Stuff - UK (2020-04)

TOP TENS

TO READ THE FULL REVIEWS, VISIT STUFF.TV/TOP-10/IN-EAR-HEADPHONES & STUFF.TV/TOP-10/HEADPHONES

90

HOT

BUY

1

Sony WF-1000XM3

£169 / stuff.tv/SonyWFXM3

The original WF-1000XMs had an easy job in the early days of

noise-cancelling in-ears, because there simply wasn’t much in

the way of competition. That’s all changed now – yet the way

the XM3s serve up sound quality as spectacular as this while

being truly wireless, while effectively cancelling background

noise and while remaining comfortable in the ears, is quite

something. So, just as it was with the original XMs, it’s job

done for Sony.

Sony WH-1000XM3

£251 / stuff.tv/SonyWHXM3

Sony’s WH-1000 series was already a top performer, and the

WH-1000XM3s make for an even more compelling package.

With Bluetooth wireless and great noise-cancellation, they’re

the ultimate public transport stress killer... well, aside from a

chauffeur or a lottery win that lets you retire. The leather pads

make them incredibly easy to wear, not unlike sitting in one of

those ultra-comfy leather chairs, and most importantly of all

the sound quality is fantastic.

Stuff says +++++

Outright winners on design, build, specifications and,

most importantly of all, performance

Stuff says +++++

Great wireless headphones with effective ANC and

a sound that nails just about everything

Apple AirPods Pro

+++++£249 / stuff.tv/AirPodsPro

Not really ‘Pro’, but still excellent wireless

in-ears for iPhone users.

Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 3

+++++£329 / stuff.tv/MomentumWireless

These noise-killing cans give an enjoyable

listen regardless of your musical tastes.

Urbanista Athens

+++++£119 / stuff.tv/UrbanistaAthens

Rugged, punchy and with great stamina: a lot

of buds for your money.

B&O H9i

+++++£329 / stuff.tv/H9i

Offering luxury for your ears, these are some

of the best noise-cancellers you can buy.

Stuff says +++++

B&W takes on the best with top-class cans

Stuff says +++++

Ace design, sound and versatility

Stuff says +++++

As all-rounders these are hard to beat

Bowers & Wilkins PX7

£277 / stuff.tv/PX7

B&W’s second ANC headphones place

greater emphasis on comfort and are all

the better for it, while the noise-killing is

as effective as you’ll find anywhere. Oh, and

they sound flipping good too.

Libratone Track Air+

£168 / stuff.tv/TrackAirPlus

These distinctive wireless buds are

excellently designed and sweatproof,

provide up to 24 hours of battery life, offer

active noise-cancelling, and are neat in all

senses of the word.

Bose NCH 700

£350 / stuff.tv/BoseNCH700

You won’t find a better voice pickup system

than Bose’s, while the company’s already

exceptional noise-cancelling tech is now

even better. Other features, such as the

slick touch controls, are also winners.

Stuff says +++++

They’re big and they certainly are clever

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless

£239 / stuff.tv/MomentumTW

Everyone wants to sell you a pair of true

wireless in-ears, but not many companies

can compete with Sennheiser. You’ll find

daintier options, and cheaper ones, but

nothing that sounds better at this price.