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 way more snug. With no cords to untangle or get caught in your bag, they’re an awesome decide for anybody who needs 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 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 comfortable match for marathon listening classes. After all, for those who’re after one thing a bit extra compact or tailor-made to a selected use case, we additionally have you ever coated with our purchasing guides for the greatest earbuds, the greatest gaming headsets and the greatest finances 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 proper pair.
Desk of contents
Finest wi-fi headphones for 2025
Picture by Billy Steele / Engadget
Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure | Battery life: 30 hours | Weight: 0.55 kilos | Water resistance: None | Assistant assist: Google Assistant | Shade choices: Black, Midnight Blue, Smoky Pink, Silver
Learn our full Sony WH-1000XM5 overview
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 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 snug to put on for lengthy durations of time. This is a crucial issue to contemplate when buying over-ear headphones. We additionally seen in our checks that the corporate made noticeable enhancements to the lively noise cancellation, because of a separate V1 chip along with the QN1 that was contained in the M4. There are actually eight whole 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 on your cellphone. Converse-to-Chat robotically pauses audio once 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 affords higher name high quality than a lot 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
- Dearer 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 | Shade choices: Black/Silver
Learn our full Noble Audio FoKus Apollo overview
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 one of the best of each, with thick bass, clear highs and excessive readability.
You received’t discover a variety of options right here. There’s respectable ANC efficiency, but it surely’s nowhere close to one of the best. 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 will 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
Picture by Billy Steele / Engadget
Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure | Battery life: 30 hours | Weight: 10.8 ounces | Water resistance: None | Assistant assist: Not specified | Shade choices: Anthracite Black, Cloud Gray, Forest Inexperienced, Ocean Blue, Ruby Pink
Learn our full Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e overview
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 embrace assist for as much as 24-bit high-resolution streaming from appropriate companies. 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 general sound high quality, identical to the Px7 S2 has been since their introduction.
Bowers & Wilkins saved the remainder of what was so nice in regards to the Px7 S2 as properly. Dependable bodily controls don’t result in any frustration once you use them and the ANC efficiency is nice sufficient to dam out a variety of distractions. Issue within the refined design and general consolation, and also you’ve bought an awesome pair of headphones that rival one of the best. The Px7 S2e nonetheless doesn’t have a variety of the extra superior options that Sony affords, however they sound so good you won’t 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 Cross-By way of 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 | Shade choices: Black, White
Audio-Technica has launched reasonably priced wi-fi headphones prior 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 standard M20x wired cans. For simply $79, you possibly can count on a snug match and as much as 60 hours of battery life. Bluetooth multipoint connectivity lets you 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.
- Inexpensive
- 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 | Shade choices: Black, White Smoke, Lunar Blue, Deep Plum
Learn our full Bose QuietComfort Extremely overview
Bose’s distinctive tackle spatial audio often is the headline characteristic 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 greatest 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 partly 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 affords 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 further comfort bundled on this package deal.
Whereas the spatial sound characteristic is a little bit of a blended 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 general. When Immersive Audio hits, it’s wonderful and the audio high quality is really outstanding. However, the corporate is counting on sign processing relatively than specifically crafted content material so the outcomes differ.
- 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 | Shade choices: Black, Silver
Again at CES 2022, Panasonic introduced the EAH-A800: a brand new set of lively noise canceling headphones beneath the enduring Technics model. Whereas a lot 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’ve not put them via the total overview evaluation, I’ve already examined them on a protracted flight. The ANC is spectacular and so they’re snug 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
- Snug 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 | Shade 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 understood 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 variety of conditions. At $599, the high-end seems to be don’t come low cost, however for those who’re searching for one thing past the pure plastic vogue of most headphones, M&D has you coated.
- Luxurious design made with premium supplies
- A number of ANC modes
How to decide on one of the best wi-fi headphones for you
Relating to purchasing for an excellent pair of wi-fi headphones, the very first thing you’ll have to resolve on is put on type. Do you like 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 will discover on-ear fashions with ANC, however over-ear designs are way more efficient at blocking sound. Talking of noise cancellation, you’ll wish to decide early on for those who even need that. In case you incessantly crank up the beats in noisy environments, you’ll wish to not solely ensure it’s there, but in addition ensure it’s good, ideally with adaptive ANC. In case you plan to make use of your new headphones in quieter areas, skipping ANC can prevent some cash.
The following space to contemplate is options. We advocate attempting to get essentially the most bang on your buck, however as you’re procuring round you need to decide which gadgets are must-haves and what you possibly can stay with out. And don’t take staple items like automated pausing and Bluetooth multipoint connectivity without any consideration, as not all corporations embrace them. We additionally recommend studying critiques to see how properly an organization’s extra superior options work. It will assist you to resolve if these are one thing you’re prepared to (seemingly) 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 potential. We perceive this isn’t straightforward at a time once 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 listening 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 ensure a perspective pair does if that form of factor excites you. In case you plan to make use of your headphones for different media apart from music, checking for latency can be a should — some delay can impression 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 means we take a look at wi-fi headphones is to put on them as a lot as potential. We favor 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 will be 30 hours or extra, we drain the battery with looping music and the amount set at a snug degree (often round 75 p.c). As a result of longer battery estimates, we’ll sometimes energy the headphones off a number of occasions and depart them throughout a overview. This simulates real-world use and retains us from having to always monitor the method for over 24 straight hours.
To guage one of the best 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 cellphone calls, we’ll document audio samples with the headphones’ microphones in addition to have third events name us.
Relating to options, we do a radical overview of companion apps, testing every characteristic 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 overview.
Different wi-fi headphones we examined
AirPods Max
Apple’s AirPods Max are premium, well-designed over-ear headphones that incorporate all the greatest options you discover on customary 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 obtainable at decrease costs, however for those who 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 nearly infinitely customizable design, and that’s what’s most unusual about them. The sound profile affords some good element, however lacks dynamic vary general. ANC is common at greatest and there aren’t any superior options that can make your life simpler. Nicely, 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 wonderful 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 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 Put on is an possibility 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 possibility, we favor the Audio-Technica within the finances class. Sony’s cans are light-weight with good sound high quality, however ANC struggles at occasions and so they’re made with a variety of plastic.
Beats Studio Professional
The Studio Professional lacks fundamental options like automated pausing, and multipoint connectivity is simply obtainable on Android. Furthermore, they’re not very snug for folks with bigger heads. Total 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 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 value, the non-Extremely mannequin is a better option proper now.
Grasp & Dynamic MH40 (2nd gen)
The MH40 are an awesome set of headphones for those who 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 quick battery life for non-ANC cans saved this set from making the minimize.
Bowers & Wilkins Px8
The corporate’s trademark pristine sound is on show right here, however the Px8 are dearer and never practically as snug because the Px7 S2.
Wi-fi headphones FAQs
How will you inform the standard of wi-fi headphones?
I sometimes have 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’ll 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 properly represented. No overly boomy bass or scooped out mids. I additionally need good readability the place you possibly can decide up high quality particulars and an open, immersive soundstage. Options is usually a distant third, but when an organization doesn’t cowl fundamental performance (automated pausing, transparency mode, multipoint Bluetooth, and so on.) it may be a sign of general high quality.
How do I select the highest quality wi-fi headphones?
“Finest” will be fairly subjective, however I all the time advocate going to a spot the place you possibly can take heed to the headphones you’re excited about shopping for earlier than you commit. Typically this isn’t potential, so that you’ll wish to test return insurance policies. I additionally advocate doing a little analysis to find out what your priorities are in a brand new set. Are you an audiophile who needs one of the best sound high quality? Is highly effective lively noise cancellation (ANC) crucial? Would you relatively have conveniences like automated pausing?
Which model has one of the best wi-fi headphones?
Sony constantly tops our record with its 1000X line. That is principally 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 corporations, like Bose, supply simpler noise cancellation. However once you add the whole lot 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 and so they sound wonderful. Nevertheless, Audio-Technica’s M50xBT2 is way 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’s going to come down to non-public desire, however you don’t want to spend so much to search out nice headphones.
