(Pocket-lint) – Finding the right wireless headphones for your needs is much easier than it used to be, with scores of Bluetooth-ready options out there ready and waiting.
Thankfully, opting for wire-free cans no longer means suffering through inferior sound quality, either. With newer devices featuring more sophisticated audio processing and transmission, you no longer have to make the sacrifice between convenience and a premium listening experience.
With so many to pick between, however, it can be tough to actually discover which are the best for you. That’s where this guide comes in. Thanks to the Pocket-lint team’s continuous testing and reviewing, we’re able to provide an idea of the very top picks in the wireless headphones area.
Whether you’re searching for on-ear or over-ear, favour top-end features or your wallet, we’ve tried it all. Read on to discover which you should pick.
Best wireless headphones: Our top pick
POCKET-LINT
Sony WH-1000XM4
For
Superb listening experience
Comfortable for hours
Against
Not a huge upgrade on the previous model
No aptX or aptX HD support
Sony’s noise-cancelling, over-ear headphones are an extraordinary all-rounder, providing a sound experience that we’d class as among the best we’ve ever tested.
The WH-1000XM4 are particularly clever with noise-cancelling, offering various modes to allow your voice to pass through (or not).
They can even assess pressure to apply the perfect profile when on a plane, making them excellent travel headphones, too.
Bluetooth support for aptX HD means the utmost quality without wires, but, when the 30-hour battery runs dead, you can still plug in and listen passively with decent results.
It may not have moved on significantly from the previous generation, the WH-1000XM3, which we would still recommend exploring, but these are an absolute treat from top to bottom.
In truth, there are many excellent wireless headphones on the market today – and the difference between them isn’t drastic. While we believe our top pick is currently the best blend of features, performance, price and design, there are four more models we’d also strongly recommend checking out.
POCKET-LINT
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
For
Multi-level noise-cancelling technology
Powerful sound profile
Against
Non-folding design
No EQ within the app
The Bose NC 700 over-ears really step things up a gear from models that came before it, offering a really premium-feeling design.
There’s superb noise-cancelling to cut out external sound, and loud and proud sound quality without the need for wires (a backup 2.5-3.5mm cable is included in the carry case, though).
The battery life lasts for about 18 hours, too, making these good over-ear headphones for travelling – providing you can manage the design, obviously.
Despite their age, these headphones still look, feel and sound better than many rivals – including alternatives from Bose itself. It’s been overtaken in some regards, sure, but this is still an outstanding pair to invest in.
Bowers and Wilkins has struck gold again. These headphones will appeal to audiophiles, definitely, but tick plenty of tech boxes, as well.
Ambient noises are easily blocked by the active noise cancellation, while there’s no negative impact on the sound quality as a result.
These are supremely comfortable headphones, too. If we’re honest, we would probably prefer bend-in earcups, rather than a flat-folding design, and the feel isn’t quite as premium as its predecessor, but these are small gripes that barely dent an outstanding option.
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For
Folding design is ideal for travel
Super sound and ANC
Against
No auto-off power option
The design feels tired next to rivals
Bose’s latest wireless headphones are another triumph, bringing users top-tier noise-cancelling, thumping bass and a design that’s suited to life on the road.
Physical buttons return to the outer shell, while the folding design makes it ideal for throwing into bags and the likes. The 24-hour battery life, as well, while not being class-leading, is still very good.
The only real downside to the package is that it isn’t quite as premium in looks or feel as the NC Headphones 700 from Bose, and, like some of Sony’s options, the upgrades are relatively mild in comparison to previous generations.
That aside, though, the latest QuietComfort model is still very easy to recommend over rivals.
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For
Affordable price point
Excellent sound for the price
Against
Not a premium build
Better listening experience elsewhere
Not everybody wants to spend top-level cash on their wireless headphones, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still find yourself a premium listening experience. If you’re working on a modest budget, then Sony has a great trade for you, the WH-CH710N.
Sure, you won’t get aptX HD like many of the pricier alternatives, but noise-cancelling is on board and the WH-CH710N are small, portable, kick out enough bass and are well designed.
If you can stretch your wallet a bit further, we would advise checking out the Bose QuietComfort 35 or Sony WH-1000XM3, but, at this price range, it’s tough to do better.
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