Whether or not you are listening to playlists in your each day commute or zoning out with a podcast at residence, wi-fi headphones could make your audio expertise far more comfy. With no cords to untangle or get caught in your bag, they’re an awesome choose for anybody who desires comfort with out compromising on sound high quality. If consolation and immersive audio are excessive in your precedence record, over-ear wi-fi headphones are sometimes the way in which to go — they wrap round your ears to assist block out the world and ship wealthy detailed sound that earbuds can typically miss.
There’s a variety of over-ear wi-fi headphones to select from, whether or not you need lively noise cancellation, lengthy battery life or a snug match for marathon listening classes. After all, when you’re after one thing a little bit extra compact or tailor-made to a selected use case, we additionally have you ever coated with our purchasing guides for the finest earbuds, the finest gaming headsets and the finest price range earbuds. But when wi-fi headphones with top-tier sound and a cushty, over-ear design are what you are after, learn on — we’ve examined the highest choices that can assist you discover the fitting pair.
Desk of contents
Finest wi-fi headphones for 2025
Photograph by Billy Steele / Engadget
Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure | Battery life: 30 hours | Weight: 0.55 kilos | Water resistance: None | Assistant assist: Google Assistant | Coloration choices: Black, Midnight Blue, Smoky Pink, Silver
Learn our full Sony WH-1000XM5 assessment
Sony’s 1000X line has been our prime choose for finest wi-fi headphone for a very long time now. Till one other firm can pack in as many high-quality options as Sony, and achieve this with a mixture of wonderful sound high quality and efficient ANC, the crown is protected. With the WH-1000XM5, Sony redesigned its flagship headphones, making them far more comfy to put on for lengthy durations of time. This is a crucial issue to think about 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 separate V1 chip along with the QN1 that was contained in the M4. There at the moment are eight complete ANC mics as properly – the earlier mannequin solely had 4. This all combines to higher block background noise and excessive frequencies, together with human voices.
The 1000XM5 nonetheless has all the options that sometimes make Sony’s top-of-the-line headphones showstoppers. That features 30-hour battery life and crisp, clear sound with balanced tuning and punchy bass. A combo of contact controls and bodily buttons offer you on-board entry to music, calls and noise modes with out reaching to your telephone. Converse-to-Chat robotically pauses audio while you start speaking, and like earlier Sony headphones, the M5 can change noise modes primarily based in your exercise or location. Plus, this pair of headphones provides higher name high quality than many of the competitors. The one actual draw back is that they’re $50 greater than the WH-1000XM4 at full worth ($400).
- Supreme consolation
- Nice sound
- Highly effective ANC
- 30-hour battery life
- Costlier than the M4
- Occasional audio points on macOS
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 | Coloration choices: Black/Silver
Learn our full Noble Audio FoKus Apollo assessment
Noble Audio makes use of a singular 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 perfect of each, with thick bass, clear highs and excessive readability.
You gained’t discover plenty of options right here. There may be first rate ANC efficiency, however it’s nowhere close to the perfect. You’ll additionally get wonderful battery life, which is the second finest motive to purchase these headphones. Nonetheless, you’re paying primarily for the unbelievable sound high quality, which is probably not 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
Photograph by Billy Steele / Engadget
Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure | Battery life: 30 hours | Weight: 10.8 ounces | Water resistance: None | Assistant assist: Not specified | Coloration choices: Anthracite Black, Cloud Gray, Forest Inexperienced, Ocean Blue, Ruby Crimson
Learn our full Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e assessment
An upgraded model of the Px7 S2, the Px7 S2e’s modifications are principally within the sound division. Bowers & Wilkins up to date the digital sign processing (DSP) engine for improved efficiency when streaming music. The modifications it launched embody assist for as much as 24-bit high-resolution streaming from appropriate providers. The corporate says it additionally re-tuned the acoustics for “unmatched element, dynamics and spaciousness,” which is the extra noticeable tweak in comparison with the earlier mannequin. These guarantees maintain true, too: the Px7 S2e are on the prime of our take a look at unit pile by way of total sound high quality, similar to the Px7 S2 has been since their introduction.
Bowers & Wilkins stored the remainder of what was so nice concerning the Px7 S2 as properly. Dependable bodily controls don’t result in any frustration while you use them and the ANC efficiency is nice sufficient to dam out plenty of distractions. Issue within the refined design and total consolation, and also you’ve received an awesome pair of headphones that rival the perfect. The Px7 S2e nonetheless doesn’t have plenty of the extra superior options that Sony provides, however they sound so good you may not even discover.
- Spectacular sound high quality
- Higher than marketed battery life
- Efficient noise cancellation
- Comfortable match
- Refined design
- Name high quality
- Very fundamental EQ customization
- Subpar Go-Via mode audio
- Computerized pausing wants refining
Audio-Technica
Noise cancellation: No | Multipoint: Sure | Battery life: 60 hours | Weight: 1.42 kilos | Water resistance: None | Assistant assist: Not specified | Coloration choices: Black, White
Audio-Technica has launched inexpensive wi-fi headphones up to now, and whereas they didn’t supply lively noise cancellation, they’re nonetheless value contemplating. The corporate’s newest is the M20xBT, a Bluetooth model of the A-T’s fashionable M20x wired cans. For simply $79, you possibly can anticipate a cushty match and as much as 60 hours of battery life. Bluetooth multipoint connectivity permits you to hook up with a number of gadgets directly 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.
- Reasonably priced
- As much as 60 hours of battery life
- Multipoint connectivity
- Design is not as refined as opponents’
Photograph by Billy Steele / Engadget
Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure | Battery life: 24 hours | Water resistance: None | Assistant assist: Google Assistant, Siri | Coloration choices: Black, White Smoke, Lunar Blue, Deep Plum
Learn our full Bose QuietComfort Extremely assessment
Bose’s distinctive tackle spatial audio will be the headline function on its QuietComfort Extremely Headphones, however the firm didn’t overlook ANC on this mannequin (Make no mistake — Sony takes the crown right here for finest ANC, however this Bose mannequin is an in depth second.) Described as “the quietest quiet” obtainable on any of its headphones but, the ANC right here is noticeably higher than the Bose 700 and iconic QuietComfort Headphones. That is due partially to microphone enhancements that additionally enhance name high quality. The modifications are particularly obvious when coping with the hard-to-combat frequency vary of individuals speaking. The corporate additionally provides presets that blend ANC, transparency mode and its spatial Immersive Audio, permitting you to shortly swap the sound to match your environment. And if that wasn’t sufficient, the contact controls make these over-ear headphones a breeze to make use of — so that you get good noise cancelation, good sound and additional comfort bundled on this bundle.
Whereas the spatial sound function is a little bit of a blended bag, the inventory tuning on the QuietComfort Extremely Headphones remains to be good – even earlier than you turn on Immersive Audio. Bose has typically lagged the competitors by way of sonic prowess, however these over-ear headphones present that hole is narrowing. There’s a splash extra bass to reinforce a default sound profile that’s hotter, clearer and extra inviting than earlier Bose fashions, leading to good sound total. When Immersive Audio hits, it’s wonderful and the audio high quality is really exceptional. However, the corporate is counting on sign processing reasonably than specifically crafted content material so the outcomes range.
- Wonderful ANC
- Improved audio
- Clearer transparency mode
- Comfortable
- Costly
- Immersive Audio is inconsistent
- No USB-C audio
Technics
Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure | Battery life: 50 hours | Weight: 0.65 kilos | Water resistance: None | Assistant assist: Amazon Alexa | Coloration choices: Black, Silver
Again at CES 2022, Panasonic introduced the EAH-A800: a brand new set of lively noise canceling headphones underneath 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 anticipate 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 via the total assessment evaluation, I’ve already examined them on a protracted flight. The ANC is spectacular they usually’re comfy sufficient to keep away from turning 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
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 | Coloration choices: Silver Steel / Brown Leather-based, Black Steel / Black Leather-based, Silver Steel / Navy Leather-based, Silver Steel / Black Leather-based, Gunmetal / Black Leather-based, Gunmetal / Navy Leather-based, Silver Steel / Gray Leather-based
Whereas Grasp & Dynamic is thought for its design prowess, the corporate’s over-ear headphones had 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 don’t come low-cost, however when you’re in search of one thing past the pure plastic trend of most headphones, M&D has you coated.
- Luxurious design made with premium supplies
- A number of ANC modes
How to decide on the perfect wi-fi headphones for you
On the subject of searching for pair of wi-fi headphones, the very first thing you’ll must resolve on is put on type. Do you favor on-ear or over-ear headphones? For the needs of our purchaser’s information, we deal with the over-ear type as that’s what most noise-canceling headphones are these days. Positive, you’ll find on-ear fashions with ANC, however over-ear designs are far 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 ceaselessly crank up the beats in noisy environments, you’ll wish to not solely make sure that it’s there, but in addition make sure that 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 following space to think about is options. We advocate making an attempt to get essentially the most bang to your buck, however as you’re procuring round it’s best to decide which objects are must-haves and what you possibly can dwell with out. And don’t take staple items like computerized pausing and Bluetooth multipoint connectivity without any consideration, as not all corporations embody them. We additionally counsel studying evaluations to see how properly an organization’s extra superior options work. This can assist you resolve if these are one thing you’re keen to (doubtless) pay further for. Control 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 may be subjective, so we advocate making an attempt before you purchase if in any respect doable. We perceive this isn’t simple at a time once we’re doing most of our procuring on-line. However making an attempt 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 being attentive to issues like Spatial Audio, Dolby Atmos, 360 Actuality Audio and different immersive codecs. Not all headphones assist them, so that you’ll wish to make sure that a perspective pair does if that kind of factor excites you. In the event you plan to make use of your headphones for different media in addition to music, checking for latency can be a should — some delay can affect playback for issues like films or video games, even when most true wi-fi headphones now supply minimal lag.
How we take a look at over-ear headphones
The first approach we take a look at wi-fi headphones is to put on them as a lot as doable. We favor to do that over a one- to two-week interval, however typically embargoes don’t permit it. Throughout this time, we hearken to a mixture of music and podcasts, whereas additionally utilizing the earbuds to take each voice and video calls. Since battery life for headphones may 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 sometimes energy the headphones off a number of instances and depart them throughout a assessment. This simulates real-world use and retains us from having to consistently monitor the method for over 24 straight hours.
To guage the perfect Bluetooth headphones, we deal with higher-quality audio by listening to quite a lot of genres and paying shut consideration to how every type sounds. We additionally take a look at at each high and low volumes to test 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.
On the subject of options, we do an intensive assessment of companion apps, testing every function as we work via 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 assessment.
Different wi-fi headphones we examined
AirPods Max
Apple’s AirPods Max are premium, well-designed over-ear headphones that incorporate all the finest options you discover on customary AirPods: stable noise cancelation, spatial audio and straightforward Siri entry. Nonetheless, their $550 beginning worth makes them nearly prohibitively costly, even for Apple customers. There are higher choices obtainable at decrease costs, however when you can choose up the AirPods Max at a steep low cost, they may be worthwhile for the largest Apple followers amongst us.
Dyson On-Trac
The On-Trac headphones have an nearly infinitely customizable design, and that’s what’s most unusual about them. The sound profile provides some good element, however lacks dynamic vary total. ANC is common at finest 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 helpful. 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 methods creates a singular components. Nonetheless, 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 think about. The low-end thump isn’t for everybody, however there are additionally loads of helpful 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 inexpensive choice, we favor the Audio-Technica within the price range class. Sony’s cans are light-weight with good sound high quality, however ANC struggles at instances they usually’re made with plenty of plastic.
Beats Studio Professional
The Studio Professional lacks fundamental options like computerized pausing, and multipoint connectivity is barely obtainable on Android. Furthermore, they’re not very comfy for folks with bigger heads. General sound high quality is improved, although, and voice efficiency on calls is properly above common.
Bose QuietComfort Extremely headphones
Bose’s newest flagship mannequin has lots to supply, however its trademark Immersive Audio function may 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 more sensible choice 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 metallic too, however restricted customization and brief battery life for non-ANC cans stored this set from making the reduce.
Bowers & Wilkins Px8
The corporate’s trademark pristine sound is on show right here, however the Px8 are costlier and never almost as comfy because the Px7 S2.
Wi-fi headphones FAQs
How are you going to inform the standard of wi-fi headphones?
I sometimes have a look at three components: design, sound high quality and options. By way of design, I’m often seeking to see if the construct high quality of the headphones feels low-cost and plasticky. Loads of corporations use plastic, however they’ll achieve this in a approach that doesn’t look or really feel like price range fashions. For sound high quality, I wish to hear a pleasant, even tuning the place highs, mids and lows are all properly represented. No overly boomy bass or scooped out mids. I additionally need good readability the place you possibly can choose up wonderful particulars and an open, immersive soundstage. Options is usually 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?
“Finest” may be fairly subjective, however I at all times advocate going to a spot the place you possibly can hearken to the headphones you’re interested by shopping for earlier than you commit. Typically this isn’t doable, so that you’ll wish to test 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 perfect sound high quality? Is highly effective lively noise cancellation (ANC) a very powerful? Would you reasonably have conveniences like computerized pausing?
Which model has the perfect wi-fi headphones?
Sony constantly tops our record with its 1000X line. That is principally because of the 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 corporations, like Bose, supply simpler noise cancellation. However while you add all the pieces 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 wonderful. Nonetheless, Audio-Technica’s M50xBT2 is far more inexpensive 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 can come down to private desire, however you don’t want to spend so much to search out nice headphones.