Best Bluetooth headphones for 2026
Our top wireless headphone picks, plus some shopping tips
In this article: I pick the best wireless headphones for several different categories and uses...
- Best noise-canceling over-ear wireless headphones — Sony WH-1000XM6
- Best noise-canceling wireless earbuds — Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
- Best wireless earbuds for working out — JBL Endurance Peak 3
- Best-sounding over-ear wireless headphones — Sennheiser HDB 630
- Best-sounding wireless earbuds — Sennheiser Momentum TW 4
- Best wireless earbuds for iPhone — Apple AirPods Pro 3
- Best wireless earbuds for Android users — JBL Live Beam 3
- Best budget over-ear headphones — Anker Soundcore Space One
... plus, some advice on finding the right Bluetooth headphones for you.
M
ost of our best-selling headphones these days are Bluetooth headphones. I expect their popularity will continue to soar. They let you easily listen to audio without connecting a wire to your phone — where most of us keep our music and podcasts.
Plus, Bluetooth's sound quality and reliability have greatly improved. I noticed a major leap in performance just this past year. And now that the iPhone and other popular phones don’t feature a headphone jack, even more of us are turning to wireless.
What should you look for when shopping for Bluetooth headphones?
Bluetooth wireless headphones come in a few different flavors, but there are a few specs to keep in mind regardless of which type of headphones you're after.
Fit style: over-ears or earbuds
You'll find lot of great Bluetooth headphone choices out there, and I've managed to test most of the models we carry. Right now, the two main Bluetooth options are true wireless earbuds and over-ear Bluetooth headphones. (You can still find traditional wireless earbuds with the connecting cord, but they are coming out few and far between.)
The two top Bluetooth headphone options are over-ear (left) and true wireless earbuds (right).
Bluetooth versions
There have been a lot of Bluetooth versions over the years. I recommend choosing headphones that are Bluetooth 5.0 and above.
These are newer, more reliable versions of Bluetooth. They give you a greater wireless range and faster data transfer rates. I can typically keep my phone on my home office desk and walk clear across my basement wearing the headphones — without audio dropout.
"Multipoint" connection
Another feature to keep on your radar is "multipoint." Bluetooth headphones with "multipoint" allow you to pair two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. You can hop back and forth from your laptop and phone for music, meetings, and calls — a game changer for the office or working at home.
Bluetooth codecs and sound quality
For better sound quality, there are a few special compression/decompression schemes (codecs). Bluetooth always adds a layer of compression and decompression to facilitate the wireless transmission. But there are high-resolution codecs like aptX, aptX HD, AAC, and LDAC that can better preserve sound. (LE Audio is the latest codec and offers the highest promise once more phones and devices roll out with it onboard.)
In our article "Bluetooth home stereo," we break down those Bluetooth codecs in more detail.
Finding the "right tool for the job"
Different headphones work better in different situations so I've broken this list up into several categories and uses. Just remember, headphones can be subjective — this type of list is always up for debate!
But based on my experience, here are the top Bluetooth headphone picks for 2026:
Best noise-canceling over-ear headphones — Sony WH-1000XM6
The WH-1000XM6 over-ear headphones are the latest in Sony's famed "XM" series — that has dominated our "Best of" lists, going back several years. For the XM6, Sony went back to a folding design and a new magnet-latching case for easier travel. The headband is wider, relieving some pressure on the top of the head.
They also added more built-in mics and developed a brand new processing chip for hyper-adaptive noise cancellation. The QN3 chip works seven times faster than the chip found in the previous-gen WH-1000XM5 and legendary WH-1000XM4. It doesn't only make things perceptively quieter, but it does so more seamlessly. I heard less of the distracting innerworkings as the noise cancellation adjusts to external sounds.
To my ears, these headphones also sound more refined than their predeccesors. I heard better vocal clarity, high-end detail, along with bass that hit hard but felt more under control. For these reasons and more, Sony remains on top — even amongst stiffer competition than ever.
Details:
- also featured in our article: Best noise-canceling headphones for 2026
- closed-back, over-the-ear headphones with Bluetooth 5.3 and multipoint connection
- LDAC and AAC decoding for high-quality music from compatible devices
- sophisticated, adaptive noise-canceling circuitry adjusts to the level of external sound
- new QN3 processor is seven times more powerful than on previous models
- 30 hours of battery life with noise cancellation
- 10 minute quick charge provides enough power for 3 hours of listening
- dynamic 30mm drivers with carbon-fiber composite diaphragm domes
Best noise-canceling earbuds — Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd generation)
Once again, Bose has outdone themselves. Their QC Ultra Earbuds 2 cancel noise better than any other wireless earbuds. Just like their predecessors upon their release — and every generation of flagship Bose QC earbuds before them. In fact, these in-ear headphones can cancel noise as well as the best over-ear noise-canceling 'phones.
That makes them an air travel game changer. They can knock out the loud drone of a plane engine, and they take up very little carry-on space. Over-ear headphones have longer battery life, but the QC Earbuds Ultra 2 offer up to six hours of listening with noise cancellation — easily enough to cover a short flight.
Details
- also featured in our articles: Best true wireless earbuds for 2026 and Best noise-canceling headphones for 2026
- 100% wire-free headphones with Bluetooth 5.3
- CustomTune technology calibrates sound and noise cancellation to your fit and surroundings
- two immersive audio modes for 3D sound
- IPX4 sweat- and weather-resistant
- three sizes of flexible wings keep earbuds secure during movement
- 6 hours of battery life with noise cancellation
- carrying case banks up to 18 hours of power
Best earbuds for running and working out — JBL Endurance Peak 3
True wireless earbuds changed the game for workout convenience. There are absolutely zero wires to get in your way or all tangled up inside your bag. The "hook-style" JBL Endurance Peak 3 are my current sports earbuds pick for their fit, security, durability, and hard-hitting bass.
These JBL earbuds offer two awareness mode options and meet high standards for durability and waterproofing. They also sport a flexible, around-the-ear hook design that keeps them from moving around while you run or exercise.
Details:
- Bluetooth 5.2 for wireless music listening and phone calls
- ear-hook design for secure fit during workouts
- large 10mm dynamic drivers tuned for energetic sound with deep, powerful bass
- 10 hours of listening per charge
- carrying case banks up to 40 hours of power
- IP68-rated waterproof and dustproof
Best-sounding wireless over-ear headphones — Sennheiser HDB 630
Since their release, the top-selling Sennheiser HDB 630 noise-canceling headphones have made quite a splash in the audiophile headphone community. That's because they are the company's first wireless travel headphones that can perform on par with the company's legendary wired "HD 600" series. (I described the sound as a mix of the HD 620's breathable soundstage with the smooth, yet detailed tonality of the HD 650.)
The HDB 630s replace the Focal Bathys on this list, my longtime pick as the best-sounding wireless over-ears. And the truth is they go toe to toe with each other when it comes to the out-of-the-box tuning. But Sennheiser includes so many extra goodies — like their BTD 700 Bluetooth transmitter with aptX Lossless — that it would be hard to not recommend them in this price range.
Plus, their parametric EQ feature offers a granular level of control over the sound that's beyond anything I've seen in a major headphone release. Inside their mobile app, there is a completely adjustable equalization tool that lets you dial in the gain, frequency, and bandwidth.
You control it all through a series of sliders, filters, and slope adjustments right on your phone’s touchscreen. There are basically no limits; you’re in full control. Ironically, as I said in my hands-on review of the HDB 630, the level of tweaking and fine-tuning I've always dreamed of comes packaged with a set of headphones that don't need many sonic adjustments.
(As for Focal? They released the super-high-end noise-canceling Bathys MG headphones — using magnesium-based drivers to catapult wireless headphones even further into the sonic stratosphere.)
Details
- also featured in our article: Best noise-canceling headphones for 2026
- Bluetooth 5.2 with multipoint connection
- high-quality aptX, aptX Adaptive, and aptX HD audio streaming
- adaptive hybrid noise-canceling circuitry and adjustable "Transparency" mode
- 42mm drivers tuned for tuned for airy, detailed highs, clear, well-balanced mids, and deep, well-controlled bass
- secure, relaxed fit with deep cushioning and protein leatherette headband liner
- professional-level parametric EQ for fine-tuning sound (mobile app required)
- includes Sennheiser's BTD 700 USB-C Bluetooth transmitter
- rechargeable battery provides up to 60 hours of wireless use
Best-sounding wireless earbuds — Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4
If you haven't heard truly high-performance earbuds before, the sound from Sennheiser's Momentum True Wireless 4 might surprise you.
You're placing these small 'buds in your ears, and they deliver an "outside-the-head" sound. To my ears, it's also the cleanest, most nuanced sound you can get from a set of wireless earbuds.
Details
- also featured in our articles: Best true wireless earbuds for 2026 and Best noise-canceling headphones for 2026
- built-in Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX adaptive and aptX Lossless
- adaptive hybrid noise-canceling circuitry
- "TrueResponse" dynamic driver in each earbud
- spacious soundstage with precise imaging
- premium materials and IP54 water-resistant design
- four sizes of silicone ear tips and three sizes of ear fins
- 7 hours of battery life with noise cancellation (fabric-covered charging case banks up to 22.5 hours of power)
Best wireless earbuds for iPhone and Apple users — Apple AirPods Pro 3
I mean what can I say? Apple purpose-built the AirPods to use with their devices. And the H2 chip inside the AirPods Pro 3 makes for an even snappier experience with the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Making and taking calls, SIRI commands, controlling tunes and podcasts — it’s all so easy. This time around, Apple even included a heart monitor that sends real-time info to your iPhone’s Fitness app.
And the noise cancellation is better than ever — nearly as effective the Bose QC Ultra 2! That said, it’s no longer quite the no-brainer pick for me like the previous-gen AirPods Pro 2. Those AirPods fit better in my ears and sounded better to me. The AirPods Pro 3 deliver a more V-shaped sound that emphasizes bass and treble more, and I found they leaned a little too bright for my tastes on some tracks.
Details
- also featured in our article: Best noise-canceling headphones for 2026
- built-in Bluetooth 5.3 for music and calls
- Apple's strongest active noise cancellation and more natural Transparency mode
- H2 chip provides faster, more powerful processing and seamless wireless connection with Apple devices
- better built for workouts with IP57 sweatproof design and heart monitor
- Adaptive EQ customizes the sound based on how AirPods fit in your ear
- dynamic head-tracking and personal profile for customized spatial audio experience
- 5 sizes of foam-infused silicone ear tips for a secure, comfortable fit
- 8 hours of battery life with noise cancellation (MagSafe charging case banks up to 24 more hours of power)
Best wireless earbuds for Android Users — JBL Live Beam 3
The sweat-resistant JBL Live Beam 3 is a great choice for “do-everything” earbuds, styled similarly to AirPods. They have a long battery life and loaded feature set — and their mics pick up well for clear phone calls/video chats. Oh yeah, and did I mention the touchscreen case?
There's a laundry list of easy controls available right on the case's "Smart Screen." It syncs up and works so well with my Samsung phone, that I actually prefer the JBL Live Beam 3 experience to Samsung's own Galaxy Buds. (Samsung is the parent company of JBL and Harman, by the way.)
Sonically, JBL always delivers great bang for your buck because they pay such strict attention to their sound tuning. (I visited Sean Olive, head of acoustic research at JBL/Harman, to see their studies firsthand.)
Details
- built-in Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint connection
- full-color LED screen on case offers control over settings and headphone functions
- "True Adaptive" noise cancellation and "Smart Ambient" (transparency) mode
- free JBL Headphones app for Apple® or Android™ for customization and control
- IPX55 sweat-resistant
- 10mm dynamic drivers for clear sound with strong bass
- sound signature honed by decades of Harman research and exhaustive user testing
- hands-free voice control with the Google Assistant (optional)
- four sizes of silicone ear tips for a comfortable, secure fit (including size XS for smaller ears)
- 10 hours of battery life with noise cancellation (charging case banks up to 36 more hours of power)
Best budget over-ears — Anker Soundcore Space One
Anker is known for offering a lot of value and their Soundcore Space One is my "bang for your buck" pick right now. They're priced below the heavy-hitters in this category but still boast above-average noise cancellation, a relaxed, yet secure fit, and healthy battery life — up to 40 hours with noise cancellation.
Anker's sound signature always leans toward deep bass and prominent highs, with relaxed mids and vocals. But I happen to find these headphones sound a bit more balanced than the V-shaped tuning of Anker's newer, more premium models. Plus, you can adjust and personalize the sound with the optional Soundcore app for Apple® and Android™.
- closed-back, over-the-ear headphones with Bluetooth 5.3
- LDAC and AAC decoding
- active noise cancellation and transparent mode
- Secure, relaxed fit with flexible padded headband and soft ear pads
- 40mm dynamic drivers with "dual layer" diaphragm design made from silk and ceramic materials
- deep, powerful bass with relaxed mids and accentuated highs
- rechargeable battery provides up to 40 hours of wireless use with noise cancellation
- 5-minute quick charge provides enough power for 4 hours of listening
Other types of wireless headphones
The vast majority of wireless headphones these days connect via Bluetooth. But there are also transmitter-based wireless headphones that often connect using radio frequencies (RF). Those headphone systems usually come as a complete set designed for gaming or better TV sound.
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Popular questions customers ask
Most wireless headphones use Bluetooth to connect to your phone or other compatible device. They range from tiny earbuds to larger over-ear models. There are also specialized wireless headphones for TV that use a wireless transmitter instead of Bluetooth to connect to your TV or home audio system.
Noise-canceling headphones let you hear all the detail in your music without having to crank the volume to overcome external noise. These headphones use special circuitry to cancel out exterior sounds before they reach your ears. And theyÆre available in lots of styles, from small earbuds to cushier over-ear models.
We carry a range of wireless and true wireless Bluetooth earbuds to keep you moving during your workouts. The best sports headphones are durable and sweat-proof models that stay in place when you move around.
Over-ear and on-ear Bluetooth headphones tend to have much longer-lasting batteries than in-ear headphones, which are designed to be as small and light as possible. Wireless earbuds have batteries that can last up to around 12 hours, while larger headphones can offer 20-30 hours of use between charges.
Steve
Posted on 8/27/2023
Is there any wireless headphone that supports Apple's ALAC?
U
Posted on 4/24/2023
Y
Brian
Posted on 11/23/2022
I came here seeking a better headphone set, but your ranking of the Sony 'XM5 has unfortunately led me to discredit this review. I urge you to complete a long-term evaluation, in several scenarios/environments to see if your opinion of these headphones remains unscathed. I believe you may have some poor experiences even using them at your desk. For instance, I found that they were unable to block out white noise from a sound machine, or airplane noise. The software is so buggy that they will turn on/off either the music, ANC, etc. On another large vendor site, one can read some of these reviews. Many seem to hang onto the hype, but they have been enough that I wouldn't even consider any other Sony products for the rest of my life.
Dorky Dave from Long Beach, NY
Posted on 5/12/2021
Jeff- Will Crutchfield be selling the limited edition Sony WH-1000XM4 Headphones in White, when they become available for distribution in the United States?
Dave Lindley from St Augustine
Posted on 4/25/2021
You did not mention Bowers & Wilkins Carbon Edition. I just bought a pair and love them. Sound quality is outstanding and controls are SIMPLE - no swipes. Noise cancel could be better but once the music plays, who cares.
Jeff Miller from Crutchfield
on 5/10/2021
TC from Raymond, MS
Posted on 8/11/2020
Jeff: I am technology-challenged and get confused over the headphone uses. All I want is a set of over the ear headphone with a mic to use while talking on my iPhone. I have a hearing inpairment which headphones seem to address rather well. Ear buds are NOT an option. Can you direct me to headphones made expressly for cell phone calls use? Thanks
Jeff Miller from Crutchfield
on 8/11/2020
I've forwarded your question one of our Advisors, who will follow up with you directly and make sure we get you the best set of headphones.
Milan from Huntsville
Posted on 4/17/2020
For Best budget over-ears: you recommended the Sennheiser 4.40BT which is now discontinued. What's you next choice? What's are the main differences between Bluetooth 4.0 and Bluetooth 5.0? Any reason to go with a 5.0 headset?
Jeff Miller from Crutchfield
on 4/17/2020
I haven't totally tested that claim, but my wife has used them for almost a month now. And every night she's up with our 10-month-old and uses them to watch movies as she gets him to sleep. She hasn't recharged the headphones yet.
Bluetooth 5.0 in general offers a stronger, more reliable wireless signal than previous generations. Most headphones I've tested with Bluetooth 5 have had few to zero audio dropouts. It is also more efficient, hence the better battery life.