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 best headphones use Bluetooth or a different wireless protocol to connect to your laptop, phone or record player to play your music.
They also have a powerful active noise cancellation system that cuts down the low sound of bus engines or chatty coworkers. They're also extremely comfortable to wear for long periods.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
The WH1000XM5s is Sony's flagship headphones. The WH-1000XM5s represent a major upgrade over the XM4s. They offer better noise cancellation and smart features. The headphones are more expensive but have an elegant design and feel. These headphones are a great option for commuters or frequent travellers.
The new headphones are made of recycled plastic and have a sleek minimalist design. They're also lighter than earlier models. The headband has been padded with soft material to ensure it's more comfortable. The Earcups are also smaller and fit closer to the ear to prevent sound leakage.
The headphones have an automatic adaptive ANC which can alter the volume based on your surroundings. 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, such as airplane engine roar.
Other smart features include Wearing Detection that detects when you take off the headphones and then automatically stops your music, and then starts playing again as soon as you put them on. There's also Speak-to Chat, which allows you to talk to people without taking your headphones off. It works well but it's not perfect. Sometimes, the audio may change back after you've finished talking.
Sony's DSEE-HX Extreme Audio processing engine is also on board. This feature upscales compressed audio to give it greater clarity and clarity. This isn't a feature is evident in normal use, but it can be noticeable when listening to high-resolution tracks.
These headphones are compatible with Bluetooth 5.0 that allows for higher bitrate streaming than other headsets. This should enhance their performance when you listen to music on your laptop, mobile phone or tablet. They also support multi-point connectivity which means you can connect them with two devices at the simultaneously. This is particularly useful for those who listen to music on one device while using them for 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 headphones are incredibly comfortable and offer noise cancellation and an incredible 60 hours of battery. This is nearly double the length of most competitors. The Sony WH1000XM5 or the Bowers and Wilkins Px8 wireless offer 30 to 40 hours of battery life. The MOMENTUM 4's impressive endurance is due to a range of power-saving features, such as sleep and on-head detection.
Sennheiser headphones are among the top Bluetooth headsets available. They offer a well-balanced mix between strong bass and warm mids, which never overwhelm each other. The high-end is clear without being blazing or bright, and the headphone's excellent clarity makes it able to handle action film soundtracks with plenty of bombast. The Control app lets you adjust the sound profile and also add an EQ, which makes it easy to tailor the headphones to your personal preferences.
The MOMENTUM Wireless is a little less robust than the wired version, yet is still sturdy and well-constructed. The comfortable earpads are also soft and comfortable, and they rest securely on the head. I wore them all day long when I was working at home or on the plane. However, they are not ideal for working out, because they can slip off your ears when you are moving quickly.
Like their predecessors, the MOMENTUM 4's ANC performance is impressive but not as high-quality as the Sony WH-1000XM5. They are capable of filtering out ambient noise and low rumbles that come from bus and plane engines, but not so well at filtering out the chatter of passengers. They also have the benefit of supporting aptX which has greater bitrates than AAC and SBC.
The earcups on the Sennheisers swivel to lay flat, but don't fold like some other models. The headphones are small enough to fit in their carry case, making them perfect for travel and commute.
3. Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2
Bowers & Wilkins second-generation wireless headphones are some of the best noise-canceling headphones that you can purchase. They compete with Sony's WH1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort 65. They provide top-quality build quality, outstanding audio performance, and comfort. They don't come with fancy features or touch-based control gestures like a lot of high-end Bluetooth headphones. Instead, they're designed to provide a sound experience that is awe-inspiring and enjoyable.
The S2's ANC is effective in reducing background noise. It isolates well against low-frequency sounds like plane and bus engines, mid-range sounds such as office chatter and high-pitched laptop fans. The Px7 S2's ANC isolates less effectively from higher-frequency sounds, such as traffic and conversations however, it does a superior job. wireless over ear headphones uk & Wilkins app also lets you fine-tune your ANC to suit your hearing.
They have a premium design, featuring a sleek headband and ear cups with leatherette memory foam padding. The headphones weigh slightly more than the other top headphones however, their robust build and thoughtful design makes them feel worth the money. The headphones are comfortable to wear for long periods of time, whether you're at work, at home or on a long flight.
Bowers & Wilkins Px7S2's dynamic drivers that have 40mm of diameter deliver powerful bass, crisp treble, and clear imaging. They produce a dynamic and a full sound, with a distinct air between sound elements. This makes them a perfect choice for podcasts and music. They have aptX Adaptive codec that means you can stream hi-res audio with low latency.
The Px7 S2's controls are simple to operate, featuring an pause/play button and the volume up and down buttons on the right earcup. The buttons are tactile and textured which enhances the headphones' luxurious experience. The headphones are stable over-ears and won't fall off your head. They fold up into a compact carrying case to make transport easy.
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 most attractive wireless headphones around and boast a slick and durable design. Unfortunately, they cost almost as much money as the Sony WH1000XM5 or Bowers & Wilkins px7 S2 which is a significant amount for a pair on-ear headphones.
The V-Moda S-80 is the first wireless-only headphone from the company. It can be worn on your head, or wrapped around your neck as a personal speaker (earcups facing upwards). They're designed to enhance modern electronic music with a vibrant sound and are compatible with advanced audio codes such as Qualcomm's HD aptX. They have magnetic shields that can be interchanged and are customizable in colors, allowing you to make your headphones distinctive in design to match your outfit.
The S-80 is a nice departure from the M-Series, but they have some flaws that make them unsuitable for everyone. The 12.5 ounces of weight makes them feel heavy, especially when placed on the ears. This puts pressure on the ear, which could cause an earache within a matter of hours. The headband is also stiff and uncomfortable when worn around your neck.
Another problem is the S-80's poor noise cancellation. Even at moderate volume levels, you can still hear significant background noise. It's not an issue however the absence of ANC will mean you'll need to limit your listening time to 20 hours per charge.
The S-80 lacks a 3.5mm connector, which limits connectivity and could prevent it from being used for intense physical exercise. The S-80 is not foldable and doesn't come with an enclosure. This reduces their ability to be carried and stored. The S-80's robust construction and superior sound quality help to offset these limitations. They also have a 2-year warranty and the Immortal Life Program guarantee that gives you a new pair for 50% of their retail price in the event that they fail to function, suffer scratched, or lose value.