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 effortlessly reduces the low rumble of bus engines, or chatty coworkers. They are also extremely comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
The WH1000XM5s headphones are Sony's flagship. They're a significant improvement over the XM4s with improved noise cancellation and smart features. The headphones are more expensive but have a premium feel and look. These headphones are a great option for commuters or frequent travellers.
The new headphones are made from recycled plastic and feature a sleek minimalist design. They're lighter than earlier models, and also more comfortable. The headband is padded with soft material to ensure it's more comfortable. The Earcups are also smaller which means they sit closer to the ears to prevent sound leakage.
The headphones feature an automatic adaptive ANC which can alter the volume depending on your surroundings. The ANC does not block as much low-frequency noise as Bose's QuietComfort 45 or QC45 Wireless however it is effective in tackling mid and high-frequency noise, such as airplane engine roar.
Wearing Detection is another smart feature that detects when you remove your headphones and then automatically pauses the music. It then resumes playing when you put on the headphones again. Speak-to-Chat lets you talk to someone without taking the headphones off. It's quite effective however it's not a perfect solution and will sometimes switch back to audio playback after you're done talking.
The DSEE HX Extreme Audio Processing Engine from Sony is also included. This upscales compressed music to give it more clarity and detail. This isn't a feature that you'll come across every day, but it does make a an enormous difference when listening to high-quality music.
These headphones are compatible Bluetooth 5.0 that allows for higher bitrate streaming than other headsets. This will enhance their performance if you stream music from your mobile phone, laptop, or tablet. They also support multipoint connection so you can pair with two devices at once. This is especially beneficial for those who 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 this doesn't mean that they're not a top pair of headphones. These over-ear headphones offer outstanding noise cancellation, and boast an impressive 60 hours of battery. That's easily double the duration of the majority of competitors and the Sony WH-1000XM5 and the Bowers & Wilkins PX8 Wireless providing 30 to 40 hours of runtime on the charge. The MOMENTUM 4's remarkable endurance is due to a variety of power-saving features, such as sleep and on-head detection.
In terms of sound quality, the Sennheisers are among the best Bluetooth headphones available, with a balanced combination of powerful bass and warm mids that do not interfere with each one. The high end is clear and not being bright or piercing and the headphone's outstanding clarity makes it able to handle action movie soundtracks with plenty of bombast. The Control app allows you to alter the sound profile and also add an EQ. This makes it easy to customize the headphones to suit your preferences.
As compared to the wired version, the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless are less robust, but still feel sturdy and well-built. The comfortable earpads are also soft and supple and are firmly on the head. I wore them all day long, whether working at home or on a plane. However, they are not ideal for exercising, as they could fall off your ears when you are moving quickly.
The MOMENTUM 4 delivers excellent ANC performance, but it's not as effective as the Sony WH-1000XM5. They do a good job of removing background noise and low rumbles from bus and plane engines, but not so well at filtering out the chatter of passengers. They also have the added benefit of supporting aptX, which offers more bitrates than AAC and SBC.
The ear cups on the Sennheisers can pivot to lay flat, but don't fold like other models. The headphones are small enough to fit into their carrying case that is hard which makes them ideal for travel and commute.
3. Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2
The new generation of Bowers & Wilkins' flagship wireless headphones are one of the top noise cancelling over-ear headsets you can buy. They are in close competition with top rivals like Sony's WH-1000XM5 and Bose's QuietComfort 65, while offering high-end build quality, incredible comfort, and audiophile performance. They don't have extravagant features or control using touch gestures like many high-end Bluetooth headphones. Instead, they're made to provide the best sound experience, which is enjoyable and immersive.
The S2's ANC is effective at attenuating background noise. It can be effectively isolated from low-frequency sounds like bus and plane engines and mid-range sounds, such as high-pitched laptop fans. They aren't as effectively against higher-frequency noise, such as conversations or traffic, but do a better job than their predecessors. The Bowers & Wilkins app also allows you to adjust your ANC to suit your hearing.
The headphones sport a classy look, with a leatherette memory foam ear cup and headband. The headphones weigh slightly more than other top headphones however, their robust build and thoughtful design make them feel worth the money. They are comfortable to wear while you listen to music for prolonged durations and are ideal for use at home at work, on the go, or on long flights.
Bowers & Wilkins Px7S2's dynamic drivers that have 40mm of diameter deliver powerful bass, clear treble and detailed imaging. They create a lively and a full sound with a distinct air between the sound elements. This makes them an ideal choice for music and podcasts. They have aptX Adaptive codec support, which means you can stream high-res audio with low latency.
The controls on the Px7 S2 are easy to operate. They include a volume up/down button along with a play/pause button and the earcup buttons. The buttons are tactile and the textured design adds to the premium feel of these headphones. The headphones are sturdy over-ears and won't drop off your head. They fold up into a compact carrying case to make transporting easy.
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 most attractive wireless headphones, and feature an elegant, durable design. Unfortunately, they also 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 is the first wireless-only headphone from the company. It can be placed on your head or wrapped around your neck as a personal speaker (earcups facing upwards). They are tuned to enhance modern electronic music with a lively sound and are compatible with advanced audio codes like Qualcomm's HD aptX. They also feature magnetic shields that can be interchanged and have custom color options, so you can give them a unique look to match your outfit or promote your business.
The S-80 is a nice change from the M-Series but they have a few quirks which make them less than ideal for all. Their weight of 12.5 ounces makes them feel heavy on the head, particularly when worn over the ear. This causes pressure on the ear, which can cause an earache within a matter of hours. The headband is also uncomfortable and stiff when it is worn around your neck.
Another problem is the S-80's poor noise cancellation. Even at moderate volume you will hear background noise. It's not an issue, but the lack of ANC means you'll probably want to limit the amount of time you listen to music to around 20 hours per month.
The S-80 lacks a 3.5mm connector, which limits connectivity and could make it unsuitable for intense physical exercise. bose soundlink around ear wireless headphones ii -80 isn't foldable and does not include a case. This affects their portability and stowability. The rugged design of the S-80 and excellent sound quality offset these limitations. The Immortal Life Program guarantees a new pair of headphones at 50% off the retail price in case they break, suffer a scratch or otherwise lose their value.