The Best Wireless Headphones

Wireless headphones let you listen to podcasts or music while on the move without being tied to your audio device. The best wireless headphones connect to your phone, laptop or record player using Bluetooth or another protocol.

The active noise cancellation system minimizes the low rumble of bus engines and chatty colleagues. They're also incredibly comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5s is Sony's flagship headphones. They're a major upgrade from the XM4s, with better noise cancellation and intelligent features. The headphones are more expensive, but have an elegant look and feel. They have plenty to offer, and they're a great option for commuters and frequent travellers.

The new headphones are made of recycled plastic and have a sleek minimalist design. The headphones are also lighter than the predecessors. The headband is padded with soft material to make it more comfortable. The Earcups are also smaller which means they sit closer to the ear to ensure that there is less leakage of sound.

The headphones feature an automatic adaptive ANC that can change the volume according to your surroundings. The ANC does not block as much low-frequency noise as Bose's QuietComfort 45 or QC45 Wireless, but it still does a great job of combating high-frequency and mid-frequency sounds, such as office chatter and airplane engine roar.

Other smart features include Wearing Detection, which senses when you remove the headphones and instantly pauses the music - and it starts playing once you put them on. There's also Speak-to Chat, which allows you to converse with someone without taking the headphones off. It works surprisingly well, although it's not a perfect solution and will sometimes change back to audio playback when you're done talking.

Sony's DSEE-HX Extreme audio processing engine is also present. This upscales compressed music to provide it with more clarity and depth. This isn't a feature you'll notice in everyday use, but it does 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 will improve their performance if you listen to music on your mobile phone, laptop or tablet. They also support multipoint connections so you can pair with two devices at once. This is especially useful for those who listen to music on one device while also 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 have exceptional noise cancellation and 60 hours of battery life. This is more than double the time of most competitors, with the Sony WH-1000XM5 and wire less head Phones the Bowers & Wilkins PX8 Wireless delivering 30 to 40 hours of runtime on the charge. The MOMENTUM 4's incredible endurance is due in part 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 offer a well-balanced mix between strong bass and warm mids which don't overwhelm one another. The high-end is clear and not harsh. Its clarity makes it able to take on the most explosive action movie soundtracks. The Control app lets you change the sound profile as well as add an EQ, which makes it simple to adjust the headphones to suit your personal preferences.

In comparison to the wired version the MOMENTUM 4 wireless and bluetooth headphones are slightly wire Less head phones robust, but still feel sturdy and well-constructed. The comfortable earpads are also soft and supple and sit securely on the head. In fact I had no issue wearing them for an entire day at home or while on a plane. They aren't as good for working out however, because they can fall off your ears if you move your head fast.

Like their predecessors, the MOMENTUM 4's ANC performance is outstanding however, it's not as class-leading as the Sony WH-1000XM5. They eliminate low rumble from plane and bus engines, but they don't do a a great job of filtering out passenger chit-chat or other ambient noise. They have the additional benefit of supporting aptX which provides more bitrates than AAC and SBC.

The earcups on the Sennheisers swivel to lay flat, but they don't fold like other models. The headphones are small enough to fit into their hard carrying case which makes them ideal for travel and commute.

3. Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2

The latest generation of Bowers & Wilkins' flagship wireless headphones are one of the top noise cancelling over-ear headsets you can buy. They are in close competition with top contenders such as Sony's WH-1000XM5 and Bose's QuietComfort 65, while offering high-end build quality, incredible comfort, and acousticphile performance. They don't have extravagant features or control using touch gestures, like the majority of high-end Bluetooth headphones. Instead, they're made to provide a sound experience that is awe-inspiring and enjoyable.

The Px7 S2's ANC is very effective in attenuating ambient noise, with an excellent degree of isolation from low-frequency rumbles, such as bus and plane engines, mid-range sounds like office chatter, and the high-pitched whirls of laptop fans. The ANC of the Px7 S2 is less effectively from higher frequency sounds, like traffic and conversations however, it does a superior job. The Bowers & Wilkins app also allows you to fine-tune your ANC to fit your hearing.

They feature a premium design, featuring a sleek headband and ear cups with leatherette memory foam padding. The headphones weigh slightly more than the other top over-ear noise-canceling b uetooth headphones however, their robust build and well-thought-out design make them feel worth the cost. The headphones are comfortable to wear for long periods of time, whether at work, home or even on a long trip.

In terms of audio, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2's 40mm dynamic drivers offer powerful bass, crisp highs and spacious, detailed imaging. They provide a rich and dynamic sound with an impressive amount of air between sound elements which makes them a great option for listening to music or podcasts. They have aptX Adaptive codec, which allows you to stream high-quality audio with low latency.

The Px7 S2's controls are simple to use, including a play/pause button and volume up and down buttons on the right earcup. The buttons are a bit tactile, and the texture makes for a premium feel of these headphones. The headphones are stable on the ear and won't fall from your head. They fold up into a small carrying case to make transport easy.

4. V-Moda S-80

Generally speaking, you get what you pay for 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. However, they cost nearly the same amount as Sony WH1000XM5 or Bowers & Wilkins px7 S2 quite a bit for a pair of headphones that sit on your ear.

The V-Moda S-80 is the first wireless-only headphone by the company. They can be placed on your head or wrapped around your neck as a personal speaker (earcups facing upwards). They're tuned for a vibrant sound that enhances modern electronic music and support advanced audio codecs like Qualcomm's aptX HD. They also have magnetic shields that can be interchanged and have customizable color options so that you can create an individual look that matches your attire or promote your business.

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

The S-80 has poor noise cancellation. Even at moderate volumes, you can hear background noise. The lack of ANC is not an issue however, 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 make them unsuitable for use during intense physical activity. The S-80 cannot be folded and does not include an enclosure. This affects their mobility and stowability. The S-80's rugged design and outstanding sound quality counterbalance the limitations. The Immortal Life Program guarantees a new pair of headphones for 50% off the retail price in case they break, get a scratch or otherwise lose their value.