Your questions on wireless headphones answered
What are the best wireless heaphones?
My pick for the best wireless headphones are Sony’s WH-1000XM6. The name might be a mouthful (it’s pronounced X-Mark 6, by the way), but they offer a brilliant mix of smart features, incredible sound quality, suave design and the best noise cancellation. The fact that they fold again is a bonus too.
If you’re after the most immersive listening experience money can buy, the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H100 deliver that and then some, with spacious, detailed sound, a premium build and head-tracked spatial audio that really pulls you in. They’re eye-wateringly expensive, but they’re in a class of their own.
For the best noise cancellation, it’s still hard to beat the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. They cut out more background noise than any other pair we’ve tested, and they’re comfy enough to wear all day.
Also nipping at Sony’s heels are Apple’s all-singing, all-dancing AirPods Max. The spatial audio is genuinely next-level and still makes your favourite tracks sound fresh, but they’re starting to feel a bit behind the curve now, with no real tech updates beyond a USB-C port and a new coat of paint in 2024.
If you’re shopping on a budget, JBL’s Live 770NC headphones, the Sennheiser accentum plus headphones or the Soundcore space Q45 are all strong picks. They’ve got decent ANC, great battery life and plenty of features for the price. Ideal for everyday listening and the morning commute.
How do wireless headphones work?
Wireless headphones are usually battery-operated and work by pairing with a device via a radio or infrared signal. Many devices are equipped with Bluetooth technology, meaning connection is easy and the audio is high quality.
Wireless vs true wireless: What’s the difference?
There are two types of wireless headphones: wireless and true wireless. The latter means there is a complete lack of connector between the earphones, such as with the AirPods Pro or Marshall mode II. Whereas, where ordinary wireless headphones are concerned, the earphones are still connected via a headband, like those I have reviewed here.
How to connect wireless headphones
Connecting wireless headphones differs depending on the device you’re using. For example, connecting to a TV will be different from connecting to a mobile phone. But, for the latter, make sure your Bluetooth and headphones are on and discoverable, then open your Bluetooth settings on your mobile phone and your headphones should appear there.
What are the disadvantages of wireless headphones?
Pretty much all consumer headphones are wireless these days, thanks to the departure of the 3.5mm headphone jack. Rest in peace – I miss you, old friend. But while I love being wire-free, there are a few minor disadvantages to wireless headphones.
First of all, there’s latency. Connecting via wireless modes such as Bluetooth will always mean there is a tiny delay between the audio playing on your device and the audio being transmitted to your headphones. This normally isn’t much of a concern unless you’re a gamer, and gaming headsets are the only part of the audio market where wires are still a prominent option.
The second disadvantage is battery life. With wired headphones, your music can run and run, but with wireless headphones, you might get a day’s use out of them. That said, wireless headphones are always being improved and the above issues are slowly becoming less of a problem.
Can you use wireless headphones on a plane?
The short answer to this question is yes, you can use wireless headphones on a plane. Because Bluetooth headphones are short-range, there should be very minimal interference between your headphones and the plane’s signals. That said, some airlines restrict the use of headphones on their flights – whether that’s during the entire journey or just during take-off and landing, so, just be aware of the rules if you bring them on board.
The other question is: can you use your own wireless headphones with in-flight entertainment systems? If the airline’s entertainment system is set up with Bluetooth access, you should be able to connect your headphones fairly easily. If it isn’t, you need to buy a Bluetooth transmitter/receiver, which acts as a conduit between your headphones and the in-flight system, letting you watch movies with your wireless ANC cans. Some of the headphones on this list come with Bluetooth transmitter/receiver in the box, so you won’t need to buy one for your flight.
If you still prefer the freedom a pair of earbuds give you, check out our round-up of the best wireless earbuds for quality sound and noise cancellation
