Best wireless earbuds, tried and tested

To find the most productive wireless earbuds, I tested more than 30 of the most popular wireless earbuds, ranging in price from $60 to $700. After sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, extra features, and more, I chose the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. Headphones as my choice for the most productive wireless headphones overall.

While the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are amazing, they are necessarily for everyone. Some other people might look for headphones, in which case the Nothing Ear headphones are the way to go, while those who are in the Apple ecosystem might prefer the AirPods Max. I also identified other winners in categories like Best TV Headphones, Best Audiophile Headphones, and Best Headphones Under $100. Without further ado, here are the best wireless headphones you can buy now. And for more audio recommendations, consult our tested advisor on the most productive wireless headphones.

I was born and raised in Canberra, Australia, lived in France and Minnesota before landing in sunny California. I’ve written for a variety of online publications, including Digital Trends, Business Insider, and TechRadar, and while my background is firmly rooted in technology, I’m looking for a new writing challenge. When I’m not writing about technology, I can be regularly caught generating new music, watching the latest Marvel movie, or figuring out how to make my home smarter. I write for Forbes Vetted. Si you acquire something using a link on this page, Forbes Finds will possibly get a small percentage of that sale.

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For most people, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are the most productive wireless headphones available. Overall, they slightly outperformed the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones, AirPods Max, and the new Sonos Ace headphones, but they finally got the name thanks. to their ultra-convenient compatibility and the fact that they offer the maximum productive asset. Noise cancellation (ANC) in the industry.

They sound wonderful too. They weren’t the best-sounding headphones I’ve tried, but I found them to sound a little more natural than the Sony WH-1000XM5. They offer deep and impressive bass, flat mids and just right details in the highs. -end for a pair of headphones in this price range. I also found that audiophile-oriented headphones like the Focal Bathys sounded better, as did the AirPods Max. And I wish Bose would put a little more effort into the app’s EQ, which is only three-band and poorly labeled, but the sound is wonderful right out of the box.

The black Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are trendy and offer active noise cancellation.

The noise-canceling generation here is more effective than that of any other pair of headphones. It’s not the quietest implementation of noise cancellation – there is some background hissing when it’s on, unlike headphones like the Sonos Ace, for example. However, it cancels out more noise than any other pair I’ve tried, and when you hear audio, you can’t literally hear the hiss anyway.

In addition to their audio quality, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are the most comfortable pair I’ve ever tested. They’re not as light as the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones, but the padding and weight distribution on the sensitive top of the head prove more effective. While providing a superior quality structure with premium fabrics and a design that folds for greater portability than most competitors.

When in use, store the headphones in the included padded case.

Perhaps the biggest problem with these headphones is the battery life, which is a bit short. After 24 hours with ANC enabled, the headphones likely won’t last as long as the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Sonos Ace headphones, and they may not even come. close to the 60-hour Sennheiser Momentum 4 wireless headphones. However, 24 hours is still not great and is a bit longer than the 20-hour battery presented by the AirPods Max.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth multipoint headphones for up to two device connections and work with a relatively well-designed app, although, again, I wish this app featured a better equalizer. For those looking for the best all-around package, with great sound, a comfortable fit, and best-in-class noise cancellation, you can’t currently find anything better than these.

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The Nothing Ear were a wonderful choice for me, not because I doubted their quality, but because I wasn’t sure if they could compete with headphones twice as expensive. That’s right, they are the best headphones for the price, they are the most productive wireless headphones out there, period.

It all starts with the design. Sure, design is rarely as important as sound quality, for example, but it doesn’t hurt to make them look super cool. They have a stem design like the Apple AirPods Pro (second generation) and easy-to-use compression controls. . I prefer push-button controls to touch surfaces, and I don’t like that controlling a lot of headphones means having to put them in your ears. Compression controls save you this.

The shape of these headphones also contributes to their comfort. These are some of the maximum comfort headphones I’ve tried and used for hours without any problems. Not too many hours though: the earbuds have an uninterrupted battery life of just over five hours with ANC, which is on the low end. Most people don’t wear their headphones for five hours straight, but if you do, it’s probably not for you. (The case offers up to 24 hours of playback with ANC. )

Note the design of the Nothing Ear headphones.

They also sound wonderful and smoothly rival the most productive headphones on the market. It’s not the most productive pair of headphones on the market, a name that goes to the Denon PerL Pros. But they sound almost as smart and The app has a complex equalizer that lets you adjust the audio to your preferences. The overall app is well designed, easy to use, and packed with useful features.

The Nothing Ear headphones have noise cancellation and are smart enough, but not as smart as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones, Bose’s headphone option. And they don’t have very complex features like spatial audio with head tracking.

But the short battery life and lack of spatial audio are perhaps the only problem with these headphones, and all in all, they’re excellent. Between amazing sound, an ultra-comfortable fit, and a variety of extra features, the Nothing Ear headphones are the best headphones out there, costing just $149.

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Those looking for a pair of headphones to use with their TV could choose the Sonos Ace headphones.

Now, there are some caveats to this. The Sonos Ace headphones are especially suitable for those who own a Sonos Arc soundbar and will also work great with other Sonos soundbars. However, even without a Sonos soundbar, they still pair with a TV thanks to Bluetooth technology. It sounds wonderful with any TV, with just one output. If you own an Apple TV 4K, this is rarely the best option – the AirPods Max are. This is because the AirPods Max will automatically connect to your Apple TV and output spatial audio with your head. follow-up.

The Sonos Ace is a premium design.

But if you don’t have an Apple TV, the Sonos Ace headphones are the best option. Even when connected to your formula via a basic Bluetooth accessory (and not a Sonos Arc), the headphones track your head, so you can get an approximation of an immersive experience that sounds pretty smart. Array. If you own the Sonos Arc, you can simply press and hold a button on the headphones to activate “TV Audio Swap” and immediately connect it to your soundbar. It works perfectly and expands connectivity even beyond the multipoint Bluetooth already integrated into the headset, connecting up to two devices.

Headphones have other benefits as well. While they don’t sound as smart as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones, they still sound excellent. They feature forged noise cancellation technology and while they are not as effective as Bose headphones, they are quieter and produce less hiss. I wish the Sonos app a little better: the built-in equalizer is incredibly essential and some settings are missing, such as the ability to modify when spatial audio is enabled.

Sonos Ace in your case

These headphones also featured some of the most productive designs and build qualities of any headphones I’ve tested, with impressive premium fabrics and a vintage look. Plus, they come with an ultra-sleek and slim case, as well as a USB-C port. and a USB-C to 3. 5mm cable for stressed music listening. They’re a beloved pair of headphones, of course, but if you need headphones that you can use in your living room, the Sonos Ace headphones are a great option, especially if you have a Sonos sound bar.

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We live in a world where the best wireless earbuds cost at least $350, meaning a pair that costs $200 can be considered “mid-range. ” If you need cheaper headphones, read on to discover my selection. of the best budget headphones that charge under $100. But if you’re looking for the best mid-range wireless headphones that charge under $200, the JBL Live 770NC headphones may be for you.

To be clear, those earbuds don’t sound as smart as any of the high-end features I’ve tested, nor are they as comfortable. They are not uncomfortable, but the weight distribution on the top of the head can be greater and they have greater compatibility with the ears. Also, they don’t come with a hard case, just a comfortable bag that probably won’t protect them from more intense bumps and drops.

The JBL Live 770 NC headphones offer touch controls and a 3. 5mm jack.

But they sound great, especially for headphones in this price range. They have very well-tuned mids and a solid bass response. The highs are detailed and crisp, offering an exciting audio experience. Even better? The app offers the most productive equalizer of any headphone app you’ve ever tried. Basically, it’s infinitely adjustable, allowing you to sculpt as detailed an EQ as you want. The app is generally intuitive and the headphones have all kinds of additional functions. , adding the ability to replace noise-canceling settings and spatial sound modes.

The headphones also have exceptional battery life, longer than almost any high-end option I’ve reviewed. Battery life is rated at 50 hours with noise cancellation enabled, more than double that of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones. These headphones are perfect, but they’re as close as you can get for under $200.

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If you’re looking for wireless earbuds that you can use primarily for sports and training, the Jabra Elite 8 Active earbuds are my most sensible choice. They’re especially useful if you’re sweating a lot or committed enough to be running outside in the rain, thanks to the fact that they have an IP68 water resistance rating, meaning they can outlast other wireless earbuds.

To be clear, those who don’t particularly want headphones with a maximum point of water resistance can be fine with all sorts of other headphones, as long as they have proper compatibility. Personally, I use the AirPods Pro (second generation) either in life or to run out, as they have good compatibility and work well with my Apple Watch Ultra 2. But those in particular looking for paintless headphones that are a little more durable than the average pair will want to try the Jabra. Active Elite 8 headphones.

The Jabra Elite Active has been designed for training.

You may notice that the Elite 8 Active earbuds don’t have any kind of hook or wing for greater compatibility with your ears. This is one of the main reasons why they were almost surpassed by the Beats Fit Pro in this category. In the end, however, I found that they have good enough compatibility that they don’t fall off during strenuous movements, besides running. Your mileage can vary, and if you notice the headphones falling out of your ears, it might be worth opting for the Beats. Fit Pro. And it’s worth experimenting with the other ear tips that come in the box to find the ideal compatibility.

As well as better compatibility and water resistance, the Jabra Elite 8 Active headphones offer solid audio quality, with adequate high-end response and decent noise cancellation, although they’re not as smart as some of the more expensive options. They are also made from premium fabrics and support wireless charging. The battery life is also smart: it allows up to 8 hours of uninterrupted listening and the charging case provides an additional 24 hours, bringing the total battery life to 32 hours (with ANC). All of this adds up to make them the most productive workout headphones out there right now.

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If you’re an audiophile who needs a pair of wireless earbuds that prioritize audio above all else, the Focal Bathys earbuds have you covered. These headphones are expensive and their noise cancellation is just as smart as the competition, but they sound surely impressive.

This is to be expected from Focal, a long-standing audio company known for its high-end products. The headphones offer deep, rich bass response, natural-sounding mids, and tons of treble detail – everything I think defines an audiophile. headphones. The app also offers a five-band equalizer that audiophiles can use to tune the headphones to be a little closer to what they’re looking for; However, this equalizer may not be as detailed as you expected.

The Focal Bathys headphones have a sleek design.

As you would expect from audiophile headphones, they have some features suitable for the top audio solution. Notably, the headphones feature an express USB-DAC mode that allows users to achieve 24-bit/192kHz audio with a convenient connection. This means you can stream Bluetooth-quality audio on the go and much better solution audio when you can listen to a stressed connection.

These are audiophile headphones – virtually all audio takes a back seat. The earbuds are comfortable, but not as comfortable as my other options. They have smart noise cancellation, but it’s not as smart as Bose or Sony. They have spoofed features, such as multipoint Bluetooth, but they are not as feature-rich as Bose or Sony. For most audiophiles, this may not be a big deal; Audio quality is more vital than anything else.

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The Apple AirPods Max are wonderful earbuds, and while they’re expensive, if you’re willing to pay for them and are deeply rooted in the Apple ecosystem, they’re a wonderful choice.

My spouse and I most often use Apple devices, so AirPods Max are the headphones I use daily. The explanation is simple: they automatically connect to each and every device I use, which is much more than what the dual-connection Bluetooth multipoint generation does. Admit. I use them daily with an iPhone and Mac Studio. At least a couple of times a week, I also use them with an Apple TV 4K. Every once in a while, I use them with a MacBook Pro and when my 4-month-old daughter was in her first few weeks, I used them several times with a second Apple TV 4K in the bedroom. I appreciated that I didn’t have to go through the login settings, even though it was my first time using them. with a specific device: If the device signed in to my iCloud account, it would be signed in without any problems.

The Apple AirPods Max are my engine, but you may find that their battery life is longer.

The AirPods Max also sound excellent, providing a very spacious sound, with deep bass and amazing clarity at the high-end. Apple probably wouldn’t let me replace this sound with an equalizer, but I didn’t feel like doing it that much. Like I did with other headphones. The noise cancellation of the AirPods Max is also excellent, not as impressive as that of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, but very close. And the transparency mode is natural and clear, unlike many competitors.

The headphones are very well built and have an amazing design. Most of the exterior of the headphones is made of stainless steel, which contributes to its elegant, timeless and exclusive look. However, this also makes them very heavy. They distribute the weight very well across the top of my head and I wear them for hours without much problem. However, you may feel that extra weight from time to time.

Biggest challenge with those headphones? They have a short battery life of only 20 hours, something some users may even struggle to achieve. Much of this is because you can’t turn them off unless you put them in a very minimalist case. in low force mode when you are not using them, they may not work. Don’t be in powerless mode.

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You don’t want to pay a lot for counterfeit headphones: the Anker Soundcore Life Q35 headphones offer counterfeit audio quality and useful features for only about $100 (and even less when they’re on sale). Of course, you may not get the same quality. and features like you would with much more expensive headphones, but you might be surprised how close you can get to them.

The headphones have a slightly reasonable construction and necessarily maximum comfort, but they are still more comfortable than the others I have tried. And they sound pretty smart, with decent bass response, solidly tuned mids, and smart high-end response. for headphones in its price range. You can also adjust the audio to your preferences: the app offers an eight-band equalizer, which is great for headphones in all price ranges.

The Anker Soundcore Life Q35 earbuds feature plush earbuds and push-button controls.

Speaking of the app, the headphones also offer some useful features. They feature built-in noise cancellation and support multipoint Bluetooth, allowing you to connect to up to two devices simultaneously. There are plenty of features beyond that, but those are the core features you’d expect from a wonderful pair of wireless headphones.

Again, if you can spend more, you get a better experience, but for those capped at around $100, the Anker Soundcore Life Q35 headphones actually have a lot to offer.

While those winners easily stood out as the most productive of the most productive, I eliminated 20 other wireless earbuds that didn’t end up taking the top spot. Here are the other headphones I tested that deserve your attention, along with a brief review of why. They didn’t make the cut.

Sony WH-1000XM5 ($289 at Amazon): This list may have started off smoothly with those headphones as the most productive overall option. The main explanation why they didn’t earn the name is the fact that they aren’t as comfortable, don’t sound as neutral, and don’t have as smart ANC as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones.

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless ($249 on Amazon): These earbuds sound as smart or better than Sony and Bose earbuds, plus they have longer battery life. However, the noise-canceling generation is just as smart and not as comfortable to use for long periods of time.

The four Sennheiser Momentum wireless headphones sound great, they lack full noise cancellation.

JBL Tour One M2 ($300 on Amazon): These headphones sound wonderful and have a relatively comfortable fit, not as comfortable as my most sensible choice. While they offer the most productive EQ I’ve noticed in consumer headphones, they don’t sound as smart as the Bose and Sony headphones.

Bose QuietComfort Headphones ($229 on Amazon): These headphones have fallen into no man’s land in terms of categories. They have an ANC comparable to the most sensible choice, but they don’t sound as unbiased and don’t have as impressive build quality.

Sony ULT Wear ($158 on Amazon): I have a love/hate relationship with these headphones. They have some of the features and convenience points that other people (myself included) love about Sony headphones. However, I find the extra bass more muddy than powerful.

Sennheiser Accentum Plus ($170 on Amazon): These headphones have the perfect battery life and sound just as smart as the JBL headphones that won in the most productive mid-range category. However, they do not have the same features, adding the equalizer that JBL offers.

Bowers

Bowers headphones

Sony WH-CH720N ($88 on Amazon): These headphones are great budget options, but they have a retail price of $150, so they can’t compete in the highest budget category. That said, if you find them for under $100, they’re a little more wonderful than the Anker Soundcore Life Q35 headphones.

Beats Studio Pro ($170 on Amazon): The Beats Studio Pro headphones are bad headphones, but they don’t really compete on price. They do not seem as intelligent as others in their diversity of values nor as comfortable.

Anker Soundcore Life Q30 ($56 on Amazon): These earbuds are bad for the price and don’t actually sound bad. They also work with the Soundcore app, which isn’t bad either. However, they are not as comfortable and do not sound. as smart as my cheapest option.

Anker Soundcore Space One ($79 on Amazon): The Anker Soundcore Space One headphones aren’t bad either, but they don’t sound as smart and comfortable as my pick for the best budget headphones.

Anker Soundcore Space Q45 ($90 on Amazon): The Anker Soundcore Space Q45 headphones have been tremendously disappointing. They sound terrible, with excessive emphasis on the mids, and that kind of weight outweighs the fact that they have a forged battery life and a fairly comfortable fit.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20 ($40 at Amazon): These headphones were also forgotten when they hit the ranks. They’re decent for the price, but they don’t sound as smart as my pick for the best budget headphones. and they do not work with the Soundcore app, which limits their functionality.

Technics EAH-AZ80 ($248 on Amazon): They almost earned the name of the most productive wireless headphones. Ultimately, while the Technics EAH-AZ80 headphones sound just as smart as the Nothing Ear headphones, they’re not as comfortable and the accompanying app is rarely as easy to navigate and they don’t look as appealing.

Sony WF-1000XM5 ($228 on Amazon): These headphones were somewhat disappointing for me. They’re not bad, they have smart battery life and a comfortable fit. However, I don’t like its controls, its feel, and its sound depending on where they are in your ears.

Apple AirPods Pro (second generation) ($169 at Amazon): The Apple AirPods Pro are wonderful headphones for those who exclusively use Apple devices. They don’t sound as good, but they’re very comfortable and offer enormous Apple diversity. Focused features.

Nothing Ear (a) ($79 on Amazon): These are my favorite headphones under $100, but there wasn’t a category for them in this roundup. They look much more expensive than they are and offer a solid feature set, especially for headphones in their price range. They are also very comfortable and look great.

The Nothing Ear(a) headphones only sound great, but they also look great.

Jabra Elite 10 ($175 on Amazon): These are wonderful headphones, with excellent audio quality and solid construction. In the end, they lost issues because they’re not as comfortable as my most sensible choice when it comes to wireless headphones, and their noise cancellation generation is rarely as good.

To test the hearing experience of the earbuds, I paired them with my Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and checked the music streaming from Apple Music. In particular, I listened to music through AC/DC, Betty Who, and Jay-Z, which represent a diversity of other types of music with other sonic characteristics.

When listening to music, he would compare the sound of the bass, mids, and treble individually, paying close attention to the main points of the treble and the extent of the bass that allowed the bass to appear deep and thick. I also looked at all the apps that are designed for headphones and how those apps allow users to adjust the audio according to their preferences. Some have very complex EQs, while others are much more basic.

I also tested the noise cancellation of the headphones that featured it, in a variety of other configurations, and used each pair of headphones for at least a few hours to assess how comfortable they would be during extended listening sessions. Comfort is rarely overlooked. However, it’s perhaps the most important thing for sound quality.

In addition to sound quality, noise cancellation, and comfort, I looked at the quality of the design and manufacturing, wireless features like the number of devices a pair of headphones can be connected to, the design of apps, and other features. also the battery life of the headphones and the generation of charge they offer.

I rigorously tested more than 20 popular and best-selling headphones from a variety of manufacturers, in a wide variety of environments and situations. I am a long-time audiophile and have a background in music production. I have a degree in music generation and I have to be attentive when judging the audio material. I have over a decade of experience in customer generation and have reviewed headphones for publications like BGR, Business Insider, Digital Trends, and more. I was also editor-in-chief of the now-stagnant site HeadphoneReview. com.

During testing, I consulted with three experienced music makers, including Michael Orland, associate music director of American Idol; Drew Ryan Scott, multi-platinum singer, songwriter and music producer; and Gabe López, singer, songwriter and producer of many renowned artists. We discussed the key features they look for when opting for headphones, and those 3 experts provided insight into the most important features for listening to music the way it should be heard: wireless headphones designed for everyday use.

In addition to overall audio quality, it’s important to consider a few things, such as price, fit, and battery life, so you can find the pair that best suits your needs and lifestyle.

Wireless earbuds range in price from $40 to $500 or more, with the higher end of the spectrum offering more premium features and higher quality sound. That said, you can find great headphones in the $100 to $350 range, which is where most of our recommendations fall. lie.

Wireless headphones should be comfortable, especially if you plan to use them for long periods of time. For over-ear headphones, look for comfortable ear cups and adjustable headbands; For headphones, look for a pair that stays securely in your ear.

Wireless headphones have an average battery life of 20 to 30 hours, although some can run for up to 50 consecutive hours, like the JBL Live 770NC. Some also come with charging cases that allow you to charge on the go, which can be especially useful for commuters and commuters. Be sure to find out where and how you plan to use your headphones to determine the ideal battery life.

After weeks of testing, I found that the best wireless earbud logo is Bose. The sound quality, noise cancellation, and overall comfort are unrivaled compared to other logos. Our pick of the best wireless headphones overall, the QuietComfort. The Ultra earbuds include all those features.

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