Whether or not you are listening to playlists in your day by day commute or zoning out with a podcast at house, wi-fi headphones could make your audio expertise rather more snug. With no cords to untangle or get caught in your bag, they’re an amazing decide for anybody who needs comfort with out compromising on sound high quality. If consolation and immersive audio are excessive in your precedence checklist, 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 generally 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 periods. In fact, in the event you’re after one thing just a little extra compact or tailor-made to a particular use case, we additionally have you ever lined with our purchasing guides for the best earbuds, the best gaming headsets and the best budget earbuds. But when wi-fi headphones with top-tier sound and a snug, over-ear design are what you are after, learn on — we’ve examined the highest choices that will help you discover the best pair.
Desk of contents
Finest wi-fi headphones for 2025
Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure | Battery life: 30 hours | Weight: 0.55 kilos | Water resistance: None | Assistant assist: Bixby, Siri, Google Assistant | Coloration choices: Black, Platinum Silver, and Midnight Blue
Learn our full Sony WH-1000XM6 review
Sony’s 1000X line has been our prime decide 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 secure. With the WH-1000XM6, Sony subtly redesigned its flagship headphones, making them far more snug to put on for lengthy intervals of time. This is a vital issue to think about when buying over-ear headphones. We additionally observed in our exams that the corporate made noticeable enhancements to the lively noise cancellation, due to a brand new QN3 chip. There are actually 12 complete ANC mics as properly – the earlier mannequin solely had eight. This all combines to higher 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. Communicate-to-Chat nonetheless reduces quantity and prompts ambient sound once you discuss and the M6 can routinely 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 helpful options
- Supremely cozy
- Worth has elevated once more
- Communicate-to-Chat nonetheless wants work
- Name high quality suffers in loud environments
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 review
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 quite a lot of options right here. There’s first rate ANC efficiency, but it surely’s nowhere close to the perfect. You’ll additionally get wonderful battery life, which is the second greatest purpose 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
- Cozy match
- Very costly
- Restricted options
- Common ANC efficiency
Billy Steele for Engadget
Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure | Battery life: 30 hours | Weight: 10.58 ounces | Water resistance: None | Assistant assist: Not specified | Coloration choices: Anthracite Black, Canvas White, Indigo Blue
Learn our full Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 review
Bowers & Wilkins continues its run of stellar audio high quality on the Px7 S3. The corporate made tweaks to its sound platform with new 40mm bio cellulose drivers, discrete headphone amps and a TrueSound mode. There are additionally upgrades to ANC and slight design adjustments. Plus, the corporate continues to be understating its battery life figures, so that you’ll get greater than anticipated by way of longevity right here.
- Wonderful sound high quality
- Cozy match
- Refined design
- Costly
- Awkward button places
- An absence of superior options
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 previously, and whereas they didn’t supply lively noise cancellation, they’re nonetheless price contemplating. The corporate’s latest is the M20xBT, a Bluetooth model of the A-T’s widespread M20x wired cans. For simply $79, you’ll be able to count on a snug 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.
- Reasonably priced
- As much as 60 hours of battery life
- Multipoint connectivity
- Design is not as refined as rivals’
Picture 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 Ultra review
Bose’s distinctive tackle spatial audio would be the headline function on its QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, however the firm didn’t overlook ANC on this model (Make no mistake — Sony takes the crown right here for greatest ANC, however this Bose mannequin is an in depth second.) Described as “the quietest quiet” accessible on any of its headphones but, the ANC right here is noticeably higher than the Bose 700 and iconic QuietComfort Headphones. That is due partly to microphone enhancements that additionally enhance name high quality. The adjustments are particularly obvious when coping with the hard-to-combat frequency vary of individuals speaking. The corporate additionally gives presets that blend ANC, transparency mode and its spatial Immersive Audio, permitting you to rapidly change 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 further comfort bundled on this package deal.
Whereas the spatial sound function is a little bit of a combined bag, the inventory tuning on the QuietComfort Extremely Headphones continues to be good – even earlier than you turn on Immersive Audio. Bose has usually lagged the competitors by way of sonic prowess, however these over-ear headphones present that hole is narrowing. There’s a touch 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 actually exceptional. However, the corporate is counting on sign processing somewhat than specifically crafted content material so the outcomes fluctuate.
- Wonderful ANC
- Improved audio
- Clearer transparency mode
- Cozy
- 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
Back at CES 2022, Panasonic introduced the EAH-A800: a brand new set of lively noise canceling headphones underneath the long-lasting 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’ll be able to count on as much as 50 hours of battery life on the A800, and that’s with lively noise cancellation enabled. Whereas we’ve not put them by way of the complete overview evaluation, I’ve already examined them on a long flight. The ANC is spectacular they usually’re snug sufficient to keep away from changing into a burden after a number of hours or many lengthy listening periods. Sound high quality can also 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: Suitable 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 seems to be don’t come low cost, however in the event you’re on the lookout for one thing past the pure plastic trend of most headphones, M&D has you lined.
- Luxurious design made with premium supplies
- A number of ANC modes
How to decide on the perfect wi-fi headphones for you
In terms of searching for 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 deal with the over-ear model 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 rather more efficient at blocking sound. Talking of noise cancellation, you’ll need to decide early on in the event you even need that. For those who ceaselessly crank up the beats in noisy environments, you’ll need to not solely ensure that it’s there, but in addition ensure that it’s good, ideally with adaptive ANC. For those who plan to make use of your new headphones in quieter areas, skipping ANC can prevent some cash.
The subsequent space to think about is options. We advocate making an attempt to get probably the most bang to your buck, however as you’re purchasing round you need to decide which objects are must-haves and what you’ll be able to reside with out. And don’t take basic items like automated pausing and Bluetooth multipoint connectivity without any consideration, as not all corporations embody them. We additionally counsel studying opinions to see how properly an organization’s extra superior options work. This can enable you to resolve if these are one thing you’re prepared to (probably) 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 could be subjective, so we advocate making an attempt before you purchase if in any respect doable. We perceive this isn’t straightforward at a time once we’re doing most of our purchasing 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 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 need to ensure that a perspective pair does if that type of factor excites you. For those who plan to make use of your headphones for different media apart from music, checking for latency can also be a should — some delay can influence 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 choose to do that over a one- to two-week interval, however generally 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 could be 30 hours or extra, we drain the battery with looping music and the amount set at a snug degree (often round 75 %). Because of the longer battery estimates, we’ll sometimes energy the headphones off a number of occasions and go away them throughout a overview. This simulates real-world use and retains us from having to consistently monitor the method for over 24 straight hours.
To evaluate 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 model sounds. We additionally take a look at at each high and low volumes to verify 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.
In terms of options, we do an intensive overview of companion apps, testing every function as we work by way 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 overview.
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: stable noise cancelation, spatial audio and straightforward Siri entry. Nonetheless, their $550 beginning worth makes them virtually prohibitively costly, even for Apple customers. There are higher choices accessible at decrease costs, however in the event you can decide 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 virtually infinitely customizable design, and that’s what’s most original about them. The sound profile gives some good element, however lacks dynamic vary total. ANC is common at greatest and there aren’t any superior options that can make your life simpler. Properly, aside from the listening to well being monitor which is definitely helpful. All instructed, that’s not lots in a set of $500 headphones.
Sonos Ace
The Sonos Ace is a wonderful debut for the corporate’s first headphones. The mixture of refined design, nice sound high quality and residential theater methods creates a singular components. Nonetheless, ANC efficiency is simply okay and key performance continues 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 Wear is an possibility 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 amazing inexpensive possibility, we choose the Audio-Technica within the price range class. Sony’s cans are light-weight with good sound high quality, however ANC struggles at occasions they usually’re made with quite a lot of plastic.
Beats Studio Professional
The Studio Pro lacks primary options like automated pausing, and multipoint connectivity is just accessible on Android. Furthermore, they’re not very snug 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 latest flagship model has lots to supply, however its trademark Immersive Audio function could 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 amazing set of headphones in the event 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 quick battery life for non-ANC cans saved this set from making the lower.
Bowers & Wilkins Px8
The corporate’s trademark pristine sound is on show here, however the Px8 are dearer and never practically as snug because the Px7 S2.
Wi-fi headphones FAQs
How are you going to inform the standard of wi-fi headphones?
I sometimes take a look at three components: design, sound high quality and options. When it comes to 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 will achieve this in a approach that doesn’t look or really feel like price range fashions. For sound high quality, I need 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’ll be able to decide up effective particulars and an open, immersive soundstage. Options is usually a distant third, but when an organization doesn’t cowl primary performance (automated pausing, transparency mode, multipoint Bluetooth, and many others.) it may be a sign of total high quality.
How do I select the very best quality wi-fi headphones?
“Finest” could be fairly subjective, however I all the time advocate going to a spot the place you’ll be able to take heed to the headphones you’re fascinated by shopping for earlier than you commit. Typically this isn’t doable, so that you’ll need to verify 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 needs the perfect sound high quality? Is highly effective lively noise cancellation (ANC) a very powerful? Would you somewhat have conveniences like automated pausing?
Which model has the perfect wi-fi headphones?
Sony persistently tops our checklist 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 inform you that there are higher sounding choices and different corporations, like Bose, supply more practical noise cancellation. However once you add all the pieces up, nobody comes near the complete 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 rather 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 should come down to non-public desire, however you don’t want to spend so much to seek out nice headphones.
