It’s not just iPhone users who want to enjoy their digital audio without wires. We round up the best wireless and Bluetooth headphones of 2018.
Being tied to a cable isn’t what the modern consumer wants and with phones from the iPhone X to the Pixel 2 not having a headphone jack, going wireless 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 ever 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 that you used to 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.
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 — though, again, this isn’t supported on iPhones.
Wireless technology requires power to work so that means a battery, which is going to make them heavier. This also means you’ll need to remember to charge them up. While some wireless headphones can last a whopping 20-30 hours, some can only manage around three hours.
Don’t forget that using Bluetooth on your phone will also use more of your phone’s battery power than plugging headphones in.
If your wireless headphones do run out of power then you’ll want to revert to the trusty 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. Of course, if you have a phone without a headphone jack this won’t be much use.
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.
Wireless headphones come in various options including over-ear and on-ear. Since they’re becoming so popular, we’ve rounded up wireless earbuds in a separate list — however, the best ones are featured here.
