Tested: The best wireless headphones for travel, work, and music in 2026

There are so many good wireless headphones that it’s getting harder to pick only one as the best. Instead, it’s more helpful to narrow down what you want to use headphones for to determine the best ones. The best wireless headphones for blocking noise aren’t necessarily the ones with the most features or the cheapest ones.

With dozens of new wireless earbuds and headphones coming out each year, the best ones are always shifting around. So, this guide will be routinely updated to reflect the current market. I’ve been testing audio gear for publications like Business Insider and Fast Company for over a decade. I’ve had a chance to try many amazing products.

Whether you’re looking for wireless headphones or earbuds for traveling or just listening to music, there should be an option that works for you.

The best wireless headphones for ANC: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)

The Bose QC Ultra Headphones second-gen are super comfortable and sound good, but they’re also probably the best active noise-canceling wireless headphones right now. They simply block noise incredibly well in any circumstance. Even when typing at my desk, they almost completely remove the keyboard sounds coming from right in front of me.

These are the headphones you want if you need to focus, for whatever reason. No headphones will block every ounce of sound, but these are great at removing all the distracting ones. When you enable “Aware” mode and allow transparency, they do a terrific job with that function as well.

The Sony WH-1000XM6 are very good and worth considering for ANC purposes. The Bose QC Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen are also great if you don’t like over-the-ear headphones. Still, in terms of raw capabilities, the QC Ultra Headphones are just the best.

The best wireless headphones for travel: Apple AirPods Pro 3

There are a lot of considerations that go into packing wireless earbuds or headphones. The most significant thing is size and weight. In which case, the AirPods Pro 3 are a jack of all trades while still being small and pocketable. They get enough battery life for a cross-country flight and can even be used in the hotel gym.

On my most recent international trip, I was pleasantly surprised by how well the AirPods Pro 3 handled airplane cabin noise and were able to block it out. There are a few options that do a tiny bit better job with ANC, but the differences are negligible, especially when you don’t need to pack over-the-ear headphones. The audio quality is tremendous, full of bass with a wide soundstage. Best of all, the price is extremely reasonable compared to other premium options.

The best wireless headphones for listening to music: Sonos Ace

The Sonos Ace wireless headphones have solid ANC performance, a sleek design, and are comfortable to wear for extended periods. But they’re also great for listening to music. These headphones are well-balanced with an even tone and clear mid-range. These have rich bass and sparkling treble, but are mostly neutral, so all kinds of songs are represented well.

Whether it’s Robyn’s electro-infused pop, grungy rock, or Noah Kahan’s modern folk, music sounds excellent in the Ace.

Beyond the music, I like the Ace’s physical volume slider. It’s easy to feel for and raise or lower. If you do have a Sonos soundbar, you can swap the audio with it to listen in your headphones at night. These might not be the best value at their full retail price, but they go on sale regularly.

The best wireless headphones with the most features: Nothing Headphone (1)

The Nothing Headphone (1) are a great pair of do-it-all headphones. Whether you’re looking for ones with solid ANC performance or ones that just look stylish, the Headphone (1) is a great choice. In my extended use with the headphones, I’ve found them comfortable and fun to use.

These headphones have fantastic media controls for adjusting the volume, skipping tracks, or assigning other tasks. The metal and transparent materials make for a cool design and durable construction. If the Headphone (1) full retail price is too much, Nothing also has the Headphone (a), which undercuts the 1 by $100.

The Headphone (a) option isn’t as refined, but the headphones are close in a lot of ways. One big difference is that the Headphone (a) get over 100 hours of battery life.

Frequently asked questions about wireless headphones

Are the Apple AirPods Max headphones good?

Apple’s AirPods Max over-the-ear headphones have great audio quality and solid ANC performance. However, they are heavier than most other wireless ones and are among the most expensive for this type of product. If those things don’t bother you, then they seamlessly connect to Apple products and have an iconic design.

What’s the difference between headphones and earbuds?

Typically, headphones go over or on top of your ears, while earbuds go inside your ears. A lot of the differences come down to semantics. You’ll see some referred to as in-ear headphones, for example.

Do open-ear buds have ANC?

Open-ear buds, or open earbuds, are made to keep your ears free of anything going inside. Since they passively block noise, it’s hard for them to actively block noise. There are a couple of earbuds, like the Soundcore Aerofit 2 Pro, that try to do both. Those rotate up to be out of your ear canal when you don’t want them, but rotate down into your ears when you want to block more outside sounds.