Best Over-Ear Wireless Headphones

Consider these if you are looking for wireless over-ear headsets. They're not only comfortable to wear, but they come with excellent active noise cancellation that reduces background noises so you can concentrate on your music.

Focal's first wireless headphones are an audiophile's dream. They have a rich and full sound, with enough thump to support EDM but vocals and instruments are not left out. They have a companion app and ANC presets that allow you to customize the sound to your personal preferences.

Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony's WH1000XM5 is the most recent generation of its well-loved headphones, that feature automatic adaptive noise cancellation (ANC) to cancel out the background sounds. They're ideal for commutes and long travel days with a staggering 27 hours of playback time. They also have a nifty feature that allows you to connect them to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously making it simple to switch between music and calls. The WH-1000XM5's sleek, minimalist design and environmentally friendly packaging (using recycled plastic specifically developed for Sony) make them an attractive option for anyone who cares about sustainability.

Compared to their predecessors, the XM5s are lighter and more comfortable with a headband that fits snugly around your ears with less pressure on your head. They also look more fashionable with an updated, subtle style that allows them to blend into the majority of outfits. They're now available in a gorgeous matte black that's even better-looking than the previous generation's glossy black.

One of the most impressive features of the WH1000XM5 is its intelligent noise cancellation function, which detects when you take off the headphones and pauses the audio. When you put the headphones back on, they automatically resume. This is a great method to conserve battery power and it is effective.

The XM5s are an excellent choice for audio quality thanks to their LDAC codec and DSEE Extreme upscaling. Rage against the Machine's dark Bullet in the Head shows off the bass skills of Tim Commerford with real power, while Billie Eilish's Bad Guy has a subtle but deliberate vocal fade.

For those who exercise and living in humid climates, a word of caution The WH1000XM5s do NOT have an IP rating. They are not recommended in areas with moisture. There's even a disclaimer in the manual that suggests you avoid sweating into the headset, or use it in the rain.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 is a refreshing upgrade to B&W's prior flagship wireless headphones with bluetooth headphone model, the PX7. The Series 2 is not just an iterative update, but it's a major improvement in audio quality and ANC. The design also gets more refined, with a style that is more mature than the glossy, tech-forward looks of Sony's XM5 and Apple's AirPods Max.

A power slider leaves no doubt about when the headphones are on, and the dedicated buttons for play/pause and volume make it simple to navigate through your music library. There's a customizable button located on the left earcup that can be remapped to trigger your voice assistant, and there's also an ambient pass-through mode that lets you be aware of what's happening around you without taking off the headphones.

The S2s are able to reproduce the 16-bit/44.1kHz Master of Dennis Wilson's River Song, from his Pacific Ocean Blue Album, with its layered harmonies and atmospheric textures, and a detailed soundstage. There's plenty of low-end extension and the vocals remain focused.

The S2s are not the most effective in EQ control. You can increase or reduce bass and treble by up to 6dB but there aren't any presets that will allow you to find your ideal balance. The majority of listeners won't feel bothered by this however, those who want to customize their audio will need to consider a different option.

Overall, the PX7 S2s make an excellent choice for those who are seeking a noise-canceling, active headphone that has an exquisite finish and feel. They're not quite as versatile as the XM5s mentioned above, but they're still a great option for most listeners. You'll just have to decide if their superior ANC and audio quality is enough to justify the slightly higher price tag.

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The Bose QuietComfort 45 are a solid pair of over-ear wireless headphones that offer great noise cancellation and a 24-hour battery life. They're also light and comfortable enough to be worn throughout the house. They can be controlled via the built-in buttons or an app companion, but the customization options are limited (sorry there's no equalizer). You can pick from various sound profiles depending on the situation, such as when you're travelling or working from home. The QC45s have an Aware Mode that allows outside sounds to be heard using ANC. This is useful for those who want to hear traffic or children while out and about.

The audio quality of the headphones isn't as great as the WH-1000XM5s but it's still quite good. The bass isn't as intense, but it does provide decent depth and a decent amount of sound quality. The highs and mids are nicely balanced and there's not a hint of shrillness or harshness.

One issue is that the QC45s tend to favor the higher frequencies, which could result in some sibilance to certain songs. This is not a major issue and can be easily corrected by adjusting the headphone settings in the software.

The controls are intuitive and easy to use. The left earcup turns on and off the headphones controls music playback and manages Bluetooth pairing. A multi-function Action Button is also available. It can serve as a power switch and voice assistant, in addition to controlling volume. There's also a microphone for phone calls and Siri or Alexa support.

Audio-Technica ATH-M20x

The ATH-M20x is a chic pair that delivers great sound at a reasonable price. They are built well and have a a sturdy feel to them. Although the headband and ear cups are constructed from plastic, it is durable enough to be robust enough for long-term use. The ears can rotate up to 15 degrees so they can be positioned to fit the majority of ears.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x features Bluetooth 5.0, which allows you to listen to your music wirelessly. The battery lasts for a long time, offering up to 30 hours of music listening time. They come with a USB-C cable for charging.

Utilizing the headphones is simple. There are three buttons along the back of the left ear cup that let you control playback and other functions. You can pause, switch tracks and even adjust the volume using these buttons. The ATH M20x comes with a built-in microphone for voice commands and calls. The headset comes with a low latency mode that makes it ideal for gaming and video calling.

While the ATH-M20x headphones have great audio quality, they are not the best choice for all music genres. Vocals can sound a little dull and there isn't any real bass response. The high frequencies sound clear and clear. The treble is a standout feature of these headphones. These headphones are great for pop, jazz and classical music.

The ATH-M20x headphones weigh light at just 190 grams without the cord. They come with a lot of padding around the ear cups but they are not foldable. They are large and cannot fit into a bag or backpack. The cable isn't detachable. The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x is a better choice for those who want a more portable set of headphones. It is more comfortable thanks to its fold-down design, swiveling earpieces that lay flat, and cable that can be removed. It's more expensive but offers better isolation and more bass.

Skullcandy Dime 2

The Dime 2 is one of Skullcandy's better-sounding true wireless earbuds. It comes with a small, compact carrying case that can easily be slipped into pockets or purses. It comes with a range of ear gel sizes that can be adjusted to fit various sizes of ears. It's also lighter than other wireless headphones that we've tested.

The earbuds come with two microphones that are great for picking up your voice and lessening background noise when you make phone calls. They are not suitable for use in outdoor environments because noises from the environment can block out your voice. The earbuds can also be difficult to use in windy conditions, and they can block certain portions of your speech.

Despite these minor issues the earbuds have solid bass and other quality of sound. They have a crisp high-end that doesn't spill into the mids, and they feature a good amount of mid-bass that adds some punch to your music.

The AirPod Pro has a dual-tap function that is decent however, it isn't as intuitive as Apple AirPod Pro. You have to place your thumb on the stem's bottom for stability, and then press the logo to trigger the command. It's not as quick as the pinch gesture system and can be a bit unwieldy.

The earbuds last about four hours with a single charge. They also have an option to charge them quickly that lets them last for two additional hours. They're also certified IPX4 for resistance to water and sweat. The earbuds come with an included carrying case with a couple of openings for music the buds and an elastic loop to secure them to your clothing. It's a stylish case that's available in several colors, including Doritos red. Online, you can find the case for music less than $30 USD.