Few things in technology are more freeing than cutting the cable between your headphones and your phone, tablet, or TV. The dastardly cable finds every opportunity to snag on doorknobs, tangle up in your pocket, or come unplugged at the worst time. A pair of wireless, Bluetooth headphones solves all that, even if there are some tradeoffs.Bluetooth headphones come in all shapes and sizes now, from compact earbuds to sizable, over-ear headsets. Some keep it simple with just a Bluetooth connection, while others can offer a wired connection or even a secondary wireless connection as alternatives. And, not all Bluetooth connections are created equal, as codecs can come into play, changing the quality of the audio sent over the air.We’ve picked out Bluetooth headphones that will give you plenty of options for how they work and their extra features, like noise canceling. While we’ve stuck to larger headphones here, you can find smaller options in our list of the best Bluetooth earbuds.
TL;DR These Are the Best Wireless Headphones:
1. Sony WH-1000XM3
Best Wireless Headphones
Interface: Wireless, wired Connections: Bluetooth 4.2, 3.5mm audio cable Drivers: 40mm Frequency response: 4 – 40,000Hz Design: Closed-back + ANC Surround sound modes: Virtual Battery life: 30 hours Weight: 255g
You’ve probably seen the Sony WH-1000XM3 getting praised so many times that you’re sick of it now, but it’s hard not to recognize it’s greatness. This pair of wireless headphones offer the best audio quality and noise-canceling in its class. Its 30-hour battery life also makes it stand out as a pair of Bluetooth headphones that’ll last longer than most.It’s neatest hat trick is you can cup your hand over the right ear cup to temporarily disable ANC to hear the real world when you need to. There are a few shortcomings including the microphone, touch controls, and the fact that it doesn’t do well in super cold weather. However, for $300or regularly less through a salethis is a great, overall pair of wireless headphones.
2. Razer Opus
Best Budget Wireless Headphones
Interface: Wireless, wired Connections: Bluetooth 4.2, 3.5mm audio cable Drivers: 40mm Dynamic Frequency response: 20 – 20,000Hz Design: Closed-back + ANC Battery life: 24 hours Weight: 265g
Razer has done some more dabbling in the on-the-go headphone business with the Razer Opus. These headphones offer many of the premiums you’ll find on high-end headphones at a slightly more affordable price point. Namely, you’ll get a long, 24-hour battery life over a Bluetooth connection and active noise cancellation to cut down on ambient sound. The headphones can let you hear your surroundings with Quick Attention Mode as well, giving you multiple ways to use the headsets built-in microphones.The Razer Opus features leatherette coverings for the headband and ear cups along with memory foam padding for your ears. While Bluetooth may be the star of the show (especially with support for AAC and aptX codecs), the Razer Opus also offers up a standard 3.5mm wired connection whenever you need it. And, these headphones charge over USB-C, so you won’t need to carry around any outdated micro USB cables to keep them charged.
3. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
Best Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones
Interface: Wireless, wired Connections: Bluetooth 5.0, 3.5mm audio cable Design: Closed-back + ANC Battery life: 20 hours Weight: 254g
If noise canceling is a must-have feature, you should get the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700. Bose’s implementation of noise-canceling edges out Sony’s thanks to its eight microphones and 11 customizable levels of intensity. It also has a superior transparency mode that disables ANC and pauses your music momentarily with a press of a button.Unfortunately, that powerful noise-canceling power limits the Bose 700’s maximum battery life to around 20 hours10 hours short of the Sony WH-1000XM3. The good news is this pair of wireless headphones is equipped beam-forming mics that do a great job of reducing the noise around you when you’re on the phone.
4. Bose QuietComfort 35 II
Best Closed-Back Wireless Headphones
Interface: Wireless, wired Connections: Bluetooth 4.1, 3.5mm audio cable Drivers: 40mm Design: Closed-back + ANC Battery life: 20 hours Weight: 235g
The Bose QuietComfort 35 II is a legendary pair of wireless headphones, while they’re a little long in the tooth they still pack class-leading noise cancellation and they cost significantly less than the latest models. They offer great sound out of the box, which is fortunate because there’s no way to customize the EQ.Thanks to the large plush ear cups, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II is a joy to wear and its 20-hour battery life will see you through long flights and road trips.
5. Grado GW100 Wireless
Best Open-Back Wireless Headphones
Interface: Wireless, wired Connections: Bluetooth 5.0, 3.5mm audio cable Frequency response: 20 – 20,000Hz Design: Open-back Battery life: 15 hours Weight: 311g
If noise-canceling tech isn’t a priority for you and you rather have just purely great sound, the Grado GW100 Wireless is an excellent choice. Thanks to its rare open back design, this wireless headset delivers a vastly wider sound stage that makes vocals and acoustic sound amazing.Due to its open-back design, the Grado GW100 Wireless leaks a lot of noise and lets just as much in, so they’re not ideal for outdoor use. Rather they’re best used for listening to Hi-Fi music and Tidal streaming at home.
6. Beats Solo 3 Wireless
Best Wireless Headphones For Apple Users
Interface: Wireless, wired Connections: Bluetooth, 3.5mm audio cable Design: Closed-back Battery life: 40 hours Weight: 215g
The Beats Solo 3 Wireless is pretty much the closest thing to a pair of Airpods you put around your ears. They come equipped with Apple’s W1 chip for seamless connection to Apple devices such as an iPhone 11 Pro, iPad Pro, or the Apple TV 4K.You also get one some of the longest battery lifeup to 40 hoursand you can get up to three hours of charge after plugging them in for just five minutes. If you’re looking for something stylish, the Beats Solo 3 Wireless comes in a wide variety of color combinations too.
7. Sennheiser Momentum Wireless
Best High-End Wireless Headphones
Interface: Wireless, wired Connections: Bluetooth 5.0, 3.5mm audio cable, USB-C Frequency response: 6 – 22.000Hz Design: Closed-back + ANC Battery life: 17 hours Weight: 303g
If money’s no object, the Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is the best high-end wireless Bluetooth headphone you can buy. The first striking thing about the Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is how stylish it is with leather and polished metal exterior.But aside from the fancy looks, these wireless headphones serve up balanced sound and a fully customizable EQ with plenty of range. These wireless headphones sound as good as they look and for $500 they ought to.
Kevin Lee is IGN’s Hardware and Roundups Editor. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspamMark Knapp is a regular contributor to IGN and an irregular Tweeter on Twitter @Techn0Mark
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