Best wireless headphones for 2025: top picks from our expert tests

Most wireless headphones connect via Bluetooth to stream music and podcasts from your mobile device without the need for a cable to be attached.  

The best Bluetooth headphones are comfortable and have enough battery to see you through several long-haul flights. Most importantly, they don’t sacrifice sound quality for wireless convenience.

In our independent lab tests we've uncovered the best wireless headphones that sit over or on your ears. See the ones we recommend in the tables below.

If you're looking for wireless in-ear headphones, check out our guide to the best wireless earbuds.

Best wireless over-ear headphones

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Over-ear headphones completely surround your ear – they're larger than other pairs, but can be more comfortable to wear and often offer extra features. Many over-ear wireless headphones are noise-cancelling too, blocking out external noise.

Best wireless on-ear headphones

On-ear headphones rest on top of your ears, rather than surrounding them. This allows the earcups to be smaller, but they can be less comfortable to wear over longer periods as the earcups put pressure on your ears.

Not found the product for you? Browse all of our headphone reviews.

Latest over-ear headphone reviews

Latest on-ear headphone reviews

Wireless headphones or earbuds: which are better?

Wireless headphones either come in over or on-ear variations, whereas wireless earbuds typically insert discreetly into your ears. 

The advantage of buds is that they are smaller, less bulky and not as conspicuous to wear. Even when in the charge case, the're also extremely easy to carry in a bag or pocket.

By contrast, wireless headphones are large and take up more space in your bag when travelling.  

You would choose wireless headphones as the sound can often be better overall, and they sometimes can plug into your phone using a cable, so you can continue listening when the battery dies. 

The major advantage, though, is battery life. A decent pair of wireless earbuds will last 8 to 10 hours before needing a charge. However, wireless headphpones can last four times longer, possibly six times. 

So, it really is about balalancing up what is important to you in your headphones, and choosing the type that ticks most of your boxes. 

See above some of the best wireless headphones to consider. Or, if you think wireless earbuds could be better for you, then head to our guide to Best wireless earbuds

How to connect wireless headphones 

Wireless headphones mostly connect via Bluetooth to your smartphone or speaker. 

However, with some models you can also use a cable to connect. This can improve the sound quality, but also it enables you to continue listening even when the battery has died. 

Wireless headphones FAQs

Will wireless headphones work with any smartphone?

The vast majority of wireless headphones – and all the models featured in the tables above – use Bluetooth to connect wirelessly to your phone. Bluetooth is a universal standard, so you'll be able to transmit music from any Bluetooth-enabled phone, laptop or tablet to any pair of Bluetooth headphones. 

Things do get slightly more complicated, as there have been different Bluetooth standards released over the years. The later versions allow music to be transmitted in higher quality and use less battery power. Don't worry though: if the headphones and the music source are both compatible they'll automatically use the higher-quality version.

Some headphones make use of accompanying apps to alter settings or use various features such as noise-cancelation. These apps can be exclusive to certain stores so it always best to check our reviews for these details. 

How do you charge wireless headphones?

Most wireless headphones now have a built-in rechargeable battery, and typically come with a charging cable ending with a standard USB socket. To charge such headphones from the mains, you usually need to purchase a USB plug adapter with a power output (watts) suitable for your device, as these aren't typically provided in the box. 

Most headphones will charge from a standard USB charger plug like those supplied with mobile phones. For example, if you already have an Apple 5W USB power adapter for charging your iPhone, you can also use it to charge your Apple AirPods headphones. Choose any reputable brand for the adapter - it rarely needs to match the brand of your headphones. Some headphones will support higher power adapters for faster charging.

Can wireless headphones sound as good as wired?

The reasons are complicated but, in short, yes, wireless headphones can sound just as good as a wired pair for most people's purposes. The thing that matters most for sound quality is the physical design of the headphones. The best wireless headphones are capable of playing music in CD quality and above, and it's a matter of scientific debate whether we can even hear differences in quality above this. 

How does Which? test and recommend wireless headphones?

We use a panel of five experts to judge every pair of headphones on their sound quality, comfort, durability and how much sound they leak. We also look at how stable the wireless connection is between the headphones and smartphone or MP3 player, to make sure you get uninterrupted music.

Not sure whether wireless headphones are right for you? Compare our top picks on all types in our guide to the best headphones.