Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 review

The Px8 S2 is the luxury pick, aimed at listeners who care most about sound quality and materials. Bowers & Wilkins calls it the best headphones it has made and fits two 40 mm dynamic full range carbon drivers. On Bluetooth 5.3 it supports the widest codec list here: aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX Classic, AAC and SBC, so recent Android phones with aptX Lossless can use the highest-quality Bluetooth codec here. Eight microphones handle calls and noise cancellation. Battery is rated at 30 hours, and a 15-minute charge gives 7 hours, the best quick charge among the 30-hour models. Multipoint, Google Fast Pair and a 5-band EQ with TrueSound mode round out the software. The leather and aluminum build feels premium but weighs 0.31 kg. The catch is price: $799 is far above Sony and Bose, and iPhone owners cannot use the aptX codecs that justify much of the cost.

Who it is for

Audiophiles with Android phones who want the best Bluetooth sound quality and premium materials.

Price

$799 at Bowers & Wilkins US.

Px8 S2 Over-ear noise-canceling headphones $799
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 7, 2026.

Key features

• Two 40 mm dynamic full range carbon drivers
• aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, AAC and SBC over Bluetooth 5.3
• Eight microphones for calls and noise cancellation
• 30 hours of playback; 15-minute charge gives 7 hours
• Multipoint, Google Fast Pair and a 5-band EQ with TrueSound mode

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Widest Bluetooth codec support on the list, including aptX Lossless
• Strength: Leather and aluminum build
• Strength: Strong quick charge: 7 hours from 15 minutes
• Weakness: At $799 it is the most expensive pick by far
• Weakness: aptX benefits do not apply to iPhone
• Weakness: Weighs 0.31 kg

Key facts

• Drivers: 2 x 40 mm carbon
• Codecs: aptX Lossless, Adaptive, HD, Classic, AAC, SBC
• Microphones: 8
• Battery: 30 hours, 7 hours from 15 minutes
• Weight: 0.31 kg

Where it ranks

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 is No. 10 in our Best Wireless Headphones verdict.