July 2022
Wireless Headphones: Meta Ranking Report
This report contains an aggregate consensus of Headphones rankings posted by key online experts, as of July 2022.
Summary
As of 28 Jul 2022, Sony WH-1000XM5 takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed headphones with 7 expert endorsements. 6 experts out of 7 recommended it as the '#1 headphones' this month. It is followed by Bose QuietComfort 45 and Sony WH-1000XM4 , with 6 and 5 expert endorsements respectively.
At a glance - July 2022 Ranking
Rank | Price | Headphones |
Rtings.com
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Tom's Guide
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PCMag
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What Hi-Fi
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CNET
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Wirecutter
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Digital Trends
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Old Time Music
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IGN
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T3
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---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1
|
$398 |
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-
|
1
|
5
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
$279 |
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-
|
11
|
1
|
21
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
10
|
3
|
$348 |
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1
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
10
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
4
|
$480 |
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-
|
9
|
11
|
4
|
3
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
5
|
$299 |
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7
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
3
|
4
|
6
|
$248 |
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-
|
-
|
4
|
5
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
7
|
$97 |
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-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
9
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
$180 |
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-
|
5
|
8
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
$267 |
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-
|
-
|
-
|
18
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
10
|
$198 |
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-
|
7
|
-
|
20
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
12
|
13
|
$98 |
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-
|
-
|
-
|
11
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
14
|
$249 |
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-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
15
|
$199 |
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-
|
-
|
-
|
16
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
16
|
$196 |
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-
|
-
|
10
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
17
|
$80 |
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4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
13
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
18
|
$60 |
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-
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
We ranked Sony WH-1000XM5 #1 in July 2022 because:
- 7 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Headphones” rankings.
- Out of those, 6 experts ranked Sony WH-1000XM5 as #1.

Tom's Guide
The best wireless headphones overall
Pros
Articulate and engaging sound
Great control options
Impressive noise-cancelation
|
Cons
Redesign and eco credentials ups the price
Gets hot around the ears during longer listening
|
PCMag
Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones for Audiophiles / Editors' Choice
Pros
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
|
Cons
Expensive
|
What Hi-Fi
New design, same result for Sony’s latest premium noise-cancelling headphones
Pros
Sensational sonic clarity
Nice to use
Punchy and precise, agile bass
|
Cons
Build seems a little less premium than before
Don’t fold away completely
|
Digital Trends
The best wireless headphones overall
Pros
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
|
Cons
Fold-flat, but don’t fold up
|
T3
The best wireless over-ear headphones for most people
Pros
Very light and comfortable
Excellent sound quality
Fantastic noise cancellation
|
Cons
No aptX support
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We ranked Bose QuietComfort 45 #2 in July 2022 because:
- 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Headphones” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Bose QuietComfort 45 as #1.

Tom's Guide
Inexpensive noise cancellation with lengthy playtime
Pros
Elite active noise cancellation
Refined sound signature
Increased battery life
Fantastic comfort and connectivity
|
Cons
Can’t disable ANC mode
Dip in call quality
|
PCMag
Best Active Noise Cancellation / Editors' Choice
Pros
Best-in-class noise cancellation
Sculpted audio with rich bass and crisp highs
Exceptionally comfortable
|
Cons
ANC can’t be adjusted
Sound signature isn't accurate for true audiophiles
|
What Hi-Fi
The QC45 have solid noise cancellation, but they're bettered in sound quality by the class leaders.
Pros
Effective noise cancellation
24-hour battery life
Comfortable build
|
Cons
Sparsely featured comparatively
Beaten for dynamics and timing
No aptX Bluetooth
|
T3
Best wireless headphones for noise-cancelling
Pros
Impressive noise-cancelling
24 hours of battery life
Sound you can listen to for hours
|
Cons
Can’t turn off noise-cancelling entirely
No manual EQ settings
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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 July 2022 ranking










We ranked Sony WH-1000XM4 #3 in July 2022 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Headphones” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Sony WH-1000XM4 as #1.

What Hi-Fi
Sony’s premium wireless headphones deliver a sonic masterclass
Pros
Dynamic, detail-rich sound
Sensational sense of timing
Lightweight, comfy and clever
|
Cons
No IP rating
No aptX support
|
T3
The former best wireless over-ear headphones ever
Pros
Very light and comfortable
Excellent sound quality
Fantastic noise cancellation
|
Cons
No aptX support
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We ranked Apple AirPods Max #4 in July 2022 because:
- 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Headphones” rankings.

Tom's Guide
The best over-ear wireless headphones for iOS users
Pros
Luxury design
Excellent noise cancellation
Spatial Audio sounds great
|
Cons
Expensive
|
PCMag
Best Headphones for iPhone Users
Pros
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
|
Cons
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
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What Hi-Fi
These are hands-down the best wireless noise-cancellers you can buy (for Apple users, anyway)
Pros
Superb sound and noise-cancelling
Cinematic spatial audio
Exceptional build quality
|
Cons
Near-pointless case
Audio cable not included
Practically Apple-only
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Digital Trends
Best for iPhone users
Pros
Best-in-class ANC
Amazing transparency mode
Excellent build quality
Excellent sound quality
Top-notch call quality
|
Cons
Charges via Lightning cable
Heavy on head
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We ranked Bose 700 #5 in July 2022 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Headphones” rankings.

Tom's Guide
The best wireless headphones for ANC
Pros
Slick, attractive design
Adjustable ANC levels
Precise, balanced audio
Smart, intuitive buttons and touch controls
|
Cons
Expensive
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Digital Trends
Best for comfort and call convenience
Pros
Excellent noise canceling
Extremely comfortable
Remarkable voice clarity for calls and voice assistants
Connect to multiple devices at once
USB-C brings convenient quick-charging
|
Cons
Boost to lower treble comes off as harsh
Requires Bose Music App to control many functions
|
T3
The best noise cancelling headphones for call quality
Pros
Astonishing voice pick up
Top-tier noise cancelling
Very good sound quality
|
Cons
Battery life not great
Not as many features as Sony
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We ranked Sony WF-1000XM4 #6 in July 2022 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Headphones” rankings.

PCMag
Best True Wireless Noise Cancellation / Editors' Choice
Pros
Exceptional active noise cancellation
Powerful bass depth and crisp, defined highs
Adjustable EQ
Good battery life
|
Cons
Expensive
|
What Hi-Fi
Sony's best true wireless earbuds to date.
Pros
Clear, detailed bass performance
Wonderful sense of musicality
Comfortable
Class-leading battery life
|
Cons
Missing Sony’s Multipoint feature
Lacking ear tip choices
No aptX HD
|
T3
The best in-ear wireless headphones overall
Pros
Excellent audio quality
Top-tier noise cancellation
Comfortable in-ear feel
|
Cons
Somewhat bulbous design
No aptX
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We ranked Jabra Elite 45h #7 in July 2022 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Headphones” rankings.

PCMag
Best Affordable On-Ear Headphones / Editors' Choice
Pros
Powerful, bass-forward audio performance
Useful app with adjustable EQ
Comfortable on-ear fit
Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
Strong mic clarity
|
Cons
Combined volume/track navigation controls make it easy to accidentally skip a track
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We ranked Apple AirPods Pro #8 in July 2022 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Headphones” rankings.

Tom's Guide
Apple's best wireless headphones
Pros
Modern, functional design
Effective active noise cancellation
Expanded, easy to use controls
Seamless iOS connectivity
|
Cons
Battery life could be longer
|
PCMag
Best Earphones for iPhone Users / Editors' Choice
Pros
Strong audio performance
Quality active noise cancellation
Secure in-ear fit
Hands-free Siri access
Wireless charging case
Splash-resistant build
|
Cons
Expensive
No on-ear volume controls
ANC and EQ aren't adjustable
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We ranked Sennheiser Momentum 3 #9 in July 2022 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Headphones” rankings.

What Hi-Fi
Superb noise-cancellers that enhance Sennheiser’s reputation
Pros
Energetic, rhythmic presentation
Convenient usability features
Effective noise cancellation
|
Cons
Uncompetitive battery life
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Digital Trends
Best for sound quality
Pros
Gorgeous fidelity
Easy to use controls
Great passive noise isolation
App-based controls
Tile built-in
|
Cons
Noise reduction isn't as good as Sony and Bose
Headband still needs better padding
Middling battery life
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We ranked Apple AirPods 3 #10 in July 2022 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Headphones” rankings.

Tom's Guide
The best standard AirPods for voice and FaceTime calls
Pros
Adaptive EQ with well-balanced sound
Spatial audio support
Improved battery life and ergonomics
H1 chip-powered features
|
Cons
No ANC or Transparency mode
Loose fit
|
What Hi-Fi
AirPods advance closer to the Pro model with redesign and stand-out spatial audio
Pros
Spatial audio support is a real bonus
Balanced, clear and detailed sound
Strong battery life
|
Cons
Beaten for transparency
Still no on-bud volume adjustment
Fit won't be for everyone
|
T3
The best ordinary AirPods
Pros
Great new design
Better battery life
Dynamic and detailed sound
|
Cons
Not everyone likes the fit
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We ranked Sony WF-C500 #11 in July 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Headphones” rankings.

What Hi-Fi
Real competitors in the budget true wireless earbuds arena
Pros
Compact and comfortable design
Spirited, well-balanced sound
Fine control app
|
Cons
Ordinary battery life
Slightly small-scale sound
|
T3
The best cheap wireless earbuds
Pros
Excellent sound quality
Manual equaliser settings
Comfortable fit
|
Cons
No noise-cancelling
Average battery life
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We ranked Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 #12 in July 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Headphones” rankings.

What Hi-Fi
The True Wireless 3 keep the momentum going strong
Pros
Spacious, refined and insightful sound
aptX Adaptive Bluetooth support
Nicely priced
|
Cons
Earpieces slightly cheaper looking
Pick up wind noise
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We ranked Bose QuietComfort Earbuds #13 in July 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Headphones” rankings.

What Hi-Fi
Fantastic true wireless earbuds with brilliant noise-cancelling tech.
Pros
Exciting, entertaining sound
Superb balance
Impressive noise-cancelling
|
Cons
No volume controls
Average battery life
|
T3
The best in-ear wireless heapdhones
Pros
Fantastic ANC
Curved design
Excellent sound
|
Cons
Very expensive
|
We ranked Urbanista Los Angeles #14 in July 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Headphones” rankings.

PCMag
Best for Eco-Conscious Music Lovers / Editors' Choice
Pros
Solar-powered charging
Impressive audio performance with rich, deep bass and crisp highs
Quality noise cancellation for the price
Stylish design
|
Cons
No in-app EQ
Noise cancellation slightly impacts sound signature
|
Digital Trends
Best for the eco-minded music fan
Pros
Solar charging really works
Secure fit
Real-time power meter in app
Huge 80-hour battery
|
Cons
Only works under optimal conditions
No EQ adjustments
|
We ranked Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus #16 in July 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Headphones” rankings.

What Hi-Fi
Cambridge’s Award-winning recipe has been refined to include app support and extra sonic clarity and detail
Pros
Extra ounce of dynamic expression
Great clarity for the level
Slick app support
|
Cons
No noise-cancelling
|
T3
Best affordable in-ear wireless headphones
Pros
Gorgeous, detailed sound
Small case size
Excellent battery life
|
Cons
Button controls aren't ideal
|