The Best Wireless Headphones
Wireless headphones let you listen to podcasts or music while on the move without being tied to your audio device. The best wireless headphones connect to your laptop, phone or record player via Bluetooth or another protocol.
The active noise cancellation system minimizes the low rumble from bus engines and chatty colleagues. They're also extremely comfortable to wear for long periods.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
The WH1000XM5s headphones are Sony's flagship. The WH-1000XM5s represent a major improvement over the XM4s. They provide superior noise cancellation and smart features. The headphones are a bit more expensive, but they have an elegant design and feel. These headphones have a lot to offer and are a good option for frequent travellers.
The new headphones have a sleek minimalist design, made of recycled plastic. They're also lighter than previous models. The headband has been cushioned with soft material to provide a more comfortable. The earcups have been reduced in size so that they can be worn closer to the ear for less leakage of sound.
The headphones come with an automatic adaptive ANC which can alter the volume based on your surroundings. The ANC does not isolate as much low frequency noise as Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless or QC45 however it works well to reduce high and mid frequency sounds, like airplane engine roars and office chatter.
Other smart features include Wearing Detection that detects when you take off the headphones and automatically pauses your music - and it starts playing again as soon as you put them on. There's also Speak-to-Chat, which allows you to talk to people without taking your headphones off. It works well however it's not perfect. Sometimes, over ear headphones noise cancelling wireless will switch back when you finish talking.
The DSEE HX Extreme Audio Processing Engine from Sony is also included. This feature upscales compressed audio to give it greater clarity and detail. This isn't something you'll see every day, but it can make a huge difference when listening high-resolution music.
These headphones are compatible with Bluetooth 5.0 which allows for higher bitrate streaming than other headsets. This will improve their performance if 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 at the same time. This is especially helpful if you want to listen to music while using the device to make hands-free phone calls.
2. Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless don't stand out from the crowd, but that doesn't mean they aren't an excellent pair of headphones. These over-ear headphones offer outstanding noise cancellation and an incredible 60 hours of battery. This is more than double the time of the majority of competitors, with the Sony WH-1000XM5 as well as the Bowers and Wilkins PX8 Wireless delivering 30 to 40 hours of runtime on the charge. The MOMENTUM 4's remarkable endurance is due to a variety of power-saving features, including sleep and on-head recognition.
In terms of sound quality, the Sennheisers are among the top Bluetooth headphones on the market, offering a an even blend of a rich bass and warm mids that do not interfere with each one. The high-end is crisp but not harsh. The clarity of the headphones allows it to handle the most explosive action movie soundtracks. The Control app lets you adjust the sound profile as well as add an EQ. This makes it easy to tailor the headphones to suit your personal preferences.
The MOMENTUM Wireless is slightly less robust than the wired version, yet still feels sturdy and well-built. Their comfortable ear pads are also soft and supple, and they rest securely on the head. I wore them all day long when I was working at home or on a plane. They aren't as good for working out however, as they can slide off the ears when you move your head fast.
The MOMENTUM 4 offers excellent ANC performance, but not as good as the Sony WH-1000XM5. They cut out low rumble from bus and plane engines, but they don't do a a great job of filtering out passenger chit-chat or other ambient noise. They also have the added benefit of supporting aptX, which offers greater bitrates than AAC and SBC.
The earcups on the Sennheisers are able to rotate to lay flat, but don't fold like other models. The headphones are compact enough to fit inside their carrying case that is hard when they're not in use, which makes them ideal for commute and travel.
3. Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2
The new generation of Bowers & Wilkins' flagship wireless headphones are among the best over-ear noise-canceling headsets you can buy. They are in close competition with top competitors like Sony's WH-1000XM5 and Bose's QuietComfort 65, while offering top-quality build quality, amazing comfort, and audiophile performance. They don't come with extravagant features or control using touch gestures like a lot of premium Bluetooth headphones. Instead, they're designed to deliver the best sound experience, which is awe-inspiring and enjoyable.
The Px7's S2's ANC is efficient in reducing background noise. It is able to block out low-frequency sounds such as plane and bus engines and mid-range sounds, such as conversations in the office and high-pitched laptop fans. They don't isolate quite as well from higher-frequency noise, such as conversations or traffic, but they do a better job than their predecessors. Bowers & Wilkins' app lets you adjust your ANC to your hearing.
The headphones have a premium design, featuring a leatherette memory foam headband and ear cup. The headphones are heavier than other top noise cancelling headphones however, they are worth the cost due to their robust design and thoughtful design. They stay comfortable while you listen to music for prolonged durations and are ideal for use at home, at work or for long flights.
In terms of sound quality, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2's 40mm dynamic drivers deliver strong bass, crisp highs, and a spacious, detailed image. They offer a full and dynamic sound that has an impressive amount of air between sound elements making them a great choice for listening to music or podcasts. They support aptX Adaptive Codec which allows you to stream hi-res audio at minimal latency.
The Px7 S2's controls are easy to use, with a play/pause button and the volume up and down buttons on the right earcup. The buttons are tactile and the textured design enhances the premium feel of these headphones. They're sturdy and will not fall off your head, and they fold up into a compact carrying case for easy transportation.
4. V-Moda S-80
Generally speaking, you get what you pay for when it comes to headphones but the V-Moda S-80 are an exception. They are among the top-quality wireless headphones, and feature a sleek sturdy design. However, they cost about the same as the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 -- which is a significant amount of money for a pair of on-ear headphones.
The V-Moda S-80 are the brand's first wireless-only headphones and they're designed to be used either on your head or as a personal speaker system (with the earcups facing forward when they're hung around your neck). They are designed to enhance contemporary electronic music with a vibrant sound and are compatible with advanced audio codes like 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.
While the S-80 are a nice departure from the company's M-Series models, they have some quirks that make them less than perfect for everyone. Their weight of 12.5 ounces makes them feel heavy on the head, especially when worn over-ear. This puts pressure on your ears, which can cause earache after approximately an hour of use. The headband can also be a bit stiff and can be uncomfortable when wearing the headphones around your neck.
Another issue is the S80's poor noise cancellation. Even at moderate volumes, you can hear background noise. It's not a deal-breaker 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.
Additionally, the absence of a 3.5mm port restricts connectivity and might make them unsuitable for use for intense physical activity. The S-80 is not foldable and doesn't come with an enclosure. This reduces their ability to be carried and stored. The S-80's robust design and excellent sound quality offset these limitations. They also come with a two-year warranty and an Immortal Life Program guarantee that will replace your pair for 50% of their retail price if they break, get scratched, or lose value.
