Wireless headphones here means Bluetooth over ear headphones, because that is what the seven picks are. Every listing is rated 4.4 stars or higher, from between 2,603 and 77,710 ratings, and six of the seven list noise cancelling.
We compared them on the things buyers weigh: noise cancelling, battery, connections and comfort. Every product fact below comes from the listing. If you want in ear headphones instead, see our wireless earbuds guide.
Best overall: Soundcore Q30
Best overall: the Soundcore Q30, because it combines hybrid active noise cancelling, three noise cancelling modes and up to 50 hours of battery with noise cancelling on.
The listing describes two noise detecting mics on each side that block up to 95% of low frequency sound, with Transport, Outdoor and Indoor modes. Battery is listed at up to 50 hours with noise cancelling on and up to 80 hours in standard mode, and a 10 minute charge gives 10 hours of listening. It has 40mm drivers with EQ presets, ear cushions of polyurethane leather and memory foam, and a lightweight build the listing describes as comfortable for long listening sessions. It holds 4.5 stars from 76,891 ratings.
It suits commuters, students and home workers who want noise cancelling and a long battery in one pair. The honest catch: the listing says noise cancelling is not supported with the AUX cable, and the Soundcore Q20i on this page has a slightly higher rating of 4.6 stars.
Best cheaper alternative: BERIBES Active Noise Cancelling Headphones
Best cheaper alternative: the BERIBES Active Noise Cancelling Headphones, because they add active noise cancelling, a listed 70 hours of battery and a transparency mode, with close to 20,000 ratings at 4.5 stars.
The listing says they block up to 95% of external noise such as plane, traffic or office noise. Battery is listed at 70 hours in standard mode and up to 45 hours with noise cancelling on, and a 5 minute charge gives 4 hours. They connect by Bluetooth or a 3.5mm audio cable and have 40mm drivers. The earcups turn 90 degrees inward and fold 120 degrees inward, and the listing gives the weight as about 363 g. It has 4.5 stars from 19,827 ratings.
It suits anyone who wants noise cancelling on a tighter budget, or a second pair for the desk. The honest catch: it has about a quarter of the ratings of the Soundcore Q30 (19,827 against 76,891).
Best budget noise cancelling: Soundcore Q20i
Best budget noise cancelling: the Soundcore Q20i, because it adds hybrid active noise cancelling and a listed 40 hours of battery, with 4.6 stars from more than 77,000 ratings.
The listing describes 2 internal and 2 external mics that reduce up to 90% of noise such as planes and car engines, plus oversized 40mm drivers with BassUp technology. Battery is listed at 40 hours with noise cancelling on and 60 hours in normal mode, and a 5 minute fast charge adds 4 hours. It connects to two devices at once over Bluetooth 5.0, and the soundcore app lists 22 EQ presets and ANC, Normal and Transparency modes. It has 4.6 stars from 77,710 ratings, the most ratings of any pick here.
It suits students, commuters and first time noise cancelling buyers. The honest catch: its listing claims less noise reduction (up to 90%) and a shorter noise cancelling battery (40 hours) than the Soundcore Q30 or Space Q45.
Best premium noise cancelling: Bose QuietComfort Wireless Headphones
Best premium noise cancelling: the Bose QuietComfort, because it offers Quiet and Aware modes, adjustable EQ and a multipoint toggle to switch between devices.
The listing describes noise cancelling combined with passive features, Quiet and Aware modes that toggle between full noise cancelling and full awareness, and adjustable EQ for bass, mid range and treble. Battery is listed at up to 24 hours, and a 15 minute charge adds up to 2.5 hours. An audio cable with an in line microphone is included for use without Bluetooth. Plush earcup cushions and a padded band are described for long listening sessions. It has 4.4 stars from 15,738 ratings.
It suits people who take a lot of calls and want the Bose name, since the listing says its microphones filter out background noise for phone calls. The honest catch: it costs several times more than the budget picks here, and its listed 24 hours is the shortest battery on this page.
Best upgrade from the Q30: Soundcore Space Q45
Best upgrade from the Q30: the Soundcore Space Q45, because the listing says it reduces noise by up to 98% and adapts noise cancelling to where you are.
The listing describes adaptive noise cancelling that selects a level to match your location, and an app that offers 1 of 5 noise cancelling levels. Battery is listed at 50 hours with noise cancelling on and up to 65 hours in normal mode, and 5 minutes of charge gives 4 hours. The 40mm drivers have a double layer diaphragm of silk and ceramic materials, and the listing says it supports LDAC for Hi-Res wireless sound. It has 4.4 stars from 15,330 ratings.
It suits people who fly or commute a lot and want the biggest noise figure on this page. The honest catch: its 4.4 star rating is below the Q30, and it costs about twice as much.
Best long battery: TOZO HT3
Best long battery: the TOZO HT3, because the listing gives up to 90 hours of continuous playback along with hybrid noise cancelling.
The listing describes 45dB adaptive and hybrid noise cancelling with four microphones, a dedicated call mic and 40mm drivers. A 10 minute quick charge adds 9 hours. It connects by Bluetooth, 3.5mm AUX or Type C, links to two devices at once, and lists spatial audio and left and right balance settings. The design is foldable, with breathable ear cushions and removable, replaceable ear pads. It has 4.5 stars from 2,603 ratings.
It suits long flights, road trips and study sessions, which the listing names as uses. The honest catch: the 90 hour figure is the listing's own claim, and the 2,603 ratings are far fewer than the Soundcore picks have.
Best cheap: BERIBES Bluetooth Over Ear Headphones
Best cheap: the BERIBES Bluetooth Over Ear Headphones, because they offer 6 EQ modes, a mic and a listed 65 hours of playtime.
The listing describes dual 40mm dynamic sound units, 6 EQ modes and a 500mAh battery for more than 65 hours. It lists Bluetooth 6.0 with a range of up to about 10 m, and connection to two devices at once. The included 3.5mm audio cable gives wired mode when the headphones are powered off. Memory foam earmuffs and an adjustable headband are described. The box holds the headphones, an audio cable, a USB charging cable and a user manual. It has 4.5 stars from 6,679 ratings.
It suits a first pair, a spare for the office or a gift. The honest catch: the listing does not mention noise cancelling, so choose the BERIBES Active Noise Cancelling Headphones or the Soundcore Q20i if you want it.
How to choose wireless headphones
Noise cancelling claims are not like for like
Six of the seven picks list noise cancelling, and each gives a different figure: up to 95% of low frequency sound for the Q30, up to 95% of external noise for the BERIBES Active Noise Cancelling Headphones, up to 90% for the Q20i, up to 98% for the Space Q45 and 45dB for the TOZO HT3. The Bose listing gives no figure. Treat them as each maker's own claim, not a test. If noise cancelling matters most, our noise cancelling headphones guide ranks on that alone.
Battery life and quick charge
Listed battery runs from up to 24 hours on the Bose to up to 90 hours on the TOZO. Four listings give two figures, a shorter one with noise cancelling on and a longer one without. A quick charge helps when you forget: the listings give 4 hours from 5 minutes on the Soundcore Q20i, Space Q45 and BERIBES Active Noise Cancelling Headphones, and 9 hours from 10 minutes on the TOZO.
Bluetooth, cables and two devices
Six of the seven listings mention a cable, for wired listening or a flat battery. The Q20i, TOZO HT3, Bose QuietComfort and BERIBES Bluetooth over ear list connecting to two devices, which suits a laptop and a phone. Check the cable note on the Q30, where the listing says noise cancelling does not work over the AUX cable.
Sound and calls
Six picks list 40mm drivers. For adjusting the sound, the Q20i lists 22 EQ presets in its app, the Bose adjustable EQ and the BERIBES Bluetooth over ear 6 EQ modes. For calls, the TOZO lists a dedicated call mic and the Bose says its microphones filter out background noise. If gaming chat is the main use, see our gaming headset guide.
Comfort and weight
Ear cushion materials differ: polyurethane leather and memory foam on the Q30, memory foam on both BERIBES pairs, breathable cushions with replaceable pads on the TOZO and plush cushions with a padded band on the Bose. Only the BERIBES Active Noise Cancelling Headphones listing gives a weight, about 363 g. Comfort is personal, so read the listing for the shape and pad details before choosing.
Over ear or in ear
Over ear headphones have cushioned earcups that sit around the ear, and all seven picks here are over ear. In ear earbuds are smaller and easier to carry. Pick over ear for desk work, flights and long listening, and in ear for pockets and running.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best wireless headphones in Australia?
For most people the Soundcore Q30 is the best pick here: hybrid noise cancelling, up to 50 hours of listed battery with it on, and 4.5 stars from 76,891 ratings. The Soundcore Q20i is the budget choice, the Bose QuietComfort the premium choice, and the BERIBES Bluetooth over ear the cheap pair.
What are the best budget wireless headphones?
The Soundcore Q20i is our budget pick: hybrid noise cancelling, a listed 40 hours of battery and 4.6 stars from 77,710 ratings. The BERIBES Active Noise Cancelling Headphones add noise cancelling and 70 listed hours, and the BERIBES Bluetooth over ear is the cheap pair, without noise cancelling in its listing.
What are the best wireless noise cancelling headphones?
The Soundcore Q30 is the best all rounder, the Soundcore Space Q45 lists the biggest noise cut at up to 98%, and the Bose QuietComfort is the premium choice with Quiet and Aware modes. The TOZO HT3 lists 45dB hybrid noise cancelling. Each listing measures noise its own way, so the figures are not a like for like test.
Should I buy over ear or in ear wireless headphones?
Every pick here is over ear, with cushioned earcups that sit around the ear, such as the Soundcore Q30 and Bose QuietComfort. In ear wireless headphones are smaller and easier to carry. If you want in ear or running headphones, our wireless earbuds guide covers them, because none of these seven are in ear.
How do wireless headphones work?
Wireless headphones receive sound from your phone or laptop over Bluetooth, so there is no cable to plug in. The Soundcore Q20i lists Bluetooth 5.0 and the BERIBES Bluetooth over ear lists Bluetooth 6.0. Most picks also take a cable, and the Bose QuietComfort listing says its cable works even when the battery is depleted.
What is the best brand for wireless headphones?
On this page Soundcore has the most ratings: the Q20i holds 4.6 stars from 77,710 ratings and the Q30 holds 4.5 from 76,891. Bose offers the QuietComfort at 4.4 from 15,738 ratings. BERIBES and TOZO have 4.5 stars each from fewer ratings. Brand matters less than noise cancelling, battery and comfort.
Can wireless headphones connect to a TV?
The listings here do not mention TVs, so check your TV for Bluetooth or a headphone socket first. For a wired connection the Soundcore Q30 accepts an AUX cable and the Bose QuietComfort includes an audio cable. The TOZO HT3 lists Bluetooth, 3.5mm AUX and Type C connections, so it has the most ways to connect.
Which wireless headphones have the longest battery?
The TOZO HT3 lists up to 90 hours of playback, the longest here. The Soundcore Q30 lists up to 80 hours in standard mode and 50 with noise cancelling on, and the BERIBES Active Noise Cancelling Headphones list 70 hours in standard mode. The Bose QuietComfort lists up to 24 hours, the shortest on this page.
Are Bluetooth headphones the same as wireless headphones?
For these picks, yes: wireless means Bluetooth, so the Soundcore Q20i, Bose QuietComfort and BERIBES Bluetooth over ear all pair with a phone or laptop without a cable. Several also take a cable, such as the BERIBES Active Noise Cancelling Headphones with their 3.5mm connection, so you can still listen wired.
