Searching for a last-minute gift? These 9 headphones are some of our top rated
The best headphones make excellent Christmas gifts. These days, the best headphones you can buy are beautifully designed, feature-packed, and make your favorite songs sound great. For all these reasons, a good pair of headphones is a special gift to open on the big day.
There are several headphone and earbud designs to choose from these days, such as the best wireless earbuds or the best bone conduction headphones. But many people – often including audiophiles – still prefer one of the best over-ear headphones, which have a headband and two cups.
Of course everyone is different. But we're also willing to bet that if you're buying a gift for a loved one this holiday season, over-ear headphones are safer than any other style. The problem is that nowadays, with so much choice, it can be difficult to know which pair to buy.
In this gift guide, we've selected the best headphones, the best noise-canceling headphones, and then our best budget picks. We focused on who each pair would be best for, and even offered alternative suggestions under each pair. Whoever you're buying a headphone gift for this Christmas, there should be a solid recommendation here to suit them.
If you're considering buying headphones for a loved one but don't necessarily need an over-ear design, check out our best gift guide for wireless earbuds. We also highly recommend checking out our other guides to the best ones Christmas sales in the US and Sales on Boxing Day in the United Kingdom. They're packed with even more great holiday ideas Christmas gift ideas.
Best headphone gifts for most people
You can't go wrong with this
The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are the best choice in our ultimate ranking of the best headphones for good reason. They're not cheap, but they offer excellent noise cancellation and surprising sound quality in a lightweight, comfortable design. We can't imagine anyone who wouldn't be thrilled to find these over-ears under the Christmas tree.
Less mainstream crowd pleaser, but audiophiles would also love the incredibly impressive Focal Bathys.
Seriously stunning sound
The Edifier Stax Spirit S3 are impressive over-ear headphones, with a light, comfortable and foldable design, detailed and captivating sound and epic battery life. The only disadvantage? There's no noise cancellation here, meaning they're not the best for commuting or for those who need ultimate focus. Otherwise they are almost perfect headphones.
The Sennheiser HD-660S2 are a solid alternative option if you're buying for someone who loves an open-back design.
Solid specs for this price
The Final Audio UX3000 headphones may look simple, but they deliver confident and articulate sound and come with a host of solid specs, including aptX Low Latency Bluetooth, long 35-hour battery life and active noise cancellation. All that in a comfortable design and at a price that seems too good to be true compared to many of their rivals.
The Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 also have the impressive, high-quality specifications, but are available at a surprisingly low price.
Best Headphone Gifts for ANC
A huge battery life of 60 hours
If you really want to impress your loved ones, come along with a Sennheiser-branded gift. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless are fantastic over-ear headphones. They offer excellent ANC, a range of impressive features, plus impressive sound and call quality. They're also light and comfortable – and the 60-hour battery life is the icing on the cake.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones are an excellent over-ear option if you have no choice.
Beautiful design, class-leading sound
We were impressed with the Bowers & Wilkins PX8 headphones when we tested them, thanks to their class-leading sound, comfort level and beautiful design. If you're looking for a luxury gift this holiday season, they have the most stylish construction and finish we've seen in a long time and would make anyone swoon.
If you're looking for another pair of over-ears with a striking design, try the Sivga Oriole.
Bose noise cancellation 700
Truly excellent ANC
All headphones in this category offer the best active noise cancellation in their class, but Bose always beats the competition when it comes to ultimate immersion. That's why our top ANC pick overall is the Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700, giving you great noise blocking and solid audio in a design so stunning it could be a work of art.
Please take into account the Apple AirPods Max if you want excellent ANC for someone with an iPhone.
The best headphone gifts for people on a budget
Excellent value
If you're on a budget but want to gift headphones that tick all the boxes, you need the Sony WH-CH520. They are excellent value for money, with a clear and well-rounded sound and plenty of customization options. They feel robust and also have comfortable filling. Don't expect high-end features like ANC at this price, but they do the basics incredibly well.
For an affordable offering with ANC, try the Sony WH-CH720N.
Cheap and reliable
The JBL Tune 770NC aren't the most exciting headphones out there and wouldn't stand a chance next to the stunning ANC options above, but they're also a fraction of the price. These JBL over-ears are a reliable offering that fit well and are easy to store. During our testing we were also surprised by how good the ANC, sound and battery life are here, ideal for all day listening.
The JBL Tune 670NC were around before this one, which means they're probably even cheaper today.
Incredibly affordable sound
Audio brand Jabra is a master at creating top-spec headphones that often undercut the higher-end competition, and the Jabra Elite 45h is no exception. They promise heavy and balanced sound and impressive battery life at a fraction of the cost of rivals. The design is also comfortable, folds easily and looks more stylish than it should at this price.
You also get good ANC and sound for under $100/£100 with the Anchor Soundcore Space One.
More holiday sales
- Amazon: 70% off Kindle, TVs, tablets and clothing
- Apple: AirPods, Apple Watch and iPads from $79
- Adidas: 40% discount on running shoes and clothing
- Beauty: 51% discount on makeup, skin care and hair tools
- Best Buy: $800 off TVs, laptops and headphones
- Cheap TVs: Big screen 4K TVs starting at $269.99
- Christmas: 40% off decor, pajamas and trees
- Del: Inspiron and XPS laptops starting at $260
- DreamCloud: 40% discount on all mattresses
- Family pajamas: Christmas Pajamas starting at $12.99
- Gaming: console bundles starting at $289.99
- Lenovo: 76% discount on laptops, desktops and printers
- Lowe's: up to $800 off major appliances
- Nectar: mattress deals starting at $359
- Noordstrom: 40% discount on Nike, Levi's and UGG's
- Patagonia: sweaters starting at $64.99
- Samsung: $2,000 worth of TVs, phones and appliances
- Shopbop: 25% discount on the entire site with the code Holiday
- Goal: 40% discount on Christmas decorations, TVs and toys
- Toys: Disney, Barbie and Lego starting at $14.99
- Walmart: cheap TVs, air fryers, PS5 and toys
More Christmas sales
- Amazon: up to 65% off technology and gifts
- Adidas: up to 60% discount on outlet clothing, shoes, clothing
- AO: up to 40% discount on vacuum cleaners, appliances and technology
- Argos: up to 70% discount on toys, Christmas decorations and technology
- Boots: half-price gift sets, gift vouchers and fragrances
- B&V: cheap christmas trees, lights, decor, wreaths
- Car Phone Warehouse: 120GB data for £12 per month
- Curries: up to 40% discount on TVs, air fryers, laptops and more
- Cotswolds outside: up to 50% discount on Patagonia, Rab, North Face
- Debenhams: up to 70% discount on home, fashion, gift sets
- Disney: up to 60% discount on Christmas sweaters, toys, decorations
- Ecopper: up to 40% discount on laptops, desktops and components
- John Lewis: £300 off TVs, Apple and Christmas decorations
- Jessops: up to £1,000 off Sony, Canon, Nikon and Fujifilm
- O2: up to £600 off iPhone, Samsung and Google
- Samsung: up to £600 off TVs, phones and appliances
- Shark: up to €100 discount on the best-selling vacuum cleaners
- Terribly: discounts on technology, appliances, furniture and beauty
- Vodafone: Six-month half-price SIM cards from £11.50