July 2024
Wireless Headphones: MetaRanking
This page highlights the aggregate summary of wireless headphones rankings posted by key online experts, as of July 2024.
Summary
On 4 Jul 2024, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 95 headphones endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.
50 headphones were endorsed in total, only 16 made it into this month's ranking. (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included)
As of 4 Jul 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
-
Sony: 6 headphones
(#1 is Sony WH-1000XM5)
-
Anker: 4 headphones
(#1 is Anker Soundcore Space Q45)
-
Bose: 3 headphones
(#1 is Bose QuietComfort Ultra)
-
Bowers & Wilkins: 3 headphones
(#1 is Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e)
-
Beats: 3 headphones
(#1 is Beats Solo 4)
Price breakdown
At a glance - July Ranking
Rank | Change | Price | Headphones |
IGN
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Tom's Guide
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What Hi-Fi
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PCMag
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Wirecutter
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CNET
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WIRED
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Digital Trends
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T3
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Rtings.com
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---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1
|
- | $398 |
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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
|
5
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
7
|
-
|
2
|
- | $429 |
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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
|
4
|
3
|
-
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
3
|
- | $499 |
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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
|
5
|
9
|
-
|
6
|
8
|
3
|
8
|
-
|
4
|
+1 | $289 |
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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
|
4
|
6
|
6
|
-
|
5
|
-1 | Check price |
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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.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
4
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
- | $299 |
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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.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
8
|
5
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
7
|
+1 | $349 |
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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
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
11
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
8
|
New * | $159 |
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The Jabra Elite 8 Active True Wireless earbuds have received positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, connectivity, and additional features, making them a versatile and high-quality option for various use cases.
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-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
9
|
New * | $430 |
![]() |
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
10
|
-3 | Check price |
![]() |
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
12
|
-2 | $60 |
![]() |
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
11
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
13
|
-2 | $190 |
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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.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
14
|
-2 | $60 |
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The 1MORE SonoFlow headphones receive positive reviews for their sound quality, customizable EQ presets, effective noise cancellation, comfort, long battery life, reliable Bluetooth connectivity, and durability.
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-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
15
|
-2 | $380 |
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-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
16
|
-2 | $298 |
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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.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
14
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
17
|
-1 | $699 |
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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.
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-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
12
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
We ranked Sony WH-1000XM5 #1 in July 2024 because:
- 9 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless headphones” rankings.
- Out of those, 5 experts ranked Sony WH-1000XM5 as #1.
![](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31BXEEUVfFL._AC_SR500,500_.jpg)
IGN
Best Wireless Headphones
Outstanding ANC
Support for the premium LDAC codec
|
Less portable than older models
|
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
|
What Hi-Fi
Awards winner. The best-value wireless headphones you can buy
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
|
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
|
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)
|
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
|
T3
The best Sony noise cancelling headphones
Superb noise cancellation
Stunning sound
Great battery life
|
Don't fold
Pricier than predecessors
|
We ranked Bose QuietComfort Ultra #2 in July 2024 because:
- 9 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless headphones” rankings.
- Out of those, 3 experts ranked Bose QuietComfort Ultra as #1.
![](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/312Gw7w4CVL._AC_SR500,500_.jpg)
IGN
Best Closed-Back Wireless Headphones
Extremely customizable
Support for Bluetooth multipoint
|
ANC adds slight pressure to ears
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
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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 2024 ranking
![IGN](https://res.cloudinary.com/effix/c_auto,c_pad,w_50,h_50/imported/ox5lufqjzdlonszf9rlv.png)
![Tom's Guide](https://res.cloudinary.com/effix/c_auto,c_pad,w_50,h_50/imported/vmtipqfuxvzy9ocfmnnq.jpg)
![What Hi-Fi](https://res.cloudinary.com/effix/c_auto,c_pad,w_50,h_50/imported/g8fuuhgh2hcv3us1fmpp.png)
![PCMag](https://res.cloudinary.com/effix/c_auto,c_pad,w_50,h_50/imported/lpbmglnfo14fn054kvkb.webp)
![Wirecutter](https://res.cloudinary.com/effix/c_auto,c_pad,w_50,h_50/imported/mgnewhcpst0idedxj9xc.png)
![CNET](https://res.cloudinary.com/effix/c_auto,c_pad,w_50,h_50/imported/psukhzyfag0g0twvdrbr.png)
![WIRED](https://res.cloudinary.com/effix/c_auto,c_pad,w_50,h_50/imported/rplo319wma6ujem7dpns.jpg)
![Digital Trends](https://res.cloudinary.com/effix/c_auto,c_pad,w_50,h_50/imported/csoce1ghsktffcix9qoe.png)
![T3](https://res.cloudinary.com/effix/c_auto,c_pad,w_50,h_50/imported/tcl08oaiagovaytsntdu.png)
![Rtings.com](https://res.cloudinary.com/effix/c_auto,c_pad,w_50,h_50/imported/zkafjes1mc65r23z1xhh.png)
We ranked Apple AirPods Max #3 in July 2024 because:
- 8 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless headphones” rankings.
![](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41Ur2KJ-r6L._AC_SR500,500_.jpg)
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
|
Tom's Guide
The best over-ear wireless headphones for iOS users
Luxury design
Excellent noise cancellation
Spatial Audio sounds great
|
Expensive
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
We ranked Sennheiser Momentum 4 #4 in July 2024 because:
- 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless headphones” rankings.
![](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/3150rtq1LHL._AC_SR500,500_.jpg)
IGN
Best High-End Wireless Headphones
Impressive 60-hour battery life
Great sound quality
|
On-ear touchpad is sensitive
|
Tom's Guide
Best-ever battery life for a wireless headphone with ANC
Spectacular battery life
Great sound
Effective noise-cancelling performance
Reliable touch controls
Robust design with plain styling (if you like that sort of thing)
|
Anonymous styling
Earpads may make ears hot
Flaky connectivity issues with Smart Control app
|
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
|
Digital Trends
Best for sound quality
Amazing battery life
Outstanding sound
Effective wind noise reduction
Comfortable
Effective ANC
|
No auto-off function
|
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
|
We ranked Apple AirPods Pro 2 #5 in July 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.
![](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/21ttIrgHhTL._AC_SR500,500_.jpg)
PCMag
Best Earphones for iPhone Users / Editors' Choice
Rich, well-balanced audio performance
Excellent active noise cancellation
Adaptive Transparency mode is genuinely impressive
Charging case has a useful built-in speaker
Seamless integration with Apple devices
|
No hi-res codec support
Offers only non-adjustable EQ presets
|
CNET
Updated Apple noise-canceling wireless earbuds
Additional dust resistance
MagSafe (USB-C) charging
|
Nearly identical to their Lightning predecessor
High price
|
We ranked Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds #6 in July 2024 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless headphones” rankings.
![](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31K+mnegQVL._AC_SR500,500_.jpg)
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
|
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
|
T3
Best noise-cancelling earbuds
Top notch sound
Incredible comfort
Unrivalled noise cancellation
|
Case is larger than some
Pricier than most
|
We ranked Bose 700 #7 in July 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless headphones” rankings.
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/effix/c_auto,c_pad,w_500,h_500/imported/fbesg0ft5l3gkytlfojx.png)
IGN
Best Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones
Superior active noise-cancelling
Excellent design
|
Battery life could be better
|
We ranked Jabra Elite 8 Active #8 in July 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless headphones” rankings.
![](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31m95C6FipL._AC_SR500,500_.jpg)
PCMag
Best Premium Earbuds for Exercise / Editor's Choice
Deep bass and detailed highs
Excellent noise cancellation against lows
App includes adjustable EQ and controls
Fully dustproof and waterproof
Water-resistant charging case can stream audio
|
Noise cancellation is sometimes inconsistent
App buries some features
|
T3
The best ANC headphones for sports
Extra durable construction
Includes Dolby Audio with spatial sound
Updated, comfortable form factor
|
Wingtip-less design won't suit everyone
Adaptive ANC could be better
|
We ranked Sonos Ace #9 in July 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless headphones” rankings.
![](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/313CtbNTdxL._AC_SR500,500_.jpg)
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
|
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
|
We ranked Sony CH-720N #10 in July 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless headphones” rankings.
![](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31+CMjgVyHL._AC_SR500,500_.jpg)
What Hi-Fi
Awards winner. Affordability and active noise cancelling go hand in hand – 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
|
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
|
We ranked Sony CH520 #11 in July 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless headphones” rankings.
![](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31QB73-5IEL._AC_SR500,500_.jpg)
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
|
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
|
We ranked Urbanista Los Angeles #12 in July 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless headphones” rankings.
![](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31gIOPxsviL._AC_SR500,500_.jpg)
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
|
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
|
We ranked 1MORE SonoFlow #13 in July 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless headphones” rankings.
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/effix/c_auto,c_pad,w_500,h_500/imported/pyibrioh9zfdagxilhui.jpg)
CNET
Good-performing noise-canceling headphones under $100
Comfortable
Good sound quality for their price
Decent noise canceling
LDAC audio codec support for Android users
|
A bit generic looking
Noise canceling only works in wireless mode
|
Digital Trends
Best budget wireless headphones
Great sound quality
Very comfortable for long periods
Ridiculous battery life
Solid ANC performance
Great app support
Affordable price
|
No wear sensors
Wired mode disables extra features
|
We ranked Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e #14 in July 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless headphones” rankings.
![](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/314MDctYnpL._AC_SR500,500_.jpg)
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
|
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
|
We ranked Sony WF-1000XM5 #15 in July 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless headphones” rankings.
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/effix/c_auto,c_pad,w_500,h_500/imported/arvwqf1mrwhjnuywdbit.jpg)
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
|
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
|
We ranked Focal Bathys #16 in July 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best wireless headphones” rankings.
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/effix/c_auto,c_pad,w_500,h_500/imported/pccrtvuntkb11wh4shnc.jpg)