The Best Wireless Headphones
Wireless headphones let you listen to podcasts or music while on the move, without being tied to your audio device. The most reliable headphones use Bluetooth or a different wireless technology to connect to your phone, laptop or record player, and play your music.
The active noise cancellation system cuts down the low rumble from buses and chatty colleagues. They're also extremely comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
The WH-1000XM5s by Sony are Sony's next generation of flagship headphones. The WH-1000XM5s represent a major improvement over the XM4s. They provide superior noise cancellation and smart features. The headphones are more expensive, but have a premium feel and look. They have plenty to offer and are a good choice for commuters and frequent travellers.
The new headphones are made from recycled plastic and have a sleek minimalist design. They're also lighter than previous models. The headband is padded with soft material to make it more comfortable. The earcups have been reduced in size so that they can be placed closer to the ear for less leakage of sound.
They feature an automatic adaptive ANC system that's capable of altering the volume it pumps out depending on the surrounding. The ANC isn't able to block as much low frequency noise as Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless or QC45 however it works well to reduce the high and mid-frequency noises, such as airplane engine roars or office chatter.
Wearing Detection is another smart feature that detects when you take off your headphones and automatically pauses the music. It will then resume playing once you put on the headphones again. Speak-to-Chat lets you communicate with a person without having to remove your headphones. It's great but it's not perfect. Sometimes, the audio may switch back when you finish talking.
The DSEE HX Extreme Audio Processing Engine from Sony is also included. This feature upscales compressed audio to provide it with greater clarity and detail. This isn't a feature is evident in normal use, but it can make a difference when listening to high-resolution tracks.
These headphones are compatible with Bluetooth 5.0 which provides more high-bitrate streaming than many other headsets. That should improve their performance when listening to music using your mobile phone, laptop or tablet. They also support multi-point connectivity, so you can pair them with two devices at the same simultaneously. This is especially beneficial if you listen to music on one device while making hands-free calls.
2. Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
Sennheiser MOMENTUM Wireless headphones aren't the most unique but that doesn't necessarily mean they're not an excellent pair. These headphones are incredibly comfortable and offer noise cancellation and a staggering 60 hours of battery. That's easily double the duration of many competitors and the Sony WH-1000XM5 as well as the Bowers and Wilkins PX8 Wireless providing 30 to 40 hours on a charge. The MOMENTUM 4's incredible endurance is due in part to a variety of power-saving features, such as sleep and on-head recognition.
Sennheiser headphones are among the top Bluetooth headsets on the market. They offer a well-balanced mix between rich bass and warm mids which don't overwhelm each other. The high-end is clear, but not piercing. Its clarity makes it able to handle the most bombastic action movie soundtracks. The Control app lets you alter the sound profile and add an EQ. This makes it easy to customize the headphones to meet your preferences.
In comparison to the wired version the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless are slightly less robust, but still feel sturdy and well-built. The ear pads of the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless are soft and supple and are comfortable on the head. I wore them all day long regardless of whether I was at home or on an airplane. They aren't as good for exercise however, as they can slide off the ears if you move your head swiftly.
As with their predecessors, the MOMENTUM 4's ANC performance is excellent however, it's not as class-leading as the Sony WH-1000XM5. They do a good job of removing background noise and low rumbles that come from buses and plane engines, but not so well at filtering out the chatter of passengers. They have the additional benefit of supporting aptX which provides higher bitrates than AAC and SBC.
The earcups on the Sennheisers are able to rotate to lay flat, but they don't fold like some other models. However, the headphones are small enough to fit into their hard carrying case when they're not in use, which makes them ideal for commutes and travel.
3. Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2
The second generation of Bowers & Wilkins' flagship wireless headphones is among the best over-ear noise-canceling headsets you can buy. They are in direct competition with Sony's WH1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort 65. They have premium build quality, impressive audio performance and comfort. They don't come with fancy features or touch-based control gestures, like the majority of premium Bluetooth headphones. Instead, they are designed to provide the best sound experience, which is immersive and enjoyable.
The Px7's S2's ANC is effective in reducing background noise. It can be effectively isolated from low-frequency sounds like bus and plane engines and mid-range sounds, such as office chatter and high-pitched laptop fans. They don't isolate quite as effectively against higher-frequency noise, such as conversations or traffic, but perform better than their predecessors. The Bowers & Wilkins app also lets you fine-tune your ANC to match your hearing.
They have a premium design, featuring an elegant headband and ear cups with leatherette memory foam padding. The headphones weigh a bit more than other top-of-the-line over-ear noise-canceling headsets, but their sturdy build and well-thought-out design make them worth the cost. They're comfortable when you listen to music for extended periods and are suitable for use at home, at work, or on long flights.
Bowers & Wilkins Px7S2's dynamic drivers with 40mm deliver powerful bass, crisp treble and detailed imaging. They create a lively and full sound, with a distinct air between sound elements. This makes them a great choice for podcasts and music. They support the aptX Adaptive Codec which allows you to stream high-quality audio with a low latency.
The Px7 S2's controls are easy to use, including the play/pause button as well as volume up and down buttons on the right earcup. The buttons are comfortable and the texture enhances the premium feel of these headphones. The headphones are stable on the ear and won't fall from your head. They fold into a small case to make transporting easy.
4. V-Moda S-80
Generally speaking, you get what you get when it comes to headphones, but the V-Moda S-80 are an exception. They are among the best-looking wireless headphones and have a sleek sturdy design. Unfortunately, they also cost nearly as much as the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 which is a lot of money for a pair of on-ear headphones.
The V-Moda S-80 are the brand's first wireless-only headphones and they're made to be worn on your head or as an individual speaker system (with earcups facing up when you wrap them around your neck). They are designed to enhance modern electronic music with a vibrant sound and support the latest audio codes, such as Qualcomm's HD aptX. They have magnet shields that are interchangeable and can be customized in colors, allowing you to make your headphones unique in appearance to match your outfit.
While on-ear headphones wireless -80 are a nice change from the company's M-Series models, they have a few flaws that make them less than ideal for anyone. Their weight of 12.5 pounds makes them feel heavy on the head, particularly when worn over-ear. This puts pressure on the ears, which can cause earache after around an hour of usage. The headband is also stiff and uncomfortable when worn around your neck.
Another issue is the S80's poor noise cancellation. Even at moderate volumes there is significant background noise. The lack of ANC isn't an issue but you'll want to limit the amount of time you listen for around 20 hours.
Additionally, the absence of a 3.5mm port limits connectivity and may prevent them from being used for intense physical activity. The S-80 cannot be folded and doesn't include a case. This affects their portability and stowability. That said, the S-80's rugged construction and excellent audio quality can help overcome the limitations. They also have a 2-year warranty and the Immortal Life Program guarantee that will replace your pair for half of their retail price if they break, get a scratch, or otherwise lose value.