The Best Wireless Headphones

Wireless headphones allow you to listen to podcasts or music while on the move, without being tied to your device. The best headphones make use of Bluetooth or another wireless protocol to connect to your laptop, phone or record player and play your music.

The active noise cancellation system reduces the low rumble from 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 premium headphones. The WH-1000XM5s represent a major upgrade over the XM4s. They feature superior 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 commuters or frequent travellers.

The new headphones are made from recycled plastic and have an elegant, minimalist design. They’re lighter than previous models, too. The headband has been padded with soft material to provide a more comfortable. The earcups are also made smaller so that they can be worn closer to the ear for less leakage of sound.

The headphones feature an automatic adaptive ANC that is able to alter the volume depending on your surroundings. The ANC doesn’t block as much low frequency noise as the Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless or QC45 however, it can be effective in reducing high and mid frequency noises, such as plane engine roars and office chatter.

Other smart features include Wearing Detection that detects when you remove the headphones and automatically pauses your music, and then starts playing again as soon as you put them on. Speak-to Chat lets you talk with someone without removing your headphones. It’s surprisingly effective however it’s not a perfect solution and may change back to audio playback after you’re done speaking.

The DSEE-HX Extreme Audio Processing Engine from Sony is also included. It upscales compressed music to give it more clarity and depth. This isn’t a feature you’ll notice in everyday use, but it does make a difference when listening to high-resolution tracks.

These headphones are compatible with Bluetooth Head Phones 5.0 which provides more high-bitrate streaming than many other headsets. That should improve their performance when you listen to music using your laptop, mobile phone or tablet. They also support multi-point connection so you can pair them with two devices at the simultaneously. This is particularly useful when you want to listen to music while making hands-free phone calls.

2. Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless

Sennheiser MOMENTUM Wireless headphones aren’t the most distinctive, but that doesn’t mean they’re not a great pair. These headphones over-ear offer exceptional noise cancellation, and boast an impressive 60 hours of battery. This is more than twice as long as most competitors. The Sony WH1000XM5 or the Bowers and Wilkins Px8 wireless offer 30 to 40 hours of battery life. The MOMENTUM 4’s remarkable endurance is due to a variety of energy-saving features, including sleep and on-head recognition.

In terms of sound quality In terms of sound quality, the Sennheisers are among the best Bluetooth headphones available. They have a a balanced mix of rich bass and warm mids that never interfere with each the other. The high-end is crisp but not harsh. Its clarity allows it to handle the most bombastic action movie soundtracks. The Control app lets you adjust the sound profile and also add an EQ, which makes it easy to customize the headphones to your specific preferences.

In comparison to the wired version the MOMENTUM 4 wireless bluetooth headphones are less durable, yet feel sturdy and well-constructed. The ear pads of the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless are soft and supple and sit comfortably on the head. In fact, I had no problem wearing them for a whole day of working from home or on a flight. However, they’re not as good for working out, because they can fall off your ears if you move quickly.

Like their predecessors, the MOMENTUM 4’s ANC performance is impressive however, it’s not as class-leading as the Sony WH-1000XM5. They are capable of filtering out ambient noise and low rumbles that come from buses and plane engines, but they aren’t as well at removing chatter from passengers. They do have the added benefit of aptX audio which offers higher maximum bitrates than the AAC and SBC used by the Sonys.

The earcups on the Sennheisers are able to rotate to lay flat, but they don’t fold like some other models. The headphones are small enough to fit inside their hard carrying case when they are not in use, making them ideal for commute and travel.

3. Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2

Bowers & Wilkins second-generation wireless headphones are some of the best noise-canceling headphones that you can purchase. 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. Contrary to other high-end Bluetooth headsets, they do not have a variety of fancy features or touch-based gesture control however, they are designed to provide an audio experience that is as immersive and satisfying as is possible.

The Px7’s S2’s ANC is effective at attenuating background noise. It isolates well against low-frequency sounds, such as plane and bus engines, mid-range sounds such as high-pitched laptop fans. The ANC of the Px7 S2 is less effectively from higher frequency sounds like traffic and conversations, but does a better job. The Bowers & Wilkins app also allows you to fine-tune your ANC to fit your hearing.

The headphones sport a luxurious appearance, with the headband and ear cup. The headphones weigh a bit more than other top over-ear noise-canceling headsets, but their sturdy build and thoughtful design makes them feel worth the cost. The headphones are comfortable to wear for long periods of time, whether at home, work or on a long flight.

Bowers & Wilkins Px7S2’s dynamic drivers with 40mm provide powerful bass, crisp treble and Bluetooth Head Phones clear imaging. They create a lively and rich sound with a distinct air between the sound elements. This makes them a great choice for podcasts and music. They offer an aptX Adaptive codec support, which means you can stream hi-res audio with a low latency.

The controls on the Px7 S2 are easy to operate. They include the volume up/down button along with a play/pause button and the earcup buttons. The buttons are tactile and textured which enhances the headphones’ premium feeling. They’re a sturdy set of over-ears that will not fall off your head, and they fold up into a compact case to make it easy to transportation.

4. V-Moda S-80

The V-Moda S-80 headphones are an exception to the rule that you get the value you pay for. They are among the most attractive wireless headphones and have a sleek and durable design. However, they cost nearly the same amount as Sony WH1000XM5 or Bowers & Wilkins px7 S2 quite a bit for a pair of headphones that sit on your ear.

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 lively sound and support advanced audio codes such as Qualcomm’s HD aptX. They also come with interchangeable magnetic shields and customizable color options so you can give them a unique look to match your outfit or advertise your business.

The S-80 is a nice departure from the M-Series but they have a few quirks which make them less than ideal for all. Their weight of 12.5 pounds makes them feel heavy on the head, particularly when worn over the ear. This causes pressure on the ear, which could cause earache within an hour. The headband is also 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 volumes it’s possible to hear significant background noise. The absence of ANC isn’t a deal breaker however, you’ll want to limit the amount of time you listen to around 20 hours.

Finally, the S-80’s lack of a 3.5mm port hinders connectivity and might make them unsuitable for use in intense physical activities. They aren’t able to fold and do not come with a case, Bluetooth Head Phones which makes it difficult to transport and store. The S-80’s robust design and outstanding sound quality counterbalance the 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.