The Best Wireless Headphones

Wireless headphones allow you to listen to podcasts or music 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.

They also have an active noise cancellation system that reduces the low rumble of bus engines, or chatty coworkers. They are also extremely comfortable to wear over long periods.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5s from Sony are the next generation of premium headphones. They're a significant improvement over the XM4s offering better noise cancelling and intelligent features. They're also a bit more expensive, but they offer an exquisite design and feel. These headphones are a great option for frequent travelers or commuters.

The new headphones feature an elegant minimalist design, made from recycled plastic. They're also lighter than the earlier models. The headband has been cushioned with soft material to make it more comfortable. The earcups are also reduced in size so that they can be placed closer to the ear, resulting in less sound leakage.

They feature an automatic adaptive ANC system that's capable of altering the volume it is based on the surrounding. The ANC doesn't block as much low-frequency noise as Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless or QC45 however it can be effective in reducing high and mid frequency noises, such as airplane engine roars and office chatter.

Wearing Detection is another feature that detects when you remove your headphones and automatically pauses the music. It will then resume playing when you put them on again. Speak-to Chat lets you talk with a person without taking off your headphones. It works well however it's not perfect. Sometimes, the audio may switch back when you finish talking.

The DSEE-HX Extreme Audio Processing Engine from Sony is also included. This feature can boost compressed audio to give it more clarity and detail. This isn't a feature you'll notice in everyday use, but it could be noticeable when listening to high-resolution tracks.

These headphones are compatible with Bluetooth 5.0 which allows for higher-bitrate streaming than most other headsets. That should improve their performance when you listen to music on your laptop, mobile phone or tablet. They also support multipoint connectivity so you can pair with two devices simultaneously. This is especially useful if you listen to music on one device while using them for hands-free calls.

2. Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless aren't the most distinctive of the crowd However, this doesn't mean that they're not an excellent pair of headphones. These over-ear headphones offer outstanding noise cancellation and an incredible 60 hours of battery. This is more than twice as long as most rivals. The Sony WH1000XM5 or the Bowers and Wilkins Px8 wireless offer 30 to 40 hours of battery life. The MOMENTUM 4's incredible endurance is due in part to a variety of power-saving features, including sleep and head-to-head detection.

Sennheiser headphones are among the top Bluetooth headsets on the market. They have a balanced combination of strong bass and warm mids, which don't overwhelm one another. The high-end is crisp without being bright or piercing and the headphone's outstanding clarity means it can effortlessly handle action-movie soundtracks with plenty of blast. The Control app lets you change the sound profile and add an EQ, which makes it easy to customize the headphones to suit your personal preferences.

As compared to the wired version the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless are less durable, but they feel sturdy and well-constructed. Their comfortable ear pads are also soft and supple and sit securely on the head. In fact, I had no problem wearing them for an entire day at home or on a flight. However, headphone they are not ideal for exercising, as they can fall off your ears if you are moving quickly.

The MOMENTUM 4 delivers excellent ANC performance, but not as effective as Sony WH-1000XM5. They cut out low rumble from plane and bus engines, but don't really do a well at blocking out chatter from passengers or other noises in the surrounding. They also have the added benefit of supporting aptX which has greater bitrates than AAC and SBC.

The Sennheisers ear cups can be rotated to lay flat, but they do not fold, like some other models. The headphones are small enough to fit in their carrying case that is hard, making them perfect for headphone travel and commute.

3. Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2

Bowers & Wilkins second-generation wireless headphones are among the top noise-cancelling headphones you can buy wireless headphones. They compete with top rivals like Bose's WH-1000XM5 from Sony and the QuietComfort 65, while offering high-end build quality, incredible comfort, and audiophile performance. They don't come with fancy features or touch-based control gestures, like the majority of high-end Bluetooth headphones. Instead, they're designed to deliver an audio experience that is enjoyable and immersive.

The S2's ANC is effective at attenuating background noise. It can be effectively isolated from low-frequency sounds, such as bus and plane engines and mid-range sounds, such as conversations in the office and high-pitched laptop fans. The Px7 S2's ANC isolates less effectively from higher frequency sounds like conversations and traffic however, it does a superior job of absorbing high-frequency sounds. The Bowers & Wilkins app also lets you fine-tune your ANC to fit your hearing.

They have a premium design, with an elegant headband and ear cups with leatherette memory foam padding. The headphones are a bit heavier than other top noise-canceling over-ear headsets, but they feel worth the investment because of their robust design and thoughtful design. They're comfortable when you listen to music for prolonged durations and are ideal for use at home at work, in the office, or on long flights.

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

The Px7 S2's controls are easy to use, including the play/pause button as well as volume up and down buttons on the right earcup. The buttons are tactile and have a texturing effect tiny details that enhances the headphones' premium experience. They're stable over-ears that will not fall off your head and fold into a compact carrying case to make it easy to transportation.

4. V-Moda S-80

Generally, you get what you get in the world of headphones, but the V-Moda S-80 are an exception. They're among the best looking wireless headphones available and boast a slick, 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 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 a personal speaker system (with the earcups facing upwards when you wrap them around your neck). They're tuned for a vivid sound that enhances contemporary electronic music and support advanced audio codecs, such as Qualcomm's aptX HD. They have magnetic shields that can be interchanged and are customizable in colors so you can make your headphones unique in style that matches your outfit.

The S-80 is a refreshing departure from the M-Series, but they have a few flaws that make them less than ideal for everyone. Their weight of 12.5 pounds makes them feel heavy on the head, especially when worn over-ear. This puts pressure on the ear, which could cause earache within an hour. The headband may also be stiff and uncomfortable when worn around your neck.

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

The S-80 does not have the 3.5mm connector, which limits connectivity and may hinder its use for intense physical activities. They aren't able to fold and do not come with a case which limits portability and stowability. However, the S-80's robust construction and superior audio quality can help overcome these drawbacks. The Immortal Life Program guarantees a new pair of headphones for 50% off the retail price in the event they break, scratch or scratch or otherwise lose their value.