Best headphones in 2026

Whether you’re commuting, working out or simply tuning out the world, the right headphones can make a big difference. But with hundreds of models available, finding a pair that sounds great, feels comfortable and offers good value isn't always easy.

Our expert testing helps cut through the marketing hype. We assess sound quality, comfort, battery life, ease of use and noise cancellation performance to identify the models that deliver the best listening experience.

Our buying guide explains the differences between earbuds, over-ear and on-ear headphones, and helps you decide which type best suits your needs. We’ve also looked at the best stores to buy tech from so you can shop with confidence.

Stay on this page for our top headphone picks, whether you're after premium sound quality, the best noise-cancelling headphones, a gym-friendly option or a great-value pair that won't break the bank.

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Deals of the week

Sale season has started, but not every deal is a bargain. In the lead up to Black Friday, we’re tracking the sales on products we test to help you spot the bona fide bargains, based on both price and performance.

Deals are based on the lowest current advertised price of our tested products. Sale prices are subject to change and to retailers’ terms and conditions.

These comfortable, durable true wireless earbuds with active noise-cancelling have been increasingly discounted over the past few months and are now at the best price we’ve ever seen them.

A high-quality and good-looking set of over-ear headphones is about $200 cheaper than last week – and an even better deal compared with its regular price.

These comfortable noise-cancelling earbuds don’t reach our recommendation criteria, but at under $120, they’re still a good deal.

Best headphones in New Zealand

Which headphone brands are best?

How Consumer NZ tests headphones

Our expert testing assesses five key areas: sound quality, comfort, noise cancellation, durability and sound leakage. A panel of testers listens to a range of music and spoken-word content, evaluating everything from overall sound balance and clarity to how well the headphones fit and perform during everyday use.

For models with active noise cancellation, we assess how effectively they block out common sounds such as conversations, traffic and background noise. We also put headphones through durability testing, including repeated drop tests, and measure how much sound leaks out and may disturb people nearby.

These results are combined with predicted reliability and brand satisfaction scores from our surveys, helping identify the headphones that not only sound great but are also more likely to provide years of trouble-free listening.

Find out more about our testing.