Headphones & Headsets Price Comparison
Compare 5,216 headphones & headsets from Jabra, Sony, Apple and more — find the best price across top UK retailers in one place.
Headphones & Headsets price comparison UK
The headphones and headsets market is one of the most fragmented in consumer electronics — and that's precisely what makes comparing prices so worthwhile. With 5,216 products listed across dozens of UK retailers, the gap between the cheapest and most expensive option is staggering: from 10 £ for a basic wired pair to 308 £ for audiophile-grade over-ears. Most buyers, though, will find everything they need somewhere between 37 £ and 145 £.
What stands out when you look at the data is just how dominant the professional headset segment has become. Jabra and POLY together account for nearly a thousand listings, with average prices well above the category median — a clear sign that remote working has permanently reshaped demand. The Jabra Evolve2 65 alone appears in multiple configurations across the top-offer charts, which tells you something about how seriously businesses are now speccing up their home offices. At the other end, JVC and Philips keep the entry-level honest, with solid TWS earbuds and wired options that regularly come in under 37 £.
For music listening, the choice between over-ear, on-ear, and true wireless in-ear has never been richer. JBL sits neatly around the median price point and consistently delivers punchy sound for casual listeners, while Audio-Technica's wired studio monitors — like the ATH-M20X — remain a favourite among podcasters and bedroom producers who want accuracy over bass boost. If you're after portable speakers to complement your listening setup, we track those too.
Gaming headsets deserve a mention of their own: Razer leads that niche with 127 products averaging around £120, offering surround sound processing and boom microphones that general-purpose headphones simply don't match for in-game communication. Meanwhile, Apple's AirPods range pushes the average price to £262 — the highest of any brand here — though whether that premium is justified depends entirely on how deep you are in the Apple ecosystem.
One thing worth flagging: the certification landscape matters more than many buyers realise. A headset labelled "UC" or "MS" isn't just marketing — it means plug-and-play compatibility with Microsoft Teams or Zoom, which can save a surprising amount of frustration in a professional setting. If you also use your headphones on the go, pairing them with a device from our portable audio range or checking out MP3/MP4 players might round out your setup nicely.
How to Choose the Right Headphones or Headset
With prices ranging from 10 £ to 308 £ and use cases spanning everything from open-plan offices to gym sessions, picking the right pair isn't as simple as grabbing the best-reviewed model. The right headphones depend on where you'll use them, what you'll use them for, and how much you're willing to spend to get there. Here's what actually matters.
Over-ear, on-ear, or true wireless — picking your form factor first
This is the decision that shapes everything else. Over-ear (circumaural) headphones offer the best passive noise isolation and are the most comfortable for long sessions — ideal for office work or serious listening. On-ear models are lighter and more portable but can cause fatigue after a few hours. True wireless in-ear (TWS) earbuds are the most convenient for commuting and sport, though they sacrifice some call quality and battery life compared to full headsets. If you're buying for professional calls, a mono or stereo headset with a dedicated boom mic will outperform any TWS option for voice clarity — full stop.
Active noise cancellation: genuine benefit or marketing tick-box?
Good ANC — the kind found on Jabra's Evolve2 range or premium consumer models — genuinely reduces ambient noise by 15–30 dB, which makes a real difference in open offices or on trains. Budget ANC, however, can introduce a faint hiss and sometimes distort audio quality at the same time. Our advice: if ANC is important to you, don't buy it below 76 £. Below that threshold, you're usually better off with well-designed passive isolation (dense ear cushions, a snug fit) than a poorly implemented active system. Also check whether the headset offers a passthrough mode — useful when you need to stay aware of your surroundings without removing the headphones.
Battery life and charging — what a full working day actually requires
For wireless headsets used in a professional context, 8 hours of continuous use should be your minimum threshold. The Jabra Evolve2 65, for instance, claims up to 37 hours — enough to last a full week without a daily charge. TWS earbuds typically offer 5–8 hours per charge with an additional 2–3 charges stored in the case. Watch out for models that quote total case-included battery life prominently while burying the per-charge figure. Fast charging (30 minutes for 1–2 hours of use) is increasingly common and genuinely useful. If you're buying for a shared workspace, a charging stand variant is worth the small premium — it keeps the headset topped up and organised on the desk.
Microphone quality for calls — the spec that most buyers overlook
If you're on calls for more than an hour a day, microphone quality matters as much as audio quality — arguably more. Dual-microphone arrays with background noise suppression (the standard on Jabra and POLY professional headsets) make a noticeable difference to how you sound to colleagues. Single-mic consumer headphones are fine for occasional calls but will pick up keyboard noise, air conditioning, and ambient chatter. A boom microphone — even a basic one — will almost always outperform an integrated mic built into the ear cup. For gaming, a flexible boom mic with a mute indicator light is the practical choice.
UC/MS certification — only matters if you're buying for work
UC (Unified Communications) and MS (Microsoft Teams) certified headsets are optimised for call platforms and connect as plug-and-play devices — no driver installation, no fiddling with audio settings. For home office use with Teams or Zoom, this certification is genuinely worth seeking out. For personal music listening or gaming, it's irrelevant. The Jabra Evolve2 65 comes in both UC and MS variants at similar price points — the MS version integrates the Teams button directly on the headset, which is either very convenient or completely pointless depending on your setup.
Bluetooth multi-point and device switching
If you regularly switch between a laptop, a phone, and a tablet, Bluetooth multi-point connectivity is a feature worth paying for. It allows the headset to maintain active connections to two devices simultaneously, switching audio automatically when a call comes in on your phone while you're listening to music from your laptop. Not all headsets advertise this clearly — check the spec sheet rather than the marketing copy. Most budget models below 37 £ are single-device only, which becomes frustrating quickly in a multi-device household or office.
- Entry-level picks (From 10 £ to 37 £) : Wired earbuds, basic TWS earphones, and simple on-ear headphones dominate this bracket. Philips and JVC are the standout brands here — reliable, no-frills audio for commuting or casual listening. Don't expect ANC or call quality worth writing home about, but for everyday music on a tight budget, there's genuine value. The Philips TAT1209 series is a strong example: true wireless, Bluetooth, and competitively priced.
- The sweet spot (From 37 £ to 76 £) : This is where the market gets interesting. JBL, Panasonic, and Philips offer solid over-ear and TWS options with decent sound staging. You'll start to see basic ANC, better microphone arrays, and USB-C charging. The Audio-Technica ATH-M20X sits in this range — a wired studio monitor that punches well above its price for anyone who records or edits audio. Good all-round choice for most buyers.
- For the discerning listener (From 76 £ to 145 £) : Razer gaming headsets, SHOKZ open-ear sport models, and the lower end of Jabra's professional range all live here. ANC becomes genuinely effective, battery life extends to 20+ hours, and build quality takes a noticeable step up. If you work from home and take calls daily, this is the minimum bracket worth considering. The SHOKZ OpenFit Air is an interesting outlier — open-ear design for situational awareness, popular with runners and cyclists.
- Professional and premium (Over 145 £) : Jabra Evolve2 65, POLY's enterprise range, and Apple's AirPods Pro/Max territory. At this level, you're paying for certified UC/MS compatibility, multi-device Bluetooth, premium ANC, and build quality designed for daily professional use. Apple commands the highest average price of any brand in this category at over £260 — justified if you're in the Apple ecosystem, harder to defend otherwise. Jabra and POLY offer better value for pure call performance.
Top products
- Jabra Evolve2 65 USB-C Black UC Stereo (Jabra) : The most-listed headset in the entire category and for good reason — 37-hour battery, effective ANC, and genuine multi-device Bluetooth make it the benchmark for home office use. The UC variant suits anyone not exclusively on Microsoft Teams. USB-C connection is the right choice for modern laptops.
- Philips TAT1209BK/00 headphones/headset True Wireless Stereo (TWS) In-ear Calls/Music Bluetooth Black (Philips) : The best-value TWS earbuds in the top 15 — Philips keeps the price well under 37 £ without sacrificing basic Bluetooth reliability. Don't expect ANC or premium call quality, but for casual listening on a strict budget, this is the honest choice. Also available in white and pink if black isn't your thing.
- Audio-Technica ATH-M20X headphones/headset Wired Head-band Music Black (Audio-Technica) : The outsider pick that serious listeners and home studio users swear by. Wired-only and no mic to speak of, but the flat frequency response and 40mm drivers deliver accuracy that Bluetooth headphones at twice the price rarely match. A no-brainer for podcasters, producers, or anyone who actually wants to hear their audio correctly.
- SHOKZ OpenFit Air, weiss Headset Wireless Ear-hook Calls/Music/Sport/Everyday Bluetooth White (SHOKZ) : A genuinely different product in a sea of conventional headsets — the open-ear hook design means you stay aware of your surroundings while listening, which makes it ideal for running and cycling. Sound quality is better than older bone-conduction SHOKZ models. Completely wrong choice for noisy environments or anyone who wants bass.
- Jabra Evolve2 65 USB-A Black MS Stereo (Jabra) : Essentially the same headset as the UC variant but with Microsoft Teams integration baked in — the Teams button on the ear cup is either genuinely useful or completely irrelevant depending on your workflow. USB-A connection suits older laptops and docking stations. Worth comparing prices carefully against the UC version before committing.
Related categories
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a UC and MS certified headset?
UC (Unified Communications) certified headsets work with any major call platform (Zoom, Google Meet, Cisco Webex), while MS certified headsets are specifically optimised for Microsoft Teams. In practice, MS-certified models often include a dedicated Teams button on the headset for one-touch call management. If your organisation runs entirely on Teams, the MS variant is the more convenient choice. If you use multiple platforms, UC certification gives you broader compatibility. Both certifications guarantee plug-and-play USB connection without driver installation.
Are cheap wireless earbuds worth buying, or should I spend more?
For basic music listening and occasional calls, budget TWS earbuds under 37 £ can be perfectly adequate — but the compromises are real. Expect shorter battery life (3–5 hours per charge), less stable Bluetooth connections, and microphones that struggle in noisy environments. The Philips TAT1209 series is a reasonable exception at the lower end. If you're on calls for more than 30 minutes a day, or if audio quality genuinely matters to you, stretching to the 37 £–76 £ range makes a noticeable difference.
Is the Jabra Evolve2 65 actually worth the price?
Yes, for professional use — it's one of the most consistently well-reviewed business headsets on the market and the most-listed model in this category for good reason. The 37-hour battery life, effective ANC, and rock-solid Bluetooth connection make it a genuinely reliable daily driver. That said, if you're buying it purely for music listening, you're overpaying for features you won't use. The UC and MS variants perform identically for audio — the difference is purely in platform integration. Compare prices across retailers before buying; the gap between the cheapest and most expensive listing can be significant.
What should I look for in headphones for gaming in 2026?
For gaming, prioritise a dedicated boom microphone, virtual surround sound support, and a comfortable over-ear fit for long sessions. Razer dominates the gaming headset segment here with 127 products averaging around £120 — their headsets offer solid surround processing and Discord-certified microphones. Avoid repurposing consumer music headphones for gaming if you play competitively; positional audio accuracy and mic clarity matter more than bass response. USB connections generally offer better audio processing for gaming than Bluetooth, which can introduce latency.
Can I use a professional headset like the Jabra Evolve2 with my phone?
Yes — most professional headsets including the Jabra Evolve2 65 connect via Bluetooth and work perfectly well with smartphones for calls and music. The USB dongle (included) is for computer use; the Bluetooth connection handles mobile devices. Bear in mind that UC/MS-specific features like the Teams button won't function on a phone. If you want seamless switching between your laptop and phone, look specifically for models with Bluetooth multi-point — the Evolve2 65 supports this, which is one of its genuine strengths.
Are open-ear headphones like the SHOKZ OpenFit Air safe for commuting?
Open-ear headphones are actually safer for commuting than traditional in-ear models because they let you hear traffic and announcements — but they offer no noise isolation whatsoever. The SHOKZ OpenFit Air uses an ear-hook design rather than bone conduction, which delivers better audio quality than older SHOKZ models. The trade-off is that people nearby can hear what you're listening to at higher volumes. They're excellent for running, cycling, and walking, but a poor choice for noisy public transport where you'd need to crank the volume uncomfortably high to hear your audio.
What's the biggest mistake people make when buying headphones online?
The most common mistake is buying based on the headline price without checking what's actually included — particularly with professional headsets that come in multiple variants. The Jabra Evolve2 65, for example, is sold in USB-A, USB-C, mono, stereo, MS, and UC configurations, each at a slightly different price. Buying the wrong variant means either missing features or paying for a dongle you can't use. Always check the connection type matches your laptop, verify whether a charging stand is included or sold separately, and compare prices across at least three retailers — the same SKU can vary by £20–£40 between Currys, Amazon, and specialist business suppliers.