The Best Wireless Headphones
Wireless headphones allow you to listen to podcasts or music on the go without being tied to your audio device. The best headphones utilize Bluetooth or a different wireless protocol to connect to your laptop, phone or record player and play your music.
They also have an active noise cancellation system that effortlessly reduces the low rumble of bus engines or chatty coworkers. They're also extremely comfortable to wear for extended periods of time.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
The WH1000XM5s are Sony's top-of-the-line headphones. The WH-1000XM5s represent a major improvement over the XM4s. They offer more noise cancellation and intelligent features. They're also slightly more expensive, but they provide a premium look and feel. They have plenty going for them and are a good option for frequent travellers.
The new headphones sport an elegant minimalist design made from recycled plastic. They're much lighter than previous models, as well. The headband has been padded with soft material to ensure it's more comfortable. The earcups are also smaller, which means they fit closer to the ears to prevent sound leakage.
The headphones have an automatic adaptive ANC which can alter the volume depending on your surroundings. The ANC does not isolate the same amount of low-frequency noise as Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless or QC45, but it still is effective in reducing mid and high frequency sounds, like airplane engine roar and office chatter.
Other features that are smart include Wearing Detection, which senses when you remove the headphones and automatically pauses your music. It then begins playing again as soon as you put them on. Speak-to-Chat allows you to converse with someone without taking the headphones off. It's great however it's not perfect. Sometimes the audio will be switched off after you've finished talking.
The DSEE HX Extreme Audio Processing Engine from Sony is also included. This feature boosts compressed audio to provide it with greater clarity and more detail. It's not a feature that is evident in normal use, but it does be noticeable when listening to high-resolution tracks.
These headphones are compatible with Bluetooth 5.0, which supports streaming with higher bitrate than other headsets. This will improve their performance if you play music on your mobile phone, laptop or tablet. They also support multipoint connection so you can pair with two devices at once. This is especially beneficial if you listen to music on one device and making hands-free calls.
2. Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless aren't the most distinctive of the crowd however that doesn't mean they aren't an excellent pair of headphones. These headphones have exceptional noise cancellation, and boast a staggering 60 hours of battery life. This is easily twice as long as most rivals. The Sony WH1000XM5 or the Bowers and Wilkins PX8 wireless can provide 30 to 40 hours of battery life. The MOMENTUM's long-lasting battery is a result of numerous power-saving features such as sleep and an on-head detection.
In terms of sound quality, the Sennheisers are among the best Bluetooth headphones on the market, offering a an enviable combination of powerful bass and warm mids that do not overpower each the other. The high-end is crisp without being blazing or bright and the headphones' outstanding clarity allows it to effortlessly handle action-movie soundtracks with plenty of blast. The Control app lets you modify the sound profile and add an EQ. This allows you to customize the headphones to meet your preferences.
The MOMENTUM Wireless is a little less durable than the wired version, but still feels sturdy and well-built. The comfortable earpads are also soft and comfortable and are firmly on the head. In fact I had no issue wearing them for a whole day working from home or while on a plane. They aren't as good for workouts however, as they may fall off your ears when you move your head fast.
The MOMENTUM 4 has excellent ANC performance, but it's not quite as good as Sony WH-1000XM5. They cut out low noise from plane and bus engines, but don't do a great job of filtering out passenger chit-chat or other noises in the surrounding. They have best wireless over ear headphones the additional benefit of supporting aptX which provides more bitrates than AAC and SBC.
The Sennheisers earcups can be swiveled to lay flat, but they don't fold, like some other models. The headphones are compact enough to fit inside their carrying case that is hard, making them perfect for travel and commute.
3. Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2
The new generation of Bowers & Wilkins' flagship wireless headphones is among the top over-ear noise cancelling headsets you can buy. They are in close competition with top contenders such as Bose's QuietComfort 65, while offering premium build quality, impressive comfort, and audiophile performance. They don't come with fancy features or touch-based control gestures, like the majority of high-end Bluetooth headphones. Instead, they are made to provide an audio experience that is enjoyable and immersive.
The Px7 S2's ANC is extremely effective in reducing ambient noise, and has a high level of isolation against low-frequency rumbles, such as bus and plane engines, mid-range sounds such as office chatter, and high-pitched whirls of laptop fans. The Px7 S2's ANC isolates less effectively from higher-frequency sounds, such as conversations and traffic, but does a better job of absorbing high-frequency sounds. Bowers & Wilkins' app allows you to adjust your ANC to your hearing.
The headphones sport a classy look, with the ear cup and headband. The headphones are a bit heavier than the top noise-canceling over-ear headsets however, they are worth the money due to their sturdy design and thoughtful build. They are comfortable to wear while you listen to music for extended durations and are ideal for use at home at work, on the go or for long flights.
Bowers & Wilkins Px7S2's dynamic drivers with 40mm provide powerful bass, clear treble and clear imaging. They offer a full and dynamic sound, with an impressive amount of air between the elements of sound making them a great choice for listening to music or podcasts. They are compatible with aptX Adaptive Codec which allows you to stream high-quality audio with minimal latency.
The controls on the Px7 S2 are easy to use. They include an up/down volume button along with a play/pause button and earcup buttons. The buttons are tactile and have a texturing effect, a small detail that adds to the headphones' premium feeling. The headphones are sturdy over-ears and won't fall off your head. They fold down into a compact carrying case to make transporting simple.
4. V-Moda S-80
Generally, you get what you spend in the world of headphones, but the V-Moda S-80 are an exception. They're among the prettiest wireless headphones available and boast an elegant and durable design. Unfortunately, they cost almost the same amount as Sony WH1000XM5 or Bowers & Wilkins px7 S2 - a lot 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 a personal speaker system (with the earcups facing upwards when they're wrapped around your neck). They are designed to enhance modern electronic music with a lively sound and support advanced audio codes like Qualcomm's HD aptX. They also have magnetic shields that are interchangeable and customizable color options so that you can give them distinctive looks to match your attire or promote your business.
While the S-80 are a nice change from the company's M-Series models, they have some quirks that make them less than ideal for anyone. The 12.5 pounds of weight makes them feel heavy, particularly when worn on the ear. This puts pressure on your ears, causing ear pain after about an hour of use. The headband is also quite stiff and may be uncomfortable to wear the headphones around your neck.
Another problem is the S-80's poor noise cancellation. Even at moderate levels it's possible to hear significant background noise. It's not a major issue, but the lack of ANC means that you'll likely want to limit the amount of time you listen to music to around 20 hours per month.
The S-80 does not have a 3.5mm connector, which hinders connectivity and could prevent it from being used for intense physical activities. The S-80 isn't foldable and doesn't come with a case. This reduces their mobility and stowability. However, the S-80's robust construction and superior sound quality helps offset these drawbacks. The Immortal Life Program guarantees a new pair of headphones at 50% off the retail price in case they break, get a scratch, or lose their value.