I test dozens of headphones every year and here's how often I think you should upgrade

When was the last time you got new headphones? If you’re like most people, it’s probably been a few years. For me, it was last week. And the week before that. And the week before that. I test dozens of headphones and earbuds every year, from budget-friendly picks to high-end audiophile gear, and I’ve noticed a pattern: the changes from year to year aren’t always as significant as brands want you to believe.

So, if you’re wondering whether it’s time for an upgrade, here’s my take after spending years in the thick of the audio world.

Is it innovation or just marketing?

Let’s be real—headphones don’t evolve as quickly as most other tech. Yes, manufacturers love to market each new model as a revolutionary breakthrough in sound, but most changes are incremental. The difference between two generations of flagship headphones usually comes down to minor tuning adjustments, slightly better noise cancellation, or some AI-powered feature that may or may not be useful.

Take Sony’s WH-1000X series, for example. The WH-1000XM4 were fantastic. The WH-1000XM5? Also fantastic. The WH-1000XM6 (if that’s what Sony calls the next version) will probably be… you guessed it, fantastic. But will it be worth replacing your current pair for? That depends.

The biggest reasons to upgrade

If you’re happy with how your headphones sound and they still work fine, there’s no reason to rush out and buy a new pair. But here are a few legitimate reasons to consider an upgrade:

Battery life is shot

Wireless headphones rely on rechargeable batteries, and those don’t last forever. If your once 30-hour headphones barely make it through a workday now, you might need a replacement. Some headphones allow battery replacements, but most don’t. This issue is exacerbated with true wireless earbuds, which unfortunately often only last a few years before the battery is unusable. If you can replace the batteries, you should, as it’s better for your wallet and the environment. If not, it might be time to upgrade.

You need good active noise cancellation (ANC)

If you travel often or work in a noisy environment, a good ANC upgrade might be worth it. Many headphone manufacturers have refined their ANC tech over the years, but you probably wouldn’t notice a huge difference between last year’s model and this year’s. However, if you’re still using ANC headphones from over five years ago, today’s tech will feel like a big leap forward. If you’ve never had headphones with noise canceling, you’re in for a big upgrade.

Your headphones are literally falling apart

I’ve held onto some personal favorites long past their prime, but at a certain point, worn-out earpads, a broken headband, or failing drivers become too much. Some high-end headphones are repairable, but many mainstream models aren’t designed to last beyond a few years.

You need new features

Maybe you want translation functionality for traveling, Bluetooth Multipoint for work, or a hands-free voice assistant. If your current headphones lack features that would genuinely improve your experience, it could be time to upgrade. Don’t fall victim to the marketing fluff though, make sure that the feature you are upgrading for is something that will provide real utility to your life. Just because a company slapped the term “AI” on top of a product, doesn’t mean it will noticeably improve your life.

When you don’t need to upgrade

When you watch that Super Bowl commercial for the latest AirPods, you might be tempted to fork over your cash to Apple. Just keep in mind that the marketing team at Apple spends literally billions of dollars trying to convince you that you need to buy the latest products. Do you really need the latest and greatest, or are your old headphones still fine? Here are a few things to keep in mind.

If your headphones still sound great

Listening to music is a subjective experience, and everyone’s ears are different. For those reasons, everyone has different sound quality preferences. If you like the way your current headphones sound, upgrading to the newer model doesn’t always mean you’ll like the sound quality more (looking at you, Bose QuietComfort 45).

If the “new” model is mostly the same

Many headphone upgrades are iterative. Companies will tweak the design, add the term “AI” to a few features, and call it a day. If the core experience isn’t significantly better, it’s not worth spending hundreds of dollars. Sometimes, I’ll even prefer the experience of the older model to that of the new one, like with the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 vs Galaxy Buds2.

If software can fix it

Some newer wireless headphones receive firmware updates that improve sound, noise cancellation, or connectivity. If a software update can solve your issues, you might not need to upgrade. For example, AirPods Pro 2 owners get much more than they paid for with iOS 18. If you don’t like the way your headphones sound, try experimenting with an equalizer.

How often should you actually upgrade?

For most people, every 3-5 years is a reasonable upgrade cycle for wireless headphones and earbuds. Budget units might need replacing sooner due to wear and tear, but if you invest in a good pair, you won’t need to replace them often. As well, wired studio headphones can often last a decade or more. If your headphones still work and you’re happy with them, there’s no rush to upgrade. Audio tech doesn’t move that quickly, and the best headphones from a few years ago are still excellent today.