The Best Wireless Headphones
Wireless headphones let you listen to podcasts or music on the go 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.
They also come with a powerful active noise cancellation system that cuts down the low sound of bus engines or chatty coworkers. They are also extremely comfortable to wear for long periods.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
The WH1000XM5s are Sony's top-of-the-line headphones. They're a significant upgrade from the XM4s, with better noise cancellation and intelligent features. The headphones are a bit more expensive, but have an elegant look and feel. These headphones have a lot to offer and are a great option for commuters and frequent travellers.
The new headphones feature a sleek minimalist design made of recycled plastic. They're much lighter than previous models, as well. The headband has been cushioned with soft material to make it more comfortable. The earcups have also been reduced in size to allow them to be worn closer to the ear for less leakage of sound.
They come with an automatic adaptive ANC system that's capable of adjusting the volume it blasts out based on the surrounding. The ANC doesn't isolate as much low-frequency noise as Bose's QuietComfort 45 or QC45 Wireless however, it does a good job of combating high-frequency and mid-frequency sounds like office chatter and airplane engine roar.
Wearing Detection is another smart 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 allows you to communicate with someone without removing your headphones. It's great but 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 can boost compressed audio to provide it with greater clarity and more detail. This isn't something that you'll come across every day, but it does make a a big difference when listening high-resolution music.
These headphones are compatible Bluetooth 5.0 which allows for higher bitrate streaming than other headsets. This will improve their performance when listening to music on your mobile phone, laptop or tablet. They also support multipoint connectivity so you can pair with two devices simultaneously. This is especially beneficial when you want to listen to music on one device while also using them for hands-free calls.
2. Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless don't stand out from the crowd However, that doesn't mean they aren't an excellent pair of headphones. These over-ear headphones offer outstanding noise cancellation and a staggering 60 hours of battery. That's easily double the duration of most competitors with the Sony WH-1000XM5 and the Bowers & Wilkins PX8 Wireless providing 30 to 40 hours on the charge. The MOMENTUM 4's remarkable endurance is due to a variety of power-saving features, including sleep and head-to-head detection.
Sennheiser headphones are among the top Bluetooth headsets that are available. They offer a well-balanced blend of rich bass and warm mids which don't overwhelm each other. The high-end is crisp but not harsh. 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 suit your personal preferences.
Compared to the wired version the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless are less robust, but still feel sturdy and well-constructed. Their comfortable ear pads are also soft and comfortable and sit securely on the head. I used them all day regardless of whether I was at home or on a plane. However, they are not the best for working out, because they could fall off your ears when you move quickly.
Similar to their predecessors the MOMENTUM 4's ANC performance is excellent, though not quite as high-quality as the Sony WH-1000XM5. They cut out low noise from plane and bus engines, but they don't do a a great job of blocking out chatter from passengers or other noises in the surrounding. They also have the benefit of aptX support which provides greater bitrates than AAC and SBC.
The Sennheisers earcups can be swiveled so that they lay flat but they don't fold like other models. The headphones are small enough to fit in their carry case which makes them ideal for travel and commute.
3. Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2
The latest generation of Bowers & Wilkins' flagship wireless headphones is one of the top noise cancelling over-ear headsets available. They are in direct competition with Sony's WH1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort 65. They have premium build quality, impressive sound quality and comfort. Contrary to other premium Bluetooth headsets, they do not have a variety of fancy features or touch-based gesture controls however, they are designed to provide an audio experience that is as immersive and as enjoyable as it can be.
The Px7's S2's ANC is efficient in reducing background noise. It isolates well against low-frequency sounds like bus engines and plane engines and mid-range sounds like conversations in the office and high-pitched laptop fans. They aren't as effectively from higher-frequency sounds like conversations or traffic, but they perform better than their predecessors. The Bowers & Wilkins app also lets you fine-tune your ANC to match your hearing.
The headphones sport a classy appearance, with a leatherette memory foam ear cup and headband. The headphones are a bit heavier than other top noise cancelling over-ear headsets however, they are worth the investment because of their sturdy design and thoughtful design. The headphones are comfortable to wear for long periods of time, whether you're at work, at home or even on a long trip.
Bowers & Wilkins Px7S2's dynamic drivers with 40mm deliver powerful bass, crisp treble and detailed imaging. They offer a full and dynamic sound that has an airy space between sound elements, making them an excellent choice 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 controls on the Px7 S2 are simple to operate. They have an up/down volume button, a play/pause switch and earcup buttons. The buttons are tactile and the texture adds to the premium feel of these headphones. They're stable over-ears that will not fall off your head and fold into a compact carrying case to make it easy to transportation.
4. V-Moda S-80
Generally, you get what you get when it comes to headphones but the V-Moda S-80 are an exception. They're among the prettiest 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 significant amount of money for a pair of on-ear headphones.
The V-Moda S-80 is the first wireless-only headphone by the company. It can be placed on your head or tied around your neck to create a personal speaker (earcups facing upwards). wireless bluetooth headphones tuned for a vibrant sound that is enhanced by modern electronic music and supports advanced audio codecs like Qualcomm's aptX HD. They come with interchangeable magnet shields and customizable colors so you can make your headphones unique in appearance to match your outfit.
The S-80 is a refreshing departure from the M-Series but they have some flaws that make them unsuitable for all. The 12.5 pounds of weight makes them feel heavy, particularly when worn on the ears. This can cause pressure on the ear, which could cause headaches within an hour. The headband can also be somewhat stiff and can be uncomfortable while wearing the headphones around your neck.
Another issue is the S-80's poor noise cancellation. Even at moderate volume levels, you can still hear significant background noise. The absence of ANC isn't a deal breaker, but you will want to limit the amount of time you listen for around 20 hours.
Additionally, the absence of a 3.5mm port restricts connectivity and may hinder their use for intense physical activity. They aren't able to fold and do not come with a case which limits portability and stowability. The rugged design of the S-80 and excellent sound quality offset the limitations. The Immortal Life Program guarantees a new pair of headphones for 50% off of the retail price in the event they break, scratch or scratch or otherwise lose their value.