Wireless headphones are the default these days, and there are about a million of them (and growing). We try our best to test them all, but not everything we test can make the big list. Here are some other great options worth trying.
Soundcore Space A40 for $60: Even though they've been dropped from our main list, the Space A40 are still one of the best earbuds you'll find for the money. Their premium, stylish design is underpinned by solid features, clear and detailed sound, and excellent noise cancellation for the price.
Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 for $280: These headphones are from Jabra (7/10, WIRED Review) is too expensive when compared to options with better sound (and sound cancellation). This is Jabra's last pair of consumer headphones, so it's unlikely to have new features. We love that they have wireless transmitter cases, like the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8, that provide lag-free connections to non-Bluetooth sources (looking at you, airplanes).
Sonos Ace for $350-450: Sonos Ace (8/10, WIRED recommended) is Sonos' pricey but impressive first effort, with great noise cancellation, great sound, and one of the most comfortable (if not the female most comfortable) you will find in the game. Some early software bugs hindered their performance upon release, including problems with the TV Swap feature that lets you stream audio from one device. Sonos sound bar for the Ace, but that appears to have been fixed, making this a great option — especially for those already invested the Sonos way.
Beats Solo 4 for $150: We like Beats headphones these days, but this pair is a bit lacking in features for us at the standard $200 price point (7/10, WIRED recommended). Now that they're out, we can wholeheartedly recommend them to those looking for a pair of wireless headphones without noise cancellation.
Engineering EAH-AZ80 for $298: AZ80 (9/10, WIRED recommended) are great headphones. Their most notable feature is convenient pairing with three devices at once, but they come full circle with good noise cancellation technology, top-notch sound quality, and seven different ear tip options to provides a comfortable fit.
Beats Studio Pro for $350: Studio Pro (7/10, WIRED recommended) delivers quality performance, including surprisingly clear audio, good noise cancellation, and a refreshing natural transparency mode. The design feels a bit cheap and misses out on features like auto-pause, but extras like hands-free Siri and spatial audio head tracking help enhance their value—especially because of the price. Their sale is sometimes reduced to about half of the original MSRP of $350.
Sony WH-CH720N for $150: These Sony cans may have a silly name, but their sheer value makes up for it. They're not as flexible as the top options and don't come with a carrying case, but their sound quality and noise cancellation are excellent for the money. They're also designed to last and have continuous battery life, making them a great choice for conservative shoppers.
Sony WH-1000XM4 for $267: Sony's XM4 (9/10, WIRED recommended) are still the top headphones, even after being replaced by the more luxurious XM5. For a sizable discount, you get great noise-canceling technology, great sound, and luxurious comfort in an extremely portable package.
Master and Dynamic MH40 for $399: M&D's second generation MH40 (8/10, WIRED recommended) packs stunning sound into an equally gorgeous design, with luxurious details like lambskin and metal parts instead of plastic. The lack of advanced features, which don't even include noise cancellation, make them an expensive portal to minimalism, but they're still stylish for days.
Technica ATH-M50xBT Audio for $199: Original ATH-M50X (9/10, WIRED recommended) provide balanced sound and high sustain, making them popular in music and film studios. But what if you want to take them with you between takes? Enter the ATH-M50XBT, which combines wired studio connectivity with Bluetooth for wireless freedom. They don't offer noise cancellation or other advanced features, but they're great for combining art and entertainment.
Sony Linkbuds for $128: Linkbuds (8/10, WIRED recommended) has a great tip: a speaker with a hole in the middle helps you tap into the world around you to increase environmental awareness. They aren't too attractive in noisy environments, making them an easy little horse to play with, but they are one of the best choices in the growing open-ear trend. They have also been updated in the new Linkbuds Open (7/10, WIRED recommended), currently costs more but offers some new features and a more stable fit.
JLab Jbud Mini for $40: These micro-buds from JLab offer mediocre sound, but their adorable little design that fits on key chains makes them a fun accessory for those who need some inexpensive headphones to take on the go.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro 2 for $160: Samsung's top Galaxy Buds (9/10, WIRED recommended) have been around a little longer, but they're still some of the best for Galaxy phones, offering solid noise cancellation, clear and crisp sound, and a number of features that just available at Samsung. However, their app won't work with non-Samsung phones, and their battery life of just 5 hours is currently at its lowest.