Odi Productions
Here are the current overall rankings of Wireless Headphones and Truly Wireless Earbuds reviewed on RecordingNOW.com to date.
These scores are calculated using RecordingNOW.com’s criteria including:
- Sound Quality (weighted higher)
- Comfort
- Features
- Noise Cancelling Performance
- Build Quality
- Battery Life
- Value
This list will be constantly updated as new products are reviewed and added to the database.
Also, some rankings may shift as older reviews and scores are revised and updated.
1. Bose QuietComfort Ultra
PROS
- Audiophile-level sound quality (after EQ)
- Unrivaled noise cancelling performance
- Insanely comfortable and lightweight
CONS
- Expensive
- Sound signature without EQ is disappointing
- Materials feel mediocre for price
2. Bose QuietComfort 2023
PROS
- Fun, excellent sound quality (after EQ)
- Strong noise cancelling performance
- Very comfortable and lightweight
- Excellent value if on sale (or used)
CONS
- Less impressive for audiophiles
- Full retail price is less of a value
3. Sony WH-1000XM5
PROS
- Fun, excellent sound quality (after EQ)
- All-day comfort and lightweight
- Elite noise cancelling performance
CONS
- Stock sound without EQ is mediocre
- Poor build quality on hinges
- Expensive
4. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
PROS
- Excellent sound quality
- Good noise cancelling
- Amazing 60 hour battery life
- Great value for the money
CONS
- Sony / Bose have better comfort + noise cancelling
- Headband not as comfortable
- Stock sound signature is too bass-heavy
5. Bose QuietComfort 45 (QC45)
PROS
- Fun sound quality (after EQ)
- Great noise cancelling performance
- Insanely comfortable and lightweight
- Good value due to being older model
CONS
- Piercing treble without EQ
- QuietComfort 2023 is simply better overall
6. Sony WH-1000XM4
POSITIVES
- Excellent noise cancelling performance
- Very comfortable
- Good sound quality
- 30 hours battery life
- Great value due to being older model
NEGATIVES
- Slightly muddy upper bass & lower mids
- Needs more sub-bass extension
- Veiled treble, lacks sparkle and airiness
- Intimate soundstage lacks width and depth
7. Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation
POSITIVES
- Excellent sound quality
- Strong, satisfying bass response
- Natural sound signature with wide soundstage
- Effective Noise Cancelling
- Great value for the money
NEGATIVES
- Inserting into ear canal not for everyone
- 6 hour battery life could be better
- Included eartips may not fit perfectly
8. Apple AirPods Max
POSITIVES
- Best-in-class sound quality
- Very good noise cancelling
- Switches easily between Apple devices
- Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos support
NEGATIVES
- Expensive!
- Worse noise cancelling than Sony/Bose
- Heavy, less comfortable than Sony/Bose
9. Beats Studio Pro
POSITIVES
- Fun sound for modern genres
- Great comfort and style
- Good noise cancelling
- 40 hour battery life
- Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos
NEGATIVES
- Excels only for modern genres
- Noise cancelling is below Bose/Sony
- Fairly closed soundstage
10. Beats Studio Buds
POSITIVES
- Adaptive Noise Cancelling + Transparency Mode
- IPX4 sweat and water resistant
- Extremely comfortable
- 8 Hour single-charge battery life
NEGATIVES
- AirPods Pro 2 have better sound quality
- No Spatial Audio
11. Apple AirPods 4th Generation ANC
POSITIVES
- Better comfort and fit than previous generations
- Improved sound quality over 3rd generation
- Impressive bass response and impact
- Noise cancelling is surprisingly effective
- Sweat and Water Resistant
NEGATIVES
- Bass can be overpowering at times
- Dark sound signature sounds “veiled”
- Treble lacks sparkle, airiness, and detail
- Narrow soundstage
12. Apple AirPods 3rd Generation
POSITIVES
- Good sound quality
- More secure than AirPods 2nd gen
- Spatial Audio
- Sweat + water resistant
- MagSafe charging case
NEGATIVES
- AirPods Pro 2 have superior sound quality
- No noise cancelling
13. Beats Studio 3 Wireless
POSITIVES
- 40 hours battery life
- Great comfort, stylish colors
- Decent noise cancellation
- Switches between Apple devices easily
- Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos
NEGATIVES
- Boring sound signature
- Noise cancellation makes weird noises at times
- No Transparency mode or Spatial Audio
14. Apple AirPods 2nd Generation
POSITIVES
- Amazing all-day comfort
- Surprisingly decent sound quality
- Works seamlessly with Apple devices
- Detailed highs, audible sub-bass
NEGATIVES
- No noise cancellation or isolation
- Lack of bass impact
- May need to be replaced in 2-3 years
15. Beats Solo 3 Wireless
POSITIVES
- 40 hours battery life
- Lightweight & compact
- Stylish
NEGATIVES
- On-ear design is uncomfortable
- Poor sound quality
