Now is the time to try wireless headphones for the first time, or upgrade your old ones. With stronger, more reliable Bluetooth connections and better bass sound than before, today’s wireless headphones are much more enjoyable.

We’ve chosen the top ten wireless headphones based on their sound, comfort, and ease of use. There are on- and over-the ear-models, in-ear pairs, and bone conduction headphones, too. Some offer noise-canceling, making them ideal for use in airplanes and other noisy environments.

Here is a quick overview of the ten best wireless headphones and their features:

Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones—Best Battery Life, Improved Sound

If you’ve tried Bluetooth headphones in the past, you know that the sound can be tinny, with weak bass. But the Beats Solo3 headphones reproduce clear mid and high tones, plus strong bass. They make everything from phone calls and audiobooks to rock and pop tunes sound good.

The on-ear design doesn’t cancel out sound, but it does immerse you in the music and reduce outside distractions. Owners report that the Solo3 headphones are comfortable to wear, from the secure clamping action of the headband to the leather padding over the ears. And they fold up for transport and only weigh half a pound.

As for the Bluetooth connection, they are very easy to pair with a smartphone or tablet running iOS. The user doesn’t need to enter into the settings to make adjustments. They also pair with Android and Windows devices just like most Bluetooth headphones.

With a 40-hour battery life, you can enjoy them for a few days before you need to recharge the Solo3 even if you listen all day long. And if you use the Beats FastFuel charger (sold separately), a quick 5-minute charge will last for up to 3 hours of use.

Finally, the Solo3 headphones come with a built-in microphone so you can use voice controls for your iOS device and Siri, or take phone calls on the go.

Click here to Check out Beats Solo3 Price on Amazon.com!

Bose QuietComfort 35 (Series I) Wireless Headphones—Noise Cancelling with Rich Sound for Frequent Flyers

When you fly a lot, it’s smart to invest in over-the-ear noise-canceling headphones. The Bose QuietComfort 35 are still one of the top choices on the market even though a newer Series II edition recently appeared. This pair offers active noise cancellation combined with excellent audio reproduction, and they pair with either NFC or Bluetooth.

If you use them for active noise cancellation while you listen to audio over the wireless connection, the battery lasts up to 20 hours. But if you use the included cord instead of NFC or Bluetooth, the battery lasts up to 40 hours. Even if the battery dies, you can continue using the QuietComfort 35 headphones in wired mode without active noise cancellation.

If you make calls outdoors in windy surroundings, the dual microphones pick up your voice and eliminate the other noises. When you’re on a flight, you can plug in the airplane audio jack adapter to listen to what the airline offers, too.

Users report that the sound quality is very good for just about any kind of music or spoken tracks, from classical to rock to rap and audiobooks or podcasts. The built-in equalizer keeps everything balanced. And the free Bose app lets you save personalized settings and helps you switch between devices in a flash.

Click here to Check out Bose QuietComfort 35 Price on Amazon.com!

Sony WH1000XM2 Premium Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones – Ideal for Frequent Flyers

Sony and Bose are direct competitors when it comes to noise-canceling headphones. Sony´s WH1000XM2 are similar enough to Bose’s QuietComfort 35 that it makes choosing between them difficult.

For example, the Sony pair connects over both Bluetooth and NFC, just like the Bose. You can use a free app to customize and save your settings, check the battery’s charge, and adjust the equalizer. And you can make calls or interact with your smartphone’s digital assistant, too.

But there are a few advantages to the Sony WH1000XM2. They have a longer battery life up to 30 hours with digital noise cancelling. Unfortunately, they don’t come with a wire for a corded connection.

Their adaptive sound control listens to your surroundings to automatically adjust levels when you move from a quiet place to a noisy zone. The touch sensors on the earcup let you control the volume and skip tracks by swiping or tapping. In fact, you can touch the right earcup to lower the volume instantly in Quick Attention Mode.

Finally, Sony uses both the DSEE HX and LDAC algorithms to reproduce audio at its purest over Bluetooth so you can enjoy it at almost CD quality. And when you’re done for the day, the headphones fold up for storage in the included carrying case.

Click here to Check out Sony WH1000XM2 Price on Amazon.com!

Skullcandy Crusher Bluetooth Wireless Over-Ear Headphone with Mic–For Those Who Love Bass

The Skullcandy Crusher headphones have a passive, not active, noise-canceling effect by virtue of their over-ear design. A better term would be noise-isolating, a result of the memory foam ear cups are both comfortable and they reduce distractions from external sounds.

The Crusher headphones last up to 40 hours between charges. They pair over Bluetooth with any Bluetooth-enabled device like a smartphone or PC. And Skullcandy has focused on providing a rich bass experience that many other wireless headphones don’t achieve.

As the company describes it, the Stereo Haptic Bass is powerful enough that your ears feel it. You can sense that each ear has independent sound. One owner described the sensation as warm, bass-skewed sound.

Of course, like many other Bluetooth headphones, the Crushers have a built-in microphone and volume controls. They are discreetly located at the bottom of the earcup for quick access with a thumb. And the headphones fold up for compact transport and come with an audio cable for wired connections.

Click here to Check out Skullcandy Crusher Price on Amazon.com!

Sennheiser RS120 On-Ear Wireless RF Headphones with Charging Dock–For Audiophiles and Users with Hearing Impairments

Do you like listening to your stereo or TV, but hate sitting still? Sennheiser has the perfect solution for you. Their RS120 wireless headphones transmit sound through walls or ceilings up to 300 feet from the source. Imagine listening to the game while you work out in the garden!

All you have to do is plug the base station into your device’s analog headphone out or RCA jack. Then the base station sends the audio signal to the headphones. You can choose from three RF channels to avoid interference. And you can also add additional pairs of headphones so everyone in the family can listen to the same thing at once. Each person can control their own set’s volume levels with the controls on the earcup.

Since the RS120 headphones don’t use Bluetooth to communicate, the quality of the audio you hear is almost indistinguishable from a wired connection. It’s clear, with warm sound and strong bass due to Sennheiser’s OpenAire system. The RF transmission is the same technology that wireless microphones use. But there are no mics in these headphones.

The over-ear design, padded earcups, and headband make for a pleasant listening experience that’s somewhat isolated from ambient noise. They run off AAA NiMH batteries that recharge when the headphones are docked at the base station.

One final note: Sennheiser offers a 2-year international warranty so you’re covered even if you’re overseas.

Click here to Check out Sennheiser RS120 Price on Amazon.com!

AfterShokz Trekz Titanium Open Ear Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones–Listen to Audio and Be Aware of Your Surroundings

Even though Beethoven became deaf, he still wrote music. He could hear the piano when he held a metal rod attached to it in his teeth. So although bone conduction isn’t a new technique, technology has developed it a lot from that beginning. And the AfterShokz Trekz are possibly the best bone conduction wireless headphones on the market.

How does it work? You wear the headphones over your cheekbone, not your ears. They send tiny vibrations directly into your inner ear so you can hear audio. It works so well that it seems like you have voices in your head! But you can still listen to what’s going on around you.

Of course, this means that wearing the Trekz for flying isn’t ideal. They don’t cancel out noise. But enjoying them while jogging or cycling lets you stay aware of traffic around you. And their design cuts down on sound leakage.

Although the Trekz use Bluetooth to pair with your smartphone or device, AfterShokz’s PremiumPitch system makes the music sound high quality, with wide dynamic range. You can also use one of the equalizer pre-sets to boost the bass or adjust the sound.

As you pair the headphones, you’ll hear voice prompts to help you. There is also guidance for making calls and playing audio. The dual microphones will cut down on wind noise while you’re on a call, too.

As for the Bluetooth, the Trekz use version 4.0 so you can connect to more than one device at a time, making it easy to switch between a phone for calls and a PC or tablet for entertainment.

Users report that the headphones are surprisingly comfortable to wear, more so than AfterShokz’s Bluez 2S pair. They accommodate glasses and grip well with their lightweight titanium silicon rubber-coated headband. And they are certified IP55 resistant to sweat and rain.

One charge takes two hours to complete. It will last up to 10 days standby, or 6 hours of listening, including calls. And the headphones are covered by a 2-year warranty.

Click here to Check out AfterShokz Trekz Price on Amazon.com!

Aftershokz Bluez 2S Wireless Bone Conduction Bluetooth Headphones–For Situational Awareness and Workouts

The AfterShokz Bluez 2S are handy companions if you like to listen to music but don’t want to lose your situational awareness. They use bone conduction technology to transmit sound directly into your inner ear. This means you hear what’s happening around you as well.

The dual microphones cut down on wind noise when you’re talking on the phone. And the PremiumPitch system enhances the dynamic range and adds bass to your audio.

While you exercise, you don’t need to worry about sweat or a little rain. The Bluez 2S are certified resistant to moisture. The battery lasts up to 6 hours of continuous use, and it takes 2 hours to refill.

With the Bluetooth 3.0 connection, you can roam up to 33 feet distant from your device, but you can only connect to one source at a time. If you prefer to pair with two, take a look at the Trekz reviewed above.

Click here to Check out Aftershokz Bluez 2S Price on Amazon.com!

TaoTronics Wireless 4.1 Bluetooth Headphones—Best Budget Bluetooth Headphones with aptX

The TaoTronics wireless headphones with Bluetooth 4.1 last up to 5 hours of continuous music on a charge. And they are lightweight so you hardly know you’re wearing them. But the specially designed earpieces stay put even when you’re out for a run. And the headphones are resistant to moisture.

When you don’t have them in your ears, you don’t need to stuff them in a pocket. The earpieces have magnets so you can secure them around your neck like a necklace. When not in use, the battery holds its charge for over 100 hours.

Like many of the top brands, the TaoTronics have the aptX codec that enables high-quality audio reproduction even over a wireless connection. They also have noise isolation technology that cuts down on outside noise and makes it easier for others to understand you on a phone call. The microphone is located in the cord along with the volume control.

The headphones come with a carrying pouch and additional ear hooks and ear tips. That way you can customize the fit how you prefer it.

Click here to Check out TaoTronics TT-BH07 Price on Amazon.com!

SoundWhiz Noise Cancelling Waterproof Workout Earbuds—Best Lightweight Pair for Exercising

If you’re worried about your headphones staying put while you work out, you may love the SoundWhiz Earbuds. They have an over-ear design and customizable tips that make sure you get a secure fit. Users who wear glasses usually find that the ear hooks fit underneath the earpieces of their eyewear.

As for battery life, the SoundWhiz headphones last up to 9 hours of continuous playback on a single charge. You could wear them to the gym for an hour every day of the week and still have charge left over. In fact, they are also IPX7 certified to be moisture-resistant so sweating on them is not a problem.

Regarding sound, this pair has 10mm drivers as well as the aptX algorithm to reproduce CD-quality audio. You’ll be able to enjoy a wide dynamic range with loud bass. And if you’ve customized the fit for your ears, they have a noise-isolating effect that reduces external noise.

The built-in microphone lets you make and take calls, or interact with voice controls or a digital assistant like Siri. With this version of Bluetooth, you can also connect to two devices at once.

Should there be a problem, SoundWhiz offers a 30-day refund policy and 12-month express replacement warranty.

Click here to Check out SoundWhiz Earbuds Price on Amazon.com!

Phaiser BHS-730 Bluetooth Headphones with Mic—Comfortable Earbuds for Everyday Use

You may notice that the Phaiser BHS-730 headphones appear similar to those by TaoTronics. They may well be a rebrand of the other model. But there are some interesting differences. For one, the Phaiser earbuds come with Comply T-400 memory foam ear tips. As a result, not only are they comfortable, they isolate the wearer from external noises.

Phaiser explains that their team of sound engineers created high-quality sound reproduction by using powerful 8mm drivers that put out powerful bass. The sound is free of distortion even at higher volumes. And the inclusion of Bluetooth 4.1 means you can pair with two devices at a time and wander up to 40 feet away from them. You can also receive and make phone calls.

These earphones are also coated with a nano-coating called Liquipel. This coating keeps moisture from sweat and rain out of the electronics. You can even drop them in water and they will survive.

The magnets in the earpieces allow you to wear the headphones like a necklace in case you don’t have a pocket available to carry them. And when you wear them, you can get just the right fit by swapping the ear tips, and the over- or under-ear fit pieces, too. There are also two collar clips to help you keep the wire where you want it.

The battery life lasts up to 8 hours of playback, or 250 hours in standby mode. Then it takes about an hour to recharge using a regular smartphone charger and the included USB cable.

Click here to Check out Phaiser BHS-730 Price on Amazon.com!

Buyer’s Guide to Choosing the Best Wireless Headphones

There are a few points to consider when you purchase a pair of wireless headphones. For example, while the frequency response is pretty much the same across the board, the size of their drivers varies. And the driver size will have an impact on the quality and power of the sound. But we don’t have to use technical specifications to make a decision. Here are some simple questions to ask yourself when you begin shopping:

Where will you use headphones the most? 

Are you looking for a pair to take to the gym? For travel? For use while on the computer? 

If you plan to enjoy wireless headphones while exercising, you may prefer a pair that is resistant to sweat and able to stay put in, or on, your ears during a lot of movement. Earbuds are often the workout favorite.

On the other hand, if you’ll be wearing headphones on your daily commute, you may prefer a pair with bone conduction tech so you can hear your audiobook and still stay aware of what’s happening around you. Owners of AfterShokz, for example, report that these headphones make it easy to talk on the phone without missing out on critical ambient sounds like a flight number called.

Also with respect to bone conduction, some owners with hearing difficulties enjoy being able to listen to music again. As long as their inner ear is intact, they can use bone conduction technology successfully.

If you frequently travel in airplanes, noise-canceling headphones are a must to protect your hearing. At the least, earpieces with noise isolation are a must. Some owners have even combined bone conduction with hearing protector earplugs, but this seems to amplify the bass and drown out high tones.

Finally, if you’re sitting at home playing games or on the computer, you might not care about sweat-resistance. Instead, it might be more important to have as high-quality sound as possible.

Since there are so many ways and places you can enjoy them, you might even decide to purchase more than one pair of headphones so that you’re equipped for each situation above.

Which kind of headphone style is most comfortable for you? 

You might love over-the-ear or on-ear headphones, but if you wear glasses, you’ll have to be choosy about the fit. On the other hand, in-ear phones are very portable and popular, but some people find they end up with earaches after a short time wearing them. It helps if the brand you select offers a selection of different ear pieces for you to adjust the fit. Also consider where the headphone controls are located to see if they are accessible to you.

How much battery life do you prefer? 

Some headphones will give you days of service before needing a recharge. Others only work for a few hours. Only you know your tolerance for having to recharge your devices. If you find that you’re having a hard time choosing between two pairs of headphones, it might be better to get the ones with longer battery life.

Another option is to buy a pair that can operate even when the battery has died. Take a look at the SkullCancy Crushers for example, or the Bose QuietComfort 35. All you need to do is plug in the cord into a 3.5mm jack.

Are you an audiophile? 

Although the sound quality of wireless headphones has vastly improved, there are few pairs that sound as good as corded pairs. Most depend on Bluetooth, and Bluetooth relies on lossy compression. Audio files are not communicated in their full, rich range of sound.

If you’re picky about the quality of the sound you hear, consider headphones that use AptX and AptX HD as these are better at preserving the sound of the original audio file. You may like Sennheiser’s wireless RF technology instead of Bluetooth, too.

Understanding the tech specs of wireless headphones

In case you love to read the fine print, here are some details on what makes a pair of wireless headphones work.

Drivers 

Drivers are miniature speakers made of a diaphragm, a magnet, and a coil. Usually, better bass sound results from a larger driver. If you have earbuds, look for 6.5 to 10mm. In over-ear headphones, select 40mm and up. But keep in mind that drivers that are too large will focus on bass sound at the expense of higher frequencies.

Impedance 

Impedance is listed in ohms, a measurement of electrical resistance. In wireless headphones the impedance is generally low to extend battery life. But low impedance may mean you’ll hear a hissing sound when the music is silent. It´s normal to see 32 ohms or less on wireless headphones for mobile devices, but avoid pairs with very low numbers below that.

Frequency response 

Generally, you’ll notice that many headphones state that their frequency response is 20Hz to 20kHz. If you see a more extensive range than that listed, they might be very good at reproducing audio if they also have powerful drivers.

Bluetooth 

You’ll see headphones that connect over Bluetooth 3.x and 4.x. The 3.0 and up versions transfer data up to 20Mbits/second. It works without using a lot of battery power. And your device can automatically increase the signal strength if you walk away from it while using your headphones.

When 4.0 and 4.1 came into use, they were called “Low Energy.” They transfer data as fast as 3.0 but without using as much battery power to do it. This is also true when 4.x devices are paired but not actively communicating.

Supra-aural vs circumaural 

Supra-aural earcups fit over ears but don’t completely enclose them. Meanwhile, circumaural headphones cover a wearer’s ears completely. This results in better bass sound and noise isolation.

Recommendation

If a wide dynamic range and bass beats are important to you, consider getting on-ear or over-ear headphones with noise-canceling or isolating technology. Out of our top ten picks today, you might enjoy the Bose, the Sony, or the Sennheiser earphones the most.

The Sennheiser pair are unique because they require the base station to transmit over RF from an attached device. These are not the ideal portable pair, but if you want to listen to TV without bothering others, you can roam up to 300 feet away from your device.

Otherwise, the Sony and Bose headphones are perfect for air travel or anytime you want to avoid interruptions from external noise. Choosing between them may be a little tricky, but some features may help you decide. For example, you can continue to listen to the Bose headphones in wired mode even if their battery dies.

On the other hand, the Sony pair have a momentary attention mode that instantly lowers the volume for a quick conversation. They also adjust the volume automatically when you enter a quieter or louder area.

If you’re on a budget, but still want powerful sound and as much isolation as possible, take a look at the Beats Solo3 and the SkullCandy Crushers. Both pairs have very long battery life, up to 40 hours between charges. The Crushers have powerful bass and you can connect them to a 3.5mm audio jack to use them like wired headphones. The Solo3 automatically pair with Apple devices without needing to enter the Bluetooth settings.

Instead of on-ear or over-ear cups, you might be searching for a pair of earbuds. We selected three of the best in-ear headphones for the money. The SoundWhiz earbuds have up to 9 hours of battery life and offer a secure fit. They have the aptX codec for high-resolution audio and they are resistant to water. Plus, if you´re not satisfied, they have a refund policy as well as a warranty.

Both the Phaiser and the TaoTronics earphones pair with up to 2 devices over Bluetooth 4.1. Both pairs are water-resistant, too. But the Phaiser stand out with memory foam ear tips and up to 8 hours of battery life compared to 5 for TaoTronics.

Finally, you might love bone conduction headphones if you prefer to hear what’s going on around you or if you have a hearing impairment. They use micro-vibrations to send sound waves directly to your inner ear. While both pairs of AfterShokz are covered by a 2-year warranty, are water-resistant, and have the same battery endurance, the Trekz have improved features over the Bluez 2S. They use Bluetooth 4.0 for connecting two devices at a time. They also have a more comfortable design for users who wear glasses.

Conclusion

We’d love to know that our reviews helped you discover the perfect pair of wireless headphones today. In fact, we hope you found more than one pair for all your many activities. We wish you have many happy hours of listening. Come back soon to see reviews and recommendations for the best electronics for the money.