Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Roundup

Wireless headphones remove the necessity for wires in your listening experience. They are more comfortable for long periods of time, and some fold into a compact form to store them when not in use.

Sony's WH1000XM5s are a fantastic pair of Bluetooth headphones that tick all the boxes, with top-of-the-line audio quality, noise cancellation, a sleek design and premium comfort. They are compatible with the lossless LDAC high-res codec that plays back high-quality audio.

Sound Quality

If you're a fan large, full-size wireless headphones that sit over your ears and are connected by headphones that isolate and amplify sound there's a wide range of choices. In our round-up of the top over-ear Bluetooth headphones you'll find UC-certified headsets that are compatible with communications platforms like Microsoft Teams, plus premium pairs 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 favorites. They are a step up from the multi-award-winning predecessor with an elongated design and improved noise cancellation. The headphones can be used for up to 37 hours on a single charge. They can also be charged fast to provide an additional 8 hours in just 15 minutes. They feature a fun, balanced sound profile and can be used with the lossless Sony LDAC hi-res codec so you can stream music in stunning high-definition.

They are sultry, with twinkling highs, as well as distinctive bass and mids. You can even tweak the audio signature via the headphones' mobile app, adding a bit more emphasis on the bass and treble according to your personal taste. In our tests, they were incredibly accurate and clear. Vocals and orchestral sounds were heard with great clarity.

The Logitech Wireless Headphones G HUB are another of our top-rated Bluetooth headphones that are over-ear. They offer a balanced sound right out of the box and offer clear audio. They have a good amount of low-bass to help emphasize sound effects and game music and their sound is consistent. They're compatible with Logitech's HUB program, that includes an EQ graphic and presets to allow you to modify the sound to your liking.

If you're willing to spend more, the premium Danish-made Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 headphones are our top pick of the best Bluetooth over-ear headphones. The Sonys are a bit more expensive but they sound better and appear better. They have a hard aluminum casing and lambskin leather earcups that are filled with memory foam. The headphones are comfortable to wear, and they support the audio codecs aptX as well as SBC audio codes. This allows you to listen to high-quality wireless music. They're well-crafted, too, and feature a classy minimalist design that will suit any taste.

Noise Cancellation

If you're looking to hush the world and completely immerse yourself in your podcasts or music, then noise cancellation is an essential feature. Wireless headphones with noise cancellation capabilities usually have ear cups that are squeaky clean over your ears. This allows you to focus on the audio and block out all background noise. Active noise cancellation (ANC), which is used by a majority of over-ear headphones to block out ambient noise it works by listening to your surroundings and generating an opposing sound to cancel the background noise. This means they won't transform your surroundings into a zen-like silence, but will quieten the engine noise and other noises that can be heard in the background.

ANC uses tiny microphones that listen for ambient sounds. These are then compared to the music you're currently listening to. The small differences between the two sounds are then used to create a sound that is equivalent and opposite. The resulting sound is then pumped into your ear cup and effectively blocks out the background noise. The top headphones for noise cancellation can be adjusted through apps or a dedicated hardware control. You can choose the level of noise cancellation that is suitable for your needs.

The majority of the headphones that we test include a variety of features, including the ability to control ANC. For example, many pairs incorporate a microphone to make 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 top wireless ANC headphone space with its Bathys which we adore for their superb comfort, slick features and stunning audio quality. The Bathys have the ability to cut down background noise by up to 30dB. You can control ANC levels using an app, and also set three preferred settings that you can change using an actual button on the left earcup.

Noise cancellation should be the main factor you consider when purchasing the latest pair. Quality of sound is crucial, but noise cancellation should be at the top. The most well-known ANC headphones are expensive however they're worth it because of their build quality and battery life. The Sony WF1000XM5s is our top pick for those who are on a budget. They provide excellent noise cancellation and excellent audio quality at a reasonable price.

Battery Life

If you're planning on using wireless headphones over the ear headphones on the go, you want them to last as long as is possible. This is due to the fact that they consume their own batteries as well as the audio device that plays music through them, therefore it's important to choose the right pair that has a large amount of storage in case you miss the charge or run out of power. Many brands offer headphone models that have a large amount of storage. Some even use solar power to allow them to be charged automatically even when you're not using them.

Over-ear headphones typically have larger ear cups that protect your ears, which means they can accommodate larger batteries to support longer play times and more advanced features. They also offer better noise-cancelling because their larger size creates a better seal against the surrounding environment.

The top brand Bang & Olufsen produces some of the finest headphones available. Its flagship H95 wireless headphones give an immersive listening experience. With a premium design with aluminum detailing and Nappa leather they're the best choice for anyone who would like to listen in the comfort of their home for a long time.

For a more affordable pair of headphones that are more affordable, the Anker Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro offers a remarkable battery life of 50 hours with ANC turned on and wireless over Ear Headphones 65 hours without it. This is a much better battery life than most competitors, and is a testament to the headphones' remarkable quality of construction. They are comfortable fit with a sturdy headband.

Another budget-friendly option is the Sennheiser Momentum 4 wireless Over Ear headphones headphones that can be used for up to 44 hours with ANC enabled and come with an active noise cancellation system that's incredibly efficient in blocking out ambient noise. The headphones' sound quality is good with a V-shaped design which packs plenty of bass and brightens the instruments and vocals to create a balanced profile that's easy to fine-tune by using the app's graphic EQ and presets.

The newest Sony WF-1000XM5 wireless headphones aren't cheap however they still come in at under $100 and provide great isolation, with foam ear tips and solid as well as the most advanced, noise cancellation on this list. The headphones also support Bluetooth 5.3 and the most recent LDAC codec, allowing for high-quality audio. They can be charged using the included cord or via USB.

Portability

The amount of space a pair of headphones takes up when folded into their most compact format is a crucial aspect in their portability capabilities. The smaller the fold-down format, the easier it is to slip them into the bag or backpack to take on the go without them getting in your way.

The Audio-Technica Bluetooth ATH-M50xBT wireless headphones is a great choice if you're looking for a headphone with wireless capabilities that's easy to use and comes with plenty of features to make listening easy. They're light, fold down easily, and provide an impressive 44 hours of playback time. They are compatible with multi-device pairing and feature a great microphone for phone calls.

If you're planning to use your headphones for hands-free calls The Audio-Technica headphones ATH-S200BT are a better choice since they are more comfortable and have an impressive 50 hours of playback. The headphones also come with a retractable cord to use wired headphones and a hard case.

The Sony WF–C700N, an excellent five-star performer, is one of the most popular models among What Hi-Fi?'s team, and the JBL Live Pro 2 are two other top-rated over-ear wireless headphones. Both are around the $100/PS100 / AU$150 mark and feature active noise cancellation, though you'll have to accept they're not as well made as some of our high-end recommended models.

Focal Bathys wireless headphones are a more premium choice that provides amazing sound quality at affordable prices. They have a V-shaped sound profile that includes plenty of bass to go with EDM hip-hop, rock, and. The vocals and instruments is bright and you can alter the volume to suit your preferences by using the graphic EQ feature in their companion application. They also support aptX Adaptive Codec to provide a high-res stream and have an option USB-DAC mode for listening wired.

Take a look at the Sony WH1000XM5 It's not only more expensive, but worthy to receive our five-star seal. They're not cheap, but they have an incredible battery life and excellent noise cancellation that allows you to listen for extended durations without worrying about needing to recharge or running out of power.