Finding the right wireless headphones for your needs is much easier than it used to be, with scores of Bluetooth-ready options out there ready and waiting.
Thankfully, opting for wire-free cans no longer means suffering through inferior sound quality, either. With newer devices featuring more sophisticated audio processing and transmission, you no longer have to make the sacrifice between convenience and a premium listening experience.
With so many to pick between, it can be tough to actually discover which are the best for you. That’s where this guide comes in. Thanks to the Pocket-lint team’s continuous testing and reviewing, we’re able to provide an idea of the very top picks in the wireless headphones area.
Whether you’re searching for on-ear or over-ear, favour top-end features or your wallet, we’ve tried them all. Read on to discover which you should pick. And if you’re looking for noise-cancelling efforts, rather than just wireless options, head on over to our guide on the best ANC headphones and earbuds.
Best wireless headphones: Our top pick
For
- Superb listening experience Comfortable for hours
Against
- Don’t fold as small as older model No aptX or aptX HD support
Sony’s noise-cancelling, over-ear headphones are an extraordinary all-rounder, providing a sound experience that we’d class as among the best we’ve ever tested - now with a fresh new design.
The WH-1000XM5 are particularly clever with noise-cancelling, offering various modes to allow your voice to pass through (or not), and more effective than ever. Hi-res music support is offered by LDAC.
Sound great, great to wear and outstanding on noise reduction - you get 30 hours of playback (ANC on) and the option for a wired connection when the battery runs flat.
The WH-1000XM4 that they replace are still worth considering - as they’ll be a little cheaper - but this latest pair of Sony headphones is a masterclass.
- Sony WH-1000XM5 review: Still an ANC masterclass
Wireless headphones we also recommend
In truth, there are many excellent wireless headphones on the market today - and the difference between them isn’t drastic. While we believe our top pick is currently the best blend of features, performance, price and design, there are four more models we’d also strongly recommend checking out.
Luxurious, refined design Comfortable to wear Really good sound
No passive listening
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 is a predictably gorgeous pair of headphones built with refined styling and luxurious materials that’ll please those with the fussiest of tastes. Px8 ticks all the right boxes in both design and in the listening experience.
You get top features like aptX Adaptive, quality ANC, transparency mode, Bluetooth 5.2 and support for wireless codecs up to 24-bit/48kHz which B&W calls “better than CD” quality.
There’s no denying that it’s an expensive pair of headphones though. At £599 / €699 / $699, this is a pair that’s a lot more expensive than most others on the list, but if it’s in your budget and you don’t mind spending the money, we think you’ll be very happy with the purchase.
To make the most of the sound quality you will need to feed them with the very best source material, but for those who want that ultra-premium feel and incredible sound quality, these are among the best on the market.
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 review: Luxury listening
Multi-level noise-cancelling technology Powerful sound profile
Non-folding design No EQ within the app
The Bose NC 700 over-ears really step things up a gear from models that came before it, offering a really premium-feeling design.
There’s superb noise-cancelling to cut out external sound, and loud and proud sound quality without the need for wires (a backup 2.5-3.5mm cable is included in the carry case, though).
The battery life lasts for about 18 hours, too, making these good over-ear headphones for travelling - providing you can manage the design, obviously.
Despite their age, these headphones still look, feel and sound better than many rivals - including alternatives from Bose itself. It’s been overtaken in some regards, sure, but this is still an outstanding pair to invest in.
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 review: Bose is the ANC boss
Folding design is ideal for travel Super sound and ANC
No auto-off power option The design feels tired next to rivals
Bose’s latest wireless headphones are another triumph, bringing users top-tier noise-cancelling, thumping bass and a design that’s suited to life on the road.
Physical buttons return to the outer shell, while the folding design makes it ideal for throwing into bags and the likes. The 24-hour battery life, as well, while not being class-leading, is still very good.
The only real downside to the package is that it isn’t quite as premium in looks or feel as the NC Headphones 700 from Bose, and, like some of Sony’s options, the upgrades are relatively mild in comparison to previous generations.
That aside, though, the latest QuietComfort model is still very easy to recommend over rivals.
Bose QuietComfort 45 review: Top travel headphones
Sensational sound quality Real articulation to high-end frequencies Supremely comfortable to wear
ANC doesn’t have class-leading ambient sound reduction Touch controls can be over-sensitive
Comfort and audio quality are the resounding features of the Philips Fidelio L3 headphones. It’s the sound quality that impresses with these headphones so if it’s music above all else, you might want to start here.
While ANC is offered, it’s not as compelling as that from Sony or Bose, while the accompanying app, leaves plenty to be desired too.
But once you’re listening to your favourite track, you’re unlikely to be worried about such things.
- Philips Fidelio L3 headphones review: Seriously sophisticated sound
Master & Dynamic MW75
Master & Dynamic’s flagship headphones offer premium materials and fantastic sound. It’s a killer combination.
Stunning sound Premium design materials Effective noise cancelling aptX Adaptive support
Expensive Not as feature-rich as some competitors
For Master & Dynamic, making just another pair of wireless headphones was never going to be enough. These are a very unique pair that combine ultra-premium materials with out-of-this-world sound.
The ANC offered is effective at cutting out most noise, while the audio quality and sound profile mean you’ll enjoy your music to the fullest.
Sure, M&D could have gone with a more feature-rich approach like Sony, but, by focusing on the design and core sound experience, the New York-based company has built a stunning pair of headphones.
- Master & Dynamic MW75 review: Premium alternative
How to choose the right wireless headphones
There are absolutely loads of options on the market where wireless headphones are concerned.
The list above includes some of the very best, but there are also a few principles you can apply while choosing which are ideal for you.
How much to spend on wireless headphones?
The first big question for many people shopping around for quality headphones is how much they should spend. It’s not one with an easy answer, although you’ll see from browsing our favourites that quality does come at a price right now.
Many of the best and most fully-featured models sit between £200 and £300, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get excellent cans for less than £100 - you’ll just need to shop around a bit more. We think setting your budget is a sensible first step, either way.
Should wireless headphones have ANC?
One of the biggest new technologies to hit headphones in recent years has been active noise cancellation (ANC). It dulls the background noise around you using microphones and feedback, to make sure that you hear your music or audio clearly.
When done well, it can be transformative and make loud journeys relaxing. However, it also tends to bump up the price of headphones, so if you want to do most of your listening at home, you could think about ditching it to save some cash. That said, the best headphones are increasingly including it as a matter of course.
How much battery life do wireless headphones need?
Another big variable when you’re sizing up headphones to buy comes in the form of battery life. This can vary by quite big amounts, but we’d say you much less than 10 hours is a little disappointing.
Many of the most popular models now offer over 20 hours of playback before a charge is needed, but if battery life is a top priority there are superb options that can give you closer to 30 hours or even more - so be sure to work out how much of an issue longevity is for you.
