Whether your phone has nixed the audio jack or you prefer the freedom of going wireless, Bluetooth headphones are a great way to enjoy your favorite music cable-free. There are a couple of disadvantages compared to wired headphones, like needing to keep an eye on battery levels and possible lip-sync issues when watching videos, but not having to worry about tangled cords when you're running out the door on a busy morning makes wireless headphones worth it for many.
We've tested over 560 pairs of headphones, and below are our recommendations for the best wireless headphones to buy. Also, check out our recommendations for the best wireless earbuds, the best on-ear wireless headphones, and the best true wireless earbuds.
The Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless are the best wireless Bluetooth headphones that we've tested. These comfortable, well-built over-ears have an outstanding noise isolation performance and a premium-looking design. Thanks to their 37.7-hour continuous battery life, they're suitable for long days on-the-go.
Out-of-the-box, they have a bass-heavy sound profile that makes them ideal for listening to bass-heavy music genres like EDM. You can also use the Sony | Headphones Connect app to access a graphic EQ and presets that let you customize their sound to your liking. Also, their ANC feature offers incredible noise isolation, and they can block out background noises like bus and plane engines or chatter from the people around you.
Unfortunately, their integrated microphone has a sub-par recording quality, so your voice may sound thin and muffled to whoever's on the other end of the line. Also, while they're stable enough to stay on your head during casual listening sessions, they may fall off during more intense workouts. However, if you're looking for wireless Bluetooth headphones with versatile overall performance, they're a solid choice.
If you're looking for more comfortable Bluetooth-enabled over-ears, consider the Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018. These wireless headphones aren't quite as effective at filtering out background noise as the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless and have a shorter battery life, but their plushly-padded ear cups and lightweight design make them even more comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. If you're wearing gloves, their physical control scheme is easier to use than the Sony's touch-sensitive interface. They also have a far more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box, making them versatile enough for a wide range of audio content. Unfortunately, their companion app doesn't offer any in-depth sound customization features, like an EQ or presets.
Get the Sony if you want a broader range of sound customization options and a longer battery life, but consider the Bose if you want a more comfortable pair of headphones with a well-balanced sound profile.
The best wireless headphones under $200 that we've tested are the Razer Opus. These wireless over-ears are impressively well-built and comfortable enough to wear for hours at a time. They're stable enough to stay in place during light workouts and have a comprehensive control scheme that's easy to use. They supply over 32 hours of continuous playback time, so you shouldn't need to worry about charging them too often either.
Out-of-the-box, they have a very well-balanced sound profile that should suit most types of audio content. That said, if you're the type who likes to fine-tune your listening experience, the companion app gives you access to audio presets and a graphic EQ. These over-ears also have a highly effective ANC system that allows them to filter out a remarkable amount of background noise, from the low-rumble of bus and plane engines to the chatter of nearby coworkers.
Unfortunately, they don't support multi-device pairing, which can be annoying if you want to remain connected to two audio sources at the same time. They're also somewhat bulky, though they do have a sturdy-feeling case to carry them around when not in use. Overall, thanks to their rich feature-set and comfortable, sturdy design, they're also among the best over-ear headphones we've tested.
The best wireless headphones with an earbud design that we’ve tested are the Samsung Galaxy Buds+. These truly wireless in-ears are comfortable, compact, and lightweight, so they should have no trouble staying in your ears even during intense workout sessions. They also feel sturdy enough to survive a couple of drops and bumps and are rated IPX2 for basic water protection, though we don't currently test for this.
These in-ears offer over 13 hours of continuous playback time, which should be more than enough for a couple of days at work and is very impressive for a pair of truly wireless headphones. They have a very neutral default sound profile, so they're a good fit for a wide variety of musical genres and audio content, from pop music to podcasts. If that's not to your liking, their companion app features a couple of different audio presets.
Unfortunately, their touch-sensitive control scheme isn't especially intuitive. These in-ears also don't block out all that much ambient noise in the bass range, so you're likely to hear the rumble of bus engines on your commute. Otherwise, if you're looking for comfortable, portable truly wireless headphones with a well-balanced sound profile, they're a good option.
If you really like a truly wireless design but still need a pair of earbuds that can help block some of the outside world, go for the Apple AirPods Pro. While they're more expensive than the Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless and lack audio customization features, their impressive active noise cancelling feature can help reduce background noise so that you can concentrate on your day. Thanks to their Apple H1 chip, you can seamlessly pair these earbuds with all Apple devices, which is great if you're always moving between your laptop to your smartphone. Unfortunately, they only have five hours of continuous battery life, which, on its own, may not be enough to get you through your workday. However, they have an excellent charging case that provides five additional charges, so you don't have to worry so much about running out of battery life.
If you're looking for headphones with a customizable sound profile, get the Samsung. However, if you're not into tweaking your sound and prefer to have active noise cancelling to help block out noise, go with the Apple.
The best wireless Bluetooth headphones for working out that we've tested are the Jaybird Tarah Pro. These well-built wireless in-ears have an impressively stable fit, so they still in your ears even during more intense workouts. Also, their in-line controls make it easy to adjust the volume while you're out on a run.
Out-of-the-box, they have a pretty neutral sound profile that's suitable for lots of different music genres, and the little extra warmth in the bass range can help keep you motivated during a tough workout. You can even customize their sound to your liking using the parametric EQ and presets available in the Jaybird MySound app. With a continuous battery life of over thirteen hours, they're well-suited for long days on-the-go, too.
Unfortunately, they don't support multi-device pairing, which can be inconvenient if you like to pair your headphones to more than one device at a time. They also don't come with an ANC feature, so you can still hear bass-heavy background noises like bus and plane engines while listening to audio. That said, some listeners may actually prefer to hear background noises, as it can help you stay aware of your surroundings while running outdoors.
The Plantronics BackBeat Go 810 Wireless are the best wireless Bluetooth headphones in the budget range that we've tested. These decently comfortable over-ears have an incredible continuous battery life of over 24 hours, so you don't have to worry about recharging them on a daily basis. They also support multi-device pairing, so you can easily switch your audio source between your phone and your laptop.
They have a very neutral sound profile that makes them suitable for listening to a wide range of audio content. These are even a few EQ presets available in the Backbeat App to help you adjust their sound to your liking. They also don't leak a lot of noise, so you can crank up the volume on your favorite tunes without really bothering those around you.
Unfortunately, while they come with an ANC feature, they still struggle to block out bass-heavy background noises like bus and plane engines, so they aren't really ideal to wear during your commute. Also, while they have decent overall build quality, they don't feel as premium as some of the other headphones we've tested. That said, if you're on a budget, they're still a solid choice.
If you're looking for a truly wireless pair of in-ears in the budget range, consider the FIIL T1X True Wireless instead. While their continuous battery life isn't as long as the Plantronics BackBeat Go 810 Wireless and their default sound profile isn't as neutral, their in-ear design is more lightweight and portable. They're comfortable, well-built, and stable enough to wear while working out. Out-of-the-box, they have a slightly bass-heavy sound profile that adds a little extra thump to your music. If you prefer a different sound, their companion app offers 15 EQ presets to help you adjust their sound. They only last for 6.8 hours off of a single charge, but their portable charging case offers around three extra charges for when you're on-the-go.
If you want over-ears with long continuous battery life and a more neutral default sound profile, check out the Plantronics, but if you prefer truly wireless in-ears, consider the FIIL instead.
Feb 24, 2021: Replaced the Creative Outlier Air V2 True Wireless with the FIIL T1X True Wireless as 'Truly Wireless Budget Alternative' as the Creative rose in price above our budget limit. Added the Creative to Notable Mentions.
Dec 23, 2020: Minor updates to the text and Notable Mentions. Removed the AUKEY Latitude Wireless as a Notable Mention due to changing availability.
Nov 27, 2020: Replaced Mpow H10 Wireless with Plantronics BackBeat Go 810 Wireless.
Oct 02, 2020: Replaced Sony WH-1000XM3 with Sony WH-1000XM4. Made Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II an alternate pick. Added Jabra Evolve2 85 to Notable Mentions.
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best Bluetooth headphones to buy for most people in each price range. We factor in the price (cheaper headphones win over pricier ones if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no headphones that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to choose for yourself, here is the list of all our Bluetooth-compatible headphone reviews. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There are no perfect headphones. Personal taste, preference, and listening habits will matter more in your selection.