The 16 Best Wireless Headphones for Everyone
Whether you're listening to the latest episode of the Gadget Lab podcast or hitting the trail with Taylor Swift's album on repeat, the right pair of wireless headphones can make or break your day. The only problem is that there are a lot to choose from. WIRED's Gear team is constantly trying out new models to help those tired of using wires and dongles. The following are the best wireless headphones we've tested, and we explain why you might be interested in each pair.
Be sure to check out all our audio guides, like the Best Wirefree Earbuds, Best Workout Earbuds, Best Smart Speakers, and Best Bluetooth Speakers for more music nirvana.
Updated November 2021: We've added the Samsung Galaxy Buds2, Google Pixel Buds A-Series, and Sony WF-1000XM4.
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- Photograph: Sony
Best Overall Headphones
Sony WH-1000XM4Sony's flagship noise-canceling headphones are now in their fourth generation, and it shows. The WH-1000XM4 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) offer 30 hours of battery life, an ergonomic design, and some of the best sound quality you'll find, thanks to Sony's DSEE Extreme upscaling engine. They cancel out the world better than nearly all competitors, and they can even sense when you talk and pause your music—you'll rarely reach for the pause button. Sony has also addressed the one thing we hated about the previous model: call quality. New microphones combined with better processing make these great for Zoom meetings and phone calls alike.
- Photograph: Google
Best Overall Earbuds
Google Pixel Buds A-SeriesGoogle's Pixel Buds A-Series (9/10, WIRED Recommends) are a fantastic pair of wireless earbuds for most people. They match Airpods' battery life but boast a sleeker design and comfortable silicone ear tips for a better seal than Apple's headphones. For less than $100, you get touch controls, decent microphones, and Google Assistant onboard, not to mention the ability to quickly pair with any modern Android phone (they pair like a standard Bluetooth device with iPhones). These are some of the best-sounding earbuds you'll find for the money, with crisp dynamic drivers that deliver bold bass and bright highlights.
- Photograph: 1More
Runner-Up Earbuds
1More ColorBudsThe 1More ColorBuds are some of the most universally comfortable headphones you can buy. Three sizes of silicone ear tips and small ear fins help them stay secure, and a slightly slimmed-down design from the previous 1More Stylish model helps them fit well even in smaller ears. The ColorBuds are IPX5 water-resistant, and they sound great. They're aptX-enabled for higher-quality Bluetooth audio (with aptX devices) and have punchy bass that’s impressive for headphones this size, but they never get too boomy. Such comfort, sound quality, and an AirPods-beating six hours of battery life at a price tag that’s much less make them among the best wirefree earbuds you can buy.
- Photograph: Beats
Best Workout Earbuds
Beats Powerbeats (2020)AirPods are easy to use with iPhones, but they’re not all that great when it comes to battery life or sweatproof performance. Our favorite pair of workout headphones are the Beats Powerbeats (8/10, WIRED Recommends), which work best with iPhones (though they still pair well with Androids).
The ear clip-style buds stay attached during workouts, with a wire behind the head that keeps you from losing one and lets you hang them around your neck when you're not listening. They look and function identically to the more expensive Powerbeats Pro (8/10, WIRED Recommends), but the cable connecting each bud means you get 15 hours of total battery life compared to the Powerbeats Pro's nine hours. It also saves you about $100. These buds have officially been discontinued, but you can still find 'em at some retailers.
- Photograph: Apple
Best Sound Quality
Apple AirPods MaxThey're some of the most expensive wireless headphones on the market, but Apple's AirPods Max (8/10, WIRED Recommends) will get you the best sound. They have rich bass, a massive soundstage, and excellent noise cancellation. My favorite part? The large Apple Watch-like knob on the top of the right ear cup, which you use to easily adjust the volume. Apple users will love how well they integrate with iOS devices, and especially how well they handle video. When watching via certain apps (HBO Max, for example), they can track your head to simulate full object-based surround sound.
- Photograph: Apple
Best Earbuds for Apple Diehards
Apple AirPods ProThe AirPods Pro (8/10, WIRED Recommends) are easily worth the premium you'll pay over standard AirPods. For one thing, they're much more comfortable and secure, thanks to silicone ear tips that replace the standard AirPods' hard plastic. They also sound much better. The ear tips create a better seal with your ears for dynamic bass response. We also love the active noise-canceling feature. You'll rarely hear your kids squealing in the next room when you're trying to get some work done. The built-in vents mean the "plugged-ear" feeling you get with some other buds isn't here, and an IPX4 rating makes them great at the gym. My only gripe? Battery life, which stands at a paltry 4.5 hours (outside of the additional 19.5 hours you get from the charging case). The case can charge wirelessly.
Note: Apple is now selling a version of these buds with a MagSafe case, which you can pair with a MagSafe charger for a more secure connection when charging. You can save some cash on the Pro by sticking with the standard wireless charging case, though it's harder to find.
- Photograph: Bose
Best for Phone Calls
Bose Noise Canceling 700Special digital signal processing (DSP) and an advanced microphone array inside these Bose headphones allow them to limit background noise and focus on your voice alone, making them excellent for call quality. Plus, the special mics and DSP pair with Bose’s incredibly effective noise-canceling tech for amazing peace and quiet when you’re home or out and about. All of that plus great comfort, long battery life, and excellent sound quality mean the Bose 700 should be your top pick if you place a lot of phone calls and Zoom meetings.
- Photograph: Samsung
Best for Samsung Phones
Samsung Galaxy Buds ProThe Galaxy Buds Pro (9/10, WIRED Recommends) are Samsung's premium earbuds. For less than the price of the AirPods Pro (usually), you get better battery life, a wireless charging case, and astonishing microphone quality. But the real reason to buy them is the excellent sound they produce. The Galaxy Buds Pro have an impressive dual-driver array, allowing them to deliver some of the clearest, cleanest bass I've heard from wireless earbuds so far. If you care about sound quality as much as you care about features, you really can't go wrong.
If you don't want to spend as much but want the best buds to pair with your Samsung phone, try the Galaxy Buds2 (9/10, WIRED Recommends). They bring a similar dual-driver array and noise-canceling technology as the Buds Pro, but with an even sleeker and more comfortable fit. You don't get quite as stellar noise reduction or fidelity, but they're cheaper, and you still get the streamlined integration with Samsung's ecosystem, like quick pairing and the ability to wirelessly charge the case off the back of modern Samsung phones.
- Photograph: Jabra
Best Under $100
Jabra Elite 45HThese affordable on-ear headphones from Jabra don't have a ton of bells and whistles, but they hold up where it counts. The Elite 45H are super comfortable, have solid microphone performance, and—best of all—offer up to 50 hours of playback on a single charge. If you want wireless headphones that are affordable, sound good, and rarely have to recharge, these are the ones for you.
- Photograph: Sony Electronics
Best Noise-Canceling Buds
Sony WF-1000XM4They're a bit big for smaller ears, but if you travel a lot and are tired of stowing bulky over-ears, the Sony WF-1000XM4 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) are the best noise-canceling earbuds right now. They use Sony's excellent processing, microphones, and foam ear tips to block out nearly every ounce of sound coming from the outside world. That means a very immersive listening experience, though the bulky earbuds never quite disappear in your ears.
Sony's buds work best on Android, thanks to the Sony Headphones Connect app, which allows you to adjust everything from equalization to the controls on the outside of each bud. You'll get an industry-leading eight hours of battery life between trips to the charging case.
- Photograph: JLab Audio
Best for $50 or Less
JLab Audio Go AirFor a much more affordable option, we like these wire-free earbuds from JLab (8/10, WIRED Recommends). They get only five hours of battery life per charge, and the case (which holds about four extra charges) has an open-top design that can collect a bit of dirt and lint from your pockets, but they're great cheap headphones. They are small and comfortable in your ears, and they sound good enough for the price. They also have an IP44 water-resistance rating, so you can sweat in them without worry. And the case has a built-in USB cable, so you don't need to tote an extra cord.
We also really like the Back Bay Audio Tempo 30 (8/10, WIRED Recommends), which suffer in call quality but have nice build quality, are waterproof, and beat the JLabs on battery life. Check out our other favorite cheap headphones for more.
- Photograph: Bowers & Wilkins
Most Comfortable
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 Carbon EditionThe lightweight PX7 Carbon Edition (8/10, WIRED Recommends) are the type of stylish modern headphones you forget you're wearing, thanks to ergonomic design. Sound quality is among the best, which makes up for noise-canceling that isn't quite as good as Sony or Bose headphones. You can choose between Google Assistant and Alexa integration with the great onboard mics, plus 30 hours from a charge means they'll last nearly a full week on the job.
- Photograph: Jabra
Most Repairable
Jabra Elite 85tThe Jabra Elite 85t (9/10, WIRED Recommends) are among the few wireless earbuds to come with a full two-year warranty against damage from water. That, coupled with the fact that these rugged little buggers look very similar to the Elite 65t and Elite 75t models that the company still supports, means you should feel very comfortable possibly damaging them on your next wet or bumpy adventure. I have been taking these reliable little Jabras with me on long training runs and muddy bike rides since they first hit the market about a year ago, and they're going strong. The Elite Active 75t model are still great, though the 85t sound and fit slightly better.
- Photograph: Audio Technica
Best for Producing Audio
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBTAudio Technica’s ATH-M50X (9/10, WIRED Recommends) headphones are known for balanced sound and great durability. It's made them ubiquitous in music and film studios around the globe. But what if you want to take them with you between takes? Enter the ATH-M50XBT, which brings wireless technology to the beloved workhorse headphones. Don’t worry, wire lovers, the Bluetooth version comes with the same coiled studio cable as the original corded version, so you can easily plug in for a fresh take when you get back to the studio.
- Photograph: Ultimate Ears
Best-Fitting Buds
Ultimate Ears FitsMany of us struggle to find earbuds that fit our non-average ear holes. Ultimate Ears has an elegant solution: the Fits earbuds (7/10, WIRED Recommends). These weird-looking buds use an app and built-in UV lighting to custom-mold the included ear tips to your ears, virtually guaranteeing an excellent fit. I've taken mine on long sweaty runs and used them while doing projects around the house, and they stay in perfectly. If you can't seem to find a pair that fits your ears, try these. (They frequently dip below $200.)
- Photograph: JLab Audio
Best Headphones for Kids
JLab Audio JBuddies Studio BluetoothThese compact Bluetooth headphones limit the volume to your kiddos’ ears, keeping all sound below 85 decibels—the physician-recommended limit for extended listening without hearing damage. They get 13 hours of listening time and have a durable design with pinch-less hinges to survive whatever kids throw at them. The gray, blue, and purple colors also make it easier to tell whose pair is whose if you have multiple children. Plus, at just $30, they don't break the bank.
Read our guide for more kid-friendly travel gear.
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