Bowers & Wilkins Headphones: The Ultimate Buyers Guide

Pick Your Perfect Bowers & Wilkins Headphones

Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) are renowned for their premium audio equipment, offering a range of headphones that combine stunning design, cutting-edge technology, and exceptional sound quality.

Whether you're an audiophile, a casual listener, or a professional, B&W likely has a headphone model that suits your needs. This guide will cover their over-ear and in-ear headphones, detailing their strengths, weaknesses, and who they're best suited for.

Why Choose Bowers & Wilkins

Bowers and Wilkins headphones are crafted for listeners who demand more from their audio experience. Known for their high-fidelity sound, luxurious materials, and attention to detail, these headphones are perfect for those who prioritise sound quality and comfort in equal parts.

Who Are They Best For?

✅ Audiophiles seeking accurate and immersive sound
✅ Commuters or travellers needing premium noise cancellation
✅ Design-conscious users who value aesthetics and build quality
✅ Music producers and professionals requiring detailed audio reproduction

Who Aren't They Right For:

❌ Budget-conscious buyers (B&W headphones are premium-priced)
❌ Gamers needing specialised features like low-latency modes

Bowers & Wilkins Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones are all about big, immersive sound and all-day comfort. With a larger soundstage, they deliver richer bass, clearer mids, and crisp highs, making music, movies, and podcasts sound more natural and detailed. Need to focus? Better noise cancellation also keeps distractions out so you can stay in the zone.

Bowers & Wilkins takes things up a notch with luxury materials, precision engineering, and cutting-edge tech, creating some of the best wireless headphones out there. Whether you’re after audiophile-grade sound, everyday premium performance, or something in between, there’s a perfect pair for you.

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3

The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3, released on 24th April 2025, is the latest addition to the brand’s over-ear headphone lineup, following on from the Px7 S2e as the mid-range over-ear option. With an RRP of £399, the S3 arrives at £20 more than the S2e originally launched, but brings a series of focused upgrades that aim to improve both performance and comfort.

While the Px7 S3 keeps the same 40mm bio-cellulose drivers as its predecessor, the acoustic design has been completely reworked. The chassis, motor system, and suspension have all been redesigned to help reduce distortion and deliver a cleaner, more dynamic sound overall.

Comfort has seen some important changes too. The Px7 S3 features a slimmer and lighter profile, with softer memory foam padding and a reengineered headband and arm structure designed for longer, more comfortable listening sessions. Battery life remains solid at 30 hours with fast charging support for added convenience.

Noise cancelling and call quality have also had an upgrade. The Px7 S3 uses an expanded eight-microphone array along with Bowers & Wilkins’ latest ADI Pure Voice processing. These additions help the headphones block out more external noise and deliver clearer calls, even in busier environments.

Rather than a complete overhaul, the Px7 S3 focuses on smart refinements that build on what the S2e already did well. If you would like to explore these changes in more detail, take a look at our Px7 S3 First Look.

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 Pros:

✅ Premium build quality with a refined, elegant finish
✅ Well-equipped with a strong selection of modern features
✅ Evolved design and performance over the previous generation

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 Cons:

❌ Lots of competition at this price point
❌ More expensive than predecessor

Best For: Frequent travellers, audiophiles, and those working in noisy environments.

Bowers & Wilkins Px8

The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 takes everything great about the Px7 S2e and pushes it even further. With carbon-fibre-reinforced drivers, an upgraded 40mm angled dynamic driver, and a re-tuned 24-bit DSP, the Px8 delivers incredible clarity, depth, and precision—giving you a truly high-end listening experience.

It’s not just about sound, though. The Px8 feels every bit as premium as it sounds, featuring luxurious Nappa leather, die-cast aluminium details, and a design that’s as comfortable as it is stylish. Battery life is still 30 hours, with fast charging and excellent noise cancellation, so you can stay immersed wherever you are.

If you’re after the best wireless headphones B&W has to offer, the Px8 is the one to beat—blending audiophile-grade performance with stunning craftsmanship

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 Pros: 

✅ Unparalleled sound quality with exceptional clarity
✅ Luxurious design and materials
✅ Class-leading noise cancellation

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 Cons:

❌  Heavier than Px7 S3
❌ Significantly more expensive

Best For: Discerning listeners and those who appreciate premium build quality.

Watch: Bowers & Wilkins Px8 Headphones Review: Worth The Price?

Bowers & Wilkins In-Ear Headphones

In-ear headphones are all about portability, convenience, and great sound on the go. Lightweight and compact, they’re perfect for commutes, workouts, or quick escapes into your favourite playlist. With advanced noise cancellation, long battery life, and premium materials, Bowers & Wilkins delivers high-end audio in a travel-friendly package.

Bowers and Wilkins' true wireless earbuds stand out with studio-quality sound, impressive Bluetooth connectivity, and a sleek, comfortable design perfect for both audiophile-grade performance or everyday listening.

Bowers & Wilkins Pi6

The Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 brings signature B&W sound to a sleek, more affordable true wireless earbud that doesn’t skimp on performance.

With custom-designed 9.2mm dynamic drivers and aptX Adaptive support, the Pi6 delivers rich, balanced audio with deep bass and crisp highs—perfect for everything from your morning playlist to late-night podcasts.

It also packs in adaptive noise cancellation, so you can block out distractions when you need to, plus ambient pass-through for when you want to stay aware of your surroundings. Dual mics ensure clear call quality, and with up to 24 hours of total battery life (including the case), the Pi6 keeps up with your day.

If you’re after premium sound in a compact, stylish design, the Pi6 is a solid pick, offering a taste of B&W’s high-end audio expertise in a more affordable true wireless package.

Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 Pros: 

✅ Enhanced audio performance with richer bass
✅ Improved ANC and battery life
✅ Comfortable design with water resistance

Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 Cons:

❌ Lacks retransmitter feature
❌ Slightly bulkier case

Best For: Everyday listeners seeking better sound and ANC performance.

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8

The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 is built to be the ultimate true wireless earbud, designed for those who refuse to compromise on sound quality. With dual-driver technology and a 24-bit DSP, the Pi8 delivers exceptionally detailed, rich, and immersive audio.

The Pi8 comes with adaptive noise cancellation to block out distractions, crystal-clear call quality, and a sleek, comfortable design that looks as premium as it feels. Battery life? Up to 25 hours with the charging case, plus support for aptX Adaptive for top-tier wireless streaming. It also features audio retransmission, allowing you to connect the case to an external audio source—like an in-flight entertainment system—and wirelessly stream sound to your earbuds, so you’re never tied down by cables.

If you want the best of the best in true wireless audio, the Pi8 is B&W’s flagship model, offering a perfect balance of luxury, performance, and cutting-edge technology.

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Pros: 

✅ Unrivalled audio fidelity with Hi-Res Audio certification
✅ Significant improvements in ANC and comfort
✅ Enhanced battery life

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Cons:

❌ Premium pricing
❌ Charging case is slightly bulky

Best For: Audiophiles and premium users seeking in-ear headphones with superior sound quality

Bowers & Wilkins Headphones: Differences At A Glance

Which Bowers & Wilkins Headphones Should You Buy?

For Audiophiles: The Px8, Px7 S3 or Pi8 deliver unmatched sound quality. Perfect for immersive listening.

For Commuters & Travellers: The Px7 S3 and Pi8 excel in noise cancellation and comfort.

For Everyday Use: The Pi6 offers great value for casual listeners.

For Professionals: The Px8 provides exceptional clarity, making it ideal for critical listening.

Our Verdict:

Bowers & Wilkins headphones are designed for listeners who refuse to compromise on quality. With expertly tuned drivers, premium materials, and cutting-edge features, they deliver a truly high-end audio experience that stands out in the world of wireless headphones and earbuds.

While they might not be the best choice for those on a tight budget, their superior sound performance, exceptional craftsmanship, and long-term durability make them a worthwhile investment for anyone serious about music listening. Whether you’re after deep, immersive over-ear sound or portable, high-fidelity earbuds, B&W offers a model to suit your needs.

SHS Pro Tip:

When choosing between over-ear and in-ear models, consider where and how you’ll use them. Over-ear headphones are great for immersive listening, while in-ear models offer convenience on the go.

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