Best Headphones of 2023

So this list of the best headphones of 2023 includes CR’s top-rated picks for performance as well as bargain options that deliver great audio.

We buy all the models we rate at retail—no freebies for us. Our diverse team of trained testers evaluates headphones year-round in our labs in Yonkers, N.Y., for sound quality, noise cancellation, features, and fit. Our rigorous testing process compares new headphones not only to the models currently in our ratings but also to the hundreds of headphones reviewed over the years.

Here are CR’s picks for the best headphones of 2023.