Smartphones with a headphone jack may soon become a rarity. Even staunch defenders of the analog output like Samsung have axed it from their devices. This leaves music enthusiasts with two options: either use a flimsy dongle or go wireless. Wait, what about USB Type-C or Lightning port headphones? Well, in the over-the-ear headphone segment, those aren’t really a thing. So, if you’re ready to part ways with your legacy cans, then you need to get yourself a decent pair of wireless headphones.

With a market full of options from brands galore, that’s easier said than done. Which is why we’ve compiled a list of the best over-the-ear headphones, separated into categories according to their current price.

Anker is a company know for its good price-to-performance ratio and its wireless headphones are no exception. While this pair costs five times less than some headphones in this article, it still has some premium features. Battery life is amazing at about 40 hours and that is with active noise cancelling turned on (which is feature few cheap wireless headphones have). Of course, there are some compromises to be made and some of them are when it comes to the audio quality. It’s not bad but you also wouldn’t be impressed by it. Still, these will make a great companion for your commute and they look good enough to not be embarrassed wearing them in public.

These TaoTronics headphones come with active noise canceling, which is one of their defining features, but is it the most important one? Hardly. The 40 mm drivers, for example, provide clear sound in every frequency range. The earcups are relatively compact, but they can be folded when you need to carry them in your bag. Which won’t be often, considering the 30-hour battery life. And if that’s still not enough time to get to a charger, you can keep listening to music the old-fashioned way via the provided 3.5 mm audio cable. Speaking of the audio cable, as soon as you plug it in, the active noise canceling will turn off, no matter how much battery the headphones have.

BÖHM B76

These foldable bad boys will probably win you over with their premium build, which features minuscule amounts of plastic and mostly relies on aluminum and faux leather, giving them a luxury feel and look. With active noise canceling on deck and a foldable design, these are a perfect fit for commuters willing to shield their ears from the outside world and immerse themselves in mumble rap or 60s evergreens. Compared to the other pairs, the 16-hour battery life leaves more to be desired, with the active noise canceling gone after just 8 hours.

 

Skullcandy Crusher

Ghostek soDrop Pro

If you want a pair of wireless headphones that will make you stand out from the crowd, the Ghostek soDrop Pro are a great choice. Their design is unique but not too much “in your face” and they provide respectable sound quality for their affordable price. A cool feature you rarely get with headphones at this price point is the ability to have them paired to two devices. So you can listen to music on the subway and then easily switch to your laptop when you’re home or at work. 

Sennheiser HD 4.50

These Sennheisers are a perfect fit for those looking for active noise cancelation and great sound in a pair of headphones that won’t add too much weight to your head but still cover you ears from all sides. Bluetooth 4.0, wired connection option, and low-latency apt-X support are also on board. However, the measly 19 hours of battery life when rivals offer upwards of 30 feels a bit disappointing, to say the least.

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT

Audio-Technica is one of the big names when it comes to headphones and its wireless variant of the popular M50s is living up to expectations. One look at them makes it clear that music is your thing, and the drivers inside them can prove to anyone you’re not just some show-off. The generous padding and the sturdy hinges make these an excellent companion. However, those same hinges can sometimes cause frustration because they spin and rotate in so many ways it’s often impossible to put them on using one hand. Unlike other options on this list, the M50x don’t have active noise cancelation, so you’ll have to rely on what the earcups can provide.

Headphones under $300

Bose Soundlink II

The Bose Soundlink II are for those who want to treat their ears to an excellent experience. Starting from their super-comfortable fit and exceptional audio quality, these headphones allow you to simultaneously connect two devices wirelessly. 

You can connect your tablet in order to listen to music and also pair up your phone so that you hear the ringtone when that important call comes in. You get up to 15 hours of impeccable audio streaming with these headphones, which sounds great until you see how long some similar headphones last and do it with ANC on top, something this pair is missing. But should the battery get depleted prematurely, you can always plug in an audio jack as a backup plan.

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H4

The B&O Play H4 is a spectacular pair of cans that will appeal to even the most-demanding ears out there. These check almost all the boxes (excellent audio quality for the price, sleek design, wired/wireless connectivity)… almost all except for active noise cancelation, which could be a drawback for some would-be consumers. One other sacrifice made this time in favor of cleaner design was with the earcup ergonomics. Since ears aren’t exactly round, those with larger ones might find this pair a bit uncomfortable due to the space inside the otherwise generously padded cups being scarce. If the pair does fit you well, however, the Beoplay H4 are so light you’ll barely notice them on your head after a while.

Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2

Bose 700

Beats Studio 3 Wireless

Now, we all know that if you’re looking for the best price-to-performance, Beats headphones are not it. But they have other strengths such as being recognizable from a mile away. Sure, not everyone cares about that, but there are enough people that do, so this pair will send a clear message. Additionally, unlike other pairs that come in two or three colors, the Beats Studio 3 come in 19 different colors! Everyone can find a color that matches their wardrobe’s color pallet. And don’t worry, soundwise you’re not compromising much. They sound good and unlike other Beats headphones, they’re not too heavy on the bass. Another advantage is the Apple W1 chip that improves the wireless connection with your phone and gives them more range.

Sennheiser Momentum 3

Now we’re talking ― these vintage-styled Sennheiser Momentum 3 are in a league of their own when it comes to sound quality. Active noise cancelation is also on board, similar to what you can find on other high-end wireless over-the-ear cans, but it’s a tad less impressive than, say, the Bose 700 we featured earlier. In situations where you’re prevented from using Bluetooth on planes (at takeoff or landing), you can use the Momentum 3 wired with the provided 3.5mm audio jack adapter. Unfortunately, when it comes to battery life, the third generation of the Momentums is a step down with only 17 hours of audio playback with active noise cancelling turned on. Oh, and did we mention the cool vintage design?