The Best Wireless Headphones

Wireless headphones let you listen to music or podcasts on the go, without having to be tethered to your audio device. The best headphones connect wirelessly to your laptop, phone or record player via Bluetooth or another protocol.

They also come with a powerful active noise cancellation system that effortlessly reduces the low sound of bus engines or chatty coworkers. They are also extremely comfortable to wear over long periods of time.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5s from Sony are the next generation of premium headphones. The WH-1000XM5s are an important upgrade over the XM4s. They offer better noise cancellation and smart features. The headphones are more expensive, but have a premium feel and look. These headphones are great for commuters or frequent travellers.

The new headphones are made of recycled plastic and sport a sleek minimalist design. The headphones are also lighter than the earlier models. They're comfortable to wear for extended durations, and the headband is now covered in soft padding that makes it less rigid than it was. The earcups have also been made smaller to allow them to be worn closer to the ear, resulting in less leakage of sound.

The headphones feature an automatic adaptive ANC that is able to alter the volume according to the environment you're in. The ANC does not block as much low-frequency noise as Bose's QuietComfort 45 or QC45 Wireless however it does a good job of dealing with high-frequency and mid-frequency noise like office chatter and airplane engine roar.

Other features that are smart include Wearing Detection, which senses when you remove the headphones and instantly pauses the music. It then begins playing once you put them back on. Speak-to-Chat allows you to communicate with a person without taking off your headphones. It's quite effective even though it's not a perfect solution and may change back to audio playback once you've finished talking.

Sony's DSEE-HX Extreme audio processing engine is also present. This feature can boost compressed audio to give it more clarity and more detail. This isn't a feature you'll see every day, but it can make a huge difference when listening high-quality music.

These headphones are compatible Bluetooth 5.0 which allows for higher bitrate streaming than other headsets. That should improve their performance when listening to music on your laptop, mobile phone or tablet. They also support multi-point connections which means you can connect them with two devices at the at the same time. This is especially useful for those who listen to music on one device while making hands-free calls.

2. Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless

Sennheiser MOMENTUM Wireless headphones aren't the most unique however that doesn't necessarily mean they're not an excellent pair. These headphones over-ear offer exceptional noise cancellation, and boast an impressive 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 provide 30 to 40 hours of battery life. The MOMENTUM's remarkable battery life is a result of numerous power-saving features including sleep and on-head detector.

Sennheiser headphones are among the best Bluetooth headsets on the market. They feature a symbiotic mix between rich bass and warm mids, which don't overwhelm each other. The high end is clear and not being blazing or bright and the headphone's outstanding clarity allows it to effortlessly handle action-movie soundtracks with plenty of blast. The Control app lets you alter the sound profile as well as add an EQ, which makes it easy to tailor the headphones to your specific preferences.

Compared to the wired version the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless are slightly less robust, but still feel sturdy and well-built. The ear pads of the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless are soft and supple and are comfortable on the head. In fact, I had no problem wearing them for a whole day at home or on a flight. However, they're not ideal for working out, because they could fall off your ears when you are moving quickly.

Like their predecessors, the MOMENTUM 4's ANC performance is impressive however, it's not as impressive as the Sony WH-1000XM5. They do a great job of filtering out ambient noise and low rumbles from plane and bus engines, but aren't so well at filtering out chatter from passengers. They do have the added benefit of aptX audio which offers higher maximum bitrates than AAC and SBC used by the Sonys.

The Sennheisers earcups can be rotated to lay flat, but they don't fold, like some other models. Nonetheless, the headphones are compact enough to fit into their hard carrying case when they are not in use, making them ideal for commutes and travel.

3. Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2

The new generation of Bowers & Wilkins' flagship wireless headphones are one of the top noise cancelling over-ear headsets you can buy. They compete closely with top rivals like Bose's QuietComfort 65, while offering high-end build quality, incredible comfort, and acousticphile performance. In contrast to many high-end Bluetooth headsets, these don't include a myriad of fancy features or a touch-based control however, they are designed to deliver an audio experience that is as immersive and as enjoyable as possible.

The S2's ANC is efficient in reducing background noise. It can be effectively isolated from low-frequency sounds like bus and plane engines and mid-range sounds, such as conversations in the office and high-pitched laptop fans. They aren't able to isolate as effectively from higher-frequency sounds like conversations or traffic, but are more effective than their predecessors. Bowers & Wilkins' app lets you alter your ANC to your hearing.

They feature a premium design, featuring an elegant headband and earcups with leatherette memory foam padding. The headphones weigh a little more than the other top bt headphones however, their robust build and thoughtful design make them worth the cost. They're comfortable when you listen to music for extended time periods and are suitable for use at home at work, in the office, or on long flights.

In terms of sound, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2's 40mm dynamic drivers deliver powerful bass, crisp highs, and a spacious, detailed image. They provide a rich and dynamic sound that has an airy space between the sound elements making them a great choice for listening to music or podcasts. They have aptX Adaptive codec that means you can stream hi-res audio with a low latency.

The Px7 S2's controls are easy to use, with the play/pause button as well as volume up and down buttons on the right earcup. The buttons are tactile and the textured design enhances the premium feel of these headphones. They're stable over-ears that won't fall off your blue tooth head Phones and fold into a compact case for easy transportation.

4. V-Moda S-80

Generally speaking, you get what you pay for blue Tooth Head phones when it comes to headphones however, the V-Moda S-80 are an exception. They are among the most attractive wireless headphones, and feature a sleek, durable design. However, they cost nearly as much as the 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 used either on your head or as an individual speaker system (with the earcups facing forward when you wrap them around your neck). They're designed to enhance contemporary electronic music with a vibrant sound and support the latest audio codes such as Qualcomm's HD aptX. They have magnet shields that are interchangeable and can be customized in colors, allowing you to give your headphones a unique style that matches your outfit.

While the S-80 are a refreshing departure from the company's M-Series models, they have a few flaws that make them not ideal for all users. Their weight of 12.5 ounces makes them feel heavy on the head, particularly when worn over-ear. This can cause pressure on the ear, which can cause earache within an hour. The headband is a bit stiff and can be uncomfortable while wearing the headphones around your neck.

Another issue is the S-80's poor noise cancellation. Even at moderate volume, you can hear background noise. It's not a deal-breaker, but the lack of ANC will mean you'll need to limit your listening time to about 20 hours per charge.

The absence of a 3.5mm port restricts connectivity and could prevent them from being used in intense physical activities. The S-80 cannot be folded and does not come with an enclosure. This limits their mobility and stowability. The S-80's rugged construction and excellent sound quality helps offset these limitations. They also have a two-year warranty as well as the Immortal Life Program guarantee that gives you a new pair for 50% of their retail value if they fail to function, suffer scratched or lose value.