The 12 Best Wireless Headphones of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
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We tested and compared wireless headphones and earbuds from trusted tech brands like Bose, Apple, and Sony.
Travel + Leisure / Tamara Staples
Fact checked by Rich Scherr
In the past decade, wireless headphones and earbuds have become an increasingly popular everyday accessory for travelers, commuters, and gym-goers alike. Arguably, the best part of a pair of wireless headphones is that you no longer have to worry about untangling an impossible knot of wires when you reach the bottom of your bag.
Since the design of over-ear headphones and earbuds differ wildly, it ultimately comes down to a personal preference of style, portability, and comfort. To test a range of options, our Travel + Leisure editors, writers, and product testers tried a variety of models from industry-leading tech brands like Apple, Bose, and Sony. Below, we’ve highlighted our best performers, including compact earbuds for frequent fliers and extremely comfortable over-ear headphones that are stylish, too. No matter your preference, we’re confident there’s a pair of wireless headphones for just about everyone on this list.
Best Overall Earbuds: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
Why We Love It
The ANC completely blocks out both loud and static noises like subway screeching and people chattering.
What to Consider
After six months of use, we noticed the battery life can be inconsistent.
As the newest pair of Bose earbuds, we were excited to get our hands on the QuietComfort Earbuds II after testing and loving the first model. And, although the most recent version comes at a higher price, we were blown away by the quick Bluetooth connectivity, impressive active noise cancelation (ANC), and lightweight fit — all of which help justify the price increase.
The customizable features knock the earbuds out of the park for comfort and sound quality. They come with three sets of different-sized rubber earpieces and stability bands so the fit can be adjusted to each ear accordingly. When it comes to customizing the sound, we were seriously impressed with the ANC and spatial awareness settings that allow users to block out any surrounding noise or let it filter through naturally. Whether we were listening to music, podcasts, phone calls, or Zoom meetings, the sound was sharp and vibrant. The battery lasted us about seven hours on one charge (more than the product promised), but that lifespan can fluctuate based on volume levels and how often the ANC is on.
Price at time of publish: $299
The Details: Up to 6-hour battery life | 30 feet | Earbuds | Noise canceling | Android and iOS
Best Overall Over-ear: Apple AirPods Max
Why We Love It
The ANC and sound quality are ideal for phone calls or video meetings.
What to Consider
They won’t turn off unless the headphones are in the carrying case.
Our winner for the best over-ear headphones goes to the AirPods Max after a stellar performance for noise-canceling abilities and crisp sound for music and phone calls. Apple devices are notoriously intuitive to pair to other devices (especially iPhones) and the same was true here. The headphones were easy to use thanks to buttons along the earpiece that allow you to adjust the sound level, play or skip a song, and change the active noise-cancelation and transparency settings. The ANC blocked out sirens, talking, construction equipment, and more, making these headphones ideal for commuters or frequent travelers looking to block out all surrounding sound. For safety (or personal preference), we love that the headphones can also be placed in a noise transparency setting to block out some noise but filter sounds through as they come up.
We found the headphones to be comfortable to wear and they shaped nicely to the head without many adjustments needed. One thing to note is that you’ll always want to bring the carrying case with you, as that’s the only way to turn off the headphones to prevent the battery from dying quickly. Although these Apple headphones have a higher price point, we think the sound and material quality match the cost for those who have a larger budget.
Price at time of publish: $549
The Details: Up to 20-hour battery life | 33 feet | Headphones | Noise canceling | Android and iOS
Best Budget Earbuds: Anker Soundcore Space A40
Why We Love It
The earbuds have nearly the same features as higher-priced headphones from competitors.
What to Consider
The audio won’t stop if the earbuds are taken out.
Rivaling earbuds from industry leaders like Apple and Bose, these Anker Soundcore Space A40 earbuds come with nearly all of the same bells and whistles for a fraction of the price. In just a few seconds, we were able to pair the Soundcore earbuds with our Apple devices thanks to the intuitive setup and pairing abilities. After pairing, we downloaded the Anker app to select our preferences for the ANC and transparency settings. While you don’t need to use the app since you can control the volume, adjust ANC, and start/stop a song with the button on each earbud, using the app is very intuitive, and it lets you create a sound map of your ears to assist with the noise-canceling feature. Whether listening to music, taking phone calls, or in a video meeting, the sound quality is perfectly clear and the ANC helped block out any unwelcome noise.
The earbuds come with five sets of rubber ear tips to find the most comfortable size, and we love that the circular earbuds fit snugly, making it easy to exercise vigorously without them falling out. The only downside is that you’ll need to pause your music before removing the earbuds, as they won’t automatically stop playing audio when you take them out of your ear.
Price at time of publish: $100
The Details: Up to 10 hours battery life | 30 feet | Earbuds | Noise canceling | Android and iOS
Related: The 9 Most Comfortable Headphones of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
Best Budget Over-ear: 1More SonoFlow
Why We Love It
The headphones have comfortable padded ear cushions and the battery lasts several days with all-day use.
What to Consider
The ANC didn’t work as well as we hoped.
Our favorite pair of budget-friendly, over-ear headphones goes to the comfortable and long-lasting 1More SonoFlow. As soon as we unboxed the headphones, the process of pairing them to a phone took less than a minute and didn’t require using the instructions. There are four side buttons for power, volume, and ANC, so we were pleased with the intuitive design for changing the settings with the touch of a button. The 1More app takes the customization a step further, as users can select one of the 12 equalizer presets for enhancing music types like pop and classical.
The headphones are great for a variety of activities like taking calls, working out, and going for walks, and the sound quality was clear for music, podcasts, and voices. We used the headphones for several hours per day and the battery didn’t get low until nearly four full days of use. Even after regularly using the headphones for six months, the battery held up well and we only needed to charge them sporadically. While the ANC didn’t block out as much noise as we wished, the padding around the ears helped muffle sounds and added extra comfort. We also appreciated that the headphones come with a carrying case and a 3.5-millimeter audio cable for connecting the headphones to an airplane entertainment device or laptop if the Bluetooth connection doesn’t work.
Price at time of publish: $100
The Details: Up to 70-hour battery life | 33 feet | Headphones | Noise canceling | Android and iOS
Best Sound Quality: Sony LinkBuds S Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbud Headphones
Why We Love It
The music is vibrant and sharp, and the Sony app allows users to customize the sound further.
What to Consider
It took a few tries to pair the earbuds to a phone.
When it comes to using the Sony LinkBuds S, the Sony app is a must-have for getting the most out of your listening experience. The app allows you to turn on ANC, adjust the adaptive sound control to automatically fit the activity you’re doing (walking, running, taking public transit, staying still, etc.), and you can choose one of the equalizer presets to create the sound effect of being in spaces like a concert hall or outdoor venue. There is also the option to change the equalizer to mellow, excited, vocal, and more depending on the type of music you’re listening to, and you can pick from three sets of rubber ear tips to get the most comfortable and snug fit for boosting the ANC and sound quality.
The sound quality for these headphones is amazing and, after detailing the settings in the provided app, you can really hone in on bass and treble settings for the best sounding experience. We were also blown away by the ANC, which blocked out loud subway noises and people chatting nearby and the battery proved to last up to 6 hours on a single charge. There is a slight learning curve for pairing the headphones, and we had to defer to the manufacturer’s instructions, but the earbuds remember devices so this shouldn’t be an ongoing issue.
Price at time of publish: $200
The Details: Up to 6-hour battery life | Earbuds | Noise canceling | Android and iOS
Best for Workouts: Jabra Elite 7 Active in-Ear Bluetooth Earbuds
Why We Love It
The earbuds are very lightweight and have excellent ANC and sound quality for getting into the zone while working out.
What to Consider
We wish there were more than three sets of rubber ear tips for greater customization.
Even after shaking heads vigorously and completing a HIIT workout including burpees and up-down planks, the Jabra Elite 7 Active earbuds never fell out. The earbuds are water- and sweat-resistant and they are made with Jabra’s ShakeGrip rubber that prevents the earbuds from slipping out. While they also come with three sets of rubber tips, we wish there were a few more size options to fit more ear shapes.
Even if you listen to music at a lower volume, the sharp sound quality and ANC settings that drown out any and all outside noise ensure a great listening experience. Using the Jabra+ app is easy to adjust the HearThrough or transparency settings so you can have spatial awareness when you want it. We also appreciated the long battery life and quick charging ability, which took less than two hours to be fully charged.
Price at time of publish: $180
The Details: Up to 8-hour battery life | Earbuds | Noise canceling | Android and iOS
Related: We Tested Apple AirPods Pro and Beats Fit Pro to Find the Best Travel Earbuds
Best for Samsung Users: Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro
Why We Love It
The earbuds immediately paired to a Samsung phone.
What to Consider
The voice detect feature will turn off the music if there’s the slightest sound of a voice.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro can be used with any device but we found the earbuds to be particularly useful for those who already have a Samsung phone or tablet. Within a few seconds, we were able to pair the Buds2 Pro with a phone and start customizing the listening experience in the Galaxy Wearable app. The earbuds come with three different-sized sets of rubber earpieces and we love how lightweight the earbuds feel. The material they're made of has a smooth rubber coating with an almost matte finish that makes them easy to grip when needed. We found that phone calls and podcasts had the clearest tones and the music sound quality was bright and strong, too. After regularly using these headphones for six months, we're impressed by the amazing battery life, sound quality, fit, and overall ease of use.
Our biggest gripe with the earbuds is the ANC, which didn’t diminish outside noises as much as others we tested, and that the voice detect feature worked a little too well at turning off the audio at the slightest sound of a voice. However, you can turn off the voice detect setting in the app so we appreciate that the app allows users to make customizable changes to fit their preferences.
Price at time of publish: $230
The Details: Up to 8-hour battery life | Earbuds | Noise canceling | Android and iOS
Best for Apple Users: Apple Airpods Pro (2nd Generation)
Why We Love It
The noise cancelation is ideal for masking the airplane's static noise.
What to Consider
The audio for phone calls can have an echo on the other side.
One of the best parts of investing in Apple products is the smooth and effortless process of pairing the devices to earbuds in mere seconds. All we had to do was hold down the button on the back of the charging case and the iPhone immediately recognized the AirPods Pro. The second-generation model comes with a charging case, two earbuds, a charger, and four different-sized rubber ear tips. We love that it was easy to hop into the AirPods settings on an iPhone to use the ear tip testing feature that played random music to test the fit of the ear tips to maximize the noise cancelation.
The ANC setting impressed us with how quickly it drowned out most of the outside sounds, including subway screeches and airplane noises. The adaptive transparency feature eliminates loud sounds like a car honking but still allows users to listen to music while having awareness of their surroundings, which is ideal for solo travelers or commuting. Occasionally, the audio from a phone call can have an echo on the other end, but we don’t think that’s a deal breaker by any means.
Price at time of publish: $249
The Details: Up to 6 hour battery life | Earbuds | Noise canceling | Android and iOS
Best With Hooks: Beats By Dr. Dre Powerbeats Pro
Why We Love It
The hook adds extra security and comfort for a variety of activities.
What to Consider
It takes some effort to get the hooks and earbuds positioned comfortably.
A pair of earbuds with hooks is ideal for anyone looking for added security, or for those who work out often. The hook is designed to prevent the earbud from falling out easily and we appreciated it for a range of activities like jumping rope, exercising at the gym, and while laying down. We think the hook and earpiece are very comfortable, but it does take some twisting and turning to get them into the right position. These aren't the most comfortable earbuds to wear with glasses, as the hooks and arms pressed against each other.
It was a speedy process to connect the earbuds to a phone and it took a little longer to pair the headphones to a laptop. However, the earbuds will remain paired to devices so the lengthier process of pairing them should only be a one-time thing. These Beats earbuds have the same powerful H1 chip as Apple AirPods (their parent company) so we had a similar positive experience when it came to sound quality, device detection, and battery life. Although these earbuds aren’t noise canceling, the quality of music, podcasts, phone calls, and videos is so vibrant and sharp that it naturally drowns out some outside noises. After using these headphones for six months, we fund that they're best for using at work or in quiet places where you just want to listen to your music in the background. The long battery was quite impressive, and we noticed that it lasted twice as long as the listed time, so we think these are a great option for those looking for a high-quality set of earbuds.
Price at time of publish: $250
The Details: Up to 9 hours | Earbud | Android and iOS
Related: The 11 Best Noise-canceling Headphones of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
Best Battery Life: Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
Why We Love It
It takes two hours to charge the battery for up to 60 hours, but it can last up to 6 hours after only a 10-minute charge.
What to Consider
We had difficulty pairing these to a laptop.
If we could pick two categories for these Sennheiser headphones, we would choose the best battery life and fastest charging. In just two hours, these headphones can go from completely dead to fully charged up, and in just five minutes of charging we had enough battery power to watch a full movie. Even after six months, the battery is incredibly impressive — you can leave these for a full week and come back to them still charged. Besides the impressive battery, we love the powerful and clear sound quality when it comes to listening to music, movies, or phone calls.
The buttons on the side of the earpiece make it easy to adjust the volume, as well as increase the noise cancelation or transparency settings. Whether wearing these over-ear headphones with sunglasses or earrings on, the cushioned earpiece added extra comfort that was much appreciated for flying and working from home. The only issue we had with these headphones is the setup, which was less intuitive and required some Googling to pair them. We stopped trying to pair them with a laptop since they were connected to a phone already, so we think it requires a bit of elbow grease to get these connected to multiple devices.
Price at time of publish: $380
The Details: Up to 60-hour battery life | 33 feet | Over-ear | Noise canceling | Android and iOS
Best Customization: Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones
Why We Love It
The variety of technical settings on the Sony app are ideal for audiophiles or anyone who wants to upgrade their listening experience.
What to Consider
The sound quality wasn’t as rich as we expected it to be.
Similar to the Sony LinkBuds S, we’re big fans of the Sony app that allows users to fully customize the sound quality of their headphones, including the WH-1000XM4 model. The app has to be downloaded to pair the over-ear headphones with any device, but we found the app to be intuitive and easy to navigate. Once you’re in the app, you can adjust settings like equalizer presets that enhance the type of music you’re listening to, as well as alternating between the ANC and transparency features which can also be done with the side buttons on the earpieces. We used the headphones to listen to music and podcasts, and we found that the sound quality is richer and more vibrant when the volume is higher.
The ANC muted most noises and the headphones automatically turn off this noise cancelation if they detect voices so we found that feature to be helpful on airplanes or in a meeting. We love the fit of the headphones, the ear cups are a soft cushiony leather and have enough space so that no part is pressing on the ears. After using the headphones for several hours per day, it took a few weeks before the battery started to die, so we think these definitely live up to the 30-hour battery life.
Price at time of publish: $348
The Details: 30-hour battery life | 30 feet | Over-ear | Noise canceling | Android and iOS
Most Comfortable: Anker Soundcore Life Q35 Wireless
Why We Love It
The lightweight frame is adjustable and the earpieces have lots of cushioning.
What to Consider
They’re not the most compact headphones for traveling.
Coming across a pair of comfortable over-ear headphones can be hard, so we recommend the Anker Soundcore Life Q35 Wireless due to the lightweight frame and cushioned earpads. These blew us away after using them at the gym, working from home, and for traveling. They fit very well and are easy to adjust at the top of the head.
While the battery life is advertised as up to 40 hours, it lasted us longer than that on a single charge, so we think these are ideal for travelers on long-haul flights where it might be more difficult to charge them. In under one minute, we were able to connect these headphones to an iPhone and MacBook, making these one of the easiest pairs of headphones to set up. Once we started listening to music, we discovered that it’s easy to toggle the ANC (with outdoor, indoor, and transport settings) on and off thanks to the intuitive side buttons, and the sound comes out sharp whether you’re listening to videos or talking on the phone, too. The noise cancelation alone makes this product worth its money.
Price at time of publish: $100
The Details: 40-hour battery life | 30 feet | Over-ear | Noise canceling | Android and iOS
Other Wireless Headphones We Liked
While we were impressed with many of the earbuds and over-ear headphones we tested, there were a few on our list that we still liked, but they fell slightly short during testing due to issues like comfort, connectivity, and sound quality.
Bowers & Wilkins PX8: The over-ear headphones feel very premium and have crisp sound quality, but they are a bit difficult to pair and heavy on the head. As the priciest pair of headphones we tried, we think these are best for audiophiles.
HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless: The superb noise cancelation and comfortable fit make these headphones ideal for gaming and everyday use. They were very easy to set up and the battery life was lengthy, but they did feel a bit heavy to wear.
Bose QuietComfort 35 II: We love that these headphones are lightweight, come with a carrying case for travel, and cancel out most noises, but we wish the sound quality was slightly better.
Microsoft Surface Headphones 2: It took some effort to connect these to an Apple MacBook so we think these over-ear headphones are great for non-Apple users looking for high-quality sound and adjustable noise cancelation.
Our Testing Process
Our team of audiophiles, frequent fliers, and T+L editors and writers tested 26 pairs of wireless over-ear headphones and earbuds from top-tier brands like Apple, Bose, and Sony to find field-proven tech accessories for commuters, travelers, and athletes alike. We also pulled notes from our tested list of noise-canceling headphones to compare results.
Throughout a two-week timeframe, we asked our testers to try out the headphones in a range of settings listening to music, podcasts, or videos. We paid close attention to the ease of use, comfort, battery life, Bluetooth range, and sound quality to determine the category winners for this article. Whether we were wearing headphones with ANC or not, the best headphones and earbuds we tried were comfortable to wear for hours on end, provided exceptionally sharp sound quality, and had a battery that met or exceeded the advertised lifetime in a single charge.
We used the headphones for a variety of activities including high-intensity workouts, traveling on airplanes, working from home, and taking phone calls. Unaware of the price during testing, we only revealed the cost of the headphones after the test was complete so our testers could compare and share detailed notes about the performance of the headphones without being influenced by the price.
Tips for Buying Wireless Headphones
Opt for a pair that fits the intended use
Be sure to consider factors like earbuds versus over-ear headphones, noise-canceling ability with phone calls versus music, and the price when you’re investing in wireless headphones. If you’re planning on using a pair of wireless headphones for work, prioritize headphones that block out noise during phone calls specifically. For travelers, a lightweight pair of earbuds will be best for portability as well as long battery life and overall comfort on extended journeys. Keep an eye out for earbuds with multiple earpiece tips so you can customize the fit for better ANC and comfort.
Weigh over-ear headphones versus earbuds
Over-ear headphones and earbuds have pros and cons depending on your style, intended use, and price range. Frequent fliers will likely find earbuds easier to pack in a carry-on and tote around as they are small and discreet. Over-ear headphones have become quite stylish in the last few years, and may end up being more comfortable for long-haul flights (though they could get in the way when sleeping on your side or working out).
Consider active noise-canceling features
Active noise canceling, or ANC as it’s often referred to, neutralizes outside sounds through built-in microphones that omit a sound wave to counteract ambient noise like car horns, babies crying, or pesky airplane noise. It’s important to note that not all headphones have this feature, so if you’re looking for a pair of earbuds to block out sounds, you’ll want to consider getting a pair of headphones with excellent ANC features. For audiophiles or those looking for more technical features in a set of earbuds, keep an eye out for features that allow you to adjust the transparency, use preset equalizers, or have other customization features for spatial awareness and sound quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use wireless headphones on a plane?
Since most airlines require headphones to be worn while listening to music or watching a movie, they’re a travel must-have. Whether your personal electronic device is in airplane mode or not, any pair of headphones with Bluetooth connectivity will still work in flight.
Airplanes with TVs don’t usually have Bluetooth capability. If your wireless headphones don’t include an audio cable, you’ll want to bring a pair of wired headphones or a handy device like the Twelve South AirFly Pro transmitter to use your wireless headphones to connect while airborne.
Do wireless headphones work with all types of devices?
In general, most wireless headphones should be able to connect to phones, laptops, and tablets. It may be necessary to follow the manufacturer's instructions, or use a specific app, to pair devices from different brands. We recommend double-checking the connectivity requirements before buying a new pair.
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
Anna Popp is a Commerce Writer at Travel + Leisure, where she writes about and reviews travel products. She has been travel writing since 2018 and began testing products in 2021. Anna participated in this test, and worked with travel editors to determine the results for the best wireless headphones based on thorough research and detailed notes from our expert product testers.
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