Sony wireless technology produces some of the best headphones and earbuds currently available. With a truly impressive chipset at the core of many of their devices, Sony wireless headphones achieve premium, balanced sonics and industry-leading active noise cancellation. They also offer a wide range of specialized headsets and earbuds, such as those for gaming, home theater entertainment, outdoor activities, and everyday listening.
Untether yourself from pesky cables with one of the best pairs of Sony wireless headphones or earbuds and take full advantage of your mobile device without any restrictions.
How to Choose the Best Headphones
Sound Quality
Sound quality is always going to be an important consideration when choosing the right pair of headphones or earbuds. By and large, Sony wireless products lean toward a balanced frequency response across the board, which the majority of consumers will find more than sufficient for casual listening. On the other hand, Sony’s EXTRA BASS series delivers just that — a hyped low-end emphasizing the bass-heavy elements in many of today’s modern productions.
Battery Life
Wireless headphones have plenty of advantages over wired ones, though one of the drawbacks is having to rely on battery power. Consider the frequency at which you’ll be using them, and the average duration of a typical listening session, to help you decide how much or how little you’re willing to be diligent about charging.
For reference, Sony’s over-ear headphones average around 30 hours of battery life per charge, while the earbuds tend to sit right around the eight-hour mark.
Portability
One of the great things about going wireless is never having to fight cables again. That alone is a huge leap in terms of the overall portability of wireless versus wired headphones and earbuds. For traveling, commuting, and general on-the-go use, earbuds have a much smaller footprint than over-ear headphones. Still, most of Sony’s headphones can fold up neatly, tuck into a case, and fit inside a backpack. Most models are made to move, with a few exceptions where they’re better used at home.
Noise Cancellation
Sony’s active noise cancellation is some of the best there is. Active, adaptive cancellation involves environment-sensing microphones and chips to detect external noise and adjust the amount of cancellation in real time. Passive cancellation is the amount of isolation you’d get by naturally putting in an earbud or wearing a set of closed-back headphones. For some people, active noise cancellation is a must — especially for travelers and commuters who prefer to block out extraneous noise. For others, passive noise cancellation is adequate for day-to-day listening.
Fit
Comfort may be the single most important feature to look for in a pair of headphones or earbuds. After all, what good are any of the other specs if you don’t like wearing them? Most consumers want a pair of over-ear headphones that are light, so don’t weigh them down after extended listening. The cups themselves should also be made of a soft material that doesn’t irritate. With earbuds, it’s good to have a variety of tips to get just the right fit for your ears.
At the end of the day, even the most comfortable headphones in the world aren’t for someone who simply prefers earbuds, and vice versa. Stick with your preference, if you have one, to ensure the most comfortable fit for you.
Best Sony Wireless Headphones
Sony ULT WEAR Wireless Headphones
With Sony ULT WEAR wireless headphones, you get to hear your sound and your music just the way you like it. No need to tailor each of the settings one by one, the Sony ULT WEAR comes with a variety of pre-sets to match the sound quality of what you’re listening to. ULT WEAR is built with Dual Noise Sensor technology which makes unwanted noise just disappear.
Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Closed-Back Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones
The Sony WH-1000XM5s are premium wireless headphones offering superior sound quality and best-in-class noise cancellation. The 30mm drivers deliver full-spectrum audio with booming lows and crystalline highs. For total immersion, these headphones utilize eight internal microphones that detect ambient noise and automatically adjust the amount of active cancellation for an unparalleled listening experience.
Sony WH-CH710N Wireless Noise-Canceling Over-Ear Headphones
Sony’s WH-CH710N wireless headphones are an excellent midrange choice for casual listeners looking to carry some impressive technology on the go. Boasting an incredible 35-hour battery for continuous playback, the minimal charging required to keep these going makes them the perfect travel companion. They’re also built for comfort, using soft, oval-shaped ear cups so you’ll forget you’re even wearing them.
Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Over the Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones
On top of the industry-leading noise cancellation system provided by Sony’s groundbreaking QN1 processor, the WH-1000XM4 headphones include an amazing feature audiophiles will love. These headphones can upscale and restore low-resolution audio files in real time using artificial intelligence. Overly compressed, lossy MP3s take on a new life when played through Sony WH-1000XM4s.
Sony WH-XB700 EXTRA BASS Wireless On-Ear Headphones
Enhanced low-end has never been more popular than it is today. To get the most “oomph” out of your favorite chart-toppers, the Sony WH-XB700 headphones employ a specialized EQ curve that pumps up the bass while keeping vocals clear — ideal for pop and hip-hop. Paired with 30 hours of battery life and easy hands-free calling, these make a great everyday headphone.
Sony WH-CH510 Supra Aural Wireless On-Ear Headphones
Sony’s WH-CH510s are among the best budget wireless headphones the brand has to offer. Considering the cost, these make very few compromises in terms of sound quality, battery life, and wireless connectivity. As a straightforward, everyday-use kind of headphones you don’t have to treat too preciously, the WH-CH510s sit firmly at the top of the list.
Sony WH-RF400 Wireless RF Over-Ear Noise Canceling Home Theater Headphones
To fully enjoy the wide dynamic range of cinematic audio, you need a headphone that’s up for the task. These unique home theater headphones from Sony house large 40mm drivers to reproduce frequencies from as low as 10 Hz to 22 kHz. They also use a noise cancellation system that blocks interference from nearby electronics, so you can rest assured they’ll integrate into your home entertainment system without issue.
Best Sony Wireless Earbuds
Sony WF-1000XM5 Wireless Earbuds
The new WF-1000XM5 is capable of Head Tracking – a feature that can recognize the wearer’s head movement and automatically adjust the sound field. Additionally, inside the earbuds are two processors that are responsible for six microphones located in both earbuds that shut down any noise that tries to come between you and your work. When you need to take a call, no need to lift a finger – the WF-1000XM5’s Speak-to-Chat function only needs to hear your voice and it will automatically switch to ambient sound.
Sony WI-C100 Wireless In-Ear Headphones
Affordability and portability are important features for most of us, and the WI-C100 in-ears deliver in both departments. Sporting crystal-clear audio with Sony’s 9mm drivers, these are expertly crafted to provide balanced sound for diverse music preferences. They may be small, but they don’t sacrifice where it counts. The WI-C100 earbuds can last up to 25 hours and can charge up to 1 hour in 10 minutes using quick charge. Its flexible neckband wire lets you quickly fold up and store when you’re out and about, making it easy to carry anywhere.
Sony WF-C500 Truly Wireless In-Ear Headphones
The budget-friendly WF-C500 earbuds contain a host of awesome features at an even better price. Sony’s Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE) restores quality to lossy digital audio, and linking up to the Sony Headphones Connect app lets you customize the EQ. Additionally, the comfortable and ergonomic shape is the culmination of 40 years worth of R&D since Sony introduced the world’s first in-ear headphones in 1982.
Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless Earbuds, White
Sony LinkBuds are a truly innovative new take on in-ear headphones. They feature an open-ring driver shape that fits comfortably just inside the ear without pressing into the ear canal and lets you hear what’s happening around you. You can take calls, listen to music, play games, and listen to online entertainment — all while staying connected to the environment.
Conclusion
Digital technology moves fast, and the wireless trend continues its upward trajectory. When it’s possible to get the same sound quality from wireless headphones as wired cans, it’s hard to see why anyone would stick with cables. Topping it off, Sony’s products are among the best in the biz, certainly a worthwhile investment to cut the cord and go fully mobile.