We Evaluated Sony’s Entire Lineup of Headphones to Help You Find the Best Pair for You (2024)

Key Features

• 30-millimeter audio drivers with Hi-Res Audio, digital noise cancellation with real-time processing
• Up to 30 hours of battery life, USB-C connector
• Companion app
  

The all-new WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones are Sony’s best yet and a worthy follow-up to a fantastic product. The over-ear cans deliver improved comfort, next-level sound, more robust noise cancellation, and better call quality than the already excellent Sony WH-1000XM4. The improvements make the new iteration worth its $50 higher sticker and the new high watermark for noise-canceling headphones.

Sony’s latest headphones also have a redesigned storage case. You can order the headphones in black or silver with subtle gold accents. If you don’t want to spend $400 to upgrade, the frequently discounted Sony WF-1000XM4 headphones are your next best option.

More: Our Review of the Sony WH-1000XM5

Key Features

• 5-millimeter audio drivers, noise cancellation with integrated processor
• Up to 6 hours of battery life
• Companion app

The LinkBuds S — Sony’s latest true wireless earbuds — are your best option if you don’t want to drop almost $300 for the brand’s range-topping WF-1000XM4 buds. For less than $200, the LinkBuds S offers a much comfier fit and reliable, if not as powerful, noise cancellation. On the other hand, the earphones’ supremely balanced sound is a solid contender for the best a $200 set of wireless earbuds can produce.

As their name suggests, the LinkBuds S will also keep you aware of your surroundings exceptionally well. The ring driver-toting regular LinkBuds are still better at this task, but I found the noise cancellation and the better sound of the S model to be tradeoffs worth making.

Key Features

• 6-millimeter audio drivers with AI-powered upscaling engine, noise cancellation with integrated processor
• Up to 12 hours of battery life (8 with noise cancellation)
• Companion app
  

Sony’s recently launched WF-1000XM4 true wireless earbuds are its best yet. Like the WH-1000XM4 headphones we just mentioned (their product category’s gold standard), these sleek buds offer sound and noise cancellation with exceptional quality, a comfy fit, and solid battery life.

The earbuds’ IPX4 rating for water resistance is a noteworthy upgrade over the excellent previous generation, making them great for exercising. We also love that the tiny storage case has wireless charging compatibility. You can order these buds in black or silver.

More: Our Review of the Sony WF-1000XM4 Wireless Earbuds

Key Features

• Ring-shaped audio drivers
• Up to 5.5 hours of battery life
• Companion app

The all-new Sony LinkBuds have a groundbreaking design, allowing you to always be aware of your surroundings while listening to content. The earphones’ audio drivers have a ring shape with a hole in the middle, taking the concept of an open-back headset to a whole new level. The LinkBuds’ unique looks are also worthy of a sci-fi movie.

Sony’s latest wireless earbuds deliver high-quality sound and superb call quality. Despite their quirky design, the earbuds are exceptionally comfy and equipped with dependable controls. Available in black or gray, the product is manufactured using recycled plastic.

More: Our Review of the Sony LinkBuds

Key Features

• 5.8-millimeter audio drivers with upscaling tech
• Up to 10 hours of battery life
• Companion app

The Sony WF-C500 earbuds are the audio maker’s best true wireless offering under $100. The buds deliver a harmonious sonic experience with plenty of customization tools and sophisticated tech that makes compressed content sound much better. (Note that such performance is usually not typical for a product in this price range.)

To top things off, the buds have an impressively long battery life, although we wish their case had a bigger charging capacity. An understated design and water-resistant build with an IPX4 rating round up the key WF-C500 features. You can order a pair in black or white, with a matching case.

More: Our Review of the Sony WF-C500 Wireless Earbuds

Key Features

• 40-millimeter audio drivers with digital noise cancellation
• Up to 30 hours of battery life, USB-C connector
• Companion app

Sony WH-XB910N EXTRA BASS wireless headphones deliver robust noise cancellation and entertaining sound, with an enhanced low range that’s worthy of their name. The sonic experience is customizable via the Sony headphones app, so you can adjust the bass intensity to your liking. The cans can also enhance high-frequency tones in compressed content.

The WH-XB910N headphones also offer an understated design with convenient controls, reliable call quality, and a long battery life. With a $100 lower price tag, the product is a more affordable alternative to the range-topping Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones ... especially for avid bass heads.

Key Features

• 8.9-millimeter audio drivers, noise cancellation with an integrated processor
• Up to 10 hours of battery life (14 in wired mode)
• Companion app

The WI-1000XM2 is your best option if you're looking for a feature-packed set of wireless neckband earbuds. As expected from a product at this price point, the earbuds deliver excellent sound and a noise-canceling experience to match. Available in black or silver, the earphones will magnetically snap together when not in use.

Compared to the true wireless WF-1000XM4 earbuds, the WI-1000XM2 also offers tactile button controls and a slightly longer battery life with noise cancellation. You can also use the headset in wired mode — its retail package includes an audio cable and flight adapter.

Key Features

• 30-millimeter audio drivers
• Up to 35 hours of battery life
• Fast USB-C connector

Sporting a price tag that hovers around $50, the Sony WH-CH510 wireless headphones are the best option for budget-conscious shoppers. The on-ear cans have a utilitarian design, lightweight and durable build with a textured finish, stellar audio performance for their price point, and excellent battery life with fast USB-C charging. There are three colors to pick from: black, white, and blue.

The WH-CH510 headphones also have convenient button controls and a swivel design for effortless storage. However, you should be mindful that they're Bluetooth-only, meaning you can't use them over a wired connection.

Key Features

• 9-millimeter audio drivers
• Built-in magnets for convenient storage
• Up to 15 hours of battery life

The Sony WI-C310 wireless neckband earbuds are priced like a guilt-free impulse buy but are as dependable as a good pair can be. They have a surprisingly sleek design, lightweight build, comfy fit with easy-to-access button controls, and great battery life with fast charging capabilities. The buds’ audio performance is also respectable, especially considering how insanely affordable they are.

When not in use, the Sony WI-C310 wireless earbuds will magnetically snap together for seamless wearing and storage. You can order the neckband earphones in black, white, or blue.

Key Features

• 40-millimeter audio drivers with Hi-Res Audio support
• Bundled audio cables with a standard and balanced connector
• Soft storage case

The Sony MDR-1AM2 headphones are our favorite wired option for most buyers and are well worth their hefty $300 sticker. The over-ear cans can deliver a detail-rich sound that similarly- and higher-priced wireless offerings can't match. Sony has also made these headphones incredibly lightweight and comfortable.

If you're looking for an even better-wired sound and are on a more flexible budget, consider the bulkier Sony MDR-Z7M2 headphones instead. The MDR-Z1R headphones, on the other hand, are Sony's priciest and best-sounding offering worth your attention.

Key Features

• Four balanced armature drivers per earbud
• Lightweight magnesium alloy inner housing
• Bundled audio cables with a standard and a balanced connector

If you’re searching for an audiophile-grade sonic experience in a super-portable package, consider the Sony IER-M7 wired in-ear monitors. Each earbud packs four balanced armature drivers that deliver sound with incredible quality. The buds’ audio performance will help you rediscover your favorite tracks in a whole new light when playing high-quality content.

The earphones' cables have an around-ear shape for a comfier fit. Their retail package includes a wide selection of ear tips, a cleaning cloth, and a handy cable clip. Sony also offers pricier — but more capable — IER-M9 and IER-Z1R wired earbuds.

Key Features

• 30-millimeter audio drivers
• On-ear fit with cushioned ear pads
• Tangle-free cable

The Sony MDR-ZX110 on-ear headphones deliver a powerful and enjoyable audio performance for their $10 price point. Their sound quality exceeded my toned-down expectations while I tested them. But when it comes to finer acoustic details, they leave quite a bit to be desired.

The impossibly lightweight wired cans have swiveling cups for easy storage, and you can order them in black, white, or pink. A slightly pricier version with a built-in microphone is also available.

Key Features

• 9-millimeter audio drivers
• In-ear fit with soft ear tips
• Tangle-free cable

Sporting a sub-$10 price tag, the Sony MDR-EX15LP wired earbuds will reliably entertain you on the cheap ... just as long as you don't expect any feats of acoustic excellence. The earphones bring a powerful sound, a lightweight build with a tangle-free cable, and a comfy fit with soft ear tips. You can order the Sony MDR-EX15LP earbuds in a multitude of colors.

A version of the product with a built-in microphone is also available. And just in case you're looking for open-type Sony buds, consider the MDRE9LP instead, which delivers a reliable sound, but poorer noise isolation.