10 Best Wireless headphones
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard the news that Apple has taken the controversial step of removing the traditional 3.5mm headphone jack from its new iPhone 7.
Now, no one would blame you if you want to continue using your existing headphones with the new iPhone – all you need to do is use the lightning adaptor which has been bundled in with the phone.
Whereas previously they suffered from poor sound quality and even poorer battery life, nowadays the latter has improved beyond all recognition and although you’ll still get the best sound from a pair of wired headphones, the quality of audio given by Bluetooth has improved considerably.
So if you’re looking to cut the cord, check out our guide to the best wireless headphones available today.
Check out our guide to the best headphones overall.
1. Sennheiser Momentum Wireless
Incredible audio fidelity backed by a serious price
Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: N/A | Cable length: 4.6 feet | Frequency response: 16-22,000Hz | Drivers: N/A | Driver type: Dynamic | Sensitivity: N/A | Impedance: 28 ohms | Battery life: 25+ hours | Wireless range: 30+ feet | NFC: Yes
Comfy, rugged build
These no-holds-barred wireless headphones are oozing with positive qualities, but for many, they’re almost prohibitively expensive. However, if you’re an audio lover that can spare the expense, do not hesitate on this comfortable, hard-working set of headphones that will likely last for years.
2. Jabra Move Wireless
Sporty Bluetooth headphones that aim to surprise
Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: .33 pounds | Cable length: N/A | Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz | Drivers: Two 1.5″ drivers | Driver type: Dynamic | Sensitivity: 94db @ 1kHz | Impedance: 29 ohms | Battery life: 8+ hours | Wireless range: 33+ feet | NFC: No
Bold design
The Jabra Move Wireless are one of the best values around for Bluetooth headphones. Not only does the minimalistic design – infused with the energetic Cobalt blue styling – impress off the bat, it keeps on delivering the goods with a surprising amount of function and performance.
You’ll find deeper lows and mids and highs with an extra level of crisp when you drop a couple more big bills, but for the money, the Jabra Move Wireless offer a big, full sound.
3. Bose QuietComfort 35
Bose cut the wires off its flagship cans with great success
Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 0.68 pounds | Cable length: 3.94 feet | Frequency response: N/A | Drivers: N/A | Driver type: N/A | Sensitivity: N/A | Impedance: N/A | Battery life: 20+ hours | Wireless range: N/A | NFC: Yes
Broad and clear soundstage
Bose has finally brought its fantastic noise-cancelling technology to a pair of wireless headphones and it’s done so without any of the traditional drawbacks of wireless headphones. They sound great, and their battery life is long enough for all but the longest of flights.
4. Sony MDR-ZX770BT
Affordable wireless headphones that deliver big
Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: .52 pounds | Cable length: N/A | Frequency response: 20-20,000Hz | Drivers: Two 1.6″ speakers | Driver type: Dynamic | Sensitivity: N/A | Impedance: N/A | Battery life: 20+ hours | Wireless range: 30+ feet | NFC: Yes
While not the fanciest option available, those only looking for the must-have features will find that there’s a lot to like here. The build quality and materials are top-notch for the price. The sound quality won’t blow your mind, but it’s totally serviceable for listeners looking for a full sound. Its most treasured feature is the battery life, which lasts for 17 hours. Personally, I was able to squeeze 20 hours out of them.
5. Bowers & Wilkins P7 Wireless
The British behemoth’s over-ears go wireless
Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: .71 pounds | Cable length: N/A | Frequency response: 10Hz – 20KHz | Drivers: 40mm | Driver type: Dynamic | Sensitivity: 111dB/V at 1KHz | Impedance: 22 ohms | Battery life: 17 hours | Wireless range: 30+ feet | NFC: Yes
Great build quality
The Bowers & Wilkins P7 Wireless headphones are a great pair of Bluetooth headphones for fans of bass-heavy music genres. Their sound is both robust and weighty for all genres, but especially so when it comes to EDM and hip hop.
Besides sounding great, the physical construction of the headphones is also excellent. The signature B&W look is no less pleasing here, and we’re big fans of how the cable port is hidden from view by the magnetic earcups.
6. Koss BT540i
High-performance Bluetooth headphones for music lovers
Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: N/A | Cable length: 4.5 feet | Frequency response: 10-25,000Hz | Drivers: N/A | Driver type: N/A | Sensitivity: N/A | Impedance: 38 ohms | Battery life: 10+ hours | Wireless range: 30+ feet | NFC: Yes
Balanced sound
If value is your main concern when looking for a set of headphones, you’ll be pleased with the Koss BT540i. The Milwaukee, Wisc.-based Koss is known for providing a good bang-for-your-buck experience and these are no exception.
While these lack premium features like touch controls on the earcups or active noise cancellation, you’ll hardly notice, what with the spectacular sound quality and comfy ear cushions.
7. Optoma NuForce BE6i
Wireless in-ear headphones with (almost) no compromise
Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 18 grams | Frequency response: 20Hz – 20kHz | Drivers: 10mm | Driver type: Dynamic | Sensitivity: 95dB +/-3dB | Impedance: 20 Ohms | Battery life: 8 hours | Wireless range: 98 feet | NFC: No
Great sound
Continuing the trend that the original NuForce BE6 started, the Optoma Nuforce BE6i are a minor update to an already great pair of earbuds and remain one of our favorite in-ear wireless headphones for the price.
Offering good sound, build quality and battery life in its segment if you’re looking for a pair of wireless in-ear headphones that can survive a strenuous work out, the these should be on the top of your list of headphones to try.
8. Beats Solo 2 Wireless
Proof that Beats is quickly closing the gap between style and sound
Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: .47 pounds | Cable length: 4.2 feet | Frequency response: N/A | Drivers: N/A | Driver type: N/A | Sensitivity: N/A | Impedance: N/A | Battery life: 12+ hours | Wireless range: 30+ feet | NFC: No
Long battery life
There are certain qualities we all like in a set of headphones and these have ’em: sleek design, great sound and long-lasting comfort. However, the signature feature in Beats headphones is one that some people may not be so fond of, namely, their heavy lean on bass.
Thankfully, Beats is moving on from their bass-heavy past and moving to a more balanced sound. This is evident as ever in the Beats Solo 2 Wireless and it’s about time.
9. Plantronics BackBeat Pro
Noise-canceling Bluetooth headphones with plenty of features
Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: .74 pounds | Cable length: N/A | Frequency response: N/A | Drivers: N/A | Driver type: N/A | Sensitivity: N/A | Impedance: N/A | Battery life: 24+ hours | Wireless range: 330+ feet | NFC: Yes
Fantastic 24 hour battery
The Plantronics BackBeat Pro are a slick, professional looking option with the beat to back it. The BackBeat Pro is easy to recommend based on looks alone, but more importantly, it speaks for itself with some seriously sweet features like 24-hour battery life, great sound and noise cancellation.
If the selection we’ve provided so far has been a little out of reach financially, you’ll like this next set of wireless headphones. The JBL Synchros E40BT are a surprisingly well-rounded choice. Not only do they look good, but they sound reasonably great for the price.If you’re looking for an affordable, good-performing set of wireless headphones, check these out.
10. Sony MDR-1000X
Noise-cancelling headphones that care about Hi-Res Audio
Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 275 grams | Frequency response: 4Hz – 40kHz | Drivers: 40mm | Driver type: Dynamic | Sensitivity: 103dB | Impedance: 46 Ohms | Battery life: 20 hours | Wireless range: 30 feet | NFC: Yes
Quick Attention mode
The MDR-1000X are definitely the closest competitor to Bose’s QuietComfort series I’ve ever had the pleasure of testing. Some high-end codecs (LDAC, AAC and aptX) help the 1000X sound even better than the QC35s, but ultimately the noise canceling is a bit less effective in Sony’s pair of cans.
What should drive your decision on whether to buy the MDR-1000X is your music player – if you’re a Sony Xperia owner, you’d be hard-pressed to find a pair of headphones that sound as good as these with noise canceling tech built-in. Even if you’re not, Sony’s wares are still worth a listen – and maybe a purchase.
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