The 6 Best On-Ear Wireless Headphones - Spring 2021 Reviews

The best wireless on-ear headphones that we've tested are the Beats Solo Pro Wireless. These well-built headphones offer a fairly versatile overall performance that can please lots of different types of listeners. With a continuous battery life of 24 hours, they're suitable for long listening sessions without needing a recharge.

Out-of-the-box, they have a pretty neutral sound profile that's suitable for listening to lots of different music genres, and they have a slightly excited sound thanks to the little extra emphasis in the bass and treble ranges. They don't leak a lot of noise, so you can crank up the volume on your favorite tunes without really bothering those around you. Also, thanks to their ANC feature, they have great noise isolation, so you don't really hear the sounds of people chatting around you.

Unfortunately, while they're fairly comfortable, they may feel a bit too tight for some listeners, especially those with larger heads. They also don't have any sound customization features, which can be disappointing if you like to adjust the sound to your liking. However, if you're looking for a pair of wireless, noise cancelling on-ears with versatile performance, they're a solid choice.

The best on-ear wireless headphones for running that we've tested are the JBL Live 400BT Wireless. These Bluetooth on-ears are lightweight and clamp your head fairly tightly, so they shouldn't fall off your head or move around too much if you wear them while you're out on a run. They do a mediocre job of filtering out background noise, which could be helpful if you're run outdoors and want to stay aware of your surroundings.

They have a fairly well-balanced default sound profile that should suit most kinds of audio content, though their companion app features a parametric EQ that lets you fine-tune their audio reproduction in-depth if you're the type that prefers a little more thump and rumble in your music. They can also pair with two devices simultaneously, so you can stream music from your phone while remaining connected to your computer. They also supply more than 30 hours of runtime on a single charge, though battery life can vary with your usage habits, and offer full audio and mic compatibility on a wired connection thanks to their included 1/8" TRRS cable with an in-line mic.

Unfortunately, some users with larger heads may find their on-ear fit to be too tight. The plastic prominently used in their construction also feels rather cheap, and the headphones don't come with a carrying case or a pouch, which makes transporting them when not in use a little tricky. Still, their broad feature set and long battery life help make them some of the best wireless headphones under $100 that we've tested.

The best noise cancelling on-ear wireless headphones that we've tested are the Bowers & Wilkins PX5 Wireless. These premium on-ear headphones have an adjustable ANC feature that allows them to filter out a broad spectrum of ambient noises, from the rumble of a bus engine to the hum of an AC unit, not to mention the chatter of nearby coworkers. Their near 38-hour battery life should ensure that they easily last you throughout a couple of days in the office or throughout long overnight trips.

They support a broad range of Bluetooth connectivity features, including the aptX and aptX HD wireless codecs for high-quality audio as well as multi-device pairing, so you can stream music off of your phone while remaining connected to your work computer. They also have a fairly comprehensive control scheme that puts a lot of functionality at your fingertips, and the headphones themselves look and feel amazingly well-built.

Unfortunately, while fans of EDM and hip-hop music may enjoy their bass-heavy sound profile, their companion app doesn't have an EQ to fine-tune your listening experience, which is a disappointment at this price range. They also don't have a very consistent audio delivery, especially compared to the Beats Solo Pro Wireless, so they may sound a bit different depending on their fit, seal, and positioning on your head. However, they still offer the best noise isolation performance of all the wireless on-ear headphones we've tested.

The best budget on-ear wireless headphones that we've tested are the Status Audio BT One Wireless. These Bluetooth headphones have a sleek, conservative design and feel decently well-built, with a metal-reinforced headband and faux-leather lined padding. Depending on your usage habits, they supply more than 22 hours of runtime on a single charge, which should last you throughout a couple of days.

These headphones have a reasonably well-balanced, even sound profile, though with a slightly overemphasized low-bass range that emphasizes the thump and rumble of EDM and hip-hop music without muddying or cluttering vocals and lead instrumentals. They support the aptX-LL codec for low-latency audio, which is somewhat rare for headphones at this price point, and can pair with two devices simultaneously.

Unfortunately, they really struggle when it comes to filtering out background noise, especially the low rumble of bus and plane engines. They also don't clamp to your head especially tightly and could slip off if you shake your head around too vigorously. They lack any sort of sound customization features like a companion app with a graphic EQ, or even built-in EQ presets. Otherwise, they're a good choice if you're looking for basic wireless on-ear headphones.