Best Wireless Headphones in 2025
From commuter ANC workhorses to audiophile-grade cans — the wireless headphones that deliver across sound quality, comfort, and battery life.
The wireless headphone market has matured fast. In 2025, even mid-range headphones offer 30+ hours of battery life, multipoint pairing, and active noise cancellation that actually works. The challenge is cutting through marketing claims to find headphones that genuinely perform. I’ve tested 12 pairs over six months to give you honest recommendations.
2026 Update: Notable 2026 releases: the HyperX Cloud Alpha 2 Wireless offers 250-hour battery life and simultaneous dual-wireless (switch between PC and console without re-pairing). The Audeze Maxwell 2 improves spatial immersion and bass. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless remains the benchmark for hot-swappable battery and hybrid ANC.
What Matters When Choosing Wireless Headphones
Sound signature is subjective — some people prefer bass-heavy, others neutral — but these factors are objective: ANC quality (measured by how much ambient noise is actually blocked), battery life (30+ hours is now standard), comfort (weight, clamping force, ear cup size), and codec support (aptX, LDAC, AAC — affects audio quality over Bluetooth).
Best Overall: Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony’s WH-1000XM5 has held the top spot for two years running and still deserves it. The ANC is best-in-class — genuinely competitive with Bose — and the 30-hour battery with ANC enabled is excellent. The sound signature is slightly V-shaped (emphasised bass and treble) which sounds great for music. LDAC codec support means you get near-lossless audio quality if your source device supports it.
- ANC: Excellent (8 microphones, dual chip processing)
- Battery: 30 hours with ANC on, 40 hours without
- Codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC
- Multipoint: Yes (2 devices)
- Weight: 250g
- Price: ~$280–$350
The one complaint: they don’t fold flat for travel, only fold for compact storage. The carrying case is slim though, so it’s not a deal-breaker.
Best ANC Value: Bose QuietComfort 45
Bose QuietComfort 45 pairs exceptional ANC with the most comfortable headphones on this list. If you’re buying primarily for noise cancellation — office, commute, flights — the QC45 might actually edge out the Sony for sheer ANC effectiveness in low-frequency environments like aircraft engines.
- ANC: Excellent (particularly strong on low-frequency noise)
- Battery: 24 hours with ANC
- Codecs: SBC, AAC (no aptX or LDAC)
- Price: ~$250–$280
The downside is the codec limitation — no aptX or LDAC means audio quality is capped. For podcasts and calls it’s irrelevant. For music quality purists, go Sony.
Best for Audiophiles: Sennheiser Momentum 4
Sennheiser’s Momentum 4 is the audiophile’s wireless pick. The sound profile is more neutral and detailed than either Sony or Bose — you’ll notice instruments you didn’t know were there. Battery life is extraordinary at 60 hours (the longest of any headphone tested). ANC is good but not quite Sony-level.
- Sound: Neutral, detailed, wide soundstage
- Battery: 60 hours
- Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive
- Price: ~$280–$330
Best Budget ANC Option: Anker Soundcore Q45
At under $80, the Anker Soundcore Q45 is remarkable. You get real ANC (not just passive isolation), 50-hour battery life, and multipoint pairing. Sound quality is bass-heavy but fun. The ANC isn’t Sony-level but blocks a noticeably significant amount of ambient noise for the price.
- ANC: Good for the price
- Battery: 50 hours
- Codecs: SBC, AAC
- Price: ~$60–$80
Best for Calls: Jabra Evolve2 55
If call quality is your primary use case — video meetings, remote work, sales calls — the Jabra Evolve2 55 is in a class of its own. The six-microphone array with Jabra’s call-specific processing makes your voice sound clear even in noisy environments. It’s overkill for music but unbeatable for professional use.
- Microphones: 6 (dedicated call beam-forming)
- Battery: 36 hours with ANC
- Price: ~$380
Comparison Table
| Headphone | ANC | Battery | LDAC/aptX | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony WH-1000XM5 | Excellent | 30h (ANC on) | LDAC ✅ | ~$300 |
| Bose QC45 | Excellent | 24h | ❌ | ~$260 |
| Sennheiser Momentum 4 | Good | 60h | aptX ✅ | ~$300 |
| Anker Soundcore Q45 | Good | 50h | ❌ | ~$70 |
| Jabra Evolve2 55 | Good | 36h | ❌ | ~$380 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does LDAC actually make headphones sound better?
Yes, but only if you’re streaming high-res audio or using a device that outputs LDAC (most recent Android phones, Sony devices). LDAC transmits up to 990 kbps vs Bluetooth’s standard 328 kbps — the difference is noticeable with lossless music files. For Spotify/Apple Music at standard quality, the difference is minimal.
How long do wireless headphone batteries last before degrading?
Lithium-ion batteries typically retain 80% capacity after 300–500 charge cycles. At one full charge per day, that’s 1–2 years before noticeable degradation. Avoid storing at 0% or 100% for extended periods to maximise battery health.
Can wireless headphones be used wired as a backup?
Most over-ear wireless headphones include a 3.5mm cable for wired use when the battery dies. The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose QC45 both include cables. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 also supports wired mode.
Is ANC safe for long-term use?
ANC works by generating an inverse sound wave — it doesn’t increase volume. There are no known hearing health risks from ANC itself. The main thing to watch is overall listening volume; ANC can tempt you to listen at lower volumes which is actually healthier.