The best wireless headphones (2025): Tested for several hours

Wireless headphones are the default these days, and there are about a billion of them (and counting). We do our best to test them all, but not everything we test may make the top list. Here are some other great options worth trying.

Soundcore Space A40 for $60: Although they’re off our main list, the Space A40 is still among the best headphones you’ll find for the money. Its sleek, premium design is bolstered by solid features, clear and detailed sound, and excellent noise cancellation for the price.

Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 for $280: These headphones from Jabra (7/10, WIRED Review) are too expensive compared to the options that sound (and cancel the sound) better. This is Jabra’s latest pair of consumer headphones, so new features are unlikely. We like that they have a wireless transmitter case, like the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8, which provides a latency-free connection to non-Bluetooth sources (looking at you, airplanes).

Sonos Ace for $350-450: The Ace Sonos (8/10, WIRED Recommends) are an expensive but impressive first effort from Sonos, with fantastic noise cancellation, fantastic sound, and one of the most comfortable designs (if not him comfiest) you will find in the game. A few early software bugs hampered its performance after release, including problems with the TV Swap feature that allows you to switch sound from a Sonos sound bar to the Ace, but that seems to be fixed, making these an excellent choice, especially for those who are already invested in the Sonos way.

Beats Solo 4 for $150: We love Beats headphones these days, but this pair just lacked a few features for us at their standard $200 price point (7/10, WIRED Recommends). Now that they’re out, we can heartily recommend them to people looking for a pair of wireless headphones that don’t have noise cancellation.

Technics EAH-AZ80 for $298: : the AZ80 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) are great headphones. Its most noteworthy feature is conveniently pairing three devices at once, but they finish strong with good noise-canceling technology, top-notch sound quality, and seven different ear tip options for a remarkably comfortable fit.

Beats Studio Pro for $350: : The Studio Pro (7/10, WIRED Recommends) offers quality performance, including surprisingly clear sound, good noise cancellation and a refreshingly natural transparency mode. The design feels a little cheap, and they skip features like auto-pause, but extras like Hands-Free Siri and head tracking with spatial audio help justify its value, especially since the its retail price sometimes drops to about half of the original MSRP of $350.

Sony WH-CH720N for $150: : These cans from Sony may have a silly name, but their sheer value makes up for it. They aren’t as flexible as the top options and don’t come with a case, but their sound quality and noise cancellation are excellent for the money. They’re also built to last and have battery life that lasts and lasts, making them a great option for discerning buyers.

Sony WH-1000XM4 for $267: : Sony’s XM4 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) remain a superior headphone, even after being replaced by the fancier XM5. For a pretty big price reduction, you get always-fabulous noise-canceling technology, fantastic sound, and luxurious comfort in an extremely portable package.

Master and Dynamic MH40 for $399: : M&D’s second generation MH40 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) packs gorgeous sound into an equally gorgeous design, with luxurious trappings like lambskin and metal parts in place of plastic. Their lack of advanced features, excluding even noise cancellation, makes them an expensive portal for minimalism, but they have style for days.

Audio Technica ATH-M50xBT for $199: : The original ATH-M50X (9/10, WIRED Recommends) provide a balanced sound and great durability, which makes them ubiquitous in music and film studios. But what if you want to take with you between takes? Enter the ATH-M50XBT, which start a wired studio connection with Bluetooth for wireless freedom. They don’t offer noise cancellation or other advanced features, but they’re ideal for combining art and gaming.

Sony Linkbuds for $128: : The Linkbuds (8/10, WIRED Recommends) have a neat trick: speakers with holes in the middle that let in the world around you for environmental awareness. They are not so hot for noisy environments, making something of a one trick pony, but they are among the best options in the growing trend of open ear. They have also been updated in the new Linkbuds Open (7/10, WIRED Recommends), which are more expensive today, but offer a few new functions and a more stable form.

JLab Jbuds Mini for $40: : These micro-bugs from JLab it sounds so so, but its adorably teensy design that fits on a key ring makes it a fun accessory for those who need some cheap tops to take on the go.

Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro 2 for $160: : The best Samsung Galaxy Buds (9/10, WIRED Recommends) are getting a little long in the tooth, but they’re still among the best tops for Galaxy phones, offering solid noise cancellation, clear, crisp sound, and a few Samsung-only features. Its app doesn’t work with non-Samsung phones, though, and its battery life of just five hours is now the bottom of the barrel.