The Most Comfortable Headphones Weve Ever Tested Will Take Care Of Your Ears

Sound quality isn’t the end-all, be-all (though these headphones have that, too).

Dylan Haas

Lead Shopping Reporter

Dylan Haas is a Lead Shopping Reporter for Mashable, where he covers all things gaming, laptops, fitness, and shopping events like Black Friday and Prime Day. Before joining the team at Mashable, Dylan received a B.A. in Communications from Pace University and contributed to publications like Paste Magazine, Bandsintown, and others following a brief stint as a marketing and management assistant in the music industry.

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and

Alex Bracetti

Freelance reviewer

Alex Bracetti is a freelance product reviewer and journalist covering gadgets and men’s grooming products. An experienced consumer tech writer, he has bylines at Mashable, Complex, SPY.com, Thrillist, AskMen, CNN Underscored, and Tom’s Guide. In addition to writing about the latest tech trends and gadgets, he’s also covered men’s fashion, sports, and gaming. For Mashable, he primarily covers headphones/wireless earbuds, party speakers, smartphones, and mobile accessories.

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on February 22, 2026

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Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

It’s hard to imagine a person who wouldn’t benefit from a good pair of headphones. In fact, you pretty much need a pair nowadays, whether you use them for work or just throughout your daily life, as many of us do.

No matter how you use them or what you listen to, one thing’s for sure: You’re going to end up wearing them for long periods of time, at least at some point. And if you don’t have comfortable headphones, your poor little ears are going to suffer.

So, to help you take care of your ears and save you any shopping-related stress, we set out to find the most comfortable headphones. We tested dozens of options, from noise-cancelling headphones for flying to budget options, and we narrowed our top picks down to six contenders.

Table of Contents In-ear, on-ear, or over-ear?If you’re looking for comfort above all, over-ear headphones are almost always the way to go. They just wear better than earbuds or on-ear models. The latter is harsher on your ears, which can cause serious discomfort, depending on how long you wear them. In-ear buds are generally more comfortable than on-ear headphones, but they can still begin to hurt after just a few hours (they are jammed inside your ears, after all).

Although over-ear headphones are bulkier and less portable, it’s worth the trade-off for comfort’s sake. Plus, over-ear headphones can be safer for your ears compared to earbuds because the sound isn’t being funneled directly into your ear canal. They also provide extra noise cancellation.

What are the most comfortable headphones?After a full year of extensive testing, we selected the six most comfortable headphones based on price, performance, and purpose. Read on to find out which pairs emerged as the top contenders, including picks for those who want top-tier noise cancellation.

Our Pick

All-day comfort, for real Superior, adjustable ANC Passive playback and USB-C playback options Improved battery life Easy to connect and switch between devices Multiple listening modes Cinema mode is underwhelming Sound quality isn’t quite as dynamic or customizable as competition Expensive Read Mashable’s full review of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2) headphones.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2) headphones are for the non-stop music listener who prioritizes comfort and wants excellent all-around performance. Fantastic sound paired with long battery life (up to 30 hours) and unbeatable ANC make up the perfect pair for all-day wear.

In hindsight, maybe we shouldn’t have been surprised that this second-gen release would be our top pick. Comfort is literally in the name. Still, we can’t get over just how great these things feel to wear. As soon as we put them on, we were immediately impressed with the fit. The cushions are soft and plush, and the adjustable headband always stays in place when changing length. They never felt too tight, although at some points they would become a bit loose if we turned our head too quickly (not a dealbreaker by any means). A lot of headphones advertise “all-day comfort” as a feature, but rarely is that literally true. With the QC Ultra, we wore them throughout an entire workday and felt zero soreness.

At $449 (a $30 increase from the previous version), you need to be offering something more than comfort to justify the purchase. Thankfully, these headphones sound incredible, too. The sound quality is comparable to other premium-level headphones, delivering robust low, mid, and high tones for music and crystal-clear speaking voices when listening to podcasts or taking phone calls. It’s not the absolute best audio experience we’ve ever had, but it still sits amongst the greats.

The QC Ultras (Gen 2) have four different listening modes: Quiet, Immersion, Aware, and Cinema. Quiet is Bose’s ANC mode that works exceptionally well; it did a remarkable job of keeping us focused and blocking out distractions. Immersion mode keeps ANC on and swaps over to a spatial audio experience compared to Quiet mode’s stereo style. We didn’t notice too much of a difference between the two. However, Immersion mode sounded slightly fuller. Aware mode lets in some outside noise, so you’re not completely sealed in. Cinematic mode makes its debut and is forgettable (all it does is increase the volume of special effects).

We also love the uptick in battery life when using Quiet mode. Other notables include strong connectivity with multipoint pairing and portability, with the cans folding up and fitting into a nifty carrying case.

Comfort comparable to Bose QC Ultra Amazing value Great companion app Long battery life Easy-to-use on-ear controls Headband adjustments sometimes move out of place Carrying bag is a bit too small They get easily smudged If you want a similar vibe to the Bose QuietComfort Ultras, but don’t want to spend over $400, the Anker Soundcore Space One headphones are a great budget alternative. These cans offer comparable features like ANC, an intuitive companion app, a long battery life, and of course, a comfortable form factor that you can wear for long listening sessions.

We can best describe the Anker Soundcore Space One headphones as a budget version of the Bose QuietComfort Ultras. They boast a lot of similar features for a fraction of the price of the Bose model (even though they may not be up to the same sound quality). In terms of comfort, the Space Ones are wonderful, especially at this price point. We had no issues wearing them all day — the earcups and headband are super soft, and both are endlessly adjustable, so you can fit them to your noggin just right. The rotatable earcups also allow you to fold the headphones so they fit in the included carrying bag, although it was a tight squeeze. Still, we appreciate portability.

Sound quality is really good for the price. Even though these are a “budget” pair of headphones, they certainly don’t sound that way. Audio is very balanced overall, with the one sticking point being the high tones — they can sound a bit tinny. They don’t feel like budget headphones, however. The materials aren’t premium, but they definitely aren’t the cheap, plastic-like stuff you’d expect to find with a more inexpensive pair of headphones. Battery life is solid at around 35 to 40 hours with ANC active, and we never had any issues pairing them via Bluetooth.

The Anker Soundcore Space Ones come with a surprising amount of extra features for their price. You can switch to Adaptive ANC and transparency modes with on-ear controls or the Soundcore app. The app is home to even more fun perks like HearID, which conducts a quick hearing test in order to create a personalized sound profile, and Easy Chat, which lets you place one hand on the left earcup to switch from ANC to transparency mode for quick conversations.

For $99, the Anker Soundcore Space One headphones are a certified steal. We’d say you get what you pay for, but in this case, we feel you get a bit more than that.

Suited for lengthy listening sessions First-class sound that complements any home audio setup Stellar ecosystem integration Respectable ANC and call quality TV audio swap only works with current Sonos soundbars Buggy mobile app Read Mashable’s full review of the Sonos Ace.

Whether you’re a brand enthusiast or devoted home audio nerd, the Ace headphones offer a surreal indoor listening experience. They work best when paired with a current Sonos soundbar, but their versatile connectivity and wireless audio performance carry over to desktops/laptops, smartphones, and TVs.

No one predicted that Sonos’ first-ever headphones would be this awesome. Not only do they sound superb, but they’re well-crafted and can be worn for hours on end, which speaks to homebodies who want to privately indulge in their music and movie collections.

Sonos employed bespoke foam cushioning on the headband and soft memory foam on the swappable earpads for soothing wearability. This vegan leather doesn’t heat up as quickly as that on other premium headphones. Rounding out the Ace’s sleek design is the chic and durable travel case.

Advanced audio technologies elevate the Ace above many competitors. Their standard sound profile is balanced, detailed, and energetic. Bass is robust, and midrange production is impressive. ANC raises bass levels a smidge; you can feel the low end more on contemporary tracks. Sonos’ noise-cancelling technology serves well for blocking out common indoor distractions. Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive/Lossless codec dynamically scales audio over Bluetooth. Then there’s USB-C lossless audio with compatible devices.

The Ace fit perfectly within the Sonos ecosystem, allowing users to swap sound output from a compatible soundbar to one or two Ace sets of headphones. Dolby Atmos lets you enjoy spatial audio content on select streaming services (e.g., Apple Music, Amazon Music, Netflix).

Some launch issues remain present, such as restricted speaker support and the wonky companion app. The former isn’t a problem if you’re a committed Sonos owner who frequently upgrades their soundbar. Everyone else gets a comfy and terrific-sounding pair of cans that are more attainable than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2) and Sony WH-1000XM6.

Beautifully designed for comfort and style Exceptional sound with true Hi-Res Audio over USB-C Adequate noise cancellation and playtimes Responsive tactile controls Small feature set compared to lower-priced rivals Exceedingly pricey for today’s market Read Mashable’s full review of the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2.

Audiophiles with a taste for exquisite craftsmanship and sound. It’s impossible not to fall in love with these deluxe cans when worn… if they’re in your budget.

B&W has a knack for making some of the most attractive and elegantly built audio products. The Px8 S2 are exemplary. Premium aesthetics are just a small part of what makes them special.

These headphones feel like you have two plush pillows pressed against your ears, thanks to the soft Nappa leather that provides plenty of breathability when worn for long stretches. The leather headband doesn’t push down on top of the skull. Furthermore, the Px8 S2 mold nicely around the head for a steady, secure fit.

Would you believe that these headphones sound better than they look? Facts. Detailed, accurate sonics burst out of the 40mm carbon cone driver, which is paired with a newly developed amp. A warm signature means impactful and snappy bass. Mids and highs sound amazing, and the Px8 S2’s detail retrieval is remarkable for emphasizing the best parts of musical arrangements. Lossless audio is available in wired and wireless modes to gain 24-bit /96 kHz high-resolution sound. Powerful ANC doesn’t compromise sound quality.

Other positives worth noting are the long battery life (up to 30 hours per charge) and spot-on controls.

Is it ideal to spend $800 on wireless headphones? No, especially not in these times. However, as the adage goes, you get what you pay for. The Px8 S2 exhibit some of the best design and sound in the wireless audio category, and for some, that’s worth the premium.

Reliable comfort and fit Long battery life Refined soundstage Outstanding multiplatform compatibility Weak noise cancellation Doesn’t support the latest Apple listening modes Read Mashable’s full review of the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2.

Exercisers, leisurely listeners, and travelers. The latest flagship buds from Beats offer the perfect balance of comfort and fit in true wireless form. Battery life and sound quality have also been improved from the previous generation.

The most comfortable wireless earbuds, let alone Apple buds, are not the AirPods Pro 3. That honor is bestowed upon the Powerbeats Pro 2, which also happen to be the best workout buds overall.

Beats’ signature ear hooks were rebuilt from super-light nickel-titanium alloy. The material is extremely flexible and gentler on ear cartilage. In addition, the sound port was redesigned to sit flush on the concha and form a tight seal.

Audio output is where the Powerbeats Pro 2 truly excel. All media sounds engaging and lively, especially music. Deep bass combined with clear highs and resonant mids culminate in vibrant-sounding mixes. Enabling spatial audio raises the low end to get more punch out of workout tracks.

These buds check off many more boxes. You’re getting up to 10 hours of playtime per charge — 1 hour more than the original Powerbeats Pro — on top of 45 additional hours via the charging case. Compatibility with iOS/macOS and Android devices remains flawless. New fitness features like built-in heart rate monitoring are serviceable when leaving your Apple Watch at home. Clear voice transmission warrants loud and crisp-sounding voice calls.

Not having the latest Apple listening modes is disappointing, though Beats’ transparency mode is highly sufficient for ambient listening. Just don’t expect much from ANC mode; noise neutralization isn’t as effective as it is on the AirPods Pro 3 and Fit Pro.

Soft, fuzzy earpads feel great to wear and are replaceable Incredible sound quality Cool, vintage look Removable cables Build quality doesn’t feel as premium as it should No case included If you’re a bona fide audiophile who spends a lot of time listening to vinyl records, the open-back Sennheiser HD 599 headphones are your perfect match. They may not be easy to travel with and don’t come packed with a bunch of high-tech features, but they’re extremely comfortable and sound better than any pair of headphones we tested for this roundup, including the $449 Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2).

The Sennheiser HD 599 headphones prioritize sound quality and comfort over everything else. While the main draw here is that amazing sound quality, comfort is by no means an afterthought. They feature a nice, wide frame that isn’t too tight on your head, as well as soft and fluffy ear pads that feel like your favorite blanket (they’re replaceable, too). The leatherette headband is smooth and plush and allows for quick adjustments that never move out of place. We used these primarily for listening to music, and we were able to get through multiple albums without any discomfort.

Now, let’s talk about the sound. It’s amazing. The HD 599s have an open-back design that allows for some ambient noise to come through while listening, giving everything a more natural sound that’s great for deep, critical listening, especially if you plug them into a vinyl record player. If you want your music presented in the best way possible, these headphones provide the soundstage to make that happen. If you were wondering, yes, these headphones are wired only, coming with a 3.5mm and a quarter-inch cable. At least you won’t have to worry about battery life or Bluetooth connectivity.

There is a trade-off, though. You can’t really travel with these headphones. Because they’re open-back, they also leak sound out. Unless you want to be that guy, leave these at home. It’s for the best, though, because they don’t feel like the most durable headphones, and traveling may open them up to damage over time. And because they aren’t made with portability in mind, we can understand why they don’t come with a carrying case. But still, at this price point, they should come with at least some form of storage. We do appreciate that the cables are removable, though, so you won’t be leaving behind a tangled mess when you aren’t using them.

The HD 599s are relatively affordable these days. So, if you’re a die-hard music lover who wants to hear their tunes at their very best, they’re worth every penny.

How much should you spend on comfortable headphones?The good news is that comfortable headphones aren’t locked to a specific budget range. You can find a super cozy pair at premium pricing just as easily as you can find them at the budget end of the spectrum. The extra features you’re looking for are what really determine how much you need to spend.

Want unrivaled active noise cancellation or the best sound quality in the business? Then be prepared to spend a minimum of around $200, all the way up to $800. If comfort is literally the only thing you care about and the extra bells and whistles are just nice-to-haves, you can expect to spend anywhere from $50 to $300. Go any cheaper, and you’re probably not going to get a lot of value for your money. No shade toward your favorite pair of gas station headphones, but they probably aren’t the best option for all-day wear.

Frequently Asked Questions You may have noticed one glaring omission from this roundup: The AirPods Max. That’s because, in our experience, we’ve found the AirPods Max to be a little too case-by-case when it comes to comfort — some say they’re extremely comfortable, and others said they weren’t at all. Our chief reviewer found them to be pretty uncomfortable over long periods of use.

We still enjoy the AirPods Max quite a bit, especially for their sound quality and aesthetic. But, they’re also just too expensive for what you get, have a fast-draining battery, lack a power button, and don’t allow for wired connections. That is decidedly not a bang for your buck.

Despite their critical acclaim and popularity, the AirPods Pro 3 experience a decline in comfort. The longer sound port does provide a securer fit. It also presses up against the concha, resulting in some discomfort. This shouldn’t be a major concern for those with a high pain threshold, though most Apple users will find the AirPods Pro 2 comfier.

There’s no real “best” when it comes to headphones brands — there are a ton of great options out there, so you’ll need to go by your preferences. However, we can suggest some brands based on specific attributes. For top-quality noise cancelling, Bose is going to be top dog. For rich and balanced sound profiles, you’ll want to look into Sony’s roster. And if you want a budget pair, Anker Soundcore headphones usually bring a high value at a low price.

All of the headphones we considered for this guide underwent at least a week of rigorous hands-on testing. They were used for everything from work to leisure to exercising to doing chores — as long as the tasks were long enough to determine if they were comfortable or not. We paid close attention to these attributes while testing:

Obviously, this was the most important consideration. We took each pair’s weight, tightness, earcup and headband softness, adjustability, and stability during movement into consideration during multiple multi-hour long wearing sessions. If our ears felt overly sore after testing concluded, those headphones didn’t make the cut.

Comfort doesn’t matter if the headphones sound bad. Sound quality was our second priority during testing, and we looked for pairs with clear and detailed audio, whether we were listening to our favorite Spotify playlist or a long podcast episode.

If you’re going to be wearing your headphones for long stints, you need a battery life that keeps up with you. If a pair of wireless headphones lost juice too quickly, we didn’t include it in this roundup.

This category includes things like controls that are easy to understand and use, connection reliability, and microphone output quality (if the given pair had a mic at all).

Portability and durability

Most people travel with their headphones, so we picked options that could either folded up or came with a carrying case for easy transport and storage. If you’re traveling with your tech, you’ll want it to be durable, so we also took note of the build quality of each pair of headphones.

Finally, we took into account the overall value of each pair of headphones. Were they actually worth their list prices? Or were they priced too high for what you actually end up getting?