Which Marshall headphones or earbuds should you choose in 2026?

For several years now, Marshall has established itself as a leading name in the world of Bluetooth headphones. The British brand appeals to users with its visual identity—inspired by its famous guitar amplifiers—as well as its energetic sound signature, designed to let you fully enjoy rock, pop, electronic music, and live concerts. In 2026, Marshall’s product lineup is more clearly defined than ever. From the ultra-compact Major V to the new Milton A.N.C. and the ambitious Monitor III A.N.C., each model is tailored to a specific use. Added to this are the Minor IV and Motif II A.N.C. true wireless earbuds, designed for those who prefer a more discreet form factor. Which Marshall headphones or earbuds should you choose based on your listening habits and expectations?

Why are Marshall headphones and earbuds so popular?

For several years now, Marshall has held a unique place in the audio world. The British brand draws inspiration from its famous guitar amplifiers. It has also developed a distinct, instantly recognizable sound. Marshall headphones generally deliver a dynamic and warm listening experience, with rich bass and a particularly lively sound when listening to rock, pop, electronic music, or live concerts.

This approach is paired with a now-iconic style: textured finishes, logo, and gold accents. Marshall also prioritizes practicality with often impressive battery life, ultra-compact foldable designs, and advanced features that let you take your music with you everywhere in your daily life.

Marshall has continued to modernize its latest products with the addition of new features such as Bluetooth LE Audio, spatial audio, adaptive noise cancellation, and Auracast.

Marshall Major V: all-purpose Bluetooth headphones

The Marshall Major V Bluetooth headphones remain the brand’s most iconic model, with a design that continues to prioritize portability, ease of use, and battery life. Their foldable on-ear design stays true to the historic DNA of the Major series, offering compact, lightweight headphones that are significantly less bulky than over-ear models like the Monitor III A.N.C.

The most notable improvement in this fifth generation is primarily in battery life and connectivity. The Major V now offer up to 100 hours of wireless playback. Marshall has also added Bluetooth LE Audio and more advanced multipoint support to make it easier to switch between a smartphone, computer, or tablet.

In terms of sound, the Major V retain the brand’s signature sound with an energetic soundstage, generous bass, and very prominent mids. This approach works particularly well with rock, pop, and electronic music, delivering a dynamic and immediately engaging listening experience. The Major V also introduce a customizable M button that lets you control Spotify Tap or certain configurable features directly from the Marshall app. Although they lack active noise cancelling or spatial audio, Marshall has prioritized lighter, simpler, and more durable headphones, designed primarily for everyday on-the-go use.

The Marshall Major IV Bluetooth headphones remain, however, a particularly solid option for those on a tighter budget. Their battery life is already very impressive, offering up to 80 hours of listening time, while retaining the essence of the Marshall experience: a compact, foldable design, wireless charging, a dynamic sound signature, and a multi-directional physical control. The Major V offers more modern connectivity and several software improvements, but the Major IV remains an excellent way to experience the Marshall universe at a price that’s often more affordable.

Marshall Monitor III A.N.C.: the most immersive

The Marshall Monitor III A.N.C. Bluetooth headphones are currently the brand’s true premium model. Unlike the Major V, they feature an over-ear design, which significantly improves passive isolation and comfort during long listening sessions. This design also allows the Monitor III A.N.C. to deliver a fuller, more balanced sound than the brand’s on-ear models. The headphones retain Marshall’s signature sound—lively and dynamic—but with a more open and less demonstrative presentation than the Major V.

Active noise cancelling is also one of their key features. Marshall has also added several advanced features, such as spatial audio, Bluetooth multipoint, LE Audio, and a microphone system optimized for calls and on-the-go use.

This third generation represents a significant improvement in several technical areas. Battery life has increased from approximately 30 hours to up to 70 hours with active noise cancelling—more than double the previous autonomy on a single charge. The Monitor III A.N.C. also offer enhanced comfort thanks to a redesigned, lighter, more compact, and better-balanced design.

The Marshall Monitor II A.N.C. Bluetooth headphones remain a compelling option, however, for users looking for a more affordable premium pair. They offer effective ANC, Marshall’s signature sound, and a high-quality design—all at a more reasonable price.

However, the Monitor III A.N.C. benefit from a significant improvement in battery life, noise isolation, and built-in features. As such, the Monitor III A.N.C. are primarily aimed at users who prioritize immersion and long-term comfort over compactness.

Milton ANC: the new option

With the new Milton A.N.C., Marshall is introducing a model that bridges the gap between the Major V and the Monitor III A.N.C. This model retains a compact over-ear design similar to the Major V, while incorporating several technologies previously reserved for the brand’s high-end models, all for a price of €199.

The new Marshall Milton A.N.C. headphones stand out for their significant upgrade in connectivity, featuring Bluetooth 6.0, LE Audio, and a Soundstage spatial audio mode. Marshall has also added multipoint connectivity, allowing users to connect to two devices simultaneously, as well as a customizable M button compatible with Spotify Tap.

The icing on the cake is that the Milton A.N.C. on-ear headphones feature adaptive ANC that automatically adjusts its level based on the surrounding environment. They also include a transparency mode and wind noise reduction designed to improve call clarity when outdoors.

Battery life is 50 hours of listening time with ANC enabled and up to 80 hours without noise cancelling. The Marshall Milton A.N.C. Bluetooth headphones therefore strike a balance between portability, isolation, and compactness, with a design that’s significantly easier to carry around on a daily basis.

The Milton A.N.C. therefore stands out as the most versatile model in the lineup for users who are looking for more features and noise isolation than the Major V, without having to settle for the larger size or higher price of the Monitor III A.N.C.

Marshall Bluetooth earbuds: an ultra-compact alternative

In addition to its Bluetooth headphones, Marshall also offers several true wireless earbuds designed for those looking for a more discreet and portable option for everyday use. The brand applies the same philosophy here as it does to its headphones, featuring an instantly recognizable design and an iconic sound signature.

Marshall Motif II A.N.C.: the best for isolation

The Marshall Motif II A.N.C. Bluetooth earbuds are the brand’s most feature-rich true wireless earbuds. Their in-ear design with silicone ear tips provides passive sound isolation, enhanced here by active noise cancelling. Marshall also includes a transparency mode that allows you to remain aware of outside sounds without removing the earbuds—a feature that’s particularly useful on public transportation or in public spaces.

The Motif II A.N.C. use 6-mm dynamic drivers and Bluetooth 5.3 LE connectivity compatible with SBC, MPEG-2 AAC, and LC3. The earbuds also support multipoint connectivity, allowing them to stay connected to multiple devices at the same time.

Marshall has added IPX5 certification for the earbuds and IPX4 certification for the charging case to better withstand water splashes and everyday on-the-go use. Battery life lasts up to 6 hours with ANC enabled and up to 30 hours with the charging case. Wireless charging is also built in.

In terms of sound quality, the Motif II A.N.C. earbuds deliver a richer, more immersive sound than the Minor IV. Their superior noise isolation helps preserve more bass and detail in noisy environments.

Marshall Minor IV: the lightest for everyday use

The Marshall Minor IV earbuds take a very different approach with an open design that doesn’t use silicone ear tips. This design significantly reduces the feeling of pressure in the ear, offers a much more discreet and comfortable fit, and allows for better awareness of the outside environment. Marshall equips the Minor IV with 12-mm dynamic drivers, Bluetooth 5.3 multipoint connectivity, and touch controls. The earbuds also support the SBC, AAC, and LC3 codecs, with the latter specifically paired with Bluetooth LE Audio for more efficient and energy-efficient transmission.

Battery life lasts up to 7 hours of playback on a single charge and up to 30 hours with the charging case. Marshall also includes a fast-charging feature that lets you get several hours of playback in just a few minutes.

Compared to the Marshall Minor III open earbuds, this fourth generation offers, above all, significantly longer battery life, multipoint connectivity—which was absent from the previous model—and a more compact design. The Minor IV, however, stays true to the same design philosophy, offering a more open and lighter listening experience than the Motif II A.N.C.—less focused on noise isolation and more geared toward everyday comfort.

Summary

With the arrival of the Milton, Marshall is clearly refining its product lineup and now offers models that are better differentiated based on intended use. The Major V is a compact, durable pair of headphones designed primarily for portability. The Monitor III A.N.C. prioritizes immersion, long-term comfort, and significantly enhanced sound isolation thanks to its over-ear design and more effective active noise cancelling. Falling between the two, the Milton A.N.C. occupies a particularly interesting position, offering a compact form factor while incorporating noise cancelling and spatial audio.

When it comes to earbuds, the Motif II A.N.C. are designed for richer sound reproduction and noise isolation, while the Minor IV prioritize a more open sound and everyday comfort.

Marshall is therefore maintaining the very elements that have made it so successful over the past several years: a strong visual identity, a dynamic sound that is instantly recognisable, and devices designed to accompany music everywhere in everyday life.