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 phone, laptop or record player to play your music.
They also come with a powerful active noise cancellation system that 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 an upgrade from the XM4s, with improved noise cancellation and intelligent features. They're also a little more expensive, but they come with a premium look and feel. These headphones are an excellent choice for those who commute or are frequent travelers.
The new headphones feature an elegant, minimalist design that's made from recycled plastic. The headphones are also lighter than predecessors. The headband is padded with soft material to make it more comfortable. The Earcups are also smaller and fit more closely to the ear canals for less sound leakage.
The headphones feature an automatic adaptive ANC that is able to alter the volume according to the environment you're in. The ANC doesn't isolate 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 office chatter and airplane engine roar.
Other features that are smart include Wearing Detection that detects when you take off your headphones and automatically pauses your music, and then starts playing again as soon as you put them on. Speak-to-Chat enables you to converse with someone without taking the headphones off. It works well, but it's not perfect. Sometimes, the audio may switch back when you finish talking.
The DSEE-HX Extreme audio processing Engine from Sony is also included. It upscales compressed music to give it more clarity and depth. This is not a feature you'll see every day, but it makes a big difference when listening high-quality music.
These headphones are compatible with Bluetooth 5.0 which allows for streaming with higher bitrate than other headsets. This should enhance 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 same at the same time. This is especially useful if you want to listen to music while using the device for hands-free phone calls.
2. Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
Sennheiser MOMENTUM Wireless headphones aren't the most distinctive, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they're not an excellent pair. These over-ear cans offer exceptional noise cancellation and a staggering 60 hours of battery life. This is nearly twice as long as the majority of competitors. The Sony WH1000XM5 or Bowers & Wilkins PX8 wireless can provide 30 to 40 hours of battery life. The MOMENTUM 4's incredible endurance is due to a variety of power-saving features, such as sleep and on-head detection.
In terms of audio quality in terms of sound quality, the Sennheisers are among the top Bluetooth headphones on the market, offering a an even blend of a powerful bass and warm mids that don't overwhelm each one. The high-end is clear without being bright or piercing and the headphones' outstanding clarity allows it to effortlessly handle action film soundtracks with plenty of blast. The Control app lets you adjust the sound profile and add an EQ, making it simple to adjust the headphones to suit your personal preferences.
The MOMENTUM Wireless is a bit less durable than the wired version, yet it is still solid and well-built. The ear pads of the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless are soft and comfortable and rest comfortably on the head. I wore them all day long regardless of whether I was at home or on an airplane. However, they are not as good for working out, because they could fall off your ears when you're moving fast.
The MOMENTUM 4 offers excellent ANC performance, but not as good as the Sony WH-1000XM5. They eliminate low noise from plane and bus engines, but don't really do a well at eliminating chattering between passengers or other noises in the surrounding. They also have the benefit of supporting aptX, which offers more bitrates than AAC and SBC.
The ear cups on the Sennheisers swivel to lay flat, but they don't fold like other models. The headphones are small enough to fit inside their carrying case, which is hard and not in use, making them ideal for commute and travel.
3. Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2
Bowers & Wilkins second-generation wireless headphones are among the top noise-cancelling headphones you can buy. best budget wireless headphones compete with Sony's WH1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort 65. They provide high-end build quality, stunning sound performance, and comfort. Contrary to other premium Bluetooth headsets, they do not come with a range of extravagant features or a touch-based control, but instead are designed to provide an audio experience that is as immersive and enjoyable as it can be.
The Px7 S2's ANC is extremely effective in attenuating ambient noise, with a good degree of isolation from low-frequency rumble like plane and bus engines, mid-range noises like office chatter, as well as the high-pitched whirl of laptop fans. They aren't able to isolate as effectively from higher-frequency sounds, 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 have a premium design, featuring an headband and ear cup. The headphones are a bit heavier than other top noise cancelling over-ear headsets however they're worth the cost due to their robust design and thoughtful construction. The headphones are comfortable to wear for long periods of time, whether at work, at home or even on a long trip.
Bowers & Wilkins Px7S2's dynamic drivers that have 40mm of diameter deliver powerful bass, clear treble and detailed imaging. They offer a full and dynamic sound with an airy space between sound elements which makes them a great choice for listening to music or podcasts. They come with aptX Adaptive codec, which allows you to stream high-quality audio with a low latency.
The controls on the Px7 S2 are simple to use. They have a volume up/down button as well as a play/pause switch, as well as the earcup buttons. The buttons are tactile and have a texturing effect, a small detail that enhances the headphones' luxurious feeling. The headphones are stable on the ear and won't fall off your head. They fold down 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 what you pay for. They are among the most attractive wireless headphones, and feature a sleek, durable design. They cost nearly the same amount as Sony WH1000XM5 or Bowers & Wilkins px7 S2 - a lot for a pair of on-ear headphones.
The V-Moda S-80 are the brand's first wireless headphones, and they're designed to be used either on your head or as an individual speaker system (with earcups facing up when they're hung around your neck). They are designed to enhance modern electronic music with a dazzling sound and are compatible with advanced audio codes like Qualcomm's HD aptX. They also feature magnetic shields that can be interchanged and have customizable 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 unsuitable for everyone. Their weight of 12.5 pounds makes them feel heavy on the head, particularly when worn over-ear. This puts pressure on your ears, causing ear pain after approximately an hour of use. The headband is also uncomfortable and stiff when it is worn around your neck.
The S-80 has poor noise cancellation. Even at moderate volume levels there is 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 about 20 hours.
Additionally, the absence of a 3.5mm port restricts connectivity and might make them unsuitable for use during intense physical activity. They aren't able to fold and do not come with a case which limits portability and stowability. That said, the S-80's sturdy construction and high sound quality helps offset these drawbacks. The Immortal Life Program guarantees a new pair of headphones for 50% off the retail price in case they break, get a scratch or otherwise lose their value.