With headways in wireless technology, we see trends favoring wireless headphones. That’s why, we decided to write a guide on the best wireless headphones with long battery life.
Music buffs are cutting the cord and embracing convenience, style, and immersive sound that’s usually associated with wireless headphones. Need quantification? Well, Statista forecasts the wireless headphones sales to touch 230 million units globally by the end of 2021.
Wireless headphones free you from the clutter of wires, ensuring greater convenience and mobility. Whether you are at home doing the chores, working on a project at the office, sweating it out in a gym, or enjoying a beach trip, they keep you entertained and focused. With a sleek and sophisticated profile, they complement your style and make heads turn. Not only this but they are also easy to pair with smartphones, tablets, PCs, TVs, MP3 Players, and more.
We shortlisted 20 headphones with long battery life and tested them over 2 months to help you find the best wireless headphones with long battery life. Our trial and testing is done, and these are the top 7 wireless headphones with excellent battery life.
Roundup of the Best Wireless Headphones With Long Battery Life
| Overall Best Wireless Headphones with Long Battery Life | Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Headphones |
| Most Comfortable Wireless Headphones with Long Battery Life | Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Bluetooth Headphones |
| Best Budget Wireless Headphones With Long Battery Life | Skullcandy Hesh 2 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones |
| Best Noise-Canceling Wireless Headphones With Long Battery Life | Jabra Elite 85h Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones |
| Most Durable Wireless Headphones With Long Battery Life | Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 Wireless Headphones |
| Best Bluetooth Wireless Headphones With Long Battery Life | Soundcore by Anker Life Q30 Headphones |
| Wireless Headphones With Best Bass and Long Battery Life | Soundcore by Anker Life Q20 Headphones |
In this guide, we’ll review these 7 headphones in detail, and list their pros and cons. We’ll also discuss why you should buy wireless headphones with long battery life and answer some frequently asked questions about wireless headphones. Read further to know more.
Why You Should Buy Wireless Headphones With Long Battery Life
Not all wireless headphones are created equal. Some offer longer play times than the rest. The standard playtime is four hours but certain models might offer up to 60 hours. But why does a long battery life matter, if at all? What’s the fuss about wireless headphones with long battery life?
Well, wireless headphones are power-hungry devices. The Bluetooth technology that powers these devices offers multiple applications and features, which take a toll on the battery. The more the usage, the higher the power drain would be, as simple as that. Even though you aren’t a heavy user, having wireless headphones with extended playtime is always helpful.
Imagine your wireless headphones running out of juice midway through your day, and there’s no way to power them up. The very thought is dreadful, right? Wireless headphones with a long battery life would stay up and running for several days or weeks on a single charge. As the need for frequent charging is eliminated outright, you enjoy greater convenience and flexibility.
Wireless headphones with a good battery capacity are expensive unless they sacrifice other features to keep costs down. The same is the case with rapid charging headphones that offer up to 2 hours of battery backup with a couple of minutes of charging time. However, paying extra for better battery capacity is a wise investment if your charging concerns are well taken care of.
Top 7 Wireless Headphones with Long Battery Life
Smart purchases are all about understanding the tradeoffs and choosing wisely. Lets’ help you take informed decisions with a list of the top 7 wireless headphones with long battery life.
We have spent weeks testing wireless headphones for their overall features, comfort, affordability, noise cancellation, durability, Bluetooth connectivity, bass performance, and, of course, battery capacity. Read on, here’s your chance to be in the know of your best available options.
1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Headphones
Overall Best Wireless Headphones with Long Battery Life
- Industry-leading sound quality
- Best noise cancelation
- Extremely comfortable and durable
- Support multiple connections at the same time
- Deep bass and treble
- Perceptive control through an app
- 30 hours of battery and quick charging function
- A bit pricey
- USB-C port unavailable for audio
The Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Headphones make it to the top of our list for their excellent sound quality. These over-ear headphones feature an HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1 to process the data provided by the dual microphones on both ear-cups. The ambient noise is canceled out in real-time, ensuring a truly noise-free music experience across all environments.
Firstly, the Digital Sound Enhancement Engine with Edge-AI improves the quality of compressed music files. The five built-in microphones help segregate the sound, ensuring superb call quality and elimination of mid and high-frequency sounds. Add to them wearing detection function, multiple device pairing, built-in Alexa, and intuitive touch control, the headphones justify their price tag. Secondly, they’re comfortable as well, thanks to an ergonomic design and superior headband material.
Lastly, the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Headphones do well on the battery front as well, with a 30-hour playtime and rapid charging function. Charge it for 10 minutes and enjoy over 5 hours of non-stop music.
On the downside, the design is similar to Sony XM3 on-ear models and hence, deters those looking for an upgrade. Read the full comparison between Sony WH-1000XM4 vs Sony WH-1000XM3 to know more.
To conclude, the headphones are ideal for the connoisseurs of sound, featuring industry-leading noise cancellation, and a bevy of innovative functions and performance features.
View on Amazon: Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Headphones
2. Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
Most Comfortable Wireless Headphones with Long Battery Life
- Superb comfort
- Excellent noise cancelation
- Soft yet balanced bass performance
- 20 hours of battery life
- Great audio quality
- Intuitive controls on the headphones
- Single button press to activate Alexa
- Great for watching movies and taking/making calls
- Lack instant mute function
- Lack auto-pause/play function
Another over-the-ear entry, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Bluetooth Headphones, are an industry-standard in comfort. Firstly, they are light in weight, fit well and stay in place, irrespective of what you do – sit, run, work out, commute, or travel. The Alcantara cushioning on the headband and soft, multi-layered ear-cup cushioning make them ideal for all-day wear even in sweaty conditions.
Secondly, the noise-rejecting dual-microphone system backed by Bose AR provides three levels of noise cancellation for crystal-clear sound and superior voice pick-up. The bass is balanced yet soft across all volume levels. There’s an Action button for easier and quicker voice-controlled tasks. With a built-in voice assistant, it’s easier to ask for entertainment, information, and more.
In conclusion, if comfort and excellent battery life are top priorities, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Bluetooth Headphones can be a great buy. Count on them for strong bass, crisp treble, and impressive voice pick-up. They are one of the best headphones for movies.
View on Amazon: Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
3. Skullcandy Hesh 2 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
Best Budget Wireless Headphones With Long Battery Life
- Decent sound quality at an entry-level price
- Comfortable and durable; good for daily use
- Can be used both wirelessly and with wire
- Good battery capacity
- Convenient to use
- Lack noise-canceling
Skullcandy Hesh 2 is a better bang for your buck than other wireless headphones with long battery life. Firstly, the sound quality is impressive for headphones this cheap, thanks to the Supreme Sound technology. The bass is average but vocals are natural at all volumes. What sticks out, however, is the ability of the headphones to work wirelessly, as well as with wires.
Secondly, on the comfort front too, the headphones do well. The soft synthetic leather cushions ensure comfort during those marathon music sessions. The headband’s metal understructure makes them good to withstand the rigors of everyday use. Lastly, the battery lasts for 15 hours on a single charge. The charging time is 2.5 hours. An LED indicator is there to alert you to the battery hitting 10%.
In conclusion, at an entry-level price point, the Skullcandy Hesh 2 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones can be a good buy. Expect comfort, durability, and good noise isolation, but be prepared to put up with average bass and no noise canceling.
View on Amazon: Skullcandy Hesh 2 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
4. Jabra Elite 85h Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones
Best Noise-Canceling Wireless Headphones With Long Battery Life
- Best active noise cancelation
- Exceptional battery performance
- Certified rain and water resistance
- Impressive call quality
- Certified water resistance
- Built-in Alexa
- We did not experience any issues with these headphones
If noise cancelation is what you crave, look no further than the Jabra Elite 85h Wireless Headphones. Firstly, the smart active noise-canceling function activates automatically once it detects the ambient noise, ensuring a noise-free sound experience no matter what the environment. The SmartSound technology applies personalized sound settings upon analyzing your ambiance.
Secondly, the call quality is impressive; thanks to smart technology that utilizes 6 out of 8 microphones to up the voice quality and cancel out ambient noise. Automatic ear detection is also there for convenience. Remove the headphones to pause playback, and wear them back to resume. Lastly, with 36 hours of battery time, they’ll be up and running to keep up with your requirements.
In conclusion, the ANC sticks out and the sound quality is excellent. If you’re looking for the best noise-canceling wireless headphones with good battery life, the Jabra Elite 85h Wireless Headphones can be a good buy. They are also one of the best Alexa headphones on the market.
View on Amazon: Jabra Elite 85h Wireless Headphones
5. Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 Wireless Headphones
Most Durable Wireless Headphones With Long Battery Life
- Extremely sturdy and elegant design
- Highly effective ANC
- Superb voice quality
- Excellent sound quality
- 22-hour battery backup
- Rich bass at all volume levels
- We did not experience any issues with these headphones
When durability is a priority, Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 exceeds your expectations.
Firstly, what makes them so enduring is the stainless-steel headband that resists impact, heat, and everything thrown at it. The premium leather-covered ear cushions are equally durable, besides enhancing the comfort factor. The design and build quality also contribute to the overall sturdiness.
Secondly, Sennheiser has been at the cutting edge of Active Noise Cancelation, and Momentum 2 reflects that well. The Noise Gard hybrid ANC filters out background noises through four microphones that guarantee efficient noise isolation for better sound quality in noisy ambiances. The VoiceMax Technology uses two out of four built-in microphones to restrict ambient noise during phone calls.
Thirdly, we found the bass to be firmer, and the sound more refined than other headphones at this price point. That’s an advantage, and so is the detachable cable, allowing them to be used wirelessly or with wire. Fourthly, the battery lasts for 22 hours before needing a juicing up – that’s even when ANC is active. The small footprint and foldable headband design ensure portability.
Lastly, they are comfortable, thanks to the multi-layered, soft leather cushioning on the ear-cups. A multi-function button allows you to adjust the volume but can be tricky to use until you remember the combinations. A two-year warranty comes by default if bought from an authorized dealer.
In conclusion, you can pick the Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 Wireless Headphones if you can pay over the odds for built-to-last headphones with some great features. They are the most durable headphones on the market.
View on Amazon: Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 Wireless Headphones
6. Soundcore by Anker Life Q30 Headphones
Best Bluetooth Wireless Headphones With Long Battery Life
- Exceptional Bluetooth Connectivity
- Great sound quality and ANC
- Outstanding battery capacity
- Easily affordable
- Comfortable and lightweight
- Durable and sturdy
- Poor bass accuracy in lows
Soundcore by Anker Life Q30 stays significant for its superior Bluetooth connectivity. Both, session board controller (SBC) and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) are well supported for quicker and more stable connectivity. With NFC pairing, two devices can be paired simultaneously. The 335 ft line of sight is also impressive, allowing for free movement without bothering about losing Bluetooth connectivity.
Secondly, the sound quality is something to write home about with Hi-Res Certified Music powered by two 40 mm drivers. But bass isn’t that good, especially in lows. The Active noise cancellation is efficient with dual microphones that detect and cancels out 95% of ambient noise. ANC comes in 3 modes, Transport, Outdoor, and Indoor, for a fine sound experience in different settings.
Thirdly, what makes Q30 one of the best wireless headphones with long battery life is a 40-hour playtime with ANC activated. On standard mode, they stay up and running for 60 hours. Quick charging is also available. Charge them for five minutes and enjoy four hours of listening.
Lastly, comfort is also ensured with ultra-soft protein leather ear-cups and memory foam cushioning. The snug fit design and lightweight mean freedom from fiddling with adjustments and all-day comfort.
In our testing, the bass lost accuracy toward the bottom, sounding dreary at times. They are a worthy investment overall, given their Bluetooth connectivity, sound quality, and price.
View on Amazon: Soundcore by Anker Life Q30 Headphones
7. Soundcore by Anker Life Q20 Headphones
Wireless Headphones With Best Bass and Long Battery Life
- Best bass performance
- Decent ANC
- Great overall sound quality
- Lasting battery backup
- Comfortable and durable
- Easily affordable
- Bass accuracy deviates at higher frequencies
Unleash the industry-leading bass that’ll keep in the groove. Q20 packs a punch with BassUp, a proprietary technology that analyses low frequencies and quickly boosts the bass performance in real-time. Just tab the play button twice and help yourself to an exceptional music experience when listening to IDM, Techno, Electro, Trance, Disco, Ambient, and other heavy-bass genres.
Rest assured of noise-free music with four integrated ANC microphones and an ANC algorithm. The majority of low and mid-frequency ambient sounds are detected and eliminated, thanks to the hybrid ANC. Q20 headphones are Hi-Res Audio Certified, meaning they deliver top-notch sound through 40 mm dynamic drivers even in frequencies up to 40 kHz. The bass can, however, be irritating at highs.
Your comfort and convenience are also well catered to with Memory foam ear-cups. They fit well on all head sizes and stay intact whether you are commuting, working out, or jogging. Rotatable ear cups and plastic build make them easy to carry around. Battery life is outstanding with up to 60 hours of playtime on standard mode, and 30 hours with ANC on. Our testing confirms it.
In conclusion, the bass of the Soundcore by Anker Life Q20 Headphones is too good. Buy them if you are looking for low-priced headphones with basic features and decent sound and ANC.
View on Amazon: Soundcore by Anker Life Q20 Headphones
Frequently Asked Questions About Wireless Headphones
It’s subject to the model. The standard runtime is four hours but some models offer up to 60 hours on a single charge with Active Noise Cancelation (ANC) off. With ANC on, the playtime drops.
Bluetooth is mistaken for a function. But it’s a module designed to receive and send data wirelessly. When activated, the module needs the power to pole the connected devices and send/receive data and hence, the power-drain. The more the usage, the more power drain is. Note that, the amperage of Bluetooth 4.0 and later chips is 15 milliampere.
Headphones powered by Lithium-ion batteries are immune to overcharging. However, make sure not to keep them plugged in for more than the required duration.
It is fine to keep the headphones plugged in for up to two hours after the full charge. But overnight charging can damage the charging circuit, in lack of any protection mechanism. Read the user manual to know when to unplug the charger.
Almost all Bluetooth headphones feature a LED light to indicate the level of charge. Specifications might vary, but when all LED lights glow, the headphones are fully charged.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for wireless headphones, it makes sense to buy the best wireless headphones with long battery life. We’ve listed 7 stellar options in our guide. You can choose one that best suits your requirements.
If you ask us to pick a favorite, we’ll vote for the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Headphones. They are comfortable, durable, and value for money. We loved the sound quality delivered by these headphones. A 30-hour playtime is no joke. Do you agree?
We look forward to hearing your thoughts!
