Best Sony wireless headphones available in 2021.
Sony wireless headphones: Are you in the market for a new pair of headphones? Sony now produces some of the greatest headphones on the market, so its products should be on the top of your shopping list. Sony has a pair of headphones for everyone, whether you want in-ear, on-ear, wireless, or noise-canceling.
So, what should you check for when purchasing a set of Sony headphones? To begin, choose a style (in-/on-/over-ear) and then consider which features you want. Do you want a portable pair for commuting or going to the gym, or will they be used mostly at home? Pay strict attention to battery life if you want Bluetooth and noise-cancellation.
Some of the best Sony headphones include touch controls for features such as play/pause, track skipping, and so on. To hear the best out of high-end versions, connect them to a specialist headphone amplifier. These are all things to think about.
List of 12 Best Sony wireless headphones
1. Sony WH-1000XM4 digital camera
Specifications
- Type: On-ear
- Wireless: Yes
- Battery life: 30 hours
- Noise-canceling: Yes
- In-line mic/remote: No
- 3.5mm connector: Yes
- Weight: 254g
+Dynamic, detailed sound
+Sensational sense of timing
+Lightweight, comfortable, and astute
–There is no IP rating
–There is no aptX support
Sony wireless headphones: The musical-sounding XM4 over-ears are an improvement on the (excellent) XM3 over-ears shown below. You receive a revised design with somewhat larger ear cushions, additional functions like Wearing Detection (which detects when you take them off or put them on and pauses or plays the music accordingly), and a new audio processor – the DSEE Extreme – for your extra money.
The new chip incorporates Sony’s Edge-AI artificial intelligence, which produces more precise sound from specific sound files. A new algorithm analyses outside noise in greater detail, resulting in more effective noise cancellation.
The XM4 and XM3 share the same control features, which include a touch-sensitive panel on the ear cup and your preferred voice assistant (Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant). The newer XM4 has a few additional tricks up its sleeve, including a new Speak to Chat feature and enhanced call quality. The XM4 may also connect to two devices at the same time, one more than the XM3.
The XM4, which won a What Hi-Fi Award 2021, is worth the extra money thanks to its 30-hour battery life, innovative and comfy design, Sony’s class-leading noise-canceling, and dynamic sound.
2. Sony WF-1000XM4
Specifications
- OS support: Android/iOS
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Noise-canceling: Yes
- Battery life: 8 hours (24 hours with charging case)
- Finishes: 2
+Extremely clear and detailed bass performance
+Amazing feeling of musicality
+Class-leading battery life
–No Sony’s Multipoint function
–No ear tip options
–No aptX HD
Sony wireless headphones: Sony’s award-winning WF-1000XM4 wireless earbuds are an excellent alternative for people who wish to listen to music while on the go. The XM4 buds expand on the enormous popularity of the 2020 Award-winning WF-1000XM3 buds by providing even more comfort and sound.
They deliver one of the most dynamic, detailed, and well-balanced performances we’ve heard from a pair of Bluetooth headphones. The bass notes are tight and textured, while the voices are refined and sophisticated. Their musical delivery keeps you going back for more, and the eight-hour battery life, which is class-leading in this category, makes you grateful.
They’re also really comfortable to wear. Touch-sensitive controls and a redesigned ear tip design aid in noise isolation in the small earpieces. When you combine this with Sony’s superb noise cancellation, you get a pair of headphones that successfully filter out the clamor and bustle.
The WF-1000XM4 includes IPX4 water resistance, as well as Sony’s intelligent Headphones, Connect software for iOS and Android with ingenious features like Quick Attention and Speak-To-Chat.
The WF-1000XM4 aren’t simply the greatest Sony wireless earbuds; they’re also the best earbuds available right now.
3. Sony WH-1000XM3
Specifications
- Type: On-ear
- Wireless: Yes
- Battery life: 30 hours
- Noise-cancelling: Yes
- In-line mic/remote: No
- 3.5mm connector: Yes
- Weight: 254g
+Natural, all-around sound quality
+The best noise-canceling technology available
+Extremely comfortable
–Exposes poorer recordings
–Intuitive touch controls
Sony wireless headphones: If the XM4 over-ears are out of your price range, their predecessors are an excellent alternative. The WH-1000XM3 was released in 2018, therefore it is considerably less expensive than the XM4s (above). They also provide an excellent listening experience.
To begin with, they are among the most comfortable noise-canceling headphones we’ve tested. They contain almost as many features as the XM4, including a touch-sensitive display for controls on the right ear cup. (Holding your palm to it will quiet what’s playing so you can hear what’s going on outside.) You can also use your voice to command one of your voice assistants, such as Apple Siri or Google Assistant.
The battery life is the same as the XM4, at 30 hours, and they charge from empty to full in three hours. A five-minute charge should be sufficient for five hours of use.
The noise-canceling capabilities of these award-winning headphones are exceptional, and the sound? Gloriously open and airy, with plenty of room for each instrument to breathe. They’re an almost flawless pair of noise-canceling headphones for the price. Beats, Bose, and Sennheiser are all competitors, but these are the finest in terms of sound quality.
4. Sony WF-1000XM3
Specifications
- Type: In-ear
- Wireless: Yes
- Battery life: 24 hours
- Noise-canceling: Yes
- In-line mic/remote: No
- 3.5mm connector: No
- Weight: 8.5g
+Excellent timing and musicality
+Excellent battery life
+Comfortable fit
-It does not support aptX HD.
-No volume control on earphones
Sony wireless headphones: The WF-1000XM3 is an excellent combination of features and performance. Sure, the 2021 WF-1000XM4 buds have surpassed them, but the 2019 XM3 are far from obsolete and offer good value for money.
The active noise-canceling is unique and effective, and the portable carry case allows you to receive up to 32 hours of battery life. They fit snugly in your ears and even include touch controls for music playback. They’re not waterproof, so we wouldn’t advocate wearing them for outside running or a sweaty session at the gym.
These Sony in-ears, like their over-ear counterparts, produce a melodic, dramatic, and detailed sound. They are among the best wireless earphones available.
5. Sony WF-C500
Specifications
- Type: In-ear
- Wireless: Yes
- Battery life: 20 hours
- Noise-canceling: No
- Waterproof rating: IPX
- 43.5mm connector: No
- Weight: 5.4g per bud
+Fine control app
+Compact and comfy design
+Spirited, well-balanced sound
-Normal battery life
-Slightly small-scale sound
-Numerous serious competitors
Sony wireless headphones: Sony has managed to adapt a lot of what makes its pricey true wireless in-ears – such as the WF-1000XM4 – successful to the WF-C500 without cutting too many corners.
An IPX4 grade for moisture and water resistance is included, as well as ‘quick pair’ connectivity with Android devices and ‘swift pair’ connectivity with Windows 10 PCs. Although neither Google Assistant nor Siri are built-in, they can be used to manage these buds.
The sound is well-balanced and even-handed; the mid-range is rich in detail, and the voices are portrayed in a consistent manner. Is it possible to outperform the WF-C500? Sure, some punching options are more compelling. But it’s a good audio performance for the money.
Downsides? The battery life of the buds is 10 hours, with another 10 hours from the case. When compared to competitors, that’s nothing out of the ordinary. Still, if you’re looking for a decent pair of earbuds for around $100, the Sony WF-C500 should be on your shortlist.
6. Sony MDR-EX650AP
Specifications
- Type: In-ear
- Wireless: No
- Battery life: N/A
- Noise-cancelling: No
- In-line mic/remote: Yes
- 3.5mm connector: Yes
- Weight: 9g
+Comfortable, secure fit
+Solid, hefty, powerful delivery
+Large soundstage
-There is no volume control.
Sony wireless headphones: These gleaming and inexpensive in-ears are made of trombone material, are wonderfully comfy, and provide a lot of performance for a low price. An open and broad soundstage gives way to a fantastically immersive performance with hefty bass and tonal balance.
They will eagerly take on almost any task, seamlessly balancing detail, dynamics, and rhythm. They’re also a comfortable fit and provide good separation from the outer world. Because the remote is only one button, there is no volume control, but it does mean that these buds will work with both Android and iOS devices.
Looking for the best Sony headphones on a budget? You needn’t look any further.
7. Sony PlayStation Pulse 3D Wireless Headset
Specifications
- Type: On-ear
- Wireless: Yes
- Battery life: 12 hours
- Noise-canceling: No
- In-line mic/remote: No
- 3.5mm connector: Yes
- Weight: 295g
+Exciting and punchy sound
+Convincing 3D audio
+Comfortable throughout lengthy periods
-Mic catches up background noise
-Extremely creative design
Sony wireless headphones: Despite being primarily a gaming headset, these over-ear headphones intended at PS5 owners provide an accomplished core audio performance. They can also elevate your gaming experience, especially when combined with the PS5’s 3D audio processing.
The controls for the headset are positioned around the edge of the left cup and include a rocker to change the balance of game audio and conversation. The battery life is 12 hours, which isn’t very long by Bluetooth headphone standards but should be enough for even the longest gaming sessions.
In addition to the PS5, the Pulse 3D headset can be used wirelessly with a PC or PS4, and there is a 3.5mm cable included for when the batteries run out or you want to use the headset with an Xbox, phone, or tablet.
If you don’t have the money, room, or conditions for a home theatre system, the PlayStation Pulse 3D Wireless Headset is the next best thing in terms of PS5 gaming, making them a wise choice.
8. Sony Playstation 4 Platinum Headset
Specifications
- Type: On-ear
- Wireless: Yes
- Battery life: 11 hours
- Noise-canceling: No
- In-line mic/remote: No
- 3.5mm connector: Yes
- Weight: 318g
+Precise, balanced sound
+Comfortable fit
+Excellent for PS4 users
+3D Audio in select games
-Virtual Surround Sound isn’t very good.
-The microphone takes up background sounds.
-The buttons are fiddly.
Sony wireless headphones: Sony’s most cheap gaming headset, marketed at PS4 users, sounds so excellent that we’d strongly consider upgrading to these, regardless of your console (they work with PC, Xbox, Switch, and the new PS5).
Some of the headline features aren’t really amazing – Virtual Surround Sound is plainly subpar, and basic 3D audio is only accessible on a few games – but the sound quality on offer more than compensates.
The clarity is excellent, the detail is abundant, and the bass is well defined. The new Pulse 3D headset for the PS5 (seen above) provides a significantly more advanced 3D audio experience, although it is more expensive. The Playstation 4 Platinum Headset is getting on in years, but you won’t find a better-sounding gaming headset for the money.
9. Sony WF-SP800N
Specifications
- Connector: N/A
- Cable length: N/A
- In-line remote and mic: N/A
- OS support: Android/iOS
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Noise-cancelling: Yes
- Battery life: 9 hours (+ 9 hours from charging case)
+Vibrant, buoyant sound
+Effective noise cancellation
+Comfortable fit
-Average battery life
-Slightly coarse sound
Sony wireless headphones: The WF-SP800N noise-canceling earphones are excellent all-arounders that are sure to impress. They’ll appeal to folks who want to listen to music while working out or commuting but don’t want to spend a lot of money on top-tier noise-canceling headphones.
Moreover, despite their low price, they are well-specced and have a plethora of essential functions. Do you have a Deezer or Tidal subscription? Sony’s spatial audio format, 360 Reality Audio, is supported by these earbuds.
Control is possible via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri, and the mic array guarantees that your commands are dependably heard. It’s a good thing because the touch controls don’t contain ‘volume up/down’ in their list of functions.
The SP battery WF800N’s life is definitely ordinary (18 hours total), but that isn’t enough to dampen our enthusiasm for it. At this price point, their winning combination of powerful sound, effective noise-canceling, good build quality, and clever functionality is difficult to top.
11. Sony WF-XB700
Specifications
- Connector: N/A
- Cable length: N/A
- In-line remote and mic: No
- OS support: Android/iOS
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Noise-cancelling: No
- Battery life: 9 hours (+9 from charging case)
+Clear, powerful sound
+Adequate battery life
+Affordable, lightweight design
-Rivals provide more information.
-Adequately sized earbuds
Sony wireless headphones: Looking for a pair of inexpensive, sporty wireless earbuds? The 2020 WF-XB700 could be a nice alternative, especially if they are inexpensive. They have an 18-hour battery life – nine hours from the buds and nine hours from the case – so they’ll outlast most workouts, and they’re IPX4 rated, which means they’re water and perspiration resistant.
It’s nice to be comfortable. In fact, we discovered that we could detect them in our ears and then forget about them. Basic functions, such as play/pause and track skip, are available via a button on each bud.
The WF-XB700 is part of Sony’s Extra Bass line of audio devices, which means it’s set to emphasize low-frequency response rather than provide a neutral acoustic balance. The result is a powerful low-end that doesn’t overpower the mid-and high-frequency ranges, which have gratifying levels of mobility.
Some of Sony’s more expensive buds have more detail and nuance, and the 2021 WF-C500 has longer battery life. However, if you’re looking for sporty buds, they may be the best Sony headphones for you.
12. Sony WH-CH700N
Specifications
- Type: On-ear
- Wireless: Yes
- Battery life: 35 hours
- Noise-cancelling: Yes
- In-line mic/remote: No
- 3.5mm connector: Yes
- Weight: 240g
+Extremely detailed musical performance
+Punchy, heavy bass
+Impressive battery life
-Basic noise cancellation
Sony wireless headphones: With wireless and noise-canceling capabilities, these Sony headphones provide a lot of features at a low price. You also get 35 hours of battery life, with a 10-minute charge lasting almost an hour. The bass is emphasized, but not to the point where it dominates the music, and the timing and organization make for a pleasant listen. You can’t go wrong if you want a lot of bells and whistles without breaking the bank.