The best headphones for your iPhone
Listen up: Your whole life is packed inside your phone. And if listening to music — as well as podcasts and audiobooks — is one of life's greatest pleasures, you need a good set of headphones or earbuds to connect to your phone.
That's particularly true for iPhone users. As Apple fans know, Apple iOS is a uniquely designed system, built for syncing Apple products together. That means only certain headphones will do, though the best ones aren't always Apple-produced.
If you’re serious about your sounds — and we know you are — you need a pair that both suit the capabilities of your iPhone and your lifestyle. It's important to know what you're looking for, so we've gone ahead and done the research for you.
To put it simply, yes. If you have an iPhone, it's probably time to go wireless. You have to go back several generations to find an iPhone that has a regular 3.5mm audio jack input. Apple has insisted on equipping its phones with a Lightning port for several years now. Apple headphones also use Lightning connections so they can plug straight into your phone. And if you have a pair of wired non-Apple headphones, Apple also sells an adaptor which connects a regular audio jack to the Lightning connection. But these adaptors are unreliable and break all-too easily. The best option is to connect your iPhone to the headphones. It's much easier and means fewer cables.
Yes and no. AirPods are great — especially AirPods Pro and AirPods Pro Max (as you’ll see below) — but they're also expensive. They're definitely a good one-stop solution as they're so convenient to set up with your iPhone and they fit the Apple aesthetic perfectly. However, if you're keen to search around and spend a little longer setting things up (or spend a little less), there are other good options out there.
You can spend a few pounds on the cheapest pair of headphones, but you might as well just use the buds that come free with your iPhone. Going cheap is a false economy and you'll sacrifice quality and function. If you regularly listen to music, it's worth investing a little more. The sound quality is going to be much better.
What is noise cancellation?Noise cancellation blocks out ambient noise, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in your music. It's usually a mark of the best, most advanced headphones.
There are two kinds of noise cancellation: Passive and active noise cancellation. Passive noise cancellation is achieved by the design and build of the headphones, which physically block out noise by having oversized ear cups that create a seal. Active noise cancellation (ANC) uses a system of small microphones that pick up incoming sounds and create anti-noise sound waves to cancel them out. Also, look out for advanced ANC modes such as "transparency mode". This allows a certain level of ambient noise to seep in, such as other people's voices. It's handy for listening out for train platform announcements or having conversations with pals and colleagues.
What are Bluetooth codecs?Wireless sound quality can be affected by factors such as distance and obstructions between your headphones and device, but also the codec software that your headphones support. Codecs are algorithms that encode and decode digital audio signals. Look out for headphones with low latency that support Qaulcomm’s aptX codecs, which are usually rated as the best codecs — particularly for streaming video on your phone and ensuring the picture and audio stay in sync. The latest versions to look (and listen) out for are aptX Lossless and aptX Adaptive.
What is spatial audio?This is another term you'll see when shopping for high-spec headphones. It essentially means 3D audio, which separates the sounds and places them in different locations around the room. If you're watching a film, for instance, you'll feel like you're in the middle of the action. Apple and other brands have their own versions of the technology but it's all essentially the same thing. Some spatial audio headphones have head tracking, which anticipates the movements of your head and adapts the sound.
Think about the main reasons that you need new headphones: Are you going to be using them while you travel? Will you be listening to music mainly at home? Or while exercising? We’ve looked at a number of different scenarios and figured out the best headphones or earbuds for you and your lifestyle. In other words, we’ve done the hard work for you. There should be something for everyone and every budget in this list.
These are the best headphones for your iPhone in 2025.
- Decent sound & spatial audio
- Fantastic noise cancellation
- Music stops when you chat
- Water, sweat & dust resistance
- Comfortable, secure fit
- Battery isn't the greatest
- More detailed audio available
AirPods have been the iPhone standard for several years now. And if it’s time for you to upgrade, the AirPods Pro 2 step things up — they're Apple's most advanced, highest performance earbuds.
They have little mics that scan your ears to ensure the AirPods fit properly (you get a selection of small, medium, large, and XL tips). Even better, they live up to the ‘Air’ moniker — so lightweight you’ll barely notice they’re in.
To activate noise cancellation and playback features, just squeeze the stems. Apple has also fixed a previous quirk by adding on-ear volume control to the stems. The ANC has a transparency mode. Conversation Awareness recognises when you've started talking to someone and lowers the sound while you chat.
As you'd expect from Apple's latest and greatest buds, the sound is fantastic and works especially well with contemporary music. Though it's fair to say that no one buys Apple buds expecting the most nuanced, detailed, audiophile-level quality. They do, however, have spatial audio designed to suit your ear shape and adjust as you move your head. That's great for movies and TV.
Other bonuses include IP54 water and dust resistance, and a MagSafe charging case that will give your AirPods 30 hours’ worth of power overall.
- Battery Life: Up to 6 hours
- Colours: White
- Noise Cancellation: Yes
- Spatial Audio: Yes
- Incredible iOS experience
- Intuitive volume control dial
- Colour choice
- Unbeatable street cred
- No cable included
- Battery life could be better
If classic-style headphones are more your thing, Apple has your ears covered. Quite literally in the case of the Apple AirPods Max, with their comfy, memory foam ear pads. They’re feature-packed too, with Apple-built dynamic drivers, top-of-the-range ANC, and iOS extras. And — thanks to Apple’s increasingly broad palette — there are good colour options too, something that can be frustratingly unusual in high-end, high-price headphones.
The AirPods Max have just two physical controls — one for controlling the ANC and transparency mode, and a multi-functional dial to cycle through the volume and playback options. The ANC operates via an eight-microphone system. The ear cups are stacked with sensors, plus an accelerometer and gyroscope. They also boast spatial audio with dynamic head tracking.
Less impressive is the battery life of just 20 hours. Other headphones in this price range (or lower) offer much more. But the Apple AirPods Max do go into a low power mode when you put them in the carry case. Be warned that they will need to be charged even when you have them wired to your device. Those small quibbles aside, headphones for the iPhone don't get much better.
- Battery Life: Up to 20 hours
- Colours: Grey, silver, blue, green, pink
- Noise Cancellation: Yes
- Spatial Audio: Yes
- Advanced tech
- The best ANC around
- Excellent Sony sound
- Cool, contemporary design
- Fast charging
- Not suitable for outdoor fitness
- Speak-to-Chat can be too sensitive
If you’re shopping for over-ear headphones anywhere other than the Apple store, look no further than the Sony WH-1000XM4. They’re rated as some of the best headphones in every other category.
Sony’s QNe1 processor chip delivers some high-powered, innovative technology. This includes exceptional ANC, with Dual Sense microphones that can adjust 700 times per second to deliver real-time noise cancellation. You can control the amount of external noise you want to let in or set different ANC levels for different locations, which adjusts automatically as you enter those locations (such as the office, campus, or the gym).
Other features include an automatic pause when you take the headphones off, auto-switch off, voice assistant, and a Speak-to-Chat function that pauses the music when you begin a conversation. Be warned: It's very sensitive.
The sound quality is fantastic, bolstered by advanced LDAC Bluetooth and other audio-enhancing tech. What else do you expect from the world’s most popular audio brand? The battery life is impressive too, maxing out at 30 hours (that's with ANC switched off — ANC drains it faster). It’s fast charging too, with five hours of juice from just ten minutes plugged in.
It's worth noting that the next-gen version of these headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM6, are now available. They're fantastic but considering the price hike we're still recommending the older Sony WH-1000XM4.
- Battery Life: Up to 30 hours
- Colours: Black, blue, silver, pink
- Noise Cancellation: Yes
- True Wireless: No
- Beats sound, Apple tech
- Purpose built for fitness
- Good battery life
- Great fit that holds firm
- Heart-rate tracking tech
- Bulky case
- No noise cancellation
Beats is one of the hippest names in quality audio tech, combining the brand's signature sound with Apple tech. Indeed, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, an upgrade of Beats' popular fitness buds, are powered by Apple's s H2 chip, giving them extra power and performance.
What hasn't changed are Powerbeats' signature silicone hooks. They secure the buds to your ears and hold them firmly in place during workouts. The design was perfected through testing with over 1,000 athletes. In terms of fitness features, they connect with a variety of fitness apps and now offer heart-rate tracking, which they measure via sensors in the ears.
They have plenty of battery life, too — up to 10 hours from a single charge or 45 hours with the charging case — so these buds can handle seriously long workout sessions. Though if you're planning to take the charging case out with you, remember it's pretty massive. Not the most practical design.
As well as all the Apple device synchronicity you expect, you also get active noise cancellation with a transparency mode, plus spatial audio with head tracking and adaptive EQ that adjusts the sound for your specific ear shape.
- Battery Life: Up to 10 hours
- Colours: Black, orange, purple, sand
- Noise Cancellation: Yes
- Spatial Audio: Yes
- Punches above the price range
- Competitive battery life
- Adaptive noise cancellation
- aptX Lossless support
- Wireless charging
- Automatic pause on removal
- Better overall quality available
- Not much else at this price
Not every set of headphones costs the earth. In fact, the EarFun Air Pr0 4 aren’t just affordable — you’ll also be impressed with what they can do, with a range of features that you'd normally find on pricier buds, such as ANC.
At a budget price, you have to manage expectations but the ANC is very respectable. It's adaptive and adjusts to your ear canal, and offers various modes. These include an Environmental Awareness transparency mode, which allows some external noise in, plus wind noise cancellation. They also automatically pause if you remove the buds from your ears.
As you’d expect from the EarFun name, these deliver an upbeat, punchy sound — especially good for contemporary tunes and pop. There's also support for high-end Bluetooth codecs, which reduce any lag and keep everything in sync. More serious-minded audiophiles, however, will need to look elsewhere.
Other nice touches include a single earbud mode, a six-microphone system for improved call quality, and infrared detection tech that pauses the music whenever you remove the buds. With an 11-hour battery life (though a bit less with the ANC switched on), these are in it for the long haul. The buds may get a little uncomfortable after long sessions.
- Battery Life: Up to 9 hours
- Colours: Black, white, purple, blue
- Noise Cancellation: Yes
- True Wireless: Yes
- Precision-perfect sound
- Easy-to-use touch controls
- Nice colours options
- Latest Bluetooth codecs
- Nice feature selection
- Lack of spatial audio
- Average noise cancellation
- Fiddly app control
Audio enthusiasts will know Sennheiser well. The German-built brand has decades of experience perfecting the art — and it very much is an art — of manufacturing headphones with top-quality, class-leading sound.
The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 are no exception. These fourth-gen earbuds are lightweight and include adaptive noise cancellation. But where these really excel is their tremendous sound. It comes via single 7mm drivers, which create an epic soundstage and give you everything you need from the lows, mids, and highs. It's layered and highly-detailed. The only thing missing is spatial audio, making these better for music than streaming video.
The ANC is decent though not as strong as some competing earbuds. The battery life, however, is very competitive, clocking up a total of 30 hours from the carry case charger. Noise cancellation and other features, including the touch control functions, can be adjusted in the Sennheiser’s Smart Control app.
Other features include transparency mode for letting in ambient sounds and the latest Bluetooth version — Bluetooth 5.2 — plus support for lossless codecs. They are pricey but sound purists know the cost of having the very best quality.
- Battery Life: Up to 7.5 hours
- Colours: Black gold, black copper, black, white silver
- Noise Cancellation: Yes
- Spatial Audio: No
- Affordable and reliable
- Whopping battery life
- ANC is great at this price
- Upgraded Bluetooth
- Controls can be fiddly
- Can get a bit sweaty
If you want headphones with reliable sound, ANC, and connectivity — and you don’t need the latest tech — check out the JBL Tune 660NC. These mid-level favourites are made from premium, hard-wearing plastic, with a sound that's robust and bass-heavy. Large, over-ear cups block out external sound, which combines with highly efficient ANC tech to keep out any unwanted ambient noise. The noise cancellation is as good as it gets at this low price.
They have multi-point pairing, which means they can hook up to two devices at once. It's a very handy addition to the overall package. They’re very portable too, with ear cups that fold and turn inwards. Just throw them in your bag and off you go. They're certainly tough enough to handle being bashed about.
JBL has upgraded to Bluetooth 5.0, meaning that connection problems reported on older models are no longer a problem. The controls — placed on the right ear cup — are tricky at first but you soon get used to them. You’ll get up to 50 hours of battery life, depending on which features are switched on.
- Battery Life: Up to 50 hours
- Colours: Black, Navy, White
- Noise Cancellation: Yes
- Spatial Audio: No
- 'Open ear' design
- Spatial audio + head tracking
- Apple device synchronicity
- Decent sound quality
- Siri and other Apple feature
- No on-ear volume control
- Better Apple buds available
- Sound leaks in the open design
The Apple AirPods 4 are the latest iteration of Apple’s most basic buds. They’re “open ear”, which means there are no interchangeable tips to faffing around with. It’s very much a one-size-fits-all situation. The sound is good, though not class-leading, and the open design does let external noise leak in.
They sync instantly with Apple devices and switch seamlessly between your Mac, MacBook, iPhone, or iPad. But that kind of multipoint pairing is reserved specifically for Apple devices — they won’t pair with multiple devices from other manufacturers. If you have a variety of devices, that might be an issue.
Even at this more basic level there are strong features. They have personalised spatial audio with head tracking, plus support for Siri, crystal clear calls, and pinch playback controls on the stems. For volume control, however, you have to ask Siri or use the volume buttons on your device.
There are higher-spec versions of the AirPods 4 with noise cancellation. There’s a bit of price hike though, which puts them closer to the price of the AirPod Pro 2. Ultimately, if you’re spending more you might as well fork out for the Pro version and get the best buds that Apple has to offer.
- Battery Life: Up to 5 hours
- Colours: White
- Noise Cancellation: No
- Spatial Audio: Yes
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