Best Sony Headphones In 2023 – Top 10 Picks

Before we look at the Best Sony Headphones, let’s consider that Sony is simply one of the biggest names in audio. Formed in 1946, this multinational conglomerate is now based in Sony City, a suburb of Tokyo.

As a company, it is split into divisions, all of which are major players in their respective fields. The most notable are Sony Pictures, Sony Music, and Sony Mobile Comms. The audio design and manufacturing remain under the umbrella of the Sony Corporation. Their other interests include Sony Banking and Finance and Insurance.

Whilst they have diversified into many areas, they have never lost their roots. Audio production is still at the very heart of what they do and especially at the consumer end. They recognize their core market in home electronics, but they also work at the very highest level.

The Sony MDR7506 is an example of a world-class set of Sony headphones. In many ways, they have become an industry-standard in recording studios for production and mixing. That is what we are going to look at today. The range of Sony headphones to see if we can decide which is the best Sony headphones for music.

So, let’s take a look to find the Best Sony Headphones…

Top 10 Best Sony Headphones of 2023

1 SONY Wireless Noise-canceling Stereo Headset WH-1000XM

The WH-1000XM is considered by Sony to be one of its premium range of headphones. We suppose that is in an indicator as to the quality we can expect to find from Sony these days.

These are a second-generation set of headphones that are both noise-canceling wireless. When it comes to over-ear headphones in this price range, there are very few better than Sony.

As we mentioned, these are an over-ear design that is supremely comfortable and at less than 10 ounces very lightweight. The cushioning on the earpads is exceptionally comfortable. The headband though whilst not being uncomfortable, isn’t as well padded as some.

The fit is nicely proportioned firm but without being tight. The comfort level is high, and the build quality is very good.

They are designed so that they may be folded away after use. The build is a tough plastic, but even the moveable joints feel strong.

These are a sealed unit with 40mm drivers giving a reproduction range from 4Hz to 40kHz. There is a 1.5-meter cable with a gold-plated connector that is removable. There is also a micro USB port. These headphones are Bluetooth compatible.

The battery life is around 20 hours but can be extended by turning off the audio processing feature. And all controls are located on the right ear cup and use a slider and tap controls. They are quite efficient once you are familiar with them.

The noise-canceling is where these phones really score points. There are three settings, and they consider the ambient noise around you and automatically select the correct setting. You have to do nothing. The noise-canceling is very impressive when blocking out completely a 747 at full throttle.

You may find you have to reconfigure the automatic settings after loud experiences. This is, so it then reassigns the correct level of ambient noise. There is an app linked to the headphones. It will allow you to make some sound adjustments, including the EQ.

It goes without saying that the sound is exceptional. The wide frequency reproduction guarantees and exceptional sound experience that is concise and accurate. All the frequencies nicely balance, and the mids not buried in the bass.

They come with a carrying case, adapter for an aircraft plug socket, USB, and connection cable. An outstanding set of headphones, the noise-canceling makes them candidates for the best travel Sony headphones. A very cost-effective set of quality headphones.

2 SONY MDR-Z1R WW2 Signature

And so we move up to the big league. Before we try to cram into a tiny space what these headphones are capable of, let us make one point. These are not for studio use, for mastering or production. They are not for work; they are for the pure enjoyment of sound, so get ready.

Most certainly built for the job, the around the ear sealed design has cups with an all-metal housing. This eliminates resonance and helps to maintain a stable sound.

The headband is made from Beta titanium. This is the same metal that is used in glasses and braces for teeth. It is tough and flexible. Sony claims you can bend it in half, and it just returns to its original shape.

The headband is given soft padding and is covered with leather material. It fits nicely with no undue pressure. Its construction and materials making it flexible.

The extension arms from the headband are made from aluminum and click into place when setting the size. The adjustment is smooth and positive and emphasizes the quality of the build. At the end of the arms is an adjuster to allow movement of the earcups. This is also made from aluminum.

The earpads are memory foam with a leather-like cover. The ear-shaped openings ensure a good fit; in fact, they are quite large at 62mm by 48mm. The pads are deep, and so ears do not make contact with the grille hiding the driver.

At 70mm, it is likely to bite you. It delivers a full sound spectrum up to 120kHz Sony say. If that is accurate, that is impressive, and there is no reason to think it isn’t. The sound is sensational for listening, featuring its massive driver.

There is so much more to include. We have made no mention of the silver-coated copper conductors or the gold plated connectors. Just skipped over the excellence of the sound. It comes in a very impressive leather-bound presentation case but no carrying bag or pouch.

Times up boys and girls. It is sensational, but then so is the price point. Sit down first; they are worth every penny. The best sony headphones for music? They will take some beating.

3 Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones WH1000XM3

It hasn’t been a great deal of time since the XM2 was given to us by Sony and started to win awards. It was by some, considered inferior to the Bose, but the XM2 is back as the XM3. An impressive set of headphones are back with a few upgrades.

The changes are quite evident though it maintains its sleek style. The earcups, considered by some a little rough, have been replaced. Now they are classy and very smooth to the touch.

The main component in the build is still plastic. But it is a tough plastic that feels robust and secure in the hand. They have slimmed down the design of the frame and made it a little easier to carry around.

The XM2 did have a reputation for being just a little bit bulky. The new slimmer shape definitely increases the comfort level and takes away a little weight. Two things that do remain unchanged are the revolving ear cups and the option to fold them away after use — a big design feature.

The padding on the ear cups is still very evident as it is on the headband. But they are comfortable and fit nicely. The weight is now just half a pound, and so the reduction will improve the comfort level.

The controls are placed on the ear cups around the edges. They consist of swiping actions and taps that control what you are listening to and how. They also handle incoming calls and Bluetooth connection. Bluetooth, when it is paired, is stable and easy to achieve.

Battery life is impressive at about 30 hours. Extra facilities are numerous, including Google assistant, Ambient sound mode, and High-resolution audio.

One area that the new generation of Sony headphones excels is in noise cancellation. The external sounds are shut almost completely. There is an Ambient noise setting, which, when activated, will allow in a small percentage of external noise. Useful if you are waiting for an announcement or call.

Nearly forgot, we haven’t mentioned the quality of the sound. It’s Sony; it is good, better than good for the price point. It hasn’t got a bass boost but doesn’t need it. The frequencies are separated and clear. No doubt, they are one of the best affordable Sony headphones on the market.

4 Sony WH-CH700N Wireless Headphones

We know Sony can produce quality at the highest level and excellent premium-grade headphones. But what about when they produce something in the budget range? Do they measure up with a good value for money?

In some circumstances, the word budget can mean cheap and nasty. Not so with Sony headphones. These are over the ear set of headphones built to traditional Sony quality. A tough, stable, mostly plastic build in which some metal is accompanied by great attention to comfort.

The earpads are soft with foam inners and a big padded area to cover the ear. They are given a leather look and fit snugly to the ear with little pressure. They fit neatly around the ear. The headband is similarly robust in its build and is adjustable with a metal slider to ensure a good fit.

There is one thing about the design worth mentioning. It is that once again, Sony has gone a bit light on the padding for the headband. It seems to be a common design style.

Having said that, none of the headphones we have experienced are at all uncomfortable. Neither do you feel discomfort from the headband? They seem to get it right, so what do we know?

The controls are located on the ear cup and easily reachable. As with all these things, there is a learning curve to go through. We find that ear cup-based controls are never the easiest things to learn or to control.

So to the features. Digital Noise canceling to a high standard, removing external noise that is AI-driven, Hands-free calling courtesy of a built-in microphone. Take calls or call up the Voice assistant. The Voice assistant used is Alexa that is activated by a touch on the control.

Battery life is quite good, with 30-35 hours estimated. If you do happen to need a charge, there is a quick charge facility. A 10-minute charge will give you 60 minutes of usage. They are Bluetooth compatible.

As we keep saying, it is Sony. They do not make poor sounding headphones at any of the levels they produce them.

The user manual, though is not very informative and not so good. A small irrelevance to most we suspect bit we are looking for something we don’t like. There isn’t much to choose from at the price point. They must be considered as one of the best Sony headphones for the money

5 Sony MDR-1000X/B

One thing that becomes quite obvious when reviewing a list of Sony products is how similar the designs are. Not in every case, of course, but there is a similarity, and the 1000XB has a recognizable design. They usually all have something unique, though, and with the 1000XB, it is the microphones located on the earcups.

The build is usual Sony comfort with thickly padded leather-like padding on the cups in an over-ear design. Each ear cup has a 40mm closed driver producing a good quality of sound. Ports for a micro USB for charging and a 3.5 aux are placed on the underside of the cups.

The controls are touch-activated, also a change from the usual buttons. This is placed on the right earcup. It must be said it feels a little strange at first to use a swiping motion to change tracks. Or swiping up to increase the volume, or down to reduce it. It is probably an operation you get used to.

If it is stable and works well over a period of time, we can see the advantages.

The headband is made from a flexible plastic that is padded. As we are beginning to notice, Sony does not go overboard with the padding in this area. It doesn’t seem to make them uncomfortable, though. On the lower end of the headband arms is a small plastic hinge that allows them to be folded away when not in use.

We are usually very wary of anything that moves that is made of plastic, but the hinges feel secure. It just makes sense to treat them with a little care. The most important thing, though is that they feel comfortable and easy to wear.

Quality audio production is joined by good Bluetooth connectivity. Noise cancellation is adequate without being exceptional, and there is the Ambient sound feature built-in. This allows a little of the outside world into the phones if you need to hear an announcement or similar.

They have a decent battery life. Up to 20 hours, but that is with everything running. This can be extended by turning off Bluetooth and Noise Cancellation.

They are a good set of headphones in the Sony tradition. Not as good sound-wise as the more expensive versions, of course, but good value at their price point.

6 Sony MDRZX110/BLK ZX Series Stereo Headphones

Now we come to one of Sony’s budget ranges for headphones. In terms of affordability, you could say they don’t come much cheaper than this.

They are an on-ear design that has plenty of foam cushioning on the ear pads. They are made from durable plastic. The headband is adjustable to fit any head size. The headband, though, unlike the ear cups, are once again a little light on cushioning over the top of the head.

They are designed with cups that swivel to allow them to be easily stowed away after use.

They are a lightweight design weighing just over four ounces. It is noticeable that the adjustments are not as precise as on more expensive versions. You can’t expect them to be, but the perfect fit might be difficult for some.

They may have a little of the budget feel about them when being worn. But there is nothing budget about the sound.

They have an impressive 12hZ to 22kHz frequency range and delivering the sound, 30mm drivers in each cup. They produce a full, rich reproduction that, for the price point, has to be considered impressive.

The drivers have neodymium magnets, and the sound is enhanced by Sony’s Acoustic Bass boost system. This provides a deep, rich bass but is not so powerful as to overwhelm the mids and trebles.

At less than five ounces, they are lightweight, and the three and a half meter Y-cord offers a tangle-free connection. They are very basic in their design and do not possess luxuries like a microphone. There is a 3.5mm jack that will connect you to any device possessing the same.

For a very affordable no-frills option, they are very good value and might be considered the best value Sony headphones available.

7 Sony WH-XB700 Wireless Extra Bass Bluetooth Headphones

Sony produces a range of headphones that have a heavier bass response. The XB700 fits into what might be described as the lower end of the middle price range.

They are quite basic in their design, with nothing to get excited about but nevertheless an attractive set of phones. We particularly liked the way Sony had applied its logo to the arms of the headband. Don’t know, it just looks nice.

They have an almost complete plastic construction, which makes them very lightweight. However, they do have a metal framed headband that is covered in plastic to give them a little flexibility. They have a sturdy build, and the headband especially is nicely designed and looks strong. But, they do not look like a lower-priced set of headphones.

These are an on-ear, super-aural design, and therefore, the ear cups are slightly smaller than the over-ear versions. They have a swivel function turning through 90 degrees, and they are labeled left and right. They are nicely padded and covered with an attractive soft leatherette material. The speaker grilles over the drivers are covered with a cloth material.

The headband is one of the most padded Sony headbands we have seen. Nicely padded and covered with a soft leatherette, they are comfortable and stable with just the right amount of ‘give’ in them.

The controls are split between the two ear cups, which is a better idea than having them all on one. The left sees more of the action with a 3.5mm socket for the cable for wired use. There is also the USB-C port, which is the charger connection. There are two further buttons, one to power it up, the other to call up the default phone Voice Assistant.

On the right, more functional controls include the Volume, play and pause, and playback controls. The play/pause allows you to answer and end calls.

They are Bluetooth compatible, and pairing is just a matter of holding down the on/off button or if you use NFC for an Android phone. This headphone operates with the Sony app that gives you various sound and EQ-like options.

The final discussion point, of course, is the sound. If you like a heavy extended bass sound, then these are for you. This is what they have been made for. It is deep and powerful and, at volume, does crowd out a lot of what else is going on.

If you like and listen to a lot of bass-heavy music, perfect. If you like a balanced sound, it’s time to move on. From what we have heard, they are probably the best bass Sony headphones.

8 Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphones

You might not think that professional recording engineers would think too much about Sony headphones for their daily work schedule. Think again. The 7506 is widely-used and for good reason.

What exactly is it about these headphones that make them so good for that environment? You can’t just pick one thing. It is a series of features of design both inside and out that all come together.

They are a closed-ear, large-diaphragm design with a low impedance. They cut any background noise allowing the user no interference. In doing so, the design cuts out any bleed that may occur when overdubbing.

They effectively lock inside what’s in and keep out what you don’t want to hear. The sound is therefore isolated, and the person working the desk has a stable sound environment.

To allow such probably lengthy usage, they need to be built well and be comfortable. They are both.

The build quality is of the highest standard. Sony is well aware of how to make tough, robust gear that still manages to look good. Here is a perfect example. They are not flashy with lots of bells and whistles. They are not that arrogant. What they are is just very quietly and reservedly brilliant at what they do.

The ear cups are a good example of the build. Well-padded and the headband padded sufficiently with good adjustments. They also have the added advantage of being able to swivel around one ear at a time. A useful feature in a studio environment. They fold away after use.

Each cup has a 40mm driver with a neodymium magnet giving a wide dynamic sound dispersion. They have an impressive frequency range of 10Hz to 20kHz that ensure excellent quality of sound through all the frequencies. Any transmission of sound is protected by using gold-plated fittings and oxygen-free copper cord.

It comes with a soft case for carrying around and a quarter-inch jack adapter.

We need, for balance, to find something we don’t like. And we have, we don’t like coiled cables. They are a nuisance at the best of times. That is it – Balance achieved.

And we suppose that some are thinking and exactly how much does all this quality cost? Check it out twice. We say twice because you won’t believe it the first time. These are going to be, without a doubt, considered as the best music production Sony headphones.

In fact, they should also probably be considered as the Best Sony Headphones of them all!

9 Sony Dynamic Closed-Type Headphones MDR-ZX310

Another headphone from Sony’s budget range. The ZX 310 is as we shall see a very restricted low-level headphone. But that is not to decry it; It is built to be cheap and affordable. If you are looking for high-quality, it might be best to move on. If you are looking for a decent set of cheap phones, stay with us.

The construction is all plastic. On some more expensive phones, there is plastic, but the headband usually has a metal inner frame. Not so here, which does make them feel a little vulnerable.

The back of the ear pads is given a shiny finish. The pads are given a leather-look over foam design. They do feel a little cheap, and the pads themselves are not blessed with a surplus of padding.

The headband, as we have said, is plastic without a metal frame but also without any padding at all. It is just the plastic band itself. This has one advantage in that the headphones are very lightweight at just 4.5 ounces.

They are not the most comfortable headphones you will ever wear. But, they do the job, and they are not what you would call uncomfortable. The cable is quite thin and also feels like you need to be careful with it. It has a one-button remote.

One good aspect of the design is that they fold away after use. Something that some headphones far more expensive don’t do.

Well, as you might think, it is not the best, but for the price point, it is more than adequate. The bass is a bit muddy and the mid-range a little bit lifeless. But the tops are not too harsh as they often are with cheaper products. They have 30mm drivers and a frequency range of 10-24kHz and an SPL of 98dB.

Overall they all they are a budget range of headphones with reasonable design and for the price point, a decent sound. If that is what you need, then these are good.

10 Sony MDRXB50AP Extra Bass Earbud Headset

Not one to be left out of any potential market here are one of the ranges of Sony earbuds. With these, you can play your music and take any calls from your phone,

The main feature of these earbuds is the increased level of bass response. They have 12mm dome Neodymium drivers, which provide a powerful deep bass sound.

They have a Y-shaped cord that has an in-line remote controller with a microphone. The earbuds will operate with all phone and device types. But these are only compatible with the Smart Key app provided by Sony Smart Key with an Android device. Using the app will give you an element of control over your earbuds.

As with all earbud listening devices, comfort is important. Sony provides hybrid silicone earbuds to give you a comfortable fit that is also secure. They do reduce a little unwanted external noise if you can get a good fit. These alternative buds for fitting come in four sizes from extra small to large.

With these earbuds getting that good secure, tight fit is important because of the accentuated bass.

If you like a deep bass sound, then these will be of interest. Getting a good fit is, of course, important, but Sony includes spare earbuds, as we have said. Sound-wise they are powerful. They might be a little more expensive than some, but the quality is almost certainly better.

Also see: Top 10 Best Studio Headphones For Home Recording Reviews & Buying Guide

Best Sony Headphones Buyers Guide

Finding The Best Sony Headphones

This will depend on two things. What you want them for and how much you are willing to spend. All of the headphones we have looked at have great qualities. Even the budget range models produce great quality for the price point.

Are they for casual use at home or for a high level of sound experience? Are they for work, maybe in a studio? Sony produces a range of headphones at all price points, but you will always be guaranteed quality. The higher up the scale, the quality level becomes exceptional.

Whatever you choose on whatever budget you will not be disappointed using Sony.

More Headphone Options

Although we’ve covered a fine selection of headphones from Sony in this comprehensive review, you may still not have found exactly what you’re looking for. If so, please check out our reviews of the Best Wireless Bluetooth Headphones, the Best Headphones with Microphone, the Best Studio Headphones for Home Recording, the Best Headphones under 100 dollars, and the Best Waterproof Bluetooth Headphones currently available.

So, What Are The Best Sony Headphones?

We will have to make choices. We don’t want an accentuated bass; and we want a great all-round sound. Ours will be for work, not necessarily for pleasure, so the sound produced has got to match that requirement. We need the best Sony headphones for producing music. We have therefore chosen the…

Our choice as the Best Sony Headphones.