Best Wireless Headphones Under $1000 in 2022

Best Wireless Headphones Under $1000 in 2022

Everything, including audio, is going the way of Bluetooth. This trend isn't going away anytime soon. This sentiment is becoming more and more reinforced as fewer and fewer phones are bothering to include traditional headphone jacks. Luckily, Bluetooth, codecs, and wireless headphones have seen some very significant improvements in the past couple of years, making genuinely luxurious wireless headphones a serious consideration for audiophiles and casual listeners alike. Without further ado, let's get into the best wireless headphones under $1000 that you can get in 2022.

Focal Bathys ($799)

The Focal Bathys was one of the most hotly anticipated wireless releases this year. French audio company Focal is famous for their high-end, audiophile-quality headphones such as the Utopia and the Stellia. Though the company released the wireless Focal Listen in 2018, the Bathys seems to dwarf it in popularity and quality. Its sound character can be described as somewhat dark, with a deep and highly accurate bass response. Arguably its most impressive quality is its sound stage, which breaks from the traditional wireless mold by sounding even wider than some of Focal's wired releases. The Bathys can connect to an audio source by Bluetooth, USBC cable (with 48 kHz and 24-bit capabilities), and by a standard headphone cable. It also performs some fairly impressive ANC that's reinforced with quite a bit of passive isolation. The ear pads are made of high-quality synthetic leather, resulting in a comfortable and firm fit. Also, as you can see for yourself, no other wireless headphone looks quite like it.

The Focal Bathys can be purchased here from Audio46.

Bluetooth Version: 5.1 Multipoint

Battery Life: 30 hours (Bluetooth ANC), 35 hours (Headphone Jack), 42 hours (USB DAC)

Codecs: AAC, SBC, aptX, aptX adaptive

Connections: Bluetooth, USBC, Headphone Jack

App: Focal & Naim (iOS and Android Compatible)

Driver: 40mm Dynamic

Bowers & Wilkins PX8 ($699)

Believe it or not, this isn't the only release from Bowers and Wilkins this year from their PX line of wireless headphones. The PX8 came out just a few months after the PX7 S2, but with some serious technical and sonic upgrades. Though there seems to be a number of people losing sleep at night over whether they should get the Bathys or the PX8, these two wireless headphones sound quite different from one another. The PX8 has a considerable bass response, but boosts some of the center mids that the Bathys cuts. This gives the PX8 a more driving sound in contrast to the Bathys's spacious and layered sound.

In my experience with the PX8, my favorite part about how it felt was the luxury-car-like leather that was used on the ear pads and the comfortable around-the-neck fit. I'm not just saying it was high-quality leather: if the PX8 ends up in your hands, you'll see it's that distinctly smooth leather you might find in a BMW.

The Bowers & Wilkins PX8 can be purchased here from Audio46.

Bluetooth Version: 5.2 (with aptX adaptive)

Battery Life: 30 hours playback

Codecs: AAC, SBC, aptX, aptX adaptive, aptX HD

Connections: Bluetooth

Driver: 40mm Dynamic

Mark Levinson No. 5909 ($999)

This release is pretty fresh, but there's already a growing buzz around it. The Mark Levinson No. 5909 may very well present a further complication for those who are stuck deciding between the Bathys and the PX8. The No. 5909 has a balanced bass response in its default settings, which receives a considerable boost in its “enhanced” mode. Its mids region slants more towards upper mids than lower, and the highs are surprisingly crisp and airy for a wireless headphone. Though the imaging and sound stage are a bit larger than, say, the PX8's stage, it's the utterly premium ANC that puts the No. 5909 above and beyond. I sit just a few feet away from the central air unit in my office, but the Mark Levinson absolutely demolished its roar down to a virtual silence. That said, higher frequencies can still squeak into the cans pretty easily. But for trains, planes, buses and horse-drawn carriages, the Mark Levinson No. 5909 should be a top pick. 

Also worth noting: its headband is exceptionally malleable, making it the most physically flexible headphone on this list. 

The Mark Levinson No. 5909 can be purchased here from Audio46.

Bluetooth Version: 5.1

Battery Life: 34 hours playback, 30 hours with ANC active

Codecs: AAC, aptX adaptive, LDAC

Connections: Bluetooth, USBC,

Driver: 40mm Dynamic

Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless Copper ($599)

A less talked about premium wireless realease is the Amiron Wireless from Beyerdynamic. If you've tried Beyerdynamics before, these won't sound unfamiliar with their extra-precise balance and subtly present low end warmth. Being the technical audiophile company that Beyerdynamic is, I can't say I was surprised to see these don't provide ANC (how ANC might affect sound quality is something I certifiably will not get into here). There is, however, ample passive isolation provided by the famously comfortable Beyerdynamic micro-velour ear pads.

The Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless Copper can be purchased here from Audio46.

Bluetooth Version: 4.2

Battery Life: “Over 30 Hours”

Codecs: AAC, SBC, aptX, aptX LL, aptX HD

Connections: Bluetooth, wired

App: MIY App

Driver: Dynamic with Tesla Coils

HONORABLE MENTION: HiFiMAN Ananda BT ($799)

This wireless unit from HiFiMAN is unlike the other headphones on this list – in fact, it's pretty unlike most over-ear wireless releases. The Ananda BT features planar drivers and an open-back design – that said, no ANC features are available. Planars? Open-back? Wireless? The Ananda BT isn't pretending to be the right wireless headphone for every use case. While its design features may not make it the best choice for commutes, they are an excellent choice for office or home environments. With its open-back design, the Ananda BT sets itself apart from most other wireless units by conveying a sound stage that runs wide and deep. It's EQ profile is defined by its punchy mid-bass, subtly attenuated low mids, and broadly boosted highs. Though it's an admittedly niche 2019 release, props are due to HiFiMAN for prioritizing audio quality and intrigue over all-around convenience in a wireless headphone.

Bluetooth Version: n/a

Battery Life: 10 hours

Codecs: AAC, SBC, aptX, aptX HD, LHDC, LDAC

Connections: Bluetooth, USB

Driver: Planar