Tired of tangled cords while listening to music? Wireless headphones offer a cable-free listening experience and typically connect to your devices via Bluetooth (check our articles What is Bluetooth and Wired vs Wireless Headphones). They’re convenient for any situation, especially during workouts.

So far, we've reviewed 118 wireless headphones and below are our recommendations for the best ones you can buy in 2018.

1. Best Wireless Headphones: Bose QuietComfort 35 II

   

   Bose QuietComfort 35 II

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.2

   Test Benches:

   • 1.2: Winter 2018
   • 1.1: Summer 2017
   • 1.0: Winter 2017
   • 0.9: Winter 2016

   See changelog and how ratings work

   7.4

   Mixed Usage

   What it is: This is the combination of the different use cases to evaluate how versatile the headphones are. Therefore an everyday headphone should be well-rounded enough to adapt to most situations and environments without significant losses in sound quality, design ergonomics or isolation.

   Score components:

   • 25% Critical Listening
   • 25% Office
   • 25% Commute/Travel
   • 10% Sports/Fitness
   • 9% Gaming
   • 6% TV

   Score distribution:

   7.9

   Critical Listening

   What it is: The level of audio fidelity a headphone can reproduce. Therefore a balanced and true representation of bass, mids, treble, soundstage and imaging, as well as a comfortable listening experience, is essential for critical listening.

   Score components:

   • 80% Sound
   • 10% Build Quality
   • 7% Comfort
   • 3% Breathability

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   7.7

   Commute/Travel

   What it is: How well the headphones handle the loud environments involved in commuting or traveling. Therefore your listening experience should be comfortable, hassle-free and as isolated from noise as possible.

   Score components:

   • 24% Noise Isolation
   • 14% Sound
   • 11% Portability
   • 10% Comfort
   • 9% Build Quality
   • 9% Battery
   • 6% Wireless Range
   • 4% Controls
   • 4% Breathability
   • 4% Leakage
   • 3% Microphone
   • 1% Multi-Device Pairing
   • 1% NFC

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   7.1

   Sports/Fitness

   What it is: How well-adapted the headphones are, to use while doing sports or strenuous exercise. Therefore the headphones should not be too cumbersome and deliver a stable and comfortable listening experience.

   Score components:

   • 24% Stability
   • 23% Portability
   • 11% Sound
   • 10% Breathability
   • 8% Comfort
   • 6% Wireless Range
   • 5% Controls
   • 5% Battery
   • 4% Noise Isolation
   • 4% Leakage

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   7.8

   Office

   What it is: How well the headphones can deliver a comfortable and isolated listening experience in an office-like environment. They should not leak much and should block the noise of a busy office.

   Score components:

   • 24% Comfort
   • 21% Sound
   • 16% Noise Isolation
   • 8% Leakage
   • 7% Battery
   • 7% Wireless Range
   • 5% Breathability
   • 4% Build Quality
   • 4% Microphone
   • 2% Controls
   • <1% Multi-Device Pairing
   • <1% USB
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Latency
   • <1% Analog
   • <1% Line In
   • <1% USB Input
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Power Supply
   • <1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   6.0

   TV

   Score components:

   • 22% Sound
   • 17% Comfort
   • 15% Default Latency
   • 10% Wireless Range
   • 5% Breathability
   • 5% Build Quality
   • 4% Optical Input
   • 3% Battery
   • 3% Analog
   • 3% Leakage
   • 2% Noise Isolation
   • 2% RCA Input
   • 2% Multi-Device Pairing
   • 2% Line In
   • 2% Line Out
   • 2% Power Supply
   • 1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   5.6

   Gaming

   Score components:

   • 20% Sound
   • 20% Default Latency
   • 15% Comfort
   • 12% Microphone
   • 5% Breathability
   • 5% Battery
   • 5% Base/Dock
   • 3% Build Quality
   • 3% Wireless Range
   • 3% Microphone Control
   • 2% Channel Mixing
   • 2% Wired
   • 2% Volume Control
   • 2% App Support
   • 1% Bluetooth

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations
   Type : Over-ear
   Enclosure : Closed-Back
   Wireless : Yes
   Noise-Cancelling : Yes
   Mic : Yes
   Transducer : Dynamic

   The best wireless headphones we've tested are the Bose QuietComfort 35 II. They're super comfortable and easy-to-use Bluetooth headphones with one of the best noise-cancellation on the market. They also have a well-balanced sound and a good battery life, which makes them versatile enough for most environments and use cases.

   The QC35 II are a slightly better option overall than the Sony WH-1000XM3 and the Bowers and Wilkins PX, mostly thanks to their more comfortable over-ear fit and easier to use design. They also have a slightly better-balanced default sound that packs a lot of bass without overpowering instruments and vocals. 

   The Sonys have a lot more customization options and the B&W are better built and look a lot more premium than the Bose for around the same price. However, the better sound quality and comfort level of the QC35 II make them the slightly better choice overall.  

   See our review

2. More customizable alternative: Sony WH-1000XM3

   

   Sony WH-1000XM3

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Type : Over-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : Yes

   Noise-Cancelling : Yes

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you're the type to EQ and tweak your headphones and still want excellent noise cancellation for your commutes, then get the Sony WH-1000XM3 instead. The XM3 are more comfortable than the Sony WH-1000XM2. However, they are not quite as comfortable as the Bose QC35 II, and they have a bit more bass, which makes them sound a bit darker and veiled overall. On the upside, the Sonys are a lot more feature-packed than the Bose. They also have a better companion app that gives you access to great Parametric EQ (with presets and room effects), adaptive sound and noise canceling options that you can optimize for your environment. They cancel a bit more noise than the Bose and also leak a little less, which makes them a better-isolating headphone overall and a slightly more versatile headset the QC35 II. 

   See our review

3. More Portable Alternative: Bose QuietControl 30

   

   Bose QuietControl 30

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Type : Earbuds

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : Yes

   Noise-Cancelling : Yes

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you want the great isolation of the Bose QuietComfort 35 II and Sony WH-1000XM3 in a more portable format, then we recommend the Bose QuietControl 30 wireless earbuds instead. They will not last as long on a single charge as the QC35 II or the WH-1000XM3. They also lack customization options, especially when compared to other similarly designed headsets in their price range. But on the upside, they're a lot more compact and easier to carry around on your person than the over-ears on this list, which makes them a bit more practical for commute and travel. They're also better suited for sports and office use thanks to their stable, breathable and comfortable earbud design. The Jabra Elite 65e are similarly designed and a cheaper alternative to the QC30s, but they do not sound as good and their noise isolation is worse.

   See our review

4. Best Mid-Range Wireless Headphones: Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2

   

   Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.2

   Test Benches:

   • 1.2: Winter 2018
   • 1.1: Summer 2017
   • 1.0: Winter 2017
   • 0.9: Winter 2016

   See changelog and how ratings work

   7.3

   Mixed Usage

   What it is: This is the combination of the different use cases to evaluate how versatile the headphones are. Therefore an everyday headphone should be well-rounded enough to adapt to most situations and environments without significant losses in sound quality, design ergonomics or isolation.

   Score components:

   • 25% Critical Listening
   • 25% Office
   • 25% Commute/Travel
   • 10% Sports/Fitness
   • 9% Gaming
   • 6% TV

   Score distribution:

   7.7

   Critical Listening

   What it is: The level of audio fidelity a headphone can reproduce. Therefore a balanced and true representation of bass, mids, treble, soundstage and imaging, as well as a comfortable listening experience, is essential for critical listening.

   Score components:

   • 80% Sound
   • 10% Build Quality
   • 7% Comfort
   • 3% Breathability

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   7.4

   Commute/Travel

   What it is: How well the headphones handle the loud environments involved in commuting or traveling. Therefore your listening experience should be comfortable, hassle-free and as isolated from noise as possible.

   Score components:

   • 24% Noise Isolation
   • 14% Sound
   • 11% Portability
   • 10% Comfort
   • 9% Build Quality
   • 9% Battery
   • 6% Wireless Range
   • 4% Controls
   • 4% Breathability
   • 4% Leakage
   • 3% Microphone
   • 1% Multi-Device Pairing
   • 1% NFC

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   7.1

   Sports/Fitness

   What it is: How well-adapted the headphones are, to use while doing sports or strenuous exercise. Therefore the headphones should not be too cumbersome and deliver a stable and comfortable listening experience.

   Score components:

   • 24% Stability
   • 23% Portability
   • 11% Sound
   • 10% Breathability
   • 8% Comfort
   • 6% Wireless Range
   • 5% Controls
   • 5% Battery
   • 4% Noise Isolation
   • 4% Leakage

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   7.5

   Office

   What it is: How well the headphones can deliver a comfortable and isolated listening experience in an office-like environment. They should not leak much and should block the noise of a busy office.

   Score components:

   • 24% Comfort
   • 21% Sound
   • 16% Noise Isolation
   • 8% Leakage
   • 7% Battery
   • 7% Wireless Range
   • 5% Breathability
   • 4% Build Quality
   • 4% Microphone
   • 2% Controls
   • <1% Multi-Device Pairing
   • <1% USB
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Latency
   • <1% Analog
   • <1% Line In
   • <1% USB Input
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Power Supply
   • <1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   6.2

   TV

   Score components:

   • 22% Sound
   • 17% Comfort
   • 15% Default Latency
   • 10% Wireless Range
   • 5% Breathability
   • 5% Build Quality
   • 4% Optical Input
   • 3% Battery
   • 3% Analog
   • 3% Leakage
   • 2% Noise Isolation
   • 2% RCA Input
   • 2% Multi-Device Pairing
   • 2% Line In
   • 2% Line Out
   • 2% Power Supply
   • 1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   5.9

   Gaming

   Score components:

   • 20% Sound
   • 20% Default Latency
   • 15% Comfort
   • 12% Microphone
   • 5% Breathability
   • 5% Battery
   • 5% Base/Dock
   • 3% Build Quality
   • 3% Wireless Range
   • 3% Microphone Control
   • 2% Channel Mixing
   • 2% Wired
   • 2% Volume Control
   • 2% App Support
   • 1% Bluetooth

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations
   Type : Over-ear
   Enclosure : Closed-Back
   Wireless : Yes
   Noise-Cancelling : Yes
   Mic : Yes
   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you like wireless noise canceling headphones like the Bose QuietComfort 35 II and the Sony WH-1000XM3, but find them a bit too expensive, then get the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 instead. They're not as comfortable and have weaker noise canceling than the Bose. They also do not have the customization options of the Sony WH-1000XM3. 

   On the upside, they are one of the more versatile and well-rounded over-ears that we've tested and offer a great value for your money. They have an exciting sound that will please fans of bass, a sturdy, comfortable and ergonomic design that's easy to use, and a great wireless range and battery life that's suitable for most use cases. They're also decent enough to watch movies and game with if you have the right Bluetooth dongle that supports aptX Low-Latency.

   Unfortunately, they are little bulky and cumbersome to carry around. Also, since they have no EQ, you cannot really adjust their bass if it's too much for you. However, if you're looking for a good, mid-range wireless over-ear, then you can't do much better than the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2, especially at this price.

   See our review

5. More Portable Alternative: Samsung Gear IconX

   

   Samsung Gear IconX

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Type : In-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : Truly Wireless

   Noise-Cancelling : No

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you need a more portable design that can fit into your pockets, then get the Samsung Gear IconX. They will not have the excellent wireless range or long lasting battery life of the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2. They also won't be as comfortable as the Bose QuietComfort 35 II for most listeners. On the upside, the IconX are compact truly wireless earbuds portable enough to have on you at all times. They also have an above-average and customizable sound, and a good passively isolating in-ear design that's suitable for sports and commuting. 

   They have 4GB of onboard storage, so you do not need to have your phone on you to listen to music.  They also have a built-in coach to keep track of your progress via the Samsung Gear/health app which makes them a great option for sports. The Jabra Elite Active have a slightly more sweatproof design and better customization options, but overall the Samsung have a bit more features and a better performance overall.

   See our review

6. Gaming Alternative: Turtle Beach Stealth 700

   

   Turtle Beach Stealth 700

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Type : Over-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : Yes

   Noise-Cancelling : Yes

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you want a headset for gaming that also supports Bluetooth, then get the Turtle Beach Stealth 700. They're a slightly worse gaming headset overall than the SteelSeries Arctis 7 and the HyperX Cloud Flight. They're also not as practical to use outdoors with your phone as the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2. But on the upside, they are one of the few gaming headsets that support Bluetooth so you can use them wirelessly with your phone unlike the Arctis 7 or the Cloud flight, which will only work wired with mobile devices. 

   They’re also noise canceling, and come with a USB dongle that has an optical input, so they have a few connection options that make them a good choice for gaming and home theater. They won't be the best gaming headset considering their price range, but if you want Bluetooth support with your gaming headset, then they are a good option and won't cost as much as the Turtle Beach Elite 800.

   See our review

7. Best Budget Wireless Headphones: Samsung U Flex

   

   Samsung U Flex

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.2

   Test Benches:

   • 1.2: Winter 2018
   • 1.1: Summer 2017
   • 1.0: Winter 2017
   • 0.9: Winter 2016

   See changelog and how ratings work

   6.8

   Mixed Usage

   What it is: This is the combination of the different use cases to evaluate how versatile the headphones are. Therefore an everyday headphone should be well-rounded enough to adapt to most situations and environments without significant losses in sound quality, design ergonomics or isolation.

   Score components:

   • 25% Critical Listening
   • 25% Office
   • 25% Commute/Travel
   • 10% Sports/Fitness
   • 9% Gaming
   • 6% TV

   Score distribution:

   6.7

   Critical Listening

   What it is: The level of audio fidelity a headphone can reproduce. Therefore a balanced and true representation of bass, mids, treble, soundstage and imaging, as well as a comfortable listening experience, is essential for critical listening.

   Score components:

   • 80% Sound
   • 10% Build Quality
   • 7% Comfort
   • 3% Breathability

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   6.9

   Commute/Travel

   What it is: How well the headphones handle the loud environments involved in commuting or traveling. Therefore your listening experience should be comfortable, hassle-free and as isolated from noise as possible.

   Score components:

   • 24% Noise Isolation
   • 14% Sound
   • 11% Portability
   • 10% Comfort
   • 9% Build Quality
   • 9% Battery
   • 6% Wireless Range
   • 4% Controls
   • 4% Breathability
   • 4% Leakage
   • 3% Microphone
   • 1% Multi-Device Pairing
   • 1% NFC

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   7.6

   Sports/Fitness

   What it is: How well-adapted the headphones are, to use while doing sports or strenuous exercise. Therefore the headphones should not be too cumbersome and deliver a stable and comfortable listening experience.

   Score components:

   • 24% Stability
   • 23% Portability
   • 11% Sound
   • 10% Breathability
   • 8% Comfort
   • 6% Wireless Range
   • 5% Controls
   • 5% Battery
   • 4% Noise Isolation
   • 4% Leakage

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   6.9

   Office

   What it is: How well the headphones can deliver a comfortable and isolated listening experience in an office-like environment. They should not leak much and should block the noise of a busy office.

   Score components:

   • 24% Comfort
   • 21% Sound
   • 16% Noise Isolation
   • 8% Leakage
   • 7% Battery
   • 7% Wireless Range
   • 5% Breathability
   • 4% Build Quality
   • 4% Microphone
   • 2% Controls
   • <1% Multi-Device Pairing
   • <1% USB
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Latency
   • <1% Analog
   • <1% Line In
   • <1% USB Input
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Power Supply
   • <1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   5.7

   TV

   Score components:

   • 22% Sound
   • 17% Comfort
   • 15% Default Latency
   • 10% Wireless Range
   • 5% Breathability
   • 5% Build Quality
   • 4% Optical Input
   • 3% Battery
   • 3% Analog
   • 3% Leakage
   • 2% Noise Isolation
   • 2% RCA Input
   • 2% Multi-Device Pairing
   • 2% Line In
   • 2% Line Out
   • 2% Power Supply
   • 1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   5.7

   Gaming

   Score components:

   • 20% Sound
   • 20% Default Latency
   • 15% Comfort
   • 12% Microphone
   • 5% Breathability
   • 5% Battery
   • 5% Base/Dock
   • 3% Build Quality
   • 3% Wireless Range
   • 3% Microphone Control
   • 2% Channel Mixing
   • 2% Wired
   • 2% Volume Control
   • 2% App Support
   • 1% Bluetooth

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations
   Type : In-ear
   Enclosure : Closed-Back
   Wireless : Yes
   Noise-Cancelling : No
   Mic : Yes
   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you need a budget wireless option for everyday casual use, then we recommend the Samsung U Flex. They won't be as feature packed or as portable as the Samsung Gear IconX. They're also very limited on iOS, and even regular Android devices since most of their customization options are only available when they are paired with a Samsung device.

   On the upside, they are better built than the Samsung Level U Pro and the Anker SoundBuds Curve which are both great alternatives to the U Flex. They have a decent battery life of 11 hours and a good wireless range. They're also a bit more comfortable to wear for longer listening sessions than typical in-ear designs. 

   If you are an iOS user, the Jaybird Freedom or the SoundBuds Curve will be a better option, but if you do not care much for an EQ, then the solid build quality and budget price of the U Flex make them a good choice.

   See our review

8. On-Ear Alternative: Skullcandy Grind

   

   Skullcandy Grind

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Type : On-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : Yes

   Noise-Cancelling : No

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you're not a big fan of in-ears but want an affordable pair of wireless headphones, then we recommend the Skullcandy Grind. They won't be as portable as the Samsung U Flex and they do not fold like other on-ears to be a bit more compact to carry around in your bag. On the upside, they're surprisingly well-built for their price range, they're easy-to-use and deliver an above-average sound that's good enough for most listeners and use cases. They have a good battery life and decent wireless range, and they're easily one of the most comfortable on-ears we've tested only beaten by the Bose SoundLink On-Ear which are much pricier.

   They don't block a lot of ambient noise, and they aren't the most stable headphones for sports and physical activity since they are not as tight on the head as most on-ears (which is a good thing for comfort but not stability). However, like the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2, they offer a great value for your money and are a difficult headphone to beat at this their price.

   See our review