Everything
We believe that having the right pair of headphones on your personal is a pretty important thing to get right when it comes to technology. Whether your intended use includes travelling – in particular on long-haul flights – work, commuting or just for general enjoyment, deciding on the right pair of headphones for your needs is pivotal to an enjoyable listening experience.
In a market that is saturated with a wide range of audio options, from over-ear and in-ear to wavering designs and of course entry and top level options, hunting for your next pair of headphones can prove an arduous task at the best of times.
Here to make your life a little easier, we’ve curated a list of the best headphones you can find on the market in 2022.
Happy listening!
Sony WH-1000XM4
Currently Sony’s top of the range over-ear noise cancelling headphones, Sony’s award-winning WH-1000xm4 are arguably the best wireless headphones in the market right now, as thoroughly reviewed by audiophiles and industry experts alike.
Besides having advanced noise cancelling capabilities coupled with fantastic premium sound, you’ll find multipoint Bluetooth pairing is a major feature so you can connect to two devices – such as your phone and laptop – at the same time. Comfortable for all-day use, and boasting an impressive 30 hours of battery life, you’ll have enough power to see you through those long-haul flights.
What’s even better, this model will get a decent discount when the WH-1000xm5 arrives later this year.
RRP: $395.00
Sony WH-1000XM45
A timely update to its 2020 predecessor, there is much anticipation for the arrival of the Sony WH-1000XM5 this July. While sharing much of the same features with the XM4, the XM5 are set for improvements in the areas of design and sound quality.
The first thing you might notice with these new wireless headphones is the design change: the XM5 boasts a slimmer headband that has a stepless slider, making adjusting the fit a smooth motion. And instead of utilising a swivel arm as seen on the XM4, the XM5’s arm is exposed with just a single contact point, meaning they fold flat rather than into a ball.
Regarding sound quality, early reviews are suggesting that the sound is clearer and more open than previous models. We think this might be the hottest release for 2022.
RRP: $549.00
Bose Quiet Comfort 45
Often going head-to-head with Sony for its design, sound and overall headphone greatness, the Bose QC45 wireless noise-cancelling headphones are a great all-rounder that will last you years of use and enjoyment. Take it from me, as I have owned the popular predecessor QC 35 II for over five years now and they are simply incredible.
Comfortable, premium sound, a great battery life (24 hours on a single charge) and fantastic noise cancellation that muffles any unwanted sounds in the midrange frequencies that you would find on trains, planes and in busy spaces – coupled with a nice, slim-line design – makes these a formidable alternative to Sony’s XM series.
RRP: $495.00
Apple AirPods Max
Here’s the thing with Apple’s AirPods Max: you either love them or hate them. For us, it’s a complete win (minus the hefty price tag). Design-driven, exceptional sound, stylish, seamless connectivity; the AirPods Max will meet all expectations, whether you’re an Apple aficionado or not (although these are probably aimed at people who have multiple Apple products).
You will find high-fidelity audio, a stunning design with arguably the most comfortable fit on the market, active noise cancellation with transparency mode that truly cuts out all noise for a fully immersive listening experience. Users of Apple products will also welcome the use of the Digital Crown, which lets you precisely control volume, skip between tracks, answer phone calls and activate Siri.
RRP: $899.00
Audio-Technica ATH-ANC900BT
What really captures our attention when looking at the Audio-Technica 900BT over-ear wireless headphones is its super impressive battery life: up to 35 hours of continuous bluetooth and active noise cancellation use on a full charge, blowing other models on the market out of the water.
The touch and swipe controls built into the earcup and super intuitive and the digital hybrid noise-cancelling technology provides powerful ambient noise reduction. The design is streamlined and the capability of folding flat ensures easy portability.
RRP: $349.00
Master & Dynamic MW08 Sport
For a fashionable listening experience, you can’t look past the new Master & Dynamic MW08 Sport earphones. Available in 4 colours, the MW08 boast a plethora of features for those that are constantly on the move – from work to workout and beyond.
Designed with shatter-resistant sapphire glass and a custom Kevlar fiber charging case, the MW08 Sport is stylish, sturdy and built to endure. Featuring an impressive hybrid Active Noise-Cancellation, two Ambient Listening modes and memory foam ear tips for an enhanced and comfortable fit. Above all, the sound is exceptional, thanks to powerful beryllium drivers that provide a wide soundstage and deliver rich, warm sounds.
These in-ear earphones make for a formidable rival to the Apple AirPods Pro (and other similar earphones on the market).
RRP: $530.00
Apple AirPods Pro
When Apple released its first active noise-cancelling wireless in-ear AirPods Pro in 2019, it changed the game of portable earphones.
Featuring an impressive active noise cancellation, useful transparency mode, a customisable fit for optimal comfort and spatial audio with dynamic head turn tracking – meaning your music or sound travels with you as you move – the AirPods Pro are really everything you need in earphones.
Boasting up to 4.5 hours of listening time with a single charge (or up to 5 hours with ANC and Transparency mode turned off) and a total of 24 hours of listening time thanks to its portable charging case, the AirPods Pro can easily get you through your day on a single charge.
Above all, thanks to its size, you can easily fit the AirPods Pro into your back pocket. What more could you want?
RRP: $399.00
