Best wireless headphones in 2023

If you love listening to music, especially when out and about, you should get one of the best wireless headphones for a great aural experience. While you can get by with one of the best wireless earbuds, they come with some limitations. For instance, they are more tiring to wear for long periods of time, and their active noise cancellation (ANC) isn’t quite as robust as over-ear headphones. Even wireless headphones without ANC can still block out quite a bit of ambient noise.

So, if you’re in an airplane, in a café, or commuting, wireless headphones are often the ideal option. Not only will they do a better job blocking out ambient noise, but they will also be more comfortable than earbuds if you plan on wearing them for hours. They’re also better than wired versions since you won’t have to stay physically connected to your device; you can keep your phone in your pocket or backpack while listening to music.

Picking the right pair of headphones can be a bit overwhelming, however, as so many options exist. So, to help you choose, we’ve gathered what we think are the best wireless headphones right now, considering a number of factors such as sound quality, comfort, feature set, battery life, and budget. Whether you’re using one of these with a Google Pixel 7 Pro or an HP Chromebase, you’ll find something here that will put a smile on your face and a bounce in your step.

The best wireless headphones available right now

The Bose Noise Canceling 700 headphones may be expensive, but they’re an excellent pair of headphones that offer fantastic, balanced sound quality and the kind of comfort that will have you wearing them for long listening sessions. So, whether you’re flying across the country or listening to those Spotify Fresh Finds from the comfort of your couch, you won’t have to worry about your ears getting sore. They’re also equipped with eight different mics, six of which are for their excellent active noise cancellation. You can fine-tune how much ANC you want via a downloadable app.

Call quality is just as excellent. Their battery life is adequate but not the best on this list, with 20 hours of juice. But, there’s not much else to fault with these feature-filled pair of cans. Capacitive touch controls, built-in voice control that may or may not make you look like a crazy person, and conversation mode, aka transparency or ambient mode, are just some of those features on offer. Just be aware that these are pricey, going for almost the same price as our premium pick.

Source: Sony

Sony WH-1000XM5

Premium pick

Premium ANC and sound

If there’s a best-in-class when it comes to active noise cancellation, the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones win. They also sound great with a neutral sound that works for just about everything. Although they can get a little hot after long listening sessions, the comfort is pretty good overall. Also, you have just about all the features you could ask for with these headphones.

Pros

• Great, clear audio
• Excellent ANC
• Battery goes and goes

Cons

• New design doesn’t fold
• Limited upgrades from WH-1000XM4
• Can get a little hot from listening sessions

The reigning champ of active noise cancellation is in no hurry to relinquish the crown. Sony’s most recent over-ear headphones, the WH-1000XM5, bring back that top-of-the-line ANC that many have tried, and failed, to match. The headphones also offer fantastic sound quality that, like the Bose, aren’t too hyped, so you can enjoy your favorite concerto or 98 Degrees track the way it was meant to be heard.

Excellent call quality, voice assistant compatibility, and speedy Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity are other features that make these headphones special. But, one other area where they excel is their long battery life, namely 30 hours with ANC on and 40 without. The only drawback here is that they can get a little hot around the ears after long listening sessions, but they are fairly comfortable otherwise.

Source:Sennheiser

Sennheiser HD 250BT

Best value

Great sound on a budget

Though the Sennheiser HD 250BT are a bit on the pedestrian side visually, they do the one thing that’s most important: sound really good. Of course, with their lower price, it’s no surprise that the comfort is decent but not great or that the feature set is very limited.

Pros

• Fantastic sound quality
• Decent battery
• The price is right

Cons

• Limited feature set
• Comfort is just ok

Sennheiser headphones are usually pricey, and the HD 250BTs are one of the most affordable options in the company’s lineup. These wireless headphones connect through Bluetooth 5.0 and have a reasonable 25-hour battery life. The 32-millimeter drivers are a bit small but don’t affect the sound quality, and the AAC and AptX codec compatibility ensures that they sound great on Apple or Android devices. For affordable, no-frills headphones, the HD 250BTs still work with Sennheiser’s Smart Control app to customize the sound to your individual taste.

Considering their low price, the HD 250BTs have decent construction with ample padding on the earcups for long listening sessions. The lack of padding on the headband is a bit underwhelming, but fits the minimalist style and probably won’t be an issue for most buyers. The only polarizing feature is the earcups that slide up and down the headband and don’t have much flexibility to adjust to the shape of the user’s head. It’s still a minor drawback, and most buyers won’t care because they’re still getting outstanding value.

Master & Dynamic MH40 Wireless (V2)

Best splurge

When money is no object

Master & Dynamic’s second-generation MH40 Wireless headphones breathe new life into the elegant design with finely-tuned 40mm titanium drivers and 30-hour battery life. The lightweight aluminum construction combined with lambskin leather removable ear pads make them comfortable to wear for extended periods, and they support both aptX HD and AAC for wide compatibility.

Pros

• Cool retro design with a comfortable fit
• Great balanced sound
• 30 hours of battery life

The Master & Dynamic MH40 might offer the worst performance-to-rice ratio on this list. They are fairly stripped down in terms of features — the lack of ANC is especially felt — yet they’re as expensive as anything else on this list.

You may wonder why they’re included, then. Simply because what the MH40 do, they do very well. To start, the sound quality is superb, with immersive audio that will make you feel like you’re listening live. The design is elegant and unique, making more of a visual statement than anything else on this list. And, their design isn’t skin deep as the materials and construction are next-level for a pair of headphones that you will want to baby but won’t have to. Just know that no matter the colorway you choose, there is no way to opt out of the lambskin leather, so you’ll have to be comfortable with that.

Source: Sennheiser

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Best battery life

For those with longer commutes

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless are a great option for anyone who doesn’t mind paying a premium for high-end wireless audio; they sound utterly great. Battery life is also phenomenal at up to 60 hours per charge with ANC on. That ANC isn’t particularly impressive, though — especially compared to similarly priced options from Bose or Sony.

Pros

• Excellent audio quality
• Unbelievable battery life
• Bluetooth multipoint

Cons

• Subpar ANC for premium headphones
• Controls could be better
• Middling call performance

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless are a premium pair of headphones with a price tag that will match many of the flagship offerings of other companies. Finding out that the ANC is a letdown — especially compared to similarly priced options from Bose or Sony — or that the call quality could be better keeps these headphones from being perfect. But that shouldn’t necessarily dissuade you.

What these headphones do exceedingly well is offer an excellent audio quality that’s as good as anything in their class. In fact, there’s not a genre that won’t sound good on them, including Hip Hop and EDM, thanks to the extended sub-bass. And don’t forget that they have a battery life that is also phenomenal at up to 60 hours per charge with ANC on. If that doesn’t impress you, just remember that most of the competition clocks in at about half the length.

Source:Audio-Technica

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2

Best neutral-sounding headphones

For those who want studio-level sound

If you ever wanted headphones with studio-level quality sound (meaning nothing is overly boosted) but wireless, then the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 are the way to go. Plus, they have an absurdly long 50-hour battery life. Just be aware that they don’t come with active noise cancellation.

Pros

• Great studio-level sound signature
• A really, really, really long battery life
• Plenty of customization via app

Cons

• No ANC
• Sound signature might not be for everyone

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 might be missing the ANC feature most people expect to find in any wireless headphones or earbuds, but they still have a lot to offer. These are essentially a wireless version of Audio-Technica’s ATH-M50X, which are intended for studio use, but you don’t have to use them in the studio. Just know that instead of sounding “fun,” like the Grados, they’ll give you a less filtered version of your music.

There’s plenty more here to get excited about, such as their impressive 50-hour battery life, though the lack of ANC probably helps that length. Also, their Bluetooth connectivity is speedy enough that you won’t notice much difference between the connection and cable use. If you do, there’s an app you can download to turn on a low latency mode. Plus, you can get access to some EQ and personalization options.

Source:Edifier

Edifier WH950NB

Best feature-rich budget headphone

For those who need ANC on a budget

The Edifier WH950NB have great ANC and transparency mode, comfort, and sound quality… for the price. Nothing is class-leading, but considering the price, they offer a performance-to-price ratio that’s hard to beat. So, if you’re looking for something that can do a little everything while not breaking the bank, consider these headphones.

Pros

• Very affordable
• Features like ANC are done well
• Good sound quality

Cons

• Not the most detailed sounding headphones
• Most everything is good but not great
• Game mode is lackluster

Leave it to Edifier, known for its outstanding value, to create a pair of flagship headphones for under $200. And while the Edifier WH950NB won’t quite reach the heights of top models from more premium brands, they get close. They come with solid ANC and ambient mode, a comfortable fit thanks to their lightweight and plush ear pads, and a respectable 34 hours of use with ANC on. Add to that, they’re durable, so you don’t have to worry that saving some money now will result in you having to buy something else later.

There are even more features on hand, such as a game mode to limit latency though its implementation could be better, as well as multipoint connectivity. More importantly, they sound very good. Though they’re not the most detailed headphones out there, they’re still well-balanced with a bass that’s present but not overpowering and a mid-range that’s full without being muddy.

Jabra Elite 45H

Longest battery life on a budget

When you need long battery life but are short on cash

Because of their very, very reasonable price tag, you won’t find certain features like active noise cancellation. However, they offer a fun, engaging sound quality that will make you ready to party. More impressively, the battery life is incredibly tough to beat. The comfort is pretty stellar, too.

Pros

• Very affordable
• Long battery life
• Good comfort

Cons

• No ANC
• Limited features
• Sound quality is not the most detailed

The Jabra Elite 45H just manages to sneak in under $100 and have a long, 50-hour battery life that should be adequate for most people. If the battery dies, Jabra claims the 45Hs can reach up to ten hours of playback on a 15-minute charge. While they lack active noise cancelation (ANC), they have voice assistant compatibility and work with Google Assistant, Siri, and Alexa. These headphones also use the intuitive MySound app for their EQ settings, so you can create different sound profiles depending on the type of music you enjoy.

Unlike many of their rivals that are only available in black, the Elite 45hs come in three colors, including black, navy, and gold beige, so buyers have some options to choose from. Each earcup houses large, 40-millimeter drivers and includes controls to access virtual assistants and to adjust the volume or skip tracks. While Jabra claims the Elite 45h is sweat and water-resistant, there’s no IP rating, and it might be best to keep them away from moisture. Another minor drawback is the single button for volume adjustment and skipping tracks which isn’t the most user-friendly and might be too fiddly for some buyers.

Urbanista Los Angeles

Best solar-powered headphones

When you want something more eco-friendly

Forget for a second the fact that these have ANC, ambient mode, (limited) app support, or that they have a fun bass-driven sound — because the Urbanista Los Angeles do something very unique: they’re solar-powered. So, under the right conditions, they could essentially last forever.

Pros

• Innovative, eco-friendly solar charging system
• Incredible battery life and solid design
• Wear-detection sensor

Cons

• Uncomfortable, especially for larger heads
• ANC meddles with sound output
• Barebones app

If you’re worried about battery life, there might not be a better option than the Urbanista Los Angeles. These headphones can last for 50 hours with ANC on or an incredible 80 hours with it off! That’s before considering that you can recharge them with the sun. Yes, these are solar-powered.

They also come with a decent feature set, including ANC, ambient mode, and app support, though they don’t come with multipoint connectivity. Unfortunately, the app doesn’t offer customizable EQ, which is a shame as these sound good enough with a bass-heavy frequency response, but they’re not great. And, that pronounced low-end won’t be to everyone’s tastes.

Keep in mind that comfort will vary depending on the size of your melon. Those with bigger heads will find these uncomfortable. Also, if ANC is a priority, the implementation here can get a little wonky as it can make everything sound a little more compressed.

What to look for in wireless headphones

Whether you’re looking at wireless headphones, earbuds, or speakers, you’ll need to consider a number of things before pressing that Buy button. While sound quality is a huge factor in picking something you’ll be happy with, it’s not the only consideration. That said, if whatever you get doesn’t sound good, you

will

feel like you wasted your money.

Audio quality is not quite as objective as you would think. There are certainly options that sound egregiously bad because there’s way too much bass or too much high-end. But, there are also plenty of headphones where the differences in audio are more geared towards personal taste (almost like an Instagram filter).

Some audio will have a clean, neutral frequency range for a more accurate representation of your audio, such as the Bose Noise Cancelling 700. Others will have more bass to make you want to dance or more high-end to give you a little more detail. Of course, you can always EQ what you’re listening to, but you can’t make a pair of headphones sound like a different pair of headphones. So, before purchasing, take a moment and think about what you want from headphones. Some people want the neutral sound of the Bose, while others might find it boring.

The next consideration should be comfort because most people don’t put headphones on for just 10 minutes at a time, especially when using them on a plane or during a commute. So, you want something that’s not painful after a certain amount of time. In terms of what to consider for comfort, see what kind of clamping force the headphones come with. If their clamping force is tight, you’ll feel a lot of pressure on your head, which could result in a pressure headache. Luckily, headphones can be stretched out to offset this discomfort. Just place them on a stack of books overnight (as if the books were wearing the headphones) and make sure not to overstretch, as you won’t be able to undo that.

The cushioning is also very important for comfort. Most headphones have some padding lining the headband’s inside and the ear pads. The better-feeling ones will use memory foam to provide a softer, more cloud-like experience.

After sound quality and comfort, you should figure out what other features are important to you. For example, plenty of people are happy with the passive noise cancellation provided by all over-ear headphones, but if you want to block out unwanted ambient noise, investing in a pair with active noise cancellation is worth it.

Don’t forget battery life. Most wireless headphones come with adequate battery life. The longer, the better, especially if you plan on using yours regularly and have a habit of forgetting to charge (like me) or don’t always have the opportunity to charge.

Which headphones are the best for you?

Headphones aren’t one-size-fits-all. But there are some excellent options here to consider. For example, the Bose Noise Cancelling 700 may be as close to the full package as you can find, even if they’re a bit pricey.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 are almost as good with even better ANC, though they will set you back a little more. However, if you’re on a budget, there are still several fantastic choices, starting with the surprisingly great sounding, if stripped-down, Sennheiser HD 250BT.

Source:Bose

Bose Noise Cancelling 700

Best overall

The one that can do it all

While pricey, the Bose Noise Canceling 700 are worth every penny. From top-notch comfort to fantastic sound and ANC, they can do it all. In particular, that ANC is about as good as it gets. And, though their 20 hours of battery life is not class-leading, it’s good enough and more than offset by several features.

Pros

• Fantastic active noise cancellation
• Comfort is perfect
• Stellar, neutral-leaning sound

Cons

• Expensive
• Just okay battery life