The best wireless headphones for 2025 from Bose, Sony, Sonos and more

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Get straight to the top tech—no junk, just the best.

Updated less than 6 days ago

It’s little wonder that wireless headphones are so popular. With cable-free freedom, battery lives that can outlast transatlantic flights, sound performance that is getting ever closer to wired-standard quality, and, in most cases nowadays, active noise cancelation that can silence the outside world, they are pretty much the picture of music-listening convenience.

What’s more, they’re only getting better and doing more. Many allow you to simultaneously connect to more than one music device thanks to Bluetooth Multipoint support, while an increasing number even offer spatial audio support for a more immersive, three-dimensional experience.

Familiar, established names like Sony, Bose and Sennheiser have competed against one another in the wireless over-ear space for decades, but now Sonos, Apple, established hi-fi companies and even new kids on the audio block have joined the good fight, all with the promise to deliver the best bang for your buck.

So which should you give your hard-earned cash to? Why, only the best performers of course!

This guide, curated by our expert headphone reviewers, lists only the very best wireless headphones you can buy, from budget Bluetooth over-ears that nail the basics for as little as $100, to premium-priced propositions that fly the flag for luxury design, advanced features and top-tier audio and ANC performance.

We test the biggest wireless headphone releases of the year and pit every one against our stringent criteria for comfort, durability, battery life, everyday practicality, and audio and noise-canceling quality – and only those who pass it with flying colors appear below.

The premium Sony WH-1000XM5 remain our editors’ favorite pair for all-round value. They have recently dropped in price to make way for their successors, the WH-1000XM6, which have recently been added to this guide as the best-sounding wireless headphones. You also have the brand-new Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) as our number one noise-cancelers.

Want something a little more affordable? The 1More SonoFlow set a new benchmark for $100 wireless headphones.

Or how about wireless headphones for gaming? The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless have you covered. In this buying guide, there’s a benchmark performer for every taste and budget…

Want in-ear wireless earbuds instead? Check out our best wireless earbuds buying guide instead.

Sony WH-1000XM5

Best wireless headphones overall

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$398 Amazon

1More SonoFlow

Best budget wireless headphones

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$59 Amazon

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)

Best noise-canceling wireless headphones

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$449 Amazon

Sony WH-1000XM6

Best wireless headphones for sound quality

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$448 Amazon $449 BrandsMart USA $449 Dell Home & Home Office More

Apple AirPods Max

Best wireless headphones for iPhone users

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$449 Amazon $429 BrandsMart USA $539 Sam's Club More

Dali IO-12

Best price-is-no-object wireless headphones

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$1300 Amazon

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro

Best wireless headphones for gaming

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$340 Amazon $479 Newegg.com $510 UnbeatableSale.com More

Sonos Ace

Best wireless headphones for supreme comfort (and Sonos soundbar owners)

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$391 Amazon $449 BrandsMart USA $449 Best Buy U.S. More

Sennheiser Momentum 4

Best wireless headphones for battery life

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$499 TheSource.ca $481 Walmart.com $379 Bloomingdale's More

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3

Best wireless headphones for style-conscious buyers

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$449 Amazon $449 Bloomingdale's More

PuroQuiet Plus ANC Headphones

Best wireless headphones for kids

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$139 Amazon

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Sony WH-1000XM5

The previous leader of this list was Sony’s WH-1000XM4, and the newer WH-1000XM5 have everything that made those headphones amazing, plus a bit more. If they were no longer available, in their place would now be the brand-new WH-1000XM6. Luckily for bargain hunters, while the XM5 have technically been replaced by the new model, they are still widely available – and at a much more appealing price than before, keeping them at the front of the wireless headphones pack as our best overall pick.

It’s hard to pick holes in the WH-1000XM5, which remain the best-value all-rounders we have ever come across. They combine excellent musical sound with effective ANC, a smart, minimalist and all-day comfortable design, and a smattering of genuinely useful features that make everyday listening all that more pleasant. Oh and did we mention that they offer a battery life up to 40 hours?

Sony says it improved its software algorithms and hardware for the active noise cancelation compared to the previous-gen XM4, and it shows. While Sony has taken this further still in the XM6 (below), and Bose is still the ANC king, the XM5’s sound-blocking ability will be more than good enough to please most people. The same can be said for their sound, which in our WH-1000XM5 review our expert reviewer called “fantastic… the soundstage is open and airy and has the kind of precision that lets you build a map of the players and their instruments in your mind’s eye”.

Like the XM4s, Sony’s WH-1000XM5s include Bluetooth Multipoint connection, allowing them to be connected to two different devices at the same time. Their wear sensor continues to be a handy addition, too, automatically pausing content when you remove the headphones. Sony’s Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE) Extreme tech that upscales compressed digital sound sources using artificial intelligence continues to get the most out of your inevitably varying quality of audio files and streams, while call quality is another area in which the XM5 outshine their predecessor and most rivals.

Our only gripe is that there isn’t Auracast Bluetooth support, but this isn’t a deal-breaker. For the money, you won’t find better.

1More SonoFlow

When we list the best features of the SonoFlow, we know it sounds like a headset well over $100, especially with ANC and a transparency mode included. But no, these wireless headphones are incredibly affordable compared to other options and come packed with desirable features – including especially good sound quality at this price.

1More has also done miracles with the SonoFlow’s battery, which can last up to 50 hours with ANC turned on, making these headphones one of the best picks for those who want to go wireless for as long as possible before plugging in. We’re also impressed with the detailed app options included here, with a variety of different modes to choose from and plenty of EQ adjustments. Plus, the design is simple and comfortable to wear even for long periods.

The minor issues with SonoFlow don’t have a lot of impact on your listening experience: You lose some features when in wired mode, and there’s no wear sensor to automatically pause when you take the headphones up. That’s a small price to pay for, well, such a small price on these excellent wireless headphones.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)

The original Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones already topped our best noise-canceling headphones guide, but rather than rest on its laurels, Bose has released a second-generation model that builds on the first-gen Ultra’s talents while also filling in some of their feature gaps. The result? Updated over-ears that are still the best in the business at shutting out the world around you, now just even more complete.

Bose has been the king of ANC (active noise cancellation) for decades, and don’t expect to see a changing of the guard anytime soon. Its all-new flagship headphones inch the Ultra model’s noise-canceling on further by improving how they deal with loud, sudden noises while in Aware (transparency) Mode.

In our QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) review, we said that for brute noise-canceling force, “Bose still leads the pack with its hush-hush Quiet mode”, just edging the Sony WH-1000XM6 and AirPods Max where outright intensity is concerned (though it is a closely fought contest). Even the less-intense Immersion setting is more than effective enough to drown out most everyday disruptions, such as street noise and office hubbub.

Bose has largely left the design unchanged, save for adding a couple of appealing new colors to the existing Black and White Smoke options – Driftwood Sand and Midnight Violet. That means you still get a super comfortable, lightweight, folding design, well-cushioned headband and earpads, and a classy aesthetic.

Where most of the improvements can be found is in the features department. The Ultra Headphones now offer lossless USB-C wired audio and can be listened to while being charged. On-head detection has been improved so that they automatically power up/connect to your device when they’re worn, and automatically power down or sleep when they’re taken off and laid flat on a surface.

A new Cinema Mode successfully combines ANC with spatial audio for a more immersive experience when watching movies or TV shows, too.

Battery life has, fortunately, been taken from 24 hours to 30, with that extending to 45 hours when ANC is turned off. And the fact that you can now turn ANC off in the app is another new function the originals overlooked.

Sound quality on the QC Ultra Headphones 2 is, as expected, also still very good, with plenty of detail and instrumental textures filling what is a notably big, spacious soundstage. Their bass is full and impactful without overshadowing the frequencies above, and they know how to drive a song along. They may not be quite as insightful or musically gifted as the Sony WH-1000XM6 or Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3, but they’re not too far off.

If ANC is your absolute priority, and/or you like to watch movies through your headphones and would benefit from the spatial Cinema Mode, the new QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2 should top your shortlist.

Sony WH-1000XM6

The WH-1000XM6 are Sony’s latest and greatest wireless headphones, the successors to the WH-1000XM5 that still sit pretty at the top of this buying guide (and with good reason: they remain exceptional value). Indeed, the all-new Sony XM6 aren’t cheap, but those who can afford their significant outlay surely won’t be disappointed. Sony has done what it does best, and repeatedly, here: take an award-winning formula and somehow make it even better.

Sony’s WH-1000XM6 are a meaningful upgrade on their predecessors – enough to justify their premium – and aside from a few drawbacks (no USB audio, a bizarrely awkward Auracast setup, and spatial audio that can only be used to its fullest on Android), they are pretty much spot-on. Not only do they look and feel more luxury than the XM5, but they also take performance to a new level across the board.

The XM6 are familiarly powerful, precise and not shy of detail, but as we note in our WH-1000XM6 review, they bring to the table “subtle improvements in clarity, especially through the midrange” as well as an “added level of detail and nuance [that] helps low-end bass feel tighter”. There isn’t a headphone, bar the considerably pricier Dali IO-12 below, that come close to their overall audio ability. Spatial audio is “masterfully executed” and a lot of fun for both music and movies, too.

Noise-canceling has also been given a boost, to the point that they’re arguably on par in some circumstances than the ANC kings, the Bose QC Ultra Headphones (above), and transparency mode is also wonderful, giving you a nearly perfect reproduction of the outside world when you need it. Sony didn’t need to improve call quality over the XM5, but it’s done it anyway to offer subtle but worthwhile improvements.

The XM6 are the first of their kind to support Auracast, too, which is great, even if it requires a bit of faff to get there.

Yes, the XM6 are much more expensive than the XM5, but if you have the budget and can afford to put sound quality first, we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them as your next wireless headphones.

Apple AirPods Max

Yes, their price is high. In fact, at $549 (less elsewhere), they’re one of the most expensive headphones on the market. But if you’re willing to make that investment, Apple rewards you with a beautiful, luxury design, high-quality materials, a feature set that will please Apple device owners, and sound and ANC performances that will satisfy even the most demanding listeners.

Before we dive into the details, it’s important to note that iPhone/iPad users will be best served by the AirPods Max owing to the headphones’ iOS integration and features, but they can be used with Android devices too. Non-Apple device owners may well look to the JBL Tour One M3 instead, however.

OK, back to the Max, and where they truly shine is their ANC, transparency, and call quality. The noise-canceling is superb, and our reviewer believes their transparency mode is the closest thing you can get to not wearing headphones at all.

Apple has also done its usual “it just works” magic with the AirPods Max’s controls. The digital crown knob may look a little unusual perched on top of the right earcup, but it’s intuitive and even a little addictive. The dedicated button for ANC/transparency is also perfectly positioned and works like a charm.

The innovative mesh materials used on the headband and ear cushions are comfortable, but they can’t quite make up for the AirPods Max’s one major design drawback: their weight. Considerably heavier than any other models on this list, you may find that they’re simply too weighty for long listening sessions.

Battery life is certainly on the low end at 20 hours, but this number might be conservative. At lower volume levels, it can easily extend to 25. Pairing with and switching between Apple devices is a snap. The only thing we think Apple has to rethink with the AirPods Max is the protective travel case, which is neither very protective nor very useful for travelers. Thankfully, there’s no shortage of AirPods Max accessories to remedy that fact.

It’s been nearly five years since Apple released the AirPods Max, and in that time they have only been given a very light update, in 2024, by way of a USB-C port (the originals have the Lightning port) and a fresh lineup of colours. The rumor mill is still spinning that an AirPods Max 2 will arrive in the future, but probably not for some time.

Dali IO-12

If you happen to have $1,300 laying around, you could do much worse than the Dali IO-12 wireless headphones form the makers of some of the best hi-fi speakers you can buy. In our IO-12 review, we observed that while the pricey Dali IO-12 headphones may be unaffordable for most, if you value superior sound quality above everything else, these headphones are worth their lofty price. As stated by our headphone expert, Simon Cohen, “I have yet to come across wireless headphones that sound better”.

The Dali IO-12’s are made using high-quality materials, are wrapped in gorgeous leather, and have a sturdy, durable build that will last for years to come. Thanks to their soft memory foam earcushions and adjustable headband, they provide excellent comfort for extended listening sessions.

Connectivity-wise, the IO-12’s support Bluetooth aptX HD/aptX Adaptive for use with devices that support it, lossless hi-res audio up to 24bit/96kHz when connected using USB-C, and good old fashioned analog via the included analog cables. Read our review for specifics on how the OI-12’s can handle your analog sources, it’s pretty cool. These sound features make them a worthwhile investment for anyone passionate about their audio experience and wanting to enjoy their music to the fullest.

The Dali IO-12s also have excellent battery life at around 35 hours, which puts them in the ballpark of Sony’s blockbuster WH-1000XM cans. The Dali IO-12 feature transparency mode, respectable ANC, and impeccably tuned microphones for what Cohen calls “almost studio level of detail” during phone calls. All of these points make these headphones a winner, regardless of price.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro

SteelSeries has long known how to make a high-quality gaming headset, but the Arctis Nova Pro takes gaming audio to another level with its incredible redesign. The Sonar software allows for deep customization (and even title-specific suggestions), including a parametric EQ, but these headphones are tuned for accurate audio right of the box, so you don’t have to worry about the details if you don’t want to.

Other important features also make these headphones usable around the home, including great ANC, and a fit that’s lightweight without feeling cheap, plus plenty of physical adjustments you can make. The retractable mic also works well (we found it sometimes picks up ambient noise, though) and won’t ever get in the way.

The Arctis Nova Pros have a swappable battery design that’s made for switching the actual battery on the fly – so you have one on deck charging at all times. But a USB-C port does allow for on-ear charging, albeit a bit awkwardly, as noted by our senior gaming writer, Jacob Roach, in his full review. Two battery packs are included with the headset — which is good, because battery life is lower than past SteelSeries headsets at 22 hours at only 2.4Ghz wireless, and 18 hours when using 2.4GHz and Bluetooth at the same time, with with ANC on.

As we concluded in our Arctis Nova Pro review, “ANC, top-notch sound quality, and all-day comfort are just the start of what the headset has to offer”.

Sonos Ace

Sonos’ first wireless headphones are an impressive achievement, specifically when it comes to comfort and fit. Indeed, the Ace may even be the most comfortable wireless headphones you can buy, with a shape that feels like a warm hug when they’re on your head. They’re no slouch when it comes to sound quality either: as you’d expect from Sonos, they deliver a warm tone with excellent detail, helping you get the most from your music.

Both noise cancellation and transparency modes are among the best you can get, and Sonos’ decision to give the Ace physical buttons instead of touch controls means that you’ll master these wireless cans in seconds. Battery life, at 30 hours, is good and on par for this category, but what’s less common is the Ace’s support for both lossless audio via Bluetooth and lossless audio via USB-C, making the headphones one of the most versatile options at the moment. Another boon for the Ace is their head-tracked spatial audio support for immersive private listening with music and movies.

What is wholly unique to the Ace, however, is their integration within the existing Sonos ecosystem. Those who own a Sonos Arc, Beam or Ray soundbar can use TV Audio Swap, which means anything playing through your soundbar can be easily played through the Ace headphones. And by the end of this year, TrueCinema calibration will come to the Ace, aiming to tailor the soundstage to the acoustics in your room to make you feel as though you aren’t wearing headphones.

However, Sonos owner may feel a bit disappointed that the Sonos app can’t be used to stream music to the Ace or control them like you would a Sonos speaker. You get EQ and ANC adjustments, but not much else.

Still, for a price that puts it on par with the leaders in this space, the highly comfortable Sonos Ace are a compelling new option, not least for Sonos soundbar owners.

Sennheiser Momentum 4

60 hours of battery life from a single charge? That’s much better than any other headphones on this list. Indeed, if you travel a lot or are simply forgetful when it comes to charging your devices, the Momentum Wireless 4 could well be your perfect headphone partners.

That’s not their only highlight either. We were amazed at the audio quality with the Momentum 3, but somehow Sennheiser found multiple ways to upgrade it with the 4. It’s not at the level of the higher-priced headphones on this list, but our reviewer noted in our Momentum 4 Wireless review they “offer a level of refinement, detail, and bass presence that I feel is unmatched by the competition” costing similar money.

The Momentum 4 also comes with ANC that features specific modes to combat wind interference or switch to transparency options. And while the new over-ear design is undeniably large, Sennheiser has enough experience to make sure they’re comfortable for long periods of listening as well.

Some things are missing here, though, such as an automatic off function (although wear sensors are included), but you aren’t giving up much at all for the battery life, audio and ANC on offer for the money.

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3

If you’re the style-conscious type looking for a pair of wireless over-ears that look as good as they sound, then look no further. The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 (and their more sophisticated Px8 siblings) are the most handsome pair of headphones we’ve come across, with only the AirPods Max really able to rival them in the aesthetics department.

“They certainly show the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless how to do minimalism in the most elegant of ways,” we said in our Px7 S3 review. They’re available in the black color you see pictured above, as well as a sparkling white and a fetching dark blue. Very dapper.

Fortunately, their looks aren’t their only strength. In fact, at this premium price they are exceptionally strong all-rounders, second best only to the Sony WH-1000XM6. Their sound quality is very accomplished – highly detailed across the frequencies and as dynamically expressive as they come. “Headphones with such analytical and precise abilities often forget to be fun, but the Px7 S3 aren’t afraid to let their hair down and burn some energy,” we noted in our review.

They’re also one of the most feature-rich wireless headphones out there, with support for high-quality aptX Lossless Bluetooth and 30 hours of battery onboard, and spatial audio, Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast ‘coming soon’.

Perhaps their weakest link is their noise-canceling, but honestly this is pretty darn good too – just not at the heights of the Sony XM6, AirPods Max and Bose QC Ultra Headphones 2.

If you’re looking for wireless headphones that will turn heads and look after your own, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 are hard to beat.

PuroQuiet Plus ANC Headphones

Puro Sound Labs’ PuroQuiet kids headphones have gotten a new coat of paint and a rebranding recently, updating the model to PuroQuiet Plus. And while things haven’t been fiddled with too much, there are a few improvements to the $140 ANC Bluetooth kids headphones.

USB-C has been added to the the PuroQuiet Plus and they are now available in two new colors – purple and teal that kids are sure to like. Otherwise, Puro Audio Labs has taken an “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it” approach to the new model.

Parents will be most interested in the PuroQuiet Plus’ volume-limiting feature, which caps things at 85 decibels by default, the maximum safe volume that children should be exposed to, to prevent hearing damage over time.

Active noise cancelation is also a feature of the PuroQuiet Plus, which is something you don’t see often in kids headphones and probably account for much of the higher price. While it might be easy to dismiss ANC as a feature that might not seem useful for kids, it does have its merits for helping to block out distracting daily noise and background sounds to help calm them or even concentrate better.

The previous generation of PuroQuiets sounded great for a set of kids headphones, and the same can be said of the Plus. Puro hasn’t messed with the call quality either, making the headphones good for a range of communications uses such as remote learning, video calling with relatives, and, yes, online gaming with friends.

PuroQuiet Plus pair easily with phones, tablets, and computers over Bluetooth, but the option is also there to connect with the included 3.5mm volume-limiting cable. They also come with a USB-C-to-USB-C cable for daisy chaining to another set of PuroQuiet Plus headphones. A 3.5mm heapdhone splitter can also be purchased separately so two sets of headphones can connect to the same audio source. However, be sure to connect to the splitter with the PuroQuiet’s included volume limiting cable to ensure the volume safety is still present.

The PuroQuiet Plus are comfortable for long periods of wear and have a decent (if unchanged) battery life – up to 35 hours of non-ANC playtime and up to 23 hours with ANC on.