The Best Wireless Headphones for 2024

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Stereo headphones have been around since before the Sony Walkman, and that's how long we've had to put up with tangled wires for on-the-go music listening. Fortunately, wireless headphones now exist to free us from dangling cables. And now that many phone makers have ditched the headphone jack, wireless headphones are more common than their wired counterparts. PCMag's audio analysts have been independently writing about wireless headphones for nearly 20 years, so you can trust that our coverage is truthful and thorough. We've put scores of headphones through rigorous tests to deliver our favorites below. Our current Editors' Choice winners include the AirPods Pro 2 for seamless Apple interoperability, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones for class-leading noise cancellation, and the solar-powered Urbanista Los Angeles for nearly unlimited playtime. You can learn more about each of our selections by reading our in-depth reviews, and we include some buying advice below to help you choose.

Should You Get Wireless Earphones or Headphones?

Earphones (or in-ear headphones) offer a slightly different sound profile compared with conventional headphones. Generally, you get better sound from a full set of "cans" around your head than from buds you stick in your ears, but earphones now offer excellent sound quality. More importantly, they are much more appropriate for exercise because they are smaller and often at least moderately durable. Headphones, on the other hand, turn into a nasty mess if you start sweating. For our top exercise picks, check out the best true wireless earphones for running.

At this point, most wireless earphones don't have a connecting wire like earlier iterations. Instead, you get two discrete earpieces and a charging case. This setup wasn't always reliable, but you aren't likely to have any connection issues now. All of the earphones on this list are true wireless earphones.

If you aren't primarily looking for a set of wireless earphones for the gym (be sure to check the IP rating for water and sweat resistance), you still have to choose between on-ear and over-ear models. On-ear headphones rest against your ears but don't surround them, while over-ear headphones completely enclose them. The latter block the most outside noise and usually provide more powerful, richer sound, but on-ear models are less bulky and distracting to wear.

And if you're shopping for your little one, we also have a collection of the best wired and wireless headphones for kids.

What's Noise Cancellation?

Headphones with ANC use outward-facing microphones to pick up and analyze noise, which their internal circuitry then cancels by generating an inverse wave. This was previously an expensive, cumbersome technology, but advances in battery life and miniaturization mean you have more affordable options than ever. The top-end models are still quite pricey, but not everyone needs the absolute best performance. For more options, check out the best noise-cancelling headphones and the best noise-cancelling true wireless earphones.

Do You Need Apple's H2 Chip? What About Bluetooth Codecs?

If you're an iPhone user, consider buying a model with Apple's proprietary H2 (or older H1 or W1) chip. It makes Bluetooth pairing painless—there's no need to open the Settings menu because your phone automatically prompts you to connect whenever the headphones are nearby. The chip also improves connection stability and increases the wireless range. Currently, only Apple and Beats (which Apple owns) sell headphones with this component.

Everyone—iPhone and Android users—needs to pay attention to which Bluetooth codecs their headphones support. Codecs determine how your device compresses audio streams before sending them to your headphones (most Bluetooth implementations don't currently support lossless audio streaming). You need to make sure that your headphones and phone support the same high-end codecs if you want the best listening experience. Our guide to Bluetooth codecs details everything you are likely to encounter, and our reviews note which ones each model supports.

How Much Should You Spend on Wireless Headphones?

Although many entries in this roundup cost more than $100, you don't need to spend a lot of money to get quality audio. If you're shopping on a budget, head over to our roundup of the best headphones under $50 or under $100 for options that won't break the bank.

You're bound to find something that fits well, sounds great, and—above all—doesn't tie you up in knots. Once you pick the perfect pair, check out these five easy tips to extend the life of your headphones and the eight ways you're using your headphones wrong. And if you want to share your tunes with others, look no further than our favorite wireless speakers.