March 2023
Wireless Headphones: MetaRanking
This page highlights the aggregate summary of Headphones rankings posted by key online experts, as of March 2023.
Summary
Between 14 Mar 2023 and 16 Mar 2023, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 106 Headphones endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.
63 Wireless Headphones were endorsed in total, only 18 made it into this month's ranking (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included).
As of 16 Mar 2023, 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 Sennheiser Momentum 4 and Bose 700 , with 7 and 5 expert endorsements respectively.
Brand breakdown
-
Sony:
7 Headphones
(#1 is Sony LinkBuds S )
-
Bose:
5 Headphones
(#1 is Bose SoundLink On-Ear Bluetooth )
-
Sennheiser:
4 Headphones
(#1 is Sennheiser HD 250BT )
-
Apple:
3 Headphones
(#1 is Apple AirPods 3 )
-
Jabra:
3 Headphones
(#1 is Jabra Elite 7 Pro )
Price breakdown
At a glance - March 2023 Ranking
| Rank | Change | Price | Headphones |
Rtings.com
|
Old Time Music
|
Digital Trends
|
T3
|
CNET
|
IGN
|
Wirecutter
|
PCMag
|
What Hi-Fi
|
Tom's Guide
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
- | $398 |
Sony WH-1000XM5
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
4
|
1
|
1
|
|
2
|
- | $265 |
Sennheiser Momentum 4
|
2
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
3
|
6
|
-
|
11
|
15
|
5
|
|
3
|
- | $329 |
Bose 700
|
7
|
-
|
2
|
4
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
|
4
|
- | $348 |
Sony WH-1000XM4
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
|
5
|
- | $234 |
Apple AirPods Pro 2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
7
|
10
|
|
6
|
- | $329 |
Bose QuietComfort 45
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
6
|
4
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
9
|
|
7
|
- | $480 |
Apple AirPods Max
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
4
|
8
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
8
|
|
8
|
- | $299 |
Bose QuietComfort II
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
5
|
-
|
|
9
|
- | $198 |
Sony WF-1000XM4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
10
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
-
|
|
10
|
- | Check price |
Sony WF-C500
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
|
13
|
- | $149 |
Anker Soundcore Space Q45
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
14
|
- | $169 |
Urbanista Los Angeles
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
|
15
|
- | $100 |
Jabra Elite 45h
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
14
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
16
|
- | $399 |
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
|
17
|
- | Check price |
Mark Levinson No. 5909
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
|
18
|
- | $50 |
Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
11
|
-
|
|
19
|
- | $200 |
Apple AirPods 3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
12
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
12
|
|
20
|
- | $191 |
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
12
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
14
|
-
|
Sorted by price:
| Position in ranking | Price | Headphones |
|---|---|---|
| #18 | $49.99 | Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus [buy] [more info] |
| #15 | $99.99 | Jabra Elite 45h [buy] [more info] |
| #13 | $148.99 | Anker Soundcore Space Q45 [buy] [more info] |
| #14 | $169.15 | Urbanista Los Angeles [buy] [more info] |
| #20 | $191 | Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 [buy] [more info] |
| #9 | $198 | Sony WF-1000XM4 [buy] [more info] |
| #19 | $199.99 | Apple AirPods 3 [buy] [more info] |
| #5 | $234 | Apple AirPods Pro 2 [buy] [more info] |
| #2 | $265 | Sennheiser Momentum 4 [buy] [more info] |
| #8 | $299 | Bose QuietComfort II [buy] [more info] |
| #3 | $329 | Bose 700 [buy] [more info] |
| #6 | $329 | Bose QuietComfort 45 [buy] [more info] |
| #4 | $348 | Sony WH-1000XM4 [buy] [more info] |
| #1 | $398 | Sony WH-1000XM5 [buy] [more info] |
| #16 | $399 | Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 [buy] [more info] |
| #7 | $479.99 | Apple AirPods Max [buy] [more info] |
We ranked Sony WH-1000XM5 #1 in March 2023 because:
- 7 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Headphones” rankings.
- Out of those, 6 experts ranked Sony WH-1000XM5 as #1.
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
|
PCMag
Best 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
|
Tom's Guide
The best wireless headphones overall / Editor's Choice
|
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
|
We ranked Sennheiser Momentum 4 #2 in March 2023 because:
- 7 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Headphones” rankings.
Digital Trends
Best for sound quality
|
Pros
Amazing battery life
Outstanding sound
Effective wind noise reduction
Comfortable
Effective ANC
|
Cons
No auto-off function
|
PCMag
Most Stylish Headphones
|
Pros
Excellent audio performance with robust bass, detailed highs
Effective noise cancellation
Strong Bluetooth codec support
Handsome design with easy-to-operate on-ear controls
|
Cons
Underwhelming in-app EQ
App sometimes has trouble connecting to headphones
|
What Hi-Fi
Highly competitive premium over-ears in the sound and features departments
|
Pros
Clean, neutral, musical sound
60-hour battery life
Effective ANC
Wired listening doesn’t require battery
|
Cons
Drops predecessors’ classy aesthetic
Earcups don’t fold inwards
|
Tom's Guide
Best-ever battery life for a wireless headphone with ANC
|
Pros
Spectacular battery life
Great sound
Effective noise-cancelling performance
Reliable touch controls
Robust design with plain styling (if you like that sort of thing)
|
Cons
Anonymous styling
Earpads may make ears hot
Flaky connectivity issues with Smart Control app
|
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 March 2023 ranking
Rtings.com
Old Time Music
Digital Trends
T3
CNET
IGN
Wirecutter
PCMag
What Hi-Fi
Tom's Guide
We ranked Bose 700 #3 in March 2023 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Headphones” rankings.
Digital Trends
Best for comfort and conference calls
|
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
|
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
|
We ranked Sony WH-1000XM4 #4 in March 2023 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Headphones” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Sony WH-1000XM4 as #1.
T3
The former best wireless over-ear headphones ever
|
Pros
Very light and comfortable
Excellent sound quality
Fantastic noise cancellation
|
Cons
No aptX support
|
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
|
We ranked Apple AirPods Pro 2 #5 in March 2023 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Headphones” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Apple AirPods Pro 2 as #1.
PCMag
Best Earphones for iPhone Users / Editors' Choice
|
Pros
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
|
Cons
No hi-res codec support
Offers only non-adjustable EQ presets
|
What Hi-Fi
Apple's best-sounding AirPods yet are up there with the best
|
Pros
Clear, detailed and powerful sound
Excellent noise-cancelling
Longer battery life
Smooth, intuitive use with iOS devices
|
Cons
Many features restricted to iOS devices only
Customisable ANC modes would be useful
|
Tom's Guide
Apple's best-ever ANC AirPods
|
Pros
World-class noise cancellation
Volume controls right on the stem
Dolby Atmos spatial audio
Improved battery life
|
Cons
Audio performance needs finessing
Lackluster call quality
Lanyard costs extra
|
We ranked Bose QuietComfort 45 #6 in March 2023 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Headphones” rankings.
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
|
PCMag
Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones / 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
|
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
|
We ranked Apple AirPods Max #7 in March 2023 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Headphones” rankings.
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
|
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
|
Tom's Guide
The best over-ear wireless headphones for iOS users
|
Pros
Luxury design
Excellent noise cancellation
Spatial Audio sounds great
|
Cons
Expensive
|
We ranked Bose QuietComfort II #8 in March 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Headphones” rankings.
PCMag
Best Noise-Cancelling Earphones / Editors' Choice
|
Pros
Engaging audio performance with deep lows and bright highs
Fantastic low- and high-frequency noise cancellation
Useful Active Aware mode
Water-resistant build
|
Cons
No way to turn off noise cancellation altogether
Case doesn't support wireless charging
|
What Hi-Fi
Bose's flagship wireless earbuds sound the business
|
Pros
Exceptional noise-cancelling
Fantastic sense of refinement
Beautifully balanced sound
Excellent detail levels
|
Cons
Battery life can be bettered
No Bluetooth multipoint
No wireless charging
No high-quality BT codec support
|
We ranked Sony WF-1000XM4 #9 in March 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Headphones” rankings.
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
|
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
|
We ranked Sony WF-C500 #10 in March 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Headphones” rankings.
T3
The best cheap wireless earbuds
|
Pros
Excellent sound quality
Manual equaliser settings
Comfortable fit
|
Cons
No noise-cancelling
Average battery life
|
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
|
We ranked Anker Soundcore Space Q45 #11 in March 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Headphones” rankings.
We ranked Urbanista Los Angeles #12 in March 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Headphones” rankings.
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
|
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
|
We ranked Jabra Elite 45h #13 in March 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Headphones” rankings.
We ranked Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 #14 in March 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Headphones” rankings.
Tom's Guide
Premium over-ears with great sound
|
Pros
Balanced, engrossing and confident sound
Improved noise-cancelation over its Px7 sibling
Sophisticated looks (if you like that sort of thing)
|
Cons
No touch-controls and featured are a bit basic
Noise cancelation is bettered by rivals
Anonymous looks (if you don’t)
|
We ranked Mark Levinson No. 5909 #15 in March 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Headphones” rankings.
Digital Trends
Best price-is-no-object wireless headphones
|
Pros
Sumptuous sound
Very comfortable
Excellent call quality
Good ANC and transparency
Excellent codec support
Good case, tons of accessories
|
Cons
Over-the-top expensive
Annoying voice announcements
Needs ANC mode control
|
What Hi-Fi
Mark Levinson manages to justify the No. 5909’s huge price tag with benchmark wireless performance
|
Pros
Benchmark wireless performance
Active noise cancellation
Quality construction
|
Cons
Inaccessible price for most
Basic on-cup controls
|
We ranked Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus #16 in March 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Headphones” rankings.
T3
Best affordable in-ear wireless headphones
|
Pros
Gorgeous, detailed sound
Small case size
Excellent battery life
|
Cons
Button controls aren't ideal
|
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
|
We ranked Apple AirPods 3 #17 in March 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Wireless Headphones” rankings.
T3
The best ordinary AirPods
|
Pros
Great new design
Better battery life
Dynamic and detailed sound
|
Cons
Not everyone likes the fit
|
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
|
We ranked Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 #18 in March 2023 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
|