November 2024

Wireless Headphones: MetaRanking

This page highlights the aggregate summary of wireless headphones rankings posted by key online experts, as of November 2024.

Summary

On 20 Nov 2024, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 97 headphones endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.

56 headphones were endorsed in total, only 15 made it into this month's ranking. (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included)

As of 20 Nov 2024, Sony WH-1000XM5 takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed headphones with 9 expert endorsements. 5 experts out of 9 recommended it as the '#1 headphones' this month.

Brand breakdown
Show all brands

Price breakdown
As can be seen in the chart below, lowest high-ranking wireless headphones start at $24.95 (Belkin Soundform Mini) and go up to $1300 (Dali IO-12). Median headphones costs $219.99 (Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Portal).
$24.95
$1300

At a glance - November Ranking

Scroll horizontally to browse this ranking table
Rank Change Price Headphones
IGN
Tom's Guide
What Hi-Fi
Digital Trends
WIRED
CNET
Wirecutter
PCMag
T3
Rtings.com
1
- $298
Sony WH-1000XM5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones have received positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, connectivity, and durability, making them a top choice for users seeking a premium listening experience.
1
1
1
1
1
2
3
5
7
-
2
- $429
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have received positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, and connectivity, making them a recommended choice for those seeking a versatile and enjoyable listening experience.
4
3
5
2
2
1
-
3
1
1
3
- $524
Apple AirPods Max
The Apple AirPods Max receive positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, and connectivity, making them a top choice for an outstanding audio experience.
8
9
6
3
5
7
-
9
8
-
4
- $299
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are highly praised for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, connectivity, and durability, making them a recommended choice for music enthusiasts who value strong bass and treble, effective noise cancellation, comfort for extended use, and durability for various activities.
-
-
-
-
3
11
-
2
3
-
5
- Check price
Apple AirPods Pro 2
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are highly praised for their exceptional sound quality, advanced noise cancellation, comfortable design, and convenient features, making them a top choice for everyday use.
-
-
-
-
4
4
-
1
-
-
6
- $250
Sennheiser Momentum 4
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones have received highly positive reviews for their exceptional sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, connectivity, and durability, making them a top choice for various listening needs.
6
-
-
7
-
3
-
-
6
-
7
- $422
Sonos Ace
-
5
-
6
-
-
-
-
2
-
8
- Check price
Sony CH-720N
-
-
3
-
-
5
-
-
-
-
10
- Check price
Bose 700
The Bose 700 headphones have received positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, connectivity, and durability, making them ideal for travel, work, or leisure activities.
3
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
7
11
- Check price
Sony CH520
-
-
2
-
-
14
-
-
-
-
12
- $120
Urbanista Los Angeles
The Urbanista Los Angeles headphones receive positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, and build quality, making them a recommended choice for bassheads and those seeking a powerful sound experience.
-
-
-
4
-
-
-
8
-
-
13
+1 $130
Beats Solo 4
5
-
-
-
-
13
-
-
-
-
14
+1 $307
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e
-
6
-
-
-
12
-
-
-
-
15
+1 $699
Focal Bathys
The Focal Bathys headphones are highly praised for their exceptional sound quality, effective noise cancellation, comfort, long battery life, strong connectivity options, and durability, making them a top choice for audiophiles and music lovers.
-
-
-
-
13
-
-
-
-
6
16
+1 $228
Sony WF-1000XM5
The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds have received highly positive expert reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation capabilities, comfort, battery life, connectivity features, and additional features, making them a top choice for premium true wireless earbuds.
-
-
-
-
-
16
-
4
-
-

Headphones
#12 $119.86 Urbanista Los Angeles
#10 $129.95 Bose 700
#13 $129.99 Beats Solo 4
#16 $228 Sony WF-1000XM5
#5 $247.49 Apple AirPods Pro 2
#6 $249.95 Sennheiser Momentum 4
#1 $298 Sony WH-1000XM5
#4 $299 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
#14 $307 Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e
#7 $422.33 Sonos Ace
#2 $429 Bose QuietComfort Ultra
#3 $523.94 Apple AirPods Max
#15 $699 Focal Bathys

We ranked Sony WH-1000XM5 #1 in November 2024 because:

  • 9 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless headphones” rankings.
  • Out of those, 5 experts ranked Sony WH-1000XM5 as #1.
Expert Consensus
(as of 22 Jul 2023)
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones have received positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, connectivity, and durability, making them a top choice for users seeking a premium listening experience.
Critic endorsements:
IGN

Best Wireless Headphones

Outstanding ANC
Support for the premium LDAC codec

Less portable than older models

Go to ranking

Tom's Guide

The Best Wireless Headphones Overall

Articulate and engaging sound
Great control options
Impressive noise-cancelation

Redesign and eco credentials ups the price
Gets hot around the ears during longer listening

Go to ranking

What Hi-Fi

Awards winner. The best-value all-rounders you can buy, period

Sensational sonic clarity
Touch controls are nice to use
Punchy and precise, agile bass

Less premium build than WH-1000XM4 predecessors
Don’t fold away completely

Go to ranking

Digital Trends

The best wireless headphones overall

Excellent sound
Very good comfort
Ultra-clear call quality
Best-in-class noise canceling
Very good battery life
Hi-res compatible (wired/wireless)
Hands-free voice assistant access
Classy, modern design

Fold-flat, but don’t fold up

Go to ranking

WIRED

Best Overall Headphones

Go to ranking

CNET

Best noise-canceling headphones from Sony

More refined sound and even better noise canceling
Slightly more comfortable
Best-in-class voice call quality
Robust feature set

Higher price tag than the previous model
Larger carrying case (headphones fold flat but not up)

Go to ranking

Wirecutter

Great performance, with some effort

Go to ranking

PCMag

Best Headphones for Audiophiles / Editors' Choice

Excellent audio performance with robust bass depth and crisp highs
Top-notch active noise cancellation
Intuitive on-ear controls
App offers an adjustable EQ and other customization settings
Comfortable, stylish design

Expensive

Go to ranking

T3

The best Sony noise cancelling headphones

Superb noise cancellation
Stunning sound
Great battery life

Don't fold
Pricier than predecessors

Go to ranking

We ranked Bose QuietComfort Ultra #2 in November 2024 because:

  • 9 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless headphones” rankings.
  • Out of those, 3 experts ranked Bose QuietComfort Ultra as #1.
Expert Consensus
(as of 8 Nov 2023)
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have received positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, and connectivity, making them a recommended choice for those seeking a versatile and enjoyable listening experience.
Critic endorsements:
IGN

Best Closed-Back Wireless Headphones

Extremely customizable
Support for Bluetooth multipoint

ANC adds slight pressure to ears

Go to ranking

Tom's Guide

The best wireless headphones for ANC

Modernized design
Effective Immersive Audio experience
Intuitive controls
Best-ever ANC

High cost compared to most rivals
Middling battery life for a flagship design

Go to ranking

What Hi-Fi

Class-leading noise cancellation and premium sound are straight from the top drawer

Exceptional noise cancelling
Handy folding design
Rich, full-bodied, punchy sound

Immersive Audio is unconvincing
Expensive compared to key rivals
Can’t be listened to via USB-C

Go to ranking

Digital Trends

Best noise canceling

Premium materials and design
Excellent comfort
Best-in-class noise canceling
Natural-sounding transparency
Impressive spatial audio
Hi-res compatibility

Tricky volume control
ANC can't be turned off

Go to ranking

WIRED

Best Noise Canceling

Go to ranking

CNET

Best Bose noise-canceling headphones

Design is an upgrade
Lightweight and very comfortable
Excellent sound and great noise canceling
Voice-calling performance is top-notch
Immersive Audio mode offers some sound-quality enhancements

Higher price than the previous model
No USB-C audio
Immersive Audio mode hurts battery life

Go to ranking

PCMag

Best Headphones for Noise Cancellation / Editor's Choice

Class-leading active noise cancellation
Crisp audio with rich bass
Adjustable EQ
Immersive audio modes with spatial effects

Expensive
Adaptive noise cancellation might cause ear pressure

Go to ranking

T3

The best noise cancelling headphones overall

Active noise cancelling really works
Compact, comfortable, lightweight
18-hour battery life

Not the cheapest
Limited touch controls

Go to ranking

Rtings.com

Best Wireless Bluetooth Headphones

Go to ranking

Methodology: combine opinions of key experts

Identify Experts

We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend wireless headphones.

Capture Rankings

For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of wireless headphones, it must be updated in the last 9 months.

Aggregate Rankings

We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking

Experts chosen for November 2024 ranking

We ranked Apple AirPods Max #3 in November 2024 because:

  • 8 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless headphones” rankings.
Expert Consensus
(as of 22 Jul 2023)
The Apple AirPods Max receive positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, and connectivity, making them a top choice for an outstanding audio experience.
Critic endorsements:
IGN

Best High-End Wireless Headphones for Apple Users

Stunning design and build quality
Solid ANC with a transparency mode

Some features won’t work with non-Apple devices

Go to ranking

Tom's Guide

The best over-ear wireless headphones for iOS users

Luxury design
Excellent noise cancellation
Spatial Audio sounds great

Expensive

Go to ranking

What Hi-Fi

Apple users will struggle to find better than the innovative over-ear AirPods

Superb audio and noise-cancelling
Cinematic spatial audio
Exceptional build quality

Near-pointless case
Audio cable not included
Practically Apple-only

Go to ranking

Digital Trends

Best for iPhone users

Best-in-class ANC
Amazing transparency mode
Excellent build quality
Excellent sound quality
Top-notch call quality

Charges via Lightning cable
Heavy on head

Go to ranking

WIRED

Best Over-Ears for iPhones

Go to ranking

CNET

Best high-end Apple wireless headphones

Surprisingly comfortable for their weight
Impressive sound and build-quality
Adaptive noise canceling is top-notch and so is transparency mode
Good headset performance for calls
Spatial audio virtual surround for iPhones and iPads is a sweet bonus feature
Automatic switching between iOS devices on your iCloud account (multipoint Bluetooth)

Expensive, heavy and the smart case may be too smart for its own good
No cable included for wired use

Go to ranking

PCMag

Best Headphones for iPhone Users

Excellent audio performance with rich lows and crisp, detailed highs
High-quality active noise cancellation, especially for low-frequency rumble
Stunning, unique design
Adaptive EQ and Spatial audio
Hands-free Siri access

Expensive
Sound signature and Adaptive EQ/spatial audio aren't for purists
No user-adjustable EQ
Button placement makes it easy to misfire when adjusting fit
Smart Case does little to protect the headphones

Go to ranking

T3

Best active noise cancelling headphones for Apple users

Beautiful and natural sound
Excellent noise cancelling
Fit is really comfortable

On the pricey side
Smart case isn't useful

Go to ranking

We ranked Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds #4 in November 2024 because:

  • 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless headphones” rankings.
Expert Consensus
(as of 3 Nov 2023)
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are highly praised for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, connectivity, and durability, making them a recommended choice for music enthusiasts who value strong bass and treble, effective noise cancellation, comfort for extended use, and durability for various activities.
Critic endorsements:
WIRED

Best Noise-Canceling Earbuds

Go to ranking

CNET

Great noise-canceling

Excellent sound and best-in-class noise canceling
Fit Kit ear tips and stabilizer system gets you a secure, comfortable fit
Immersive Audio creates a different listening experience
Slightly improved voice-calling

No wireless charging or multipoint Bluetooth
Immersive Audio mode hurts battery life

Go to ranking

PCMag

Best Earphones for Noise Cancellation / Editor's Choice

Best-in-class noise cancellation
Crisp, full-bodied audio
Active Aware feature blends noise cancellation and transparency modes
Spatial audio support with head tracking
Good Bluetooth codec support

Case doesn’t support wireless charging
No multipoint connectivity

Go to ranking

T3

Best noise-cancelling earbuds

Top notch sound
Incredible comfort
Unrivalled noise cancellation

Case is larger than some
Pricier than most

Go to ranking

We ranked Apple AirPods Pro 2 #5 in November 2024 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless headphones” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Apple AirPods Pro 2 as #1.
Expert Consensus
(as of 19 May 2023)
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are highly praised for their exceptional sound quality, advanced noise cancellation, comfortable design, and convenient features, making them a top choice for everyday use.
Critic endorsements:
WIRED

Best Earbuds for iPhones

Go to ranking

CNET

Updated Apple noise-canceling wireless earbuds

Additional dust resistance
MagSafe (USB-C) charging

Nearly identical to their Lightning predecessor
High price

Go to ranking

PCMag

Best Earphones for iPhone Users / Editors' Choice

Rich, well-balanced audio performance
Excellent active noise cancellation
Conversation Aware feature adjusts your music volume when you speak
Charging case has a built-in speaker, USB-C port
Seamless integration with Apple devices
Hearing aid and hearing protection features arriving soon

No hi-res codec support
EQ presets aren't adjustable

Go to ranking

We ranked Sennheiser Momentum 4 #6 in November 2024 because:

  • 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless headphones” rankings.
Expert Consensus
(as of 22 Jul 2023)
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones have received highly positive reviews for their exceptional sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, connectivity, and durability, making them a top choice for various listening needs.
Critic endorsements:
IGN

Best High-End Wireless Headphones

Impressive 60-hour battery life
Great sound quality

On-ear touchpad is sensitive

Go to ranking

Digital Trends

Best for sound quality

Amazing battery life
Outstanding sound
Effective wind noise reduction
Comfortable
Effective ANC

No auto-off function

Go to ranking

CNET

Best Sennheiser noise-canceling wireless headphones

Excellent sound
Improved noise canceling and voice-calling performance
Impressive battery life
Good sound personalization features

Ho-hum design
Noise-canceling isn't as good as Sony's or Bose's

Go to ranking

T3

The best noise cancelling headphones for battery life

Energetic, powerful sound
Very effective adaptive ANC
60 hours of battery, fast charging

Could look more exciting
EQ control could be more extensive

Go to ranking

We ranked Sonos Ace #7 in November 2024 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless headphones” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Tom's Guide

Spatial Audio and Dolby Head Tracking support

Excellent sound and noise canceling performance
Attractive design
Long battery life
Strong eco credentials

No lossless audio support over Wi-Fi
Lacks smart integrating with Sonos ecosystem

Go to ranking

Digital Trends

Supreme comfort, with perks for owning a Sonos soundbar

Excellent design and comfort
Intuitive tactile controls
Very good sound quality
Top-notch ANC and transparency
Fun Sonos soundbar integration

Lacks full Sonos system integration
No Wi-Fi streaming
TV Audio Swap needs improvement

Go to ranking

T3

The best luxury ANC headphones

Superior-level comfort
Big sound that includes spatial audio
Fun personal cinema features

Case could be improved
Not the best for travel

Go to ranking

We ranked Sony CH-720N #8 in November 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless headphones” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
What Hi-Fi

Awards winner. Affordability and active noise cancelling go hand in hand here – and sound is great too

Compellingly clear, direct sound
Decent ANC for the price
Solid, durable build quality

A little over-enthusiastic in the bass
Sadly no case or foldability

Go to ranking

CNET

Top Value Sony Midrange Noise-Canceling Headphones

Lightweight and comfortable
Good sound with very good noise canceling
Good voice-calling performance
35 hours of battery life

No carrying case
No ear-detection sensors
No LDAC audio codec support

Go to ranking

We ranked Bose 700 #9 in November 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless headphones” rankings.
Expert Consensus
(as of 22 Jul 2023)
The Bose 700 headphones have received positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, connectivity, and durability, making them ideal for travel, work, or leisure activities.
Critic endorsements:
IGN

Best Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones

Superior active noise-cancelling
Excellent design

Battery life could be better

Go to ranking

Rtings.com

Best Wireless Bluetooth Headphones For Calls

Go to ranking

We ranked Sony CH520 #10 in November 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless headphones” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
What Hi-Fi

Budget bargains that nail the basics and go the extra mile with battery life

Balanced and engaging sound
Excellent, 50-hour battery life
Useful and extensive control app

Dynamically inhibited
Could conceivably have greater insight

Go to ranking

CNET

Top Budget on-ear Headphones

Affordable
Lightweight and relatively comfortable for on-ear headphones
Excellent battery life
Good sound for their price

Entry-level look and feel
Limited feature set with no wired option

Go to ranking

We ranked Urbanista Los Angeles #11 in November 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless headphones” rankings.
Expert Consensus
(as of 22 Jul 2023)
The Urbanista Los Angeles headphones receive positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, and build quality, making them a recommended choice for bassheads and those seeking a powerful sound experience.
Critic endorsements:
Digital Trends

Best for the eco-minded music fan

Solar charging really works
Secure fit
Real-time power meter in app
Huge 80-hour battery

Only works under optimal conditions
No EQ adjustments

Go to ranking

PCMag

Best for Battery Life / Editors Choice

Solar-powered charging
Impressive audio performance with rich, deep bass and crisp highs
Quality noise cancellation for the price
Stylish design

No in-app EQ
Noise cancellation slightly impacts sound signature

Go to ranking

We ranked Beats Solo 4 #12 in November 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless headphones” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
IGN

Best Wireless Headphones For Apple Users

Pairs seamlessly with Apple and Android devices
Spatial audio with head tracking support for Apple devices

No ANC

Go to ranking

CNET

Best Beats on-ear headphones

Improved sound and voice-calling performance
Strong battery life
USB-C audio
Spatial audio with head tracking for Apple users
Android compatible

No active noise canceling
No ear-detection sensors

Go to ranking

We ranked Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e #13 in November 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless headphones” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Tom's Guide

Updated premium over-ears with elite sound

Great sound
Low-profile designs with smart styling
Effective noise canceling

No touch controls
Noise canceling isn't as good as its rivals

Go to ranking

CNET

Evolved Bowers & Wilkins noise-canceling headphones

Improved comfort and sound quality
Better noise-canceling and voice-calling performance
Sturdy design
Support for aptX Adaptive audio codec for Android users

Somewhat pricey
Slightly heavy

Go to ranking

We ranked Focal Bathys #14 in November 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless headphones” rankings.
Expert Consensus
(as of 22 Jul 2023)
The Focal Bathys headphones are highly praised for their exceptional sound quality, effective noise cancellation, comfort, long battery life, strong connectivity options, and durability, making them a top choice for audiophiles and music lovers.
Critic endorsements:
WIRED

Best if Money Is No Object

Go to ranking

Rtings.com

Best Sounding Wireless Bluetooth Headphones

Go to ranking

We ranked Sony WF-1000XM5 #15 in November 2024 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless headphones” rankings.
Expert Consensus
(as of 10 Aug 2023)
The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds have received highly positive expert reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation capabilities, comfort, battery life, connectivity features, and additional features, making them a top choice for premium true wireless earbuds.
Critic endorsements:
CNET

Best sony earbuds

New smaller design
Improved sound, noise canceling and voice calling
Upgraded processors and drivers

Pricey
No Find My feature integrated into app

Go to ranking

PCMag

Best Earphones for Audiophiles / Editors' Choice

Rich bass response and crisp, detailed highs
Adjustable in-app EQ
Excellent noise cancellation
Top-tier mic clarity
Case supports wireless charging
Hands-free Alexa and Google Assistant

Expensive
Some bloat in companion app

Go to ranking