Work, commuting, relaxing at home, walking around town: who wouldn’t use and doesn’t need a good pair of wireless headphones? But finding the right pair with the features you want for the right price is the secret sauce everyone wants. There are enveloping over-ears and on-ears with active noise cancelling (ANC). But there are also pocketable in-ear and open-ear true wireless buds. There’s a lot of choice. Plus, there’s budget, mid-range, and premium options when it comes to pricing.
To help you get the most bang for your buck, here are some of the best options right now at every price point.
Best budget headphones
You don’t have to break the bank to get a reliable pair of headphones. Many features and performance metrics have been trickling down to more budget-friendly models.
Skullcandy Hesh
Want a healthy dose of bass every time you listen to your favourite tunes? These over-ear Bluetooth headphones might have been around for a while but they’re still kicking and the price is great. They feature a bass-heavy sound signature and include ANC. With up to 22 hours of battery life, these will last through your weekly commutes or gaming sessions. They fold for easy transport, but they don’t come with a case. That’s one of the concessions to keep the price down.
Over 1,000 Best Buy shoppers rate it 4.6 stars. They highlight key aspects that matter most: comfort, sound quality, and noise cancellation.
Sony WH-530
Enjoy a 55-hour playtime, quick USB-C charging, and a comfortable fit for long wearing sessions. These are a great pair for under $100. There’s no ANC, so you might not want these for travel and noisy environments. But they do have a built-in mic for calls and work with the companion app for personalizing audio playback.
Best Buy shoppers are happy with this pair, giving them an almost perfect 5-star rating. They applaud how comfortable the padded headband and earpads are, the “outstanding” sound, and the overall value for dollar.
Anker Soundcore Space 2
A follow-up to the popular Soundcore Space One headphones, these offer important upgrades. There’s longer battery life, upgraded Bluetooth, thicker cushions, and better audio tuning. The first-gen model was already great, and these are a step-up that are still offered at a value price. They have noise cancelling, too, which is impressive for a pair of this price.
Listen for up to 50 hours per charge, 70 with ANC off. They work both wirelessly and with a wired connection. The headband offers a pressure-relieving fit. So, go ahead and toss them on for a long flight, commute, video call, or gaming session. Use the companion app to adjust settings as needed and the built-in beamforming mic for calls.
Best mid-range headphones
Balancing performance and affordability, mid-range headphones are an excellent option for discerning listeners. They find a middle ground. They add performance, feature, and sometimes material upgrades compared to affordable pairs. But they don’t have all the same high-tech and audio advancements of premium headphones. You’ll find an extensive range in this category since it’s the most popular for most people. Run through specs and features to find a pair that prioritizes what’s most important to you.
JBL Tune 780NC
I have reviewed dozens of JBL headphones and earbuds over the years, and they never disappoint. This pair provides an over-ear design with adaptive ANC with Smart Ambient mode and TalkThru. JBL Pure Bass and Spatial Sound offer immersive listening. Perfect for travel, you get up to 76 hours of listening per charge. The dual beamforming mics with noise reduction make them great for calls, too. Use the included USB-C to 3.5mm cable for Hi-Res audio with compatible sources. They punch above their weight given the price.
Shokz OpenFit Pro
Not everyone likes in-ears and over- or on-ears might not be suitable for the environment. These stand out because they are open-ear buds that sit on your ears and wrap around the lobe. But most impressive is that they have noise reduction that actually works. That’s a rarity, almost never seen, in open earbuds like these.
In my review of the Shokz OpenFit Pros, I tested fit, overall sound quality, and noise reduction. I wore them in different environments. The result? They hit it out of the park in all three. Noise reduction is surprisingly effective and actually makes a difference in certain situations, though it’s not enough to rival premium ANC headphones. You can even enjoy features like Dolby Atmos and Dolby Head Tracking, usually reserved for more expensive headphones.
Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro
These Galaxy Buds offer killer upgrades over the predecessor. This includes the ability to summon your AI assistant with your voice. There’s also Head Gestures to answer or end calls. They have a wider woofer and better tweeter than the previous generation, offering a natural and immersive sound experience. They also support 24-bit/96kHz audio and offer adaptive ANC. Super Clear Call ensures noise reduction and voice enhancement if you’re trying to call home in a noisy environment.
In my tests, I found that voice and gesture controls work well. They’re comfortable and wind noise reduction is effective. In his review of the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro, Ted Kritsonis says they’re a solid option. But he notes they’re especially great for Samsung Galaxy phone owners given the seamless integration and unique shared communication features.
Skullcandy Crusher 1080 ANC
Now owned by Bose, Skullcandy is known for its modern designs and collaborations that appeal to the younger generation. These headphones feature Sound by Bose and ANC to get you through loud environments. You can personalize the sound using the customizable five-band EQ and three presets. Get up to 60 hours of listening with ANC off (50 hours with it turned on). These pay particular attention to bass, so take note if this fits with your listening preference and genre of music. They are Auracast-enabled for picking up on shared audio sources. They are great for two (or more) friends to watch a movie together on a compatible device, like a laptop or phone.
In his Skullcandy Crusher 1080 ANC review, Matthew Rondina singles out the sensory low end. He says these headphones “hit harder than almost anything else in the category.”
Best premium headphones
If you want the best of the best, it’s time to consider a pair of premium headphones. They usually have luxurious materials with ultra-plush cushions and headbands. Premium headphones offer the overall best combination of fit, comfort, audio quality, and noise cancellation. Pricing isn’t always a huge delta over mid-range models. So if you value things like Hi-Res audio support or superb noise cancelling, save up for one of these.
Sony WH-1000XM6 (over-ear)
These over-ears have been praised for fit, sound quality, and ANC. WH-1000XM6 vs WH-1000XM5s? They do offer improved noise cancellation, better comfort and call quality, and smarter adaptive features. This might not be enough to warrant an upgrade. But it’s definitely enough to suggest these over the previous gen model. But they do come at a $100 delta in price.
You get studio-quality sound. There’s also great call clarity via a six-microphone AI beamforming system. Adaptive ANC is superb. The pressure-free synthetic leather means they’re comfortable for all-day wear. With up to 30 hours with ANC turned on (40 without), you’ll get through long flights plus airport time. Or wear them for half days all week at work and charge on the weekends.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2
I test a lot of headphones, and because I travel frequently, I put noise cancelling ones through their paces. Consistently, Bose comes out on top, and these headphones are no exception.
Along with great sound quality, I love some of the convenience features. I highlight these in my Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 review. They auto-pause when you take them off your ears, for example. They have manual touch controls for those like me who prefer that. On-head detection offers faster start-up and there’s auto standby when you put them away, so there’s no inadvertent battery drain. You even get lossless audio support with the included cable. If you travel a lot or work in noisy environments, these are worth every penny.
If you want to save a few bucks, consider the Bose QuietComfort Gen 2. There are some concessions, but they offer an almost identical ANC experience.
Sony WF-1000XM6 in-ears
Like their on-ear counterparts, these buds have received rave reviews, particularly for noise cancelling. You get a secure fit and studio quality sound. They offer up to eight-hour battery life per charge, 12 hours with ANC off. Pop them in the charging case and get a total of 24 hours.
There are four mics instead of three as with the predecessor. And these are Hi-Res audio and 360 Reality Audio compatible. Hundreds of Best Buy shoppers give them 4.4 stars. They note the deep and well-defined bass, clear call quality, and effective noise cancelling in any environment. Adjust sound using the 10-band EQ in the Sony | Sound Connect app.
Sennheiser Momentum 5
If there’s a brand that comes close to Bose for noise cancelling, it’s Sennheiser. I have similarly reviewed dozens of the brand’s headphones over the years, and these are a solid premium pair. There are three finishes, but the Denim really stands out if you want something different from the norm. It even comes with a matching hard-shell case. They provide up to 57 hours of listening per charge with ANC. From a coffee shop to a plane, you can adjust the level of ANC as needed.
In my Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless review, I found both sound quality and ANC to be a cut above. With Hi-Res audio support, they’re just as good for quiet listening at home as they are on the go. As noted in my review, these headphones are “for those who truly care about sound quality and are willing to pay a premium for it.”
Find the right headphones at Best Buy
Choosing the best headphones for you comes down to a few factors. Most important across the board is sound quality and comfort and fit. Do you want over-ears, on-ears, in-ears, or open-ears? You can learn more about these types in our headphones buying guide and true wireless headphones buying guide.
Secondary is noise cancelling. If you prioritize this feature, pay attention to the best performers. You should also understand the difference between noise cancelling and noise isolating. Then comes add-ons, upgrades, and unique features. But you also have to consider price. Your budget, however, doesn’t have to limit your ability to find a pair of wireless headphones that are right for you.
Ready to upgrade your headphones? Find a wide selection of wireless headphones for every budget at Best Buy Canada.
FAQs
Noise cancelling is most useful for travelling or commuting, or in noisy environments like an office or student centre. But you might appreciate the reduction in ambient sound in any setting.
Yes. Brands usually refresh their lines annually, but newer models aren’t always a huge step up in features and performance. Compare specs of a newer model to an older one. If there’s significant savings and you’re willing to live with the downgrades, they meet your needs.
The headphones must support Hi-Res audio. The source device, connected via cable, has to support it as well. It could be a smartphone, media player, or other device. For smartphones, you may need to adjust settings to get the best possible quality. You also need a Hi-Res audio music source and relevant subscription or your own high-res music library.
Auracast technology works with broadcast audio stream, like in a gym, museum, or from an Auracast enabled device. Some phones are compatible, like the Samsung Galaxy S26 smartphone. Connect to the stream and multiple people with Auracast headphones can wirelessly listen to the same source.
How we decide what’s best
At Best Buy Canada, curating a “Best of” or “Top X” list is a thoughtful and transparent process. We evaluate products based on brand reputation, popularity, customer interest, and relevance within their category. Our bloggers then bring deep product knowledge and hands-on experience to help identify the best options for you.
Testing goes far beyond unboxing—products are used in real-world scenarios, with our bloggers putting themselves in your shoes to better understand how a device or accessory performs day to day and whether it meets expectations. Where possible, they compare similar models and assess key factors such as design, performance, and category-specific features to offer well-rounded, informed recommendations. For niche or new product categories where broader hands-on testing might not be possible within that category as a whole, our skilled bloggers evaluate the products using every objective method they can.
In some cases, a blogger may not have direct experience with a specific product. When that happens, they draw on broader expertise, such as time spent with comparable items, an understanding of the brand’s current lineup, and its overall reputation. We also draw on insights from Best Buy’s in-house category experts and aggregate feedback from both trusted reviewers and customer ratings to make the best selections.
We’ll always be clear about the basis of our recommendations—whether they stem from first-hand testing or extensive research. Authenticity matters to us. Every “Best of” guide is built on objective insights, product knowledge, and a commitment to helping you make confident buying decisions.
