Best Headphones Under $400 (2026): 12 Picks by Stated Details
The Shure AONIC 50 Gen 2 leads this guide to the best headphones under $400: it is an over-ear wireless pair with active noise cancelling named on the listing and a printed battery figure of 45 hours, the largest in this shortlist. The 12 picks below come from a pool of 15 priced in the window for this guide, compared only on the details each listing states: fit, connection, noise cancelling, battery figure, Hi-Res words and earcup back, alongside live prices.
12 picks from 16 headphones that match this guide with a price we can quote today. Every price below is live and carries the moment it was read.
The picks at a glance
Which one should you buy?
- For a daily commute: An over-ear wireless pair with active noise cancelling named and a 45-hour printed battery figure, as the Shure AONIC 50 Gen 2 lists, suits a commute that starts before the day and ends after it. See pick 1
- For a home recording desk: A closed-back pair like the Audio-Technica ATH-M70x keeps the earcups enclosed; the listing names the closed-back design while other details are left to the seller. See pick 9
- For wireless earbuds on the go: The Sony WF-1000XM6 is a truly wireless earbuds listing with active noise cancelling and a 24-hour battery figure, so there is no cable to manage. See pick 3
- For a wired studio setup: A wired pair such as the Austrian Audio Hi-X55 plugs in directly, which suits a desk where the source device never moves. See pick 8
The 12 picks
1 Largest printed battery figure here
Shure AONIC 50 Gen 2 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones
- Fit
- Over-ear
- Wireless or wired
- Wireless
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- Battery life (as listed)
- 45 hours
$377.97 (as of 11/02/2026 01:03 PST - Details)
States 4 of the 6 details this guide reads: over-ear fit, wireless connection, active noise cancelling and a 45-hour battery figure. No other pick in this list prints a larger battery figure, so it ranks first. After the detail count and battery tie-breakers, it is the pick with the most complete listing.
Pros
- Over-ear fit stated
- Wireless connection stated
- Active noise cancelling named
- Title prints 45 hours of battery
Cons
- No Hi-Res words on the listing
- Earcup back not stated by the seller
Good fit if
- Listeners who want the largest printed battery figure in this list
- Anyone looking for an over-ear wireless pair with active noise cancelling named
Skip if
- If you want Hi-Res words on the listing
- If the earcup back (open or closed) matters to you, it is not stated
Verdict: The Shure AONIC 50 Gen 2 is the most complete listing here and the one with the largest printed battery figure.
2 Over-ear wireless with ANC and a 24-hour figure
Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Headphones
- Fit
- Over-ear
- Wireless or wired
- Wireless
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- Battery life (as listed)
- 24 hours
$169.00 (as of 11/01/2026 22:02 PST - Details)
Outside this guide's budget at today's price.
Bose QuietComfort also states 4 of 6 details: over-ear fit, wireless connection, active noise cancelling and a 24-hour battery figure. Its battery figure ties with the Sony earbuds below, and the pool order places it next after the Shure.
Pros
- Over-ear fit stated
- Wireless connection stated
- Active noise cancelling named
- Title prints 24 hours of battery
Cons
- No Hi-Res words on the listing
- Earcup back not stated by the seller
Good fit if
- A commuter who wants an over-ear wireless pair with noise cancelling named
- Anyone who wants a 24-hour printed battery figure
Skip if
- If the printed battery figure must be the largest in the list, the Shure prints more
- If earcup back matters, it is not stated
Verdict: A complete over-ear wireless listing with noise cancelling and a 24-hour figure, ranking on the tie-breakers.
3 True wireless earbuds with ANC, 24 hours
Sony WF-1000XM6 The Best Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds
- Fit
- Earbuds
- Wireless or wired
- Wireless
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- Battery life (as listed)
- 24 hours
$298.00 (as of 11/02/2026 01:15 PST - Details)
Outside this guide's budget at today's price.
States 4 of 6 details: earbuds fit, wireless connection, active noise cancelling and a 24-hour battery figure. Its battery ties with the Bose, and the pool order puts it after the Bose.
Pros
- Earbuds fit stated
- Wireless connection stated
- Active noise cancelling named
- Title prints 24 hours of battery
Cons
- Battery figure may count the charging case
- Earcup back not stated by the seller
Good fit if
- Listeners who want a truly wireless earbuds pair
- Anyone who wants noise cancelling and a printed battery figure
Skip if
- If you prefer over-ear or on-ear headphones, this is an earbuds listing
- If you want Hi-Res words, they are not on this listing
Verdict: The most detailed earbuds listing in this price guide, with noise cancelling and a 24-hour figure.
4 Hi-Res named on an over-ear pair
Ranks after the three pairs that state 4 details: it states 2, over-ear fit and Hi-Res words. With no battery figure or connection on the listing, it sits at the top of the middle group.
Pros
- Over-ear fit stated
- Hi-Res named on the listing
- Only pick in this list that states Hi-Res
Cons
- Connection not stated by the seller
- No active noise cancelling named
- No battery figure printed
Good fit if
- A listener who wants Hi-Res words on the listing
- Someone who prefers an over-ear fit
Skip if
- If you need a wireless or wired connection named, it is not stated
- If noise cancelling matters, it is not on this listing
Verdict: An over-ear pair that names Hi-Res, with connection details left to the seller.
5 Earbuds with noise cancelling named
Sony WF-1000XM4 True Noise-Canceling in-Ear Headphones
- Fit
- Earbuds
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
$248.00 (as of 11/02/2026 01:15 PST - Details)
Outside this guide's budget at today's price.
States 2 details, earbuds fit and active noise cancelling, so it ranks with the Roland but after it by pool order. The listing prints no battery figure.
Pros
- Earbuds fit stated
- Active noise cancelling named
- One of the picks that state both fit and noise cancelling
Cons
- No battery figure printed
- Connection not stated by the seller
- No Hi-Res words
Good fit if
- Listeners who want earbuds with noise cancelling named
- Someone who does not need a battery figure on the listing
Skip if
- If you want a printed battery figure, this listing does not give one
- If you want a connection stated, it is not
Verdict: A straightforward earbuds listing with noise cancelling named and little else stated.
6 Closed-back and wired in a bundle
Audio-Technica Rockville RHPA4 Bundle ATH-M70x Closed-Back Monitor
- Wireless or wired
- Wired
- Earcup back
- Closed-back
$323.19 (as of 11/01/2026 21:50 PST - Details)
States 2 details: closed-back design and wired connection. It ranks after the Sony WF-1000XM4 by pool order among the 2-detail picks. The listing bundles two headphones.
Pros
- Closed-back design stated
- Wired connection stated
- Bundle includes two headphones
Cons
- No active noise cancelling named
- No battery figure printed
- No Hi-Res words
Good fit if
- A buyer who wants both closed-back and wired on the listing
- Someone looking at a bundle of two headphones
Skip if
- If you want a single headphone, this is a bundle
- If noise cancelling matters, it is not named
Verdict: A bundle listing that states closed-back and wired, with no battery or ANC.
7 Wireless connection named
YH-WL Series Wireless Headphones for Musical Instruments
- Wireless or wired
- Wireless
States 1 detail, wireless connection, and appears before the other single-detail picks by pool order. Fit, noise cancelling and battery are not on the listing.
Pros
- Wireless connection stated
- Only pick in this list from YAMAHA
- One of the wireless picks in this guide
Cons
- Fit not stated by the seller
- No active noise cancelling named
- No battery figure printed
Good fit if
- Anyone who needs a wireless connection on the listing
- A buyer whose source device is wireless-ready
Skip if
- If you want a stated fit, this listing does not give one
- If noise cancelling matters, it is not named
Verdict: A wireless pair whose listing stops at the connection detail.
8 Wired studio headphone listing
Austrian Audio Hi-X55 Headphones
- Wireless or wired
- Wired
$246.67 (as of 11/01/2026 21:51 PST - Details)
Outside this guide's budget at today's price.
States 1 detail, wired connection. The listing sits after the YAMAHA by pool order among the single-detail picks; fit, noise cancelling and battery are not stated.
Pros
- Wired connection stated
- Title names studio headphones
- Only pick in this list from Austrian Audio
Cons
- Fit not stated by the seller
- No active noise cancelling named
- No battery figure printed
Good fit if
- A wired studio desk where the source device has a headphone jack
- Anyone who wants the connection stated plainly
Skip if
- If you want wireless, this listing is wired only
- If noise cancelling matters to you, it is not named
Verdict: A wired studio pair whose listing states the connection and nothing else.
9 Closed-back pair from Audio-Technica
Audio-Technica ATH-M70x Closed-Back Dynamic Professional Studio Monitor
- Earcup back
- Closed-back
$329.00 (as of 11/01/2026 21:50 PST - Details)
States 1 detail, closed-back earcups, and ranks after the Austrian Audio by pool order among the single-detail picks. Connection and battery are not stated.
Pros
- Closed-back design stated
- Audio-Technica brand named
- Only closed-back pick in this list
Cons
- Connection not stated by the seller
- No active noise cancelling named
- No battery figure printed
Good fit if
- A home recording desk where a closed-back design is wanted
- Anyone who wants the closed-back word on the listing
Skip if
- If you need the connection stated, it is not
- If noise cancelling matters, it is not named
Verdict: A closed-back Audio-Technica listing that leaves the connection and battery to the seller.
10 Wired bundle with stand and cable
States 1 detail, wired connection. It ranks after the ATH-M70x closed-back by pool order among the single-detail picks. The bundle includes a headphone stand and extension cable.
Pros
- Wired connection stated
- Bundle includes headphone stand and extension cable
- Audio-Technica brand named
Cons
- Fit not stated by the seller
- No active noise cancelling named
- No battery figure printed
Good fit if
- A buyer who wants a wired pair with a stand and cable in the box
- Anyone who wants the connection stated
Skip if
- If you want a stated fit, this listing does not give one
- If noise cancelling matters, it is not named
Verdict: A wired bundle from Audio-Technica that states the connection and includes accessories.
11 Studio Pro bundle with AppleCare+ named
Beats Studio Pro with AppleCare+ for Headphones
$228.95 (as of 11/01/2026 21:54 PST - Details)
Outside this guide's budget at today's price.
States no headphone details, but the title names a 2-year AppleCare+ plan in the bundle. It ranks after the ATH-M70x Pro Monitor by pool order among the 0-detail picks.
Pros
- Bundle includes AppleCare+ for 2 years
- Beats brand named
- Only pick with AppleCare+ named
Cons
- Fit not stated by the seller
- Connection not stated by the seller
- No battery figure printed
Good fit if
- Someone who wants the 2-year AppleCare+ coverage named in the bundle
- A buyer comparing Beats listings
Skip if
- If you need stated headphone details, none are given
- If you prefer a listing that names connection or battery
Verdict: An AppleCare+ bundle from Beats whose listing states no headphone details.
12 Listing states no headphone details
Audio-Technica ATH-M50X Professional Studio Monitor Headphones
$318.00 (as of 11/01/2026 21:50 PST - Details)
The listing carries the Audio-Technica ATH-M50X name but states none of the 6 details this guide reads, so it ranks last by pool order.
Pros
- Audio-Technica brand named
- Studio monitor wording on the title
- One of two Audio-Technica picks in this list
Cons
- Fit not stated by the seller
- Connection not stated by the seller
- Active noise cancelling, battery, Hi-Res and earcup back all unstated
Good fit if
- A buyer who already knows the ATH-M50X name
- Anyone comparing brand names at this price window
Skip if
- If you want any stated detail, this listing has none
- If you rely on listed specs, look at the picks above
Verdict: A well-known model name with no stated details on the listing.
Side by side
| # | Pair of headphones | Fit | Wireless or wired | Active noise cancelling | Battery life (as listed) | Hi-Res or LDAC named | Earcup back |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shure AONIC 50 Gen 2 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones | Over-ear | Wireless | Yes | 45 hours | not stated | not stated |
| 2 | Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Headphones | Over-ear | Wireless | Yes | 24 hours | not stated | not stated |
| 3 | Sony WF-1000XM6 The Best Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds | Earbuds | Wireless | Yes | 24 hours | not stated | not stated |
| 4 | Roland VMH-S100 | Over-ear | not stated | not stated | not stated | Yes | not stated |
| 5 | Sony WF-1000XM4 True Noise-Canceling in-Ear Headphones | Earbuds | not stated | Yes | not stated | not stated | not stated |
| 6 | Audio-Technica Rockville RHPA4 Bundle ATH-M70x Closed-Back Monitor | not stated | Wired | not stated | not stated | not stated | Closed-back |
| 7 | YH-WL Series Wireless Headphones for Musical Instruments | not stated | Wireless | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated |
| 8 | Austrian Audio Hi-X55 Headphones | not stated | Wired | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated |
| 9 | Audio-Technica ATH-M70x Closed-Back Dynamic Professional Studio Monitor | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | Closed-back |
| 10 | Audio-Technica ATH-M70x Pro Monitor Headphones | not stated | Wired | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated |
| 11 | Beats Studio Pro with AppleCare+ for Headphones | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated |
| 12 | Audio-Technica ATH-M50X Professional Studio Monitor Headphones | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated |
How we picked
The price window matched 30 priced listings in the under $400 range in the catalogue; near-duplicate bundles and colorways were folded into single listings, leaving a pool of 15. From that pool, this guide takes 12 picks so that each pair differs in a stated detail. The picks are ordered by the number of the 6 listed details each listing states: fit, connection, active noise cancelling, printed battery figure, Hi-Res words and earcup back. Pairs stating more details rank first; ties break by the printed battery figure (largest first), then by the order of the pool file. Every headphone is compared on stated details and live prices only, and nothing the seller does not state is guessed.
How to choose
Over-ear, on-ear or earbuds
Over-ear means the earcups go around your ear, on-ear means they rest on it, and earbuds sit inside the ear. Open-ear pairs sit outside the ear canal. In this price window the picks include over-ear pairs such as the Shure AONIC 50 Gen 2, the Bose QuietComfort and the Roland VMH-S100, plus earbuds such as the Sony WF-1000XM6 and WF-1000XM4. The word on the listing tells you which kind you are getting.
Wireless, wired or both
Wireless means the title says wireless or Bluetooth; wired means a cable or a plug with no wireless link. The picks here include wireless pairs from Shure, Bose, Sony and YAMAHA, and a wired pair from Austrian Audio. A wired pair needs a headphone jack or an adapter on the source device, while a wireless pair needs charging. The catalogue states neither range nor connection stability, so this guide does not compare them.
What active noise cancelling on a title means
When a listing names active noise cancelling, the title says only that the feature exists. It does not say how much noise is removed or how one pair compares with another. Among the picks, the Shure AONIC 50 Gen 2, Bose QuietComfort, Sony WF-1000XM6 and Sony WF-1000XM4 all carry the words. The rest do not name the feature.
Closed-back or open-back
A closed-back design encloses the earcups, while an open-back design lets sound pass through them. Among the 12 picks, the Audio-Technica ATH-M70x and the Rockville bundle both state closed-back. The catalogue gives no further information about earcup backs, and pairs whose listings stay silent on the point are marked as not stated by the seller.
Reading a battery figure on a title
The battery figure is the largest hour figure the title prints, and some titles count the charging case while others do not. In this guide the printed figures are 45 hours on the Shure and 24 hours on the Bose and the Sony WF-1000XM6; the other picks print no figure. Treat these as printed numbers only, never as directly comparable runtimes.
What this guide leaves out (and why)
The catalogue has no data on sound quality, comfort, how much noise is cancelled, microphone quality, latency or durability. This guide compares only the details each listing states and the live prices shown on the page. A missing detail in the pool is written as not stated by the seller, never guessed.
Questions
Does this guide cover sound quality, comfort or how much noise is cancelled?
No. The catalogue stores only what the listing states: fit, connection, active noise cancelling, a battery figure, Hi-Res words and earcup back. Sound quality, comfort and the amount of noise removed are not in the data, and this guide never guesses them.
How are the 12 picks ranked?
The picks are ordered by the number of stated details each listing carries, then by the printed battery figure when counts tie, then by the order of the pool file. Pairs with more complete listings rank higher. The price window is the same for every pick, so price plays no role in the order.
What does the printed battery figure mean?
It is the largest hour figure the title prints. Some titles count the charging case and some do not, so treat 45 hours and 24 hours as printed numbers, not as comparable runtimes. Picks without a figure simply do not print one, and the guide does not estimate it.
Why do some listings state no details at all?
The seller's title carries the model name but not the details this guide reads, such as fit or connection. The rule is strict: a missing detail in the pool is written as not stated by the seller, never guessed. Those listings still appear so you can compare them at the live price.
How do I know whether a pair is wireless or wired?
Read the connection detail in the listing. Picks like the Shure, Bose and Sony earbuds state wireless; the Austrian Audio states wired. If a listing says neither, the guide marks the connection as not stated by the seller, and you may need to check the maker's page.
What is the price window for this guide?
Every pick is in the price window for this guide. Pairs outside that window are not part of this guide, so do not read it as covering pricier headphones.
Recent updates
- : First published.
Sources
- Shop Headphones | Bluetooth, Wireless, Headsets | Bose
- Shure: Microphones, Wireless microphones, in-ear monitoring, earphones, headphones - Shure USA
- Beats by Dre - Wireless Headphones, Earbuds, Speakers, and more
- Headphones & Microphones | beyerdynamic
- Bluetooth Technology Overview | Bluetooth Technology Website