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 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
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
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
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
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
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. 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
7. 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
8. 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
9. Sony WH-1000XM5
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
10. 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
11. 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
12. 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
13. Sony WH-1000XM4
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
14. 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
15. 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
16. 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
17. 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
18. 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
19. 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
20. 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
21. 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
22. 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
23. 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
24. 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
25. Beats Solo 3 Wireless
POSITIVES
- 40 hours battery life
- Lightweight & compact
- Stylish
NEGATIVES
- On-ear design is uncomfortable
- Poor sound quality
Updates
- 6-3-25: Added Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S3
- 5-23-25: Added Sony WH-1000XM6
- 5-15-25: Added Bowers and Wilkins Px8
- 5-12-25: Added Sony ULT Wear
- 5-11-25: Added Anker Soundcore Space One
- 5-9-25: Added Sennheiser Accentum
- 5-8-25: Added JBL Tune 770NC
- 5-7-25: Added Sony WH-CH720N
- 4-24-25: Downgraded Sonos Ace‘s sound quality score from 8.4 to 8.1 after comparison vs AirPods Max. Sonos Ace overall score goes from 8.8 to 8.6.
- 4-20-25: Added Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S2e
