The Best Wireless Headphones
Wireless headphones let you listen to podcasts or music on the go without being tied to your device. The best headphones connect wirelessly to your laptop, phone, or record player using Bluetooth or another protocol.
They also have a powerful active noise cancellation system that easily cuts down the low rumble of bus engines or chatty coworkers. They are extremely comfortable to wear over long periods.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
The WH1000XM5s is Sony's flagship headphones. They're an improvement over the XM4s, with better noise cancellation and smart features. They're also a bit more expensive, but they come with a premium look and feel. These headphones are a great option for those who commute or are frequent travelers.
The new headphones are made of recycled plastic and have a sleek minimalist design. The headphones are also lighter than the previous models. They're comfortable to wear for long periods, and the headband is now covered with soft padding, which makes it less rigid than it was. The Earcups are also smaller, which means they fit closer to the ear for less sound leakage.
The headphones have an automatic adaptive ANC that is able to alter the volume according to the environment you're in. The ANC does not block as much low-frequency noise as Bose's QuietComfort 45 or QC45 Wireless, but it still is effective in dealing with high-frequency and mid-frequency noise like office chatter and airplane engine roar.
Other features that are smart include Wearing Detection, which senses when you remove the headphones and automatically pauses your music, and then starts playing again as soon as you put them on. There's also Speak-to Chat, which allows you to converse with people without taking the headphones off. It works well however it's not perfect. Sometimes the audio will be switched off after you've finished talking.
Sony's DSEE-HX Extreme Audio processing engine is also present. It upscales compressed music to provide it with more clarity and clarity. This is not a feature you'll notice every day, but it makes a big difference when listening high-resolution music.
These headphones are compatible with Bluetooth 5.0, which supports more high-bitrate streaming than many other headsets. That should improve their performance when listening to music via your mobile phone, laptop or tablet. They also support multi-point connectivity, so you can pair them with two devices at the simultaneously. This is particularly useful if you listen to music on one device while 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 headphones offer outstanding noise cancellation and a staggering 60 hours of battery. This is easily twice as long as most rivals. The Sony WH1000XM5 and Bowers & Wilkins Px8 wireless offer 30 to 40 hours of battery life. The MOMENTUM's long-lasting battery is due to several power-saving functions such as sleep and an on-head detection.
Sennheiser headphones are among the best Bluetooth headsets available. They have a balanced blend of powerful bass and warm mids which don't overwhelm one another. The high-end is clear without being bright or piercing and the headphones' outstanding clarity makes it able to handle action-movie soundtracks that have plenty of brash. The Control app allows you to alter the sound profile and add an EQ. This makes it easy to adjust the headphones to meet your preferences.
Compared to the wired version, the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless are less durable, yet feel sturdy and well-constructed. Their comfortable ear pads are also soft and supple, and they rest securely on the head. I have worn them all day regardless of whether I was at home or on the plane. They aren't as good for workouts however, because they can fall off your ears when you move your head quickly.
The MOMENTUM 4 has excellent ANC performance, but isn't quite as good as Sony WH-1000XM5. They do a great job of blocking out background noise and low rumbles of plane and bus engines, but aren't so well at removing the chatter of passengers. They also have the benefit of supporting aptX Audio which has higher maximum bitrates than AAC and SBC used by the Sonys.
The Sennheisers' ear cups can be swiveled to lay flat, but they don't fold like other models. The headphones are small enough to fit in their carrying case that is hard when they are not in use, making them ideal for commutes and travel.
3. Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2
Bowers & Wilkins second-generation wireless headphones are among the best noise-canceling headphones that you can purchase. They compete closely with top competitors like Bose's QuietComfort 65, while offering top-quality build quality, amazing comfort, and acousticphile best over ear headphones wireless performance. Contrary to other premium Bluetooth headsets, these don't have a variety of fancy features or touch-based gesture control, but instead are designed to deliver an audio experience that is as immersive and satisfying as is possible.
The Px7 S2's ANC is very effective in attenuating ambient noise, with an excellent degree of isolation from low-frequency rumbles like plane and bus engines, mid-range noises like office chatter, and high-pitched whirls of laptop fans. They aren't able to isolate as effectively from higher-frequency sounds like traffic or conversation, but perform better than their predecessors. Bowers & Wilkins' app lets you modify your ANC to your hearing.
They feature a premium design, featuring a sleek headband and ear cups with leatherette memory foam padding. The headphones weigh a little more than the other top over-ear noise-canceling headsets, but their sturdy build and thoughtful design make them feel well worth the investment. They are comfortable to wear while you listen to music for extended time periods and are suitable for use at home, at work or for long flights.
In terms of audio, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2's 40mm dynamic drivers provide strong bass, crisp highs, and expansive, detailed images. They produce a dynamic and a full sound, with a noticeable air between the sound elements. This makes them a great choice for music and podcasts. They support the aptX Adaptive Codec which lets you stream high-quality audio with a low latency.
The Px7 S2's controls are easy to operate, featuring an pause/play button and the volume buttons on the right earcup. The buttons are tactile and have a texturing effect, a small detail that adds to the headphones' premium feel. The headphones are stable over-ears and won't fall off your head. They fold into a small carrying case to make transport simple.
4. V-Moda S-80
The V-Moda S-80 headphones are an exception to the rule that you receive the value you pay for. They are among the top-quality wireless headphones and feature an elegant sturdy design. Unfortunately, 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 are the brand's first wireless headphones that are made to be worn on your head or as a personal speaker system (with earcups facing up when you wrap them around your neck). They are designed to enhance contemporary electronic music with a vibrant sound and support the latest audio codes such as Qualcomm's HD aptX. They have interchangeable magnet shields and customizable colors, so you can give your headphones a unique style that matches your outfit.
The S-80 is a nice departure from the M-Series but they have some flaws that make them unsuitable for everyone. The 12.5 pounds of weight makes them feel heavy, especially when worn on the ear. This puts pressure on your ears, causing earache after around an hour of usage. The headband is quite stiff and may be uncomfortable when wearing the headphones around your neck.
The S-80 has poor noise cancellation. Even at moderate volumes you will hear background noise. It's not a major issue however the absence of ANC means you'll probably want to limit your listening time to about 20 hours per charge.
Finally, the S-80's lack of a 3.5mm port limits connectivity and could prevent them from being used during intense physical activity. They aren't able to fold and do not come with a case which makes it difficult to transport and store. The S-80's robust design and excellent sound quality offset the limitations. They also have a 2-year warranty and an Immortal Life Program guarantee that gives you a new pair for 50% of their retail price if they break down, get a scratch, or otherwise lose value.