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
|
Tom's Guide
|
PCMag
|
What Hi-Fi
|
CNET
|
Wirecutter
|
Digital Trends
|
Old Time Music
|
IGN
|
T3
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
$398 |
Sony WH-1000XM5
|
-
|
1
|
5
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
|
2
|
$279 |
Bose QuietComfort 45
|
-
|
11
|
1
|
21
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
10
|
|
3
|
$348 |
Sony WH-1000XM4
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
10
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
|
4
|
$480 |
Apple AirPods Max
|
-
|
9
|
11
|
4
|
3
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
|
5
|
$299 |
Bose 700
|
7
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
3
|
4
|
|
6
|
$248 |
Sony WF-1000XM4
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
5
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
|
7
|
$97 |
Jabra Elite 45h
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
9
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
8
|
$180 |
Apple AirPods Pro
|
-
|
5
|
8
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
9
|
$267 |
Sennheiser Momentum 3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
18
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
|
10
|
$198 |
Apple AirPods 3
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
20
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
12
|
|
13
|
$98 |
Sony WF-C500
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
11
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
|
14
|
$249 |
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
15
|
$199 |
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
16
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
|
16
|
$196 |
Urbanista Los Angeles
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
17
|
$80 |
Anker Soundcore Life Q30
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
13
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
18
|
$60 |
Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
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
|
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
|
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
Rtings.com
Tom's Guide
PCMag
What Hi-Fi
CNET
Wirecutter
Digital Trends
Old Time Music
IGN
T3
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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 Anker Soundcore Life Q30 #15 in July 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Headphones” rankings.
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
|