active noise reduction.
Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro headphones have a combination of 11mm bass sound unit and custom Knowles tweeter sound unit, which can be used for 8 hours on a single charge, and the total time for charging case is 32 hours. Its noise cancellation technology can intelligently suppress environmental noise, so that callers can hear your voice better. Support USB-C charging and wireless charging.
Although the sound quality is not as good as the Sony WF-1000XM3, it does sound like an advanced TWS headset with rich sound, including strong bass performance and many details. Overall, Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro is really worth the money, and it has also been recommended by 10 Grammy professional tuner.
