Stereo headphones have been around since well before the first Sony Walkman, and that's roughly how long we've had to put up with tangled wires for on-the-go music listening. That's long enough if you ask us. Fortunately, wireless headphones now exist.
They're convenient for all those times you don't want to deal with dangling cables, such as at the gym or on public transportation. And now that many phone makers have ditched the headphone jack, wireless headphones are a great way to ensure cross-device compatibility. Wireless no longer means poor sound and battery life, either. Bluetooth headphones still compress hi-res audio, but new codecs preserve quality much better than in the past, and battery life has steadily improved with each new generation.
Below, you can find our top picks for wireless headphones and earphones across a wide range of prices and feature sets. And make sure to read through to the end for relevant buying advice.
Should You Get Wireless Earphones or Headphones?
Earphones (or earbuds, or in-ear headphones) offer a slightly different sound profile compared with conventional headphones. Generally, you get better sound from a full set of "cans" around your head than from buds in your ears, but earphones now offer excellent sound quality. More importantly, they are much more appropriate for exercise because they are smaller and often moderately water-resistant. Headphones, on the other hand, turn into a nasty mess if you start sweating. For our top exercise picks, check out the best true wireless earphones for running.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) (Credit: Tim Gideon)At this point, most wireless earphones don't have a connecting wire like earlier iterations. Instead, you get two discrete earpieces and a charging case. Originally, this type of setup wasn't reliable, but you aren't likely to have any connection issues now. All of the earphones on this list are true wireless earphones.
If you aren't primarily looking for a set of wireless earphones for the gym (be sure to check the IP rating for water and sweat resistance), conventional headphones offer a much better listening experience. You still have to choose between on-ear and over-ear models, however. On-ear headphones rest against your ears but don't surround them, while over-ear headphones completely enclose them. The latter block out the most outside noise and usually provide more powerful, richer sound, but on-ear models are less bulky and distracting to wear.
And if you're shopping for your little one, we also have a collection of the best wired and wireless headphones for kids.
What's Noise Cancellation?
Bose QuietComfort 45 (Credit: Tim Gideon)Headphones with active noise cancellation (ANC) use outward-facing microphones to pick up and analyze noise, which their internal circuitry then cancels by generating an inverse wave. This was previously an expensive, cumbersome technology, but advances in battery life and miniaturization mean you have more affordable options than ever. The top-end models are still quite pricey, but not everyone needs the absolute best performance. For more options, check out the best noise-cancelling headphones and the best noise-cancelling true wireless earphones.
Do You Need Apple's H2 Chip? What About Bluetooth Codecs?
If you're an iPhone user, consider buying a model with Apple's proprietary H2 (or older H1 or W1) chip. It makes Bluetooth pairing painless—there's no need to open the Settings menu because your phone automatically prompts you to connect whenever the headphones are nearby. The chip also improves connection stability and increases the wireless range. Currently, only Apple and Beats (which Apple owns) make headphones with this component.
Everyone—iPhone and Android users—needs to pay attention to which Bluetooth codecs their headphones support. Codecs determine how your device compresses audio streams before sending them to your headphones (most Bluetooth implementations don't currently support lossless audio streaming). You need to make sure that your headphones and phone support the same high-end codecs if you want the best listening experience. Our guide to Bluetooth codecs details everything you are likely to encounter and our reviews note which ones each model supports.
Sony WH-1000XM5 (Credit: Tim Gideon)How Much Should You Spend on Wireless Headphones?
Although many entries in this roundup cost more than $100, you don't need to spend a lot of money to get quality audio. If you're shopping on a budget, head over to our roundup of the best headphones under $50 or under $100 for options that won't break the bank.
You're bound to find something that fits well, sounds great, and—above all—doesn't tie you up in knots. Once you pick the perfect pair, check out these five easy tips to extend the life of your headphones and the eight ways you're using your headphones wrong. And if you want to share your tunes with others, look no further than our favorite wireless speakers.
