Five Things You've Never Learned About Best Wireless Headphones

The Best Wireless Headphones

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

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

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5s are Sony's next generation of flagship 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 come with an elegant design and feel. These headphones are an excellent choice for frequent travelers or commuters.

The new headphones have a sleek, minimalist design that's constructed from recycled plastic. They're also lighter than the previous models. They're comfortable to wear for longer periods, 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 placed closer to the ear for less leakage of sound.

They have an auto-adaptive ANC system that is capable of adjusting the volume it blasts out based on the environment. The ANC isn't as effective at removing low-frequency noise as Bose's QuietComfort 45 or QC45 Wireless, but it still is effective in dealing with high-frequency and mid-frequency noise, such as airplane engine roar.

Wearing Detection is another useful feature that detects when you remove your headphones, and automatically stops the music. It then resumes playing once you put them on again. Speak-to-Chat allows you to talk to people without taking your headphones off. It's surprisingly effective, although it's not a ideal solution and can switch back to audio playback after you're done talking.

The DSEE-HX Extreme audio processing Engine from Sony is also included. This feature can boost compressed audio to give it greater clarity and more detail. This isn't a feature that you'll come across every day, but it can make a huge difference when listening high-resolution music.

These headphones are compatible with Bluetooth 5.0 which allows for more high-bitrate streaming than many other headsets. This should improve their performance if you stream music from your mobile phone, laptop or tablet. They also support multi-point connection, so you can pair them with two devices at the time. This is especially helpful when you want to listen to music while using the device for hands-free phone calls.

2. Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless don't stand out from the crowd however that doesn't mean they aren't a top pair of headphones. These headphones over-ear offer exceptional noise cancellation and an incredible 60 hours of battery. This is more than twice as long as most rivals. The Sony WH1000XM5 or Bowers & Wilkins PX8 wireless can provide 30 to 40 hours of battery life. The MOMENTUM 4's incredible endurance is due in part to a range of power-saving features, such as sleep and on-head recognition.

Sennheiser headphones are among the best Bluetooth headsets on the market. They offer a well-balanced blend of powerful bass and warm mids that don't overpower one another. The high-end is clear, but not piercing. Its clarity makes it able to take on the most explosive action film soundtracks. The Control app lets you change the sound profile and also add an EQ, which makes it easy to tailor the headphones to suit your personal preferences.

The MOMENTUM Wireless is a little less durable than the wired version but still feels sturdy and well-built. The ear pads of the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless are soft and comfortable and sit comfortably on the head. I wore them all day long regardless of whether I was at home or on the plane. However, they are not the best for working out, because they can fall off your ears when you move quickly.

The MOMENTUM 4 offers excellent ANC performance, but isn't quite as good as Sony WH-1000XM5. They are capable of blocking out background noise and low rumbles that come from plane and bus engines, but aren't so well at filtering out passengers' chatter. They have the additional benefit of supporting aptX which has greater bitrates than AAC and SBC.

The ear cups on the Sennheisers can pivot to lay flat, but don't fold like other models. The headphones are compact enough to fit inside their carrying case that is hard which makes them ideal for commutes and travel.

3. Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2

Bowers & Wilkins second-generation wireless headphones are some of the best noise-canceling headphones you can buy. They are in close competition with top contenders such as Bose's QuietComfort 65, while offering premium build quality, impressive comfort, and acousticphile performance. Unlike many premium Bluetooth headsets, these don't include a myriad of fancy features or touch-based gesture control they are instead designed to deliver an audio experience that is as immersive and as enjoyable as it can be.

The Px7's S2's ANC is effective at attenuating background noise. It is able to block out low-frequency sounds, such as bus engines and plane engines, mid-range sounds such as conversations in the office and high-pitched laptop fans. The ANC on the Px7 S2 is less effectively from higher frequency sounds, such as traffic and conversations, but does a better job of absorbing high-frequency sounds. Bowers & Wilkins' app allows you to modify your ANC to your hearing.

They sport a stylish design, with an elegant headband and ear cups that feature leatherette memory foam padding. The headphones are a bit heavier than other top noise-canceling over-ear headsets however, they are worth the money due to their sturdy design and a thoughtful build. The headphones are comfortable to wear for long periods of time, whether you're at work, home or on a long flight.

Bowers & Wilkins Px7S2's dynamic drivers with 40mm deliver powerful bass, crisp treble and detailed images. They offer a full and dynamic sound with a noticeable amount of air between sound elements making them a great choice for listening to music and podcasts. They support aptX Adaptive Codec which lets you stream high-quality audio with a low latency.

The Px7 S2's controls are easy to operate, featuring an pause/play button and the volume up and down buttons on the right earcup. The buttons are a bit tactile and the texture enhances the premium feel of these headphones. They're a sturdy set of over-ears that will not fall off your head, and they fold up into a compact carrying case that makes it easy to transportation.

4. V-Moda S-80

Generally, you get what you spend 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 and durable design. Unfortunately, headphones bluetooth wireless they also cost almost as much as the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 which is a lot of money for on-ear headphones.

The V-Moda S-80 is the first wireless headphone made by the company. They can be worn on your head, or wrapped around your neck as a personal speaker (earcups facing upwards). They are designed to enhance contemporary electronic music with a lively sound and are compatible with advanced audio codes, such as Qualcomm's HD aptX. They also come with interchangeable magnetic shields and customizable color options so you can create an individual look that matches your outfit or advertise your business.

While the S-80 are a nice departure from the company's M-Series models, they have a few flaws that make them less than ideal for all users. Their weight of 12.5 ounces makes them feel heavy on the head, especially when worn over the ear. This can cause pressure on the ear, which could cause an earache within a matter of hours. The headband can also be uncomfortable and stiff when it is worn around your neck.

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

The S-80 isn't equipped with a 3.5mm connector, which hinders connectivity and can prevent it from being used for intense physical activity. The S-80 isn't foldable and doesn't include an enclosure. This reduces their ability to be carried and stored. The rugged design of the S-80 and outstanding sound quality counterbalance these limitations. The Immortal Life Program guarantees a new pair of headphones at 50% off the retail price in case they break, suffer a scratch, or lose their value.