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Out of all the new headphone launches in 2023, which over-ears and earbuds stood out the most?
And on the other hand, which headphones missed the mark?
That’s a tough question.
Over the past 12 months we’ve tested some of the most impressive audio tech on the planet.
Read on for our pick of the headphone winners of 2023.
Headphone winner: Edifier Stax Spirit S3
1.
They have a foldable, light but solid and classy construction.
They also have 80 hours of playtime.
Read our fullEdifier Stax Spirit S3 review
Headphone winner: Technics EAH-AZ80
2.
Technics EAH-AZ80
The Technics EAH-AZ80 are easilythe best earbuds of 2023, according to senior audio writer Becky Scarrott.
The buds also have a novel concha design, which we found beautifully secure during our testing.
Read our fullTechnics EAH-AZ80 review
Headphone winner: Bowers & Wilkins PX8
3.
What we’re saying is these are a remarkable pair of headphones.
In our Bowers & Wilkins PX8 review we wrote that the sound here is truly impeccable.
The design of the Bowers & Wilkins PX8 is just as impressive.
They look and feel a cut above other headphones.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
The originalSamsungGalaxy Buds never quite hit the mark, at least in our opinion.
But the follow-up buds, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, changed all that.
These buds are small and comfortable to wear.
This looks much more subtle and unobtrusive ideal if you like your tech to blend in.
Read our fullGalaxy Buds 2 Pro review
Headphone winner: Sony WH-CH720N
5.
Sony WH-CH720N
Sony produces some of the best headphones you might buy right now.
The sound quality is also great, delivering strong levels of detail in the audio.
As you might expect, there are some limitations and sound can feel constrained at times.
There’s also no hi-res LDAC support here.
Read our fullSony WH-CH720N review
Headphone winner: Sony WF-C700N
6.
This is why they’re out top Best Value Earbuds pick in the TechRadar Choice Awards 2023.
Design-wise, these buds are minimal, compact and ergonomic.
Overall, these buds were really enjoyable to test.
But what about the losers?
To be clear, none of the headphones listed below are losers generally, they’re all decent devices.
But we felt they fell short in one way or another compared to the competition.
Headphone loser: Samsung Galaxy Buds FE
1.
Samsung Galaxy Buds FE
The Samsung Galaxy Buds FE sound good and offer great noise cancellation.
So why are they in our losers list?
That’s not to say these buds don’t offer some great features.
The star of the show is ANC, which we highly rated.
They also deliver some good audio that’s fine for a standard listening experience.
But there are some wobbles and we wouldn’t recommend them for bass fans.
Just lower your expectations about how they sound.
Read our fullSamsung Galaxy Buds FE review
Headphone loser: JBL Tune 670NC
2.
For starters, they’re very portable, lightweight and fit well.
Although they’re undeniably comfortable, ANC isn’t mind-blowing and sound quality is fine but quiet and subdued.
This isn’t to say you shouldn’t buy them.
We think that, for the average user, the JBL Tune 670NC will do the job well.
Read our fullJBL Tune 670NC review
Headphone loser: Beats Studio Pro
3.
Yes, they look good and they’re incredibly easy-to-use Beats is an Apple-owned company after all.
They also sound pretty good.
The bass is strong and they’re good for listening to while you’re keen to walking or running.
They offer ANC, which isn’t as effective as rivals, but drowns out some environmental sound.
Our problem is that they lack several key features.
So although they sound good, you’re not getting what you’re paying for.
Weirdly, despite being an Apple product, there’s no H1 or H2 chip inside either.
We also didn’t enjoy using the on-rig controls.
All of this is to say these headphones are fine, but not for the price.
Read our fullBeats Studio Pro review
Headphone loser: OnePlus Buds Pro 2
4.
In fact, if they were a bit cheaper, they could be winners.
These include Spatial Audio, personalized sound, Find My Headphones support and more.
In our review we commented that they’re very similar to theAirPods Pro 2in looks and their control system.
They’re not a lost cause.
These OnePlus buds boast good treble and bass, but they don’t perform well across the mid-range.
This leaves songs lacking energy, expansiveness and clarity.
For OnePlus fans who want all the latest tricks, they’re still a good buy.
So yes, they’re a nice pair of buds, but the balance could be better.
Read our fullOnePlus Buds Pro 2 review
