The Best Wireless Headphones
Wireless headphones let you listen to music or podcasts on the go without being tethered to your audio device. The best headphones can connect wirelessly to your phone, laptop or record player via Bluetooth or another protocol.
The active noise cancellation system cuts down the low rumble from bus engines and chatty colleagues. They are also extremely comfortable to wear for long periods.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
The WH-1000XM5s are Sony's next generation of premium headphones. The WH-1000XM5s are a significant upgrade over the XM4s. They feature better noise cancellation and smart features. The headphones are more expensive, but have an elegant look and feel. They have plenty to offer, and they're a great option for frequent travelers.
The new headphones feature an elegant minimalist design made from recycled plastic. They're lighter than earlier models, and also more comfortable. They're comfortable to wear for long durations, and the headband is now covered with soft padding, which makes it less stiff than it was before. The earcups are also reduced in size so that they can be placed closer to the ear for less leakage of sound.
The headphones feature an automatic adaptive ANC that can change the volume according to your surroundings. The ANC does not block as much low-frequency noise as Bose's QuietComfort 45 or QC45 Wireless, but it still does a great job of tackling mid and high-frequency noise like airplane engine roar.
Other features that are smart include Wearing Detection, which senses when you take off the headphones and automatically pauses your music - and it starts playing again as soon as you put them back on. There's also Speak-to Chat, which lets you talk to someone without taking the headphones off. It's quite effective even though it's not the perfect solution and will sometimes switch back to audio playback after you're done speaking.
Sony's DSEE HX Extreme audio processing engine is also included. This feature upscales compressed audio to give it more clarity and detail. This isn't a feature you'll see every day, but it can make a an enormous difference when listening to high-resolution music.
These headphones are compatible Bluetooth 5.0 that allows for higher bitrate streaming than other headsets. That should improve their performance when you listen to music on your mobile phone, laptop or tablet. They also support multi-point connectivity which means you can connect them with two devices at the same simultaneously. This is especially useful when you want to listen to music on one device and using them for hands-free calls.
2. Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
Sennheiser MOMENTUM Wireless headphones aren't the most unique but that doesn't mean they're not a good pair. These over-ear cans offer exceptional noise cancellation, and boast a staggering 60 hours of battery life. This is nearly double the length of most competitors. The Sony WH1000XM5 or the Bowers and Wilkins PX8 wireless can provide 30 to 40 hours of battery life. The MOMENTUM 4's remarkable endurance is due in part to a variety of power-saving features, such as sleep and on-head detection.
In terms of sound quality, the Sennheisers are among the top Bluetooth headphones available, with a balanced mix of powerful bass and warm mids that do not interfere with each the other. The high-end is crisp without being piercing or bright and the headphone's outstanding clarity makes it able to handle action film soundtracks with plenty of blast. The Control app lets you alter the sound profile and also add an EQ. This makes it easy to customize the headphones to your specific preferences.
Compared to the wired version, the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless are less robust, but still feel sturdy and well-constructed. The ear pads of the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless are soft and comfortable and rest comfortably on the head. In fact, I had no problem wearing them all day of working from home or during a flight. They're not as ideal for exercise however, as they can slide off the ears when you move your head quickly.
As with their predecessors, the MOMENTUM 4's ANC performance is outstanding however, it's not as class-leading as the Sony WH-1000XM5. They do a great job of removing background noise and low rumbles from plane and bus engines, but aren't so well at filtering out passengers' chatter. They also have the benefit of supporting aptX audio which has higher maximum bitrates than AAC and SBC used by the Sonys.
The Sennheisers earcups can be swiveled so that they lay flat but they don't fold like other models. Nonetheless, the headphones are compact enough to fit in their carrying case, which is hard and they're not in use, which makes them ideal for commutes and travel.
3. Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2
The new generation of Bowers & Wilkins' flagship wireless headphones is one of the top noise cancelling over-ear headphones you can purchase. They compete with Sony's WH1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort 65. They offer premium build quality, impressive sound quality, and comfort. They don't feature fancy features or touch-based control gestures like many premium Bluetooth headphones. Instead, they are made to provide a sound experience that is awe-inspiring and enjoyable.
The Px7 S2's ANC is very effective in attenuating ambient noise, with a good degree of isolation from low-frequency rumbles like plane and bus engines, mid-range sounds such as office chatter, and the high-pitched whirl of laptop fans. The Px7 S2's ANC isolates less effectively against higher-frequency sounds, like traffic and conversations however it does a better job of absorbing high-frequency sounds. The Bowers & Wilkins app also lets you fine-tune your ANC to match your hearing.
They sport a stylish design, with an elegant headband and ear cups with leatherette memory foam padding. The headphones are a bit heavier than other top noise-canceling headphones, but they feel worth the money due to their sturdy design and a thoughtful build. The headphones are comfortable to wear for long periods of time, whether at work, home or traveling for a long time.
In terms of sound quality, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2's 40mm dynamic drivers provide strong bass, crisp highs and a spacious, detailed image. They offer a full and dynamic sound, with an impressive amount of air between the elements of sound which makes them a great option for listening to music and podcasts. They support the aptX Adaptive Codec which allows you to stream high-quality audio with a low latency.
The Px7 S2's controls are simple to use, including the play/pause button as well as the volume up and down buttons on the right earcup. over ear headphones noise cancelling wireless are comfortable and the texture makes for a premium feel of these headphones. They're sturdy and won't fall off your head, and they fold up into a compact carrying case for easy transportation.
4. V-Moda S-80
The V-Moda S-80 headphones are an exception to the rule that you only get what you paid for. They're among the best looking wireless headphones available and boast an elegant, durable design. However, they cost nearly as much as the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 which is a lot of money for on-ear headphones.
The V-Moda S-80 is the first wireless-only headphone by the company. They can be placed on your head or tied around your neck to create a personal speaker (earcups facing upwards). They are designed to enhance modern electronic music with a lively sound and support the latest audio codes such as Qualcomm's HD aptX. They also feature magnetic shields that are interchangeable and custom color options, so you can create a unique look 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 flaws that make them less than ideal for all users. Their weight of 12.5 ounces makes them feel heavy on the head, especially when worn over the ear. This puts pressure on the ear, which can cause headaches within an hour. The headband can also be somewhat stiff and can be uncomfortable when wearing the headphones around your neck.
The S-80 has poor noise cancellation. Even at moderate volumes it's possible to hear significant background noise. It's not a major issue however the absence of ANC will mean you'll need to limit your listening time to 20 hours per month.
Finally, the S-80's lack of a 3.5mm port limits connectivity and could make them unsuitable for use during intense physical activity. They're not foldable and don't have a case, which reduces portability and stowability. The rugged design of the S-80 and high-quality sound quality overcome the limitations. 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.