The best wireless headphones package great sound, special features, and lengthy battery life into a convenient, cord-free design. On top of being the perfect companion for mobile devices like smartphones and tablets, they also work well for laptop users, especially business travelers, remote workers, students, and anyone who loves using their portable PC as their main audio source.
Laptops were designed to be taken anywhere and can be excellent productivity tools or entertainment consoles when hitting the road. Pairing your machine with some high-quality wireless headphones only enhances the listening experience.
Sure, you can spend money on an elite gaming mouse. Maybe even a portable charger that’s powerful enough to juice up the laptop when an outlet isn’t available. But wireless headphones remain the wiser and more practical investment.
The market is flooded with options and styles, from noise-cancellers to truly wireless buds. To make the decision easier for you, we have compiled this list of the best wireless headphones, based on our extensive testing, research, and comparisons. Here is a look at some of our top picks in the category.
What are the best wireless headphones and earbuds?
Currently listed as the best wireless headphones overall is the Bose 700. A svelte, futuristic design combined with intelligible features, precise sound, and unbeatable active noise cancellation, the company’s latest flagship model has set the standard for what wireless headphones should look and sound like moving forward.
In the No. 2 slot for best wireless headphones is the Sony WH-1000xM4, which is considered by many critics (including us) to be the best-sounding ANC headphones available. Audio quality is outstanding, with the headphones delivering boomy sonics and crisp mids and highs. Amazing noise cancellation that nearly rivals Bose, customizable features via companion app, and plenty of playtime (30 hours with ANC on) help solidify their placement on this list. Plus, Sony has cleared up that nasty call quality problem so feel free to make all the calls your heart desires.
Our top pick for the best wireless earbuds overall is the Apple AirPods Pro. This upgraded version welcomes innovative features like an adaptive EQ, effective noise cancelling, and even an Ear Tip Fit Test to determine the best ear tip size for maximum sound quality. Apple’s other major release, the AirPods Max, also makes an appearance on our list for its surprisingly great sound and ANC performance.
Not too far behind are the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, noise-cancelling wireless earbuds that combine great sound quality with the very best ANC in the true wireless category. Bower & Wilkins have two solid entries on our best wireless headphones list as well, the PX7 Carbon Edition and PI7, which are both considered popular options for luxury audiophiles.
We’ll also be keeping tabs on highly anticipated models set for release next year, including three heavily rumored Apple products: the AirPods 3, AirPods Pro 2, and the company’s first-ever over-ear headphones, the AirPods Studio.
Scroll further down to see our official ranking of the best wireless headphones in 2021 (so far).
The best wireless headphones and earbuds right now
If you’re someone who wants to feel completely immersed in their Spotify playlists without any distractions, look no further than the current king of active noise cancellation. The Bose 700 is the best wireless headphones for the money, taking ANC to the next level with six microphones that filter out ambient sound across the entire frequency spectrum. You won’t notice the crying babies in coach when watching films in flight. Bose also programmed the headphones with 10 adjustable ANC levels, three of which can be assigned as presets to control the amount of noise you want to hear.
Even more impressive is the call quality, as the mics amplify your vocals, while filtering out background fracas. You’ll also get clean sound in a beautiful package that complements any MacBook model. Battery life isn’t anything to brag about, but it’s stable. If you have the money, then it’s worth investing in the 700’s charging case to get 40 additional hours of playtime. Bose also just released a new version of the headphones called the 700 UC that is designed specifically for video conferencing (e.g. Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams) and includes a USB Link Bluetooth model for reliable connectivity to answer calls in a jiffy and easily switch between audio sources.
See our full Bose 700 review.
The Sony WH-1000xM4 headphones offer excellent audio quality, 30 hours of battery life and a host of audio customization features that make the headphones some of the smartest on the market. And you get active noise cancelling that, dare I say, is a serious contender to Bose’s crown. And thanks to Bluetooth 5.0, the 1000xM4 can connect with two devices simultaneously.
In addition you can program the cans to pause whatever you’re listening to the second you speak, adjust the noise cancelling depending on your activity or location, and create a 3D audio experience. And this is all before we get to the excellent active noise cancelling that’s nearly equal to Bose, the incredibly rich audio experience, the 30 hours of battery life and the MIF (Most Improved Feature), the crystal clear call quality.
Read our full Sony WH-1000xM4 review.
The AirPods Pro isn’t the ideal audio solution for any high-powered laptop, but what Apple’s third-gen buds afford you is sheer portable convenience. They’re considered one of the best wireless headphones for many reasons. Comfort is excellent, thanks to a new design that now features integrated tips for a secure fit. Strong connectivity and instantaneous pairing are givens for all Apple devices. The charging case is easy to carry around and supports wireless charging, so you can place it atop the Qi-compatible wireless charger on your desk when crunching numbers on your iMac. Apple also gives you effective noise cancellation to hush annoying co-workers and commuters.
Sound wasn’t much to brag about previously, but that has changed with the latest iOS 14 update bringing spatial audio into the mix, a feature that brings theater-quality 3D audio to the buds. Sadly, there are no updates for battery life, which is something that definitely needs to be addressed considering the AirPods Pro has a shorter playtime than the AirPods 2.
See our full AirPods Pro review.
Apple’s wireless headphones live up to the hype with exceptional audio and ANC performance. Underneath the sleek, clean-looking design are 40mm custom dynamic drivers that pump out near-audiophile-grade sound, balancing frequencies superbly well to enjoy rich mids, highs, and lows. Spatial audio helps create the illusion of a 360-degree soundscape when listening to music or watching movies. If you like the AirPods Pro’s noise cancellation, the AirPods Max is even more impressive, employing eight mics to effectively block out the majority of external sounds. Seamless iOS integration means you’ll not only connect to Apple devices with ease, but also gain access to numerous software perks including audio sharing, automatic switching, and “Hey Siri” voice activation.
It’s ballsy for Apple to price their headphones $150 higher than Bose. However, for Apple fanboys who live on iOS and macOS devices, these cans are the ideal audio investment, if you can afford them.
See our full Apple AirPods Max review.
What if we told you Bose made one of the best wireless headphones out there, only it came in true wireless form and features the same active noise cancellation as the critically acclaimed 700 headphones? Well, they did. Introducing the QuietComfort Earbuds, an in-ear marvel that nearly replicates the 700’s ANC capabilities, and with half the mics. You still get 10 adjustable levels and the Bose Connect app lets you set three “favorited” ANC settings that can be cycled through on the left earbud. Bose even enhanced its Transparency Mode, blending it with noise cancellation to make ambient noises sound clearer. The company’s Active EQ technology and proprietary drives were stuffed into these buds to give listeners warm, pleasant audio. Connectivity is also spot-on, as Bluetooth 5.1 operates smoothly, and the Bluetooth button programmed into the charging case makes manual pairing a breeze.
Speaking of the charging case, it’s a big, hefty sucker that doesn’t hold much portable power. The standard playtime on the buds isn’t anything to brag about either; it’s just barely higher than the regular AirPods.
Read our full Bose QuietComfort Earbuds review.
This updated version of B&W’s popular noise-cancelling model flaunts a carbon fiber exterior, while maintaining the excellent performance of the original. The soundstage is enthralling and spacious, offering up impactful bass, lively mids, crystal-clear highs. Some may take issue with the lack of EQ or music presets, but in reality, B&W did a stellar job engineering the soundstage to enjoy all types of content (e.g., music, movies, podcasts, ebooks). B&W’s mic array can silence plenty of city noises, allowing you to indulge in Spotify playlists distraction-free. It won’t completely block out everything, but not many of the best noise-cancelling headphones do either. Battery life is another enticing attribute, giving users 30 hours of playtime with ANC on, which is 10 hours more than the Bose 700.
The extra use of carbon fiber does add extra weight. Also, you might notice some stuttering when streaming music or using the Soundscapes mode, which is related to connection issues.
Read our full Bowers & Wilkins PX7 Carbon Edition review.
The asking price alone is enough to have you scroll past this entry, but the greatness of Bowers & Wilkins’ first-ever wireless earbuds cannot be denied. Sound is unbeatable with the PI7 carrying dual hybrid drivers that have their own individual amp, along with support for 24-bit sound and Qualcomm’s latest aptX Adaptive codec, which allows for lossless wireless sound when streaming music on hi-res platforms. B&W’s noise-cancelling technology is almost up there with Bose’s and does a fantastic job of neutralizing most ambient noises. It also blends with the Ambient Pass-Through mode to make external sounds more distinguishable and less harsh. The only thing fancier than the audio performance is the design, as B&W’s stellar craftsmanship is on full display.
Battery life is the PI7’s one major flaw; 4 hours on a single charge is below the industry standard (5 hours). Not everyone has $400 to splurge for hi-fi-sounding wireless earbuds either, but for those with the money to splurge, they’ll find the PI7 worthy of inclusion on our best wireless headphones list.
While we love the Elite 85h, its on-ear counterpart is just as impressive with a sleeker design, better battery life, premium sound, and a handful of features for an unbeatable price. At full charge, the Elite 45h grants you 50 hours of continuous playtime to enjoy solid audio performance, which can be fine-tuned in the Jabra Sound+ app. Fast charging is also some of the best in the category, generating 10 hours of use on a 15-minute charge. Light, slim, and cushiony, you’ll experience little to no discomfort when sporting these cans for several hours.
Just remember that with an on-ear design comes zero noise isolation. In other words, expect lots of sound leakage, which doesn’t allow for much private listening unless you’re tuning out to music at low- or mid-level volume. The plastic construction is a complete 180 from the tank-like build quality of the Elite 85h, but for the price, it could be much worse.
See our full Jabra Elite 45h review.
The Momentum True Wireless 2 is a notable inclusion for many reasons. One, you’re getting Sennheiser sound in the smallest design possible, so you can consume deep bass and natural mids no matter the music genre. ANC is very impressive, minimizing external sounds well enough to keep your ears tuned to whatever media is playing. Improvements were made to connectivity and call quality, allowing for loud, stable, and clear-sounding calls. Lastly, battery life has doubled from its predecessor, with the sleek gray fabric charging case also holding an extra 21 hours.
If you’ve followed the company’s track record, then you know that Sennheiser products usually come at a premium, and in this case, it’s $300. That is a bit steep when considering the ANC performance of the QuietComfort Earbuds ($279), as well as the overall performance of the AirPods Pro ($250), which are both expensive, but still cheaper than the Momentum True Wireless 2.
See our full Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 review.
The Surface Headphones 2 is an awesome follow-up to one of 2018’s most underrated releases, the Surface Headphones. This updated version retains many of the hallmarks that made the original a hit, including the aesthetically appealing design, smart (and easy to use) controls), and dynamic sound. There are 13 levels of active noise cancellation that can be cycled through via dial controls, a feature that works well to block out nearly 75% of ambient sound; the best results come with ANC at max level.
Underrated features like multipoint technology and Microsoft 365 integration are where these headphones showcase their distinctiveness, letting you connect to 10 devices simultaneously and use voice dictation on Office 365 apps (e.g. Word, PowerPoint) to verbally jot down notes. However, Microsoft should consider making improvements for the third-gen Surface Headphones, in particular, battery life and extra features.
See our full Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 review.
Premium open-back headphones often carry a steep price, but not these headphones. The HiFiMan Deva grants users high-end sound for almost a third of what the competition charges. All the little nuances in complex recordings are audible, thanks to the company’s powerful planar magnetic drivers, which produce excellent-sounding highs, mids, and lows. Essentially, the Deva is a wired pair of headphones that can go wireless via attachable Bluetooth accessory, and though this adds to the overall weight, it makes up for the heft with some of the widest range (50 feet) available in the category.
Certain drawbacks like minimal controls and no extra features means you’ll have to accept the Deva as is. At the same time, those are minor compromises to live with for remarkable audio. The $299 price tag also makes this splurge incredibly rewarding.
Read our full HiFiMan Deva review.
The original Liberty Air 2 was considered a Laptop Magazine favorite for its great audio quality, excellent connectivity, and serviceable listening modes. Anker upped the ante with its successor, the Liberty Air 2 Pro, adding new features (e.g., Tip Fit Test, LÜM music service) into the mix, along with adaptive noise cancellation that is not only engineered to block out ambient noise in different environments, but can also be adjusted at the user’s discretion. Battery life on the buds and the redesigned wireless charging case are both rated higher than the AirPods Pro.
Sound is rich and punchy, though audiophiles might take issue with the lacking highs these buds produce. Luckily, there’s the EQ with 22 presets and a custom profile to tweak sound to your hearing. Besides the high end, the only real issue these buds have are the touch controls, which have limited gesture input and operate on a delay.
Read our full Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro review.
How to choose the best wireless headphones and earbuds for you
The keyword here is wireless, so, realistically, you’ll want to select the best wireless headphones with the best connectivity. Look at the spec sheet to see what Bluetooth protocol these cans operate on; the majority of today’s headphones and earbuds have Bluetooth 5.0, whereas older models run Bluetooth 4.2. Just know the higher the protocol, the better the pairing capabilities and wireless range you’ll get.
Next on the checklist is sound. It goes without saying that these headphones or earbuds should sound great. Brand recognition goes a long way, so researching models from companies with strong audio backgrounds might help narrow down your selections. Otherwise, hunt for models with powerful drivers that can deliver well-balanced sound, no matter the media format (e.g. music, movies, podcasts, video games). We also advise looking at those with either programmed EQs or mobile apps with personalized sound settings.
The move from wired headphones, which require zero power, to wireless headphones can be a big change for some, as usability is based primarily on battery life. Simply put, you want headphones with long playing times, that way you won’t have to worry about carrying around a charging cable or portable charger. Most wireless earbuds are rated at 5 to 8 hours, though newer releases (e.g. Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus) offer as much as 11 hours on a single charge. Bluetooth headphones should last 20 hours or more.
Design is just as important. Why wouldn’t you want headphones or earbuds that look as good as they sound, and are easy to carry around? See what’s out there that is comfy, flexible, lightweight, and built to last. A travel case is vital as well, so don’t overlook this when browsing through the product’s list of bundled accessories.
How we test the best wireless headphones and earbuds
Several factors are taken into account when finalizing our list of the best wireless headphones. Our reviewers evaluate the following criteria: audio, battery life, connectivity, design, and value. Any models with app-enabled features are thoroughly tested as well.
Every pair is worn over the course of a week for 2 to 3 hours at a time. Throughout the testing period, our staff evaluates Bluetooth performance, comfort, ease of use, and sound quality. We listen to tracks across several genres, including hip-hop, rock, jazz, classical, and R&B, just to name a few. We evaluate clarity, fullness, and volume levels too.
With more streaming services offering high-resolution audio, we advise reading this audio codec FAQ to learn more about FLAC files, MP3s and everything in between.
Once testing is completed, our reviewers rate each pair of wireless headphones based on Laptop Magazine’s five-point system (1 = worst, 5 = best). Any product that shows it is truly exemplary is awarded an Editor’s Choice badge.