Cut The Cord: The Best (And Most Stylish) Wireless Headphones On The Market
Welcome to the cable-free future where wires are officially dead. We’ve done it. No more pocket knots, no more unfortunate loss of audio thanks to a loose connection and no more getting tangled up while working out. The tech community deserves a pat on the back.
We’ve pulled together a mixture of gym-ready, commuter-friendly and plain ol’ Sunday afternoon sat in a comfy chair headphones for all your audio needs.
Beats Studio3 Wireless
First things first, let’s get Beats out of the way. Since its inception and throughout subsequent takeovers, Beats by Dre have been pushing consumers towards higher quality sound with the help of celebrity endorsement and stylish brand power.
Bolder bass (we’re not complaining) comes as standard and with the Studio3 being the brand’s flagship premium offering, there’s real-time audio calibration, expert noise cancellation and 22 hours of battery life. Convenient on-ear controls also provide audio and phone options at the press of a button. Available in seven different colourways (last time we checked) including matte and gloss options.
Sony WH-1000XM4
Sony’s premium wireless headphones provide market-leading dynamic, rich sound that even manages to improve on the brand’s previous award-winning XM3 offering. This upgrade in audio hasn’t come at the expense of comfort either, with the snug and lightweight feel still intact.
There’s some clever features too, with ‘Speak-to-Chat’ recognising when the wearer is talking and switching modes automatically.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 Wireless
As with anything Bowers & Wilkins, you can expect sleek aesthetics, premium-quality audio and industry-leading noise cancellation.
The PX7s look and feel great, which is two important boxes ticked, while the sound is rich, lively and firmly high end. However, what really sets them apart is the handy noise-cancelling tier system, which we find especially useful for listening to music in different environments. Well worth the price tag.
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
A serious rival on the noise-cancelling scene, Bose have improved on previous models to give Sony some healthy competition. With a stylish design and solid build, Bose have packed in dynamic and lively sound with the bonus of dramatic noise cancellation and a comfortable snug fit.
If noise cancellation isn’t your bag, Bose’s QuietComfort 35 II are another great-sounding pair of wireless headphones from a brand that puts acoustics on a pedestal.
Apple AirPods Max
The Apple lifestyle crew will no doubt be delighted with the addition of the AirPods Max. Dripping in contemporary Apple aesthetics with an injection of colour here and there, they’re comfortable, well-built and – of course – they sound incredible.
Yet as with anything Apple, exclusivity comes with the territory; these aren’t for Android devices. If you’re an Apple devotee and you’ve got the money, there’s no other headphones worth buying.
Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless
First things first, we love the look of them. It’s a pretty discrete difference, but there’s something about the metal slider for each cup that gives them a more rugged studio look that we like.
Inside each cup you’re guaranteed excellent noise cancellation, which puts Sennheiser at the top of its class, and punchy, lively sound that’s an improvement over previous models. The 17-hour battery life is a bit of a pet peeve, but the sound and looks more than make up for it.
Jabra Elite 85H
Although not a household name by any means, Jabra is starting to give the audio big hitters a run for their money. For a premium set of wireless headphones these certainly tick the right boxes: a whopping 36 hours battery life, stylish aesthetics, a comfortable headband and fantastic sound make these an impressive proposition at the price point. A genuine alternative to some of the high-end wireless pairs on the market.
AKG N60NC Wireless
If you’re after value for money, these AKG headphones should be seriously considered. Offering quality that belies their price point, the noise cancellation is more than admirable and the sound manages to avoid all the standard tinny pitfalls that are so common with more value-orientated brands. The compact build seals the deal, making them ideal to carry on the move when not in use. Fifteen hours battery life isn’t too bad either.
Audio-Technica ATH-WP900
If you’re an audiophile and you want top of the range, you’ve got to consider the best of the best. Flame maple housings aren’t just here for the aesthetics rosette. Those thin slices of expertly-fused maple provide the ultimate casings for clear, natural sound – providing the ultimate complement to the pure nerd-level tech inside, a calling card of Audio-Technica.
Perfectly balanced, perfectly sounding. If you’ve got the money, why not?