The Best Wireless Headphones
Wireless headphones let you listen to podcasts or music while on the move without being tethered to your audio device. The most reliable headphones utilize Bluetooth or another wireless protocol to connect to your laptop, phone or record player to play your music.
The active noise cancellation system minimizes the low rumble of bus engines and chatty colleagues. They're also extremely comfortable to wear for long periods.
1. beats studio3 wireless over ear headphones -1000XM5
The WH1000XM5s are Sony's top-of-the-line headphones. The WH-1000XM5s are a significant improvement over the XM4s. They provide better noise cancellation and smart features. The headphones are a bit more expensive but have an elegant design and feel. They have a lot going for them and are a good choice for commuters and frequent travellers.
The new headphones are made from recycled plastic and feature a sleek minimalist design. They're lighter than the previous models, too. The headband has been 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, resulting in less leakage of sound.
The headphones come with an automatic adaptive ANC that is able to alter the volume based on the environment you're in. The ANC doesn't isolate as much low-frequency noise as Bose's QuietComfort 45 or QC45 Wireless, but it still does a good job of combating high-frequency and mid-frequency sounds, such as office chatter and plane engine roar.
Wearing Detection is another useful feature that detects when you remove your headphones and then automatically pauses the music. The music will resume as soon as you put them on again. Speak-to-Chat allows you to communicate with a person without having to remove your headphones. It's great however it's not perfect. Sometimes the audio will be switched off after you've finished talking.
The DSEE-HX Extreme Audio Processing Engine from Sony is also included. It upscales compressed music to give it more clarity and clarity. It's not something is evident in normal use, but it can make a difference when listening to high-quality tracks.
These headphones are compatible with Bluetooth 5.0 which allows for higher-bitrate streaming than most other headsets. This will improve their performance when you play music on your mobile phone, laptop or tablet. They also support multi-point connectivity so you can pair them with two devices at the at the same time. This is especially 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 the most unique but that doesn't mean they're not a good pair. These over-ear headphones offer outstanding noise cancellation and a staggering 60 hours of battery. This is nearly double the length of most rivals. The Sony WH1000XM5 and Bowers & Wilkins PX8 wireless provide 30 to 40 hours of battery life. The MOMENTUM 4's impressive endurance is due in part to a variety of power-saving features, such as sleep and head-to-head detection.
In terms of sound quality, the Sennheisers are among the top Bluetooth headphones available. They have a a balanced blend of a powerful bass and warm mids that don't overwhelm each other. The high-end is clear without being bright or piercing, and the headphone's excellent clarity means it can effortlessly handle action-movie soundtracks that have plenty of brash. The Control app lets you change the sound profile and add an EQ. This makes it easy to tailor the headphones to suit your personal preferences.
The MOMENTUM Wireless is a little less robust than the wired version, yet it is still solid and well-built. The ear pads of the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless are soft and supple and rest comfortably on the head. In fact, I had no problem wearing them all day at home or on a flight. However, they are not as good for working out, because they could fall off your ears if you move quickly.
Similar to their predecessors the MOMENTUM 4's ANC performance is excellent but not as class-leading as the Sony WH-1000XM5. They do a good job of blocking out background noise and low rumbles from buses and plane engines, but aren't so well at removing passengers' chatter. They do have the added benefit of supporting aptX audio which has higher maximum bitrates than AAC and SBC used by the Sonys.
The Sennheisers ear cups can be rotated to lay flat but they don't fold like other models. Nonetheless, the headphones are small enough to fit into their hard carrying case when not in use, 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 Bose's QuietComfort 65, while offering premium build quality, impressive comfort, and audiophile sound performance. They don't have extravagant features or control using touch gestures like a lot of high-end Bluetooth headphones. Instead, they are 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 a high level of isolation from low-frequency rumble like plane and bus engines, mid-range sounds like office chatter, and high-pitched whirls of laptop fans. They aren't able to isolate as effectively against 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 match your hearing.
The headphones sport a classy look, with a leatherette memory foam headband and ear cup. The headphones weigh a little more than the other top over-ear noise-canceling headphones, but their sturdy build and well-thought-out design make them worth the cost. The headphones are comfortable to wear for long periods of time, whether at work, at home or traveling for a long time.
In terms of audio, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2's 40mm dynamic drivers provide strong bass, crisp highs and expansive, detailed images. They produce a dynamic and full sound, with a distinct air between sound elements. This makes them an ideal option for music and podcasts. They offer an aptX Adaptive codec, which allows you to stream high-quality audio with a low latency.
The Px7 S2's controls are simple to use, including an pause/play button and the volume buttons on the right earcup. The buttons are tactile and have a texturing effect which enhances the headphones' premium feel. The headphones are sturdy over-ears and won't fall off your head. They fold up into a small case, making transporting them simple.
4. V-Moda S-80
Generally, you get what you pay for when it comes to headphones, but the V-Moda S-80 are an exception. They're among the best looking wireless headphones available and boast a sleek, durable design. Unfortunately, they cost almost 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-only headphones and they're designed to be worn 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 contemporary electronic music with a vibrant sound and support the latest audio codes such as Qualcomm's HD aptX. They feature magnet shields that are interchangeable and can be customized in colors, allowing you to 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 less than ideal for everyone. Their weight of 12.5 ounces makes them feel heavy on the head, particularly when worn over the ear. This puts pressure on the ears, causing earache after around an hour of usage. The headband is also uncomfortable and stiff when worn around your neck.
Another problem 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 want to limit the amount of time you listen to about 20 hours.
The S-80 lacks a 3.5mm connector, which hinders connectivity and may hinder its use for intense physical activities. The S-80 cannot be folded and doesn't come with an enclosure. This reduces their mobility and stowability. That said, the S-80's robust construction and superior sound quality help to offset these limitations. The Immortal Life Program guarantees a new pair of headphones at 50% off the retail price in case they break, get a scratch or otherwise lose their value.