The Best Wireless Headphones

Wireless headphones let you listen to music or podcasts on the go without being tethered to your audio device. The most effective headphones make use of Bluetooth or a different wireless protocol to connect to your phone, laptop or record player and play your music.

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

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5s is Sony's flagship headphones. They're a major improvement over the XM4s with improved noise cancellation and intelligent features. The headphones are a bit more expensive, but have an elegant look and feel. These headphones are great for those who commute or are frequent travelers.

The new headphones are made from recycled plastic and sport sleek, minimalist design. They're also lighter than predecessors. 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 ears are also smaller, which means they fit closer to the ear for Portable Foldable Bluetooth Headphones with Mic And FM less sound leakage.

The headphones have an automatic adaptive ANC that is able to alter the volume depending on the surrounding. The ANC isn't able to block the same amount of low frequency noise as the Bose QuietComfort 45 wireless headphones with bluetooth or QC45, but it still works well to reduce high and mid frequency noises, such as plane engine roars or office chatter.

Other features that are smart include Wearing Detection, which senses when you remove the headphones and then automatically stops your music - and it starts playing once you put them back on. Speak-to-Chat allows you to communicate with someone without removing your headphones. 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 included. This upscales compressed music to provide it with more clarity and depth. It's not a feature that you'll see in your daily use, but it can make a difference when listening to high-quality tracks.

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

2. Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless

Sennheiser MOMENTUM Wireless headphones aren't the most distinctive but that doesn't mean they're not a good pair. These headphones are incredibly comfortable and offer noise cancellation and a staggering 60 hours of battery. This is more than double the length of most other competitors. The Sony WH1000XM5 and Bowers & Wilkins Px8 wireless offer 30 to 40 hours of battery life. The MOMENTUM's remarkable battery life is a result of several power-saving functions such as sleep and an on-head detection.

In terms of audio quality in terms of sound quality, the Sennheisers are among the best Bluetooth headphones on the market, offering a an even blend of a powerful bass and warm mids that do not overpower each other. The high-end is clear without being bright or piercing and the headphones' outstanding clarity allows it to effortlessly handle action-movie soundtracks with plenty of bombast. The Control app lets you change the sound profile as well as add an EQ. This makes it easy to tailor the headphones to suit your personal preferences.

The MOMENTUM Wireless is a bit less durable than the wired version but it is still solid and well-built. The ear pads of the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless are soft and supple and sit comfortably on the head. I wore them all day long regardless of whether I was at home or on the plane. They aren't as good for exercise, however, since they can slide off the ears when you move your head swiftly.

The MOMENTUM 4 delivers excellent ANC performance, but not as good as Sony WH-1000XM5. They do a good job of removing background noise and low rumbles from plane and bus engines, but not so well at filtering out passengers' chatter. They do have the added benefit of aptX audio which offers higher maximum bitrates than the AAC and SBC used by the Sonys.

The earcups on the Sennheisers can pivot to lay flat, but they don't fold like some other models. However, the headphones are small enough to fit inside their carrying case, which is hard and they are not in use, making them ideal for commute and travel.

3. Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2

The second generation of Bowers & Wilkins' flagship wireless headphones are among the top over-ear noise cancelling headsets you can buy. They compete closely with top competitors like Bose's QuietComfort 65, while offering high-end build quality, incredible comfort, and acousticphile performance. They don't feature fancy features or touch-based control gestures, like the majority of high-end Portable Foldable Bluetooth Headphones with Mic And FM headphones. Instead, they are made to provide the best sound experience, which is enjoyable and immersive.

The Px7 S2's ANC is extremely effective in making ambient noise less noticeable, with an excellent level of isolation against low-frequency rumble like bus and plane engines, mid-range sounds such as office chatter, as well as the high-pitched whirl of laptop fans. The ANC of the Px7 S2 is less effectively against higher-frequency sounds, like traffic and conversation however, it does a superior job at removing them. Bowers & Wilkins' app allows you to adjust your ANC to your hearing.

The headphones have a Premium Foldable Bluetooth Headphones with Mic - Type1 Black appearance, with a leatherette memory foam headband and ear cup. The headphones are heavier than other top noise-canceling headphones however, they are worth the cost due to their sturdy design and a thoughtful design. 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 with 40mm provide powerful bass, clear treble and detailed imaging. They deliver a dynamic and rich sound, with a noticeable air between sound elements. This makes them a great choice for music and podcasts. They offer an aptX Adaptive codec that means you can stream high-res audio with low latency.

The Px7 S2's controls are easy to operate, featuring an pause/play button and volume up and down buttons on the right earcup. The buttons are tactile and have a texturing effect tiny details that enhances the headphones' luxurious experience. The headphones are stable on the ear and won't fall from your head. They fold up into a small case to make transport easy.

4. V-Moda S-80

The V-Moda S-80 headphones are an exception to the rule that you get what you pay for. They are among the top-quality wireless headphones and have a sleek and durable design. However, they cost almost as much as the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 -- which is a significant amount of money for on-ear headphones.

The V-Moda S-80 are the brand's first wireless headphones that are designed to be used either on your head or as an individual speaker system (with the earcups facing upwards when they're hung around your neck). They're designed to enhance contemporary electronic music with a dazzling sound and support advanced audio codes like Qualcomm's HD aptX. They feature magnetic shields that can be interchanged and are customizable in colors, so you can give your headphones a unique appearance to match your outfit.

While the S-80 are a nice change from the company's M-Series models, they still have a few flaws that make them not ideal for all users. Their weight of 12.5 pounds makes them feel heavy on the head, particularly when worn over the ear. This puts pressure on your ears, which can cause earache after around an hour of usage. The headband is also quite stiff and may be uncomfortable while wearing the headphones around your neck.

Another problem is the S-80's poor noise cancellation. Even at moderate levels there is significant background noise. It's not a major issue however, the absence of ANC will mean you'll need to limit your listening time to 20 hours per month.

The S-80 lacks a 3.5mm connector, which hinders connectivity and could hinder its use for intense physical activity. They aren't able to fold and do not come with a case, which makes it difficult to transport and store. The S-80's robust design and outstanding sound quality counterbalance these limitations. They also come with a two-year warranty and an Immortal Life Program guarantee that provides a replacement pair for 50% of their retail price in the event that they fail to function, suffer scratched or lose value.