Which headphone tests can you trust depends on what the lab shows. Check that it names its measuring rig, says how many units it tests and who buys them, and discloses how it is funded. No lab here states every item, so read each row before relying on a score.
Inadviser has run no test in this category and names no best product. This page lists existing tests and what each says about itself. Each fact was read on the lab's own page; the link and the date read are beside it. Last page read: .
Existing tests compared
Labs are listed in alphabetical order. The order says nothing about quality. 12 parts below say "Not stated" because the lab's page did not say it. No score, ranking or product list is copied from any lab.
Existing headphones tests: what each measures, how it tests, how fresh it is, how it is funded and what it does not cover
Sound quality, noise cancelling and isolation, comfort, battery life, ease of use and durability. Microphone quality is tested too.source, read
Instruments. Panel listening to four sample types, played from a high-end source. The page names no measurement instruments.source, read
Sample. Five audio experts rate sound quality and comfort, three rate ease of use, and three test persons check the microphone. Units per model are not stated.source, read
Who buys the units. The page says CHOICE buys the products it tests.source, read
The page says last updated 17 July 2024. The test was overhauled in March 2024, and results from the previous method cannot be compared with current ones.source, read
CHOICE calls itself an independent, nonprofit member organisation. The page shows membership options and a Donate link but does not explain its income.source, read
Microphone quality and cleaning are tested but do not count toward the Expert Rating.source, read
A graph database of frequency-response measurements. The menu lists a GRAS 43AG-7 rig and a legacy rig.source, read
Instruments. A single-channel GRAS 43AG-7 chain: Room EQ Wizard, an audio interface, a B&K signal conditioner, a GRAS coupler and artificial pinna.source, read
Sample. Each channel is measured three times, removing and replacing the headphone between runs. Units per model are not stated.source, read
Who buys the units. The article does not say where samples come from. It says the author usually measures in audio stores.source, read
Frequency response, external damping, and headband contact pressure for a small and a large head. Freelance authors also write use-based reviews.source, read
Instruments. A Neumann KU 100 artificial head, with one ear modified using foam so headphones seal. Noise-cancelling models are measured with noise cancelling on.source, read
The page describes the site as an independent online magazine financed by advertising banners and commissions from online shops it links to.source, read
It says authors are freelancers unaffiliated with manufacturers or retailers, and that advertisers and partners have no influence on test results.source, read
Pure Bluetooth and true wireless models without an analogue input are not measured, because the page says those results would be slightly erroneous.source, read
The page header reads "Supported by you via membership", and says the site may earn an affiliate commission on purchases through its links.source, read
Frequency response against a house preference curve, isolation and noise cancelling, microphone, and battery life. A machine-learning model also scores captured playback as a virtual listener panel.source, read
Subjective notes cover build quality, comfort and extended home use.source, read
Instruments. A Bruel & Kjaer 5128 head simulator, a B&K 1704C-102 conditioner, an audio interface and SoundCheck software. Microphone tests use a calibrated artificial mouth.source, read
Who buys the units. Most devices are bought with the site's own money. It sometimes receives pre-release products from manufacturers or PR agencies, often under embargo.source, read
The method article was updated on 26 February 2024, and the site says it periodically updates articles when it has missed something.source, read
SoundGuys is owned by Authority Media. Revenue comes partly from affiliate commissions and advertising.source, read
It may run sponsored content, which it says it marks, and licenses award badges to companies after the fact. It says it does not sell headphones.source, read
The page says testing every aspect is impossible. The 5128 fixture represents an average listener, so individual results may differ.source, read
For features outside its tests it relies on real-world use. Microphone scoring covers calls, not live music.source, read
Sound quality, noise cancelling, microphone quality, comfort, durability and battery life. Price is not part of the score.source, read
Battery tests run until empty, and also cover charging time and noise-cancelling effect.source, read
Instruments. An artificial ear (synthetic reference ear) measures loudness, distortion and noise cancelling. A listening panel plays four music and speech tracks. The ear is not named.source, read
Sample. A panel of five experts rates sound quality and three experts rate the microphone. The page does not state units tested per model.source, read
Who buys the units. The page says Which? buys the headphones it tests and accepts no free products from manufacturers or retailers.source, read
The page is dated 14 October 2026. It says the programme is updated each year, with more than 50 models and more than 240 checks per model annually.source, read
Which? describes itself as a not-for-profit organisation.source, read
The page says Which? may receive an affiliate commission when readers buy through retailer links, and that it has no owners or shareholders.source, read
The page does not say whether codecs or spatial audio are tested.source, read
Which test to use for which decision
If you want a lab that names its measurement rigUse SoundGuys and HeadphoneCheck and Crinacle (In-Ear Fidelity). Each states its fixture: a Bruel & Kjaer 5128, a Neumann KU 100, and a GRAS 43AG-7 chain.
If you want a lab that states it buys the units it testsUse Which? (UK) and CHOICE (Australia) and RTINGS. Each page says the products are bought, and Which? adds that it accepts no free products from manufacturers or retailers.
If you want human listening panels, not only graphsUse Which? (UK) and CHOICE (Australia). Which? uses five experts for sound and three for the microphone, and CHOICE uses five for sound and three test persons for the microphone.
If you want to know who funds the lab before you read a scoreUse SoundGuys and HeadphoneCheck and RTINGS and Crinacle (In-Ear Fidelity). These pages state affiliate commissions, advertising, membership or Patreon, so you can weigh the interest.
What this page does not do
It does not rank the labs or the products they test.
It states a lab's funding as the lab words it. It does not say any lab is paid or biased.
It has no affiliate links. Send a correction, with the page that shows it, through the corrections address.