Wireless headphones are the default these days, and there are nearly a billion of them (and counting). We do our best to test them all, but not everything we test can make it into the big list. Here are some other great options worth trying.
Soundcore Space A40 for $60: Even though they've dropped off our main list, the Space A40 are still one of the best earbuds you'll get for the money. Their stylish, premium-looking design is backed by solid features, clear and detailed sound, and excellent noise cancellation for the price.
Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 for $280: These earbuds from Jabra (7/10, Wired Review) are very expensive compared to alternatives that sound better (and noise canceling). This is Jabra's last pair of consumer earbuds, so new features aren't likely. We like that they have a wireless transmitter case, like the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8, which provides latency-free connections to non-Bluetooth sources (looking at you, airplanes).
Sonos Ace for $350-450: Sonos Ace (8/10, Wired recommends) is an expensive but impressive first effort from Sonos, with great noise cancellation, great sound, and one of the most comfortable designs (if not the 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 pass sound from one to another. sonos soundbar As for the Ace, but it seems to have been fixed, making it an excellent option – especially for those who have already invested in Sonos.
Beats the Solo 4 for $150: We love Beats headphones these days, but this pair was a little lacking in features for us at its standard $200 price (7/10, Wired recommendsNow that they've arrived, we can heartily recommend them to anyone looking for a pair of wireless headphones that don't feature noise cancellation.
Technics EAH-AZ80 for $298, AZ80 (9/10, Wired recommends) are very good earbuds. Their most notable feature is the ease of pairing three devices together, but they're also robust with good noise-canceling technology, top-tier sound quality, and seven different ear tip options for a remarkably comfortable fit.
Beats Studio Pro for $350, Studio Pro (7/10, Wired recommends) delivers quality performance including surprisingly clear sound, good noise cancellation and a refreshing Natural Transparency mode. The design feels a bit cheap, and they leave out features like auto-pause, but extras like hands-free Siri and head tracking with spatial audio help increase their value – especially since their sale price sometimes goes up. Drops to almost half of the original $350 MSRP.
Sony WH-CH720N for $150, These Sony cans may have a silly name, but their sheer price tag makes up for it. They're not as flexible as the top options and don't come with a case, but their sound quality and noise-canceling capabilities are excellent for the money. They're also built to last and have long lasting battery life, making them a great choice for discerning buyers.
Sony WH-1000XM4 for $267, Sony's XM4 (9/10, Wired recommends) remains a top headphone, even after being replaced by the fantastic XM5. For a fairly large price reduction, you'll still get great noise-canceling technology, great sound, and great comfort in an extremely portable package.
Master & Dynamic MH40 for $399, M&D's second generation MH40 (8/10, Wired recommends) Pack gorgeous sound into an equally gorgeous design, with luxurious accessories like sheepskin leather and metal parts in place of plastic. The lack of advanced features, even excluding noise cancellation, makes them an expensive portal to minimalism, but they have style for days.
Audio Technica ATH-M50xBT for $199, Original ATH-M50X (9/10, Wired recommends) provide balanced sound and excellent durability, making them ubiquitous in music and film studios. But what if you want to take them with you between takes? Enter the ATH-M50XBT, which partners a wired studio connection with Bluetooth for wireless freedom. They don't offer noise cancellation or other advanced features but they are great for combining art and gaming.
Sony LinkBuds for $128, Linkbuds (8/10, Wired recommends) There's a neat trick: speakers with holes in the middle that let in the world around you for environmental awareness. They are not as suitable for noisy environments, which makes them a bit of a one-trick pony, but with the growing trend of open ears they are among the best choices. These have also been updated in the new Linkbuds Open (7/10, Wired recommends), which are currently more expensive but offer some new features and a more stable fit.
JLab Jbuds Mini for $40, in Micro-Buds from JLab They offer great sound, but their adorable teen design that fits on a key ring makes them a fun accessory for those who need some cheap buds on the go.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro 2 for $160, Samsung's top Galaxy Buds (9/10, Wired recommends) are getting a little long in the tooth, but they're still one of the best buds for Galaxy phones, offering solid noise cancellation, clear and vibrant sound, and a few Samsung-only features. However, their app won't work with non-Samsung phones, and their battery life of only five hours is now very low.