Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Roundup

Wireless headphones remove the necessity of wires to enjoy your music. They are more comfortable for longer periods of time, and some can fold into a compact size to store them when not in use.

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

Sound Quality

There are a variety of options for those who want large, full-size, wireless headphones that can fit over your ears and are connected to a headband via the headband to isolate and amplify audio. In our list of the top Bluetooth over-ear headphones you'll discover UC certified headsets that can be used with communication platforms like Microsoft Teams. You'll also find premium models from Sony, Sennheiser and Bose which are just as durable.

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

The headphones have a luscious, twinkling sound with distinctive mids and bass. You can alter the audio quality of the headphones using their mobile app to suit your personal preferences. For instance you can increase the emphasis on the bass or the treble. In our tests they were remarkably precise and clear with orchestral and vocal music playing in stunning clarity.

The Logitech Wireless Headphones G HUB are among our top-rated Bluetooth headphones that are over-ear. They have a balanced sound right from the box and provide clear audio. The sound is consistent and has a good deal of low-bass, which helps to emphasize sound effects and audio from games. They're compatible with Logitech's HUB software, which includes an EQ graphic and presets so you can adjust the sound to your liking.

If you're willing to invest more, the high-end Danish-made Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 headphones are among our top picks of the best Bluetooth over ear headphones beats-ear headphones. The Sonys are a little cheaper however they sound better and look better. They feature a tough aluminium casing with lambskin leather earcups filled with memory foam. They're comfortable to wear and can support the adaptive aptX and SBC audio codecs, which allow you to listen to high-quality music wirelessly. They're also well-crafted and have a chic, understated look that can be adapted to suit the needs of all.

Noise Cancellation

Noise cancellation is important if you want to shut out the world so you can focus on your music or podcasts. Wireless headphones with noise cancellation capabilities generally have ear cups that are squeaky clean over your ears. This allows you to concentrate on the music and block out any ambient sounds. The majority of over-ear headphones employ active noise cancellation (ANC) to block out ambient sounds that are created by listening to the surrounding environment and creating an opposite sound to block out the noise. They aren't able to make your surroundings peaceful, but they will reduce the noise of trains and other noises.

ANC utilizes tiny microphones that listen for ambient sounds. They then compare them with the audio you're listening to. Tiny differences between the two are then used to create an equal and different sound that is then fed through your earphones, listening effectively drowning out the ambient noise. The best headphones for noise cancellation can be adjusted using apps or a dedicated hardware control. This allows you to choose a specific level of noise cancellation that is appropriate to the situation you're in.

The majority of the headphones that we test have a variety of features, in addition to the ability to control ANC. For example, many pairs incorporate a microphone for calls hands-free and can be used with voice assistants such as Siri and Alexa. Some come with built-in speakers for audio streaming.

Noise cancellation has seen a significant improvement in the last few years. For example, Focal has thrown itself into the premium wireless ANC headphone space with its Bathys, which we love for their superb comfort, sleek features and dazzling sound quality. They can cut down background noise by as much as 30dB. You can control the ANC levels from an app and set three "favorite' settings that are switchable by pressing a physical button on the left earcup.

While the sound quality of headphones is an important aspect noise cancellation should be on the top of your list when you are looking for new headphones. The most well-known ANC models available are usually expensive and that's because they have exceptional build quality and battery life. For those on a tighter budget Sony WF-1000XM5s are our top pick since they provide outstanding noise cancellation and slick sound quality for a low price.

Battery Life

If you're going to use headphones wireless on the go, you want them to last as long as is possible. It's because they drain their own battery as well as that of the device playing music. Therefore, it's crucial to select headphones that have enough storage capacity in case you run out of battery or power. Many manufacturers now offer headphone models with a large capacity for storage and some even incorporate solar power to increase their storage automatically when not listening to them.

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

The top brand Bang & Olufsen produces some of the best headphones available. The flagship H95 wireless headphones provide an immersive listening experience. With a premium design with aluminum detailing and Nappa leather They're the perfect option for the audiophile who wants to listen in comfort for hours at a stretch.

For more affordable headphones, the Anker Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro has an outstanding battery life of 50 hours with ANC activated and 65 hours without it. This is way ahead of the other models and is a testament to the headphones' remarkable quality of construction, which includes a comfortable fit and a durable headband that can take the punishment.

Another budget-friendly option is the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless headphones that can be used for up to 44 hours with ANC turned on and feature an active noise cancellation system that's incredibly efficient in blocking out ambient sounds. The sound quality is also excellent, with a V shaped profile that delivers plenty of bass and brightens vocals and instruments.

The newest Sony WF-1000XM5 wireless headphones aren't cheap but they're still under $100 and offer excellent isolation with foam ear tips and solid as well as the most advanced noise cancelling features on this list. They also support Bluetooth 5.3 and the most recent LDAC codec, which allows for high-quality audio. They can be charged using the cord included, or via USB.

Portability

The amount of space a pair of headphones takes up once folded down into their most compact format is an important aspect in their portability capabilities. The smaller the fold-down size, the easier it is to put them in bags or backpacks to use on the go without them getting in your way.

If you're looking for a simple wireless headphone that has plenty of features that can be used for every day listening, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT is a fantastic option. They're light, fold down easily, and provide an impressive 44 hours of playback time. They support multi-devices pairing and feature a great microphone for phone calls.

If you don't plan to use your headphones for hands-free calls the Audio-Technica s200BT is a better option. They are more comfortable, and they have a playback duration of 50 hours. They also have a retractable cable for wired use and come with a sturdy hard case.

The Sony WF-C700N, an excellent five-star performer, is a favorite of What Hi-Fi?'s staff and the jbl over ear headphones 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 that they're not as well-made as our top recommendations.

For a more luxurious experience for a more luxurious experience, the Focal Bathys Wireless are a top pair of headphones that provide excellent sound quality for their price. The Focal Bathys Wireless feature a V shaped sound profile with lots of bass that complements EDM, rock and hip-hop. Instruments and vocals sound bright and clear, and you can alter the sound to your liking by using their accompanying app's graphic EQ and presets. They also support aptX Adaptive codec for high-res streaming and have an optional USB-DAC mode to listen on wires.

For a pair that's even more expensive but still worthy of our five-star rating, check out the multi-award-winning Sony WH-1000XM5. The Sony WH1000XM5 isn't cheap but it has a long battery life, excellent noise cancellation and allows you to listen to music for an extended period without worrying about running out of battery or charging.