6 most stylish headphones, tested for form and function

Remember when Apple's AirPods first hit the market, and people couldn't help but clown on their wireless design?

We've come a long way since then, with over-ear headphones becoming a mainstay on commutes and coffee shops, essentially cementing their status as a modern-day outfit accessory.

As someone who tests headphones for a living, I can attest firsthand to the fact that while great headphones will have a good balance of sound quality and comfort, the best headphones do that and have the power to complement an outfit.

With that in mind, I've rounded up the most stylish headphones the Mashable team has tested, with pairs at every price point, from $69.99 all the way up to $799.

Sony WH-CH520

The Sony WH-CH520 are relatively affordable at their full price of $79.99, but an absolute steal at their frequent sale price of $38. (We've seen them hit an even lower price of $33). Mashable contributor Alex Bracetti deemed them the best headphones under $50, thanks to their incredible 50-hour battery life and great sound quality. He writes in his review, "Contemporary tracks sound energetic, while live performances have a dynamic presence, thanks to airy vocal reproduction. Fidelity is taken up a notch when enabling my favorite feature for enhancing sound on Sony headphones: DSEE."

Deputy Shopping Editor Miller Kern bought the yellow version of these headphones for herself over July's Prime Day, and despite having five pairs of premium headphones in her home office (the perks of being a product tester), she reaches for these ones regularly. She calls the yellow "gorgeous" and said that though this on-ear design comes without noise cancellation, they're great for passively blocking sound, whether she's working or on a flight.

Nothing Headphone (1)

Divisive as the design may be, I had to include the Nothing Headphone (1) on this list. Their transparent and rectangular design feels both retro and futuristic. Though it won't be to everyone's taste (personally, they're not my favorite), for the people that love the look, it's hard to find another option quite like them. You'll have the choice between a silver and a black colorway.

As for how they perform, it's a bit of a mixed bag. When I first tried them, I immediately noticed that they lean on the heavier end of the spectrum, with more of a snug fit. For some people, that can be the comfiest kind of fit. Mashable contributor Alex Bracetti noted in his review that these headphones come with excellent adaptive ANC, long battery life at 35 hours per charge, and dynamic sound. They only come at a more mid-range price point of $299, but the price isn't suspiciously low. The connectivity can be touch-and-go, and the equalizer is necessary for the best sound possible.

Beats Studio Pro

The Beats Studio Pro are for anyone who loves a neutral color palette and paying Beats prices for AirPods Max-quality headphones. On the former point, you'll have your choice between varying shades of black, brown, and white. The sleek design and subtle Beats logo pretty much guarantee these headphones will work as a matching accessory to any outfit.

On the latter point, Mashable contributor Alex Bracetti named the Studio Pro the best Beats headphones, and for good reason. These headphones come with noise cancellation that's on par with the AirPods Max, and sound quality that stands above the Apple headphones. The battery life is also better, 24 hours per charge with ANC on, as compared to the AirPods Max's 20 hours. Beats headphones are designed to connect just as easily to Apple devices as AirPods, but Android users will enjoy feature parity.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones (2nd gen)

Generally, Bose headphones earn their acclaim for having excellent ANC and comfort. More underrated is their extensive colorway options, and it's with the company's latest release, the second-generation QuietComfort Ultra headphones, that they really shine. At the time of writing, there are five colorway options available, from more subtle all-black options to the striking driftwood sand colorway, which combines a cream colorway with gold accents. These accent metal pieces give them an overall premium feel. Bose also has a tendency to add colorways throughout their headphones' tenure.

As for their performance, these headphones deliver top-quality adjustable ANC and the best wear I've experienced on any headphones. The ear cups are removable, which bodes well for giving these headphones a nice long life (which you'll want to with their $449 price tag). The sound quality is rich, with premium features like spatial audio and the option for USB-C playback. Overall, they're a great pair of premium headphones with looks to match.

Apple AirPods Max

The Apple AirPods Max are the quintessential stylish headphones. In classic Apple form, the brand modified the standard design of headphones ever so slightly, offering a slightly different ear cup shape, a mesh headband, and an array of colorways. For the USB-C version, you can pick them up in black, blue, orange, purple, and starlight. They look striking, which is probably why they're common to spot out in the world.

That said, in 2025, they're not the best headphones available, spec-wise. Apple users will enjoy lossless audio and super easy connectivity, as well as Apple's excellent spatial audio, solid ANC, and an overall balanced sound profile. However, these headphones were initially released just under five years ago, and since that release, have only received one update in September 2024, which swapped in a USB-C port over the original Lightning. That means they still come without a real carrying case, only 20 hours of battery life, and no dedicated power button, all for $549 — one of the higher prices in the consumer headphone market. If you can, I'd recommend waiting for the new generation to drop — we're just not quite sure when that will be. Still, as the OG pretty headphones, I couldn't not include the Apple AirPods Max on this list.

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2

There's no beating around the bush — the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 headphones are gorgeously sleek and exorbitantly expensive. At $799, these headphones put the AirPods Max and Dyson OnTrac prices to shame, which is impressive in its own right, though not exactly ideal.

Still, if you're looking for a professional, elevated aesthetic when it comes to your headphones, the Px8 S2 are a really strong candidate. The Nappa leather and machined aluminum give the overall feel of high quality (which, for $799, they absolutely should!). Mashable Editor Timothy Beck Werth got his hands on these headphones and reported back: "Radiohead, Florence and the Machine, and Michael Jackson all sounded as good as they ever have. I'd rate them alongside the Panasonic Technics AZ100 earbuds in terms of elite audio products, and they're a clear step up from the likes of Sony." The ANC isn't quite on par with Sony and Bose, but the weighty quality of the design (and the secure comfort they provide) helps offset that con. Still, if you're not super into the aesthetic and an audiophile, these might be a pass for you, with Werth writing, "If you don't know how to activate high-res audio on your device, or if you didn't spend several long years waiting for Spotify to finally roll out lossless audio, these headphones will be wasted on you."

If you like the overall shape of the Bowers & Wilkins design, the Px7 S3 are a slightly more affordable option.