Your guide to the latest and best wireless headphones of 2017. Read our latest reviews and buyer’s guide on the top wireless headphones for this year.
Being tied to a cable isn’t what the modern consumer wants and with many smartphones not having a headphone jack, it might be essential. Whatever your reason for cutting the cord, here are some of the best wireless headphones you can buy.
It’s never been a better time to buy some wireless headphones. There are more than even on the market, with all kinds of shapes and sizes on offer. The latest technology also means you’re not making the same sacrifices on sound quality, either.
These days, you can get wireless headphones at pretty much any price point. Headphone makers have realised that not everyone wants to shell out hundreds of pounds for huge cans so the technology is even found inside small in-ear headphones now.
We’ve rounded up the best wireless headphones from both our budget chart and high-end chart so you’ll be able to find something to fit your budget. If you’re out for a bargain, take a look at our pick of the best headphones deals.
Please bear in mind that there are countless pairs of wireless headphones on the market so we can’t feature them all. These are the best of the ones we have reviewed.
The biggest reason to buy wireless headphones is convenience. Not having to run a cable through your clothes to your phone that ends up tugging all the time is so much nicer.
As mentioned earlier, phones don’t always have headphone jacks now so you might need headphones to be wireless to avoid having to remember the pesky adapter. Also read: How to stop earphone cables getting tangled or twisted.
Some wireless headphones even come with NFC built-in to make it super easy to pair them with a smartphone – you don’t need to do much more than tap them together. Apple doesn’t allow the iPhone’s NFC chip to be used for this, however.
There are downsides to wireless headphones, of course, starting with the fact that sound quality won’t be as good compared to a wired pair at the same price point. Look for pairs that support aptX, an audio codec that provides better wireless performance.
Wireless technology requires power to work so that means a battery is going to make them heavier. This also means you’ll need to remember to charge them up, but they will run out eventually. While some can last a whopping 20-30 hours, some can only manage around three hours.
Don’t forget that using Bluetooth on your phone will use more battery power compared to plugging headphones in.
If your wireless headphones do run out of power then you’ll want to revert to the trust old cable. Not all pairs offer this so check whether this is a feature; it’s also handy if you want to use them with devices that don’t have Bluetooth like the entertainment system on a plane.
For many, the pros will outweigh the cons when it comes to wireless headphones and we hope you find the right pair below. We’ll be looking to expand the list as we review more pairs. If you’re not sure wireless is the way to go, make sure you read our best headphones chart for other options.
