The Best Wireless Headphones
Wireless headphones allow you to listen to music or podcasts on the go without being tied to your audio device. The most effective headphones make use of Bluetooth or a different wireless protocol to connect to your phone, laptop or record player and play your music.
They also come with a powerful active noise cancellation system that cuts down the low rumble of bus engines or chatty coworkers. They are extremely comfortable to wear for long periods.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
The WH1000XM5s headphones are Sony's flagship. The WH-1000XM5s are a significant improvement over the XM4s. They offer more noise cancellation and intelligent features. The headphones are a bit more expensive, but they have a premium feel and look. They have plenty to offer and are a great choice for commuters and frequent travellers.
The new headphones sport a sleek, minimalist design that's made from recycled plastic. The headphones are also lighter than predecessors. They're comfortable to wear for extended periods, and the headband is now covered with soft padding, which makes it less stiff than it was. The earcups have been made smaller so that they can be placed closer to the ear for less sound leakage.
The headphones have an automatic adaptive ANC that can change the volume according to the environment you're in. The ANC isn't able to block the same amount of low frequency noise as Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless or QC45, but it still can be effective in reducing mid and high frequency sounds, like airplane engine roars or office chatter.
Wearing Detection is another feature that detects when you remove your headphones and then automatically pauses the music. It then resumes playing once you put them on again. Speak-to-Chat allows you to communicate with a person without having to remove your headphones. It works surprisingly well however it's not a perfect solution and may change back to audio playback once you're done speaking.
Sony's DSEE-HX Extreme audio processing engine is also present. This feature upscales compressed audio to give it greater clarity and detail. It's not a feature that you'll see in your daily use, but it could be noticeable when listening to high-resolution tracks.
These headphones are compatible with Bluetooth 5.0, which supports more high-bitrate streaming than many other headsets. That should improve their performance when you listen to music via your mobile phone, laptop or tablet. beats studio 3 headphones wireless support multi-point connections so you can pair them with two devices at the same simultaneously. This is especially beneficial if you listen to music on one device and also using them for 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 over-ear cans offer exceptional noise cancellation and 60 hours of battery life. This is more than twice as long as most rivals. The Sony WH1000XM5 or the Bowers and Wilkins PX8 wireless 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.
Sennheiser headphones are among the top Bluetooth headsets available. They feature a symbiotic mix between rich bass and warm mids, which never overwhelm one another. The high-end is clear and not harsh. Its clarity makes it able to handle the most bombastic action movie soundtracks. The Control app lets you adjust the sound profile as well as add an EQ. This makes it easy to tailor the headphones to your personal preferences.
Compared to the wired version the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless are slightly less durable, yet feel sturdy and well-built. The ear pads of the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless are soft and comfortable and sit comfortably on the head. In fact, I had no problem wearing them all day working from home or during a flight. They're not ideal for exercise, however, since they can slide off the ears when you move your head swiftly.
The MOMENTUM 4 has excellent ANC performance, but not as good as Sony WH-1000XM5. They do a good job of filtering out ambient noise and low rumbles from bus and plane engines, but not so well at removing passengers' chatter. They also have the benefit of supporting aptX, which offers greater bitrates than AAC and SBC.
The Sennheisers ear cups can be swiveled to lay flat but they don't fold like other models. The headphones are small enough to fit into their carrying case, which is hard and not in use, making them ideal for commute and travel.
3. Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2
The new generation of Bowers & Wilkins' flagship wireless headphones is among the top over-ear noise cancelling headphones you can purchase. They compete closely with top contenders such as Bose's WH-1000XM5 from Sony and the QuietComfort 65, while offering top-quality build quality, amazing comfort, and acousticphile performance. In contrast to many high-end Bluetooth headsets, they do not have a variety of fancy features or touch-based gesture controls they are instead designed to deliver an audio experience that is as immersive and as enjoyable as it can be.
The Px7's S2's ANC is effective at attenuating background noise. It isolates well against low-frequency sounds, such as bus engines and plane engines, mid-range sounds such as conversations in the office and high-pitched laptop fans. The ANC on the Px7 S2 is less effectively from higher frequency sounds like traffic and conversations, but does a better job. Bowers & Wilkins' app lets you alter your ANC to your hearing.
The headphones sport a luxurious look, with a leatherette memory foam headband and ear cup. The headphones weigh a little more than other top-of-the-line over-ear noise-canceling headphones however their robust construction and thoughtful design make them worth the cost. The headphones are comfortable to wear for long periods of time, whether you're at work, home or even on a long trip.
In terms of sound quality, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2's 40mm dynamic drivers provide powerful bass, crisp highs and a spacious, detailed image. They offer a full and dynamic sound with a noticeable amount of air between sound elements, making them an excellent choice for listening to music and podcasts. They have aptX Adaptive codec support, which allows you to stream high-quality audio with low latency.
The controls on the Px7 S2 are simple to use. They have the 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 stable over-ears and won't fall from your head. They fold into a compact carrying case, making transporting them easy.
4. V-Moda S-80
Generally speaking, you get what you spend in the world of headphones however, the V-Moda S-80 are an exception. They are among the best-looking wireless headphones, and feature an elegant and durable design. Unfortunately, they cost almost as much money as the Sony WH1000XM5 or Bowers & Wilkins px7 S2 quite a bit 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 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 vibrant sound that enhances modern electronic music, and also support advanced audio codecs, such as Qualcomm's aptX HD. They have magnetic shields that can be interchanged and are customizable in colors so you can make your headphones distinctive in style that matches your outfit.
While the S-80 are a nice departure from the company's M-Series models, they have some quirks that make them not ideal for anyone. 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 could cause earache within an hour. The headband is also uncomfortable and stiff when it is worn around your neck.
The S-80 has poor noise cancellation. Even at moderate volumes it is possible to hear background noise. The lack of ANC isn't a deal breaker however, you'll want to limit the amount of time you listen to about 20 hours.
The S-80 does not have the 3.5mm connector, which restricts connectivity and may make it unsuitable for intense physical exercise. They aren't able to fold and do not come with a case, which reduces portability and stowability. However, the S-80's robust construction and superior audio quality can help overcome these drawbacks. They also have a two-year warranty as well as the Immortal Life Program guarantee that gives you a new pair for 50% of their retail value if they fail to function, suffer scratched, or lose value.