The Best Wireless Headphones
Wireless headphones allow you to listen to music or podcasts while on the move without being tied to your device. The best headphones connect wirelessly to your phone, laptop, or record player using Bluetooth or another protocol.
The active noise cancellation system cuts down the low rumble of buses and chatty colleagues. They are extremely comfortable to wear over long periods.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
The WH-1000XM5s are Sony's next generation of flagship headphones. They're a major improvement over the XM4s, offering better noise cancelling and smart features. They're also slightly more expensive, but they provide an exquisite design and feel. These headphones are a great option for frequent travelers or commuters.
The new headphones have a sleek minimalist design, made from recycled plastic. The headphones are also lighter than previous models. The headband is padded with soft material to make it more comfortable. The earcups have also 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's capable of changing how loud it pumps out depending on the surrounding. The ANC doesn't isolate as much low-frequency noise as Bose's QuietComfort 45 or QC45 Wireless however it does a good job of tackling mid and high-frequency noise like office chatter and airplane engine roar.
Other smart features include Wearing Detection that detects when you remove the headphones and then automatically stops your music. It then begins playing once you put them back on. Speak-to Chat lets you talk with a person without having to remove your headphones. It works well however it's not perfect. Sometimes, the audio may be switched off after you've finished talking.
The DSEE-HX Extreme Audio Processing Engine from Sony is also included. This feature can boost compressed audio to provide it with greater clarity and more detail. This isn't a feature that you'll come across every day, but it makes a big difference when listening high-quality music.
These headphones are compatible Bluetooth 5.0 which allows for higher bitrate streaming than other headsets. This should enhance their performance when listening to music on your laptop, mobile phone or tablet. They also support multi-point connection, so you can pair them with two devices at the same simultaneously. This is especially helpful for those who would like to listen to music while making hands-free phone calls.
2. Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless aren't the most distinctive of the crowd, but that doesn't mean they aren't an excellent pair of headphones. These over-ear headphones offer outstanding noise cancellation and an incredible 60 hours of battery. It's more than double the length of many competitors and the Sony WH-1000XM5 as well as the Bowers and Wilkins Px8 Wireless offering 30 to 40 hours on the charge. The MOMENTUM's long-lasting battery is the result of numerous power-saving features including sleep and on-head detector.
Sennheiser headphones are among the top Bluetooth headsets that are available. They have a balanced blend of rich bass and warm mids which never overwhelm one another. The high-end is clear without being blazing or bright and the headphone's outstanding clarity makes it able to handle action movie soundtracks that have plenty of brash. The Control app allows you to adjust the sound profile, and add an EQ. This allows you to adjust the headphones to fit your preferences.
As compared to the wired version, the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless are slightly less durable, but they feel sturdy and well-built. Their comfortable ear pads are also soft and supple, and they rest securely on the head. I used them all day, whether working at home or on a plane. However, they're not as good to exercise in, since they can fall off your ears when 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 do a great job of removing background noise and low rumbles from buses and plane engines, but they aren't as well at removing passengers' chatter. They also have the benefit of supporting aptX Audio, which provides higher maximum bitrates than AAC and SBC used by the Sonys.
The Sennheisers ear cups can be swiveled so that they lay flat but they don't fold like other models. The headphones are compact enough to fit in their carrying case that is hard when they're not in use, which makes them ideal for commutes and travel.
3. Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2
The second generation of Bowers & Wilkins' flagship wireless headphones are one of the top noise cancelling over-ear headsets available. They compete with Sony's WH1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort 65. They offer high-end build quality, stunning sound performance, and comfort. Contrary to other high-end Bluetooth headsets, these don't include a myriad of fancy features or touch-based gesture control they are instead designed to deliver an audio experience that is as immersive and satisfying as is possible.
The Px7 S2's ANC is very effective at reducing ambient noise, and has a good level of isolation against low-frequency rumble like plane and bus engines, mid-range sounds like office chatter, as well as the high-pitched whirl of laptop fans. The Px7 S2's ANC isolates less effectively against higher-frequency sounds like conversations and traffic however, it does a superior job at removing them. Bowers & Wilkins' app allows you to alter your ANC to your hearing.
They sport a stylish design, featuring a sleek headband and ear cups that feature leatherette memory foam padding. The headphones are a bit heavier than other top noise-canceling over-ear headsets, but they feel worth the cost due to their robust design and thoughtful build. The headphones are comfortable to wear for long periods of time, whether you're at home, work or on a long flight.
Bowers & Wilkins Px7S2's dynamic drivers with 40mm provide powerful bass, crisp treble, and detailed images. They provide a rich and dynamic sound that has an airy space between sound elements which makes them a great choice for listening to music and podcasts. They have aptX Adaptive codec, which means you can stream hi-res audio with a low latency.
The Px7 S2's controls are easy to use, including a play/pause button and volume up and down buttons on the right earcup. The buttons are tactile, and the texture makes for a premium feel of these headphones. The headphones are sturdy over-ears and won't fall off your head. They fold down into a small 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 top-quality wireless headphones and have an elegant sturdy design. Unfortunately, they cost almost as much as the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 -- a lot of money for a pair of on-ear headphones.
The V-Moda S-80 is the first wireless headphone made by the company. They can be placed on your head or tied around your neck to create a personal speaker (earcups facing upwards). They're designed to enhance contemporary electronic music with a dazzling sound and support advanced audio codes like Qualcomm's HD aptX. They also have magnetic shields that can be interchanged and have customizable color options so that you can give them an individual look that matches your outfit or advertise your business.
While the S-80 are a nice departure from the company's M-Series models, they have some flaws that make them less than ideal for all users. Their weight of 12.5 ounces makes them feel heavy on the head, particularly when worn over-ear. best budget over ear headphones wireless causes pressure on the ear, which could cause an earache within a matter of hours. The headband is also uncomfortable and stiff when worn around your neck.
Another issue is the S-80's poor noise cancellation. Even at moderate levels there is significant background noise. The absence of ANC is not a deal breaker, but you will need to limit the amount of time you listen to about 20 hours.
Finally, the S-80's lack of a 3.5mm port hinders connectivity and might make them unsuitable for use during intense physical activity. They don't fold and don't come with a case, which limits portability and stowability. That said, the S-80's sturdy construction and high sound quality help to offset these drawbacks. The Immortal Life Program guarantees a new pair of headphones for 50% off the retail price in the event they break, suffer a scratch, or lose their value.