Sennheiser RS 120
Sennheiser RS 120

Budget wireless headphones for home theater

$70
Estimated Price

Although the Sennheiser RS 120 wireless headphones are more than seven years old, they're still a favorite among users. Critics say that the headset's sound quality is very good, although because it uses RF technology, it can be subject to interference from other electronics (such as cell phones or wireless routers) that use the same frequencies. While placing walls between yourself and the transmitter can result in a weakened signal, the overall range of the unit is larger than most other wireless headphones. The headphones themselves are comfortable but loose-fitting on some. If you have a bit more money to spend, the Sennheiser RS 160's (*Est. $200) use of Kleer transmission technology eliminates interference as an issue, and they are a step up in sound quality and clarity.

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Sennheiser RS 160
Sennheiser RS 160

Best wireless headphones for home theater

$200
Estimated Price

Although the pickiest of audiophiles might opt for a pricier set of wireless headphones, most are nonetheless impressed with the Sennheiser RS 160 headphones, saying that their Kleer wireless transmission technology really does deliver CD-quality sound over great distances with no interference or drop-outs. The RS 160 headphones run on rechargeable AAA batteries, and their base station can run on battery or electricity. Some critics point to weaknesses in the bass but are otherwise satisfied with the Sennheiser RS 160's overall fidelity.

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Logitech G930
Logitech G930

Best wireless headphones for gaming

$140
Estimated Price

The Logitech G930 may be wireless, but reviewers say you'd never know it by listening to them. The unit's wireless signal stays strong for a remarkably long distance, critics say, and the hisses and crackles common in so many other wireless headphones almost never rear their ugly heads with the Logitech G930. Audio quality is equally strong; although some critics say the Dolby 7.1 simulated surround sound isn't especially effective, many say that the overall sound ranks among the best of any wireless headphones available, even with the volume at peak levels. Like so many other wireless headphones, reviewers say the bass could be a little richer, and the G930 works only for PC or Mac titles. Because of that, console gamers might consider the pricey but highly rated Turtle Beach Ear Force PX5 (*Est. $225) instead.

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LG HBS-700
LG HBS-700

Best stereo Bluetooth headphones

$50
Estimated Price

The LG HBS-700's design is a bit offbeat -- consisting of a flexible band worn around the neck, with wired, retractable earbuds extending from the ends -- but reviewers say it is one of the most comfortable Bluetooth headsets around. Although the headphones don't excel in any given area, reviewers say they perform admirably enough in every respect, as opposed to other headphones that, say, play music excellently but trip up on voice quality. They also have a longer battery life than many other stereo Bluetooth headphones.

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Plantronics BackBeat 903+
Plantronics BackBeat 903+

Best Bluetooth headphones for music

$55
Estimated Price

Reviewers are generally impressed with the wireless Plantronics BackBeat 903+ Bluetooth headphones. Popular for use while exercising, these headphones have been redesigned to prevent sweat from seeping into earbud seams. The BackBeat 903+ has a behind-the-ears design that reviewers say is comfortable, but some note that the nonadjustable one-size-fits-all headphones do not, in fact, fit all. Critics say that music played through the BackBeat 903+ sounds top notch for a Bluetooth headset, though they add that Bluetooth music standards wouldn't come close to satisfying audiophiles. These headphones aren't the best, however, for making cell phone calls, most reports say.

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Sources and trends in wireless headphone reviews

Wireless headphones are an option for those who don't want to be tethered to the source. They're a good choice for home theater, a home stereo system or even for video games where you wouldn't want a cord to get in the way of your game-controlling hand. Another application is for workouts, where a dangling wire from headphones might get snagged while exercising.

The problem with almost all wireless headphones is sound quality -- while still very good, it doesn't quite measure up to what you can get from corded headphones. Wireless headphones that use RF or Bluetooth technology can also hiss or crackle if other devices using the same frequency interfere with the signal, and Bluetooth headphones can sometimes drop out entirely. While that trade-off is acceptable to many, they're not the best choice if you demand the very best audio quality. See the ConsumerSearch reports on wired headphones and earphones for more options.

For this update, we found a fair amount of wireless headphones reviews, though recently, single-ear Bluetooth headsets designed solely for cell phones have received more critical attention (for more on these, see the ConsumerSearch report on Bluetooth headsets). Still, comprehensive sites, such as CNET, Wired, and ConsumerReports.org continue to cover wireless headphones geared toward gaming and music listening, and testing and comparisons are generally good.

Some highly regarded overseas sites, like PC World (Australia) and Britain's What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision magazine and TrustedReviews.com, also deliver good critiques of lots of wireless headphones, including many that can also be found stateside. Coverage at sites such as TomsGuide.com, Laptop magazine and Pocket-Lint.com is spotty, but those are still worth a visit. In addition, user reviews at sites like Amazon.com, Newegg.com, and Crutchfield.com are numerous and often helpful if you want to find out how a set of headphones performs outside the testing lab.

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