Wireless earbuds are better than ever in 2025, but there’s no substitute for a pair of big, sturdy, wireless over-ear headphones. With over-ear audio, you get (ideally) active and passive noise cancellation, a larger battery, and extra comfort with cushioned cups that don’t plug your ear canal.
However, just like wireless earbuds, there are a lot of different wireless headphones out there, and even the best headphones have different strengths and weaknesses. This is great in terms of having a lot of options, but it can make research difficult – especially when you consider that wireless headphones typically cost significantly more than a pair of midrange wireless earbuds.
To make that decision a little less nerve-wracking, we’ve put together a list of the best headphones for all different occasions, whether you value noise cancellation, hi-fi audio, or just want something solid.
Best Wireless Headphones: Sony WH-1000XM6
are hits, and are hits, And Sony’s WH-1000XM6 is the latter. Sony’s latest pair of class-leading wireless headphones get unanimously good marks, and our thoughts are no different. The WH-1000XM6 offer all the important things in a pair of headphones: the active noise cancellation (ANC) is great as always, and the sound is especially excellent thanks to the two 30mm drivers that deliver strong highs, mids and lows without being spoiled by distortion.
It’s not just the basics. The WH-1000XM6 are feature-rich thanks to Sony’s companion app, and they come equipped with spatial audio and multiple listening modes for any occasion – even a background music mode for when you want to talk, but still listen to music quietly. If you never want to take off these wireless headphones, you don’t have to; The 12-mic array with beamforming delivers clarity to your voice while the headphones also reduce background noise with AI. when you to do If you want to take them off, they fold up nicely due to a modified hardware design. Sure, the battery (rated for 30 hours) could use a bump, but that’s a minor complaint in a near-perfect pair of wireless headphones that justify the premium price. Read more –james perrow
Check out the Sony WH-1000XM6 on Amazon
Best wireless headphones for noise canceling: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd generation)
Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra headphones (2nd generation) have the word “quiet” in the name itself, so you should already know what they’re about. However, if you don’t, the answer is simple: these wireless headphones are focused on ANC. And like the previous generation, Bose has earned a QuietComfort reputation in its over-ear headphones with ANC, unlike any other headphones we’ve tried in 2025.
If you’re looking for a pair of wireless headphones that can block out even the loudest environments – not even the unlikely noise of a New York subway – then look no further. Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Generation) Wireless Earbuds Like earbuds, these are the only wireless headphones you’ll want on an airplane.
In addition to ANC, Bose improves on the first-generation QuietComfort Ultra headphones by adding the ability to listen to lossless audio via USB-C and upgrading battery life. If excellent ANC isn’t enough for you, Bose also delivers in the sound department and comfort side of things, creating a solid overall pair of wireless headphones that excel at protecting you from the loud, annoying world we live in. read more -James Perrow
Check out the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen on Amazon
Best wireless headphones for gaming: Sony Inzone H9 II
Can a good gaming headset also be a good all-around pair of headphones? In the case of Sony Inzone H9 II, the answer is yes. This wireless headset focuses on audio, bringing respect for the same high-quality sound as the top-rated Sony WH-1000XM6, and includes gaming-focused features like a 2.4GHz dongle that makes it more hi-fi and much lower latency than standard Bluetooth competitors. Like the WH-1000XM6, the Inzone H9 II also has equally high-quality ANC, and unlike some other headsets, Sony keeps the weight manageable at 260g, which is almost the same as the 254g WH-1000XM6.
If you’re looking for a wireless headset that has one foot in the world of gaming and one foot in the world of simple-but-quality personal audio, with its minimalist design, these are the number one choice. read more -James Perrow
Check out the Sony Inzone H9 II on Amazon
Best wireless headphones for running: Shokz OpenRun Pro 2
The OpenRun Pro wireless headphones launched four years ago were already a hit, but Shokz upgraded them and released the OpenRun Pro 2 for $180. Designed to be worn while you’re training, running a marathon, hiking, biking, or even during a busy commute, these wireless headphones have a broad purpose: to keep you in touch with your surroundings.
They use Shokz’s new proprietary technology, DualPitch, which uses a pair of separate, dedicated drivers instead of a single driver doing all the work on the company’s previous offerings. The two conductors—bone conduction and air conduction—are separated, meaning they work independently. This provides two major benefits: less vibration and better bass.
I’m very happy with the switch to USB-C charging on the OpenRun Pro 2. Most Shokz sports wireless headphones feature magnetic charging so far, including the first-generation OpenRun Pro. Other charging-related upgrades include better battery life (12 hours compared to 10 hours) and a five-minute quick charge, which provides an extra hour on the flagship (2.5 hours total).
Charging time is still one hour, and dust and water resistance is still IP55. I prefer high water resistance, at least IP57, for headphones designed for tough adventures. However, I am glad that the USB-C port has a rubberized flap to prevent dust particles or water from getting inside. Read more-dua rashid
Check out the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 on Amazon
Best wireless headphones for battery life: JBL Live 770NC
I didn’t get a chance to fully test the 65-hour battery life without ANC activated and the 50-hour battery life with it on the JBL Live 770NC, but I didn’t have to reach for a charger after five days of using them for a few hours every day. Even if the claims are a bit exaggerated, they are a lot longer than the most successful headphones at twice the price – the Sony WH-1000XM6 with 30 hours of battery life and the AirPods Max with 20 hours of battery life. I thought the Clear Alpha’s 45-hour battery was impressive, but the JBL Live 770NC beats them by a wide margin and is priced the same. Plus, a five-minute charge gives you an extra four hours.
These wireless headphones are also very comfortable, great for bass, come with intuitive controls that are easy to use, and they offer impressive mics for calling. But none of this will matter if you’re an aesthetics-over-display type of person because these are far from ostentatious. Read more –dua rashid
Check out the JBL Live 770NC on Amazon
Best wireless headphones for style: Nothing Headphones 1
Looks aren’t everything, but when it comes to wireless over-ear headphones, they’re a lot of things. Unlike wireless earbuds, which are relatively low-profile, wireless headphones are more of a fashion statement, and with that larger footprint on your head comes an increased responsibility on the design. In my opinion, Nothing and its Headphone 1 represent the style side of things. These wireless headphones keep Nothing’s signature transparent design, but also bring a distinct retro vibe to the party, especially in the gray colorway that somehow combines the aesthetics of cassette players and PlayStation 1.
This is not just a matter of show. Nothing’s first pair of wireless headphones, tuned in collaboration with hi-fi audio company KEF, also deliver sound that rivals the AirPods Max and come with plenty of buttons for those of us who prefer touch controls. The Headphones 1 are a solid pair of wireless headphones, especially since it’s a full $250 cheaper than the AirPods Max. Read more –james perrow
Check out the Nothing Headphones 1 on Amazon
Best wireless headphones for iPhone: AirPods Max
This may be a little obvious, but sometimes that’s the truth. The AirPods Max are the best over-ear wireless headphones for anyone in the Apple ecosystem, which can be an annoying fact, because they Only Pair of Apple-branded wireless headphones, but fortunately (despite the hefty premium), they still have a lot to offer, except for the lack of options.
In addition to rich, nuanced sound, the AirPods Max also knock ANC out of the park – these are some of the best noise-canceling wireless headphones you can buy – and give you an equally functional transparency mode for when you want to hear the world around you. Naturally, they’re highly compatible with all your other Apple products and offer seamless switching between devices. And whether you find the look a bit boring or not, they’re thoughtfully designed with a head strap that reduces weight and makes the wireless headphones more breathable. Read more –james perrow
Check out the AirPods Max on Amazon
Best wireless headphones for Sonos: Sonos Ace
While the Sonos Ace may not be the right pair of wireless headphones for everyone, they’re a strong contender if you’re deep into the Sonos ecosystem. One of the shiny features, if you have a Sonos soundbar, is a TV Audio Swap capability that seamlessly switches between the TV-connected Ace and your soundbar with the press of a button. Yes, the Sonos Ace take a lot from Apple’s AirPods Max, including the actual look of the wireless headphones, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Like the AirPods Max, the Sonos Ace is also comfortable and keeps it up in the sound department.
A nice touch outside of the audio swap feature is the inclusion of magnetic earcups that can be removed and put back on at will. This is the type of modularity I’d like to see more of in the audio world, and it’s great for people who might wear these wireless headphones while exercising and getting a sweat on them. Unfortunately, they also carry the same hefty price tag as the AirPods Max, but if you’re a big Sonos head, you may feel like you got your money’s worth. Read more –james perrow
Check out Sonos Ace on Amazon