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The 15 Best Wireless Headphones For 2020

Spotify playlists at the ready.

By Stacey Smith and Products tested by Carrie Skinner
best wireless headphones and ear buds
Edward Berthelot

Unless you’re still sporting a Nokia 3210 (if only!), you’ll have noticed that today’s phones have done away with the traditional headphone jack completely, making a pair of wireless headphones nothing short of a necessity.

Whether you’re pounding the pavement, sweating it out at the gym or just walking and talking during your lunch break, you’ll need a pair that connects via bluetooth. It goes without saying that sound quality is key but other functions to consider include noise cancelling, quick-charging and hands-free assistance. Oh, and they need to look the part too so we’ve rounded up a stylish selection of over-ear, on-ear and in-ear designs, ready for every activity you throw at them.

Should I buy earbuds or headphones?

There are three main types to consider...

Over-ear - these look pretty similar to a regular pair of cans, sitting comfortably over your head, minus the wire connecting to your device. They tend to offer better noise cancellation but aren’t the ones for the gym as they can be a bit too chunky and have a habit of slipping down during the most strenuous of activities.

In-ear - a happy middle ground between over-ear headphones and true wireless earbuds, these sit snugly in the ear but are connected to each other around the neck.

True wireless earbuds - you won’t find a single wire connecting these. Most brands provide a choice of silicone ear tips to create a good fit. Some will love the complete freedom of a totally wireless design (particularly if you’re a keen runner) for others though, the fear of losing one will loom large.

How we test

Scrolling through our Spotify library we put every genre to the test, from indie to classic garage, good ol’ pop and dance, throwing in a podcast or two along the way. We took note of how long the battery lasted, how long each pair took to recharge and how comfy they were to wear. If they claimed to be noise-cancelling, we’d check that out in the loudest of public places, whilst also taking and making calls and skipping and pausing our tunes.

1
BEST OVER-EAR NOISE CANCELLING

Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700

Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
1
BEST OVER-EAR NOISE CANCELLING

Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700

Now 29% Off
£249 at Amazon£259 at John Lewis£280 at bose.co.uk
Credit: .

Aside from getting stuck into the Michelle Obama podcast, we don’t have a heap of reasons to be pining for the commute. When we do return though, these noise-cancelling, super-comfy Bose beauties will make it all the sweeter. With intuitive touch controls on the ear cups, you can quickly cycle through ten levels of noise cancelling (or even drop to zero if you suddenly need to be aware of your surroundings). Ok, so they’re not the cheapest but with superb sound quality and so many cool features (including summoning Alexa or Google Assistant at the touch of a button), we’re smitten. 

Key specifications
Type: On-ear
Battery life: Up to 20 hours
Quick charge: A 15-minute charge gives you 3.5 hours
Noise cancelling: Yes
Accessories included: Carry case, 3.5mm audio cable, charging cable
Location of in-line controls: On ear cup

2
BEST FASHIONABLE OVER-EAR NOISE CANCELLING

Bose QuietComfort 35 (Series II)

QuietComfort 35 (Series II)
2
BEST FASHIONABLE OVER-EAR NOISE CANCELLING

Bose QuietComfort 35 (Series II)

Credit: .

We’ll admit these are pretty similar to the ones above, albeit with just the three noise-cancelling levels, but they come in ‘grammable rose gold (and silver and black). If you’ve forgotten to charge them, there’s a handy audio cable which lets you carry on using them when they’ve completely run out of juice. Great for travel, they also fold up and can be stored in the carry-case when not in use. We’re not saying you should buy a pair of cans just for their looks but...

Key specifications
Type: on-ear
Battery life: Up to 20 hours
Quick charge: A 15-minute charge gives you 2.5 hours
Noise cancelling: Yes
Accessories included: Carry case, 3.5mm cable, charging cable
Location of in-line controls: On ear cup

3
BEST QUICK CHARGE

Sony WH-1000XM3 Headphones

WH-1000XM3 Headphones
3
BEST QUICK CHARGE

Sony WH-1000XM3 Headphones

Now 28% Off
Credit: .

There’s nothing worse than a long journey ahead, only to discover you're devoid of tunes. Thankfully these were the quickest to recharge on test - a quick 10-minutes whilst you’re in the shower will give you five hours of playback. Phew! They have a good 30 hours of battery life too. Lighter than previous models, yet with extra padding for comfort - the hard case will protect them at the bottom of your handbag and both Alexa and Google Assistant can be summoned when needed. Available in black and silver. 

Key specifications
Type: On-ear
Battery life: Up to 30 hours
Quick charge: A 10-minute charge gives you 5 hours
Noise cancelling: Yes
Accessories included: Hard shell case, charging cable, 3.5mm audio cable
Location of in-line controls: On ear cup

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4
BEST IN-EAR FOR THE GYM

Beats by Dr. Dre Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earphones

Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earphones
4
BEST IN-EAR FOR THE GYM

Beats by Dr. Dre Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earphones

Now 30% Off
Credit: .

Fully wireless, water and sweat resistant, these earphones are made for gym bunnies. Keep them firmly in place with adjustable ear hooks and if you need extra juice, just five minutes in the charging case gives an additional 1.5 hours of playback. For those that train together, ‘Audio Sharing’ allows you to pair two sets to one iPhone so you can enjoy the same song in sync. Worried about losing them? Cleverly, if one bud is removed, the music stops - giving you a heads up that you might have lost one. Available in eight shades.

Key specifications
Type: In-ear 
Battery life: Up to 9 hours
Quick charge: A 5-minute charge gives you 1.5 hours
Noise cancelling: No
Accessories included: 3 sizes of silicone ear tips, charging cable, charge case
Location of in-line controls: On ear bud

5
BEST TRUE WIRELESS IN-EAR

Apple AirPods Pro

AirPods Pro
5
BEST TRUE WIRELESS IN-EAR

Apple AirPods Pro

Credit: .

We’ve got Apple to thank for the true wireless revolution. Competing with over-ear styles for their noise-cancelling capabilities, these latest earbuds perform well on test, creating a seal to block out external noise. Sensing when they’re in your ears, they’ll also pause when you remove them. Automatically on and always connected, the case doubles up as a charger, which can be charged wirelessly too. Ideal for the Apple devotee - these work with the iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad or Mac.

Key specifications
Type: In-ear
Battery life: Up to 24 hours
Quick charge: A 15-minute charge gives you 3 hours
Noise-cancelling: Yes
Accessories included: 3 different-sized silicone ear tips, charging case, charging cable

6
BEST BATTERY LIFE

Beats by Dr. Dre Beats Solo Pro

Beats Solo Pro
6
BEST BATTERY LIFE

Beats by Dr. Dre Beats Solo Pro

Now 26% Off
Credit: .

Our fave thing about Beats: they come in every colour you could wish for. The latest over-ear option can last up to 40 hours when the noise-cancelling function is turned off (which would be a shame when it works so well). Automatically turning on when unfolded, you’ll find on-cup controls to take calls, skip songs and control volume, with voice control activated with the push of the ‘b’ button. Best saved for the solitary commute - these ones aren’t sweat-proof.

Key specifications
Type: Over-ear
Battery life: Up to 40 hours
Quick charge: A 10-minute charge gives you 3 hours
Noise-cancelling: Yes
Accessories included: Soft carry case, charging cable, carabiner clip

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7
MOST DISCREET TRUE WIRELESS

Jabra Elite Active 75t Earbuds

Elite Active 75t Earbuds
7
MOST DISCREET TRUE WIRELESS

Jabra Elite Active 75t Earbuds

Credit: .

Jabra’s latest true wireless earphones (although the upgrade is due out soon), really are tiny. The smallest on our list, they’re even more discreet than Apple’s AirPods. In terms of performance, they sound excellent with a good balance of treble and bass. We also thought the ‘HearThrough’ function was pretty clever - just tap the left earbud to get rid of noise cancelling or adjust how much noise you let in via the app.

Key specifications
Type: Totally wireless
Battery life: 28 hours (7.5 hours from one full charge bumped up to 28 hours by the handy charging case).
Quick charge: 15-minutes gives you 1 hour
Noise-cancelling: Yes
Accessories included: 3 different-sized silicon ear tips, charging cable, charging case

8
BEST FOR AT-HOME LISTENING

Sennheiser PXC 550-II Wireless Headphones

PXC 550-II Wireless Headphones
8
BEST FOR AT-HOME LISTENING

Sennheiser PXC 550-II Wireless Headphones

Now 17% Off
Credit: .

Love listening to vinyl at home (or any Spotify playlist for that matter)? These over-ears offer excellent sound quality and have impressive noise cancelling so you can fully immerse yourself. When put to the test we couldn’t detect any sound leakage, so you won’t annoy housemates either!

Key specifications
Type: Over-ear
Battery life: 30 hours
Quick charge: No
Noise-cancelling:
Yes
Accessories included: Charging case, charging cable, 3.5mm audio cable, flight adapter

9
BEST VALUE OVER-EAR NOISE CANCELLERS

Habra Elite 85h Over-Ear Headphones

Elite 85h Over-Ear Headphones
9
BEST VALUE OVER-EAR NOISE CANCELLERS

Habra Elite 85h Over-Ear Headphones

Credit: .

If you’re a fan of Jabra’s technology (including the ‘HearThrough’ function mentioned above) but prefer a chunky over-ear fit, these are your best bet. They come in a gorgeous selection of colours, including the sleek gold beige. Like all the Jabras we tested, the noise-cancelling and sound quality is excellent. And when removed, the music will pause, extending the already impressive battery life.

Key specifications
Type: Over-ear
Battery life: Up to 36 hours
Quick charge: 15-minutes charge will give you five hours
Noise cancelling: Yes
Accessories included: Hard shell case, 3.5mm audio cable, flight adapter, hard carry case
Location of in-line controls: On ear cup

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10
BEST CHEAP OVER-EAR

Jabra Move Style Edition

Move Style Edition
10
BEST CHEAP OVER-EAR

Jabra Move Style Edition

Credit: .

Another from Jabra, however this time a much sleeker over-ear option than the above, which for some will be the clincher. They still sound great but you’ll save yourself some serious dough if you shop around, as these are the cheapest pair in our edit. 

Key specifications
Type: Over-ear
Battery life: Up to 14 hours
Quick charge: No
Noise cancelling: No
Accessories included: USB charging cable, 3,5 mm jack
Location of in-line controls:  On ear cup

11
BEST ANDROID TRUE WIRELESS NOISE CANCELLING

Sony WF-1000XM3

WF-1000XM3
11
BEST ANDROID TRUE WIRELESS NOISE CANCELLING

Sony WF-1000XM3

Credit: .

For the Apple refuseniks that still want incredible sound quality and effective noise-cancelling from a true wireless pair, these will offer a seamless experience for Android users.

Key specifications
Type: In-ear
Battery life: Up to six hours (24 in total with the charging case)
Quick charge: 10-minutes provides 1.5 hours
Noise-cancelling: Yes
Accessories included: Carry case, charging cable, 7 pairs of Silicone ear tips
Location of in-line controls: On ear bud

12
BEST FOR IF YOU'RE ALWAYS LOSING THINGS

Sennheiser Momentum Wireless (third generation)

Momentum Wireless (third generation)
12
BEST FOR IF YOU'RE ALWAYS LOSING THINGS

Sennheiser Momentum Wireless (third generation)

Credit: .

If you’re always losing your wallet, keys and facemask, these headphones will be one less thing to worry about - they come with a built-in Tile Bluetooth tracker so you can easily locate them. As with all Sennheisser headphones tested, we were impressed with the rich audio and minimal sound leakage. Looks-wise, we love the retro-inspired leather head strap and sturdy matte steel arms which can be folded up. 

Key specifications
Type: On-ear
Battery life: Up to 17 hours
Quick charge: 10-minutes provides 1.5 hours
Noise-cancelling: Yes
Accessories included: Carry case, charging cable
Location of in-line controls: On ear cup

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13
BEST FOR ECO CONSCIOUS AUDIO

House Of Marley Liberate Air

Liberate Air
13
BEST FOR ECO CONSCIOUS AUDIO

House Of Marley Liberate Air

Credit: .

If you never leave home without your KeepCup, you’ll be delighted to know there are also eco-conscious headphones out there. These in-ear babies are made from bamboo, aluminium and recycled silicone, and for every pair purchased, House of Marley plants a tree. Our panel found these super comfy and were impressed they stayed put even when jogging (they’re sweet-proof and rain-resistant too).

Key specifications
Type: In-ear
Battery life: 9 hours or 32 hours with the charging case
Quick charge: 10-minutes provides 4 hours
Noise cancelling: No
Accessories included: Charging case, extra ear tips, charging cable
Location of in-line controls: On ear bud

14
BEST SWEAT PROOF

SOL Republic Amps Air 2.0

Amps Air 2.0
14
BEST SWEAT PROOF

SOL Republic Amps Air 2.0

Credit: .

If you’re going all-in at your favourite cardio class a truly wireless, sweat proof design is ideal. These charge via a sleek-looking case, which doubles up as a portable phone charger, and a quick shake will helpfully show you the battery level.

Key specifications
Type: In-ear
Battery life: Up to 3 hours (45 hours with the charging case)
Quick charge: No
Noise cancelling: No
Accessories included: 4 different sized silicone ear tips, charging case, charging cable
Location of in-line controls: On cable

15
BEST FOR CUSTOMISABLE SOUND

Jaybird Vista

Vista
15
BEST FOR CUSTOMISABLE SOUND

Jaybird Vista

Now 31% Off
Credit: .

Designed for runners, the Jaybird Vistas have a clever winged ear tip that keeps them secure (and they’re waterproof too). Their USP is that you can tweak the bass and treble using JayBird’s app, if playing DJ is your bag. Crank up Cardi B to get you through that last mile.

Key specifications
Type: in-ear
Battery life: Up to 16 hours
Quick charge: A 5-minute charge gives you 1 hour
Noise cancelling: no
Accessories included: 3 different sized silicone ear tips, hard shell carry case, charging cable
Location of in-line controls: On ear bud

From: ELLE UK
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