Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Roundup

Wireless headphones eliminate the necessity for wires to enjoy your music. They are more comfortable to wear for hours at a stretch and some fold down to a compact size to pack away when not in use.

The Sony WH-1000XM5s Bluetooth headphones are a great pair of Bluetooth headsets that meet all the boxes. They feature top-of-the-line audio quality, noise cancellation, a stylish design, and great comfort. They even support the lossless LDAC high-res codec that provides superior audio playback.

Sound Quality

There are plenty of options for those who want large, full-size, wireless headphones that sit apple over ear headphones your ears and are connected to a headset via the headband to block out and amplify sound. In our list of the best Bluetooth over-ear headphones, you’ll find UC certified headsets that work with communication platforms like Microsoft Teams. You’ll also find premium models from Sony, Sennheiser and Bose which are just as well as durable.

One of our top picks is the Sony WH1000XM5 pair that improve upon their multi-award-winning predecessor with slimmer design and more refined noise cancellation. They also provide up to 37 hours of playback time on a single charge, and can be fast-charged to 8 hours of playtime in just 15 minutes. They come with a lively, balanced sound profile and support the lossless Sony LDAC hi-res codec so you can stream music in stunning HD.

They have luscious, twinkling highs and distinctive mids and bass. You can even tweak the sound signature using the headphones mobile app, adding more emphasis to the bass and treble according to your own personal preference. In our tests they were impressively accurate and clear, with vocals and orchestral music booming in stunning detail.

One of our top-rated over-ear Bluetooth headphones is the Logitech G HUB Wireless Headphones, which have an incredibly balanced sound right straight out of the box and provide crisp audio. They’re equipped with a decent amount of bass to enhance sound effects and game audio and their sound is very consistent. They are compatible with Logitech HUB software that includes an equalizer graphic and presets for customizing the sound.

If you’re willing spend a bit more you can go for the Bowers & Wilkins premium Danish-made Px7S2 headphones are the top Bluetooth over-ear headphones. They’re a little more expensive than the Sonys but they look and sound the part, with hard aluminum casings and lambskin earcups filled with memory foam. The headphones are comfortable to wear, and they can be used with audio codecs aptX and SBC audio codes. This lets you listen to high-quality wireless music. They’re beautifully made, too and have a chic minimalist design that will suit any taste.

Noise Cancellation

Noise cancellation is an option that’s essential if you want to shut out the world so that you can concentrate on your podcasts or music. Wireless headphones with noise cancellation capabilities usually have ear cups that fit comfortably over your ears. This lets you focus on the audio and block out any background sounds. Active noise cancellation (ANC) which is used by most over-ear headphones to block out ambient noise it works by listening to the surroundings and creating an opposing sound to cancel the sound. This means that they don’t transform your surroundings into peaceful, tranquil space, but they can make it easier to hear the rumble of train engines and other noises that can be heard in the background.

ANC employs tiny microphones to listen for Head Phone ambient sounds. They then compare them with the audio you’re listening to. The tiny differences between the two sounds are then used to create a sound equal and opposite. This is then fed into your ear cup and Head phone effectively blocks out the ambient noise. The best headphones that cancel out noise can be adjusted using apps or a dedicated hardware control. This lets you select a particular level of noise cancellation to suit the situation you’re in.

Most of the headphones we test include many other features beyond just the ability to control ANC. A majority of the headphones have a microphone for hands-free calling and can be used with voice assistants like Siri and Alexa. Some models have built-in speakers to allow audio streaming.

In terms of noise cancelling we’ve seen significant advancements in recent years. Focal for instance, has jumped into the top wireless ANC headphones market with its Bathys. We love them for their superb design and comfort and stunning sound quality. They can cut down background noise by up to 30dB and you can control the ANC levels from an app and set three “favorite settings that can be switched by pressing a physical button on the left ear cup.

While the sound quality of headphones is a crucial aspect noise cancellation should be on the top of your list when looking for a new pair of headphones. The most well-known ANC headphones are costly however they’re worth it due to their build quality and battery life. The Sony WF1000XM5s is our favorite for those who are on a budget. They offer great noise cancellation and superb audio quality for a low price.

Battery Life

If you’re planning to use wireless headphones while on the move and you’re looking for them to last as long as is possible. They drain both their own batteries and the battery of the device playing music. It’s therefore essential to pick a pair of headphones that have enough storage capacity in case you run out of charge or power. Many brands offer headphone models that have a large amount of storage. Some even incorporate solar charging, which allows them to be charged automatically even when you are not listening to them.

Over-ear headphones usually have larger ear cups that cover your ears, meaning they can house larger batteries to allow for longer playtimes and more advanced features. They also generally have better noise cancellation, due to their larger size. create a better seal against the surrounding.

The premium brand Bang & Olufsen makes some of the best over the ear headphones noise cancelling-ear headphones around, with its flagship H95 wireless headphones offering a soaring listening experience. They are a luxury design with aluminum detailing and Nappa Leather which makes them the ideal choice for audiophiles who wish to listen for hours at a time.

For more affordable headphones, the Anker Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro has an outstanding battery life of 50 hours with ANC turned on and 65 hours without it. This is far superior battery life than other headphones and is a proof of the headphones’ impressive quality of construction. They are comfortable fit, and a durable headband.

Another budget option is the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless headphones, which can be used for up to 44 hours with ANC turned on and feature an active noise cancellation system that’s impressively efficient in blocking out ambient sounds. The headphones’ sound quality is good with a V-shaped design that has lots of bass and brightens up vocals and instruments for a balanced and natural sound which is easy to adjust using the companion app’s graphic EQ and presets.

The most recent Sony WF-1000XM5 Wireless headphones aren’t as expensive however they still come in at under $100 and offer excellent isolation, with foam ear tips and solid, if not the most advanced noise cancellation on this list. They also come with Bluetooth 5.3 and the most recent LDAC codec, which allows for high-quality audio. They can be charged via the included cord or via USB.

Portability

The amount of space headphones take up when folded into their most compact form is an important aspect for their portability. The smaller the fold down format, the easier it is to slip them into the bag or backpack for use on the move without getting in your way.

If you’re looking to purchase a straightforward wireless headphone that has plenty of features that will suit every day listening The Audio-Technica M50xBT is a great option. They’re lightweight and fold up easily and offer up to an impressive 44 hours of playback and are incredibly compact. They can be used with multiple devices and have an excellent microphone for Head phone calls.

However, if you’re not going to be using your headphones for hands-free calls the Audio-Technica ATHS200BT are the better choice as they are more comfortable and offer an impressive 50 hours of playback. They also have a retractable cable for wired use, and come with a sturdy hard case.

The Sony WF-C700N, a five-star performer that is one of the most popular models among What Hi-Fi?’s staff, and the JBL Live Pro 2 are two other top-rated wireless over-ear headphones. Both are around the $100/PS100 / AU$150 mark and feature active noise cancellation, however you’ll have to accept they’re not as high-quality as some of our high-end suggestions.

Focal Bathys wireless headphones are a more expensive option that delivers amazing sound quality at a reasonable price. They have a V-shaped sound profile that includes plenty of bass to go with EDM hip-hop, rock, and. The sound of vocals and instruments is clear and you can alter the sound to your taste using the graphic EQ in their companion application. They also support aptX Adaptive Codec for hi-res stream and have an option USB-DAC mode for listening wired.

Check out the Sony WH1000XM5, which is not only more expensive, but also worthy of our five-star seal. The Sony WH-1000XM5 is not cheap but it has a long battery life, excellent noise cancellation, and allows you to enjoy music for a long time without having to worry about running out of battery or charging.