Headphones are a must-have for music lovers. Moreover, they are one of the accessories to have in our collection to listen to our favorite podcasts or music privately. It’s an inexpensive way to enjoy music with decent sound quality.
With the flow of new digital mobile phones and music players, also comes headphones spanning many styles: in-ears, over-ears, wired, wireless or true wireless. We have compiled a list of the best headphones for listening to music in 2022.
How to Know Which Headphones Are for You?
If you want a pair of headphones to use at home to plug into your hi-fi system or a music player, a pair of over-ear headphones will be your best pick. You may have to choose between an open-back design or the more traditional closed-back one which doesn’t leak sound.
However, if you are looking for headphones on the go, a portable pair of in-ear earbuds will be a better choice. You may also choose a less intrusive fit of on-ear headphones depending on your budget and preference.
Next to consider is if you are looking for wireless or wired headphones and earbuds. Also, having noise-canceling headphones is a priority, as they can cancel out the outside sounds of everyday life. These days, wired noise-canceling headphones are hard to find. If you are a sporty person, you might want a pair of headphones that fit securely and is waterproof.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
It can be a difficult decision for manufacturers to decide to make changes to a highly successful product. The Sony WH-1000MX5 is the fifth generation of the 1000X series, which was first released in 2016 as the MDR-1000X Wireless and has become popular as they have improved with each generation.
The WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones are our new Bluetooth ANC favourite. The major redesign of the Sony XM5 headphones has paid off. Although it may feel a little less premium than before, the jump in sound quality is a big one and it is one of the best noise-canceling headphones on the market.
The headphones cost $475 on Amazon Singapore.
2. Apple Airpod Pro 2
The new AirPods Pro 2 is the second generation of the AirPod Pro. It utilises Apple’s new H2 chip, which promises more processing power and is also more energy efficient. The new chip allows for improved sound quality, clarity, and depth due to its new low-distortion drivers. The noise canceling function is also improved.
The AirPods Pro 2 has “double” the noise canceling capability of the original. It also has an extra hour of battery life compared to its predecessor (from five to six hours) with noise canceling turned on. If you are the type who forgets where you place your items frequently, the AirPods Pro 2 casing emits a sound that helps you locate your buds via the Find My app.
Do note that Apple has discontinued the original AirPod Pro and they will remain on sale till the supplies are exhausted. The AirPods Pro 2 costs $359 on Amazon Singapore.
3. Sony WF-1000MX4
Sony’s new WF-1000XM4 is our next favourite wireless in-ear buds. It builds on the success of WF-1000XM3. This new generation earbuds provides a balanced performance accompanied by taut, precise bass notes and produces sophisticated vocals.
While the AirPods Pro 2 delivers six hours' worth of battery life, the WF-1000MX4 gives you eight hours' worth of music. The wireless charging case extends the battery life by a further 16 hours.
These Sony earbuds are also a comfortable fit, with touch-sensitive controls and ear tips that provide excellent noise isolation. Add all of these specs with brilliant noise canceling thanks to Sony’s Integrated processor V1 and the WF-1000XM4 becomes irresistible.
The Sony WF-1000MX4 goes for $269 on Amazon Singapore.
4. Beats Fit Pro
Apple’s subsidiary audio company, Beats, produced the Fit Pro on the heels of its third-generation AirPods. The new Beats Fit Pro isn’t like the AirPods, but they are built on the same tech platform as the AirPods Pro. Unlike Beats’ earlier Studio Buds, the Beats Fit Pro include Apple’s H1 chip and contain most of AirPods Pro’s features.
The features include active noise canceling, spatial audio, Adaptive EQ, and IPX4 water-resistance (splash-proof). If you are the sporty type, the Beats Fit Pro is the sporty AirPods you have always wanted and for some, they are even better than the AirPods Pro.
The Beats Fit Pro costs $299 on Amazon Singapore.
5. Sennheiser HD 250BT
The Sennheiser HD 250BT does not come with any luxurious features. It also doesn’t look like a pair of designer wireless headphones. But they provide good quality sound for a pair of durable set of budget on-ear headphones.
But it does not mean that the spec is bare. It features Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX Low Latency, a 25-hour battery life, app support, and also Sennheiser’s beloved DJs transducer tech. The product is made of basic black plastic, is functional, and features Sennheiser’s traditional S-in-a-rectangle white branding on each ear cup. The earcups are nicely padded, but the headband is not.
The HD 250BT provides detailed, agile, and rhythmically musical sounds across frequencies which may be surprising with the price tag it comes with. The HD 250BT is a superb budget buy. It costs $73 on Amazon Singapore.