Nobody needs to cope with tangled cables anymore. That’s one of many the reason why wi-fi headphones have taken over because the go-to alternative for music lovers, players and anybody who simply needs somewhat extra freedom. No extra combating with wires in your bag or by accident yanking your headphones out mid-song. With Bluetooth connections now extra dependable than ever, wi-fi headphones have develop into a no brainer for most individuals.
However it’s not nearly reducing the wire. The very best wi-fi headphones pack some severe tech, providing incredible sound high quality that may rival their wired counterparts. Many even include superior options like lively noise cancellation (ANC), so you may block out distractions and absolutely immerse your self in your tunes, podcasts or calls. Whether or not you’re searching for one thing light-weight and moveable or over-ear headphones with killer battery life, there’s a wi-fi choice for everybody and each price range.
Desk of contents
Greatest wi-fi headphones for 2025
Photograph by Billy Steele / Engadget
Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure | Battery life: 30 hours | Weight: 0.55 kilos | Water resistance: None
Learn our full Sony WH-1000XM5 assessment
Sony’s 1000X line has been our high decide for greatest wi-fi headphone for a very long time now. Till one other firm can pack in as many high-quality options as Sony, and achieve this with a mixture of glorious sound high quality and efficient ANC, the crown is protected. With the WH-1000XM5, Sony redesigned its flagship headphones, making them far more comfy to put on for lengthy durations of time. This is a crucial issue to think about when buying over-ear headphones. We additionally observed in our exams that the corporate made noticeable enhancements to the lively noise cancellation, due to a separate V1 chip along with the QN1 that was contained in the M4. There are actually eight complete ANC mics as properly – the earlier mannequin solely had 4. This all combines to raised block background noise and excessive frequencies, together with human voices.
The 1000XM5 nonetheless has the entire options that usually make Sony’s top-of-the-line headphones showstoppers. That features 30-hour battery life and crisp, clear sound with balanced tuning and punchy bass. A combo of contact controls and bodily buttons offer you on-board entry to music, calls and noise modes with out reaching to your telephone. Converse-to-Chat routinely pauses audio once you start speaking, and like earlier Sony headphones, the M5 can change noise modes primarily based in your exercise or location. Plus, this pair of headphones provides higher name high quality than many of the competitors. The one actual draw back is that they’re $50 greater than the WH-1000XM4 at full worth ($400).
- Supreme consolation
- Nice sound
- Highly effective ANC
- 30-hour battery life
- Dearer than the M4
- Occasional audio points on macOS
$348 at Amazon
Photograph by Billy Steele / Engadget
Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure | Battery life: 30 hours | Weight: 10.8 ounces | Water resistance: None
Learn our full Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e assessment
An upgraded model of the Px7 S2, the Px7 S2e’s modifications are largely within the sound division. Bowers & Wilkins up to date the digital sign processing (DSP) engine for improved efficiency when streaming music. The modifications it launched embody help for as much as 24-bit high-resolution streaming from suitable providers. The corporate says it additionally re-tuned the acoustics for “unmatched element, dynamics and spaciousness,” which is the extra noticeable tweak in comparison with the earlier mannequin. These guarantees maintain true, too: the Px7 S2e are on the high of our check unit pile by way of general sound high quality, similar to the Px7 S2 has been since their introduction.
Bowers & Wilkins saved the remainder of what was so nice concerning the Px7 S2 as properly. Dependable bodily controls don’t result in any frustration once you use them and the ANC efficiency is nice sufficient to dam out a variety of distractions. Issue within the refined design and general consolation, and also you’ve acquired an ideal pair of headphones that rival the most effective. The Px7 S2e nonetheless doesn’t have a variety of the extra superior options that Sony provides, however they sound so good you won’t even discover.
- Spectacular sound high quality
- Higher than marketed battery life
- Efficient noise cancellation
- Cozy match
- Refined design
- Name high quality
- Very primary EQ customization
- Subpar Move-By mode audio
- Computerized pausing wants refining
$399 at Amazon
Audio-Technica
Noise cancellation: No | Multipoint: Sure | Battery life: 60 hours | Weight: 1.42 kilos | Water resistance: None
Audio-Technica has launched inexpensive wi-fi headphones previously, and whereas they didn’t provide lively noise cancellation, they’re nonetheless value contemplating. The corporate’s newest is the M20xBT, a Bluetooth model of the A-T’s common M20x wired cans. For simply $79, you may count on a snug match and as much as 60 hours of battery life. Bluetooth multipoint connectivity lets you connect with a number of units directly and bodily buttons present dependable on-board management. The design isn’t as refined as the corporate’s pricer fashions just like the M50xBT2, however you get the majority of what makes Audio-Technica’s cheaper choices so good.
- Reasonably priced
- As much as 60 hours of battery life
- Multipoint connectivity
- Design is not as refined as opponents’
$79 at Adorama
Photograph by Billy Steele / Engadget
Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure | Battery life: 24 hours | Water resistance: None
Learn our full assessment of the Bose QuietComfort Extremely
Bose’s distinctive tackle spatial audio would be the headline function on its QuietComfort Extremely Headphones, however the firm didn’t overlook ANC on this mannequin (Make no mistake — Sony takes the crown right here for greatest ANC, however this Bose mannequin is a detailed second.) Described as “the quietest quiet” out there on any of its headphones but, the ANC right here is noticeably higher than the Bose 700 and iconic QuietComfort Headphones. That is due partly to microphone enhancements that additionally enhance name high quality. The modifications are particularly obvious when coping with the hard-to-combat frequency vary of individuals speaking. The corporate additionally provides presets that blend ANC, transparency mode and its spatial Immersive Audio, permitting you to rapidly swap the sound to match your environment. And if that wasn’t sufficient, the contact controls make these over-ear headphones a breeze to make use of — so that you get good noise cancelation, good sound and further comfort bundled on this package deal.
Whereas the spatial sound function is a little bit of a combined bag, the inventory tuning on the QuietComfort Extremely Headphones continues to be good – even earlier than you turn on Immersive Audio. Bose has usually lagged the competitors by way of sonic prowess, however these over-ear headphones present that hole is narrowing. There’s a touch extra bass to boost a default sound profile that’s hotter, clearer and extra inviting than earlier Bose fashions, leading to good sound general. When Immersive Audio hits, it’s wonderful and the audio high quality is actually exceptional. However, the corporate is counting on sign processing moderately than specifically crafted content material so the outcomes range.
- Wonderful ANC
- Improved audio
- Clearer transparency mode
- Cozy
- Costly
- Immersive Audio is inconsistent
- No USB-C audio
$429 at Adorama
Technics
Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure | Battery life: 50 hours | Weight: 0.65 kilos | Water resistance: None
Again at CES 2022, Panasonic introduced the EAH-A800: a brand new set of lively noise canceling headphones underneath the enduring Technics model. Whereas many of the options are what you see on any variety of wi-fi headphones, one determine stood out. The corporate says you may count on as much as 50 hours of battery life on the A800, and that’s with lively noise cancellation enabled. Whereas we have not put them via the total assessment evaluation, I’ve already examined them on an extended flight. The ANC is spectacular and so they’re comfy sufficient to keep away from changing into a burden after a number of hours or many lengthy listening periods. Sound high quality can also be fairly good (there’s LDAC help, too) and there are sufficient options right here to justify the premium price ticket.
- 50-hour battery life with ANC turned on
- Snug design
- Good sound high quality
$200 at Amazon
MASTER & DYNAMIC
Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure | Battery life: 28 hours | Weight: 0.75 kilos | Water resistance: None
Whereas Grasp & Dynamic is understood for its design prowess, the corporate’s over-ear headphones had been due for a refresh. With the MW75 that debuted in June, the corporate opted for a glance that takes cues from its MG20 gaming headphones and mixes them with a combo of aluminum, leather-based and tempered glass. The corporate’s trademark sound high quality returns with a number of ANC modes and ambient sound choices for a spread of conditions. At $599, the high-end appears to be like don’t come low-cost, however when you’re searching for one thing past the pure plastic trend of most headphones, M&D has you lined.
- Luxurious design made with premium supplies
- A number of ANC modes
$599 at Amazon
How to decide on the most effective wi-fi headphones for you
On the subject of purchasing for a great pair of wi-fi headphones, the very first thing you’ll have to resolve on is put on fashion. Do you like on-ear or over-ear headphones? For the needs of our purchaser’s information, we give attention to the over-ear fashion as that’s what most noise-canceling headphones are these days. Positive, yow will discover on-ear fashions with ANC, however over-ear designs are rather more efficient at blocking sound. Talking of noise cancellation, you’ll need to decide early on when you even need that. Should you steadily crank up the beats in noisy environments, you’ll need to not solely be sure it’s there, but in addition be sure it’s good, ideally with adaptive ANC. Should you plan to make use of your new headphones in quieter areas, skipping ANC can prevent some cash.
The subsequent space to think about is options. We suggest attempting to get probably the most bang to your buck, however as you’re purchasing round you must decide which objects are must-haves and what you may reside with out. And don’t take staple items like computerized pausing and Bluetooth multipoint connectivity as a right, as not all firms embody them. We additionally counsel studying opinions to see how properly an organization’s extra superior options work. This may assist you to resolve if these are one thing you’re keen to (probably) pay further for. Regulate higher battery life estimates to keep away from disappointment, as some producers promise extra hours than real-world testing delivers. And don’t be simply swayed by lofty guarantees about name high quality with out verifying them.
Sound will be subjective, so we suggest attempting before you purchase if in any respect doable. We perceive this isn’t straightforward at a time after we’re doing most of our purchasing on-line. However attempting on a set of headphones and listening to them for a couple of minutes can prevent from an costly case of purchaser’s regret. We additionally suggest taking note of issues like Spatial Audio, Dolby Atmos, 360 Actuality Audio and different immersive codecs. Not all headphones help them, so that you’ll need to be sure a perspective pair does if that kind of factor excites you. Should you plan to make use of your headphones for different media apart from music, checking for latency can also be a should — some delay can influence playback for issues like motion pictures or video games, even when most true wi-fi headphones now provide minimal lag.
How we check over-ear headphones
The first method we check wi-fi headphones is to put on them as a lot as doable. We desire to do that over a one- to two-week interval, however generally embargoes don’t enable it. Throughout this time, we hearken to a mixture of music and podcasts, whereas additionally utilizing the earbuds to take each voice and video calls. Since battery life for headphones will be 30 hours or extra, we drain the battery with looping music and the quantity set at a snug degree (often round 75 p.c). As a result of longer battery estimates, we’ll usually energy the headphones off a number of occasions and go away them throughout a assessment. This simulates real-world use and retains us from having to continuously monitor the method for over 24 straight hours.
To guage the most effective Bluetooth headphones, we give attention to higher-quality audio by listening to quite a lot of genres and paying shut consideration to how every fashion sounds. We additionally check at each high and low volumes to verify for consistency within the tuning. To evaluate the standard of telephone calls, we’ll report audio samples with the headphones’ microphones in addition to have third events name us.
On the subject of options, we do a radical assessment of companion apps, testing every function as we work via the software program. Any holdovers from earlier fashions are double checked for enhancements or regression. If the headphones we’re testing are an up to date model of a earlier mannequin, we’ll spend time getting reacquainted with the older set. Ditto for the closest competitors for every new set of headphones that we assessment.
Different wi-fi headphones we examined
AirPods Max
Apple’s AirPods Max are premium, well-designed over-ear headphones that incorporate the entire greatest options you discover on normal AirPods: stable noise cancelation, spatial audio and simple Siri entry. Nevertheless, their $550 beginning worth makes them virtually prohibitively costly, even for Apple customers. There are higher choices out there at decrease costs, however when you can decide up the AirPods Max at a steep low cost, they could be worthwhile for the largest Apple followers amongst us.
Dyson On-Trac
The On-Trac headphones have an virtually infinitely customizable design, and that’s what’s most unusual about them. The sound profile provides some good element, however lacks dynamic vary general. ANC is common at greatest and there aren’t any superior options that may make your life simpler. Properly, apart from the listening to well being monitor which is definitely helpful. All instructed, that’s not lots in a set of $500 headphones.
Sonos Ace
The Sonos Ace is a superb debut for the corporate’s first headphones. The mixture of refined design, nice sound high quality and residential theater tips creates a singular system. Nevertheless, ANC efficiency is simply okay and key performance continues to be within the works for a lot of customers.
Sony ULT Put on
If most headphones don’t have the extent of bass you need, the ULT Put on is an choice to think about. The low-end thump isn’t for everybody, however there are additionally loads of helpful options and a refined look to make the $200 set extra compelling than many on this worth vary.
Sony WH-CH720N
Whereas the WH-CH720N are an ideal inexpensive choice, we desire the Audio-Technica within the price range class. Sony’s cans are light-weight with good sound high quality, however ANC struggles at occasions and so they’re made with a variety of plastic.
Beats Studio Professional
The Studio Professional lacks primary options like computerized pausing, and multipoint connectivity is simply out there on Android. Furthermore, they’re not very comfy for individuals with bigger heads. Total sound high quality is improved, although, and voice efficiency on calls is properly above common.
Bose QuietComfort Extremely headphones
Bose’s newest flagship mannequin has lots to supply, however its trademark Immersive Audio function will be inconsistent throughout various kinds of music. There’s nonetheless world-class ANC, glorious consolation and a clearer transparency mode, however for the value, the non-Extremely mannequin is a better option proper now.
Grasp & Dynamic MH40 (2nd gen)
The MH40 are an ideal set of headphones when you favor crisp, clear and pure sound that isn’t overly tuned. This pair showcases the corporate’s affinity for leather-based and metallic too, however restricted customization and quick battery life for non-ANC cans saved this set from making the minimize.
Bowers & Wilkins Px8
The corporate’s trademark pristine sound is on show right here, however the Px8 are dearer and never almost as comfy because the Px7 S2.
Wi-fi headphones FAQs
How are you going to inform the standard of wi-fi headphones?
I usually have a look at three components: design, sound high quality and options. When it comes to design, I’m often seeking to see if the construct high quality of the headphones feels low-cost and plasticky. Loads of firms use plastic, however they will achieve this in a method that doesn’t look or really feel like price range fashions. For sound high quality, I need to hear a pleasant, even tuning the place highs, mids and lows are all properly represented. No overly boomy bass or scooped out mids. I additionally need good readability the place you may decide up effective particulars and an open, immersive soundstage. Options is often a distant third, but when an organization doesn’t cowl primary performance (computerized pausing, transparency mode, multipoint Bluetooth, and so forth.) it may be a sign of general high quality.
How do I select the very best quality wi-fi headphones?
“Greatest” will be fairly subjective, however I at all times suggest going to a spot the place you may hearken to the headphones you’re fascinated by shopping for earlier than you commit. Typically this isn’t doable, so that you’ll need to verify return insurance policies. I additionally suggest doing a little analysis to find out what your priorities are in a brand new set. Are you an audiophile who needs the most effective sound high quality? Is highly effective lively noise cancellation (ANC) crucial? Would you moderately have conveniences like computerized pausing?
Which model has the most effective wi-fi headphones?
Sony constantly tops our listing with its 1000X line. That is largely as a result of mixture of sound high quality, ANC efficiency and the truckload of options these headphones pack in. I’ll be the primary to inform you that there are higher sounding choices and different firms, like Bose, provide more practical noise cancellation. However once you add every little thing up, nobody comes near the total slate of instruments Sony places in its premium headphone line.
Do costly wi-fi headphones sound higher?
Exorbitant worth tags don’t imply higher audio high quality. Bowers & Wilkins’ headphones are on the excessive finish for wi-fi noise-canceling fashions and so they sound wonderful. Nevertheless, Audio-Technica’s M50xBT2 is rather more inexpensive and doesn’t have ANC, however these headphones have a heat, pure sound profile that I discover very inviting. On the finish of the day, it should come down to non-public desire, however you don’t want to spend so much to search out nice headphones.