Wireless headphones, tested and reviewed

To find the most productive wireless earbuds, I tested more than 30 of the most popular wireless earbuds, ranging in price from $60 to $700. After sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, extra features, and more, I chose the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. Headphones as my choice for the most productive wireless headphones overall.

While the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are amazing, they are necessarily for everyone. Some other people might look for headphones, in which case the Nothing Ear headphones are the way to go, while those who are in the Apple ecosystem might prefer the AirPods Max. I also identified other winners in categories like Best TV Headphones, Best Audiophile Headphones, and Best Headphones Under $100. Without further ado, here are the best wireless headphones you can buy now. And for more audio recommendations, consult our tested advisor on the most productive wireless headphones.

I was born and raised in Canberra, Australia, lived in France and Minnesota before landing in sunny California. I’ve written for a variety of online publications, including Digital Trends, Business Insider, and TechRadar, and while my background is firmly grounded in technology, I’m looking for a new writing challenge. When I’m not writing about technology, I can regularly be caught generating new music, watching the latest Marvel movie, or figuring out how to make my house smarter. I’m writing for Forbes Vetted. Si you buy something using a link on this page, Forbes Finds will possibly get a small percentage of that sale.

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For most people, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are the most productive wireless headphones available. Overall, they slightly outperformed the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones, AirPods Max, and the new Sonos Ace headphones, but ultimately took the name thanks to their ultra-convenient compatibility and the fact that they offer the most productive activeArray. Noise cancellation (ANC) in the industry.

They sound wonderful too. These weren’t the best-sounding headphones I tested, but I found them to sound more natural than the Sony WH-1000XM5. They offer deep, impressive bass, fairly flat mids, and high-end details perfect for a pair of headphones in this price range. I also found that audiophile-targeted headphones like the Focal Bathys sounded better, as did the AirPods Max. And I wish Bose would put a little more effort into the app’s equalization (EQ), which only has three bands and is poorly labeled. But it sounds wonderful from the first moment.

The black Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are on-trend and offer active noise cancellation.

The noise-canceling generation here is more effective than that of any other pair of headphones. It’s not the quietest implementation of noise cancellation – there is some background hissing when it’s on, unlike headphones like the Sonos Ace, for example. However, it cancels out more noise than any other pair I’ve tried, and when you hear audio, you can’t literally hear the hiss anyway.

In addition to their audio quality, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are the most comfortable pair I’ve ever tested. They’re not as light as the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones, but the padding and weight distribution on the sensitive top of the head prove more effective. All while providing a superior quality structure with premium fabrics and a design that folds for greater portability than most competitors.

When in use, store the headphones in the included padded case.

Perhaps the biggest problem with these headphones is the battery life, which is a bit short. After 24 hours with ANC enabled, the earbuds probably wouldn’t last as long as the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Sonos Ace headphones, and possibly wouldn’t even come close to the 60 hours of the four Sennheiser Momentum wireless earbuds. However, 24 hours is still not great and is a bit more than the 20-hour battery presented by the AirPods Max.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones support multipoint Bluetooth for up to two device connections and work with a relatively well-designed app; Again, I wish this app offered a better equalizer. For those looking for the best equalizer for everyone. Complete package, with quality sound, a comfortable fit and the most productive noise cancellation in its class, it currently doesn’t get better than this.

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The Nothing Ear were a wonderful choice for me, not because I doubted their quality, but because I wasn’t sure if they could compete with headphones twice as expensive. That’s right, they are the best headphones for the price, they are They are the most productive wireless headphones out there, period.

It all starts with the design. Of course, design is rarely as important as, say, sound quality, but it doesn’t hurt that they look great. They have a stem design like the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) and feature easy-to-use compression controls. I prefer tension controls to buttons or touch-sensitive surfaces, and I don’t like that controlling many headphones means having to stick them in my ears. Compression controls save you this.

The shape of these headphones also contributes to their comfort. These are some of the maximum comfort headphones I’ve tried and used for hours without any problems. Not too many hours though: the earbuds have an uninterrupted battery life of just over five hours with ANC, which is on the low end. Most people don’t wear their headphones for five hours straight, but if you do, it’s probably not for you. (The case offers up to 24 hours of playback with ANC. )

Note the design of the Nothing Ear earbuds.

They also sound wonderful and smoothly rival the most productive headphones on the market. It’s not the pair of headphones that offers the most productive sound on the market, a name that goes to Denon PerL Pros. But they sound almost as smart and the app has a complex equalizer that allows you to adjust the audio according to your preferences. The app overall is well-designed, easy to use, and packed with useful features.

The Nothing Ear headphones have noise cancellation and are smart enough, but not as smart as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones, Bose’s headphone option. And they don’t have very complex features like spatial audio with head tracking.

But the short battery life and lack of spatial audio are perhaps the only problem with these headphones, and all in all, they’re excellent. Between amazing sound, an ultra-comfortable fit, and a diversity of extra features, the Nothing Ear headphones are the most productive headphones out there, costing just $149.

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Those looking for a pair of headphones to use with their TV could choose the Sonos Ace headphones.

However, there are some caveats in this regard. The Sonos Ace headphones are particularly suitable for those who own a Sonos Arc soundbar and will also work wonders with other Sonos soundbars. However, even without a Sonos soundbar, they still pair with a TV thanks to Bluetooth technology. And they sound wonderful with any TV, with just one outlet. If you own an Apple TV 4K, this is rarely the most productive option – AirPods Max are. This is because the AirPods Max will connect automatically. to your Apple TV and spatial audio with head tracking.

The Sonos Ace is a premium design.

But if you don’t have an Apple TV, the Sonos Ace headphones are the best option. Even when connected to your formula via a basic Bluetooth accessory (and not a Sonos Arc), the headphones track the head, so you can get an approximation of an immersive delight that sounds pretty good. If you own Sonos Arc, you can simply press and hold a button on the headphones to activate “TV Audio Swap” and connect it to your soundbar right away. It works perfectly and extends connectivity, even beyond the multipoint Bluetooth already integrated into the headset, which allows you to connect up to two devices.

Headphones have other benefits as well. While they don’t sound as smart as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones, they still sound great. They incorporate forged noise-canceling technology, and while they’re not as effective as Bose headphones, they’re quieter and produce less hiss. Hopefully the Sonos app a little better: the built-in EQ is incredibly critical and some settings are missing, such as the ability to replace when spatial audio is on.

Sonos Ace in your case

These headphones also featured some of the most productive designs and build qualities of any headphones I’ve tested, with impressive premium fabrics and a vintage look. Plus, they come with an ultra-sleek and slim case, as well as a USB-C port. and a USB-C to 3. 5mm cable for stressed music listening. They’re a beloved headphone, of course, but if you need headphones that you can use in your living room, the Sonos Ace headphones are a great option, especially if you have a Sonos soundbar.

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We live in a world where the best wireless earbuds cost at least $350, which means that a pair that costs $200 can be considered “mid-range. “If you need cheaper headphones, read on to discover my selection. of the best budget hearing aids that charge less than $100. But if you’re looking for the best mid-range wireless earbuds that charge less than $200, the JBL Live 770NC earbuds may be for you.

To be clear, those headphones don’t sound as smart as all the high-end features I’ve tried, and they’re not as comfortable either. They are not uncomfortable, but the weight distribution on the most sensitive part of the head may simply be larger and they have a stronger grip around the ears. Additionally, they don’t come with a hard case, just a comfortable bag that may not protect them from more intense bumps and drops.

The JBL Live 770 NC headphones offer touch controls and a 3. 5mm jack.

But they sound great, especially for headphones in this price range. They have very well tuned mids and a forged bass response. The highs are detailed and crisp, offering an exciting audio experience. Even better? The app offers the most productive equalizer of any headphone app you’ve ever tried. It’s necessarily infinitely adjustable, allowing you to sculpt as detailed an EQ as you want. The app is generally intuitive, and the earbuds have all sorts of extra features, adding the ability to replace noise-canceling settings and spatial sound modes.

The headphones also have exceptional battery life, longer than almost any high-end option I’ve reviewed. Battery life is rated at 50 hours with noise cancellation enabled, more than double that of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones. These headphones are perfect, but they’re as close as you can get for under $200.

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If you’re looking for wireless earbuds that you can use primarily for sports and workouts, the Jabra Elite 8 Active earbuds are my most sensible choice. These are especially useful if you sweat a lot or are committed enough to stay outside in the rain, thanks to the fact that they have an IP68 water resistance rating, meaning they can outlast the maximum of other wireless devices. . headphones.

To be clear, those who don’t particularly want headphones with a maximum point of water resistance can be fine with all sorts of other headphones, as long as they have proper compatibility. Personally, I use the AirPods Pro (second generation) either in life or to run out, as they have good compatibility and work well with my Apple Watch Ultra 2. But those in particular looking for state-of-the-art headphones that are a little more durable than the average pair will want to try the Jabra. Active Elite 8 headphones.

The Jabra Elite Active has been designed for training.

You may notice that the Elite 8 Active earbuds don’t have any kind of hook or wing for greater compatibility with your ears. This is one of the main reasons why they were almost surpassed by the Beats Fit Pro in this category. In the end, however, I found that they have good enough compatibility that they don’t fall off during strenuous movements, besides running. Your mileage can vary, and if you notice the headphones falling out of your ears, it might be worth opting for the Beats. Fit Pro. And it’s worth experimenting with the other ear tips that come in the box to find the ideal compatibility.

As well as better compatibility and water resistance, the Jabra Elite 8 Active headphones offer solid audio quality, with adequate high-end response and decent noise cancellation, although they’re not as smart as some of the more expensive options. They are also made from premium fabrics and support wireless charging. The battery life is also smart: it allows up to 8 hours of uninterrupted listening and the charging case provides an additional 24 hours, bringing the total battery life to 32 hours (with ANC). All of this adds up to make them the most productive workout headphones out there right now.

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If you’re an audiophile who needs a pair of wireless headphones that prioritize audio above all else, the Focal Bathys headphones have you covered. These headphones are expensive and their noise cancellation is as smart as the competition, but their sound is surely impressive.

This is to be expected from Focal, a long-standing audio company known for its high-end products. The headphones offer a rich, deep bass response, natural-sounding mids, and tons of treble detail – everything that, in my opinion, really defines audiophile headphones. The app also offers a five-band equalizer that audiophiles can use to adjust the headphones a little more to what they’re looking for; However, this EQ may not be as detailed as you’d like.

The Focal Bathys headphones have a sleek design.

As you would expect from audiophile headphones, they have some features suitable for the top audio solution. Notably, the headphones feature a USB-DAC express mode that allows users to achieve 24-bit/192kHz audio with a convenient connection. This means you can stream Bluetooth-quality audio on the go and much better solution audio when you can listen to a stressed connection.

These are audiophile headphones – pretty much all audio comes second. The headphones are comfortable, but not as comfortable as my other options. They have smart noise cancellation, but it’s not as smart as Bose or Sony. They have counterfeit features such as multipoint Bluetooth, but they are not as feature-rich as Bose or Sony. For most audiophiles, this may not be a big deal; Audio quality is more vital than anything else.

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The Apple AirPods Max are wonderful headphones, and while they are expensive, if you’re willing to pay for them and are deeply entrenched in the Apple ecosystem, they’re a wonderful choice.

My wife and I most frequently use Apple devices, so the AirPods Max are the headphones I use daily. The explanation is simple: they automatically connect to each and every device I use, which is much more than what the dual-connection Bluetooth multipoint generation does. I would admit. I use them daily with an iPhone and a Mac Studio. At least a couple of times a week, I also use them with an Apple TV 4K. Occasionally, I use them with a MacBook Pro and when my 4-month-old daughter was in her first weeks, I used them several times with a second Apple TV 4K in the bedroom. I appreciated that I didn’t have to go through the login setup, even though it was her first time using them. with a specific device – if the device signed in to my iCloud account, it would sign in without issue.

The Apple AirPods Max are my engine, but you may find that their battery life is longer.

The AirPods Max also sound great, offering a very spacious sound, with deep bass and surprising clarity on the top end. Apple may not let you replace this sound with an equalizer, but I didn’t feel the need to do it as much as with other headphones. Noise cancellation on the AirPods Max is also excellent, not as impressive as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, but very close. And the transparency mode is natural and clear, unlike many competitors.

The earbuds are very well built and have an amazing design. Most of the exterior of the earbuds is made of stainless steel, which contributes to its sleek, timeless, and exclusive look. However, this also makes them very heavy. They distribute the weight well slightly on the most sensitive part of the head and I wear them for hours without much problem. However, you may feel that extra weight from time to time.

The biggest challenge with those headphones? They have a short battery life, only 20 hours, something that some users may even struggle to achieve. A lot of this is because you can’t turn them off unless you put them in a very minimalist case. So even though they’ll be in low-force mode when you’re not using them, they won’t work. Don’t be in powerless mode.

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You don’t want to pay a lot for counterfeit headphones: the Anker Soundcore Life Q35 headphones offer counterfeit audio quality and useful features for only about $100 (and even less when on sale). Of course, you may not get the same quality. and features like you would with much more expensive earbuds, but you might be surprised at how close you can get to them.

The earbuds have a slightly reasonable build and necessarily maximum comfort, but they’re still more comfortable than the others I’ve tested. And they sound pretty smart, with decent bass reaction, solidly tuned mids and smart reaction at the high end. for headphones in its price range. You can also adjust the audio to your preference: the app offers an eight-band equalizer, which is great for headphones in all price ranges.

The Anker Soundcore Life Q35 earbuds feature plush earbuds and push-button controls.

Speaking of the app, the headphones also offer some useful features. They feature forged noise cancellation and support multipoint Bluetooth, allowing you to connect to up to two devices simultaneously. There are a lot of features beyond that, but those are the fundamental features to expect from a wonderful pair of wireless earbuds.

Again, if you can spend more, you get a better experience, but for those whose budget is limited to around $100, the Anker Soundcore Life Q35 headphones actually have a lot to offer.

While those winners easily stood out as the most productive of the most productive, I eliminated more than 20 more wireless earbuds that didn’t end up ranking high. Here are the other earbuds I tried that deserve your attention, along with a brief review of why they didn’t make the cut.

Sony WH-1000XM5 ($289 at Amazon): This list may have started off smoothly with those headphones as the overall most productive pick. The main explanation why they didn’t get the name is the fact that they are as comfortable, don’t sound as neutral, and don’t have as smart ANC as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones.

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless ($249 on Amazon): These headphones sound just as smart, if not better, than Sony and Bose headphones, and have longer battery life on most of them. However, the noise-cancelling generation is just as smart. , and it’s not as comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

The four Sennheiser Momentum wireless earbuds sound great, lacking full noise cancellation.

JBL Tour One M2 ($300 on Amazon): These headphones sound wonderful and have a relatively comfortable fit, not as comfortable as my most sensible choice. While they offer the most productive EQ I’ve noticed in consumer headphones, they don’t sound as smart as the Bose and Sony headphones.

Bose QuietComfort Headphones ($229 on Amazon): These headphones have fallen into no man’s land in terms of categories. They have an ANC comparable to the most sensible choice, but they don’t sound as unbiased and don’t have as impressive build quality.

Sony ULT Wear ($158 on Amazon): I have a love/hate relationship with those headphones. They have some of the features and convenience points that other people (myself included) love about Sony headphones. However, I think the extra bass makes them more muddy than powerful.

Sennheiser Accentum Plus ($170 at Amazon): These headphones have just the right battery life and sound just as smart as the JBL headphones that won in the most productive mid-range category. However, they don’t have the same features, adding the amazing equalizer. presented through JBL.

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Sony WH-CH720N ($88 on Amazon): These headphones are great budget options, but they retail for $150, so they can’t compete in the higher budget category. That said, if you can find them for under $100, they are a little better than the Anker Soundcore Life Q35 headphones.

Beats Studio Pro ($170 on Amazon): The Beats Studio Pro headphones are bad headphones, but they don’t really compete on price. They do not seem as intelligent as others in their diversity of values nor as comfortable.

Anker Soundcore Life Q30 ($56 on Amazon): These earbuds are bad for the price and definitely don’t sound bad. They also work with the Soundcore app, which is rarely very bad. However, they’re just as comfortable and don’t sound as smart as my cheaper option.

Anker Soundcore Space One ($79 at Amazon): The Anker Soundcore Space One headphones aren’t great either, but they don’t sound as smart or feel as comfortable as my pick for the best budget headphones.

Anker Soundcore Space Q45 ($90 on Amazon): The Anker Soundcore Space Q45 headphones have been tremendously disappointing. They sound awful, with an overemphasis on mids, and that makes up for the fact that they have a forged battery life and a fairly comfortable fit.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20 ($40 at Amazon): These headphones were also forgotten when it came to the categories. They’re decent for the price, but they don’t sound as smart as my pick for best budget headphones, and they don’t work with the Soundcore app, which limits their functionality.

Technics EAH-AZ80 ($248 at Amazon): Almost wins the title of most productive wireless headphones. Ultimately, while the Technics EAH-AZ80 headphones sound just as smart as the Nothing Ear headphones, they’re not as comfortable, and the accompanying app is rarely as easy to navigate and doesn’t look as attractive.

Sony WF-1000XM5 ($228 on Amazon): These headphones were a bit of a disappointment for me. They’re not bad, have smart battery life and a comfortable fit. However, I don’t like their controls, feel, and sound depending on where they are in your ears.

Apple AirPods Pro (second generation) ($169 at Amazon): The Apple AirPods Pro are wonderful headphones for those who exclusively use Apple devices. They don’t sound as good, but they’re very comfortable and offer enormous Apple diversity. Focused features.

Nothing Ear(a) ($79 on Amazon): These are my favorite earbuds under $100, but there wasn’t a category for them in this roundup. They look a lot more expensive than they are and offer a solid feature set, especially for headphones in their price range. They are also very comfortable and look great.

The Nothing Ear(a) headphones only sound great, but they also look great.

Jabra Elite 10 ($175 on Amazon): These are wonderful headphones, with excellent audio quality and a solid build. In the end, they lost out on issues because they’re not as comfortable as my most sensible choice when it comes to wireless earbuds, and their noise-canceling generation is rarely that good.

To test the listening experience of the headphones, I paired them with my Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and rated the music streamed from Apple Music. In particular, I listened to music by AC/DC, Betty Who and Jay-Z. representing a diversity of other types of music with other sound characteristics.

When listening to music, I compared the sound of the bass, midrange, and treble individually, paying close attention to the main points of the treble and the bass extension that allowed the bass to appear deep and thick. I also looked at all the apps that are designed for headphones and how those apps allow users to adjust the audio according to their preferences. Some have very complex equalizers, while others are much more basic.

I also tested the noise cancellation of the headphones that featured it, in a variety of other configurations, and used each pair of headphones for at least a few hours to assess how comfortable they would be during extended listening sessions. Comfort is rarely overlooked. However, it’s perhaps the most important thing for sound quality.

In addition to sound quality, noise cancellation, and comfort, I looked at the quality of the design and manufacturing, wireless features like the number of devices a pair of headphones can be connected to, the design of apps, and other features. also the battery life of the headphones and the generation of charge they offer.

I rigorously tested more than 20 popular and best-selling headphones from a variety of manufacturers, in a wide variety of environments and situations. I am a long-time audiophile and have a background in music production. I have a degree in music generation and I have to be attentive when judging the audio material. I have over a decade of experience in customer generation and have reviewed headphones for publications like BGR, Business Insider, Digital Trends, and more. I was also editor-in-chief of the now-stagnant site HeadphoneReview. com.

During testing, I consulted with three experienced music makers, including Michael Orland, associate music director of American Idol; Drew Ryan Scott, singer, songwriter and multi-platinum music producer; and Gabe López, singer, songwriter and producer of many renowned artists. We’ve looked at the key features they’re looking for when opting for headphones, and those 3 experts have provided a review of the most important features for listening to music the way you want to listen to a wireless earbud that’s designed for everyday use.

In addition to overall audio quality, it’s important to consider a few things, such as price, fit, and battery life, so you can find the pair that best suits your needs and lifestyle.

Wireless earbuds range in price from $40 to $500 or more, with the higher end of the spectrum offering more premium features and higher quality sound. That said, you can find great headphones in the $100 to $350 range, which is where most of our recommendations fall. lie.

Wireless headphones should be comfortable, especially if you plan to wear them for long periods of time. For on-ear headphones, look for plush earmuffs and adjustable headbands; In the case of headphones, look for a pair that stays securely in your ear.

Wireless headphones have an average battery life of 20 to 30 hours, although some can run for up to 50 consecutive hours, like the JBL Live 770NC. Some also come with charging cases that allow you to charge on the go, which can be especially useful for commuters and commuters. Be sure to find out where and how you plan to use your headphones to determine the ideal battery life.

After weeks of testing, we found that the best wireless headphone logo is Bose. The point of sound quality, noise cancellation and overall comfort is unrivaled by other logos. Our pick for the most productive wireless earbuds overall, the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds incorporate all of those features.

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