Hey, you with the ears: If you like listening to music, movies, podcasts and the like, and you want to do it in peace, you've got two options: headphones or earbuds. I'm here to make the case for the former — and also to share my picks for the best wireless headphones you can buy right now. Why cover your ears with cushy cups instead of wrangling little earbuds into them? I think that question answers itself. Not everyone likes the feel of Apple AirPods and similar products, which require a tight seal inside your auditory canals. Headphones sit comfortably atop your head and over your ears. They also offer vastly superior battery life and, in most cases, better active noise-cancelling (ANC).
Earbuds are easily lost, too, but just try misplacing a full-size headphone. Below I've rounded up the best headphones for different kinds of users: audiophiles, budget shoppers, TV watchers and so on. These picks are based not only on testing (comfort, sound quality, battery life, etc.), but also my 30-plus years of reviewing consumer electronics.
While we're on the subject of sound, you should also check our roundup of the best soundbars for your TV. And seniors on your holiday shopping list might enjoy a home smart speaker, and we’ve got you covered there as well: How to choose the best smart home speakers for seniors.
With dozens of different headphone models to choose from, how did I decide which ones qualify as the "best"? I took a few things into account.
Audio quality: Audio is a highly subjective thing; what sounds great to one set of ears might sound less so to another. For example, if you're not a fan of heavy bass, you might dislike 'phones designed to boost that thump. And if you're older, maybe you care more about dialogue enhancement (for movies and TV shows) than anything else. Every headphone here sounds, to my ears, great. Hardcore audiophiles may be able to detect the subtler details from one pair to another, but I think most users will be happy with just about any of these picks.
Fit and comfort: Although most headphones have the same basic design — padded headband and foam earcups — the fit can be different. A tight headband or mushy, non-pivoting earcups can make for an uncomfortable experience. I left those models out of the lineup.
Price: Everyone has a different budget, so I tried to include something Indeed, different people have different ears, heads, needs and preferences. Budgets, too. Therefore, my picks are based on a combination of personal experience (I tested all five of the products listed below), product reputation, professional reviews, user ratings and, finally, price. Every product I've selected deserves its "best" designation for one reason or another.
Active Noise Canceling (ANC): The hot headphone feature of the 21st century is active noise canceling, otherwise known as ANC. Flip a switch (or press a button) and the earpieces magically reduce a certain range of ambient sounds: jet engines, for example, or backyard lawnmowers. The result is that you can fly, work or exercise in relative peace. Some headphones perform this trick better than others, but the good news is it's now a staple feature: Even the most affordable ones have it. Take note, however, that activating ANC will cost you a bit of battery life and possibly some audio fidelity as well. But it's optional, so you can always turn it off if it's unnecessary or if you don't like it.
Battery life: As noted earlier, most wireless headphones blow the doors off earbuds when it comes to battery life. At a minimum, you're likely to get around 20 hours on a charge — but some 'phones can run 30, 40 or even 50 hours, and that's with ANC enabled. (Batteries last even longer if you toggle that feature off.)
Connecting wireless headphones to your TV can vary depending on the type of TV and headphones you have. First, you'll want to make sure your TV supports Bluetooth. Next, you'll need to link your headphones to your TV by telling your headphones to pair with nearby devices. This usually involves holding down a button or choosing a setting on your TV.
Most wireless headphones can be used with a TV as long as the TV supports Bluetooth. Some TVs may have limitations on which Bluetooth devices they can connect to, and others are completely outdated, so it's a good idea to check your TV's user manual or online specifications to ensure compatibility.
One downside of noise-cancelling headphones is they can completely block out potentially important noise. For people who are hearing impaired or hard of hearing, noise-cancellation can make it more difficult to hear anything other than what's coming out of your headphones. In an emergency, you will have reduced awareness if you can't hear what's going on around you.
Hearing damage can be prevented in multiple ways. While using noise-cancellation can help, simply lowering your headphone volume is a great way to prevent hearing damage. Make sure you're taking breaks from using your headphones, too. It can also be better to use on-ear headphones that have surround sound modes rather than in-ear buds — you'll be able to keep the noise lower and have a better listening experience than with buds that go directly into your ears.
No, you don't need Wi-Fi to use wireless headphones because most of these devices connect through Bluetooth and will automatically reconnect to your wireless device when both are turned on. Bluetooth headphones are easy to set up and require just one calibration; you typically just do so in your phone's settings. These headphones are also rechargeable.
