Wireless headphones are the norm these days, with roughly 10 billion in existence (and growing). We do our best to test them all, but we can’t put them all on one big list. Here are some other great options worth trying:
Sonos Ace $449: The Sonos Ace (8/10, WIRED Recommended) is a pricey but impressive first offering from Sonos, with great noise cancellation, great sound, and a most comfortable design ( of It’s the most comfortable headset you’ll find for the game. There are some software bugs at launch that hinder performance, including issues with the TV Swap feature that passes sound from a Sonos soundbar to the Ace, but we’re hoping Sonos will address these issues in a firmware update.
Technics EAH-AZ80 $298: The AZ80 (9/10, WIRED Recommended) are great earphones. Their most notable feature is the convenient ability to pair to three devices simultaneously, but they also excel with excellent noise-cancelling technology, top-notch sound quality, and seven different eartip options for an incredibly comfortable fit.
Beats Studio Pro $250: The Studio Pro (7/10, WIRED Recommended) offers quality performance, with amazingly clear sound, excellent noise cancellation, and a refreshingly natural Transparency mode. The design feels a bit cheap and it omits features like auto-pause, but the extras like hands-free Siri and head tracking with spatial audio make it a great buy, especially since the sale price can drop to about half the original MSRP of $350.
Sony WH-CH720N $150: These Sony headphones may have a funny name, but they’re well worth it. They’re not as flexible as the top-tier options and don’t come with a case, but the sound quality and noise-canceling features are worth the price. They’re also durable and have a long battery life, making them a great choice for the careful shopper.
Sony WH-1000XM4 $267: Sony’s XM4 (9/10, WIRED Recommended) remain a top-tier headphone, even after being replaced by the more premium XM5. For a pretty significant price cut, you still get great noise-cancelling tech, great sound, and luxurious comfort in an extremely portable package.
Master and Dynamic MH40 for $399: M&D’s second-generation MH40 (8/10, WIRED Recommended) packs great sound into a gorgeous design that uses lambskin leather and metal parts instead of plastic. Without any advanced features, not even noise cancellation, they’re a pricey entry point into minimalism, but they’ll keep you stylish for days.
Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S2 $300: These slim, comfortable headphones from B&W (9/10, WIRED Recommended) have been updated with the new S2e ($399) that features advanced digital processing to improve the audio. We already loved the sound of the original, and while the features and noise-cancelling don’t match our top pick, either option is a solid choice, especially if they’re on sale.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT $199: The original ATH-M50X (9/10, WIRED Recommended) offers balanced sound and great durability, making it a popular choice for music and film studios. But what if you want to take it with you between takes? The ATH-M50XBT combines wired studio connectivity with Bluetooth for wireless freedom. While it doesn’t offer advanced features like noise cancellation, it’s perfect for blending art and play.
Sony Linkbuds $128: The Linkbuds (8/10, WIRED Recommended) have a nifty gimmick: a hole in the center of the speaker that lets in ambient sound and awareness. They’re a bit of a one-trick pony, as they’re not great in noisy environments, but they’re one of the best options out there for the growing open-ear trend.
JLab Jbuds Mini $40: These micro earbuds from JLab have decent sound quality, but their cute little design fits on a keychain, making them a fun accessory for anyone who needs a cheap pair of earbuds to take on the go.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro 2 for $160: Samsung’s top-of-the-line Galaxy Buds (9/10, WIRED Recommended) are showing a bit of age, but they’re still some of the best earbuds for a Galaxy smartphone, with excellent noise cancellation, clear, lively sound, and some exclusive Samsung features. But Samsung’s apps don’t work with non-Samsung phones, and battery life is abysmal at just five hours.
