The Best Wireless Headphones and Earbuds We’ve Tested
After 200+ hours of testing, these are the wireless audio picks our editors keep reaching for — whether you need silence-inducing ANC or all-day comfort.
We spent over 200 hours testing wireless headphones and earbuds this year — on planes, in open offices, on long runs, and during late-night study sessions. These are the picks that kept earning spots in our ears.
Best True-Wireless Earbuds: Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
If you’re in the Apple ecosystem, the AirPods Pro 2 are the clear answer. The noise cancellation is the best we’ve tested in an earbud — it’s not just reducing ambient sound, it’s actively sculpting silence. Swap to Transparency mode and you hear the world around you so naturally that you forget you’re wearing earbuds at all.
The H2 chip added meaningful improvements: the ANC got 2x stronger versus the first-gen, and the new low-distortion driver produces noticeably better bass without sacrificing the clear midrange. Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking is the real trick — when watching video, sound feels pinned to the screen even as you turn your head.
Who it’s for: iPhone users who want the best earbuds and don’t mind the price. If you’re on Android or Windows primarily, look at the Sony LinkBuds S instead.
Best Over-Ear Headphones: Sony WH-1000XM5
The XM5 has held the top spot in over-ear headphones for two years, and nothing we’ve tested has dislodged it. Eight microphones across the earcups feed two dedicated ANC processors — the result is the most thorough ambient-noise elimination we’ve measured, including low-frequency sounds like airplane engines and HVAC rumble that other headphones leave behind.
Sound quality is excellent in all modes. The bass is present without dominating, vocals are rendered with real clarity, and the soundstage is wide enough that orchestral recordings feel genuine. The earcups are oval and generously padded — after three hours on a transatlantic flight, there was no ear fatigue.
The one thing that didn’t improve from the XM4: the headphones no longer fold flat. This makes the included carry case chunkier. It’s a real trade-off for frequent travelers, but one we’ll accept given how much better the XM5 sounds.
How We Tested
We evaluated each pair over a minimum of two weeks of real-world use, including commutes, workouts, video calls, and focused work sessions. ANC was measured using a calibrated microphone and pink noise source at 65dB SPL. Battery life was verified by continuous playback at 50% volume.