The 7 Best Wireless Bluetooth Headphones - Fall 2022 Reviews

The Sony WH-1000XM4 are the best wireless headphones that we've tested. Although they're the previous generation of the Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless, these premium over-ears have a powerful active noise cancelling (ANC) system that outperforms their successor. They can cut down the low rumble of bus engines and block out office chatter. They also last over 37 hours continuously with the ANC on and have a pretty bass-heavy sound profile that delivers extra thump, rumble, and boom to mixes. If you prefer a more neutral sound, you'll find their sound muddy and cluttered. Luckily, their companion app offers a graphic EQ and presets to help you finetune their sound. They also support Sony's 360 Reality Audio, which can help create a more immersive audio experience. To access this feature, you have to subscribe to services that supply compatible audio files like Tidal.

These over-ears are often compared to the Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless, which are also high-end ANC headphones. While the Sony headphones have the edge for noise isolation, the Bose are still a solid choice if you're looking for a more comfortable fit. They're lighter and clamp a bit less tightly on your head. However, this is most likely due to their more plasticky design, which some users may find a little cheap for their price point.

The best upper-mid-range Bluetooth headphones we've tested are the AKG N700NC M2 Wireless. Although there aren't a lot of casual use-oriented over-ears at this price point, these sleek over-ears are still worth considering if you value good audio quality. They have a fairly flat sound profile, especially compared to our top and mid-range picks, making them a versatile choice for all kinds of audio content. Although they still deliver a touch of extra thump and warmth, the extra bass won't overwhelm vocals and lead instruments. If you prefer a different sound, their companion app offers a parametric EQ and presets so that you can fine-tune them to your liking.

These over-ears have a great noise isolation performance, and while they don't block out as much of the low rumbles as the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless, they do a comparable job when it comes to ambient chatter and the hum of AC units. They also support multi-device pairing, have over 20 hours of continuous battery life, and can even be used wired in a pinch as they come with a 1/8" TRRS cable. If you want to wear them for long listening sessions, they have a comfortable fit and are well-built. Some users have reported that the hinges of their units broke over time, which is a little disappointing at this price point.

The Anker Soundcore Life Q35 Wireless are the best mid-range wireless Bluetooth headphones we've tested. These comfortable over-ears are the next generation of the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless, and the biggest change in design is that they support LDAC. It's Sony's proprietary hi-res codec, which ensures high audio quality when streaming via Bluetooth. They also have a smaller carrying case, so it's easier to store them away in your bag when you're on the go. While they don't outperform their predecessor in noise isolation, their adjustable ANC still offers a great overall performance that's worth considering. Using the 'Transport' ANC mode, they can block out much of the rumble of bus engines as well as ambient chatter.

These over-ears have a bass-heady sound profile that delivers extra thump, rumble, and boom to mixes, but you can also customize their sound to your liking using their app's graphic EQ and presets. They also have over 44 hours of continuous playback time, and can be used wirelessly with their 1/8" TRRS cable. They support multi-device pairing, which is great if you want to stay connected to your smartphone and PC at the same time.

The best Bluetooth headphones under $100 that we've tested are the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless. These comfortable over-ears have an adjustable ANC system, allowing you to select the setting that best suits the noise around you. Using their 'Transport' mode, they can block out an outstanding amount of sound like the rumble of bus engines, making them well-suited for your daily commute. However, there's a noticeable difference in sound quality depending on if the ANC is on or off. When turned off, your audio is somewhat hollow and thin compared to the fuller sound you hear with the ANC on.

Out of the box, they have a very excited sound profile that fans of pop and rock can enjoy, thanks to extra thump, rumble, and boom. They don't sound as neutral or balanced as the Anker Soundcore Life Q35 Wireless, so vocals and lead instruments sound more muddy and cluttered than their successor. Luckily, their companion app offers an EQ and presets if you want to adjust their sound. They also support multi-device pairing, and their continuous playback time of over 44 hours should last through long days on the move. However, they leak audio at high volumes, and even if you're in a moderately noisy environment like an office, people might hear parts of your audio.

If you're on a tight budget, you may want to consider the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless, the best cheap Bluetooth headphones we've tested. By now, you may have whiplash from seeing three picks from Anker in a row, but it's hard to ignore Anker's domination of the lower-end over-ear market. These are no exception, and although they're a lot more simple in design than their successors on this list, they're still worth checking out if you're willing to sacrifice extra features for a lower price point. Their build reflects their affordability; their plasticky hinges feel hollow and could be prone to damage over time.

These comfortable over-ears have a good noise isolation performance, thanks to their ANC. You can't adjust its level to suit your environment like the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless, and they fall short when it comes to blocking out plane engine rumbles. However, they're a solid choice for reducing office-type noise like office chit-chat and humming computer fans. With their ANC on, they also last over 32 hours continuously and can be used wired if you run out of battery life. Their v-shaped sound profile is well-suited for genres like pop and rock that benefit from extra bass and brightness. However, they don't have any sound customization features to help you adjust their sound if you prefer something more neutral.

If audio quality is important to you, the best sounding wireless Bluetooth headphones we've tested are the HiFiMan ANANDA-BT Wireless. These headphones have an open-back design, which helps create a spacious, open, and natural passive soundstage to immerse you in your audio. Their planar magnetic drivers also stand out amongst other Bluetooth headphones. Although they're more common in wired headphones, this design helps improve their bass accuracy and their representation of the stereo image. As a result, they have a well-balanced sound suitable for a variety of audio content.

Although they lack a bit of low-bass, this is typical for open-back headphones. Luckily, a touch of extra high-bass helps add a bit of warmth to their sound without mudding your mixes. Unlike other picks on this list, they also support aptX and aptX HD codecs, which help improve sound quality and reduce latency. Unfortunately, their 11.2-hour continuous battery life isn't very impressive for their price point.

The best wireless Bluetooth headphones for calls we've tested are the Bose 700 Headphones Wireless. Even though low audio and mic quality are a result of the limitations of Bluetooth technology, these premium over-ears still stand out from the pack due to their microphone performance. Their mic does a good job of recording your voice clearly, even in moderately noisy environments. They have a dedicated button for muting and unmuting the mic, which can be handy if you take a lot of calls, and they last over 20 hours continuously.

Thanks to their ANC, the Bose can also block out a variety of ambient noise, like the low rumble of traffic outside your window or office chatter. They have a very comfortable fit, and their slightly bass-rich sound profile keeps vocals clear and accurate in your audio.