The best headphones in the UK 2023

Whether wired or wireless, headphones are still a must-have despite the current hegemony of headphones. More discreet than headphones, they are also less expensive and less bulky. However, it's not easy to find your way around the plethora of models and brands flooding the market. To help you, here is our selection of the best headphones of the moment.

Bose Soundsport 1
9/10

Best value for money

Bose Soundsport

The best headphones in 2021

The Sound Sport in-ear headphones from Bose weigh in at just 23g. Blue in color, they work via Bluetooth and deliver a well-balanced sound while staying alert to outside noise.

89,60 £ on Amazon

These headphones incorporate a Bose active equalization system to deliver balanced sound at any volume. For extended listening, the recommended charging time is 2 hours for 6 hours of listening time. Wireless technology makes Bluetooth and CCP pairing more convenient and easier.

The Bose Sound Sport Bluetooth headphones have StayHear tips for a better fit in the ears during sports workouts. Beyond that, they're highly resistant to weather and perspiration, so they'll last longer. Finally, you won't have to worry about them falling out even when you're exercising.

Apple EarPods Lightning 2
7/10

Best low cost

Apple EarPods Lightning

The best entry-level headphones

Apple EarPods with Lightning connector allow you to listen to music on iPhone, iPad or iPod touch running iOS 10 or later. The best cheap earphones on the market.

15,12 £ on Amazon

These earphones are the same as the original Apple Earpods. Thanks to the geometric design, the earphones are more comfortable than traditional round earphones. With the remote control on the cable, you can make hands-free phone calls, adjust the volume and browse your music. The controls on the cable are optimized for Apple and do not work for Android devices.

Apple EarPods Lightning are suitable for casual, neutral listening. The Lightning connector allows you to listen to music on iPhone, iPad or iPod touch running iOS 10 or later equipped with the same connector. They are comfortable and moderately well balanced in the mid to high frequency ranges, reproducing instruments and vocals with above average fidelity. We regret that the bass is a little inflated and poorly defined.

Bose Sport Earbuds 3
8/10

Best high end

Bose Sport Earbuds

The best high-end headphones

The Bose Sport Earbuds training earphones meet the demands of athletes. They're among the most comfortable on the market and offer significant improvements over the previous version.

134 £ on Amazon

Bose chose plastic for their Sport Earbuds. Good for them with this smart decision, as weight and durability are essential for good training earbuds. The design of these sport earbuds is very simple, but in a modern style. Also, these earbuds have no buttons and the outside of each earbud serves as a touch screen.

The StayHear ear tips are the other highlight of these Bose headphones. There's also the IPX4 waterproof rating. Note that the Bose Sport Earbuds are Bluetooth 5.1 compatible. We subjected the Bose Sport Earbuds to a constant volume of 75dB and they lasted for 5 hours. The isolation performance is not excellent. Indeed, Bose has prioritized comfort and stability instead of blocking all external noise.

Jabra Elite Active 65t 4
9/10

Excellent

Jabra Elite Active 65t

Remarkable wireless headphones

Great vibes at a great price, that's what the Jabra Elite Active 15t headphones offer. 3 spare silicone tips are included with these IP56 certified earphones. The autonomy reaches 15 hours.

84 £ on Amazon

Available in 5 sets of colors, the Jabra Elite active 65t have a range of 10 m in Bluetooth. IP56 certified, these true wireless headphones are splash, sweat and rain resistant. They are also protected against dust. The autonomy goes from 5 to 15 hours and the recharge is done from the storage case. In addition, Jabra has equipped its device with a quick charge of 15 minutes that can offer an autonomy of 1.5 hours in listening.

The layout of the 4 microphones / speakers allows you to make phone calls clearly and Bluetooth 5.0 ensures a connection without untimely disconnection or latency. Finally, to fine-tune the listening experience, there's the Jabra Sound+ app and 3 silicone tips with different levels of isolation. If you're looking for mid-range true wireless headphones, these are highly recommended.

Buying guide • November 2023

Best headphones

Any specific needs?

The best headphones in 2021

The best entry-level headphones

The best high-end headphones

Remarkable wireless headphones

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Comparison table of the best headphones

TOP OF THE LINE CHEAP TOP OF THE LINE EXCELLENT
Bose Soundsport 5
9/10
Apple EarPods Lightning 6
7/10
Bose Sport Earbuds 7
8/10
Jabra Elite Active 65t 8
9/10
OUR SELECTION
Bose Soundsport
Apple EarPods Lightning
Bose Sport Earbuds
Jabra Elite Active 65t
The Sound Sport in-ear headphones from Bose weigh in at just 23g. Blue in color, they work via Bluetooth and deliver a well-balanced sound while staying alert to outside noise.
Apple EarPods with Lightning connector allow you to listen to music on iPhone, iPad or iPod touch running iOS 10 or later. The best cheap earphones on the market.
The Bose Sport Earbuds training earphones meet the demands of athletes. They're among the most comfortable on the market and offer significant improvements over the previous version.
Great vibes at a great price, that's what the Jabra Elite Active 15t headphones offer. 3 spare silicone tips are included with these IP56 certified earphones. The autonomy reaches 15 hours.
Sweat and weather resistant
Heavy, solid sound
Lightweight and compact
Incredibly comfortable
Sport headphones style
Clear, direct mids
QuietComfort technology
Long battery life
It's nearly impossible to drop the StayHear+ tips
No trace of harshness, even at the remote
Heavyweight and agile bass
Accelerometer

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Buying guide - headphones

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How to choose your headphones

#1 - Sound quality

This is the first thing to consider when choosing an audio headset. Ideally, you should try them out, but you need to be a connoisseur. Some models deliver exceptional sound with high audio resolution. They sometimes include powerful bass to enhance the sound quality, perfect for enjoying your favorite songs.

With an ergonomic design that ensures a perfect seal, some lines of audio headphones offer exceptional sound quality, so fans will be amazed. For an even more striking result, that is to say an optimal bass quality, some models are equipped with a bass amplification system and sound insulation and others are equipped with equalizer settings that serve to improve the sound rendering.

#2 - Robustness

This is a fundamental criterion in the choice of an audio earphone especially since this accessory is intended for daily use. Some models are designed for the great sportsmen by displaying a hyper-resistance to the rain, the snow, the sun, the mud or the sweat. They will be able to practice their favorite sport while listening to their playlists. Aluminum models show excellent strength and durability compared to other headphones. Aside from the ear cups, you should pay special attention to the cables. Those designed with pure copper benefit from an optimal lifespan.

#3 - Functionality and practicality

Features are what make the difference between the many models of audio headphones available on the market. This is an important consideration. High-end audio headphones integrate some apps like Jaybird on Google Play and Apple Store. These will allow you to discover and download your favorite music tracks to escape while cooking dinner, jogging, playing sports, etc. In case of loss, this application is also able to help you find your earphone.

Other essential features of an audio headset include the presence of smart control technology compatible with iOS, Android or other mobile operating systems. Bluetooth connectivity or the microphone are small extras that can motivate you to use your device. Some models even come with a remote control or high-end hi-fi cables that ensure the transfer of the audio signal from the device to the headphones.

#4 - Autonomy

For models equipped with a battery, autonomy is a criterion not to be neglected. Some can last for a dozen hours, while others will let you enjoy your music for no more than 4 h.

#5 - Design and comfort of use

Design also matters, especially for those looking for elegance and refinement with earbuds on their ears. Aluminum is the ideal material because of its noble side and aesthetics. Note that to offer optimal comfort of use, some manufacturers have opted for foam or silicone tips that can be perfectly adjusted to your ears. They are extremely soft and are usually equipped with a reinforced rubber protection.

Why buy headphones?

To listen to music with better sound quality

Audio headphones have become an essential part of teenagers', children's and adults' lives, allowing them to listen to their favorite tunes and to enjoy moments of escape, a real hobby for some. That's its main purpose. Most models offer better sound quality, which is why it is a good idea to have them in your ears.

External noise can sometimes interfere with the quality of the sound coming from your device, such as the radio. The use of the audio headset allows you to enjoy the music without any disturbance.

So you don't disturb those around you

Audio headphones are an excellent alternative for enjoying your favorite songs without disturbing others. Listening to music at a high volume can sometimes cause noise pollution for the neighbors. For those around the music lover, it can lead to a loss of concentration, sleep disturbance, etc.

It is important to note that the interest of the device is not only to listen to music. The audio headset is also a way to communicate without disturbing others and to learn by listening to lectures again.

So you can listen to music while doing other things

Audio headphones allow you to listen to your music while doing other tasks without being affected by the activities of those around you. It allows you to better concentrate on your work, training, sports or daily tasks. Easily transportable, it will easily find a place in your pocket or your bag.

Tips

The occlusion effect.

When you buy new headphones, make sure you get ones with a good level of waterproofing (water, dust and particles). However, keep in mind that this kind of earphone can cause an occlusion effect if you are not used to it yet. The occlusion effect is a phenomenon we experience when we speak while our ears are blocked: when the ear canal is blocked, the sound cannot escape and is reflected back to the eardrum, causing the low-frequency occlusion effect. This can be perfectly normal if you're not used to high sealing level earphones. You'll get used to it pretty quickly.

Don't waste the battery on your wireless headphones.

Long phone calls, long periods of listening to music can drain the battery of wireless headphones fairly quickly. To avoid running out of battery too quickly, use your earphones one at a time. While you're using one earbud, keep the other in its case, so you'll have twice the listening or calling time.

Think of the memory foam tips for your headphones.

If

you have trouble finding an ear tip that fits perfectly in your ears, consider memory foam tips. They expand to fit your ear perfectly every time you insert them. Just make sure you get the right size to match your wireless headphones.

Memory foam tips, less durable?

Silicone tips can last for years, but foam tips wear out pretty quickly: count on weeks or months of use. They tend to get dirty pretty quickly: they settle, become sticky and very unpleasant to the touch. It is therefore necessary to have a perfect hygiene to make them last as long as possible. Do not use cleaners too often to wash your memory foam tips. They may disintegrate after a few cleanings.

Check if your firmware has been updated.

Unlike

other products, firmware updates have a huge impact on the performance of most wireless headphones. Always make sure you have the latest version.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
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  4. , headphonesty.com
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  10. , electroguide.com
  11. , boulanger.com
  12. , fnac.com
  13. , amazon.co.uk
  14. , amazon.co.uk
  15. , darty.com
  16. , boulanger.com
  17. , darty.com
  18. , lesnumeriques.com
  19. , clubic.com
  20. , fr.wikipedia.org
  21. , fr.jbl.com
  22. , fnac.com
  23. , lg.com
  24. , auchan.fr
  25. , protegez-vous.ca
  26. , cdiscount.com
  27. , lesnumeriques.com
  28. , electrodepot.fr
  29. , urbanelite.fr
  30. , lg.com
  31. , erdre-audio.com
  32. , numerama.com
  33. , fr.akg.com
  34. , gsm55.com
  35. , clubic.com
  36. , walmart.ca
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Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

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Our selection
Bose Soundsport 9
Bose Soundsport
Apple EarPods Lightning 10
Apple EarPods Lightning
Bose Sport Earbuds 11
Bose Sport Earbuds
Jabra Elite Active 65t 12
Jabra Elite Active 65t

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