In investing, time is your greatest advantage — and quality is your best defence.

While short-term trades can grab headlines, it is long-term compounding that builds real wealth. The challenge? Finding ASX shares you can back with confidence and hold through whatever the market throws your way.

With that in mind, let's take a look at three ASX shares that analysts rate highly and could be top options to buy and hold for the next decade. They are as follows:

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)

Cochlear is a global leader in hearing implant technology and one of Australia's finest examples of long-term innovation.

With more than 700,000 implantable hearing devices sold worldwide, Cochlear has built a strong competitive moat through its research and development focus, clinical relationships, and high switching costs.

The ASX share operates in a growing market, driven by ageing populations, rising awareness of hearing health, and emerging middle classes in developing markets. This bodes well for its future growth.

The team at Citi is positive on Cochlear's outlook. It recently put a buy rating and $300.00 price target on its shares.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

It is hard to find a more agile and forward-thinking financial institution than Macquarie Group.

Often dubbed the millionaires' factory, Macquarie has built a business that goes far beyond traditional banking. It is a global leader in asset management, infrastructure, energy transition financing, and structured finance — and has proven it can grow and evolve with the times.

Macquarie is also one of the few Aussie financials with truly global exposure, giving investors a powerful hedge against domestic slowdowns. Its ability to identify emerging opportunities, execute at scale, and deliver shareholder value has made it a standout performer over the past two decades.

The team at Ord Minnett is positive on the investment bank. It has an accumulate rating and $210.00 price target on its shares.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Wesfarmers may be best known for owning Bunnings, Kmart, and Officeworks — but its success comes from more than just retail dominance.

What makes this ASX share unique is its conglomerate model and disciplined capital allocation. Over the years, it has shown an ability to manage diverse businesses effectively, spin off or exit when the time is right, and reinvest into high-quality growth areas.

Wesfarmers combines defensive earnings from retail with exposure to emerging growth platforms like data, digital innovation, and clean energy. This appears to have positioned it well to grow its earnings and dividends over the next decade.

Goldman Sachs is a fan. It has a buy rating and $80.40 price target on its shares.