Best wireless headphones 2023: Bluetooth headphones for every budget

Best wireless headphones Buying Guide 2023: Welcome to What Hi-Fi?'s round-up of the best Bluetooth headphones you can buy in 2023.

The world of wireless headphones has come a long way in recent years. Not only have we seen an influx of new technologies, including new Bluetooth codecs that let them receive higher quality audio, but we’ve also seen a wave of fresh form factors, such as true wireless earbuds, appear. As a result, there's a pair for everyone, from serious music listeners to hardcore runners and everyday commuters.

If you’re a commuter looking to block out background noise on your way to and from work, you'll probably want wireless noise-cancelling headphones. If you’re an exercise fiend, you’ll likely care about water resistance – after all, you don’t want to invest in a great set only to have it fall apart after a sweaty gym session or during a rainy run. Loyal Apple user? You may well side with Apple's iOS-friendly AirPods earbuds or AirPods Max over-ears. Then there’s the question of budgets, as you won’t want to over-invest if your needs are fairly basic, or indeed under-invest if you have the budget and will to get the best sound quality you can afford.

Here to help you avoid wasting money on sub-par wireless headphones, we have produced this guide detailing the best pairs we’ve tested that you can buy. Of over 100 pairs we review every year and test during the What Hi-Fi? Awards season, these are the very best eight, each representing best-in-class quality and value in their respective categories and price points. Every single pair of wireless headphones on this list has been thoroughly tested by the team of experts at What Hi-Fi?, both in our test rooms and out in the real world, so you can trust our buying advice.

If you're lucky, there may well be one of the below (or if not, a five-star performer at least) in our round-up of the best headphones deals.

Written by

Written by

Becky Roberts

Becky Roberts has been writing about headphones and hi-fi – not to mention other corners of the wide and wonderful consumer technology market – for 10 years. She is one of What Hi-Fi?'s go-to reviewers for wireless headphones – an expert at picking the best-performing and best-value options for every type of buyer thanks to her contextual knowledge of the market and first-hand testing experience.

The quick list

• What's coming up? Rumours and wishlists for the AirPods Max 2 over-ears and AirPods Lite 

Best wireless headphones overall

When we saw the official pictures of the XM5, we were more than a bit surprised. We wondered whether it was a wise move to give one of Sony’s biggest success stories in recent memory, the WH-1000XM4, a major redesign. But it's paid off!

The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones might feel a little less premium than their predecessors (which are still available at a now-cheaper price), but the jump in sound quality from the previous generation is a big one, and rivals once again have their work cut out. Better call quality and improved noise-cancelling plus a better design – even if they do feel slightly less 'premium' than the XM4 – all make them a compelling buy for anyone with the funds.

If you are looking for a new pair of wireless noise-cancelling headphones, your auditioning should start here. The older XM4 were already the best around – and still are if you can't stretch your budget to the latest pair – but the XM5 are undoubtedly better for those who can afford to pay the premium. They have a better combination of sound and features than their closest rivals, including the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless, Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 (which now have brand-new successors in the Px7 S2e) and Bose QuietComfort 45 (which are also being replaced soon).

And that's why they are the best Bluetooth headphones at this price point and worthy winners of our current Product of the Year What Hi-Fi? Award.

Read our full Sony WH-1000XM5 review

Or the full Sony XM5 vs XM4 comparison

Check out the best Sony headphones

Best cheap over-ears

The Sennheiser HD 250BT might not feature any luxury design flourishes, but they sound great, are durable and consequently our favourite set of budget on-ear headphones. Hence their current What Hi-Fi? Award, defining them as the best pair around at this affordable price point.

That's not to say the spec is bare. Features include Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX Low Latency, a 25-hour battery life, app support and Sennheiser’s beloved-of-DJs transducer tech.

The build is a black plastic affair, but it is functional and solid and features the firm’s traditional S-in-a-rectangle white branding on each ear cup. Said earcups are nicely padded, although the headband is not.

When it comes to sound, the HD 250BT sound a good deal more musically detailed, agile and rhythmically gifted across the frequencies than one might expect given the wallet-friendly price tag.

All in all, the HD 250BT are a superb budget buy – and a great way to experience what Sennheiser is capable of without breaking the bank. There aren't too many rival alternatives we'd consider at this price point, though the Sony WH-CH520 certainly give the Sennheisers a run for their money performance-wise and are more stylish to boot too.

Read our full Sennheiser HD 250BT review

Check out the best Sennheiser headphones

Best cheap in-ears

Building affordable true wireless in-ear headphones is a different discipline to building expensive ones, but it’s no less tricky. In the WF-C500, Sony has managed to bring a lot of what makes its flagship WF-1000XM5 earbuds (below) such a success without cutting too many corners.

Yes, the WF-C500 can be bettered for battery life (they offer 20 hours from the buds and case combined), but you’ll be hard-pushed to find a more comfortable pair. You can buy greater outright scale of sound, though you won’t encounter a more complete control app. Some alternatives are a punchier and more ‘exciting’ listen, but very few strike a more convincing sonic balance.

As an overall package, the Sony WF-C500 are genuine contenders for those with tighter budgets. Another deserved What Hi-Fi? Award winner.

Got a slightly bigger budget and fancy a pair with active noise cancelling? The next-level-up Sony WF-C700N and JBL Live Pro 2 TWS around the £100 / $100 / AU$150 mark offer ANC and a worthwhile jump in sound quality for not much more cash. Conversely, if you're after an even cheaper pair, the five-star Earfun Air are the most affordable model we can heartily recommend.

Read our full Sony WF-C500 review

Best premium in-ears

Yes, it's another Sony – which just goes to show how consistent the brand is across the headphones space. With the WF-1000XM5, Sony has managed to build on the huge success of the multi-award-winning WF-1000XM4 and produce another sensational pair of true wireless earbuds. 

Approximately 20 per cent lighter and 25 per cent smaller than the WF-1000XM4 that they replace, the buds have been noticeably trimmed down, with smoother lines and more subtle curves. That means the case is more compact, too. 

Inside there’s a new 8.4mm Dynamic Driver X, which doesn’t sound quite as rich or full in the bass but clarity and detail are class-leading, with top-notch musicality and timing. Sony has sacrificed a little bit of the fun that was so appealing in their predecessors, but they’re an improvement in almost every other respect. 

The eight-hour battery life (with another 16 in the case) compares favourably to the likes of the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II (our favourite noise-cancelling earbuds, below) and the AirPods Pro 2 (our favourite Apple earbuds, also below), though it is worth mentioning that the five-star Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 boast slightly more endurance.

Still, throw in improved touch controls, better noise cancellation and a packed feature list that includes Multipoint Bluetooth, Adaptive Sound Control and Speak-to-Chat, and the WF-1000XM5 are difficult to fault at their price, and the choice pick in their competitive category. Can't quite stretch your budget to them? The previous Sony XM4 are sensational value as they approach their end of life.

Read our full Sony WF-1000XM5 review

Or our Sony XM5 vs XM4 earbuds comparison

Here's our pick of the best Sony headphones deals

Best ANC in-ears

Smaller and lighter than the original Bose QC Earbuds, the Earbuds II provide a comfortable fit and lots of features. Bluetooth 5.3 is a big bonus, and the Bose app allows you to alter the amount of noise-cancelling on offer via a number of customisable presets.

Speaking of noise-cancelling, the Bose are at the top of their game. They can automatically adjust the amount of ANC on offer so your music isn’t drowned out by particularly loud noises and the effect is deeply impressive. As for sound, it's balanced and neutral and overflowing with fine detail – not far off the Sonys above at all.

It's a shame there's no support for high-quality wireless audio codecs such as LDAC or aptX HD, nor is there wireless charging or Bluetooth multipoint. But we don't think this is the end of the world when you consider that these classy buds ooze such sophistication in the design, sound and ANC departments.

Yes, they're expensive for wireless earbuds – but absolutely worth the money for those who can afford them. They could soon be discounted, however, in light of their recently announced successors, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, which cost £300 / $299 / AU$450 and are available from early October (watch this space for a review).

Read our full Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II review 

Check out the best Bose headphones

Best for Apple

The AirPods and AirPods Pro earbuds have typically been one step behind the class-leading competition, particularly when it came to sound quality. They’ve been good-but-not-great wireless earbuds; lovely to use for iOS users but never quite reaching the sonic heights established by the top pairs in this crowded and popular category. 

That all changes with the new AirPods Pro 2. The second generation of Apple’s flagship wireless ANC earbuds introduces a more powerful processor, advancements in active noise-cancelling, a longer battery life, new features and, more importantly, much better audio performance. 

We certainly didn’t expect them to trouble the best-in-class competitors such as the Sony WF-1000XM5 and Bose QC Earbuds II (both above), but with the AirPods Pro 2 Apple has put in a good fight and come very close to the benchmark. The Pro 2 are five-star stunners that ensure Apple loyalists who want noise cancellation aren't settling for less than great.

Read our full AirPods Pro 2 review

Check out the best AirPods you can buy – ranked and rated

Best for home

As we remarked with the original Grado GW100 (which these GW100x replace), the idea of a pair of Bluetooth-ready, supposedly portable pair of headphones that leak sound and lack ANC puts them in a strange, somewhat contradictory position compared with the market leaders from Bose, Sennheiser and Sony.

Still, if you are after a pair of wireless headphones for use mainly in quiet spaces and prioritise great audio above all else, the GW1000x should certainly be on your radar. They sound fantastic, whether you go wireless or use the 3.5mm jack, and have an impressive 46-hour battery life (at half volume).

They have added into the GW100's successful mix 44mm drivers, redesigned speaker housings and support for the aptX Adaptive codec, as well as a host of new tweaks and fixes, and the result is some of the best-sounding wireless cans you can find at this price. 

Quirky, yes, but unquestionably talented.

Read our full Grado GW100x review

Best for audiophiles

True to its Solitaire name, the T+A are gems, alone in a territory of wireless performance quality that no other pair we’ve heard can occupy.

They cost hundreds more than most people would ever dream of paying for headphones, wired or wireless, but for those who prioritise convenience and sound quality equally, and have the budget to spend big, the T+A Solitaire T nail that balance without compromise and are the most convincing wired/wireless hybrids we’ve come across. 

What strikes us first about the Solitaire T is how squeaky clean and natural-sounding they are. These are headphones that don’t wish to impart any character or colour on your music; they want to tell it as it is, and it makes for listen that we can’t describe as anything else but pure. Already we know they bridge the gap between wired and wireless performance as we know it.

Previously the Mark Levinson No.5909 set the benchmark at this four-figure price point, but T+A has pushed it that bit higher. For now, they’re in a league of their own.

Read our full T+A Solitaire T review

How to choose the best wireless headphones for you

The world is awash with wireless headphones, so how do you know which pair is best for you?

Before you start browsing you should first and foremost decide which style of Bluetooth headphones you want. Our round-up of the best wireless headphones above includes several over-ear designs, which – as you might've guessed – sit over your ears, with the earcups connected by a headband. These tend to provide good physical isolation and an enveloping, spacious sound compared with in-ear designs, and more often than not throw in active noise cancellation (ANC) for good measure – though naturally they are bulkier to wear and transport and tend to cost more. Brands such as Sony, Bose, Sennheiser, Bowers & Wilkins and Apple lead the way, though with Sonos wireless headphones reportedly on the horizon, the competition isn't letting up.

And then there are in-ear wireless earbuds – those now-rare pairs with a neckband cable joining the buds, and the much more popular 'true wireless' earbuds where the earpieces are completely untethered from one another. Yes, like AirPods. The AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro 2 may be the most popular of them all, but they aren't the very best sounding – something the excellent Sony WF-1000XM5 and other awesome AirPods alternatives demonstrate. The most obvious benefit of wireless earbuds is their discreetness and portability, not to mention that you can get pairs for less than the price of a drinks round.

Once you've decided on a style, you need to decide which features are must-haves. Bluetooth connectivity goes without saying (seeing as you've landed on a best wireless headphones buying guide!), but also consider how much importance you place on active noise cancellation (do you need to block out noise?), battery life (24+ hours is decent) and waterproofness (look for an IP rating on the spec sheet). Getting a pair that supports a high-quality Bluetooth codec could offer better sound quality if your source device (say, your phone) also supports that same codec, too.

Our more comprehensive how to choose the right pair of headphones article can help guide you on your wireless headphones journey.

Wireless headphones FAQs

Are wireless headphones better than wired?

In terms of sound quality, Bluetooth headphones have made huge progress in recent years, closing the gap between the sonic capabilities of wireless and wired models. The introduction of higher-end wireless headphones such as the Apple AirPods Max and Mark Levinson No.5909 have pushed wireless performance further than ever before. 

The gap still remains, though: the best wired headphones at a particular price will still sound notably better than the best wireless pair at that same price point. So if sound quality is key and you don't mind sacrificing cable-free convenience and noise cancellation to get it, wired is still the way to go.

Wireless headphones or earbuds: which are better?

The answer to this FAQ is less black and white, as both headphones and earbuds have their strengths over one another. Headphones, by which we are referring to on-ears and over-ears, have better physical isolation and a more enveloping soundstage, and also are less obtrusive to your precious ears, often making them more suitable for longer wears. If you're after the best possible wireless sound quality, you'll find it in a pair of wireless over-ears. Earbuds, however, deliver a more direct sound due to their in-ear positioning, and are more discreet to wear and transport thanks to their compact nature. There is also a far wider choice of earbuds on the market at the budget end due to the exploding popularity of AirPods.

Which are 'better' depends on which qualities you value more.

 Are wireless headphones waterproof?

Most true wireless earbuds nowadays are waterproof – not least if they have first and foremost been designed for exercise, like these sport headphones. That isn't so much the case for wireless over-ear headphones, which generally don't have protection from water or dust and therefore should be hidden from rainstorms as much as possible... and kept away from taps! The best way to check if headphones are waterproof (or 'water resistant, as most literature labels it) or not is to check their official technical specification on the company's website, or our review of them. 

Water (and indeed dust) resistance for headphones is often measured and presented as an IP (Ingress Protection) rating, an international standard that indicates the degree of protection in electrical products against the 'intrusion of objects, water, dust or accidental contact'. A rating consists of 'IP' plus two numbers – the first number indicates the level of protection against solid objects, while the second number represents the level of protection against water. Which numbers corresponds to which levels of protection can be found on our IP ratings explained advice article.

Can you answer calls with wireless headphones?

Almost all wireless headphones and earbuds these days integrate one or more microphones that facilitate the taking and making of voice calls – and in some cases also help to deploy active noise cancellation and/or voice control. That means you can answer your phone calls without having to pick up your phone, provided your headphones are indeed connected to your phone over Bluetooth. Most wireless headphones have touch controls or physical buttons that include an answer/hang-up key, though pairs with built-in voice assistants let you do that simply by using your voice, completely hands-free.

Can you still use wireless headphones when they're out of battery?

In the case of wireless earbuds, no. When they (and in the case of true wireless earbuds, their charging case) run out of battery, tough luck – you'll need to charge them up again to hear your sweet, sweet tunes through them. 

However, wireless headphones always feature a 3.5mm jack for you to wire your headphones to your device if you so choose – or, indeed, as a temporary measure if their battery is flat. Traditionally, and in most cases, this is possible as the analogue (wired) output does not required the headphones' digital circuitry to work. That said, some wireless over-ear pairs nowadays do only work when they have power, even for just wired listening.

Can wireless headphones connect to a TV?

If you have thin walls, like to watch TV when the kids are asleep, or would simply like a more involving personal listening experience that your TV's speakers can't give you, listening to TV audio through wireless headphones can be transformative. 

Of course, you need to make sure your TV can output audio via Bluetooth. Some Bluetooth-equipped TVs even offer their own audio delay settings, which can help you marry up picture and sound. If it doesn't, you could buy and plug in a Bluetooth transmitter dongle for it, though be weary that this could introduce lip-sync errors.

Speaking of which, one issue when using wireless headphones with a TV is lag – the delay between what you see on the screen and what you hear. This is due to latency: the time it takes the sound to travel from the source to the headphones. But Bluetooth standards and codecs have steadily improved latency and squashed most of the issues, so headphones and TVs today (and from the past few years) shouldn't have any problems.

You can read more about how to connect headphones to your TV here.

Are wireless headphones good for gaming?

This is where we'd point you to our comprehensive gaming headsets vs headphones article, though the quick answer is: yes, they can be good for gaming – buy a pair of good open-sounding, mic-inclusive wireless headphones that can transmit audio to your console (via a dongle) or PC while also doubling up as your commuter music companions, and they will be very effective. But dedicated gaming headsets – while not typically great for music – are often tuned for a better, more immersive gaming audio experience and will likely have higher compatibility with more gaming devices, as well as a more accurate microphone and perhaps even other gaming features like a mixer for balancing chat audio and game audio.

How we test wireless headphones

While we have state-of-the-art testing facilities in Reading and Bath, where our team of experienced, in-house reviewers test the majority of hi-fi and AV kit that passes through our door, wireless headphones are on-the-go products that deserved to be tested as such.

To that end, our wireless headphones reviewing process tests everyday aspects such as the portability and ruggedness of their build, their long-wear comfort and how their claimed battery life translates into real-life use. If a pair has active noise cancellation, as is increasingly the case these days, we'll ensure part of our testing involves using them in various environments, such as an office, on public transport and – when we can – during flights.

Of course, sound quality is key in forming our verdicts and star ratings too. As What Hi-Fi? is all about comparative testing, each pair we review is compared to the best in its price and style class – whether that's one standout pair or a few we favour the highest among the many models we listen to each year for reviews and What Hi-Fi? Awards judging. So if we get a pair of over-ear wireless headphones in for review around the £300/$350/AU$550 mark, we will test it against the class-leading Sony WH-1000XM5 and likely another five-star model too. We keep current What Hi-Fi? Award winners and plenty of five-star products across every product category we review in our jam-packed stockroom so that we can always easily compare new products to rival ones we know and love.

All review verdicts are agreed upon by the team rather than an individual reviewer to eliminate any personal preference and to make sure we're being as thorough as possible, too. There's no input from PR companies or our sales team when it comes to the verdict, with What Hi-Fi? proud of having delivered honest, unbiased reviews for decades.

You can read more about how we test and review products on What Hi-Fi? here.