The Best Wireless Headphones for 2025

The second-gen AirPods Pro delivers impressive noise cancellation, wiping out deep low rumble and dialing back complex higher-frequency sounds. Their Adaptive Audio mode also successfully tamps down any audio spikes from your surroundings. Otherwise, they sound excellent, the case supports wireless or USB-C charging, and they add useful health features, including a hearing test and hearing aid function.

These earphones should suit anyone who wants seamless integration with Apple devices. Pairing is as simple as opening the case, and the iOS settings menu has an AirPods section that allows you to test the in-ear fit, personalize the spatial audio experience, and adjust the on-ear controls. We’d love to see a customizable EQ, but these are still your best bet in Apple’s current audio lineup.

The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds offer the best noise cancellation you can get from earphones. They nearly make all deep, low-frequency rumble disappear and cut back highs extensively, too. Their audio drivers sound great, producing rich bass and sculpted (but balanced) highs. AptX Adaptive support makes them more attractive to Android users than previous iterations.

These are for people who want the most effective noise-cancelling earphones. And, unlike with the AirPods Pro, you get an adjustable EQ in the companion app. That’s helpful for dialing down a bit of the sculpting, though plenty of listeners are sure to enjoy the default sound signature.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones deliver the best active noise cancellation you can get. They also sound quite good and live up to their name in the comfort department. AptX Adaptive support is a welcome addition for Android users, too.

If you want the best noise-cancelling headphones on the market, you should begin and end your search with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. Want to know how they compare with flagship offerings from Apple and Sony? Check out our in-depth comparison of the three.

Bose has a slight edge in noise cancellation, but Sony’s WF-1000XM5 earphones come very close. They also sound superb and offer top-notch mic quality. Rounding out the experience is a full-featured companion app with an adjustable EQ, support for the AAC, LC3, and LDAC codecs, and a wirelessly charging case. We’re also fans of their hybrid eartips, which improve passive noise isolation and low-end response.

Audiophiles who want earphones that can block out distractions should look no further than the Sony WF-1000XM5. The latest high-end models from Apple and Bose are competitive, but neither can match their hi-res streaming capabilities.

Although Bose takes a slight victory in active noise cancellation, Sony’s WH-1000XM5 headphones offer an edge in audio quality. Their sound signature is a bit more accurate and they support the hi-res-capable LDAC codec.

These headphones cost a lot, but excellent audio performance, an adjustable EQ, and highly effective ANC are all points in their favor. Other premium options might have an advantage in other categories, but these offer the best overall experience.

The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro true wireless earphones offer clean, detailed audio, effective noise cancellation, and top-notch connectivity. They have solid battery life and come in a unique case that includes digital readouts for the battery life.

For a little more than $100, the Liberty 4 Pros give you good sound, good battery life, usable controls, and respectable noise cancellation, making them a solid pick.

The Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 earphones sport a good IP57 rating, deliver invigorating sound, and offer top-notch ANC against low frequencies. Another major highlight is the charging case: It can seamlessly stream audio to the earbuds from any source with a 3.5mm or USB-C input. A full-featured companion app with customizable EQ and control options completes the premium experience.

If you want earphones that can handle sweaty workouts without sacrificing audio or ANC quality, this Jabra pair is the way to go. It’s our top recommendation for the fitness crowd.

Everything about the AirPods Max is a bit over the top, from their size to their price. And yet their quality is undeniable. They’re visually stunning and fit right within Apple’s sleek design aesthetic. Additionally, they deliver an excellent listening experience and powerful active noise cancellation.

These are best for Apple users who want wireless headphones that seamlessly integrate with their devices. There are some downsides—the price is high, the fit isn’t universally comfortable, and the ANC circuitry uses an aggressively adaptive approach. But the drivers still produce a crisp, detailed listening experience and enable head-tracking spatial audio.

Marshall Headphones’ highly stylized noise-cancelling, over-ear cans not only look good and sound great, but they have surprisingly long battery life: 70 hours of listening with ANC on or 100 hours with ANC off. They also have solid noise cancellation and come with plenty of extras.

These headphones are a great choice if you like Marshall’s rock-n-roll aesthetic, desire good sound, want solid noise cancellation, and, above all else, require extra-long battery life.

We can safely say that the Bose and Sony flagship models lead the pack in terms of active noise cancellation, but the Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 over-ear headphones are highly competitive in terms of audio quality. They support nearly every Bluetooth codec you might want (including AAC, AptX HD, and LDAC), as well as offer hi-res wired playback at up to 32-bit/384kHz via USB-C. We’re also fans of their elegant look and quality accessories.

For serious listeners, these sophisticated headphones offer the best of the wireless and wired audio worlds in a comfortable design. And their ANC still comes in handy for some situations, even if it’s not top-tier.