Premium headphones now cost anywhere from under £100 to nearly £500. The question is where paying more actually gets you something.
We looked at the average rating and number of reviews for popular pairs on Amazon UK. We haven't tested them ourselves. This comparison is based on the Amazon listings and customer ratings, so check the latest price and details before you buy.
| Headphones | Approx. price | Rating | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sennheiser ACCENTUM | £85 | 4.3 | 1,900+ |
| Sony WH-1000XM5 | £199 | 4.3 | 12,000+ |
| Bose QuietComfort | £229 | 4.5 | 21,900+ |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra | £318 | 4.4 | 9,900+ |
| Apple AirPods Max 2 | £499 | 4.5 | 500+ |
Our take: the jump from budget to about £200 is where most people notice the difference. Beyond that, the ratings barely move, so the extra cost is usually brand, build or ecosystem. Prices change often, so check the live price.
1. Best cheaper alternative: Sennheiser ACCENTUM
A 4.3 rating from more than 1,900 buyers at around £85. The same rating as the Sony below for less than half the price.
Check Price on Amazon2. The mainstream choice: Sony WH-1000XM5
A 4.3 rating from more than 12,000 buyers. Around £199 at the time of writing, which is cheaper than the newer XM6.
Check Price on Amazon3. Best rated: Bose QuietComfort
A 4.5 rating from more than 21,900 buyers, the most reviewed and joint best rated pair on this page.
Check Price on Amazon4. Most expensive: Apple AirPods Max 2
A 4.5 rating at around £499, so it costs about twice the Bose for the same rating. The original AirPods Max is the cheaper alternative. Most sensible if you already use an iPhone.
Check Price on AmazonAlso consider: Apple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear Headphones — £424 (4.5★, 1,809 reviews)