10 Best Cordless Headphones 2025 in the United States

The Apple AirPods 4 are a solid choice if you want wireless earbuds that blend comfort, convenience, and good sound quality, especially if you use Apple devices. They’ve been redesigned for better fit and all-day wear, with a shorter stem and intuitive quick-press controls for calls and music. One standout feature is Personalized Spatial Audio, which gives you a surround sound experience that adapts as you move your head—great for watching movies or gaming.

The H2 chip powers improved sound and call quality, using smart tech to reduce background noise and isolate your voice, so calls come through clearly even in noisy places. Battery life offers up to 5 hours of listening on a single charge, expanding to 30 hours total with the charging case, which now uses USB-C and is smaller for easier carrying. They also have IP54 dust, sweat, and water resistance, making them suitable for workouts or light rain.

The earbuds’ active noise cancellation is present but not as powerful as in some higher-end models, and the charging cable must be bought separately, which might be inconvenient. The AirPods 4 pair effortlessly with iPhones and include thoughtful extras like voice commands with Siri and a Find My app speaker built into the case to help locate lost earbuds. These are best for users deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem who want stylish, comfortable earbuds with smart features and decent battery life, rather than those needing the strongest noise cancellation or budget options.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are a strong choice for anyone looking for top-tier wireless noise-canceling headphones. They shine with their excellent active noise cancellation, using dual sensors to deeply block out background sounds, which is ideal for travel or noisy environments. Battery life is impressive, offering up to 30 hours of playback with fast charging that gives you 5 hours of use after just 10 minutes of charging. Sound quality is enhanced by Sony's DSEE Extreme technology, which improves compressed music files in real time, delivering rich and clear audio. Comfort is also a highlight—these over-ear headphones have an updated design that reduces pressure, making them comfortable for long listening sessions. Connectivity is versatile with Bluetooth 5.0 and multipoint connection, allowing you to switch seamlessly between devices like your phone and laptop. Additional useful features include touch controls for easy playback and volume adjustment, speak-to-chat that pauses music when you start talking, and smart wear detection that automatically pauses playback when you remove the headphones. Call quality is strong thanks to five built-in microphones that pick up voice clearly.

On the downside, these headphones are plastic-built and not water resistant, so they might require careful handling and are not suited for sweaty workouts or wet conditions. The price can also be higher than average, which might be a consideration if you're budget conscious. These headphones are best suited for users who want high performance in noise cancellation, sound clarity, and comfort for everyday use, commuting, or long listening sessions.