The Best Wireless Headphones
Wireless headphones allow you to listen to music or podcasts while on the move without being tied to your device. The best wireless headphones connect to your phone, laptop or record player using Bluetooth or another protocol.
The active noise cancellation system reduces the low rumble of buses and chatty colleagues. They're also extremely comfortable to wear for extended periods of time.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
The WH-1000XM5s from Sony are the next generation of headphones that are flagship. The WH-1000XM5s represent a major upgrade over the XM4s. They offer more noise cancellation and intelligent features. The headphones are a bit more expensive but have an elegant design and feel. These headphones are great for commuters or frequent travellers.
The new headphones are made from recycled plastic and sport sleek, minimalist design. The headphones are also lighter than the predecessors. The headband has been padded with soft material to ensure it's more comfortable. The earcups are also made smaller to allow them to be worn closer to the ear for less sound leakage.
The headphones come with an automatic adaptive ANC that can change the volume according to your surroundings. The ANC does not isolate the same amount of low frequency noise as Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless or QC45 however, it is effective in reducing high and mid frequency noises, such as plane engine roar and office chatter.
Wearing Detection is another feature that detects when you remove your headphones and then automatically pauses the music. It will then resume playing when you put on the headphones again. Speak-to Chat lets you talk with someone without removing your headphones. It works surprisingly well however it's not the perfect solution and may switch back to audio playback when you're done talking.
The DSEE HX Extreme Audio Processing Engine from Sony is also included. This upscales compressed music to give it greater clarity and detail. It's not a feature that you'll see in your daily use, but it does make a difference when listening to high-quality tracks.
These headphones are compatible Bluetooth 5.0 which allows for higher bitrate streaming than other headsets. This will enhance their performance when you listen to music on your laptop, mobile phone or tablet. They also support multi-point connectivity so you can pair them with two devices at the same 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 however that doesn't mean they're not a great pair. These over-ear headphones offer outstanding noise cancellation and an incredible 60 hours of battery. This is more than double the time of most competitors with the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bowers & Wilkins PX8 Wireless providing 30 to 40 hours on a charge. The MOMENTUM 4's impressive endurance is due to a variety of energy-saving features, such as sleep and on-head detection.
Sennheiser headphones are among the top Bluetooth headsets that are available. They feature a symbiotic combination of strong bass and warm mids, which don't overwhelm each other. The high-end is clear without being blazing or bright and the headphones' outstanding clarity makes it able to handle action-movie soundtracks that have plenty of brash. The Control app allows you to modify the sound profile and even add an EQ. This makes it simple to adjust the headphones to meet your preferences.
The MOMENTUM Wireless is slightly less durable than the wired version, yet still feels sturdy and well-built. beats studio3 wireless noise cancelling over ear headphones of the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless are soft and supple and rest comfortably on the head. In fact I had no issue wearing them for an entire day at home or on a flight. They're not ideal for exercise however, as they can slide off the ears if you move your head fast.
The MOMENTUM 4 offers excellent ANC performance, but isn't quite as good as Sony WH-1000XM5. They do a good job of filtering out ambient noise and low rumbles from plane and bus engines, but they aren't as well at filtering out passengers' chatter. They do have the added benefit of supporting aptX audio which offers higher maximum bitrates than the AAC and SBC used by the Sonys.
The Sennheisers ear cups can be rotated to lay flat, but they do not fold, like some other models. The headphones are small enough to fit into their hard carrying case making them ideal for travel and commute.
3. Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2
The latest generation of Bowers & Wilkins' flagship wireless headphones is among the top over-ear noise cancelling headsets available. They are in direct competition with Sony's WH1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort 65. They offer top-quality build quality, outstanding sound performance, and comfort. They don't come with fancy features or touch-based control gestures like a lot of premium Bluetooth headphones. Instead, they are designed to deliver a sound experience that is enjoyable and immersive.
The Px7's S2's ANC is effective in reducing background noise. It isolates well against low-frequency sounds like bus and plane engines and mid-range sounds, such as office chatter and high-pitched laptop fans. They aren't 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 feature a premium design, with a sleek headband and ear cups with leatherette memory foam padding. The headphones are heavier than other top noise-canceling headphones however, they are worth the investment because of their sturdy design and a thoughtful design. They stay comfortable while you listen to music for extended durations and are ideal for use at home at work, on the go or for long flights.
In terms of sound, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2's 40mm dynamic drivers deliver powerful bass, crisp highs, and a spacious, detailed image. They produce a dynamic and full sound with a distinct air between the sound elements. This makes them a perfect option for music and podcasts. They are compatible with the aptX Adaptive Codec which allows you to stream hi-res audio at minimal latency.
The Px7 S2's controls are easy to operate, featuring a play/pause button and the volume buttons on the right earcup. The buttons are tactile and textured tiny details that enhances the headphones' premium feel. The headphones are sturdy over-ears and won't fall from your head. They fold down into a small case, making transporting them easy.
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 are among the top-quality wireless headphones and feature a sleek and durable design. However, they cost almost 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 from the company. It can be worn on your head, or tied around your neck to create a personal speaker (earcups facing upwards). They're designed to enhance modern electronic music with a vibrant sound and support advanced audio codes, such as Qualcomm's HD aptX. They feature magnetic shields that can be interchanged and are customizable in colors so you can make your headphones distinctive in appearance to match your outfit.
The S-80 is a nice change from the M-Series however, they do have a few quirks which make them less than ideal for all. The 12.5 pounds of weight makes them feel heavy, especially when worn on the ears. This can cause pressure on the ear, which could cause earache within an hour. The headband can also be uncomfortable and stiff when worn around your neck.
The S-80 has poor noise cancellation. Even at moderate volume levels, you can still hear significant background noise. It's not a major issue however the absence of ANC means you'll probably want to limit the amount of time you listen to music to around 20 hours per charge.
The S-80 isn't equipped with a 3.5mm connector, which hinders connectivity and can hinder its use for intense physical activity. The S-80 is not foldable and doesn't include an enclosure. This affects their ability to be carried and stored. The S-80's sturdy construction and high audio quality can help overcome these drawbacks. 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 down, get scratched or lose value.