A pair of good earphones or headphones is an essential part of every students tech kit, so it's crucial that you choose the best one for your needs. Active Noise Cancellation or ANC is a feature you should definitely consider as it helps block out outside noise and voices, allowing you to focus on your studies or work. We've included a mix of flagship and budget models across headphones and TWS earphones, so you can pick the best earbuds and headphones that work for you.
If you're looking to upgrade any other essential tech items for the new school year, be sure to check out all the best Back to School deals in one place.
Best overall
Sony's WF-1000XM5 wireless earbuds are a cut above so many others. They can not only play back great quality audio but also produce some of the best active noise cancelation (ANC) around. We felt that way in our review, and believe you will find the results match up once you plug your ears with these elite earbuds. It's also our top overall pick for the best earbuds to buy in 2025.
Best for active noise cancellation
Bose's QuietComfort Headphones are known for superb ANC and they offer different stages of ANC as well. So, if you're looking to cancel background noise to concentrate, these over-ears can help. Tunes sound great, and you even get Spotify Tap support for quicker access to the streaming service. Plus, you can use the Bose app to personalize the sound.
Best rugged earbuds
If you're an active student and need earbuds that can withstand some punishment, the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 are ready for anything, as we covered in our review. Compared to Gen 1, this upgraded model offers improved ANC and HearThrough performance, superb sound quality, long-lasting battery life, and even better phone call quality.
Best for Alexa voice assistance
With a renewed sense of fit and comfort, our review of the Echo Buds (2nd Gen) found Amazon also packed new drivers to pump out better audio, further improving upon the predecessors. Capping that off is the easy and quick access you get to Alexa — use your voice to get an answer, hear your schedule, or control a smart home device.
Best for Google voice assistance
Google didn't go back to the drawing board with the Pixel Buds A-Series, but it did drop the price without affecting sound quality and mics. You can use Google Assistant easily. Unfortunately, battery life won't get you super far, though you may like the minimalist quality these earbuds have, like we did in our review. If you need more, consider the new Google Pixel Buds Pro 2, with plenty more features at an added cost.
Best for Apple users
Forget the regular AirPods. Go with the second-gen Pro pair, which does everything better, from fit to comfort, sound, and ANC, giving you better value all the way. You won't get Siri with an Android device, but you still stand to benefit from the other good features, including spatial audio support, and more. But these are best for Apple iPhone users.
Best for bass
Want as much bass as you can handle? The Crusher ANC 2 can give you all you'll ever need, as we noticed in our review. If you're looking for a heavier sound, these over-ear headphones will rock. Personalize the sound and other features further using Skullcandy's app, and take advantage of multipoint pairing and up to 50 hours battery life per charge.
Best bang for your buck
It's hard to go wrong with the Soundcore Life Q30 headphones for the simple fact they do a lot right at a great price. We felt that way when we reviewed them. They offer solid audio, especially when you play around with the Soundcore app's equalizer, plus ANC to block out a lot of noise. Battery life also lasts up to 60 hours on a single charge with ANC turned off.
Best on-ear headphones
If on-ears work for you, the JBL Tune 660NC are a nice mix of balanced sound, lightweight design, ANC performance, and up to 44 hours battery life at default volume levels. While there's no way to customize them through an app, these should play various music genres well. Plus, you can use the included detachable cord for wired sound should you run out of juice.
Best value wireless earbuds
The OnePlus Buds 4 offer amazing value for much less money — and you don't need a OnePlus phone to reap the rewards. We found a ton of personalization in our review, so you can make them sound exactly how you want. This latest model is more "Pro" than ever before thanks to dual drivers and dual DACs for a truly impressive sound.
Best for use at home
The Sonos Ace aren't as affordable as others, but they are great for older students to wear at home, especially thanks to home theater integration. With a compatible Sonos soundbar, kids can flip from soundbar to private listening, including dynamic head tracking, via the flip of a switch. It's super-easy and sounds fab, as we found in our review. This is perfect for kids who share a room or workspace with siblings and want to enjoy their own media and entertainment.
Best bone conduction headphones
If you'd rather not plug your ears or save them from any sensitivity to sound pumping through your ear canal, the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 bone conduction headphones provide an alternative option. Lightweight and durable, they fit around your neck and sit on your temples versus in your ears. This latest model features improved bass response and lacks aggressive vibrations.
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Student appreciate tech a little more when it helps them get things done or enhances the experience when it's time to relax and enjoy some good tunes. That's especially true when looking for the best wireless headphones and best wireless earbuds.
The Sony WF-1000XM5 are the best pair of wireless earbuds you can find, or if you've got over-ear headphones in mind, the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2023) are easy to appreciate.
Active noise cancelation (ANC) is worth investing in so you can focus on the task at hand whether you're at home with busy street noises (the neighbors mowing the lawn, perhaps?) in a busy student center, reading outside in the park, listening to a virtual lecture from your computer, while going for a run, or in a dorm room with a roommate. But never sacrifice on good sound. All these headphones and earbuds strike a balance of great sound with comfortable design for all-day wear.
Options abound otherwise, and they traverse everything from function to budget. If you're looking for fit, comfort, and durability, a great buy would be the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2. There's no "right" answer between headphones and earbuds — it truly comes down to preference as you assess your school needs and the great choices here.
