10 Best Wireless Headphones for Non-Stop Listeners
Updated: Nov. 01, 2022Looking to snag a new pair of headphones for easy, wire-free listening? Our tech expert has suggestions for audiophiles of all stripes.
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The best wireless headphones to meet every need
Whether you like to listen to audiobooks on your daily commute or want headphones that won’t tangle up mid-dog walk, adding wireless headphones to your daily attire can be an excellent solution. Of course, with so many to choose from, finding the perfect pair can be a bit of trouble. But you don’t have to sift through the thousands of headphone options alone—we’re here to help you understand what makes a great pair of headphones truly great so you can find the best wireless headphones for your preferences.
What to look for when buying wireless headphones
Whether you’re looking for a thoughtful tech gift or shopping for yourself, you’ll want to think about the features that are important to you. First, what’s the battery life like on the pair of wireless headphones you’re eyeing? Since you’ll likely be using them on the go, being able to listen for hours without running out of juice is important.
Fit and comfort are other important considerations. There are multiple styles of headphones out there, like over-the-ear, in-ear, and even on-ear. And don’t forget about the different types of earbuds available. Find a style or fit that works for you, and that will lead you to your best wireless headphones pick.
You’ll also want to consider what kind of features the headphones have, too. Features like Active Noise Canceling (ANC) technology can be really handy for those who travel or commute, as it can thwart outside noise when you’re concentrating on music, podcasts, or audiobooks. A feature like the AirPods Find My system can also be helpful, as it’ll let you find your easy-to-lose headphones if you misplace them.
Evaluation criteria
The headphones in this list are evaluated based on a number of factors. First, I’ve considered the features and battery life each pair of headphones offers. Then, I’ve looked at the price and compared them to other headphones at a similar price point. Finally, I’ve combined all of this together with my real-world experience as a tech expert to showcase the best headphones on the market right now.
Best overall wireless headphones
Sony WH-1000XM4
If you’re looking for the best balance of sound quality and features, it’s hard to beat the Sony WH-1000XM4. This pair of over-ear headphones offers a ton of great features, including multiple ways to connect to your favorite devices.
There’s a reason these headphones are considered Sony’s flagship set, and that’s because the noise-canceling outperforms every competitor out there. The soundstage delivers a lot of detail and energy without feeling unbalanced, and you won’t have to customize the equalizer or mess with any other complicated settings to get that kind of quality. Of course, if you prefer customizing the soundstage on your headphones, you’ll find an assortment of features available in Sony’s companion app.
Pair all of those features with almost 30 hours of battery life without ANC, and you’re looking at one fantastic pair of headphones.
Pros:
What we like about the Sony WH-1000XM4 wireless headphones
- Top-of-the-line noise cancellation
- A plethora of features in the companion app
- Multiple ways to connect to your audio device
Cons:
What to consider about the Sony WH-1000XM4 wireless headphones
- Call quality could be improved at this price point
- Ear cups may cause some discomfort if you have larger ears
Best budget wireless headphones
JLab Go Air Pop
If you’re looking for a great pair of budget wireless headphones, you’ll find a number of options out there. But, for just $20, the Jlab Go Air Pop is one of the best contenders on the market for its price point. Not only are the earbuds water- and sweat-resistant, but their audio is extremely versatile. Thus, they’re great for listening to music, watching movies, playing games, and plenty of other activities. Also included are multiple EQ options, which make it easy to find a sound style that fits what you’re going for.
Of course, one of the best things about this pair of wireless in-ear headphones is the fact that you can use them for up to eight hours at a time without having to recharge them. Wireless headphones in general offer pretty lackluster battery life in a lot of cases, and for $20, eight hours of charge is fantastic running time. Pair that with the 32-hours of battery the charging case offers, and you’re good to jam out for quite a while.
Pros:
What we like about the JLab Go Air Pop wireless headphones
- Solid battery life
- Sweat- and water-resistant
- Excellent value for the price
- Four color options
Cons:
What to consider about the JLab Go Air Pop wireless headphones
- Call quality could be better
- No extra features
Best over-the-ear wireless headphones
Bose 700
The only thing holding back the Bose 700 from beating out Sony’s WH-1000XM4 is the price. This pair of premium headphones is everything you could ask for in a pair of over-the-ear headphones, including a slick and attractive design you’ll be happy to wear just about anywhere.
Bose has become a master at noise canceling, and you can easily adjust how much the headphones filter out when using them. In fact, there are 11 different levels of adjustable ANC to find that perfect fit no matter what environment you’re in. The battery life is also on the high end, coming in at around 20 hours with ANC turned on. You can turn that feature off for a few more hours, though.
Finally, smart assistant integration, as well as touch controls, make this one of the best pairs of headphones you’ll find on the market.
Pros:
What we like about the Bose 700 wireless headphones
- Adjustable noise canceling levels
- Fantastic design and quality
- Excellent call quality
- Smart assistant integration
- Long battery life
Con:
What to consider about the Bose 700 wireless headphones
- Expensive
Best in-ear wireless headphones
1More Wireless In-Ear Headphones
These 1More wireless headphones utilize a traditional neckband design, so you can easily hang onto them no matter what you’re doing. This makes them a smart choice for mowing the lawn, working out, or cooking.
The design is also intuitive and premium-feeling, and it’s easy to navigate the various buttons situated on the neckband. If you’re looking for an easy-to-wear pair of in-ear headphones, and don’t mind going for a lesser-known brand, these 1More headphones are a solid pick.
Pros:
What we like about the 1More Wireless In-Ear wireless headphones
- Amazing and full sound quality for the price
- Two levels of ANC
- Neckband design
- Fast charging
Con:
What to consider about the 1More Wireless In-Ear wireless headphones
- Remote feels cheap compared to other headphones
Best noise-canceling wireless headphones
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds
If you’re looking for a high-quality pair of earbuds and don’t mind paying a premium price, Bose has your back. The Bose QuietComfort earbuds deliver a rich, clean sound profile with impressive noise cancellation.
Much like with the Bose 700 headphones, Bose has nailed the ANC here. With ten different cancellation levels, you can completely cut off the world and become engrossed in whatever you’re listening to. These earbuds deliver a clean sound profile with superb clarity. They’re also quite comfortable, despite being a bit bulkier than some other options out there.
Pros:
What we like about the Bose QuietComfort wireless headphones
- Best ANC you’ll find in earbuds
- Rich and clean sound profile
- Comfortable fit
- 10 noise cancellation levels
Cons:
What to consider about the Bose QuietComfort wireless headphones
- No on-board volume controls
- The charging case could be slimmer
Best wireless headphones for phone calls
Earfun Air Pro
This next entry is bound to surprise some folks. Despite the Earfun Air Pro’s $80 price tag, these wireless in-ear headphones offer some of the cleanest voice call quality you’ll find in a pair of headphones. The sound is solid and boomy, without the bass ever coming off too harsh. They also come with impressive noise-canceling, and the headphones’ build and finish give them a premium look despite a price tag that’s half of the more expensive offerings.
Each earpiece comes equipped with three different microphones, allowing for clean and clear call quality no matter where you are. They’re comfortable and the included ear tips are easy to clean. Of course, battery life is an important consideration, and Earfun doesn’t disappoint with seven hours of charge in each bud, plus another 18 hours of charge in the carrying case.
Pros:
What we like about the Earfun Air Pro wireless headphones
- Solid, boomy bass
- Noise-canceling works well
- Call quality is crystal clear
- Seven-hour battery life
- Comfortable fit
Con:
What to consider about the Earfun Air Pro wireless headphones
- Midrange can be a little harsh
Best wireless headphones for runners
Jabra Elite Active 75t
Finding a pair of great headphones for exercising and running can be difficult. Whether you’re a fast walker or someone who goes for full-on runs, the Jabra Elite Active 75t has your back. These wireless in-ear headphones have a sleek and waterproof design, perfect for working up a sweat. You’ll also find impressive passive and active noise cancelation, so your running music can play without distraction.
The Jabra Elite Active 75ts can be a little overwhelming at louder volumes, and their call quality leaves a bit to be desired. But if you want headphones that fit great, look great, and stand up to your sweat sesh, look no further.
Pros:
What we like about the Jabra Elite Active 75t wireless headphones
- Full sound profile
- Waterproof design
- Passive and active noise cancellation
- Fast charging and long battery life
Con:
What to consider about the Jabra Elite Active 75t wireless headphones
- Overly loud at higher volumes
Best wireless headphones for iPhone users
Apple AirPods Max
If you’re a strong iPhone supporter, chances are you’re looking for a pair of headphones that fit perfectly within the Apple ecosystem. Enter the Apple Airpods Max. This stylish pair of wireless over-the-ear headphones offer amazing noise cancelation and a comfortable but luxurious design. You’ll also find full support for Apple’s Spatial Audio, which gives you an even more immersive audio experience.
Of course, since they’re Apple, you’re going to be shelling out a pretty penny for these headphones. But with a top-notch sound profile, they’ll deliver everything you want from a premium pair of headphones. Pair it with this AirFly Pro adaptor that lets you connect to airplane TVs when you travel, too.
Pros:
What we like about the Apple AirPods Max wireless headphones:
- Impressive spatial audio
- Luxurious and comfortable design
- Top-notch noise cancellation
Con:
What to consider about the Apple AirPods Max wireless headphones:
- High price
Best in-ear wireless headphones for iPhone users
Apple AirPods Pro
If you’re looking for a strong pair of in-ear headphones with excellent noise canceling and full support for Apple’s ecosystem, it’s hard to beat Apple’s AirPods Pro. Apple continues to shine with its engineering work, making these headphones are everything you’d expect from the tech giant. The included three-mic array delivers exceptional voice quality, and Apple’s H1 chip helps boost performance overall.
One of the best features of newer headphones is ANC, which is some of the best in the game. The included ear tips are easy to swap out as needed, and you can insulate yourself from the outside world with whatever audio you want to get lost within. The price can be a bit high, though, and the battery life leaves a bit to be desired at the price point. Everything else about these headphones shines through, though. Oh, and did we mention that you can easily clean your AirPods, too?
Pros:
What we like about the Apple AirPods Pro wireless headphones:
- Adaptive sound
- Top-notch noise-canceling
- Comfortable semi-custom fit is very comfortable
Cons:
What to consider about the Apple AirPods Pro wireless headphones:
- Not the strongest battery life on the market
- High price
Best wireless headphones for Android
Samsung Galaxy Buds2
Samsung’s second-generation Galaxy Buds take everything beloved about the original Galaxy Buds and make them bigger and better. These ear tips are some of the best in the game, and the buds deliver a clean, thumpy, yet balanced sound. The compact design also makes them exceptionally easy to carry around, so they make terrific day-to-day headphones.
If you own a Samsung phone, you’ll find a ton of other features readily available, including a special gaming mode that delivers less audio-visual lag. This feature is also perfect for watching videos or movies. The battery life on these headphones isn’t great, with only five hours of listening per bud. You’ll get another 15 hours with the charging case, but that’s still quite a low number for a pair of earbuds that run over $100.
Pros:
What we like about the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 wireless headphones:
- Well-fitting ear tips
- Fantastic sound quality
- Compact design
Cons:
What to consider about the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 wireless headphones:
- Lacks Samsung 360 Audio support
- Low battery life
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