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 make use of Bluetooth or a different wireless protocol to connect to your phone, laptop or record player and 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 incredibly comfortable to wear for long periods.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5s is Sony's flagship headphones. They're an upgrade from the XM4s, with better noise cancellation and intelligent features. They're also a little more expensive, but they come with a premium bluetooth headphones look and feel. These headphones are great for commuters or frequent travellers.

The new headphones sport a sleek minimalist design made from recycled plastic. The headphones are also lighter than the previous models. They're comfortable to wear for extended time periods, and the earband is now covered in soft padding, which makes it less rigid than it was. The Earcups are also smaller, which means they fit closer to the ears to prevent sound leakage.

They come with an automatic adaptive ANC system that's capable of altering the volume it pumps out depending on the surrounding. The ANC isn't able to block as much low-frequency noise as Bose QuietComfort 45 blue tooth wireless headphones or QC45 however it can be effective in reducing the high and mid-frequency noises, such as airplane engine roar and office chatter.

Wearing Detection is another useful feature that detects when you remove your headphones and then automatically pauses the music. It will then resume playing when you put them on again. Speak-to-Chat allows you to communicate with a person without having to remove your headphones. It's great, but it's not perfect. Sometimes, the audio will change back after you've finished talking.

Sony's DSEE-HX Extreme Audio processing engine is also present. This process upscales compressed audio to provide it with more clarity and depth. This isn't a feature you'll notice every day, but it does make a a big difference when listening high-quality music.

These headphones are compatible with Bluetooth 5.0 which provides higher-bitrate streaming than most other headsets. This should enhance their performance when you listen to music via your laptop, mobile phone or tablet. They also support multipoint connections so you can pair with two devices simultaneously. This is especially helpful for those who would like to listen to music while using the device to make hands-free phone calls.

2. Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless don't stand out from the crowd, but that doesn't mean they aren't an excellent pair of headphones. These over-ear headphones offer outstanding noise cancellation and a staggering 60 hours of battery. This is nearly twice as long as most competitors. The Sony WH1000XM5 or the Bowers and Wilkins PX8 wireless can provide 30 to 40 hours of battery life. The MOMENTUM 4's remarkable 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 on the market. They offer a well-balanced combination of strong bass and warm mids that don't overpower one another. The high-end is crisp without being piercing or bright, and the headphone's excellent clarity means it can effortlessly handle action movie soundtracks that have plenty of brash. The Control app lets you alter the sound profile as well as add an EQ, which makes it easy to customize the headphones to your personal preferences.

The MOMENTUM Wireless is slightly less durable than the wired version, but it is still solid and well-built. Their comfortable ear pads are also soft and comfortable, and they rest securely on the head. I wore them all day long regardless of whether I was at home or on a plane. However, they're not the best to exercise in, since they can fall off your ears if you are moving quickly.

Similar to their predecessors the MOMENTUM 4's ANC performance is impressive, though not quite as high-quality as the Sony WH-1000XM5. They block low noise from plane and bus engines, but don't do well at blocking out chatter from passengers or other ambient noise. They do have the added benefit of supporting aptX Audio which offers higher maximum bitrates than the 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. The headphones are small enough to fit into their hard carrying case, making them perfect for travel and commute.

3. Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2

Bowers & Wilkins second-generation wireless headphones are among the top noise-cancelling headphones you can purchase. They compete with top rivals like Bose's QuietComfort 65, while offering top-quality build quality, amazing comfort, and audiophile sound performance. Contrary to other premium Bluetooth headsets, these don't have a variety of fancy features or touch-based gesture control, but instead are designed to provide an audio experience that is as immersive and as satisfying as is possible.

The Px7 S2's ANC is very effective at attenuating ambient noise, with an excellent level of isolation against low-frequency rumbles, such as bus and plane engines, mid-range sounds like office chatter, as well as the high-pitched whirl of laptop fans. They aren't able to isolate as well from higher-frequency noise, such as conversations or traffic, but they are more effective than their predecessors. Bowers & Wilkins' app lets you adjust your ANC to your hearing.

The headphones have a premium appearance, with the ear cup and headband. The headphones weigh a bit more than the other top headphones however their robust construction and thoughtful design make them feel well worth the cost. They're comfortable when you listen to music for extended durations and are ideal for use at home at work, in the office or even on long flights.

In terms of sound, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2's 40mm dynamic drivers deliver strong bass, crisp highs and spacious, detailed imaging. They deliver a dynamic and a full sound, with a noticeable air between the sound elements. This makes them an ideal choice for music and podcasts. They offer an aptX Adaptive codec support, which allows you to stream high-quality audio with low latency.

The controls on the Px7 S2 are easy to use. They have the volume up/down button as well as a play/pause switch, as well as the earcup button. The buttons are tactile and headphone texturized, a small detail that enhances the headphones' premium feeling. The headphones are sturdy over-ears and won't drop off your head. They fold into a small case, making transporting them easy.

4. V-Moda S-80

Generally, you get what you spend when it comes to headphones, but the V-Moda S-80 are an exception. They are among the top-quality wireless headphones and feature a sleek and durable design. They cost nearly the same amount as Sony WH1000XM5 or Bowers & Wilkins px7 S2 quite a bit for a pair of on-ear headphones.

The V-Moda S-80 is the first wireless-only headphone by the brand. It can be worn 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 also support advanced audio codecs like Qualcomm's aptX HD. They also have magnetic shields that are interchangeable and custom color options, so you can give them an individual look that matches your outfit or advertise your business.

While the S-80 are a refreshing departure from the company's M-Series models, they still have some quirks that make them not ideal for everyone. The 12.5 ounces of weight makes them feel heavy, particularly when placed on the ears. This puts pressure on the ears, causing earache after approximately an hour of use. The headband is also somewhat stiff and can be uncomfortable when wearing the headphones around your neck.

Another issue is the S-80's poor noise cancellation. Even at moderate volumes, you can hear background noise. It's not an issue however the absence of ANC means that you'll likely want to limit your listening time to about 20 hours per charge.

The S-80 isn't equipped with a 3.5mm connector, which restricts connectivity and can hinder its use for intense physical activities. The S-80 isn't foldable and doesn't include a case. This affects their portability and stowability. The S-80's rugged construction and excellent sound quality help to offset the limitations. The Immortal Life Program guarantees a new pair of headphones at 50% off of the retail price in the event they break, get a scratch, or lose their value.