Tired of tangled cords while listening to music? Wireless headphones offer a cable-free listening experience and typically connect to your devices via Bluetooth. They’re convenient for any situation, especially during workouts.

So far, we've reviewed 283 headphones and below are our recommendations for the best wireless headphones to buy in 2018. See also our recommendations for the best wireless over-ear headphones and the best wireless earbuds.

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. 

   Overall, they are the best Bluetooth wireless headphones we've reviewed. 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 prefer having control over the sound of your headphones but still want great isolation from ambient noise, get the Sony WH-1000XM3. They're not quite as comfortable as the Bose QuietComfort 35 II. They also have a bit more bass with their default sound profile, which some may prefer, especially if you're a fan of bass-heavy music genres, but it also makes them sound slightly darker overall. On the other hand, they have a great companion app that lets you customize your listening experience thanks to a great EQ, presets and room effects, that you don’t get with the Bose. You also get access to more in-depth ANC controls including an optimizer to calibrate the noise cancellation to your environment and also an auto-off timer that you can set yourself to save battery. 

   Overall, the XM3 are one of the best Bluetooth earphones we've tested and an excellent alternative to the QC 35 II. They may sound a little boomier overall, but you can always EQ their sound profile to better match what you're listening to. They also leak a little less and all the abundance of features make them a more versatile pair of headphones than the Bose.

   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 one of the best Bluetooth headphones we've reviewed. 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’re looking for a more budget pair of headphones, and prefer the portability of in-ears to over-ears like the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2, then get the Samsung U Flex, especially if you have a Samsung phone. They're one of the best wireless earphones we've tested. They offer great customization options but are quite lackluster when paired with a non-Samsung Android or an iOS device.

   On the upside, they have more a premium feels than the similarly designed Samsung Level U Pro and a decent 11 to 12-hour battery life that only takes 2 hours to charge fully. If you don’t mind the around-the-neck design, then they are also quite comfortable and won’t put as much pressure in your ear canal, unlike some of the more typical in-ear designs we've tested.

   Unfortunately, they sound fairly average when not EQed and do not block as much noise in loud noisy environments. Also, if you don’t have a Samsung device, then the Jaybird Freedom or the Anker SoundBuds Curve may be slightly better options, since they do not have any OS or brand restrictions. However, if you have a Samsung phone then the build quality, budget price and customization options of the U Flex make them a great 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