Wireless Headphones Buyers Guide

Each headphone listed here has its distinct advantages. We have tried to include various options with different features and price points, but remember, there is no universally perfect headphone.

What is best for you might not be the best headphones for someone else, so before getting into the list, we want to give you some points to consider before your next purchase. Similarly, just because someone likes a headphone and recommends it to you, it might not necessarily be the best option for your lifestyle.

This list is designed to give you options, but you will still need to decide which is best for your needs.

Wireless Headphones vs. Wireless Earbuds

The big question for many people is whether to buy headphones or earphones. Again it simply comes down to how you intend to listen to music. Due to increased mobility, I can only imagine running or working out with earphones. Conversely, for long listening sessions at my office, I much prefer the comfort of a set of full-size headphones with nice soft earpads.

There will be scenarios where one works better, but battery life is my most significant factor in this category. Headphones are physically larger, so they can usually accommodate bigger batteries. The size of the battery in wired earphones and headphones will determine how long you can listen between charges.

This is one of the reasons I use the Sony-WH1000XM4 for long-haul flights. I want the headphones to be working for the duration of the flight. I could look at as little as 8 hours of playback if I used earphones.

For commuters, this could also be a factor when buying headphones. Most people commuting will spend 1-2 hours on public transport a day, so in theory, you could get away with using earphones, but you may have to charge them more than once a week, where some headphones could go as long as two weeks without requiring charging.

Other factors like mobility, storage, and style are worth weighing up before deciding.

For those who would prefer to buy earphones, we recommend the best true wireless earbuds for 2025

Wireless vs. Wired – Are No Cables Better?

The biggest difference is obvious when choosing between these two types of headphones. One will have a cable, and the other will not. The advantage of going wireless is the freedom of not being directly tethered to your device. You can leave your phone on a desk or in a bag and listen to your music without getting in a tangled mess.

However, it would help if you considered how this affects the sound quality. Generally, wired headphones, dollar for dollar, sound far better than wireless headphones.

This is because the design complications open up different weaknesses in Fidelity. In wired headphones, the setup is usually just a cable to a driver. In a wireless headphone, you are introducing DACs, Amplifiers, and Bluetooth chipsets inside the headphone. If these are not optimized, you will have sound quality degradation.

The good news is that we have recently shifted away from standard wireless technology. Headphone companies are introducing better Bluetooth (5.0) and APTX lossless codecs, which make your music sound better.

If you want to buy a set of wireless headphones, look out for those features.

Battery Life and Wireless Headphones

Of course, going wireless means you’ll have to charge your headphones. It’s an added hassle, but like the codec improvements mentioned above, battery technology has significantly advanced, meaning Bluetooth headphones last longer than ever.

Nowadays, it is not unreasonable to expect over 20 hours of playback from a single charge, and the run time each set provides should certainly be considered when making a purchase.

In addition to the battery life, maybe you want to consider headphones with a quick charge feature. Many headphones can give a substantial battery percentage in charges lasting just 10-30 minutes. This is extremely handy if you are traveling, and top them up if they run out of juice.

Types of Wireless Headphones

You will find wireless models in different styles and sizes, like traditional wired headphones. So again, think about how you are going to use them.

If you use them at home, in an office, or at a desk, you might be best with a set of large, comfy, well-padded, over-the-ear headphones. If you use them for travel or commuting, you will probably want to consider smaller over-ear headphones or even on-ear headphones.

There are noise-canceling wireless headphones, headphones with touch controls, and headphones with built-in microphones for taking calls. The industry is getting crowded with options, and as a consumer, you can indeed find something on the market that will meet your needs or at least come close to some compromises.

If ultimate portability is your primary concern, you might want to look into wireless earbuds. We have listed our favorites below- there is something for every scenario.