Bowers & Wilkins PX7 Wireless Over Ear Headphones with Active Noise Cancellation - Space Grey

Product Information

If you’re on a very strict budget but want a decent set of over-ear wireless headphones then you won’t do better than the What Hi-Fi? Award-winning Sony WH-CH720N. Speaking of noise-cancelling, the Bose are at the top of their game. They can automatically adjust the amount of ANC on offer so your music isn’t drowned out by particularly loud noises and the effect is deeply impressive. As for sound, it's balanced and neutral and overflowing with fine detail – not far off the Sonys above at all.

Best wireless headphones 2023: Bluetooth - What Hi-Fi? Best wireless headphones 2023: Bluetooth - What Hi-Fi?

Inside there’s a new 8.4mm Dynamic Driver X, which doesn’t sound quite as rich or full in the bass but clarity and detail are class-leading, with top-notch musicality and timing. Sony has sacrificed a little bit of the fun that was so appealing in their predecessors, but they’re an improvement in almost every other respect. The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones might feel a little less premium than their predecessors (which are still available at a now-cheaper price), but the jump in sound quality from the previous generation is a big one, and rivals once again have their work cut out. Better call quality and improved noise-cancelling plus a better design – even if they do feel slightly less 'premium' than the XM4 – all make them a compelling buy for anyone with the funds.Of course, you need to make sure your TV can output audio via Bluetooth. Some Bluetooth-equipped TVs even offer their own audio delay settings, which can help you marry up picture and sound. If it doesn't, you could buy and plug in a Bluetooth transmitter dongle for it, though be weary that this could introduce lip-sync errors.

Bowers and Wilkins PX Headphones connecting to Windows 10 Bowers and Wilkins PX Headphones connecting to Windows 10

The gap still remains, though: the best wired headphones at a particular price will still sound notably better than the best wireless pair at that same price point. So if sound quality is key and you don't mind sacrificing cable-free convenience and noise cancellation to get it, wired is still the way to go. However, be warned, that doesn’t mean every wireless headphone is created equal. For every good pair of wireless headphones that passes through our test rooms, there are at least five that fail to deliver in key areas. Here to help make sure you get the right set of wireless headphones for your specific needs and budget we’ve created this guide, detailing the best options we’ve tried and tested.That all changes with the new AirPods Pro 2. The second generation of Apple’s flagship wireless ANC earbuds introduces a more powerful processor, advancements in active noise-cancelling, a longer battery life, new features and, more importantly, much better audio performance. TheAirPodsand AirPods Pro earbuds have typically been one step behind the class-leading competition, particularly when it came to sound quality. They’ve been good-but-not-great wireless earbuds; lovely to use for iOS users but never quite reaching the sonic heights established by the toppairsin this crowded and popular category. While they don’t have a fold-down design, or come with a carry case, the WH-CH720N feel surprisingly well made and offered our testers a comfortable fit, even during prolonged listening sessions. Smaller and lighter than the original Bose QC Earbuds, the Earbuds II provide a comfortable fit and lots of features. Bluetooth 5.3 is a big bonus, and the Bose app allows you to alter the amount of noise-cancelling on offer via a number of customisable presets.

Yes, it's another Sony – which just goes to show how consistent the brand is across the headphones space. With the WF-1000XM5, Sony has managed to build on the huge success of the multi-award-winning WF-1000XM4 and produce another sensational pair of true wireless earbuds.If you have thin walls, like to watch TV when the kids are asleep, or would simply like a more involving personal listening experience that your TV's speakers can't give you, listening to TV audio through wireless headphones can be transformative. These pricey over-ears sound so good you’ll almost be convinced there’s an invisible wire attached to them. The eight-hour battery life (with another 16 in the case) compares favourably to the likes of the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II (our favourite noise-cancelling earbuds, below) and the AirPods Pro 2 (our favourite Apple earbuds, also below), though it is worth mentioning that the five-star Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 boast slightly more endurance.