Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Roundup

Wireless headphones eliminate the necessity of wires to enjoy your music. They are more comfortable to wear for long periods at a time, and some can fold 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 check all the boxes. They offer class-leading sound quality, noise cancelling, a stylish design, and great comfort. They even support the lossless LDAC hi-res codec for high-quality audio playback.

Sound Quality

There are plenty of choices for those who prefer large, full-size, wireless headphones that fit over your ears, and are connected to a headband by the headband to block out and amplify sound. In our round-up of the top over ear headphones beats-ear Bluetooth headphones, you’ll find certified UC headsets designed to work with communications platforms like Microsoft Teams, plus premium headphones from brands like Sony, Sennheiser, Bose and Bowers & Wilkins that are as luxurious as they are durable.

The Sony WH1000XM5 headphones are one of our top picks. They are a step up from the multi-award winning predecessor by having sleeker design and more refined noise cancellation. The headphones can be used for up to 37 hours on a single charge. They can also be charged quickly to get an additional 8 hours in 15 minutes. They provide a balanced and enjoyable sound and can support the lossless Sony LDAC high-res codec to stream music in stunning HD.

They feature luscious, glistening highs, and distinct mids and bass. You can also alter the audio signature via the headphones mobile app, adding more emphasis on the bass and treble according to your personal preferences. The headphones we tested were impressively accurate and clear, with vocals and orchestral music playing in stunning clarity.

The Logitech Wireless Headphones G HUB are one of our top-rated Bluetooth headphones that are Over Ear Best Headphones (Dnpaint.Co.Kr)-ear. They offer a balanced sound right from the box and provide clear audio. They’re equipped with a decent amount of low-bass to help emphasize the sound effects and game audio and their sound is very consistent. They work with Logitech HUB software which includes an equalizer graphic and presets to customize the sound.

If you are willing to spend a bit more, the Bowers & Wilkins premium Danish-made Px7S2 headphones are the best Bluetooth over-ear headphones. They’re 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 support the audio codecs aptX and SBC audio codes. This lets you listen to high-quality wireless music. They’re beautifully made, too and feature a stylish, understated design that suits all tastes.

Noise Cancellation

If you’re looking for a way to shut out the world and immerse yourself in your music or podcasts Noise cancellation is a crucial feature. Wireless headphones that have noise cancellation features typically come with Ear cups that fit tightly over ear headphones wired your ears to block out ambient noise and help you concentrate on the music. The majority of over-ear headphones utilize active noise cancellation (ANC) to cut down on ambient sounds which is achieved by listening to the surroundings and creating a different sound to cancel out the background noise. They aren’t able to make your surroundings peaceful, but they will reduce the sound of train engines and other ambient noises.

ANC typically employs tiny microphones to listen for ambient sound, which are then compared to the original audio you’re listening to. tiny differences between them are then used to create an equal and opposing sound that is fed through your earphones, effectively drowning out the background noise. Apps or hardware controls that are specifically designed for this purpose can be used to alter the most effective noise cancelling headsets. You can choose the level of noise cancellation that best suits your requirements.

The majority of the headphones we test include many additional features beyond the ability to control ANC. A majority of the headphones come with a microphone that allows hands-free calls. They can also be used with voice assistants such as Siri and Alexa. Some have built-in speakers for audio streaming.

Noise cancellation has seen a significant improvement in the past few years. For instance, Focal has thrown itself into the top wireless ANC headphone space with its Bathys which we adore for their incredible design, comfort and stunning audio quality. They’re able to cut down background noise by up to 30dB. You can also manage the ANC levels via an app and set three ‘favorites settings that can be changed by pressing a physical button on the left earcup.

Noise cancellation should be the first thing you consider when buying a new pair. The quality of the sound is essential however noise cancellation should also be at the top. The most well-known ANC headphones are expensive however they’re worth it because of their build quality and longevity of the battery. For those with a smaller budget Sony WF-1000XM5s are our top pick since they provide outstanding noise cancellation and smooth sound quality for a low price.

Battery Life

Wireless headphones are designed to last for as long as they are able to. This is because they consume both their own battery and that of the audio device playing music. Therefore, it’s crucial to pick a pair of headphones with enough storage capacity in case you run out of battery or power. Many brands offer headphone models with a lot of storage. Some even have solar charging so they can be charged automatically even when you are not listening to them.

Over-ear headphones are typically larger and will cover more of your ears. This allows them to accommodate larger batteries, which allows for longer playtimes as well as more advanced features. They also tend to have better noise cancellation, as their bigger size helps create a more effective seal against the surrounding.

The top brand Bang & Olufsen produces some of the most premium headphones available. Its flagship H95 wireless headphones provide an immersive listening experience. With a luxurious design that includes aluminum details and Nappa leather, they’re the ultimate option for the audiophile who would like to listen in comfort for hours at a time.

For a more affordable pair of headphones, the Anker Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro boasts a long-lasting battery of 50 hours with ANC turned on and 65 hours without it. This is way ahead of the competitors and is a testament to the headphones’ remarkable build quality and features a comfortable fit and sturdy headband that can withstand the punishment.

Another budget option is the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless headphones that can be used for up to 44 hours with ANC enabled and Over Ear Best Headphones come with an active noise cancellation system that’s extremely efficient in blocking out background sounds. The sound quality is also excellent with a V-shaped profile that provides plenty of bass and brightens the instruments and vocals.

The Sony WF1000XM5 wireless headphones aren’t cheap, but at less than $100, they offer excellent isolation and ear tips made of foam and noise cancellation that is solid, if it isn’t the most technologically advanced on this list. They also come with Bluetooth 5.3 and the latest LDAC codec, allowing for high-quality audio. They can be charged with the included cord or via USB.

Portability

The amount of space a pair headphones takes up when folded down into their smallest shape is a crucial factor in their portability. The smaller the fold-down format, the easier it is to fit them into the bag or backpack for use on the move without getting in the way.

If you’re looking to purchase a straightforward wireless headphone that has plenty of features that are suitable for every day use The Audio-Technica M50xBT is a fantastic option. They’re light and compact and offer up to an impressive 44 hours of playback and are very compact. They also allow multi-device pairing and have a great microphone for phone calls.

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 come with a retractable cable for use with wires, and come with a durable hard case.

A five-star performer that is a favorite among What Hi-Fi?’s team, the Sony WF-C700N and JBL Live Pro 2 TWS are a great pair of wireless, over-ear headphones. Both headphones are priced around $100, PS100 or AU$150 and feature active noise cancellation, but they’re not as high-quality as some of our higher-end recommendations.

Focal Bathys wireless headphones are a expensive option that delivers amazing sound quality at affordable prices. The Focal Bathys Wireless feature a V shaped sound profile with lots of bass that complements EDM hip-hop, rock and other genres. Instruments and vocals sound bright, and you can adjust the sound to your preference using their companion app’s graphic EQ and presets. They also support aptX Adaptive Codec for high-res stream and have an option to listen via USB-DAC.

For a pair that’s more expensive, but worthy of our five-star seal look into the multi-award-winning Sony WH-1000XM5. They’re not inexpensive, but they do have an amazing battery life and excellent noise cancellation that allows you to listen for extended periods of time without worrying about having to recharge or running out of power.