Overall Wireless Headphones and Earbuds Rankings

Overall wireless headphones and truly wireless earbuds rankings based on RecordingNOW.com's overall scoring criteria.
Apple Airpods Max, Focal Bathys, Bang & Olufsen H95, Bowers & Wilkins px8, Sony WH-1000XM6, Sonos Ace, and Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones on desk

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 highest)
  • 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.

See “Updates” at bottom of this page to see Changelog and recent updates.


1. Bose QuietComfort Ultra

Bose QuietComfort Ultra noise cancelling headphones laid flat
9.2
Editor’s Choice
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
PROS
  • Audiophile-level sound quality (after EQ)
  • Unrivaled noise cancelling performance
  • Insanely comfortable and lightweight
  • Decent value overall
CONS
  • Sound signature without EQ is disappointing
  • Materials feel mediocre for price

2. Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S3

Holding Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S3 headphones in hand
9.1
Editor’s Choice
Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S3
POSITIVES
  • Best-in-class sound quality
  • Very good comfort
  • Competitive noise cancelling
  • Solid build quality
NEGATIVES
  • A bit too V-shaped stock
  • Bit of clamping force
  • Padding got slightly worse

3. Sony WH-1000XM6

Holding Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones in hand
9
Editor’s Choice
Sony WH-1000XM6
POSITIVES
  • Excellent sound quality after EQ
  • Best noise cancelling available
  • Lightweight
  • Hinge issue has been improved
NEGATIVES
  • Clamping force
  • Small interior earcup space
  • Sibilance without EQ
  • Smaller soundstage

4. Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S2e

Holding Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e headphones in hand
9
Editor’s Choice
Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S2e
POSITIVES
  • Best-in-class sound quality
  • Very comfy
  • Premium materials and build quality
  • Incredible value if on sale for $249
NEGATIVES
  • Noise cancelling could be improved
  • Heavy, bit of clamping force

5. Bose QuietComfort 2023

Bose QuietComfort 2023 model noise cancelling headphones in Cypress Green
9
Editor’s Choice
Bose QuietComfort (New 2023 Model) Headphones
PROS
  • Fun, very good 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


6. Cambridge Audio Melomania P100

Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 headphones
8.9
Editor’s Choice
Cambridge Audio Melomania P100
POSITIVES
  • Sound quality 3-4x its price
  • Incredible value
  • Class-leading 100 hour battery life
  • Good build quality
NEGATIVES
  • Mediocre noise cancelling performance
  • Heavy
  • Looks a bit silly when worn


7. Bowers and Wilkins Px8

Bowers and Wilkins Px8 headphones next to original box and packaging
8.8
Editor’s Choice
Bowers and Wilkins Px8
POSITIVES
  • Audiophile-level sound quality
  • Excellent comfort
  • Premium materials and build quality
  • Decent noise cancelling
NEGATIVES
  • Sound profile not for everybody
  • Expensive
  • Lacks sub-bass slam and treble
  • Smaller soundstage

8. JBL Tour One M3

JBL Tour One M3 headphones in black
8.8
JBL Tour One M3
POSITIVES
  • Excellent sound quality
  • Excellent comfort
  • 70 hours battery life (ANC off)
NEGATIVES
  • Average noise cancelling performance
  • Not the best value at $400


9. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Sennheiser Momentum 4 wireless headphones earcups laid flat
8.7
Editor’s Choice
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
PROS
  • Excellent sound quality
  • Good noise cancelling
  • Impressive bass response and slam
  • Amazing 60 hour battery life
  • Relatively good value
CONS
  • Sony / Bose have better noise cancelling
  • Headband not as plush
  • Clamping force a bit strong from factory

10. Focal Bathys

Holding Focal Bathys headphones in hand
8.6
Editor’s Choice
Focal Bathys
POSITIVES
  • Best sound quality under $1,000
  • Very good build quality
  • Built-in DAC for wired listening
NEGATIVES
  • Can be uncomfortable for some
  • Average to below average noise cancelling
  • Looks a bit too flashy


11. Sonos Ace

Sonos Ace headphones in Soft White color on desk
8.6
Sonos Ace
POSITIVES
  • Good sound quality
  • Top notch noise cancelling performance
  • Incredible comfort and build quality
  • Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos support
NEGATIVES
  • Expensive!
  • Bass is lacking without EQ
  • Slightly compressed sound and soundstage

12. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony WH 1000XM5 headphones flat on desk
8.5
Sony WH 1000XM5 Headphones
PROS
  • Fun, very good sound quality (after EQ)
  • Very good comfort and lightweight
  • Elite noise cancelling performance
CONS
  • Stock sound without EQ is mediocre
  • Poor build quality on hinges
  • Expensive

13. Sony ULT Wear

Holding Sony ULT Wear headphones in hand
8.5
Editor’s Choice
Sony ULT Wear
POSITIVES
  • Great stock sound quality
  • Very good noise cancelling performance
  • Great comfort
  • Great value sub-$200
NEGATIVES
  • Cheaper build quality
  • Blocky design is rather ugly


14. Sony WH-CH720N

Holding Sony WH-CH720N headphones in hand
8.5
Editor’s Choice
Sony WH-CH720N
POSITIVES
  • Surprisingly great sound quality
  • Lightest over-ear headphone tested
  • Amazing comfort
  • Unbeatable value at around $100
NEGATIVES
  • Very cheap build quality
  • Mediocre noise cancelling performance
  • Poor bass response
  • Lacks resolution, separation, and dynamics


15. Bose QuietComfort 45 (QC45)

Bose QuietComfort 45 QC45 laid flat on desk
8.4
Bose QuietComfort 45 (QC45) Headphones
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


16. Sony WH-1000XM4

Holding Sony WH 1000XM4 earcup in hand
8.4
Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Headphones
POSITIVES
  • Excellent noise cancelling performance
  • Very comfortable
  • Very 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

17. Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation

Apple AirPods Pro 2nd gen earbuds next to USB C charging case
8.4
Editor’s Choice
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

18. Sennheiser Accentum

Sennheiser Accentum noise cancelling headphones on desk
8.3
Sennheiser Accentum
POSITIVES
  • Very good sound quality (after EQ)
  • 50 hour battery life
  • Incredible value at around $120
  • Very lightweight
NEGATIVES
  • Slightly below average noise cancelling
  • Cheap build quality
  • Clamping force too strong


19. Apple AirPods Max

Apple AirPods Max headphones inside of smart case
8.2
Apple AirPods Max
POSITIVES
  • Best-in-class stock 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

20. Beats Studio Pro

Beats Studio Pro headphones on desk
8
Beats Studio Pro
POSITIVES
  • Surprisingly detailed sound
  • Good noise cancelling
  • 40 hour battery life
  • Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos
NEGATIVES
  • Bass response is lacking
  • Clamping force discomfort
  • Noise cancelling is average
  • Cheap build quality

21. Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2

Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 headphones in black next to original box packaging
8
Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2
POSITIVES
  • Good sound quality (after EQ)
  • “Crusher” Bass feature
  • Solid build quality
  • Comfy
NEGATIVES
  • Average noise cancelling performance
  • Not a great value at full retail
  • Heavy


22. JBL Tune 770NC

Holding JBL Tune 770NC noise cancelling headphones on desk
8
JBL Tune 770NC
POSITIVES
  • Very good sound quality (after EQ)
  • Good noise cancelling performance
  • 70 hour battery life
  • Unbeatable value at around $100
NEGATIVES
  • Mediocre comfort
  • Cheap build quality


23. Anker Soundcore Space Q45

8
Anker Soundcore Space Q45
POSITIVES
  • Best build quality under $200
  • 65 hour battery life
  • Great value at under $100
  • Comfy
NEGATIVES
  • Sound quality is just fine
  • Weaker noise cancelling performance
  • Heavy


24. Beats Studio Buds

Holding Beats Studio Buds wireless earbuds in hand
8
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

25. Anker Soundcore Life Q30

Anker Soundcore Life Q30 headphones in black next to original box packaging
7.8
Anker Soundcore Life Q30
POSITIVES
  • Best build quality under $100
  • 70 hour battery life
  • Incredible value at under $80
  • Comfy
NEGATIVES
  • Sound quality is average
  • Weaker noise cancelling performance


26. Apple AirPods 4th Generation ANC

Apple AirPods 4 ANC in box
7.8
Apple AirPods 4 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

27. Skullcandy Crusher Evo

Skullcandy Crusher Evo headphones in black next to original box packaging
7.8
Skullcandy Crusher Evo
POSITIVES
  • Fun to listen to
  • “Crusher” Bass feature
  • Solid build quality
  • 40-hour battery life
NEGATIVES
  • No Active Noise Cancelling
  • No Multi-Device Connection
  • Heavy

28. Skullcandy Hesh ANC

Skullcandy Hesh ANC headphones in white
7.6
Skullcandy Hesh ANC
POSITIVES
  • Good noise cancelling performance
  • Decent sound quality for modern music
  • Lightweight
  • Great value on sale
NEGATIVES
  • No “Crusher Bass” feature
  • Lacks modern features
  • Tinny treble and loose bass


28. JBL Tune 720BT

JBL Tune 720BT headphones laid flat on desk
7.5
JBL Tune 720BT
POSITIVES
  • Very good sound quality (after EQ)
  • 76 hour battery life
  • Solid value at under $90
NEGATIVES
  • No active noise cancelling
  • Mediocre comfort
  • Cheap build quality


29. Anker Soundcore Space One

Holding Anker Soundcore Space One headphones in hand
7.4
Anker Soundcore Space One
POSITIVES
  • Very good noise cancelling performance
  • Best build quality for $100
  • 55 hour battery life
NEGATIVES
  • Poor sound quality with ANC on
  • Heavy for its class


30. Skullcandy Hesh Evo

Skullcandy Hesh Evo headphones in black
7.6
Skullcandy Hesh Evo
POSITIVES
  • Decent sound quality for modern music
  • Lightweight
  • Good value on sale
NEGATIVES
  • Doesn’t include Active Noise Cancelling
  • No “Crusher Bass” feature
  • Lacks modern features
  • Tinny treble and loose bass


31. Apple AirPods 3rd Generation

Apple AirPods 3rd generation wireless earbuds in charging case
7.4
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

32. Beats Studio 3 Wireless

Holding Beats Studio 3 Wireless in hand
7
Beats Studio 3 Wireless
POSITIVES
  • Detailed, neutral-ish sound
  • Stylish colors
  • Switches between Apple devices easily
NEGATIVES
  • Boring sound signature
  • Mediocre noise cancelling performance
  • No Transparency mode or Spatial Audio
  • Clamping force too strong

33. Apple AirPods 2nd Generation

Apple AirPods 2nd generation earbuds and charging case
7.1
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

34. Beats Solo 3 Wireless

Beats Solo 3 Wireless headphones in gold
5.7
Beats Solo 3 Wireless
POSITIVES
  • 40 hours battery life
  • Lightweight & compact
  • Stylish
NEGATIVES
  • On-ear design is uncomfortable
  • Poor sound quality


Updates

Tags:

Odi Productions
Odi Productions

Odi Productions is a professional music producer, tech journalist, and audiophile with over 10 years of experience reviewing headphones and consumer electronics. Each product is independently reviewed and thoroughly tested to help make better buying decisions.

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