I review headphones for a living – my 2025 top pick isn't from Sony or Bose

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 review on a long-haul flight.

You'll pretty much always find me in a pair of the best headphones. It's part of my job, as a tech reviewer, but I find typing all day with a musical tempo aids my output – and enjoyment.

I've tested dozens of the best ANC headphones , too, with 2025 bringing a number of significant new entries to the shelves. But while Sony's WH-1000XM6 over-ears are doubtless impressive 5-star headphones, I have preference of another pair...