Wireless headphones are the way of the future as headphone jacks become increasingly obsolete. Luckily, big names like Sony, Senheiser and JBL were quick to step up to the plate, providing a range of wireless headphones with unparalleled sound, innovative features and reliable connectivity.
We've compare the 10 best wireless headphones in the UK, based on audio quality, battery life and much more to help you find the right pair. With noise cancelling headphones, voice control, and some impressive budget pairs, keep reading for tips, reviews and where to buy on Amazon, Argos and John Lewis!
If you're big on acoustics, over-ear headphones can reproduce the most accurate sound across the whole frequency range. Because of their larger size, they move more air at a time, creating solid bass notes. You will also get a fuller and more accurate soundscape as the ear pads cover the entirety of the ear. This can provide a more immersive experience by blocking out background noise.
Like their over-ear counterparts, on-ear headphones use big drivers to ensure clear, accurate reproduction of sound and deep, satisfying bass. However, since they only sit on the ear, they don't really provide noise isolation for optimal audio quality. An accidental tug or wiggle can disrupt your listening, letting in all the environmental noise around you.
When it comes to comfort, over-ear versions are by far more comfortable thanks to the plush padding. Although, on-ear headphones are more portable since most of them can be adjusted or folded for easier storage and transport. If portability isn't an issue, over-ear headphones are a no-brainer, but if you often take your headphones on the go, then an on-ear or a foldable pair is best.
Browse our favourite budget over-ear headphones here!
Most Wireless headphones use Bluetooth to pair with your device, as this allows for easy connection and high audio quality. To guarantee crystal clear sound and better functionality while listening, we recommend headphones with Bluetooth 5.0 or later.
The later the version, the better connection quality, speed, and range, letting you listen without any lagging or interruptions.
It's important to check how many hours your headphones can be used on a single charge, and how long it takes to charge them. The last thing you want is having to charge your devices more than you use them, especially if your headphones are the saving grace of your commute.
Most wireless headphones have around 20 to 50 hours of listening time with one full charge. However, if you use your headphones all day, every day, we recommend going for a pair with at least 30 hours of usage time.
Charging time also varies between 1.5 to 2.5 hours. These days, some models even have rapid or fast-charging capabilities to get your device up and running in a matter of minutes which, for busy bees or those who are always on the go, will be the most hassle-free option. There are even solar-powered headphones that will never run out of battery as long as there's a light source, talk about innovative!
Having built-in controls and a microphone can make your life easier as you won't need to take your device out every time you want to adjust the volume, skip tracks, or answer calls. This functionality can help to minimise distractions, especially while you're exercising, moving about, or focused on a tedious task.
Furthermore, access to a microphone enables digital assistants like Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant, which is another feature that most modern headphones have to give you better control. The only downside is that these gadgets can sometimes be a little too sensitive, disrupting your sessions when activated by accident. Therefore, make sure to go through the reviews, before making a final decision.
Check out our article on wireless earbuds for another great option for using on the go!
If you often use your headphones in noisy environments, noise cancellation (NC) is a godsend. These are a great option to consider if you're somewhere where there's a constant buzz, you live by the train tracks or an airport, and on public transport.
Despite the name, NC doesn't really 'cancel' sounds. Instead, it uses the built-in microphone to pick up low-frequency noises around you and produces an opposite sound to cancel them out, so you're not bothered by them.
Looking for new bluetooth speakers? We have a buying guide for that too!
For those after a quick look, here is our Top 5:
This article's chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.
Image | 1 ![]() Sony | 2 ![]() Skullcandy | 3 ![]() Beats By Dre | 4 ![]() Sennheiser | 5 ![]() Bose | 6 ![]() JBL | 7 ![]() Apple | 8 ![]() JLab | 9 ![]() Urbanista | 10 ![]() Avantree |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones | Hesh Evo Wireless Over-Ear Headphones | Solo3 Wireless Headphones | Wireless Headphones | QuietComfort® 45 Wireless Headphones | Tune Wireless Over-Ear Headphones | AirPods Max | Studio Wireless Headphones | Los Angeles Wireless Bluetooth Headphones | Bluetooth 5.0 Wireless Headphones |
Features | Superior Comfort, Exceptional Sound and Smart Noise Cancellation | Great Value for Money With Exceptional Acoustics and Battery Life | Solid Bass and Impressive Battery Life in a Compact, Foldable Pair | High-Fidelity Sound With Great Noise Cancellation and Easy Controls via App | World-Class Noise Cancellation, Superior Comfort and Impeccable Audio Performance | An Affordable Pick That’s All About Bass and Crisp Sound | Stellar Sound With Exceptional Fit and Comfort for iOS Users | Inexpensive Pair That Doesn’t Sacrifice Quality, With up to 30 Hours of Usage | Charge via Solar Technology for Non-stop Listening | Best Wireless Headphones for Watching TV |
Price | £380.00 | £89.99 | £148.90 | £119.99 | £289.00 | £69.99 | £449.00 | £28.99 | £169.00 | £109.99 |
Over-ear / On-ear | Over-ear | Over-ear | On-ear | Over-ear | Over-ear | On-ear | Over-ear | On-ear | Over-ear | Over-ear |
Bluetooth Connection | 5.2 (2 connections) | 5.0 | Apple W1 | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.1 (2 devices) | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.0 |
Battery Life | 30 hours with noise cancellation, 40 hours without | 36 hours | 40 hours | 30 hours | 24 hours | 44 hours with noise cancellation, 55 hours without | 20 hours with noise cancellation | 30 hours | - | 40 hours |
Charging time | 210 minutes | Rapid charge, 10 minutes = 3 hours of listening | Fast fuel charging: 5 minutes for 3 hours of playback | 120 minutes | 120 minutes | 2 hours | 5 minutes of charge time provides around 1.5 hours of listening time | 180 minutes | - | 1.5 hours |
Voice Control | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Siri | No | Yes | - |
Noise Cancellation | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
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This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
WH-1000XM5
£380.00
Over-ear / On-ear | Over-ear |
---|---|
Bluetooth Connection | 5.2 (2 connections) |
Battery Life | 30 hours with noise cancellation, 40 hours without |
Charging time | 210 minutes |
Voice Control | Yes |
Noise Cancellation | Yes |
£89.99
Over-ear / On-ear | Over-ear |
---|---|
Bluetooth Connection | 5.0 |
Battery Life | 36 hours |
Charging time | Rapid charge, 10 minutes = 3 hours of listening |
Voice Control | Yes |
Noise Cancellation | Yes |
£148.90
Over-ear / On-ear | On-ear |
---|---|
Bluetooth Connection | Apple W1 |
Battery Life | 40 hours |
Charging time | Fast fuel charging: 5 minutes for 3 hours of playback |
Voice Control | No |
Noise Cancellation | No |
HD 450BT
£119.99
Over-ear / On-ear | Over-ear |
---|---|
Bluetooth Connection | Bluetooth 5.0 |
Battery Life | 30 hours |
Charging time | 120 minutes |
Voice Control | Yes |
Noise Cancellation | Yes |
£289.00
Over-ear / On-ear | Over-ear |
---|---|
Bluetooth Connection | Bluetooth 5.1 (2 devices) |
Battery Life | 24 hours |
Charging time | 120 minutes |
Voice Control | Yes |
Noise Cancellation | Yes |
660NC
£69.99
Over-ear / On-ear | On-ear |
---|---|
Bluetooth Connection | Bluetooth 5.0 |
Battery Life | 44 hours with noise cancellation, 55 hours without |
Charging time | 2 hours |
Voice Control | Yes |
Noise Cancellation | Yes |
£449.00
Over-ear / On-ear | Over-ear |
---|---|
Bluetooth Connection | Bluetooth 5.0 |
Battery Life | 20 hours with noise cancellation |
Charging time | 5 minutes of charge time provides around 1.5 hours of listening time |
Voice Control | Siri |
Noise Cancellation | Yes |
£169.00
Over-ear / On-ear | Over-ear |
---|---|
Bluetooth Connection | Bluetooth 5.0 |
Battery Life | - |
Charging time | - |
Voice Control | Yes |
Noise Cancellation | Yes |
£28.99
Over-ear / On-ear | On-ear |
---|---|
Bluetooth Connection | Bluetooth 5.0 |
Battery Life | 30 hours |
Charging time | 180 minutes |
Voice Control | No |
Noise Cancellation | No |
HT5009
£109.99
Over-ear / On-ear | Over-ear |
---|---|
Bluetooth Connection | Bluetooth 5.0 |
Battery Life | 40 hours |
Charging time | 1.5 hours |
Voice Control | - |
Noise Cancellation | No |
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