6 most stylish headphones, tested for form and function

Remember when Apple’s AirPods first hit the market, and people couldn’t stop themselves from making fun of their wireless design?

We’ve come a long way since then, with over-ear headphones becoming a mainstay on the commute and at the coffee shop, essentially cementing their status as the must-have modern-day outfit accessory.

As someone who tests headphones for a living, I can attest first-hand to the fact that while good headphones will have a good balance of sound quality and comfort, only the best headphones do. And Has the power to complement an outfit.

With that in mind, I’ve rounded up the most stylish headphones tested by the Mashable team, with pairs at every price point ranging from $69.99 to $799.

Sony WH-CH520

The Sony WH-CH520 is relatively affordable at its full price of $79.99, but an absolute steal at their frequent sale price of $38. (We’ve seen them go as low as $33). Mashable contributor Alex Brasetti considered them the best headphones under $50 due to their incredible 50 hours of battery life and great sound quality. He writes in his review, “Contemporary tracks sound energetic, while live performances have dynamic presence, thanks to airy vocal reproduction. Fidelity is taken up a notch when enabling my favorite feature for sound enhancement on Sony headphones: DSEE.”

Deputy Shopping Editor Miller Kern bought the yellow version of these headphones for herself on July’s Prime Day, and despite having five pairs of premium headphones in her home office (perks of being a product tester), she regularly reaches for these headphones. She calls the yellow color “beautiful” and says that although this on-ear design comes without noise cancellation, they’re great for passively blocking out sound, whether she’s working or on a flight.

nothing headphones (1)

As divisive as the design may be, I had to include the Nothing Headphones (1) on this list. Their transparent and rectangular design feels both retro and futuristic. Although these won’t appeal to everyone (personally, they’re not my favorite), for those who like the look, it’s hard to find another option like them. You will have the choice between silver and black.

mashable light speed

As far as his performance is concerned, it has been a bit of a mixed affair. When I first tried them on, I immediately noticed that they leaned on the heavier end of the spectrum with a more comfortable fit. For some people, this may be the most comfortable type of fit. Mashable contributor Alex Brasetti noted in his review that these headphones come with excellent adaptive ANC, long battery life at 35 hours per charge, and dynamic sound. They come in at a more mid-range price of just $299, but the price isn’t suspiciously low. Connectivity can be touch-and-go, and an equalizer is essential for the best possible sound.

beats studio pro

The Beats Studio Pro is for those who prefer a neutral color palette and pay Beats prices for AirPods Max-quality headphones. At the first point, you will have your choice between different shades of black, gray and white. The sleek design and subtle Beats logo pretty much guarantees that these headphones will serve as a matching accessory to any outfit.

On the latter point, Mashable contributor Alex Brasetti named the Studio Pro the best Beats headphones, and for good reason. These headphones come with noise cancellation that is on par with the AirPods Max, and the sound quality is above Apple headphones. Battery life is also better, at 24 hours per charge with ANC on, compared to the AirPods Max’s 20 hours. The Beats headphones are designed to connect easily to Apple devices, just like AirPods, but Android users will enjoy the feature similarity.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Generation)

In general, Bose headphones earn their praise for excellent ANC and comfort. Their extensive colorway options are more understated, and it’s with the company’s latest release, the second-generation QuietComfort Ultra headphones, that they really shine. At the time of writing, there are five colorway options available, ranging from more subtle all-black options to the eye-catching Driftwood Sand colorway, which combines a cream colorway with golden accents. These accent metal pieces give them an overall premium feel. Bose also has a tendency to add colorways to its headphones throughout their lifespan.

As far as their performance goes, these headphones offer high-quality adjustable ANC and the best wear I’ve experienced on any headphones. The ear cups are removable, which bodes well for these headphones having a pretty long life (which you’d want with their $449 price tag). The sound quality is rich with premium features like spatial audio and the option of USB-C playback. Overall, they are a great pair of premium headphones with matching looks.

apple airpods max

Apple AirPods Max are the ultimate stylish headphones. In classic Apple form, the brand modified the headphones’ standard design slightly, offering slightly different ear cup shapes, a mesh headband, and a range of colors. For the USB-C version, you can get them in black, blue, orange, purple, and starlight. They look attractive, which is probably why they are so commonly seen around the world.

That said, in 2025, specification-wise, they’re not the best headphones available. Apple users will enjoy lossless audio and super easy connectivity, as well as Apple’s excellent spatial audio, solid ANC, and an overall balanced sound profile. However, these headphones were initially released just five years ago, and since that release, have only received one update in September 2024, which switched to a USB-C port in place of the original Lightning. That means they still come without an actual carrying case, only 20 hours of battery life, and no dedicated power button, all for $549 — one of the higher prices in the consumer headphone market. If you can, I’d recommend waiting for the new generation to arrive – we’re not quite sure when that will be. Still, as the OG Pretty Headphones, I couldn’t include the Apple AirPods Max on this list.

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2

There’s no beating around the bush – the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 headphones are extremely attractive and extremely expensive. At $799, these headphones put the prices of the AirPods Max and Dyson Ontrack to shame, which is impressive in itself, though not exactly ideal.

Still, if you’re looking for a professional, upscale aesthetic in your headphone case, the Px8 S2 is a really strong candidate. The Nappa leather and machined aluminum give the overall feel a high quality feel (which, at $799, they should absolutely do!). Mashable editor Timothy Beck Worth got his hands on these headphones and reported: “Radiohead, Florence and the Machine, and Michael Jackson all sounded as good as ever. I’d rate them with the Panasonic Technics AZ100 earbuds in terms of niche audio products, and they’re a step up from the likes of Sony.” The ANC isn’t on par with Sony and Bose, but the significant quality of the design (and the safe feature they offer) helps offset that shortcoming. Still, if you’re not super interested in aesthetics And An audiophile, these may be a pass for you, with Worth writing, “If you don’t know how to activate high-resolution audio on your device, or if you haven’t spent several long years waiting for Spotify to finally roll out lossless audio, these headphones will be ruined for you.”

If you like the overall size of the Bowers & Wilkins design, the Px7 S3 is a slightly more affordable option.