While Bluetooth headphones rely on compressed audio, that doesn’t necessarily mean there aren’t great-sounding pairs out there. These are ones users like best.
If you’re searching for the very best sound quality that over-the-ear headphones have to offer, wired products are incredibly hard to beat. By design, Bluetooth compresses audio on the fly so it can be transmitted wirelessly, unlike wired headphones that have no such limitations and give you peak sound quality at all times. But while wired headphones sound amazing, they usually aren’t anywhere near as practical as wireless alternatives.
Luckily for the audiophiles out there, a handful of brands are constantly improving and innovating with their wireless headphones, gradually getting closer to the quality of sound you tend to only get when plugging them in. Whether it’s through unique driver construction or using advanced noise canceling to hone in on the audio quality, the market for audiophile-level wireless headphones is getting more enticing by the year. Here’s a look at 13 of the best wireless headphones, according to user reviews.13. Sonos Ace
Sonos isn’t a new brand, but it’s a relative newcomer in the wireless headphones market. Entering a new segment is always a challenge for a tech brand, no matter how established you are, but Sonos has proven time and time again that it knows how to offer exceptional quality without the need for wires.
The brand’s first wireless headphones, the Ace, was released last summer and has already established Sonos as one of the best in the business. Firstly, it’s one of the sleekest pairs of headphones you can get. For sound, there’s a 40mm driver in each cup, which massively assists the Dolby Atmos surround sound quality. The drivers aim to allow every note to come through as clearly as possible, which is something that countless owners of the headphones mention. The signature is balanced, making these one of the most versatile pairs of Bluetooth headphones available.
Outside of the audio quality itself, reliable noise cancellation is equally important. Luckily, Sonos places a heavy emphasis on the Ace’s ANC performance, with owners also noting its effectiveness when watching and/or listening. Usually, the Sonos Ace headphones are priced at $399, but current deals drop them to $279 from outlets such as Best Buy at the time of writing.12. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
The Momentum 4 Wireless headphones are no longer the top-spec product from Sennheiser in this category; that title goes to the new HBD 630. The level that the latter headphones reach in terms of quality appears to be quite astonishing, more than good enough for an audiophile, but due to their relative newness, it’s difficult to rank them against competitors based on user reviews. However, the Momentum 4s are still one of the best closed-back headphones that connect via Bluetooth, even if they aren’t the top-spec model anymore.
Released in 2022, the Momentum 4 headphones are one of the older pairs on this list. Still, they come with a 42mm driver in each case, which Sennheiser calls ‘audiophile-inspired’. Looking at the user reviews, it’s safe to say that these headphones deliver on this, with a great balance between the rich bass and clear high notes. The ANC stands out as another strong suit, particularly with its transparency mode that lets you hear external noise without taking them off. You’ll also be able to customize the equalizer settings to reach levels you prefer. As standard, the Momentum 4 headphones come in at $449, but current deals at places such as Best Buy have them discounted to a generous $179.11. Bowers and Wilkins PX7 S3
There aren’t many that have taken such a step up from their predecessors as the Bowers and Wilkins PX7 S3 have. The PX7 S2s were already a solid pair of headphones, but the new S3 series is now one you can’t ignore if you’re looking for top-tier sound quality. Each case gets a 40mm bio-cellulose driver to help achieve the optimal output, which the brand says improves in all major areas from the outgoing S2e model. As for its Bluetooth connectivity, you get four aptX codecs, including Lossless, Adaptive, HD, and Classic, to keep the headphones versatile. The depth and richness of the PX7 S3 is unsurprisingly one of the most praised aspects, as is the comfort and quality of the materials.
While the sound signature has landed Bowers and Wilkins plenty of awards for these headphones, they may not be the best choice if active noise cancellation is your top priority. That’s not to say that they don’t come with solid ANC capabilities, but there aren’t as many mentions for the feature within submitted user reviews compared to the likes of the WH-1000XM6 headphones. While other products on this list have big discounts right now, the Bowers and Wilkins PX7 S3 sit at their standard $479 price on the brand’s website.10. Sony WH-1000XM6
The 1000XM series is no stranger to setting the bar extremely high when it comes to wireless headphones. We could have included the WH-1000XM5 on this list, but the latest 1000XM6 model essentially takes everything that makes its predecessor so good and simply makes it better. Out of all the highlights, though, the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones have received tremendous praise from users for their active noise cancellation. With its new QN3 processor being seven times faster than the QN1 inside the 1000XM5 model, the ANC constantly adapts to match the environment you’re in.
For its sound signature, Sony worked with a selection of audio engineers to tune the drivers, offering the most accurate playback possible. The Sound Connect app also offers solid EQ customization to find your personal sweet spot. AI can be found improving a few key areas with the WH-1000XM6, including upscaling compressed music files and enhancing your voice quality through the six-mic beamforming system. As far as the user reviews go, the headphones receive no shortage of praise, not just for the ANC, but how close the audio quality gets to products above the standard $459.
