Read on to discover the best – and most cutting edge – headphones on the market in 2025...
Cutting-edge technology... how headphones have evolved in the past 40 years
On a shelf in my office you’ll find the very best in wired audiophile headphones, premium Active Noise Cancellation and true wireless earbuds… and a pair of Sennheiser HD-420 headphones from 1980 that I ‘borrowed’ from my father. Back in the ’80s they were at the forefront of audiophile innovation, with open-air drivers and a new adjustable suspension strap for comfortable listening, and despite
the degraded foam ear cups, they still look and sound great.
Active Noise Cancellation
It’s fair to say that, in the 40+ years since my dad invested, headphones have evolved beyond the imagination of even the most inventive sci-fi writers. For instance, Nothing’s Ear (1) true wireless earbuds (£149; nothing.tech) weigh just 4.7g each, have Active Noise Cancellation for peaceful commuting and a maximum battery life of 34 hours. They also sound superb, and don’t require a bank loan to enjoy. But thanks to rapid advances in microchip technology audio, brands now have so much more to offer than just music.
Cutting-edge headphones... AI technology
EarFun might not be a brand you’re familiar with, but their soon-to-be-launched Air Pro 4+ (myearfun.com) boast noise cancelling, 54-hour battery life and AI-powered language translation – connected with a smartphone app, you’ll be able to enjoy real-time language translation into your ears… though whether they can translate Puccini remains to be seen.
Before long, AI is going to be built into virtually everything with a microchip, offering an assortment of added features. I’ve heard rumours that a noted audio brand is working on a pair of headphones that combines AI with heart rate and other biometric monitoring, giving your headphones the ability to choose a playlist based on how your body is feeling. It’s not that far fetched, as the Powerbeats Pro 2 (£250; beatsbydre.com) already has heart rate tracking for fitness. There’s also research being done into using headphones as hearing aids, and even being able to focus on one person’s voice in a crowded room.
Cutting-edge headphones... Advanced sound
AI and ANC are handy, but my main consideration remains sound quality. Ever-improving DAC chips and clever algorithms can tweak sound, and better Bluetooth will soon offer high-res streaming, but a good speaker driver remains key. One of the most exciting new developments comes from xMEMS in California, who have developed a gossamer-thin solid-state silicon driver with an apparently unprecedented level of accuracy and response. I’ve yet to try a pair, but I’ve heard great things about the Singularities Industry Paradox ($740; singularityindustries.com), which can apparently even survive a spin in the washing machine.
Headphones... in sunglasses
Arguably the most leftfield development in headphone tech, we’re starting to find speakers squeezed into all manner of different designs. If the sun shines later, I’ll put on my Ray-Ban Meta sunglasses (see below for my review) and enjoy UV protection and impressive audio fired into my ears, not to mention the ability to take photos and video. Sony, too, has a novel alternative to headphones, designed for solo but not silent listening. The Bravia Theatre U (£239; sony.co.uk) rests around your neck on your shoulders and creates a cocoon of spatial surround sound just for you.
Sustainable products... and replaceable parts
And finally, while not necessarily the most headline-grabbing aspect of modern headphone design, it is important to understand the work that some brands are putting into creating more sustainable products. Traditional wired designs from the likes of Grado, Focal and Sennheiser have offered replaceable parts for decades, but with wireless options this is generally harder to find. Thumbs up to Bang & Olufsen, whose flagship Beoplay H100 wireless ANC headphones (£1,450; bang-olufsen.com) can have both parts replaced and, significantly, software upgraded, so it can keep pace with future feature upgrades. For me, this is genuine innovation.
Cutting-edge headphones 2025... We recommend...
Ray-Ban Meta £299
Something completely different, and surprisingly compelling, from perennially cool sunglasses brand Ray-Ban and Meta. Available as sunglasses or with optical lenses, these ‘smart’ spectacles are loaded with futuristic features. For audio, discreet speakers are embedded in the temples that direct sound toward your ears. They connect easily via Bluetooth, music is controlled just by touching the arms and, while sound leaks if you push the volume high, the quality is surprisingly good, with a huge stereo soundstage and excellent detail – don’t, though, go expecting much rumble in the low frequencies. And while I’ve naturally focussed on audio here, there’s so much more, such as a quality camera and five microphones for excellent audio recordings, plus you can ask the built-in AI assistant to help read text messages, scan QR codes and even identify objects you’re looking at.
Soundcore AeroClip £130
These unusual clip-on true wireless earbuds are extremely comfortable, great for sport, offer a genuinely unexpected level of audio quality and also help keep you aware of your surroundings. At 8g, they’re heavier than standard buds, but the two-piece design holds your outer ear securely. The extra size makes room for a generous 14.2mm open-ear driver, which fires audio directly into your ear canal. There’s little in the way of sound leakage, too, although they’re not designed to replace those options with Active Noise Cancellation. Thirty-two hours of battery is great, and the latest Bluetooth 5.3 versions means you can connect and switch between multiple devices.
JBL Tour One M3 Smart Tx £380
Forgive the rather bland design, but these headphones are as forward-thinking as they come. The neat little extra here is the Smart Tx transmitter – a small, touchscreen dongle that acts as a remote control but can also be plugged into your laptop, media player or in-flight entertainment system and transmit audio wirelessly to your headphones. It’s also able to use Auracast, which lets you transmit to multiple headphones simultaneously – great if you’re watching or listening to something together. Noise cancellation is solid, and there are all manner of ways to tweak the sound via the smartphone app, which can also help to find your headphones if you misplace them. As for audio quality, they’re a strong performer, with engaging levels of detail and you can quickly adapt the playback to different types of music. That said, they perform best when plugged in.
