Whether you’re looking for wireless Bluetooth headphones that you can pair with a new iPhone (or any other Bluetooth device) or wired connections for your ‘phones, we have a few choices for you.
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Bose QuietComfort 35
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/products/bose-quietcomfort-35/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 (Outstanding)
The good: The Bose QuietComfort 35 combines top-of-the-line active-noise canceling with wireless Bluetooth operation in an extra-comfortable, fold-up design. The sound is excellent for Bluetooth, and it doubles as a great headset for phone calls. Works in wired mode with included cord if battery dies.
The bad: Battery isn’t user-replaceable, and the headphone is heavier than the QuietComfort 25.
The cost: $349.00
The bottom line: Bluetooth meets best-in-class noise canceling: the Bose QuietComfort 35 is the ultimate noise canceling wireless headphone you can buy right now.
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Sony MDR-1A
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/products/sony-mdr-1a/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 (Outstanding)
The good: The Sony MDR-1A is a relatively lightweight, very comfortable full-size headphone that offers sound that’s improved over the MDR-1R’s, with better definition from the bass through the midrange to the treble. The headphones now sit on your neck correctly (the earcups rotate the proper direction) and you get two cables, one of which has an in-line remote for smartphones, along with a nice carrying pouch.
The bad: Somewhat pricey; in-line remote lacks some functionality for iPhone users.
The cost: $298.00
The bottom line: The super-comfortable Sony MDR-1A does a good job balancing clarity with just enough of laid-backness to make it a very versatile headphone that’s well worth considering if you’re looking for a full-size headphone in the $250-$300 range.
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Audeze Sine
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/products/audeze-sine/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 (Outstanding)
The good: The swanky, sturdily built Audeze Sine is among the smallest and most affordable headphones to use planar magnetic drivers. It offers very revealing, spacious sound in a closed-back design. For an extra $50, you can get the company’s Cipher Lightning headphone cable, which plugs directly into your iOS device’s Lightning port — making it iPhone 7-ready.
The bad: The headphone’s a little heavy — comfortable, but not extraordinarily so. Included 3.5mm headphone cord doesn’t have an integrated remote and microphone.
The cost: $449.00
The bottom line: The Audeze Sine is a fantastic headphone that will appeal to anyone looking for truly high-end sound that isn’t incredibly expensive.
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Bose SoundSport Wireless
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/products/bose-soundsport-wireless/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 (Outstanding)
The good: The SoundSoundSport Wireless is a very comfortable in-ear wireless Bluetooth sports headphone that’s sweat-resistant and sounds great. The earphones fit securely in your ears thanks to winged tips. The headphone works decently as a headset for making cell-phone calls and has an auto-off feature to preserve battery life.
The bad: The ear pieces protrude noticeably from your ears (they’re a little bulky but don’t feel heavy); battery life tops out at 6 hours.
The cost: $149.00
The bottom line: The Bose SoundSport Wireless is the most comfortable, best overall in-ear Bluetooth sports headphone you can buy right now.
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The following CNET staff contributed to this story: Executive Editor David Carnoy, CNET contributor Steve Guttenberg and Senior Editor Laura K. Cucullu. For more reviews of personal technology products, please visit www.cnet.com.
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