Live translation in five languages. That was the headline feature when Apple unveiled the AirPods Pro 3 in September. But the latest model from Cupertino’s finest also hit a new level of noise cancellation – and that’s exactly the kind of refinement of existing tech that has propelled the headphone market into new territory this year.

“Noise cancellation has improved, especially in in-ear models,” says Paul Anderson of specialist audio retailer Richer Sounds. Thanks to developments in spatial audio, the sound worlds that headphones can now create are not only more cocooning. They’re getting bigger too. “More brands are using the likes of Dolby Atmos to add a new level of immersion,” says Paul. 

At the same time, “Open-ear tech has also come on leaps and bounds,” according to Paul. Instead of shutting down the outside world, open-ear buds let it in, allowing users – runners or cyclists, say – to stay aware of their surroundings while listening to music at the same time. Because they don’t block the ear canal in the same way, these models tend to be more comfortable too.

And then there have been some significant enhancements in Bluetooth that are closing the traditional gap in sound quality between wireless and wired headphones. Codecs like aptX Lossless can transmit sound wirelessly with negligible interference or loss of quality, while USB-C dongles can enable hi-res Bluetooth on devices that don’t usually support it. 

The latter helps make the Sennheiser HDB 630 Paul’s favourite launch of 2025. “They’re not the cheapest,” he says, “but you can’t go wrong. As well as the superb sound out of the box and the fantastic build quality, they include a USB-C dongle so I can now use hi-res Bluetooth on my iPhone.”

With their old advantage being erased, wired headphones are becoming the preserve of serious audiophiles and slightly less serious ones who just don’t like having to charge wireless alternatives. But there’s still a place for wired cans in our roundup of the year’s best new models – not least because, for all of the new developments, sound will always be subjective. A pair of headphones that delight one ear can leave another cold. And that’s also why Paul’s final bit of advice is an eternal truth. “Try before you buy.” 

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