The Best Wireless Headphones
Wireless headphones let you listen to music or podcasts on the move without being connected to your audio device. The best headphones connect wirelessly to your laptop, phone or record player using Bluetooth or another protocol.
The active noise cancellation system minimizes the low rumble of buses and chatty colleagues. They’re also incredibly comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
The WH1000XM5s wireles headphones are Sony’s flagship. The WH-1000XM5s are an important upgrade over the XM4s. They offer more noise cancellation and intelligent features. The headphones are a bit more expensive but have a premium feel and look. They have plenty to offer, and they’re a great option for commuters and frequent travellers.
The new headphones are made of recycled plastic and feature sleek, minimalist design. They’re lighter than the earlier models, and also more comfortable. The headband has been cushioned with soft material to provide a more comfortable. The earcups are also reduced in size so that they can be placed closer to the ear for less leakage of sound.
They come with an automatic adaptive ANC system that is capable of changing how loud it is based on the surrounding. The ANC does not isolate as much low frequency noise as the Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless or QC45 however, it can be effective in reducing the high and mid-frequency noises, such as plane engine roars or office chatter.
Wearing Detection is another useful feature that detects when you remove your headphones and automatically pauses the music. The music will resume when you put them on again. There’s also Speak-to Chat, which lets you talk to people without taking your headphones off. It’s quite effective however it’s not a perfect solution and will sometimes switch back to audio playback when you’ve finished talking.
Sony’s DSEE-HX Extreme audio processing engine is also on board. This feature can boost compressed audio to provide it with greater clarity and detail. This isn’t a feature you’ll see every day, but it makes huge difference when listening high-quality music.
These headphones are compatible with Bluetooth 5.0, which supports higher-bitrate streaming than most other headsets. This should improve their performance when you stream music from your laptop, mobile phone, or tablet. They also support multi-point connections, so you can pair them with two devices at the same time. This is particularly useful if you listen to music on one device and making hands-free calls.
2. Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
Sennheiser MOMENTUM Wireless headphones aren’t exactly the most original, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re not an excellent pair. These headphones over-ear offer exceptional noise cancellation and a staggering 60 hours of battery. This is easily twice as long as most rivals. The Sony WH1000XM5 or the Bowers and Wilkins Px8 wireless offer 30 to 40 hours of battery life. The MOMENTUM’s impressive battery life is due to numerous power-saving features including sleep and on-head detector.
In terms of sound quality In terms of sound quality, the Sennheisers are among the top Bluetooth headphones available. They have a a balanced blend of a rich bass and warm mids that don’t overwhelm each one. The high end is clear and not being blazing or bright and the headphone’s outstanding clarity makes it able to handle action movie soundtracks with plenty of blast. The Control app lets you adjust the sound profile and add an EQ. This makes it easy to customize the headphones to your personal preferences.
As compared to the wired version, the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless are less durable, but they feel sturdy and well-constructed. The comfortable earpads are also soft and comfortable and are firmly on the head. I wore them all day long when I was working at home or on a plane. They’re not ideal for working out however, as they may fall off your ears if you move your head quickly.
Like their predecessors, the MOMENTUM 4’s ANC performance is impressive, though not quite as high-quality as the Sony WH-1000XM5. They are capable of filtering out ambient noise and low rumbles from buses and plane engines, but they aren’t as well at filtering out passengers’ chatter. They also have the benefit of supporting aptX audio, which provides higher maximum bitrates than the AAC and SBC used by the Sonys.
The ear cups on the Sennheisers are able to rotate to lay flat, but they don’t fold like some other models. The headphones are compact enough to fit inside their carrying case that is hard making them ideal for commutes and travel.
3. Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2
The latest generation of Bowers & Wilkins’ flagship wireless headphones is among the best over-ear noise-canceling headphones you can purchase. They are in close competition with top contenders such as Sony’s WH-1000XM5 and Bose’s QuietComfort 65, while offering top-quality build quality, amazing comfort, and acousticphile performance. They don’t have extravagant features or control using touch gestures like many premium Bluetooth headphones. Instead, they’re designed to deliver an audio experience that is awe-inspiring and enjoyable.
The Px7 S2’s ANC is extremely effective in making ambient noise less noticeable, with an excellent degree of isolation from low-frequency rumble like plane engines and bus engines, mid-range sounds such as office chatter, and high-pitched whirl of laptop fans. They aren’t as well from higher-frequency noise like conversations or traffic, but they are more effective than their predecessors. The Bowers & Wilkins app also allows you to adjust your ANC to fit your hearing.
They feature a premium design, with a sleek headband and ear cups with leatherette memory foam padding. The headphones weigh a bit more than other top-of-the-line over-ear noise-canceling headphones, but their sturdy build and thoughtful design make them feel worth the cost. The headphones are comfortable to wear for long periods of time, whether you’re at work, at home or traveling for a long time.
Bowers & Wilkins Px7S2’s dynamic drivers with 40mm deliver powerful bass, crisp treble, and detailed images. They have a rich and dynamic sound that has an impressive amount of air between the elements of sound, making them an excellent option for listening to music or podcasts. They are compatible with aptX Adaptive Codec which allows you to stream high-quality audio with minimal latency.
The controls on the Px7 S2 are simple to use. They include the volume up/down button as well as a play/pause switch, as well as the earcup button. 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 they fold up into a compact carrying case that makes it easy to transportation.
4. V-Moda S-80
The V-Moda S-80 headphones are an exception to the rule that you only get the value you pay for. They’re among the most attractive wireless headphones around and boast an elegant and durable design. However, they cost nearly as much money as the Sony WH1000XM5 or Bowers & Wilkins px7 S2 – a lot for a pair on-ear headphones.
The V-Moda S-80 are the brand’s first wireless headphones that are designed to be worn on your head or as a personal speaker system (with the earcups facing forward when they’re wrapped around your neck). They’re tuned for a vivid sound that is enhanced by modern electronic music and support advanced audio codecs like Qualcomm’s aptX HD. They also feature interchangeable magnetic shields and custom color options, so you can give them an individual look that matches your attire or promote your business.
The S-80 is a refreshing departure from the M-Series but they have a few quirks which make them unsuitable for all. The 12.5 pounds of weight makes them feel heavy, particularly when worn on the ear. This can cause pressure on the ear, which can cause earache within an hour. The headband can also be quite stiff and may be uncomfortable when wearing the cordless headphones (why not find out more) around your neck.
Another issue is the S-80’s poor noise cancellation. Even at moderate volumes, you can still hear significant background noise. It’s not an issue, but the lack of ANC means you’ll probably want to limit your listening time to about 20 hours per charge.
Additionally, the absence of a 3.5mm port limits connectivity and might make them unsuitable for use for intense physical activity. They’re not foldable and don’t come with a case which makes it difficult to transport and store. However, Cordless Headphones the S-80’s robust construction and superior sound quality help to offset the limitations. They also have a two-year warranty and the Immortal Life Program guarantee that will replace your pair for 50% of their retail value if they break down, get scratched, or lose value.