Top 10 Best Wireless Headphones to Buy for December 2024 [Updated]
Author: DJ Tom
Last Updated: 7 December 2024
Here at DJ Music Geek, we are obsessed with everything audio. So when it comes to wireless headphones, we know the score. Choosing a new pair of wireless headphones is an important decision, whether you go for the known (and frankly overpriced) brands or choose other equally well made alternatives for half the price. This guide will give you some recommendations of our preferred, high quality and reasonably priced products.
We will be constantly updating the prices of the products below to reflect the latest deals and promotions that are available. So with that in mind, let us dive right in to the latest and best models to buy.
Best Headphones To Buy:
This guide will give you some recommendations of our most preferred, best quality and reasonably priced products. So here it is, our top buy of 2024, the Oneodio A Series.
Overview: The A Series provided the best overall features and value for money. Exceptional sound quality, noise cancellation and build quality are just a few of the factors as to why they are at the very top of our list.
Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation: Utilizes a custom ANC chip to block out up to 95% of low and mid-range frequency noises, providing immersive listening experiences in various environments.
Hi-Res Audio: Experience high-quality sound with dual 40mm drivers. The A Series exclusive bass boost technology conducts real-time analysis to strengthen low frequencies, making it the perfect headphone for audio enthusiasts.
Long-lasting Battery Life: The 800mAh battery offers up to 45 hours of playback and 3-6 months of standby time on a single charge, ideal for long-term use without frequent charging. Clear Phone Calls: Leveraging CVC 8.0 technology and a 5-Mic HD Call Experience for crystal clear phone calls directly through your headphones, effectively separating environmental noise in real-time.
Exceptional Sound Quality: Comes equipped with massive 40mm dynamic speaker drivers and dual sound chambers for unparalleled sound clarity, detail, and bass. Ideal for audio enthusiasts.
Latest Bluetooth Technology: Features Bluetooth 5.0 technology, offering enhanced listening range, audio stability, and improved connectivity for a seamless audio experience.
Comfortable and Lightweight Design: The ergonomic design with memory foam earcups and rotating headband joints ensures maximum comfort and a secure fit, suitable for prolonged use.
Premium Extras: Comes with a high-quality carry case for protection and portability, and the option to connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously for switching between calls, video conferencing, and music without needing to reconnect.
So, why are the Oneodio A Series our top choice out of all the headphones I’ve tested? They provided the best overall sound experience, active noise cancellation and are almost half the price of the leading competitors. Let’s compare the full range of factors:
Noise Cancellation
This is down to the 40mm dynamic drivers that power both speakers and 6 external microphones which provide active noise cancellation and reduces outside noise by up to 40dB – the equivalent of the noise of a lawnmower being reduced to the equivalent to the sound of moderate rainfall. This kind of reduction is great for airplanes, getting some peace and quiet in loud coffee shops or just listening to music without interruption pretty much anywhere. There’s also 3 ANC modes: on, off and transparency mode. Transparency mode is an excellent way to drown out background noise whilst being able to enjoy a conversation with somebody. You think you’ll never use it, but trust me it’s a really cool feature and is accessible via an easy press of the ANC button when you get interrupted and need to chat.
Sound Quality
The Oneodio A Series gave really exceptional, clear and crisp sound output. I cannot stress how well the Hi-Res Audio performs. Listening to a large variety of music from rock, pop and R&B to rap, classical and techno, it was a truly pleasurable experience. All in the headphones gives a great sound at all frequency ranges. Featuring strong punchy bass and clarity in the midrange, the Oneodio A Series were a pleasure to use.
Featuring a 50 hour battery life without using the active noise cancellation and a 45 hour usage with it enabled. These headphones never really felt like they needed a charge. The specs also indicate that the unit will last between 3-6 months in standby mode too which is an obvious plus, although I’m not sure why you’d leave them on in this state and not turn them off. The headphones are charged with a USB-C charging port which enables fast-charge, so just over an hour is all it took to charge them fully.
Build Quality
Considering the price point of the Oneodio A Series, it’s astonishing how well these headphones are built. They feel comparable to most €250-€300 pairs of headphones in terms of how they feel and look. Premium quality materials have definitely been used all round. The A Series feature a great level of comfort with a comfortable amount of padding around the ears and over the top of the headband. In multiple 3.5 hour tests, no discomfort was experienced at all, they kind of just sit floating on your head without weighing you down. The noise cancelling microphone technology is great and works wonders in a variety of environments, so you can take calls easily without fumbling for your phone and ripping off the headphones in a panic. The product comes with all the accessories you could need: aux cable, USB-C charging cable, and a very nice protective case.
Pricing
So this is why they are number one in the list of headphones you should buy. It comes down to price and practicality. Why pay more? When it comes to having a great pair of wireless noise cancelling headphones, you could choose the overpriced alternative Bose QuietComfort QC45’s, which are great headphones but you really are just mainly paying for the brand name. You get everything you could possibly want in these headphones: amazing sound, top noise cancellation, exceptional 50 hour battery life, and an extended 2 year warranty (when purchased through Shopsta).
Considering the quality of the headphones and the active noise cancellation, I would fully expect these headphones to sell for about €200-€250. Which gives you the saving of roughly €70-€120 versus competitors, so you could literally buy two pairs of these for the same cost! The Oneodio A Series have seriously impressed and that’s why it’s DJ Music Geek’s top pick for 2024.
Special December 2024 Deal: The Oneodio A Series is now on sale. You can also get an extra 20% discount off the Oneodio A Series at Shopsta using the promo code XMAS at checkout. Also enjoy free shipping at Shopsta as standard.
Hi-Res Audio Certified: Equipped with custom oversized 40mm dynamic drivers, these headphones deliver certified Hi-Res Audio, ensuring exceptional sound clarity and detail with frequencies reaching up to 40kHz.
Advanced Noise Cancellation: Through extensive real-world testing and refinement, our engineers have developed a hybrid active noise cancellation algorithm that effectively reduces ambient noises by up to 90%, perfect for minimising distractions from cars and airplane engines.
100% Stronger Bass: With our unique BassUp technology, enjoy a real-time analysis and amplification of low frequencies for a bass output that’s 100% stronger. Perfect for an enhanced experience while listening to bass-heavy genres.
Exceptional Battery Life: Experience up to 28 hours of non-stop playtime in wireless active noise cancellation mode at 60% volume, which extends to an impressive 40 hours in standard music mode.
Rapid Charge: For those on-the-go moments, a quick 5-minute charge provides 4 hours of listening time.
Universal Comfort: Featuring memory foam ear-cups that gently mould to your ears and a headband with rotating joints for automatic angle adjustment, these headphones are designed for maximum comfort and a secure fit.
Ideal for Extended Wear: The ergonomic design ensures the headphones adapt to the shape of your head, delivering comfort and a secure seal, making them ideal for prolonged use.
Tailored Listening Experience: Experience your music the way it’s meant to be heard. Double press the play button when listening to bass heavy genres like EDM and hip-hop for an amplified, immersive experience.
The Focus A5 are probably the best ‘cheaper’ option you can go for with actual true ANC capabilities. Coming in slightly cheaper than the A Series, you do get that price advantage whilst still maintaining quality. They are slightly smaller in build and don’t come with a hard carry case (although it does come with a soft one), they are a well designed foldable pair of ANC headphones. I must say that the sound quality is really crisp. Listening to all kinds of music, the A5’s don’t disappoint. The only thing that I would say is that the noise cancellation isn’t quite as good as the Oneodio’s when it comes to very busy environments. Overall, it’s a great pick for someone who wants a pair of noise cancelling headphones and for those who are slightly more budget conscious. It get’s number 2 on the list due to very similar features compared to the Oneodio but at a more affordable price. Let’s face it, not everyone is looking to spend €250+ on a pair of headphones.
3. Bose QuietComfort® 45 Bluetooth wireless noise cancelling headphones with microphone for phone calls - Triple Black
NOISE CANCELLING WIRELESS HEADPHONES: The perfect balance of quiet, comfort, and sound. Bose uses tiny mics to measure, compare, and react to outside noise, cancelling it with opposite signals. Bluetooth range-up to 9 m (30 feet).
HIGH-FIDELITY AUDIO: The TriPort acoustic architecture offers depth and fullness. Volume-optimized Active EQ maintains balanced performance at any volume, so bass stays consistent when turned down and the music remains clear when turned up.
QUIET AND AWARE MODES: Choose Quiet Mode for full noise cancelling, or Aware Mode to bring the outside into the around-ear headphones and hear your environment and your music at the same time.
UP TO 22 HOURS BATTERY LIFE: Enjoy 22 hours of battery life from a single charge. A quick 15-minute charge offers 3 hours when you’re on the go, or plug in the included audio cable to listen for even longer in wired mode.
PERSONALIZE YOUR AUDIO: Adjustable EQ allows you to set the bass, mid-range, and treble levels to your personal preferences or select one of several preset options.
BOSE SIMPLESYNC TECHNOLOGY: SimpleSync pairs your Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones with select Bose smart soundbars for a personal TV listening experience. Independent volume controls allow you to lower or mute your soundbar while keeping your headphones as loud as you like. Away from your phone? Press and hold the Bluetooth button on each device to sync their sound. Already got a group going? Link by pressing the Action button to connect at a moment’s notice.
You’ve probably heard of the Bose QuietComfort’s before and the old QC35’s were my go-to pair of headphones for travelling for many years. The QC45 brings a few minor updates to the 35’s with better noise cancellation and battery life than it’s predecessor. There’s a reason why they have sold so many of these and continue to do so well. All in they provide a great package, they’ve come down a bit in price over the last 12 months but they are still incredibly expensive. Putting them and the Oneodio’s side by side for comparison, I couldn’t really see why they cost nearly double. The ANC was comparable and I couldn’t find a tangible benefit or feature over why I’d pick these over the A Series. All in, although these are an excellent pair of headphones, I do think you need to acknowledge that you are basically spending an extra hundred pounds for the ‘Bose’ logo but if that is something that’s important to you, then go for it.
4. Sony WH-1000XM4 Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones - 30 hours battery life - Over Ear style - Optimised for Alexa and the Google Assistant - with built-in mic for phone calls - Black
Noise cancellation: Powered by HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1.
Sound quality: These Bluetooth headphones support ideal Resolution Audio, and even compressed music files are upscaled using evolved DSEE Extreme technology.
Smart features: Speak-to-Chat automatically pauses playback when one starts a conversation. Wearing Detection powers off headphones when not wearing them, plus more smart features for a seamless, hands-free listening experience.
Multipoint connection: Sony headphones can be paired with two Bluetooth devices at the same time. Bluetooth version: 5.0, frequency range: 2.4GHz band (2.4000GHz-2.4835GHz), Effective Range: Line of sight approx. 30ft (10m).
Driver Unit: 40mm dome type (CCAW Voice coil), Plug: Gold-plated L-shaped stereo mini plug, Cord Length: Headphone cable (approx. 1.2m, OFC strands, gold-plated stereo mini plug).
Sony have continued to produce high quality headphones in the open market for many years now and the WH-1000XM4 is the latest model to buy. High quality sound, good noise cancellation, great battery life and overall high quality build. As with most of Sony’s products, they provide excellent audio capabilities and build quality. They are a solid choice for anyone who likes the brand and is looking to spend around €250. Although I can’t help but wonder if forking out nearly a quarter of a thousand pounds for this pair is worth it.
Fashionable and well built, a bit like all Apple products, the Airpods Max headphones do put a breath of fresh air into the pretty boring looking headphones market. They work well with Apple devices (as you’d expect) and I do like them – although as a DJ I wouldn’t be caught dead around my friends wearing them (sorry Apple!). I was lucky enough to have a test pair for the week and if you are an Apple enthusiast willing to part with the best part of €500, then each to their own. All I’ll say is that there are similar quality options for much less money available on the current market.
Maximum audio resolution with Sennheiser Signature Sound: Enjoy premium music quality all-day long thanks to the headphone's audiophile-inspired 42mm transducer system and aptX Adaptive. Note: It is recommended to download the Sennheiser Smart Control app to ensure the product stays updated with the latest updates.
Personalized sound via the Sennheiser Smart Control App: Adjust the sound to your individual listening preferences via the integrated equalizer, presets, and sound modes for a unique sound experience.
Stay immersed in your music: Thanks to the headphone's Adaptive Noise Cancellation, you stay distraction-free, and with the Adjustable Transparency Mode, you stay in touch with the world around you.
Exceptional comfort and long battery life: Lightweight, foldable design with a padded headband and deeply cushioned ear pads for long-lasting comfort. Enjoy up to 60 hours of playback time with fast charging.
Crystal-clear calls: The four digital beamforming microphones ensure high-quality voice pick-up and automatically suppress wind noise for optimized calls and easier access to the voice assistant.
Audio automatically adapts to your surroundings: SmartSound analyses your sound environment and applies your personalised audio. Active noise cancellation and the HearThrough feature provide the sound you need.
Extra-long battery life: With up to 41 hours of battery time and fast charging, the Elite 85h earphones let you take calls and play music while staying wirelessly connected.
Unmatched call quality and durability: 8 microphones greatly enhance call quality, blocking out more wind noise and background distractions. Certified rain-resistant and dustproof.
On-ear detection and voice assistant enabled: Headphones recognise when you remove them from your ears, auto-playing and pausing audio. Includes one-touch connection to your digital assistant of choice.
Decent battery life of 35 hours, the Elite 85h makes number 7 on the list. I can’t help but feel that if you are going to spend circa €250 on a pair then unless you really love the design, I would go for some other options further up the list.
8. Technics EAH-A800E-K Wireless Headphones, Over Ear Multipoint Bluetooth Earphones
SUPERIOR SOUND: These Technics wireless over-ear headphones have a PEEK/Polyurethane 3-Layer Diaphragm 40mm driver, giving you a clear, immersive sound experience with range and depth, while LCAD high-resolution audio provides uncompromised sound quality.
OPTIMAL COMFORT: With cushioned, super-soft earpads that evenly distribute pressure for a stable fit, and a headband that reduces pressure across your entire head, these wireless Bluetooth headphones are designed for optimal comfort for your every move.
NOISE CANCELLING: With industry-leading noise cancelling, these headphones combine Dual Hybrid feedforward and feedback noise cancelling with analog and digital processing for truly immersive listening. Transparent and Attention modes give you control.
LONG BATTERY LIFE: With up to 50 hours on a single charge with ANC on, and a quick 15-minute charge for 10 hours of playback, you won't have to worry about interruptions. A Wearing Sensor allows for auto shut-off, and they fold easily into a compact case.
A new entry to this list, replacing the Sennheiser’s we previously had listed in this spot, the Technics meet that middle ground where performance and price is equally as high. Not the best looking headphones, but I did have a chance to use these for a few days and although they wouldn’t be my best choice, I do think they are worth a mention.
Beats who are owned by Apple now, the Beats Solo3’s are well made and offers a skinnier over-the-ear headphone profile, if that’s your thing. Some people complain that they are overpriced for the sound quality but they just about make the list due to their high build quality and overall design.
10. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 — Over Ear, Wireless Bluetooth with Built-In Microphone
POWERFUL NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES: 11 levels of active noise cancelling let you enjoy music, podcasts, videos, and calls without distractions.
ASTONISHING SOUND: Crisp, clear details with deep, full bass. These wireless headphones produce exciting, lifelike sound that’s full and balanced at every volume level.
UNRIVALED VOICE PICKUP: A revolutionary microphone system adapts to noisy and windy environments, ensuring your voice always sounds crystal clear on calls.
KEEP YOUR HEAD UP AND HANDS FREE: With easy access to voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant for music, navigation, weather, and more, and intuitive touch control on the earcups, you can stay connected without reaching for your phone.
Basically the QC45’s in a fancier frame. If you like this design over the QC45’s then this model would be the better choice. I do love Bose products for ANC headphones, but again we’re going to have to go with the Oneodio A Series as the top choice for best overall, here’s why:
How We Determine Our Reviews
It’s important to look at what’s required in a great pair of wireless headphones. We’ve come up with 7 must-have essentials for any ANC headphones that you need to consider:
1) Great Sound – we can’t go without this essential component! 2) Active Noise Cancellation – can it withstand the dreaded plane journeys? 3) Portability – is it easy to carry around? 4) Battery Life – how long the battery does it last? 5) Reliability – do I need to worry about the build quality? 6) Connectivity – how easy is it to connect? 7) Price – is it affordable or am I overpaying?
We have reviewed and ordered the above headphones based on these factors. Covering all bases is important when choosing headphones as you only need one aspect to let you down to ruin your experience.
In our tests we found that a higher price didn’t always equal higher quality. Some of the better known brands like Bose, Jabra and Sony do produce really excellent headphones, but the cost put them at double or triple the price of the Oneodio A Series. When comparing things like bass, sound clarity and overall features, we found that there wasn’t enough substantial difference to warrant the extra price and in a lot of cases the Oneodio’s actually performed better (such as in battery life and noise cancellation).
Top Pick
9.8
When it comes to a pair of noise cancelling headphones, you want all the features packed into a great design. The Oneodio A Series in our opinion delivers everything you could want in a set of noise cancelling headphones at a phenomenal price.
Featuring high build quality, great battery life, ultra reliable connectivity and incredible sound, we rate the A Series at 9.8 out of 10.
After using the unit for approximately 5 months now with daily use, we can’t see ourselves switching to another unit any time soon.
Get free delivery when purchased at Shopsta.
So there it is. Our full review of the top 10 headphones to buy for 2024. Many factors like price, build quality, noise cancellation and battery life came into play. There are options to suit most budgets but the A Series was the clear winner for being the best overall. If you’re going to go for this unit, make sure you get 20% off the retail price when you use the discount code APR20 at checkout. You’ll also get the extended 2 year warranty.
Thanks for reading our above reviews and we hope we’ve helped you to find the right pair of headphones to suit your needs.
