The Best Wireless Headphones

Wireless headphones allow you to listen to podcasts or music on the go without being connected to your audio device. The most effective headphones make use of Bluetooth or another 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 effortlessly cuts down the low rumble of bus engines or chatty coworkers. They're also incredibly comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5s are Sony's top-of-the-line headphones. The WH-1000XM5s are an important improvement over the XM4s. They provide better noise cancellation and smart features. The headphones are more expensive, but have an elegant look and feel. They have a lot to offer, and they're a great choice for commuters and frequent travellers.

The new headphones feature a sleek minimalist design, made of recycled plastic. They're much lighter than earlier models, and also more comfortable. They're comfortable to wear for long periods, and the headband is now covered in soft padding that makes it less rigid than before. The earcups have been reduced in size so that they can be worn closer to the ear, resulting in less sound leakage.

The headphones come with an automatic adaptive ANC which can alter the volume according to the environment you're in. The ANC isn't as effective at removing low-frequency noise as Bose's QuietComfort 45 or QC45 Wireless however it is effective in dealing with high-frequency and mid-frequency noise like airplane 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 on the headphones again. Speak-to-Chat lets you communicate with someone without removing your headphones. It works well however it's not perfect. Sometimes, the audio will switch back when you finish talking.

The DSEE HX Extreme Audio Processing Engine from Sony is also included. This feature boosts compressed audio to give it greater clarity and more detail. It's not a feature that you'll notice in everyday use, but it could be noticeable when listening to high-quality tracks.

These headphones are compatible with Bluetooth 5.0, which supports more high-bitrate streaming than many other headsets. This should improve their performance if you listen to music on your laptop, mobile phone or bluetoothheadphones tablet. They also support multipoint connection that allows you to connect two devices simultaneously. This is especially helpful if you want to listen to music while making hands-free phone calls.

2. Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless

Sennheiser MOMENTUM Wireless headphones aren't the most distinctive however that doesn't necessarily mean they're not an excellent pair. These headphones are incredibly comfortable and offer noise cancellation and an incredible 60 hours of battery. This is easily twice as long as the majority of competitors. The Sony WH1000XM5 or the Bowers and Wilkins PX8 wireless music headphones can 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 head-to-head detection.

Sennheiser headphones are among the top Bluetooth headsets available. They have a balanced mix between strong bass and warm mids, that don't overpower one another. The high-end is crisp but not harsh. Its clarity allows it to take on the most explosive action film soundtracks. The Control app allows you to modify the sound profile and add an EQ. This makes it easy to customize the headphones to fit your preferences.

The MOMENTUM Wireless is slightly less durable than the wired version but it is still solid and well-built. The comfortable earpads are also soft and comfortable, and they rest securely on the head. In fact I had no issue wearing them for an entire day of working from home or while on a plane. However, they are not ideal for working out, because they can slip off your ears if you're moving fast.

Like their predecessors, the MOMENTUM 4's ANC performance is outstanding but not as high-quality as the Sony WH-1000XM5. They cut out low noise from plane and bus engines, but don't do a great job of filtering out passenger chit-chat or other noises in the surrounding. They also have the added benefit of supporting aptX which has more bitrates than AAC and SBC.

The ear cups of the Sennheisers are able to rotate to lay flat, but they don't fold like other models. However, the headphones are small enough to fit inside their carrying case that is hard when not in use, making them ideal for commutes and travel.

3. Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2

Bowers & Wilkins second-generation wireless headphones are among the best noise-canceling headphones that you can purchase. They are in direct competition with Sony's WH1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort 65. They provide premium build quality, impressive sound quality and comfort. They don't feature fancy features or touch-based control gestures, like the majority of high-end Bluetooth headphones. Instead, they're designed to deliver the best sound experience, which is enjoyable and immersive.

The Px7's S2's ANC is efficient in reducing background noise. It isolates well against low-frequency sounds such as bus and plane engines and mid-range sounds, such as office chatter and high-pitched laptop fans. The ANC of the Px7 S2 is less effectively against higher-frequency sounds like conversations and traffic, but does a better job. The Bowers & Wilkins app also allows you to adjust your ANC to fit your hearing.

The headphones have a premium look, with the headband and ear cup. The headphones are a bit heavier than other top noise-canceling over-ear headsets however they're worth the investment because of their robust design and thoughtful construction. The headphones are comfortable to wear for long periods of time, whether you're at work, home or even on a long trip.

Bowers & Wilkins Px7S2's dynamic drivers with 40mm deliver powerful bass, clear treble and detailed images. They provide a rich and dynamic sound, with a noticeable amount of air between the sound elements, making them an excellent choice for listening to music or podcasts. They are compatible with aptX Adaptive Codec which allows you to stream high-quality audio with minimal latency.

The controls on the Px7 S2 are simple to use. They have a volume up/down button, a play/pause switch and earcup buttons. The buttons are tactile and have a texturing effect tiny details that adds to the headphones' premium feel. They're a sturdy set of over-ears that will not fall off your head and fold into a compact carrying case for easy transportation.

4. V-Moda S-80

The V-Moda S-80 headphones are an exception to the rule that you receive what you paid for. They are among the most attractive wireless headphones and feature a sleek sturdy design. However, they cost nearly as much money as the Sony WH1000XM5 or Bowers & Wilkins px7 S2 - a lot for a pair 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 to enhance modern electronic music with a dazzling sound and are compatible with advanced audio codes, such as Qualcomm's HD aptX. They have interchangeable magnet shields and customizable colors, so you can make your headphones unique in appearance to match your outfit.

While the S-80 are a refreshing departure from the company's M-Series models, they still have some quirks that make them less than ideal for Bluetoothheadphones all users. The 12.5 pounds of weight makes them feel heavy, particularly when placed on the ears. This puts pressure on the ear, which could cause an earache within a matter of hours. The headband may also be uncomfortable and stiff when worn around your neck.

The S-80 has poor noise cancellation. Even at moderate volumes it's possible to hear significant background noise. The absence of ANC is not an issue but you'll need to limit the amount of time you listen to around 20 hours.

The absence of a 3.5mm port hinders connectivity and might prevent them from being used during intense physical activity. The S-80 is not foldable and does not include an enclosure. This reduces their mobility and stowability. That said, the S-80's rugged construction and excellent sound quality helps offset the limitations. The Immortal Life Program guarantees a new pair of headphones at 50% off the retail price in the event they break, get a scratch or otherwise lose their value.