Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Roundup

Wireless headphones remove the restriction of wires from your listening experience. They are more comfortable for longer periods of time, and some fold into a compact size to be stored away when not when not in use.

The Sony WH-1000XM5s Bluetooth headphones are an excellent pair of Bluetooth headsets that meet all the boxes. They provide top-quality audio quality, noise cancellation as well as a fashionable design and a comfortable fit. They even support the lossless LDAC hi-res codec for high-quality audio playback.

Sound Quality

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

One of our favorites is the Sony WH1000XM5 pair that improve upon their multi-award-winning predecessor by offering slimmer design and more refined noise cancellation. The headphones can be used for up to 37 hours on a single battery charge. They can also be charged fast to provide an additional 8 hours in 15 minutes. They feature a fun, balanced sound profile and also support the lossless Sony LDAC hi-res codec so you can stream music in stunning HD.

They feature luscious, glistening highs, as well as distinctive mids and bass. You can also alter the audio's signature with the headphones' mobile application, adding more emphasis on the bass and treble according to your personal preferences. The headphones we tested were remarkably precise and clear with orchestral and vocal music sounding in glorious detail.

Another of our top-rated over-ear Bluetooth headphones is the Logitech G HUB Wireless Headphones, which have an excellently balanced sound from the moment you purchase them and deliver clear audio. They're equipped with a decent amount of low-bass to help emphasize sound effects and game music and their sound is very consistent. They're compatible with Logitech HUB software, which comes with an equalizer graphic and presets to customize the sound.

If you're prepared to spend more money, the premium Danish-made Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 headphones are our pick of the top Bluetooth over ear headphones. They're more expensive than the Sonys but they sound and look like a premium pair, with a sturdy aluminium casing and lambskin leather earcups stuffed 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 also well-crafted and feature a stylish elegant, minimalist style that will suit all tastes.

Noise Cancellation

Noise cancellation is essential if you want to block out all noise so that you can concentrate on your podcasts or music. Wireless headphones with noise cancelling capabilities generally feature the ear cups that are sealed over your ears to block out any ambient noise and allow you to focus on your audio. Active noise cancellation (anc headphones over ear), which is used by the majority of over-ear headphones to block out ambient noise is achieved by observing your surroundings and generating an opposing sound to block the noise. They aren't able to make your surroundings peaceful but they can cut down the sound of train engines and anc headphones over ear other noises.

ANC uses tiny microphones that listen for ambient sounds. These are then compared with the audio you're listening to. The small differences between two sounds are then used to create a sound that's equivalent and opposite. This is then fed into your ear, effectively drowning the background noise. The top headphones that cancel out noise can be adjusted using apps or a specific hardware control. You can choose the level of noise cancellation that suits your situation.

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

Noise cancellation has improved significantly in the past few years. Focal for instance, has jumped into the premium wireless ANC headphones space with its Bathys. We love them for their superb comfort and sleek features, as well as their dazzling audio quality. The Bathys can reduce background noise by up to 30dB. You can manage ANC levels through an app, and also set three preferred settings that you can change using the physical button on the left earcup.

While the quality of sound of headphones is an important factor, noise cancellation should be at the top of your list when you are looking for new headphones. The most popular ANC headphones available tend to be expensive and that's because they have exceptional quality and longevity of the battery. If you're on a budget Sony WF-1000XM5s are our top pick as they offer fab noise cancellation and smooth audio quality at a reasonable price.

Battery Life

If you're going to use headphones wireless on the go you'll want them to last as long as possible. They drain both their own battery and that of the device that plays music. Therefore, it's crucial to pick a pair of headphones with enough storage capacity in case you run out of charge or power. Many manufacturers offer headphones with plenty of storage. Some even incorporate solar power to allow them to be charged automatically when you're not using them.

Over-ear headphones tend to be larger and will cover more of your ears. This lets them hold larger batteries, allowing for longer playtimes and advanced features. They also tend to offer better noise cancellation as their bigger size helps create a better seal against the outside.

The premium brand Bang & Olufsen makes some of the top over-ear headphones around with its flagship H95 wireless headphones that provide a full listening experience. They are a luxury design that features aluminum detailing and Nappa Leather, making them the perfect option for audiophiles looking to listen for hours and hours.

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 activated and 65 hours without it. This is a significant improvement over the competition and is a testament to the beats overhead headphones' impressive quality of construction that includes an incredibly comfortable fit and a sturdy headband that can withstand an abuse.

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless headphones are a affordable alternative. They can be used for up to 44 hours in the event that the active noise cancellation feature is turned on and feature a system that blocks out background noise with remarkable efficiency. The headphones' sound quality is good, with a V-shaped profile that packs plenty of bass and brightens up vocals and instruments for an even and balanced sound that is easy to tweak using the app's graphic EQ and presets.

The Sony WF1000XM5 wireless headphones aren't cheap but at less than $100, they offer excellent isolation with foam ear tips and noise cancellation that is solid, even if it's not the most advanced on this list. They 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 take up when folded into their most compact format is an important factor in their portability capabilities. The smaller the fold down size, the easier it is to slip them into a backpack or bag to use on the go without getting in your way.

If you're looking to purchase a straightforward wireless headphones with lots of features that are suitable for every day listening The Audio-Technica M50xBT is an excellent option. They are lightweight and compact and provide up to an impressive 44 hours of playback and are very compact. They support multi-devices pairing and have a superb microphone for phone calls.

If you don't plan to use your headphones for hands-free calls, the Audio-Technica S200BT is a better choice. They are more comfortable, and come with a playback time of 50 hours. They also come with an adjustable cable for wired use and come with a tough hard case.

The Sony WF–C700N, a five-star performer that's the top pick of What Hi-Fi?'s team, and the JBL Live Pro 2 are two other top-rated wireless over-ear headphones. Both headphones cost around $100, PS100 or 150 AU$ and have active noise cancelling, but they're not quite as well-made as our more expensive suggestions.

If you want something more expensive for a more luxurious experience, the Focal Bathys Wireless are a top pair of headphones that provide impressive sound quality for anc headphones over ear their price. The Focal Bathys Wireless feature the sound of a V with lots of bass that complements EDM hip-hop, rock, and. The sound of vocals as well as instruments is clear and you can alter the sound to your taste using the graphic EQ in their companion app. They also support aptX Adaptive codec for high-res streaming, and also have an USB-DAC mode that allows wired listening.

For a pair that's even more expensive but still worthy of our five-star seal, check out the multi-award-winning Sony WH-1000XM5. The Sony WH-1000XM5 may not be expensive, but it comes with an extended battery life, great noise cancellation, and lets you listen to music for a long period of time without having to worry about running out of power or having to charge.