Whether you seek adaptable Bluetooth headphones with advanced features such as active noise cancelling (ANC), or you’re a meticulous audiophile striving for unparalleled sound quality, there’s an option tailored to your preferences. Yet, navigating through the vast array of products available can be daunting. Many headphones appear to deliver comparable performance, yet their price tags vary significantly. How can you determine the ideal pair amidst this sea of choices?
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless are the best headphones we’ve tested. These premium over-ears have a fantastic noise isolation performance, thanks to their noise cancelling (ANC) system. Like other headphones from this manufacturer, they block out a wide range of ambient sound, from rumbly bus and plane engines to ambient chit-chat and noisy computer fans. With the ANC on, they last 29 hours continuously, and they have a very comfortable fit, so you can wear them for long periods without fatigue.
Out of the box, their bassy sound adds extra thump, rumble, and boom to your mixes. If you don’t like that sound, you can adjust it to suit your tastes using their companion app’s graphic EQ and presets. The app also offers Immersive Audio, a feature that tracks your head movements to create a more spacious and immersive audio experience. They have a few more extra features that add to their versatility. You can connect them with up to two devices simultaneously, and they support aptX Adaptive. This Bluetooth codec automatically adjusts its performance to your content, ensuring low latency when watching videos and high sound quality when listening to audio.
Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless
For those seeking premium over-ear headphones at a more affordable price point, consider the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless headphones instead. While Sony has introduced a newer model, the Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless, many users find the WH-1000XM4 to be more comfortable and offering superior noise cancellation in the bass range. These headphones boast an exceptional ANC system, effectively minimizing ambient noise such as engine hum and background conversations, making them an excellent choice for commuters and travelers alike. With approximately 37 hours of battery life with ANC activated, you can enjoy uninterrupted listening during long days on the move.
Similar to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless Headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM4 supports multi-device pairing and features a default sound profile skewed towards bass, ideal for genres like EDM and hip-hop. However, some users find the bass to be somewhat overpowering and muddy compared to Bose’s offering. Despite adjustments available via the companion app’s graphic EQ and presets, achieving optimal sound balance can be challenging. Nonetheless, the app also introduces a virtual soundstage feature called 360 Reality Audio, which personalizes the audio experience based on your ear’s unique shape. It’s worth noting that accessing this feature requires a subscription to services like Tidal that support it.
Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless
Anker dominates the market from this price point onward, offering a comprehensive lineup known as the Q series. Covering a spectrum from mid-range to budget options, Anker’s Q series headphones are compelling choices, boasting features such as ANC, multi-device pairing, and companion app support. Among their offerings, the top-of-the-line model is the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless headphones, which come at a significantly lower price point compared to the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless. While these headphones may not match the build quality and comfort of the Sony model and offer a shorter continuous battery life, they still pack many sought-after features and deliver comparable noise cancelling performance. Their adjustable ANC effectively reduces a wide range of ambient noise.
With a V-shaped sound profile, the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless headphones are particularly well-suited for genres like pop and rock. They boast extra bass and treble, enhancing mixes with added thump and rumble while ensuring vocals and instruments stand out. Sound customization is possible through an in-app graphic EQ and presets. These over-ear headphones offer approximately 27 hours of continuous playback and support multi-device pairing, allowing simultaneous connection to your PC and smartphone.
Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless
For a more budget-friendly option, consider the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless headphones. While they may not offer the same durability or extensive features as the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless model, they do come equipped with ANC and provide comparable comfort for extended listening sessions. These budget-friendly over-ear headphones boast an impressive battery life of over 44 hours on a single charge, making them ideal for long trips or extended workdays without the need for frequent recharging.
Out of the box, they deliver an energetic sound profile that complements genres like rock and pop. However, the additional bass can muddy the audio mixes, and the heightened treble may result in harsh and piercing sound. Fortunately, their companion app features a graphic EQ and presets for fine-tuning the sound to your preferences. While they lack adaptive noise cancelling like the Q45 model, which adjusts automatically to your environment, the Q30 headphones offer three ANC modes to accommodate different needs. Additionally, they support multi-device pairing, allowing simultaneous connection to up to two devices at a time.
Focal Bathys Wireless
For the ultimate Bluetooth audio experience, consider the Focal Bathys Wireless headphones. While they come at a higher price point compared to previous wireless options, these over-ear headphones offer a range of features aimed at enhancing your listening pleasure. They support the aptX Adaptive codec, enabling high-quality audio streaming over Bluetooth. With a continuous battery life of over 29 hours and a plush, comfortable fit, they’re perfect for extended listening sessions. Additionally, they feature a USB-DAC mode when used wired, allowing for the conversion of digital signals to high-resolution analog audio.
Equipped with the Dynamic EQ preset, the Focal Bathys Wireless headphones boast a fairly neutral sound profile, delivering satisfying bass without overshadowing vocals and instruments. Their companion app provides a graphic EQ and presets, facilitating sound adjustments tailored to your preferences. While they are closed-back headphones, resulting in a somewhat limited soundstage, they feature an ANC system to effectively reduce ambient noise. Furthermore, they support multi-device pairing, enabling simultaneous connection to your PC and smartphone, ensuring versatility without compromising on sound quality.
Sennheiser HD 800 S
The Sennheiser HD 800 S stands as a pinnacle among audiophile headphones, surpassing its competitors with ease. Unlike the closed-back Bluetooth design of the Focal Bathys Wireless, these wired headphones feature an open-back design. This unique construction allows audio to escape the ear cups and interact with the surrounding environment, resulting in a spacious, immersive soundstage that extends beyond the listener’s head. However, this also means that they are best suited for use in quiet, enclosed spaces, as they do not provide any isolation from background noise. Additionally, to unlock their full potential, a high-grade amplifier is recommended, which may require an additional investment for those who don’t already own one. For those seeking an entry-level option, the Philips SHP9600 offers a more budget-friendly alternative, albeit with a less expansive soundstage.
In terms of sound quality, the Sennheiser headphones offer a well-balanced, neutral profile that is suitable for a wide range of audio content. While they may struggle to reproduce deep, thumping bass, they compensate with a slight boost in the high-bass frequencies, adding warmth to the audio. The mid-range is impeccably flat, ensuring clear and accurate reproduction of vocals and lead instruments. Furthermore, these headphones boast excellent build quality and provide a comfortable fit, making them ideal for extended listening sessions.
Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless
For those in search of lightweight and portable headphones compared to our previous over-ear selections, the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless earbuds are worth considering. Their compact design allows for easy storage in your pockets while you’re on the move. Equipped with active noise cancellation (ANC), these earbuds offer excellent noise isolation performance, aided by their memory foam ear tips which passively block out a wide range of sounds, from engine rumbles to passenger chatter. Consequently, some users may not notice a significant difference between ANC being on or off. With ANC activated, they provide nearly nine hours of playback time, with additional charges available in the case if needed.
Straight out of the box, these earbuds deliver a warm sound profile that can be customized to your preferences using the companion app’s graphic EQ and presets. However, it’s worth noting that the memory foam ear tips may not be comfortable for everyone, as they can exert pressure on the ear canal. For those prioritizing comfort, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Truly Wireless offer an alternative with shallower-fitting ear tips that apply less pressure. However, unlike the Sony headphones, they lack support for multi-device pairing, meaning you can’t remain connected to multiple devices simultaneously.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless
For those seeking a competitor to the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless earbuds with additional features tailored for iOS users, the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless headphones are a compelling option. While they may not offer as extensive noise cancellation as the Sony buds, these popular earbuds come equipped with an H2 chip, ensuring seamless pairing with your MacBook or iPhone. Additionally, they support Spatial Audio, enhancing the immersive audio experience with compatible content.
Certified IPX4 for resistance against water splashes, the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) boast a comfortable and durable design. Their warm sound signature delivers a touch of extra bass, while vocals and instruments maintain a cozy presence within the tracks. However, unlike some competitors, they lack sound customization features to fine-tune the audio to your preferences. Some users may experience the buds wiggling out of their ears over time, which can be a minor inconvenience. Despite this, they offer just under six hours of continuous playback, with the carrying case providing an additional four charges if needed.
