Wi-fi headphones have come a good distance from the cumbersome designs of the previous. At this time’s fashions are lighter, smarter and full of options that make them helpful for every thing from journey to lengthy workdays at your desk. Many provide robust noise cancellation, fast pairing and dependable battery life — all of which makes them a simple improve if you would like extra freedom out of your units.
In fact, not each listener has the identical wants. Some individuals need portability, which is why our information to the most effective earbuds is price a glance, whereas others need one thing extra specialised like the most effective gaming headsets or the most effective finances earbuds. However when you’re after over-ear headphones that concentrate on consolation and immersive sound, this roundup of the most effective wi-fi headphones highlights the highest selections we’ve examined.
Desk of contents
Greatest wi-fi headphones for 2025
Billy Steele for Engadget
Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure | Battery life: 30 hours | Weight: 0.55 kilos | Water resistance: None | Assistant assist: Bixby, Siri, Google Assistant | Shade choices: Black, Platinum Silver, and Midnight Blue
Learn our full Sony WH-1000XM6 evaluation
Sony’s 1000X line has been our prime choose for greatest wi-fi headphone for a very long time now. Till one other firm can pack in as many premium options as Sony, and achieve this with a mixture of wonderful sound high quality and efficient ANC, the crown is protected. With the WH-1000XM6, Sony subtly redesigned its flagship headphones, making them far more comfy to put on for lengthy durations of time. This is a vital issue to contemplate when buying over-ear headphones. We additionally observed in our checks that the corporate made noticeable enhancements to the lively noise cancellation, due to a brand new QN3 chip. There are actually 12 whole ANC mics as nicely – the earlier mannequin solely had eight. This all combines to raised block background noise at medium and excessive frequencies, together with human voices.
The M6 additionally has improved sound high quality, due to new drivers, some assist from mastering engineers and spatial audio upmixing. Its battery life stays the identical 30 hours as its predecessor, which is greater than sufficient to get you thru a number of days of labor or lengthy worldwide flights. Converse-to-Chat nonetheless reduces quantity and prompts ambient sound whenever you speak and the M6 can mechanically change noise settings based mostly in your location or exercise. The one actual draw back is that they’re $50 greater than the WH-1000XM5 at full worth ($450).
- Improved sound
- Higher ANC efficiency
- Tons of useful options
- Supremely cozy
- Worth has elevated once more
- Converse-to-Chat nonetheless wants work
- Name high quality suffers in loud environments
$458 at Macy’s
Sennheiser/Engadget
Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure | Battery life: 60 hours | Weight: 0.68 kilos | Water resistance: None | Assistant assist: Bixby, Siri, Google Assistant | Shade choices: Black
Learn our full Sennheiser HDB 630 evaluation
Audiophile sound high quality whenever you’re on the go usually requires a set of wired headphones and a DAC (digital-to-analog converter). It’s not essentially the most handy method to take heed to tunes. Sennheiser bridges the hole between compressed audio on wi-fi headphones and people cumbersome setups with the HDB 630. Because of a USB-C dongle, you get greater decision sound with all the advantages of wi-fi ANC headphones.
Sennheiser affords as much as 24-bit/96kHz decision wirelessly, and you’ve got the choice for lossless audio over USB-C as nicely. There’s additionally loads of fine-tuning accessible on a extremely detailed EQ and a Crossfeed characteristic means that you can mix the left and proper channels for extra pure sound. Plus, the HDB 630 has a whopping 60 hours of battery life with ANC lively, though that determine drops to a nonetheless respectable 45 hours whenever you allow these high-quality tracks.
- Excellent sound high quality
- Excessive-res streaming dongle included
- Lossless audio over USB-C
- Extraordinarily lengthy battery life
- Costly
- Fundamental design with plenty of plastic
- Greatest audio efficiency requires further steps
$500 at Sennheiser
Billy Steele for Engadget
Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure | Battery life: 60 hours | Weight: 11.5 ounces | Water resistance: None | Assistant assist: Google Assistant, Siri | Shade choices: Black/Silver
Learn our full Noble Audio FoKus Apollo evaluation
Noble Audio makes use of a novel driver configuration to offer extra detailed sound than the competitors. As an alternative of a single driver, the corporate makes use of two: one dynamic and one planar magnetic. The result’s the FoKus Apollo getting the most effective of each, with thick bass, clear highs and excessive readability.
You received’t discover numerous options right here. There may be respectable ANC efficiency, however it’s nowhere close to the most effective. You’ll additionally get wonderful battery life, which is the second greatest purpose to purchase these headphones. Nonetheless, you’re paying primarily for the unimaginable sound high quality, which might not be sufficient for the excessive worth.
- Ridiculously good sound high quality
- Premium design and supplies
- Lengthy battery life
- Comfortable match
- Very costly
- Restricted options
- Common ANC efficiency
$649 at Noble Audio
Audio-Technica
Noise cancellation: No | Multipoint: Sure | Battery life: 60 hours | Weight: 1.42 kilos | Water resistance: None | Assistant assist: Not specified | Shade choices: Black, White
Audio-Technica has launched reasonably priced wi-fi headphones prior to now, and whereas they didn’t provide lively noise cancellation, they’re nonetheless price contemplating. The corporate’s newest is the M20xBT, a Bluetooth model of the A-T’s standard M20x wired cans. For simply $79, you possibly can count on a cushty match and as much as 60 hours of battery life. Bluetooth multipoint connectivity means that you can connect with a number of units without delay and bodily buttons present dependable on-board management. The design isn’t as refined as the corporate’s pricer fashions just like the M50xBT2, however you get the majority of what makes Audio-Technica’s cheaper choices so good.
- Inexpensive
- As much as 60 hours of battery life
- Multipoint connectivity
- Design is not as refined as rivals’
$89 at Macy’s
Bose/Engadget
Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure | Battery life: 30 hours | Water resistance: None | Assistant assist: Google Assistant, Siri | Shade choices: Black, White, Desert Gold, Driftwood Sand, Midnight Violet
Learn our full Bose QuietComfort Extremely Gen 2 evaluation
The second-gen model of the QuietComfort Extremely Headphones aren’t a completely new machine, however there are impactful upgrades throughout. With regard to the ANC particularly, Bose enhanced its ActiveSense tech to clean any changes to sudden spikes in ambient noise ranges. This bolsters what was already very good ANC efficiency, an achievement that offers the corporate a slight edge over the competitors.
The brand new model additionally consists of important updates to energy administration and battery life, with at the very least 5 extra hours of use in all listening modes. You’ll additionally get lossless audio over USB-C, placing the QC Extremely Headphones on the identical stage at Apple’s AirPods Max and others. A comfortable match, dependable controls and folding design spherical out the spec sheet for this mannequin.
- Trade-leading ANC acquired even higher
- Sound and energy upgrades are substantial
- Nonetheless costly
- Shiny end isn’t for everybody
$449 at Amazon
Technics
Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure | Battery life: 50 hours | Weight: 0.65 kilos | Water resistance: None | Assistant assist: Amazon Alexa | Shade choices: Black, Silver
Again at CES 2022, Panasonic introduced the EAH-A800: a brand new set of lively noise canceling headphones below the enduring Technics model. Whereas many of the options are what you see on any variety of wi-fi headphones, one determine stood out. The corporate says you possibly can count on as much as 50 hours of battery life on the A800, and that’s with lively noise cancellation enabled. Whereas we have not put them by means of the total evaluation evaluation, I’ve already examined them on an extended flight. The ANC is spectacular they usually’re comfy sufficient to keep away from changing into a burden after a number of hours or many lengthy listening classes. Sound high quality can be fairly good (there’s LDAC assist, too) and there are sufficient options right here to justify the premium price ticket.
- 50-hour battery life with ANC turned on
- Comfy design
- Good sound high quality
$230 at Amazon
MASTER & DYNAMIC
Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure | Battery life: 28 hours | Weight: 0.75 kilos | Water resistance: None | Assistant assist: Appropriate with native voice assistants | Shade choices: Silver Metallic / Brown Leather-based, Black Metallic / Black Leather-based, Silver Metallic / Navy Leather-based, Silver Metallic / Black Leather-based, Gunmetal / Black Leather-based, Gunmetal / Navy Leather-based, Silver Metallic / Gray Leather-based
Whereas Grasp & Dynamic is thought for its design prowess, the corporate’s over-ear headphones have been due for a refresh. With the MW75 that debuted in June, the corporate opted for a glance that takes cues from its MG20 gaming headphones and mixes them with a combo of aluminum, leather-based and tempered glass. The corporate’s trademark sound high quality returns with a number of ANC modes and ambient sound choices for a spread of conditions. At $599, the high-end appears to be like don’t come low-cost, however when you’re searching for one thing past the pure plastic style of most headphones, M&D has you lined.
- Luxurious design made with premium supplies
- A number of ANC modes
$599 at Amazon
How to decide on the most effective wi-fi headphones for you
With regards to purchasing for an excellent pair of wi-fi headphones, the very first thing you’ll must resolve on is put on model. Do you favor on-ear or over-ear headphones? For the needs of our purchaser’s information, we give attention to the over-ear model as that’s what most noise-canceling headphones are these days. Certain, you’ll find on-ear fashions with ANC, however over-ear designs are rather more efficient at blocking sound. Talking of noise cancellation, you’ll wish to decide early on when you even need that. In the event you regularly crank up the beats in noisy environments, you’ll wish to not solely be sure it’s there, but in addition be sure it’s good, ideally with adaptive ANC. In the event you plan to make use of your new headphones in quieter areas, skipping ANC can prevent some cash.
The subsequent space to contemplate is options. We advocate attempting to get essentially the most bang on your buck, however as you’re procuring round it’s best to decide which gadgets are must-haves and what you possibly can dwell with out. And don’t take basic items like computerized pausing and Bluetooth multipoint connectivity as a right, as not all firms embody them. We additionally recommend studying critiques to see how nicely an organization’s extra superior options work. This may enable you to resolve if these are one thing you’re keen to (probably) pay further for. Regulate higher battery life estimates to keep away from disappointment, as some producers promise extra hours than real-world testing delivers. And don’t be simply swayed by lofty guarantees about name high quality with out verifying them.
Sound will be subjective, so we advocate attempting before you purchase if in any respect doable. We perceive this isn’t simple at a time after we’re doing most of our procuring on-line. However attempting on a set of headphones and listening to them for a couple of minutes can prevent from an costly case of purchaser’s regret. We additionally advocate taking note of issues like Spatial Audio, Dolby Atmos, 360 Actuality Audio and different immersive codecs. Not all headphones assist them, so that you’ll wish to be sure a perspective pair does if that type of factor excites you. In the event you plan to make use of your headphones for different media moreover music, checking for latency can be a should — some delay can influence playback for issues like films or video games, even when most true wi-fi headphones now provide minimal lag.
How we check over-ear headphones
The first means we check wi-fi headphones is to put on them as a lot as doable. We want to do that over a one- to two-week interval, however typically embargoes don’t permit it. Throughout this time, we take heed to a mixture of music and podcasts, whereas additionally utilizing the earbuds to take each voice and video calls. Since battery life for headphones will be 30 hours or extra, we drain the battery with looping music and the quantity set at a cushty stage (often round 75 p.c). As a result of longer battery estimates, we’ll usually energy the headphones off a number of occasions and depart them throughout a evaluation. This simulates real-world use and retains us from having to always monitor the method for over 24 straight hours.
To evaluate the most effective Bluetooth headphones, we give attention to higher-quality audio by listening to a wide range of genres and paying shut consideration to how every model sounds. We additionally check at each high and low volumes to examine for consistency within the tuning. To evaluate the standard of telephone calls, we’ll file audio samples with the headphones’ microphones in addition to have third events name us.
With regards to options, we do an intensive evaluation of companion apps, testing every characteristic as we work by means of the software program. Any holdovers from earlier fashions are double checked for enhancements or regression. If the headphones we’re testing are an up to date model of a earlier mannequin, we’ll spend time getting reacquainted with the older set. Ditto for the closest competitors for every new set of headphones that we evaluation.
Different wi-fi headphones we examined
AirPods Max
Apple’s AirPods Max are premium, well-designed over-ear headphones that incorporate the entire greatest options you discover on commonplace AirPods: strong noise cancelation, spatial audio and simple Siri entry. Nevertheless, their $550 beginning worth makes them nearly prohibitively costly, even for Apple customers. There are higher choices accessible at decrease costs, however when you can choose up the AirPods Max at a steep low cost, they could be worthwhile for the most important Apple followers amongst us.
Dyson On-Trac
The On-Trac headphones have an nearly infinitely customizable design, and that’s what’s most original about them. The sound profile affords some good element, however lacks dynamic vary total. ANC is common at greatest and there aren’t any superior options that may make your life simpler. Effectively, aside from the listening to well being monitor which is definitely useful. All advised, that’s not lots in a set of $500 headphones.
Sonos Ace
The Sonos Ace is a superb debut for the corporate’s first headphones. The mix of refined design, nice sound high quality and residential theater tips creates a novel components. Nevertheless, ANC efficiency is simply okay and key performance remains to be within the works for a lot of customers.
Sony ULT Put on
If most headphones don’t have the extent of bass you need, the ULT Put on is an choice to contemplate. The low-end thump isn’t for everybody, however there are additionally loads of useful options and a refined look to make the $200 set extra compelling than many on this worth vary.
Sony WH-CH720N
Whereas the WH-CH720N are an awesome reasonably priced choice, we want the Audio-Technica within the finances class. Sony’s cans are light-weight with good sound high quality, however ANC struggles at occasions they usually’re made with numerous plastic.
Beats Studio Professional
The Studio Professional lacks fundamental options like computerized pausing, and multipoint connectivity is simply accessible on Android. Furthermore, they’re not very comfy for individuals with bigger heads. General sound high quality is improved, although, and voice efficiency on calls is nicely above common.
Bose QuietComfort Extremely headphones
Bose’s newest flagship mannequin has lots to supply, however its trademark Immersive Audio characteristic will be inconsistent throughout various kinds of music. There’s nonetheless world-class ANC, wonderful consolation and a clearer transparency mode, however for the worth, the non-Extremely mannequin is a better option proper now.
Grasp & Dynamic MH40 (2nd gen)
The MH40 are an awesome set of headphones when you favor crisp, clear and pure sound that isn’t overly tuned. This pair showcases the corporate’s affinity for leather-based and steel too, however restricted customization and brief battery life for non-ANC cans stored this set from making the minimize.
Bowers & Wilkins Px8
The corporate’s trademark pristine sound is on show right here, however the Px8 are costlier and never practically as comfy because the Px7 S2.
Wi-fi headphones FAQs
How are you going to inform the standard of wi-fi headphones?
I usually take a look at three components: design, sound high quality and options. When it comes to design, I’m often trying to see if the construct high quality of the headphones feels low-cost and plasticky. Loads of firms use plastic, however they will achieve this in a means that doesn’t look or really feel like finances fashions. For sound high quality, I wish to hear a pleasant, even tuning the place highs, mids and lows are all nicely represented. No overly boomy bass or scooped out mids. I additionally need good readability the place you possibly can choose up superb particulars and an open, immersive soundstage. Options is often a distant third, but when an organization doesn’t cowl fundamental performance (computerized pausing, transparency mode, multipoint Bluetooth, and so on.) it may be a sign of total high quality.
How do I select the very best quality wi-fi headphones?
“Greatest” will be fairly subjective, however I at all times advocate going to a spot the place you possibly can take heed to the headphones you’re fascinated about shopping for earlier than you commit. Generally this isn’t doable, so that you’ll wish to examine return insurance policies. I additionally advocate performing some analysis to find out what your priorities are in a brand new set. Are you an audiophile who desires the most effective sound high quality? Is highly effective lively noise cancellation (ANC) an important? Would you moderately have conveniences like computerized pausing?
Which model has the most effective wi-fi headphones?
Sony constantly tops our record with its 1000X line. That is largely as a result of mixture of sound high quality, ANC efficiency and the truckload of options these headphones pack in. I’ll be the primary to let you know that there are higher sounding choices and different firms, like Bose, provide simpler noise cancellation. However whenever you add every thing up, nobody comes near the total slate of instruments Sony places in its premium headphone line.
Do costly wi-fi headphones sound higher?
Exorbitant worth tags don’t imply higher audio high quality. Bowers & Wilkins’ headphones are on the excessive finish for wi-fi noise-canceling fashions they usually sound superb. Nevertheless, Audio-Technica’s M50xBT2 is rather more reasonably priced and doesn’t have ANC, however these headphones have a heat, pure sound profile that I discover very inviting. On the finish of the day, it is going to come down to non-public choice, however you don’t want to spend so much to search out nice headphones.
