T3 Awards 2026: All the Headphones and Audio winners this year

Audio is integral to so many people's lives – and 2026 has seen the ways in which you can source your favourite music, in particular, look as much forward as back. From the vinyl and CD resurgence to the proliferation of powered bookshelf speakers – a new category in this year's Awards – there are more ways to engage than ever.

This category also houses many staples in the audio market, whether picking the best headphones to pipe your favourite tunes into your ears, or opting for a more classic plug-in wireless speaker to fulfil Hi-Res over your home Wi-Fi network. There's something for everyone here.

The T3 Awards 2026 celebrate our brand's core areas of coverage – across Tech, Active and Home pillars – and the quality over the past 12 months has been undeniable. In addition to this Best Audio and Headphones page, do also check out the Best Tech and Best TVs Awards features.

Picking each of the winners from our broad range of reviews from the last year was no easy task, of course, but there can only be one winner per category. So without further ado, let's get to it: here are the T3 Awards 2026 winners across Audio and Headphones.

Best Headphones

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2

In a market with so many competing for this title, you have to be something particularly special to earn the crown.

Which is exactly what Bowers & Wilkins' second-gen PX8 headphones represent. They're a class act, with second-to-none sound quality and an exuberant finish.

The design details, material choices and pristine finish really set them apart. There's stronger active noise-cancelling (ANC) elsewhere on the market, it's true, but the goal here is for all-round quality, comfort and home-listening appeal.

These are the business class of headphones – and once you've settled in, you won't ever want to downgrade again.

Highly commended: Sony WH-1000X The Collexion

Best Travel Headphones

Sony WH-1000XM6

Despite such considerable competition, Sony has managed to maintain its firm grip on producing the best headphones that you'll want to take on your travels.

The XM6 has been joined by a new, higher-end model this year – The Collexion – but it's the folding design of this established older model that maintains it as the clear winner in this category.

With active noise-cancelling (ANC) that's the very best money can buy, plus superb sound quality, and a lovely carry case included, there's no stone unturned in these headphones' quest to be your perfect travel companion.

Highly commended: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2

Best Earbuds

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)

While the second-gen version of Bose's QC Ultra Earbuds doesn't bring huge additions over the first model, that doesn't detract from what are the best active noise-cancelling (ANC) earbuds that money can buy.

The slight improvements generation on generation – wireless charging and software tweaks to the ANC's operation – further improve what was about as close to perfection as you could obtain just a couple of years back.

While these new earbuds may appear physically large, when in the ears they feel so well-considered and lightweight to wear that you'll barely notice them – even for extended periods.

Highly commended: Apple AirPods Pro 3

Best Wired Headphones

Meze Audio Poet

For the ultimate audiophile experience, high-end headphones that only deliver a hard-wired experience are a real luxury experience. That plugged-into-quality-source listening experience can bring out-of-this-world quality that wireless just cannot.

The best wired headphones are quite often eye-wateringly expensive, though, as they're often crafted from luxurious materials and feature drivers of a build and size that you won't find in cheaper and more transportable models.

Embodying all of that (in the best of ways) is this year's winner, the Meze Audio Poet. Delivering a "direct, confident and impressively musical listen," these beautifully constructed headphones are simply sensational.

Highly commended: Meze Audio Liric (2nd Generation)

Best Gaming Headset

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni

We loved last year's Arctis Nova Elite, but its price tag was hard to swallow – by contrast, the Arctis Nova Pro Omni is a headset with no asterisks attached, which makes it one of the clearest award winners in any category this year.

The headset doesn't rip up the excellent design work that SteelSeries has done in recent years, using a design that's basically identical to previous versions, but the improvements are clear. Its swappable batteries will last longer and its sound is subtly better too.

The biggest upgrade, however, is a base station transmitter that now works with all consoles (including Xbox) in one version, letting you even mix between sources. This makes the Omni a powerhouse for those with multiple devices that they use for gaming. The fact that it's also a dream to wear for hours at a time is a lovely bonus.

Highly commended: SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite

Best Powered Bookshelf Speakers

Cambridge Audio L/R S

A major new category for this year's T3 Awards, but no surprise given that 'The biggest new hi-fi trend of 2026 is powered wireless speakers – as buyers pivot from traditional separates setups'.

The number of brands entering this market is increasing at pace, but Cambridge Audio's established quality has seen its L/R system deliver a rare 5-star first attempt – and in strong style, too.

This is the small version – hence 'S' model in the range, with the 'M' and 'X' medium and large models delivering bigger, pricier and more advanced options – but its sound and quality is quite the opposite.

Highly commended: Ruark MR1 Mk3

Best Wireless Speaker

Sonos Play

We feel like we waited years for Sonos to make exactly this speaker, but it was worth the patience. The Play puts the multiroom experience into a genuinely convenient portable option, much like a more sensibly sized Sonos Move 2.

The Play sounds excellent and compares pretty well to an Era 100 fixed speaker, but it sits on a charging dock, ready to be lifted out and carried around as and when you need it.

With sound that can adapt to the open air when outside, and a design that's durable enough to be fine in bad weather (hot or cold), the Play is just wildly convenient to use as a home speaker that you can cart around the house.

For those who like the idea of speakers that can work equally well when home or away, this is Sonos' most flexible product to date. It stands apart from the more permanently fixed speakers that are also part of this category, but if that's your want then Focal's runner-up position is a solid alternative.

Highly commended: Focal Naim Mu-so Hekla

Best Portable Speaker

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 Gen 3

Bowers & Wilkins' smallest speaker has been a long-time favourite among the best portable Bluetooth speakers thanks to its sheer quality of design and sound.

Now in its third generation, the latest model enhances the looks, the bass output, and extends the battery life. That's a win-win in all departments, then, which ensures its place at the top in this already saturated market.

This speaker is so exceptionally well-made and delivers audio that's a level well beyond what its scale suggests, so you'll barely believe the results. You'll have to pay for the privilege – but it'll reward you handsomely for your investment.

Highly commended: JBL Xtreme 5