The Best Wireless Headphones
Wireless headphones let you listen to music or podcasts on the go without being tied to your device. The best wireless headphones connect to your phone, laptop, or record player using Bluetooth or another protocol.
They also have 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 WH-1000XM5s by Sony are Sony’s next generation of flagship headphones. The WH-1000XM5s are a significant upgrade over the XM4s. They feature better noise cancellation and smart features. They’re also slightly more expensive, but they provide a premium look and feel. They have a lot going for them and are a great option for commuters and frequent travelers.
The new headphones sport a sleek minimalist design, made from recycled plastic. They’re lighter than the previous models, as well. The headband has been cushioned with soft material to make it more comfortable. The earcups have been 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 altering the volume it is based on the surrounding. The ANC isn’t able to block the same amount of low frequency noise as the Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless or QC45 however it works well to reduce the high and mid-frequency noises, such as airplane engine roar and office chatter.
Other smart features include Wearing Detection, which senses when you take off your headphones and automatically pauses your music. It then begins playing again as soon as you put them on. There’s also Speak-to Chat, which lets you converse with someone without taking the headphones off. It’s surprisingly effective even though it’s not the perfect solution and may change back to audio playback once you’re done speaking.
Sony’s DSEE HX Extreme audio processing engine is also included. This feature can boost compressed audio to provide it with greater clarity and detail. It’s not a feature that is evident in normal use, but it does be noticeable when listening to high-resolution tracks.
These headphones are compatible with Bluetooth 5.0 which allows for greater bitrate streaming than other headsets. This will improve their performance when you listen to music on your mobile phone, laptop, or tablet. They also support multipoint connection which means you can connect two devices simultaneously. This is especially beneficial when you want to listen to music on one device and using them for hands-free calls.
2. Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
Sennheiser MOMENTUM Wireless headphones aren’t the most unique, 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. It’s more than double the length of most competitors, with the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bowers & Wilkins Px8 Wireless offering 30 to 40 hours on the charge. The MOMENTUM 4’s remarkable endurance is due in part to a variety of power-saving features, including sleep and head-to-head detection.
Sennheiser headphones are among the best Bluetooth headsets on the market. They offer a well-balanced mix between strong bass and warm mids, which don’t overwhelm each other. The high-end is crisp without being blazing or bright, and the headphone’s excellent clarity makes it able to handle action film soundtracks with plenty of blast. The Control app allows you to modify the sound profile and also add an EQ. This makes it easy to customize the headphones to meet your preferences.
Compared to the wired version, the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless are slightly less durable, but they feel sturdy and well-built. The ear pads of the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless are soft and supple and are comfortable on the head. In fact I had no issue wearing them for an entire day working from home or on a flight. However, they are not ideal for working out, because they can slip off your ears if you’re moving fast.
The MOMENTUM 4 has excellent ANC performance, but it’s not as good as the Sony WH-1000XM5. They do a good job of filtering out ambient noise and low rumbles from buses and plane engines, but not so well at filtering out the chatter of 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 ear cups of the Sennheisers can pivot to lay flat, but they don’t fold like other models. Nonetheless, the headphones are compact enough to fit inside their carrying case that is hard when not in use, making them ideal for commutes and travel.
3. Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2
The second generation of Bowers & Wilkins’ flagship wireless headphones is one of the top noise cancelling over-ear headsets available. They compete with Sony’s WH1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort 65. They provide high-end build quality, stunning sound quality and comfort. They don’t come with extravagant features or control using touch gestures like many high-end Bluetooth headphones. Instead, they are designed to provide a sound experience that is awe-inspiring and enjoyable.
The Px7 S2’s ANC is extremely effective in making ambient noise less noticeable, with a high level of isolation from low-frequency rumble like bus and plane engines, mid-range noises like office chatter, and the high-pitched whirl of laptop fans. The ANC of the Px7 S2 is less effectively from higher frequency sounds like conversations and traffic however, it does a superior job of absorbing high-frequency sounds. Bowers & Wilkins’ app allows you to adjust your ANC to your hearing.
The cordless headphones have a premium appearance, with an ear cup and headband. The headphones are a bit heavier than other top noise cancelling headphones however they’re worth the money due to their sturdy design and thoughtful build. The headphones are comfortable to wear for long periods of time, whether at work, home or traveling for a long time.
Bowers & Wilkins Px7S2’s dynamic drivers with 40mm deliver powerful bass, crisp treble, and detailed imaging. They offer a full and dynamic sound that has a noticeable amount of air between sound elements, making them an excellent choice for listening to music or podcasts. They are compatible with aptX Adaptive Codec which allows you to stream high-quality audio with a low latency.
The Px7 S2’s controls are easy to operate, featuring the play/pause button as well as the volume buttons on the right earcup. The buttons are comfortable, and the texture adds to the premium feel of these headphones. They’re a sturdy set of over-ears that will not fall off your head, and they fold up into a compact carrying case to make it easy to transportation.
4. V-Moda S-80
Generally, you get what you spend in the world of headphones but the V-Moda S-80 are an exception. They are among the best-looking wireless headphones and have an elegant and durable design. Unfortunately, they cost about the same as the Sony WH-1000XM5 or 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 by the company. They where can i buy wireless bluetooth headphones be placed on your head or tied around your neck to create a personal speaker (earcups facing upwards). They’re tuned for a vibrant sound that is enhanced by modern electronic music and supports advanced audio codecs like Qualcomm’s aptX HD. They come with magnetic shields that can be interchanged and are customizable in colors, allowing you to make your headphones distinctive in design to match your outfit.
While the S-80 are a nice departure from the company’s M-Series models, they still have a few flaws that make them less than perfect for all users. The 12.5 ounces of weight makes them feel heavy, especially when worn on the ears. This puts pressure on the ears, causing earache after about an hour of use. The headband can also be somewhat stiff and can be uncomfortable when wearing the headphones 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 a major issue however, the absence of ANC means that you’ll likely want to limit your listening time to about 20 hours per charge.
The absence of a 3.5mm port limits connectivity and could make them unsuitable for Cordless headphones use for intense physical activity. The S-80 isn’t foldable and does not come with an enclosure. This limits their ability to be carried and stored. The S-80’s rugged construction and excellent audio quality can help overcome these limitations. They also have a two-year warranty and an Immortal Life Program guarantee that provides a replacement pair for half of their retail value if they break down, get scratched, or lose value.