Cut the Cord With These 16 Superb Wireless Headphones

There was a time when being seen with headphones or earbuds not physically connected by a string to your smartphones with a wire could stir up some looks from passerbys. Look at that guy over there, thinking he’s cooler than us… We all thought going wireless was just a fad, huh?

But, as years passed by, going cordless has proven too damn useful to ignore. Wireless Bluetooth headphones streamline pretty much every scenario that requires tuning into audio into just two steps: Put them over your head or in your ears, then press play. No plugging needed. Gym time, commutes, downtime and such will all go smoother without a few pesky cables dangling over your whole upper body. A wireless lifestyle has thus prevailed over us, and that rumpled ball of wires lying dirty and tangled in your backpack is now officially a relic.

So, whether you’re still skeptical or are ready to get on with a cordless life, here are the 16 best wireless headphones we here at Esquire have tried and love, including over-ear headphones with large cushioning ear pads, in-ear Bluetooth options (earbuds) for the most portable listening experience, and a few Bluetooth headphones that sit directly against your ears (on-ear). Many come with active noise cancellation (NC) that stops outside distraction from leaking into your ears, and each has its own perks for your wireless listening needs.