Best Wireless Headphones 2026: Top Picks for Every Listener
Based on hundreds of hours of listening, we present our top headphone picks for 2026.
What to Look For
- Noise Cancellation: Look for adaptive ANC that adjusts to your environment
- Sound Quality: Consider your preferred sound signature — warm, neutral, or bass-heavy
- Battery Life: 30+ hours is standard for over-ears
- Comfort: Weight and clamp force matter for long sessions
- Codec Support: LDAC and aptX Adaptive offer higher quality than AAC alone
Our Top Picks
Sony WH-1000XM5 — £299
Rating: 9.2/10 | Battery: 30h | ANC: Excellent
Best for Apple users. Exceptional sound quality meets industry-leading ANC.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra — £379
Rating: 9.0/10 | Battery: 24h | ANC: Excellent
The budget-friendly champion. The go-to choice for its ecosystem.
Sennheiser Momentum 4 — £299
Rating: 8.8/10 | Battery: 60h | ANC: Very Good
Best noise cancellation. You get 90% of the flagship experience at a fraction of the cost.
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) — £499
Rating: 8.0/10 | Battery: 20h | ANC: Excellent
Our top pick for most people. The go-to choice for its ecosystem.
Sony WH-CH720N — £89
Rating: 7.8/10 | Battery: 35h | ANC: Good
Best for Apple users. The go-to choice for its ecosystem.
How We Test
We use every product for at least two weeks in real-world conditions before making our recommendations.