What are the Best Headphones for me in 2024?

2024 saw a number of notable releases in every headphone category. Top brands like HIFIMAN, Meze, and Sennheiser all put out excellent headphones, and brands like Noble, who had never made over-ear headphones before, showed up to the table as well. We’ve broken up our picks into three main categories – Wireless, Closed-Back, and Open-Back – with “no limits” and “under $500” categories for each – to help you figure out what the best headphones for you are from 2024's crop of new headphones.

Best Wireless Headphones of 2024

Wireless headphones are always a tough category for audiophiles. Some people may not have the patience for wired setups, and plan on using wireless headphones constantly, while others don’t use wireless headphones on a daily basis and are willing to sacrifice some sound quality for something they’ll use a few times a year. Wherever you’re at, we’ve got some picks for you.

Best Wireless Headphones Under $500: Sennheiser Accentum Plus

Sennheiser makes incredible audio gear across a broad range of categories, from pro-audio, to audiophiles, to average folks who just want good wireless headphones. Sennheiser Accentum Plus ($199.95)  is a great buy both if you just want a good set of wireless headphones with ANC, and if you’re looking for headphones that offer a higher level of sound quality than average. The design is simple and straightforward and while the results aren’t groundbreaking, Accentum Plus delivers comfort, features, and sound that make it an excellent choice for the price.

Best Wireless Headphones Overall: Noble FoKus Apollo

If you’re not just looking for above average, but for something that’s truly among the best – both in sound quality and features – then you’ll likely be more interested in the Noble FoKus Apollo ($649.) FoKus Apollo uses an unusual hybrid driver design which tries to capture the advantages of both planar magnetic and dynamic drivers in a wireless headphone. In terms of features, Noble crammed all the latest tech, from noise cancellation to low latency Bluetooth into FoKus Apollo, and they didn’t have to compromise on weight or comfort to achieve it either. .

Best Closed-Back Headphones of 2024

While there are a number of sonic advantages to open-back headphones, there are perhaps even more practical advantages to closed-back headphones – like the noise isolation. For those looking for the best sound without disturbing your roommates, wife, guy-in-the-cubicle-next-to-you, or whoever else might be in earshot of your headphones, we’ve got some great options.

Best Closed-Back Headphones Under $500: Sennheiser HD620S

The closed-back headphone market under $500 is probably the place with the most options of any category. But it’s also the place with the most bad options. Without doing research, you could spend $300 and end up with a fancy looking headphone that’s just a rebadged low-end set with bloated bass and an incoherent tuning. Sennheiser is here to save you from all that with the HD620S ($349.95.) HD620S delivers quality across the board with an expertly tuned sound signature, great build and comfort, and the sort of total package we’ve come to expect from Sennheiser.

Best Closed-Back Headphones Overall: Meze Liric 2

As an overall value proposition, the Sennheiser HD620S comes close to simply capturing the all around best closed back of the year, but with its next level build and comfort, those honors go to the Meze Liric 2. Liric 2 stuns with wood cups and quite possibly the best build in the closed-back market. Liric 2 delivers a lush sound that balanced accuracy and detail with a smooth, nonfatiguing warmth. If you’re looking for the perfect headphones to disappear into your music with Liric 2 delivers.

Best Open-Back Headphones of 2024

If you’re not worried about anything other than the ultimate in headphone sound, open-back is the way to go. HIFIMAN and Meze have long been at the forefront of HiFi headphones, with some of the best open-back headphones out there, and they continued to deliver some of the best of 2024.

Best Open-Back Headphones Under $500: Meze 105 AER

With 105 AER ($399), Meze strikes again with their combination of build quality, comfort, and sound. 105 AER captures many of the great qualities of Meze's very popular 109 Pro at half the price. Much like Liric 2, 105 AER provides a combination of comfort build quality, comfort, sound quality, and style, but with AER it’s also combined with an incredible value in an excellent all around $400 headphones.

Best Open-Back Headphones: HIFIMAN HE1000 Unveiled

Probably the biggest move in open-back headphones in 2024 was HIFIMAN’s new Unveiled lineup. At the very top of the headphone game, Susvara Unveiled ($8000) upgraded the clarity and resolution of the original Susvara by removing the external grilles from the headphones. And while Susvara Unveiled was an excellent upgrade to one of the best headphones ever, at $2699, the HE1000 Unveiled comes incredibly close to Susvara Unveiled’s detail and resolution, while adding a little more slam and weight to the sound. The combination of the tuning, performance, and price makes HE1000 Unveiled stand out as our favorite new open-back headphone of 2024.