Best over-ear headphones 2026: from £28 budget picks to Sony and Focal flagships

Experts have compiled a list of the best over-ear headphones for 2026, covering both wired and wireless models across every price range. The selection is based on rigorous testing — reviewers evaluate around 100 pairs of headphones annually, and only those that pass the full procedure make it into the final roundup.

The key takeaway: while in-ear buds are convenient, full-size headphones deliver deeper bass and more powerful sound. And you don't need to spend a fortune to get excellent audio quality — one of the recommended models costs just £28. Naturally, spending more brings rewards: the Røde NTH-100 and Sony WH-1000XM6 are the editors' top picks for wired and wireless headphones respectively, and both justify their price tags.

For those willing to stretch their budget further, the list includes premium options like the Focal Bathys Mg and the third-generation Beyerdynamic T1. These are positioned as high-end choices that won't disappoint discerning listeners.

Several notable new releases this year didn't make the main list, including the AirPods Max 2, Sony 1000X The Collexion, and Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless. Interestingly, the Sennheiser model earned a five-star review but still missed the cut for the final selection — a testament to how competitive the market has become.

What unites every pair in the roundup is exceptional quality, confirmed through hands-on testing. The models vary widely in design and features, but they all share one thing: outstanding performance. For readers unsure where to start, the editors have prepared a separate buying guide that helps determine which type of over-ear headphones suits individual needs best, whether for home listening or on-the-go use.