These are the best wireless headphones that money can buy, bringing together top battery life, great sound quality, comfortable fits, and the best value. We've gathered up this list to make your difficult purchasing decision just a bit easier.
We've spent thousands of hours using, testing, and evaluating the best headphones around so that we can help you find the best headphones for your needs. From our dedicated reviews team and myself, Tom's Guides Audio editor, we've decades of combined experience writing about headphones — so we know what we're talking about.
Our top pick at the moment are the excellent Sony WH-1000XM5, delivering top-notch sound quality and some of the best noise canceling in the business. They're not the cheapest, but they are the best all-rounder pair of noise-canceling headphones. If you want something a bit cheaper, then the Sennheiser Accentum come in at a very reasonable price, but wow with some solid sound and decent noise canceling.
There are more entries in the list as well, so read on to find out which noise-canceling headphones will give you everything you're looking for. There are mini-reviews after our grid, so you can get a more detailed rundown of each pair. If that's not enough, the full reviews are linked as well for an even more in-depth description and evaluation.
The Quick List
Bringing the bass with some excellent sound quality, the Sony WH-1000XM5 are all things to all people. Add in some brilliant noise canceling to the equation and you've got our pick for the best wireless headphones.
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The Sennheiser Accentum bring all the best features of the brand's more expensive models to a lower, more budget-friendly price. Their battery life is some of the best in class, they sound good, and they'll block plenty of noise.
If you want the best noise-canceling headphones available, Bose's excellent QuietComfort Ultra headphones are the way to go. They sound great, too, and they're super comfortable. Battery life is slightly below par though.
Crafted with some of the most luxurious materials put into a pair of wireless headphones, the Px8 feel like a Rolls Royce for your head. They sound incredible too, although you'll pay a premium price for their luxury.
Sonos' first foray into wireless headphones is a very successful one. They're a very attractive pair of headphones that feature the very best Spatial Audio that we've ever tested. They work with other Sonos gear thanks to the Sonos app as well.
Easily the best-feeling plastic-constructed headphones, we love the way that the Px7 S2e sound, thanks to their signature B&W audio. They're comfortable as well, and they come in some great colors.
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With 60 hours of battery life with the ANC turned on, the Melomania P100 are unbeaten in battery specs. Want even more battery life? Turn the ANC off and it rises up to 100 hours — that's over an entire four days of listening!
While known for high-end audio gear, the Cleer Enduro ANC show that it knows its way around a budget as well. Great construction, solid sound, and incredible battery life come in at a surprisingly low cost.
Apple users need look no further for a pair of wireless headphones — the AirPods Max are still one of the best options for you. They sound incredible, they're very comfortable, and they connect effortlessly with all your Apple devices.
The best wireless headphones you can buy right now
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Best wireless headphones overall
They might not be the best in any one category, but they are excellent in all facets. Very good noise canceling, brilliant sound, and an extremely comfortable fit make for our pick for the very best wireless headphones that money can buy.
There's not much better if you're looking for an incredible all-rounder pair of headphones than Sony's WH-1000XM5. Sony has dominated the category for a long time now with its XM-series headphones, and the XM5 continue the legacy. Improving on the already excellent XM4 with even better noise canceling, supreme sound quality, and a sumptuously comfortable fit, the XM5 are the very definition of a jack of all trades.
We found in testing that the noise canceling was a particular highlight. It doesn't quite reach the same noise-blocking excellence as the QuietComfort Ultra headphones, but it manages to silence all of the very worst noises that the outside world might want to throw at you. They easily manage to join the ranks of the best noise-canceling headphones, that's for sure.
Sound quality is also top-notch, amongst the best-sounding over-ears. There's an emphasis on bass which lots of listeners are going to like, particularly if you like listening to pop music. When we listened to the XM5s we were surprised by the level of sonic detail on offer, although you might find sounds like cymbals and high-pitch instruments fall behind when your music starts to get busier.
Battery life is also excellent, giving you over 30 hours of listening on a charge. That's with ANC turned on as well — if you want more staying power you can turn the ANC off and get 40 hours. That's more than the Bose alternative, although about half as much as our pick for the best battery life. Charging only takes 3 and a half hours, and you can get an hour of use with just 10 minutes of charging. Use USB power delivery, however, and you can get 3 hours of power after just 3 minutes. I've personally managed to get around that with some very loud, enthusiastic listening, so we're certain they'll last you plenty of time.
Our tester also loved the fit of the headphones, thanks their plush earcups and light weight. There was only one complaint we had with how the XM5 felt on head, and that was that they got a little hot around the ears while wearing them.
Overall, we'd recommend the XM5 to almost anyone looking for a pair of headphones. They might not be a master of any one category, but they get so close every time that they make for the best choice for most people.
- Read our full Sony WH-1000XM5 review
Best wireless headphones for value
At $179, the Accentum are one of the cheaper pairs of headphones on the list. For the price, you get some top-notch features, including flag-ship-grade sound and effective noise canceling. There's not much that gets close in the under-$200 category.
Balancing features with a mid-range price, the Sennheiser Accentum are our pick for the best-value pair of wireless headphones. They bring an almost flagship-like experience to a much lower cost point, giving them an excellent bang for the buck. We particularly like their battery life, which gets you 50 hours of listening on a single charge for exemplary staying power.
They're based on the Momentum 4 wireless headphones, another excellent pair, but they forgo some of the more premium features so that they don't cost you every dollar in your pocket. They only cost $179, which is around half the price of the more expensive Sennheiser over-ears. For the price you get a pair of headphones that takes the fight to far more expensive options, making them the perfect value pick. Sometimes you'll even see them reduced by as $30, making them an ever better buy.
For the money, we found that the sound profile of the headphones simply could not be beaten. It's neutral, like most Sennheiser headphones, although manages to produce an engaging listening experience thanks to the firm's experience making top-tier headphones. For some they might come across a little bassy, but for most people that's going to make them more fun to listen to.
You'll be able to enjoy that sound quality in busy, noisy environments as well, thanks to the very solid noise canceling. It doesn't quite reach the same level as the more expensive picks on the list, but it manages to cancel out bus engines, your colleague's mechanical keyboard, and AC systems. Is it class-leading? No, but does more than just get the job done. I particularly found it good for low-frequency sounds such as rumbling trains on the platform, or those horrible sounds that underground trains like to make.
It's the battery life and the excellent value that will keep you coming back for more, however. There's really little else that gives such spectacular bang for the buck.
- Read our full Sennheiser Accentum review
Best wireless headphones for ANC
There really is nothing better for any price if you want to block out noise. Even more expensive options don't manage the same magical ANC that's packed into the QuietComfort Ultra headphones, making them a no-brainer for a pick here.
Bose is the master of ANC. After all, the firm pretty much invented the tech in the eighties, and it's only been iterating and improving on it since then. The QuietComfort Ultra headphones are the apex of the Bose headphones line, bringing the very best noise canceling to a very comfortable, great-sounding pair of wireless headphones.
It's that all-conquering noise canceling that's really the hero of the show here. We've found that they block more noise than any other pair of noise-canceling headphones that you can buy. They top our list of the best noise-canceling headphones as a result, beating out every other entry with some magical sound isolation.
Putting on a pair of QuietComfort Ultra headphones is unlike anything else. The moment they turn on and the ANC activates it's like you're transported to another world. One where all the loud sounds and disturbing noises no longer exist, giving you the perfect spot to enjoy your favorite music in peace and quiet. There's nothing quite like appreciating even the most subtle of jazz performances on a noisy bus journey, or critically listening to a piece of classical music while you're sitting in a usually stressful office environment.
Of course, if it was just the noise canceling and everything wasn't very good, we wouldn't recommend them. Thankfully the rest of the features on board are still very good. The sound quality is solid, although if you don't like bass and warmth you might want to look elsewhere. They are extremely comfortable as well, with loads of soft padding everywhere, and lightweight to keep fatigue away.
In the end, though, it's the epic noise canceling that lands the QuietComfort Ultra headphones on the list.
- Read our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
Best wireless headphones for high-end listening
With some of the most premium materials available and top-notch sound quality, the Px8 are the Maybach of the wireless headphone world. They come at a high price, but they're well worth the entry fee.
Anything Bowers & Wilkins makes is going to feel super high-end, but the Px8 are the top of the quality tree. They're made out of steel, aluminum, and leather, giving them a premium heft and weight. They're the headphone equivalent of a Rolls Royce or a Bentley. Not everyone can afford them, but those who can are going to appreciate the attention to detail in all the most important places.
They'll cost you $799, an undeniably high cost for a pair of headphones. For the price, however, you get an incredible pair of headphones that will easily make you the envy of everyone who spots you wearing them. The first thing you'll notice (as I did) is the incredibly comfortable fit, thanks to their soft earcups. They're wrapped in breathable Nappa leather, taking them well above the synthetic coverings on the competition. Vegans need not apply, unfortunately. There's memory foam underneath the leather to make sure they get a great seal around your ear so no sound leaks in or out.
It's the sound that really shows you where the money went. B&W has made some of the best-sounding audio gear ever in its 58-year history, and the Px8 leverage its experience for some incredible-sounding headphones. In our testing we had a great time with the rich sound profile, praising the natural bass and crisp highs. Every track we sampled on the Px8 was replicated beautifully, above and beyond the competition.
The noise canceling and battery life are both solid too, although they are the only facets of the cans that might make you double take on the high price tag. In the end though, you'll be hard-pressed to find a pair of high-end headphones that manages to feel as luxurious as their lofty cost would suggest.
- Read our full Bowers & Wilkins Px8 review
Best wireless headphones for spatial audio
The Sonos Ace are built around their Spatial Audio, and it pays off. They give the best Spatial Audio performance of any pair of headphones. If you want to feel like your music is coming from everywhere then the Sonos Ace are the headphones for you.
Sonos has made a name for itself with its Spatial Audio gear, and with the Sonos Ace it brought its significant Spatial Audio chops to the wireless headphones space. Not only do they play Spatial Audio-accredited music on all your favorite music streaming services like Amazon Music Unlimted, but they also connect to your TV via a Sonos Soundbar so that you can get Dolby Atmos TV audio without disturbing anyone else in your house.
Other headphones have Spatial Audio support, but none manage the same performance as the Sonos Ace. I absolutely loved the way that they made my music sound spacious and wide. It feels more immersive and gets you involved with your favorite tracks in a way that is otherwise not possible. You can place members of bands in the soundscape, and feel more involved with your music. It's great and works with a wide range if different music streaming services.
When you connect them to a Sonos Arc, Ray, or Beam soundbar, you get to experience all the audio from your TV with your headphones. It works wirelessly, and uses the same Dolby Atmos signal as your soundbar so you get the best performance possible. If you have a cheaper, non-spatial audio Sonos soundbar, it's a great way of experiencing surround sound without buying a full setup that would cost more and take up more space.
Beyond the Spatial Audio performance, Sonos' first pair of headphones sound excellent, with rich, engaging audio. The noise canceling isn't top of the class, but its enough to block out the outside world when you want to limit disturbances. They're comfortable too thanks to their lightweight and soft padding. I personally had issues with one of my piercings, but it's a niche complaint that's not going to affect most people.
It's the Spatial Audio performance that puts them above every other pair of headphones on the list, however, and if you want to watch movies at night and not disturb your family, they're a no-brainer.
- Read the full Sonos Ace review
Best wireless headphones for sound quality
While not quite as luxurious as the newer Px8, the Px7 bring the same excellent sound for a lower price. For those looking for sound above all else, the Px7 S2e are the best option on the list.
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e is the second update to its entry-level series in 18 months. The new version sits alongside the Px7 S2 but benefits from a retuned acoustic architecture and 24-bit digital signal processing inspired by the company's flagship Px8 ranked above. The new version is priced exactly the same as its entry-series sibling, and coincidentally or not is priced the same as the Sony WH-1000XM5. They're beautifully constructed, bringing style in a low-profile design that many will love. They have active noise-cancelation and while the Bowers & Wilkins Music control app provides some useful features, extended functionality is not their thing.
They’re equipped with aptX Adaptive codec support for the best wireless audio from compatible devices, and it doesn't disappoint. The retuning seems to have resulted in bringing more dynamic energy to the popular model, and there's a real sense of musicality with everything that's played. When it comes to noise-canceling though, there are stronger performing models out there. If, however, you want a pair of headphones that make the most of the music, then the Px7 S2e need to be on your audition list.
- Rear our full Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e review
Best wireless headphones for battery life
With best-ever battery life from a pair of over-ear wireless headphones, the revamped Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 4 may not stand out quite like their classic-looking predecessor, but the 60-hour battery life makes these the one to beat. Add in the easy-going Sennheiser sound and effective noise cancelling, and the Momentum 4 are one the most practical wireless headphones we've seen, perfectly built for a life on the road rather than tethered to a power socket needing regular battery top ups.
Sennheiser's smooth house sound handles a wide range of music content, from pounding beats to more mellow tunes with aplomb. It has Bluetooth 5.2 and aptX Adaptive support, and there's a supplied 3.5mm cable for audiophile wired connections. ANC performance is effective, and auto Wind Noise Reduction is very impressive when stood on a windy train platform on daily work commutes.
- Read our full Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless review
Best budget ANC headphones
Cleer is no stranger to high-end audio gear, like the $699 Cleer Crescent, but the Enduro ANC shows it can produce a seriously tempting pair of cheap wireless headphones as well. They rank among the best noise-canceling headphones for value and have strong battery life: playing music at 50% volume got us over 50 hours of playtime, even with ANC.
Filling out the rest of the the Enduro ANC's feature list are handy tools like the Ambient mode, NFC and Android Fast Pairing, aptX Adaptive support and EQ customization. That's an awful lot of toys for the price, and yes, sound quality is good too.
- Read our full Cleer Enduro ANC review
Best iOS headphones
The dinky AirPods Pro are a much more cost-effective route into Apple headphones, considering the AirPods Max cost a widowmaking $549. Still, you get what you pay for, and on a purely technical level, Apple’s first over-ear cans are absolute fantastic.
There’s active noise cancelling, which works about as well as the best on the market. There’s Spatial Audio, which creates a striking surround sound effect as you move your head. There’s a impeccable build quality, the comfy memory foam earcup padding, the healthy battery life – the list goes on. It’s worth noting that if you ever want to switch to wired listening you’ll need to buy a separate $35 Lightning cable, but on Bluetooth alone these headphones are an excellent iOS companion.
- Read our full Apple AirPods Max review
Also tested...
Tom's Guide's team of audio experts tests a lot of wireless headphones, and not all models make it into a buying guide. At the same time, they’re worth a look, depending on your needs. Some selections might have stronger feature sets or sound quality than rival models, while also lacking in other key areas such as battery life, connectivity or voice calling. The picks in this guide are the very best we've tested and have all been given full reviews. But with more models to choose from than ever, we want to make sure that you consider these also tested options. These alternatives have all been through our rigorous testing processes but didn't quite make the grade to rank among the best of the best.
How to choose the best wireless headphones for you
Which are the best type of wireless headphones for your needs?
With so many wireless headphone and earbud options to choose from, you may find it difficult to settle on one design. There are several factors to weigh up, and which one is most important depends on personal preference. Follow out list of considerations to factor in when choosing the best wireless headphones and earbuds for you.
1. Design: When buying a new pair of wireless headphone or earbuds, it can be helpful to think about where you want to wear them. If you're going to use them on a run, for example, you may want a pair that offers the most secure fit and a high water resistance rating like all the models in our best sports headphones. On-ear and over-ear headphones should be sturdy and demonstrate high-quality craftsmanship.
Whatever type of wireless headphones you choose, make sure they are well built and comfy to wear for about 1 to 2 hours daily.
2. Sound quality: Different models offer different sound, and since you’re buying a pair to enjoy music individually, it’s important to find headphones that match your sound preference, be it heavy bass or distinctively clear to where you can hear the littlest nuances in recordings. Some models offer personalized sound via companion app, which allows the user to create their own profiles and tweak EQ levels to their hearing. Others even come with spatial audio to give music and movies a surround sound-like presence.
3. Battery life: The most important thing to look for in the best wireless headphones is battery life. You’ll want a pair that holds enough charge to get through a long business flight or weekly commutes. Thanks to the arrival of the Cleer Enduro ANC and the Sennheiser's Momentum 4 Wireless over-ear headphones, battery life standards have increased up to 60 hours. We’re also seeing select on-ear models that extend battery life up to 100 hours and provide wireless charging such as the Marshall Major V. Although more typical figures are anywhere between 15 to 30 hours, while wireless earbuds are usually rated at 4.5 to 8 hours.
4. Accessories: It's disappointing spending money on a new pair of headphones only to find that you need to buy the accessories separately. Any models that come with a carrying case, charging cable, user guide, audio cables, extra ear cups or eartips are solid purchases.
5. Pricing considerations: Obviously, price is a big consideration when looking for the best headphones. Although there are always exceptions, big-name brands will typically command a bit extra, but generally speaking, the less you spend on a pair of headphones the greater the chance that sound and features will be compromised. Going for a budget option isn't always the best choice, as any money you save on your purchase won't do you much good if you're constantly needing to recharge your audio gear, or the sound quality is poor.
As the saying goes: timing is everything; and right now many of our favorite models are discounted at online retailers, meaning you can bag a bargain for even less. Bookmark our best headphone deals page to keep track of the latest discounts.
How we test the best wireless headphones
The best reviews criteria carried out by audio experts
With more than 30 years experience in testing and reviewing consumer audio products for all kinds of media outlets and big-name brands around the world, the Tom's Guide audio team follows a rigorous test regime when it comes to determining the best products for recommendation in our buying guides.
To help you separate the wheat from the chaff when shopping for headphones, Tom's Guide evaluates the following criteria: design, comfort, features, performance and value. We employ a rigorous review process, comparing products with similar fit, features and pricing.
Each pair is worn over the course of a week for 2 hours at a time. During this testing period, the staff is evaluating comfort, ease of use and, of course, audio quality. We listen to several predetermined sample tracks that span a number of genres, including hip-hop, rock, jazz, classical and R&B, and we evaluate the volume, clarity and fullness.
Find out what we listen for during our testing process and how to get the best headphone sound for you.
In terms of features, we test the effectiveness of active noise cancelling, Bluetooth range and battery life. For the fitness-focused models, we test to see how they stand up to vigorous workouts, evaluating both how securely they fit while we exercise and how well they handle ambient noise from things like falling weights and gym machines. We test every feature for app-enabled headphones along with ease of setup.
Star ratings explained: We evaluate headphones based on a five-point system (1 = worst, 5 = best). If a product hits nearly every mark, it’s awarded a coveted Recommended badge, while our Best Value award speaks for itself. Only products with truly exceptional performance across the board are awarded an Editor's Choice badge.
For more information, check out our how we test page for Tom's Guide.
More from Tom's Guide
- 5 best wireless earbuds for all budgets
- My pick of the best headphones for travel
- Apple AirPods Max 2: Everything we know so far
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