When it comes to on-the-go audio gear like wireless headphones, size isn’t everything but it does count for a lot.
A set of Apple AirPods can get you pretty far if portability is a priority, but when it comes to noise-cancelling, sound quality and battery life, a decent set of over-ear cans will get you much further. Of course, much like their true wireless counterparts, there’s so much more to the over-ear audio category than what heavyweights like Sony and Bose have to offer.
Save yourself the time of trawling through Amazon searching for something that fits your budget by checking out our shortlist of the best headphones you can buy in Australia below.
Best wireless headphones overall: Sony WH-1000XM6
RRP $699
Sony’s WH-1000XM6 are the gold standard and go-to for wireless headphones for good reason. They deliver exceptional sound, solid noise cancellation, long battery life and a revised design that makes a few smart improvements to a winning formula.
- Battery Life: Up to 30 hours with ANC
- Water Resistance: N/A
- Weight: 254g
Check price on Amazon
Sony’s reputation in the consumer-grade audio space has soared in recent years, and the latest version of the company’s flagship set of noise-cancelling headphones does little that’ll diminish the company’s standing in the eyes – and ears – of its audiophile-adjacent audience.
What's here is more of an encore than anything else. The sixth-generation Sony WH-1000XM6 features a revised take on the same form factor found in the previous model, with a few tweaks on the formula. Even if they still lack a formal IP rating for water resistance, these headphones are still an improvement in terms of overall durability. There are reinforced hinges on the ear-cups and a return to the collapsible design of older models.
Of course, the main reason to consider these over the alternatives is the sound quality, and Sony remains a frontrunner in that regard. The WH-1000XM6s make use of improved passive noise cancellation to get more out of the same Q3 chip found in the previous model. Throw in 30 hours of battery life, and you’re looking at the apex predator of consumer-grade wireless audio.
Best cheap wireless headphones: CMF Headphones Pro
RRP $179
The CMF Headphones Pro aren’t going to satisfy the appetites of those after more premium design or greater sound fidelity. Even so, they’re still well suited for more everyday consumers with a likable design, long battery life and surprisingly good noise cancelling.
- Battery Life: Up to 50 hours with ANC
- Water Resistance: IPX2
- Weight: 283g
Check price on Amazon
Nothing’s CMF sub-brand has wasted little time in making its pitch to those seeking a budget-friendly option when it comes to wireless audio, with the CMF Headphones Pro delivering a likable combination of a low price, decent sound quality, and relatively few compromises.
These headphones offer up a colourful take on a classic design, with interchangeable earcups and a few extra buttons than usual that let you tweak the bass signature on the fly. Then, under the hood, the CMF Headphones Pro are kitted out with custom 40mm drivers and nickel-plated diaphragms that reduce distortion.
All told, the sound quality here isn’t on the level of what you can get from something like the Sony headphones above. However, it’s more than a match for most budget headphones and comes with up to 50 hours of battery life if you have ANC turned on.
The CMF Headphones Pro might not be the best headphones you can buy, but for the money, they’re hard to beat.
Best wireless headphones for noise-cancelling: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2
RRP $699
Bose’s second-generation QuietComfort Ultra bolsters a winning formula, combining best-in-class noise cancelling with premium design and new features.
- Battery Life: Up to 30 hours with ANC
- Water Resistance: N/A
- Weight: 262g
Check price on Amazon
Bose used to be the brand to beat when it came to noise-cancelling audio, but has lost ground to the likes of Sony and Sonos over the years. Even so, if this feature is your priority and price is no object, then the second-generation Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are going to be right down your alley.
These wireless headphones offer up to thirty hours of battery life per charge, a premium metal design, superb sound quality, plus a new Cinema Mode. Although the exterior design is familiar and largely in line with the previous model, the inside of the second-generation Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones come built to deliver improved noise cancellation that’s both more dynamic and precise.
Best wireless headphones for battery life: Sennheiser Momentum 4
RRP $550
Sennheiser’s latest set of Momentum Wireless headphones might not keep pace with the competition when it comes to noise cancelling or design, but if you’d prefer a few more hours of battery life instead, then these might fit the bill.
- Battery Life: Up to 60 hours with ANC
- Water Resistance: N/A
- Weight: 293g
Check price on Amazon
Like Bose, Sennheiser has lost a decent amount of market share to the likes of Sony and Sonos in recent years. However, these headphones are a timely reminder that the German audio brand still has plenty to offer modern consumers.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 pair up a classy but more subdued design and battery life that outpaces the competition even when noise-cancelling is turned on. Fully charged up, they deliver a whopping 60 hours of listening with noise cancelling turned on or even longer without it. Then, when empty, the fast charging can translate a 10-minute top-up into about six hours of playback.
Even if the Sennheiser Momentum 4 don’t quite reach the same highs seen in their competition, they still lead the pack when it comes to battery life.
Best wireless headphones for design: Sonos Ace
RRP $699
Sonos’ first stab at a set of wireless over-ear headphones come with a stellar design, plenty of bells and whistles, plus fantastic sound quality.
- Battery Life: Up to 30 hours with ANC
- Water Resistance: N/A
- Weight: 312g
Check price on Amazon
Sonos only recently got into the game when it comes to wireless headphones, but the Ace more than live up to the hype. They aren’t cheap, but the design here is as likable as it is lightweight, with intuitive controls, customisable sound, and smart hooks aimed at those in the Sonos ecosystem.
Even if the asking price is high and there’s no formal IP rating for water and dust resistance to be found here, the Sonos Ace hold their own as a thoughtful take on the modern template for noise-cancelling headphones with 30 hours of battery life and terrific sound quality.
Also Consider: Nothing Headphones 1
RRP $549
Nothing's first foray into premium noise cans has more than an eye-catching design going for it, pairing up premium performance and a thriftier price tag.
- Battery Life: Up to 35 hours with ANC
- Water Resistance: IP52
- Weight: 329g
Check price on Amazon
Nothing’s first set of over-ear headphones look nothing like their competition, but are a whole lot cheaper. Despite that, the sound quality here is far from compromised. Throw in fast-charging, intuitive physical controls, battery life that goes the distance and the companion app that’s refreshingly well-executed and the sum total leaves little on the table in terms of missed opportunities.
Even if it isn’t setting a new bar for noise-cancelling headphones, the Nothing Headphones 1 are a great alternative to consider if you’re chasing the idea of something different to the usual brands.
Also consider: Apple AirPods Max
RRP $999
Apple’s AirPods Max command a significant premium, but come with a slick design that lives up to that asking price and plenty of features aimed at those in the iOS ecosystem.
- Battery Life: Up to 20 hours with ANC
- Water Resistance: N/A
- Weight: 384.8g
Check price on Amazon
The AirPods Max are more than just the only set of Apple AirPods that come with an over-ear design, they're also the most expensive set of headphones that Apple sells.
Fortunately, if you're looking to justify paying that premium, the list of reasons to consider doing so is a pretty long one. Sure, the battery life isn’t as long as some of the other headphones in our shortlist, but the noise-cancelling and sound quality on offer are definitely in the same ballpark.
Ultimately, if you’re after a set of noise-cancelling headphones that come with the same premium feel-factor as Apple’s other hardware, then these are the obvious choice for good reason.
We team up with our sister website Reviews.org AU to find the best earbuds and headphones. When we test headphones, broadly speaking, we're looking at five main considerations:
- Sound: Obviously. Do they sound good?
- Comfort & Design: Are they nice to wear?
- Features: Is the battery good? Is the connectivity reliable? What's the noise-cancelling like?
- Vibe: What's the overall experience like?
- Value: Are they good for the money?
While audio products can be quite subjective for many reasons, we have standardised testing procedures across the team designed to help us look at the category in a consistent way.
FAQs
How do I know if wireless headphones will work with my device?
By and large, all wireless headphones should work with any Bluetooth-enabled phone, tablet, or computer. You'll always be able to listen to audio, but in some cases, you'll miss out on features. For example, you need to use AirPods Max with an iPhone, iPad, or Mac to take advantage of their full functionality.
What are the key features to look for in wireless headphones?
When testing wireless headphones, the three key features we consider are audio quality, battery life, and comfort.
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Fergus Halliday
Digital Content Editor
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