The most comfortable headphones we've ever tested will take care of your ears

Read Mashable's full review of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones.

Who it's for:

If you're looking for over-ear headphones that sound great and can easily give you all day wear, the Bose QuietComfort Ultras wear as comfortably for a full day of work as they do for a cross-country flight. They're definitely an investment, but we think the Ultras are worth it (especially when they're on sale) thanks to their long-term wearability and strong noise cancellation.

Just a few months ago during July's Prime Day, these headphones were marked down to $349, so we're expecting the same (if not slightly better) discount. Getting these headphones for sub $400 is a steal — and certainly a much better value than the AirPods Max.

Why we picked this:

Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard here. Personally, I've owned, used, and loved Bose QuietComfort headphones for years. (I previously tested the QC 35 IIs and the QC 45s, both standouts in the field of ANC headphones.) But, with the Ultras, I feel like Bose really stepped up the QuietComfort line. They're durable but still supremely comfortable. I've worn them with earrings all day and on a five-hour flight while wearing glasses, and not once did I experience any soreness or discomfort.

Shopping Reporter Sam Mangino also tried out the headphones, and she had a similar experience, calling the Ultras "the most comfortable headphones I've ever worn." Beyond comfort, they offer good noise cancellation, which is key for flying. Mangino was less impressed than I was, noting that "while the noise cancellation is really good at blocking out low-pitched noises, it can't wholly block high-pitched sounds unless you turn up the sound to unhealthy volumes." When I wore them on a flight, they significantly reduced the hum of the airplane's engine and my fellow passengers, but I agree that they do best with lower pitches. They certainly block sound better than past QuietComfort models.

Sound-wise, Mangino nailed it when she described it as "rich" and able to allow the little details shine. Bose's first pass at spatial audio is fine, but we think the standard settings are good enough. However, the on-ear controls of these headphones could definitely use some work. They didn't reliably turn on, and we had to resort to alternating short and long presses for them to power up and connect to our devices. Their multipoint connection can also be spotty with two devices connected, but this is likely to be less noticeable on a flight.

The lack of passive playback with a wired connection was noticeable, however. Thankfully, these have

Who it's for:

If you're a bona fide audiophile who spends a lot of time listening to vinyl records, the open-back Sennheiser HD 599 headphones are your perfect match. They may not be easy to travel with and don't come packed with a bunch of high-tech features, but they're extremely comfortable and sound better than any pair of headphones we tested for this roundup, including the $429 Bose QuietComfort Ultra.

Why we picked this:

The Sennheiser HD 599 headphones prioritize sound quality and comfort over everything else. While the main draw here is that amazing sound quality, comfort is by no means an afterthought. They feature a nice, wide frame that isn't too tight on your head, as well as soft and fluffy ear pads that feel like your favorite blanket (they're replaceable, too). The leatherette headband is smooth and plush and allows for quick adjustments that never move out of place. We used these primarily for listening to music, and we were able to get through multiple albums without any discomfort.

Now, let's talk about the sound. It's amazing. The HD 599s have an open-back design that allows for some ambient noise to come through while listening, giving everything a more natural sound that's great for deep, critical listening, especially if you plug them into a vinyl record player. If you want your music presented in the best way possible, these headphones provide the soundstage to make that happen. If you were wondering, yes, these headphones are wired only, coming with a 3.5mm and a quarter-inch cable. At least you won't have to worry about battery life or Bluetooth connectivity.

There is a trade-off, though. You can't really travel with these headphones. Because they're open-back, they also leak sound out . Unless you want to be that guy, leave these at home. It's for the best, though, because they don't feel like the most durable headphones, and traveling may open them up to damage over time. And because they aren't made with portability in mind, we can understand why they don't come with a carrying case. But still, at this price point, it should c

Who it's for:

If you want a similar vibe to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra but don't want to spend over $400, the Anker Soundcore Space One headphones are a great budget alternative. These cans offer comparable features like ANC, an intuitive companion app, a long battery life, and of course, a comfortable form factor that you can wear for long listening sessions.

Why we picked this:

We can best describe the Anker Soundcore Space One headphones as a budget version of the Bose QuietComfort Ultras. We guess they're like cousins, kind of? They boast a lot of similar features for a fraction of the price of the Bose model (even though they may not be up to the same sound quality). In terms of comfort, the Space Ones are wonderful, especially at this price point. We had no issues wearing them all day — the earcups and headband are super soft, and both are endlessly adjustable so you can fit them to your noggin just right. The rotatable earcups also allow you to fold the headphones so they fit in the included carrying bag, although it was a tight squeeze. Still, we appreciate portability.

Sound quality is really good for the price. Even though these are a "budget" pair of headphones, they certainly don't sound that way. Audio is very balanced overall, with the one sticking point being the high tones — they can sound a bit tinny. They don't feel like budget headphones, however. The materials aren't premium, but they definitely aren't the cheap, plastic-like stuff you'd expect to find with a more inexpensive pair of headphones. Battery life is solid at around 35-40 hours with ANC active, and we never had any issues pairing them via Bluetooth.

The Anker Soundcore Space Ones come with a surprising amount of extra features for their price. You can switch to Adaptive ANC and transparency modes with on-ear controls or the Soundcore app. The app is home to even more fun perks like HearID, which conducts a quick hearing test in order to create a personalized sound profile, and Easy Chat, which lets you place one hand on the left earcup to switch from ANC to transparency mode for quick conversations.

For $99, the Anker Soundcore Space One headphones are a certified steal. We'd say you get what you pay for, but in this case, we feel you get a bit more than that.