Wireless headphones have reached the point where giving up the cable no longer means giving up great sound.
Modern Bluetooth headphones can deliver excellent audio quality, powerful active noise cancellation, long battery life, multipoint connections, and microphones good enough for everyday calls. Some premium models even support higher-quality Bluetooth codecs or digital USB-C audio.
The harder part is choosing the right pair.
A frequent traveler may care more about noise cancellation and comfort than anything else. Someone working from home might prioritize microphone quality and multipoint Bluetooth. Music lovers may be willing to sacrifice a little noise cancellation for better sound.
For most people, the Sony WH-1000XM6 is my favorite overall wireless headphone. It combines excellent noise cancellation with strong sound, a comfortable folding design, 30-hour battery life with noise cancellation enabled, and support for Sony’s LDAC codec.
If maximum comfort and noise cancellation are your priorities, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are another excellent choice.
What is the Best Wireless Headphones?
Here are the best wireless headphones to consider.
1. Sony WH-1000XM6 – Best Wireless Headphones Overall
Sony’s WH-1000X series has been one of the biggest names in premium wireless headphones for years, and the WH-1000XM6 continues that formula.
These are closed-back over-ear headphones built around everyday versatility. Noise cancellation is one of their biggest strengths.
Sony uses an Adaptive NC Optimizer along with multiple microphones and its processing system to adjust noise cancellation based on your surroundings.
That makes the XM6 particularly useful for airplanes, trains, offices, and commuting. Battery life is also solid.
Sony rates the WH-1000XM6 for up to 30 hours of continuous music with noise cancellation enabled or up to 40 hours with it disabled. Bluetooth 5.3 is included, along with SBC, AAC, LDAC, and LC3 codec support.
LDAC is particularly interesting for compatible Android users because it supports higher data rates than basic Bluetooth codecs.
Multipoint connectivity also lets you connect the headphones to more than one compatible device.
For example, you could have them connected to your laptop and phone and move between the two without constantly repairing them.
2. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) – Best for Noise Cancellation
Bose has been building noise-canceling headphones for decades. The QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) represent the company’s current premium over-ear option. They’re particularly attractive for travelers.
Bose combines strong adaptive noise cancellation with soft ear cushions, a foldable design, and a lightweight fit intended for long listening sessions. The second-generation Ultra also improves battery life.
Bose rates it for up to 30 hours of listening with noise cancellation enabled, up to 23 hours when Immersive Audio is active, and as much as 45 hours with ANC turned off. There’s also a USB-C input.
Unlike many older wireless headphones that used USB only for charging, the second-generation QC Ultra supports digital USB-C audio.
That gives you another way to listen when sitting at a computer or using another compatible USB-C device. Bluetooth 5.4 and multipoint connectivity are included as well.
3. Sennheiser Momentum Wireless – Best for Battery Life and Music
Sennheiser’s Momentum series takes a slightly different approach. While Sony and Bose compete heavily around noise cancellation, Sennheiser has traditionally put a strong emphasis on sound and battery life.
That’s attractive if you’re primarily buying headphones for music. Long battery life also changes how you use wireless headphones.
If you’re constantly worried about charging them, Bluetooth becomes less convenient. A headphone capable of lasting for several days of normal listening feels much closer to using traditional wired headphones.
Sennheiser’s Momentum line also supports higher-quality Bluetooth technologies on compatible devices and provides app-based sound customization.
If sound quality and long listening time matter more to you than having the absolute strongest possible ANC, the Momentum range should be on your shortlist.
Final Thoughts
For most people, choose the Sony WH-1000XM6. For excellent comfort and premium noise cancellation, choose the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen).
For listeners who prioritize sound and especially long battery life, consider Sennheiser’s Momentum line.
For Android users, the Sony is particularly attractive because of LDAC support.
For Apple users, consider whether deep Apple ecosystem integration is important enough to make AirPods Max a better fit.
And if you primarily exercise with headphones, consider wireless earbuds instead of large over-ear models.