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 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 805 pairs of headphones, and below are our recommendations for the top wireless headphones to buy. Also, check out our recommendations for the best wireless earbuds, the best true wireless earbuds, and the best budget wireless headphones.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless are the top wireless headphones we've tested. These premium over-ears have an outstanding noise isolation performance thanks to their adaptive noise cancelling system. They can cut down a wide variety of noise, from the low rumble of bus engines to ambient chatter and the high-pitched hum of A/C units. With their noise cancelling on, they last 29 hours continuously, so they can easily get you from point A to B.
They have a very comfortable and lightweight fit, so you can wear them for hours without discomfort. Their bassy default sound profile is nice if you listen to genres like EDM and hip-hop since they deliver extra thump, punch, and warmth to audio. You can fine-tune their sound to suit your tastes using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets. Additionally, they have a head tracking feature, which allows audio to follow your head movements, creating a more immersive audio experience, and they support multi-device pairing. They also have some futureproofing if you have (or plan to get) a phone with Snapdragon Sound support for CD-quality audio.
If you're looking for premium headphones but want to spend a bit less, consider the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They're the previous generation of the Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless but are still available on the market. They also offer a better noise isolation performance than their successor and even have the edge over the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless. Their ANC can easily reduce a fantastic amount of sound across the range, so you can enjoy your audio in peace. They aren't quite as comfortable as the Bose, although they're similarly well-built.
They have a pretty bass-heavy sound out of the box, but their companion app offers a graphic EQ and presets for customization. They also support LDAC, Sony's proprietary codec for streaming high-quality audio. You can connect them to your PC and smartphone simultaneously, and their roughly 37 hours of continuous battery life means they'll easily last through long days on the go. If you're looking for even longer-lasting headphones, try the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless. They last over 62 hours continuously and even support audio while charging. However, their ANC doesn't block out as much background noise as the Sony.
The Anker Soundcore Life Q45 Wireless are another great pair of wireless headphones that go for less than the more established big players. These well-built and comfortable headphones offer an amazing noise isolation performance that's great for your commute. Their ANC system is almost as good as what you get with the previous two picks, so it can suppress the noise from bus engines and chatty coworkers. Their 28-hour continuous battery life is great for active days on the go, and they support multi-device pairing, so you can easily switch up your audio source.
When it comes to sound, these headphones aren't exactly neutral-sounding. Instead, they have a very excited, V-shaped sound profile with plenty of boomy bass and bright treble. They're well-suited for rock and pop, but fans of jazz or folk may find instruments and vocals sound veiled and lacking in detail. You can fix it, however, with the companion app's graphic EQ and presets, which let you personalize the sound to your liking. They include support for Bluetooth codec and LDAC, like the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless, which optimizes your connection and audio quality. Unlike our top picks, these don't have any spatial audio, but they're a solid pick for conventional stereo sound. For the price, these versatile headphones offer a really solid performance.
The Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless are our top budget pick. These headphones are less comfortable than the Anker Soundcore Life Q45 Wireless and leak more audio at high volumes, so they aren't ideal if you like blasting your music at the office. Still, their ANC performance almost matches that of the Q45. It reduces an outstanding amount of sound when set to 'Transport' mode, including rumbly bus engines, making them well-suited for your daily commute. It's worth noting that there's a noticeable difference in sound quality with the ANC turned off, as your audio sounds somewhat hollow and thin compared to the fuller sound you hear with the ANC on.
Out of the box, they have a bass-heavy sound profile that can muddy and clutter mixes. If you prefer a more neutral sound, their app includes an EQ and presets for sound customization. They also support multi-device pairing, and their continuous playback time of over 44 hours means you don't need to recharge daily. Unlike our top picks, their Bluetooth support is limited to AAC and SBC codecs, without higher quality Bluetooth codecs like aptX Adaptive or LDAC. As compromises go, it's not bad for the savings.
Check out the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless for the most economical option. With three picks in a row from Anker, it's evident that this manufacturer dominates the lower-cost end of the market. These are no exception. Although they're a lot simpler 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. Their build reflects their affordability, as the plasticky hinges feel hollow and could be prone to damage over time.
These comfortable over-ears have a V-shaped sound profile. It's well-suited for genres like pop and rock that benefit from extra bass and brightness. However, they don't have any customization features to help you adjust their sound if you prefer something more neutral, which may dismay jazz and folk music fans. You also can't adjust their ANC level to suit your environment like the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless, and they don't do a good job of blocking out the low rumble from a bus or plane engine. However, they're much better at reducing office-type noise like ambient chit-chat and whiny computer fans. They last over 32 hours continuously; you can also use them wired if you run out of power.
If you want headphones optimized for sound quality, consider the Focal Bathys Wireless. With a wireless design and ANC, these closed-back audiophile headphones stand out among other hi-fi models that are typically open-back and wired. You can stream your favorite hi-res tracks over Bluetooth using aptX Adaptive or wired via their USB-DAC connection, which converts digital audio signals to analog. Their sound is fairly neutral, so kick drums and basslines sound punchy without overwhelming the mix. Vocals and other instruments sound clear and present, if a little dull, with cymbals and sibilants sounding veiled. Their companion app has a graphic EQ and presets to give you full reign over their sound.
Their ANC is also very good and has a few isolation settings. While this ANC doesn't cut out rumbly bus engines or heavy traffic as well as the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless, these headphones can easily isolate you from ambient chit-chat and whiny PC fans. They also support multi-device pairing and aptX Adaptive. They have a 29-hour continuous battery life that will last several workdays without recharging, and they feel comfortable enough for those extended listening sessions.
The best Bluetooth headphones for calls we've tested are the Bose 700 Headphones Wireless. Even though low audio and mic quality are limitations of Bluetooth technology, these stand out from other options as they offer the best mic performance on this list. They outperform their successor, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless, when it comes to noise handling, as the mic easily separates speech from background noise, allowing you to take calls in noisy environments without being drowned out. Their mic also does a good job of recording your voice clearly, and they have a dedicated button for muting and unmuting the mic. They last over 20 hours continuously, which is a bit shorter than the QuietComfort Ultra, and they aren't quite as comfortable. However, you can still wear them for long periods without significant fatigue.
Their default sound profile keeps vocals clear and accurate in your audio, so voices over the phone are easy to understand. Their app also features a graphic EQ that you can use to customize their sound to suit you. Their ANC feature does an excellent job of blocking background noise so you can hear the person you're speaking with, even if you're calling from a busy office. However, if you don't mind sacrificing ANC for better battery life, check out the Audeze Maxwell Wireless. Even though they're gaming headphones, they look fairly nondescript. They last over 77 hours on a single charge, and their boom mic better isolates your voice from background noise than the Bose's integrated mic. However, the Audeze are less comfortable.
Check out more picks for the best earbuds and Bluetooth headphones for phone calls.
The Apple AirPods Max Wireless are over-ear headphones with a premium design, well-balanced sound profile, and great noise isolation capability that compete toe-to-toe with our top pick, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless. However, unlike the Bose, they're more expensive, have fewer customization features, and inherently limit their users with Apple-exclusive software.
See our reviewAug 29, 2024: We added the Fairphone Fairbuds XL Wireless to our Notable Mentions for any eco-conscious listeners but made no changes to our main picks.
Jun 27, 2024: We made some edits to the text for style and to ensure consistency across our recommendation articles, but we made no changes to our picks. We removed the mention of the Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus Wireless' upcoming tests as we've now tested them.
May 23, 2024: We've made minor updates to the text and checked that the products are in stock, but there hasn't been a change to our recommendations.
Apr 26, 2024: The picks haven't changed, but we've updated the text about the Apple AirPods Max Wireless to reflect our latest Test Bench 1.7. We also added the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless to the Notable Mentions.
Mar 28, 2024: We've checked to ensure all products remain in stock but have made only minor changes to the text. We've also added a mention of the Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus Wireless, which we've purchased and will be testing soon.
Are wireless headphones really worth it?
Definitely! Wireless headphones allow you to move untethered to your device. Their range is usually longer than a cable's length, so you can still receive audio, to some extent, even if you leave the room your device is in. With leaps in Bluetooth technology, some headphones can stream higher-quality audio than before, thanks to advanced codec support like LC3+ and aptX Lossless. Others ensure a low latency audio experience, making them suitable for applications like streaming video. One caveat of a wireless design is the reliance on an internal battery. Still, many wireless headphones have over 20 hours of continuous playback time, so you don't necessarily need to recharge them every day.
Are wireless headphones better than wired?
It depends on your preferences. Wireless allows you to move around with more range to travel greater distances without losing your audio. You also don't have to worry about cables snagging on something. However, going wired has a few pros, like not stressing out about battery life or audio latency. When it comes to sound quality, the differences between wired and wireless can be subtle unless you have trained or sensitive ears. Not all Bluetooth codecs are created equal, though, and some, like aptX Adaptive or LDAC, can provide better quality than the default SBC codec.
Which is better, Bluetooth or wireless headphones?
Bluetooth is the most common type of wireless connectivity in headphones. However, other connections exist, like radio frequency or proprietary wireless. These are intended for audio-visual content like gaming or streaming movies since they can maintain low audio latency. Bluetooth headphones are a great option if you're mostly listening to music. If you're worried about latency, avoid Bluetooth where possible. The default codec, SBC, has high enough latency to cause your audio and visuals to be out of sync. There is a way around this: check for headphones that support low latency codecs like aptX Adaptive or have a dedicated 'Game' mode to lower audio lag.
Wireless headphones or earbuds: which are better?
There isn't a clear-cut answer since preference plays a large role in what's right for you. Over-ear headphones tend to be more comfortable, thanks to their generally spacious and padded ear cups, but are bulkier. On the other hand, earbuds are better if you care about portability and stability, making them a solid choice for sports or commuting. They can also passively block out more ambient sound by design. Their battery life is much shorter due to their small stature.
Do expensive headphones sound better?
Not always, though in the case of Bluetooth headphones, it can certainly help! For Bluetooth headphones, pricier options can have unique driver designs to help produce a cleaner, more detailed sound. Some also support Bluetooth codecs like aptX Adaptive or LDAC, which allow you to stream audio in higher quality, or virtual soundstage features to create a more dimensional sound. That said, each headphone is tuned differently, and you may still prefer the sound of a $100 pair of cans vs a $500 pair. If they support an EQ or presets, you can always retune your headphones to your liking.
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 headphones 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.