The 10 Best Headphone Brands of 2021

For those in the market to buy new headphones, knowing which headphone brands are trustworthy can be challenging. There are many types of headphones on the market, from in-ear or over-the-ear headphones to wireless or wired headphones. 

Because there are many headphone brands out there, it may be wise to learn more about each brand and what they have to offer. Some brands are better than others, but each has unique offerings that may suit some customers’ specific needs. 

There’s no hard and fast answer to which headphone brand is best. Much of the purchasing decision will come down to a customer’s needs and what environment they plan on using the headphones in. For example, working out may require one pair of headphones, while some may be better suited for commuting.

Let’s explore how to choose the right headphones and some of the best headphone brands of 2021.

How to Choose the Best Headphones 

There’s no formula to use to determine which headphones are best. However, it’s important to identify the reason for buying new headphones and the necessary features for optimal listening. 

Customers in the market for headphones should consider the features, type of headphones, budget, and sound quality. No customer wants a pair of headphones that don’t fit right in their ear or feel uncomfortable when worn for long listening sessions.

Customers looking for the best headphones should think about what they’ll be used for. Casual listening at home? Working out? Commuting? Phone calls? There’s a pair of headphones out there for all types of customers, and each of the brands we’ll cover offer different styles to suit varying customer needs.

Let’s discuss the best headphone brands of 2021 below.

10 Best Headphone Brands of 2021

Take the guesswork out of choosing a headphone brand by reviewing the selections below. These brands are not ranked in any specific order — each brand offers different types of headphones that will suit customer needs. Keep in mind that each brand provides headphones of varying prices, capabilities and compatibility with certain devices.

1. Sony

Sony is known as one of the largest electronics manufacturers in the world. The company offers TVs, cameras, and headphones suitable for many customers. Sony’s headphone lineup is wide and diverse, making them an attractive choice for most people. 

These are some of the top headphones Sony offers:

• Sony WH-1000XM4 (over the ear)
• Sony WH-1000XM3 (over the ear)
• Sony WF-1000XM4 (wireless earbuds)

Many of Sony’s headphones have high-quality sound, wireless connectivity, and some can immerse customers in a noise-canceling environment. 

2. Beats by Dre

Beats by Dre is an American company founded by Dr. Dre, a rapper and record producer. You’ve likely seen or heard about Beats, as they took the world by storm back in 2008. Many celebrities have been spotted wearing the iconic headphone brand, and it’s for a good reason. 

The sound quality on all of the Beats headphones is impeccable. Beats are the way to go for customers looking to get the most out of their listening experience. These are some popular Beats headphones models available:

• Beats Solo Pro
• Beats Studio Buds
• Beats Powerbeats Pro
• Beats Studio 3 Wireless Headphones

Beats is a leader in the headphone industry and offers various products to fit every customer’s needs.

3. Bose

As a brand, Bose is synonymous with high-end, high-quality and expensive headphones. However, not every pair of headphones from Bose will break the bank, as there are affordable options for customers looking to spend less. Bose offers both over-the-ear headphones and earbuds — some are wireless and some are wired, but all of their headphones come with great sound quality and look sleek at the same time. 

These are some popular Bose headphones worth considering:

• Bose SoundSport Wireless
• Bose QuietComfort Earbuds
• Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
• Bose QuietComfort 45

Some customers have a preference for in-ear headphones versus over-the-ear headphones. Both should offer comfort without compromising quality. 

4. JBL

JBL is an audio company that offers headphones, speakers and other accessories for the average consumer. It has a large catalog of headphones, so there’s surely one to fit a customer’s needs. Below are some top JBL headphone choices to think about buying:

• JBL Club One
• JBL Live 650BTNC
• JBL Endurance Peak II
• JBL Tune 500BT

JBL is a powerhouse of a brand and has plenty of headphone products to choose from. Like many of these brands, many of their products are available at local consumer electronics stores or online at Amazon. 

5. Skullcandy

Skullcandy is a company that focuses on making bright and colorful products with its recognizable logo. Some of the headphones in Skullycandy’s lineup feature thumpy, bass-heavy sound profiles. Because Skullcandy’s headphones are more affordable options for customers, the design and materials used to make them are a bit lower-quality than some other brands. 

Here are some of the best Skullcandy headphones available for customers:

• Skullcandy Venue Wireless
• Skullcandy Jib True Wireless
• Skullcandy Dime True Wireless

These wireless headphones are wallet-friendly and perfect for those interested in the EDM and hip-hop music genres. Consider looking at Skullcandy’s website to learn more about each pair.

6. Sennheiser 

Sennheiser offers various headphones — some are open-back, but all have top-tier sound quality. The company is known for over-the-ear and in-ear headphones as well as some wireless earbuds. A couple of different products overlap in features with only a couple of minor differences, so it can be challenging to choose between models. 

Here are some of the top Sennheiser headphones:

• Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless
• Sennheiser HD 800 S
• Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless
• Sennheiser RS 195 RF Wireless

The first pair, the Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless, has active noise cancellation (ANC) capabilities, making them an attractive option for many people. 

7. Jaybird

Jaybird’s headphone lineup is almost tailored to athletes and anyone who needs tunes to work out. They offer a few different truly wireless headphones, the Vista and Vista 2. The Vista pair of headphones is dustproof, shockproof, sweatproof and waterproof, so they’re extremely durable to use on runs or hikes. They’re sleek, lightweight and compact, and many users say they fit comfortably in their ears. 

The Vista 2 pair of headphones come in at $50 more, but the extra cost is worth it. They have ANC and SurroundSense for spatial awareness and safety purposes. This pair is also very durable and has a 24-hour battery life, something every consumer can benefit from. 

8. Anker

Anker is a Chinese company well known for its consumer electronics. They offer a wide range of audio accessories, from speakers to headphones. Anker offers a good price to value ratio, too. 

Here are some of Anker’s top headphone options to consider:

• Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro True Wireless Earbuds
• Anker SoundBuds Slim Wireless Headphones
• Anker SoundBuds Curve Wireless, Waterproof w/ Built-In Microphone
• Anker Soundcore Life P2 True Wireless Earbuds

Anker is known for offering headphones with ANC and long-lasting battery life, all on a budget. The company’s products are great for people looking to save some money but purchase a pair of quality headphones.

9. Jabra

Initially, Jabra started as a company that invested in creating products tailored to businesses and call centers. Jabra ventured into the consumer electronics market and began making headphones for the average consumer in recent years. Jabra’s in-ear headphones are truly wireless, so users can take them on the go without fussing with cords. 

Here are some popular Jabra headphones:

• Jabra Elite Active 75T 
• Jabra Elite 7 Pro
• Jabra Elite 7 Active
• Jabra Evolve2 85 Wireless

Jabra is a reputable brand that offers both over-the-ear headphones and wireless earbuds, so every customer can find something that suits their needs.

10. Logitech

Logitech is commonly known for making computer accessories, but in recent years, the brand has ventured into creating headphones for customers as well. They make gaming headsets many customers have come to love, and the sound quality is well worth the price they’ll pay.

Here are some popular Logitech headphones on the market:

• Logitech G Pro X Wireless Lightspeed Gaming Headset
• Logitech G433 Gaming Headset
• Logitech H800 Wireless Headphones

Logitech offers headphones that offer good microphone quality, well-balanced sound profiles and even customization options so that customers can get the most out of their listening experience. Keep in mind that Logitech headphones are mainly used for gaming, so they may not be well suited for athletes or commuters.

These headphone brands offer unique features, from active noise cancellation to customization and everything in between. Consider looking into each of these brands to which products will best fit your needs.

Purchase Headphones From a Reputable Brand

The consumer electronics market is a multimillion-dollar industry, which highlights how much choice consumers have when purchasing these products. 

Tech helps make our lives easier, and headphones help connect us to the latest album releases, listen to new podcast episodes or hear quality sound while streaming digital content. Be sure to check out some of these brands if you’re in the market for a new pair of headphones.