The best wireless headphones tested for this guide all deliver excellent sound, comfort, and smart features in a stylish, portable design – no wires needed to dive into your favorite tunes, podcasts, or movies. Although some audiophiles still turn to the best wired headphones for peak audio quality, the latest Bluetooth headphones have closed the gap, with unmatched convenience and performance. Say goodbye to the hassle of cords getting tangled with hair, jackets, or bag straps – it's clear why wireless headphones are now among the best headphones on the market.
In this guide, our audio tech experts have carefully selected and extensively tested the best wireless headphones available now based on years of experience, so you know you can trust our recommendations. And if you’re after earbuds, don’t miss our guide to the best wireless earbuds for our top picks of more compact recommendations.
The quick list
Want to cut out the noise and find which wireless headphones are the best? Below, you’ll find a quick roundup of our top choices for different needs, and you can jump to a more detailed review of every model.
The best wireless headphones for most people
Sony continues to reign with these older cans, which are fantastic value for sound quality, features and ANC – but be sure you're getting a discount before you buy them.
The best cheap wireless headphones
These were already great value when we first reviewed them, but now that they often see discounts, the WH-CH520 are by far the best bargain buy for wireless on-ear cans.
The best higher-end, higher-spec wireless headphones
Packed with high-end features, excellent, expansive sound and an amazing 100 hours of battery, these are our top choice for overall quality at a higher price.
The best cheap noise cancelling wireless headphones
One of the older options in the list but still excellent value. Affordable over-ears with solid ANC, good sound and a really comfortable fit thanks to memory foam cups.
The best mid-priced wireless headphones
Great sound balance, strong detail, solid active noise cancellation, useful smart features and a very light and comfortable design make these great value.
The best headphones for noise cancellation
These have the best active noise cancellation you can get in any headphones right now, and the audio quality is exquisite too. They're pricey, but worth it.
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The best headphones for sound
These are high-end headphones through and through. They look good, feel good, have a premium build and sound amazing. Expect a detailed, expansive listen that makes all of your favorite music shine, whichever genre is your favorite.
The best wireless headphones for big Sony fans
For a lot of people, Bluetooth headphones means Sony, and these offer its best active noise cancellation and sound, though for a slightly high price.
The best wireless headphones for movies
Not the best-sounding headphones in this guide, but they're our top pick for movies because they sound great when listening in spatial audio with fantastic Dolby Atmos sound.
The best planar magnetic wireless headphones
Edifier's flagship wireless planar magnetic headphones are an audiophile dream. They have great wireless features and battery life, but no ANC, at a similar price to Bose, Sony and Sennheiser cans.
The best wireless headphones for luxe design
These deliver awesome detail and balance, and pretty good ANC along with other smart features. As do lots of other cans here, but the PX8 look and feel a cut above.
The best Apple wireless headphones
These are fantastic-sounding headphones with excellent features unique to iPhone, including spatial audio. But they're extremely high-priced.
I've reviewed over 150 audio products since becoming a tech journalist, ranging from super-budget headphones to high-end Hi-Res Audio music players. Before joining TechRadar, I spent three years at What Hi-Fi? testing everything the world of audio had to offer; before that, I was a professional dancer. My love of music ties it all together.
Recent updates
October 25, 2024
Rewrote the introduction. Added galleries packed with images of headphones we've tested to give readers a better look at the devices. Added details about why readers should/shouldn't buy headphones and who they're best for at a glance. Put scorecards under each product to make it easier for readers to weigh up options. Included information about the review team responsible for testing the products.
The best wireless headphones for 2024
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The best wireless headphones overall
✅ You want excellent ANC: These are easily some of the best noise-cancelling headphones on the market.
✅ Audio is just as important as ANC: You don't need to pick between quality sound and quality noise-cancelling, you get both here in spades.
❌ You want them for conference calls: They're not bad on calls, but you'll find better clarity elsewhere.
❌ You don't like tinkering with apps: You'll need to tweak settings in the app to get the most of these headphones.
You might be surprised to find the Sony WH-1000XM4 at the top of this list. After all, they’re old now. The newer WH-1000XM5 are at no #8 in this list and are our high-end Sony headphones pick. But the fact the XM4s are still our top choice really is a testament to how good they are. We still rate them because they’re simply better value for the vast majority of people. One of the main reasons is because they’re often reduced – especially during the upcoming sale season. But they’re only our top pick if you can find them for under $200/£200. If not, go with the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 at no #3 in this list instead.
Why do the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones still top this list years after launch? For starters, the noise cancelling on offer here is top notch, nixing noise in all sorts of environments. What’s more, the sonic performance delivered during every step of our testing. In our review, we wrote the sound here is “warm and balanced,” with a “clear and powerful bass”. That’s what’s important after all. But they really are the whole package, with a comfortable design that’ll do for long periods of listening, thanks to a lightweight design. Now, there’s no denying that the newer XM5s do many of these things too, and better, but they also cost much more. So again, it’s about the XM4s being the best value and the most common sense pick for right now.
What’s more, they’re also packed with features, including support for the LDAC codec for CD-quality audio (assuming your phone supports it), as well as location-based noise-cancellation modes, which were really handy during our testing. You’ll also find Sony's 360 Reality Audio tech for spatial audio from compatible sources. The only thing that’s notably missing is aptX compatibility – and even that feels like nit picking.
These headphones aren’t ideal for working out, they stay put generally but not with lots of movement and there’s no water-resistance rating, which doesn’t make them a good choice for sweating. However, if you can find the XM4s discounted, they still remain an excellent choice.
Read our full Sony WH-1000XM4 review
| Attributes | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Excellent ANC and multi-point pairing. There's also situational and conversational awareness features. | 4 / 5 |
| Sound | 40mm drivers deliver clear, balanced sound. There's 360 Reality Audio for spatial audio, LDAC and AAC. | 5 / 5 |
| Design | A solid build and comfortable padding. But no water-resistance and only small design changes over XM3s. | 4 / 5 |
| Value | They're old now and if you can find them discounted, they're better value than the newer XM5s. | 5 / 5 |
The best budget wireless headphones
✅ You don't want to charge them often: With 50 hours of battery, you'll be able to listen for days at a time.
✅ You want cheap, balanced sound: The audio is great here, but we really rated the balance and bass.
❌ You want ANC: There's no ANC here and even the earpads don't isolate noise particularly well.
❌ You don't like the on-ear design: Some people love on-ears, others find their ears feel too squashed.
If you like the idea of Sony wireless headphones but don't need a high-priced, high-end set like the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones above, then the Sony WH-CH510 headphones are a much more affordable option packed with all the features most people will need.
The Sony WH-CH520 offer strong audio for the price that we found to be really well-balanced in our review, plus tons of battery life. At such a low price, they don't have the build quality or the dynamic audio of headphones costing five times as much, but they are an excellent pair of all-rounders for a very impressive price.
These are on-ear headphones rather than over-ears, and one result of that is that the soundstage isn't quite as immersive as with a pair of over-ears. You might also hear some ambient sounds too, but for those who work in an office or need to stay alert at home this could be a plus point rather than a criticism. Not everyone finds these as comfortable for long periods too, since they press right on the ear's helix (the outer edge).
Sony says you can get 50 hours of battery life from a charge, and we found that to be realistic. Usefully, you can fast-charge from flat for 90 minutes of playback in just three minutes, which can be a lifesaver. Annoyingly, there's no 3.5mm audio jack for listening if you run out of charge, or to connect to a computer or plane system.
Read our full Sony WH-CH520 review
| Attributes | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Features | A good 50 hours of battery, app support and multi-point pairing. Unfortunately there's no 3.5mm jack. | 3.5 / 5 |
| Sound | A very enjoyable listen with oodles of detail and exceptional balance. Don't expect ANC or audiophile-grade at this price. | 4 / 5 |
| Design | A surprisingly quality look and build with comfortable cushioning. There are button controls here, good news if you hate touch or gestures. | 4 / 5 |
| Value | Exceptional value budget headphones. Nothing to complain about considering how cheap they are. | 5 / 5 |
The best premium wireless headphones
✅ You want long-lasting listening: With ANC off, you'll get 100 hours of battery. With it on, expect a still great 60.
✅ You like playing around with settings: We highly rated the app here for lots of customization, including EQ settings.
❌ You want excellent ANC: It's good here, but certainly not best-in-class by any means.
❌ You like a compact design: They're not big, but they don't fold up well for travelling like some rivals do.
The Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 headphones received a rare 5 out of 5 rating in our review. Therefore, it’s no surprise they’re our new pick in this best wireless headphones guide if you’re looking for a high-spec, high-end choice with a premium price tag to match.
Design-wise, there’s nothing to shout about here. But the fit is comfortable, and that’s what matters. The earpads are detachable and made from memory foam and vegan leather. The same vegan leather is found on the outside, and then there’s a padded headband. There are also physical buttons here, which we know some love and some hate. The benefits of this style are that they’re very straightforward to use, and you don’t have to worry about too much sensitivity.
The Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 will make the most of 16bit/44.1kHz FLAC files from streaming services like Qobuz or Tidal. But, as we wrote in our review, “they don’t judge”. Give these headphones any music, and they’ll make it sound exceptional. Expect “an energetic and thoroughly engaging listen” thanks to their lively, detailed and confident presentation across the range. And, if the sound isn’t quite to your liking, you also have the option of tweaking the seven-band equaliser within the app, which also has several presets.
Battery life is the biggest feature to shout about here. You’ll get a total of 100 hours, which is unheard of. That does drop to 60 hours with ANC on, which rival headphones the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless can also reach, but the Cambridge Audio cans still feel like a step up – which is why they replaced the Sennheisers in this guide. These headphones take our high-spec position in this guide, and that’s because there are just so many features worth shouting about, including multipoint connectivity, Bluetooth 5.3 and both aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless codec compatibility. So this means you can listen to lossy 24bit/96kHz streaming and lossless 16bit/44.1kHz resolution available – you’ll just need the right source player and streaming service. There’s also Class AB amplification, tech used to power 40mm full-range dynamic drivers, and six mics to handle ANC and ensure call quality is crisp and clear. ANC here is great. In our review, we wrote: “It will do a job on external distractions of all types, and without leaving a counter-signal or shift in tonality in its wake.” But we also said it’s not the best ANC we’ve ever tested – Bose is still the brand to beat in that regard.
With such excellent specs, they’re not the cheapest option in this list by any means, but they’re well-priced when you consider just how extensively they’re specified. Which means if you’re looking for a pair of wireless headphones that really do tick all of the boxes, providing high-end sound, a high-end fit, and high-end features, you’ve got it.
Read our full Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 review
| Attributes | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Lots of great features here. Our faves include having Matt Berry as an option for audible feedback and a truly impressive 100 hours of battery. | 5 / 5 |
| Sound | ANC is solid but hardly best-in-class. Expect great balance, clarity and energy. An excellent listening experience. | 4.5 / 5 |
| Design | The case is a bit too big, but otherwise the headphones are solid and well built. They're also very comfortable to wear. | 4.5 / 5 |
| Value | Truly excellent value. Endlessly listenable sound, good specs, and amazing battery life. They're hard to beat at this price. | 5 / 5 |
The best cheap noise-cancelling wireless headphones
✅ You only had $100/£100: Great headphones for the money. You'd have to pay much more for a bump in quality.
✅ Comfort is a priority: For affordable headphones, they're incredibly comfy for long listening sessions.
❌ You want audiophile sound: These headphones sound great, but they're not the best out there.
❌ You want to customize the sound: There are some presets, but you can't tweak the EQ as much as you might like.
If you're looking for a pair of wireless headphones that are affordable and provide solid noise-cancelling, then we highly recommend the 1More Sonoflow. They feature excellent battery life, offering up to 50 hours with ANC on (70 with it off), which is well above average, even for premium headphones. There are only a handful of basic features here, including a simple app and the option to select different EQ presets, but that's okay. We noted the lack of wear sensors in our review, which usually pause the music when you remove your headphones, as being a shame – but then again, this is one of our more affordable options, and it's not like the headphones are hurting for battery life anyway.
The design is understated. Some people will find it nice and minimal. Others might think it's a little boring. The earcups are incredibly comfortable with memory foam and can be adjusted as they move on hinges. During our testing, we noted this is good news for those with thick hair and means your head doesn’t feel too squeezed. The headphones come in a compact zip case with a hard shell, which keeps them protected.
The 1More Sonoflow over-ear headphones have solid noise cancellation. It's not the best in our guide, but they represent really good value for the price. In our review, we wrote: "Most ambient sounds and lots of standard low frequency noises are drowned out completely." The same can be said for the sound quality. No, the 1More Sonoflow won’t compete with headphones three or four times the price, but we commented: "We were impressed with the powerful bass and detailed, crisp highs on offer here – thanks to the Sonoflow’s dual 40mm drivers."
The 1More Sonoflow have been around a few years, but they're still our top affordable noise-cancelling wireless pick as you'll find them available for a cheap price, and they still check all of the boxes when it comes to not only their ANC power at this budget, but their comfortable fit and impressive battery life.
Read our full 1More Sonoflow review
| Attributes | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Features | The app here is a little basic, but otherwise there are a lot of great features here, including a strong 70 hours of battery life, | 4 / 5 |
| Sound | Expect good ANC and great sound quality here, as well as LDAC – a surprise at this price. | 4 / 5 |
| Design | Nothing special to look at, but these headphones are incredibly comfortable to wear and have a premium-feeling build. | 3.5 / 5 |
| Value | If you've only got $100/£100 to spend on headphones, we don't think you can do much better than these. They look, feel and sound much more premium than they are. | 5 / 5 |
The best mid-priced wireless headphones
✅ You want affordable ANC: The ANC here can be beaten but for the price it's very good and very good value.
✅ You want long listening sessions: 35 hours with ANC on is solid and should last you days before a recharge.
❌ You need ANC to block out everything: The noise-cancelling here is good, but higher-end headphones can silence more environmental sounds.
❌ You want excellent sound: If audio quality is a top priority, wired headphones will do it better.
The Sony WH-CH720N are a straight-down-the-middle hit. They aim to offer you impressive sound, useful extra features including adaptive noise cancellation, and a comfortable and light fit – and they succeed.
The sound is extremely well-balanced, which is what we expect from Sony (though our review unit came set to a bass-heavy EQ setting out of the box, which we quickly corrected) and has an agile touch with detail. In our review, we said "Bass is warm but level-headed, mid-range is robust and individual instruments stand out within it well, and treble has plenty of clarity to make the little details pop. An extra step of precision is definitely what you get here that most other affordable headphones won't deliver." The only limitation from the price is that it's clearly a less expansive soundstage than higher-priced headphones, but that's fair.
The noise cancellation again is a very clear step down from the Sony WH-1000XM4, but it does its job of toning down outside sounds so you don't have to crank the volume all the way up to hear anything. For other features, you've got Sony's DSEE upscaling to make lower-quality streaming tracks sound better, and 360 Reality Audio support for spatial audio. There's no higher-res LDAC wireless tech, but they do come with a wired 3.5mm cable.
The very light build is comfortable to wear, so you can really get into how enjoyable they are to listen to – though we might request a little more headband padding in the next version. They don't excel in any particular area, but they do great in all areas, and that makes them ideal for most people.
Read our full Sony WH-CH720N review
| Attributes | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Features | There's no hi-res audio here, which you'll find in rivals. But otherwise there's solid battery life and a lot of features to customize your experience. | 4.5 / 5 |
| Sound | Expect an enjoyable listen here with balance and plenty of detail. In testing, we did say the sound was a bit compressed, but otherwise we love them. | 4 / 5 |
| Design | Don't expect a premium look and feel here. But otherwise these headphones are incredibly comfortable to wear all day and very lightweight. | 4 / 5 |
| Value | There are many great features here and the sound is fantastic. Excellent headphones for the price. | 4.5 / 5 |
