Why Over-Ear Wireless Headphones Are Better Than Earbuds

Over-ear headphones create a physical barrier to external sounds by creating a sonic barrier around your ears. They also have a significant advantage in terms of sound quality, with the most effective models featuring huge soundstages and audiophile-level features.

Over-ear headphones are generally heavier and bulkier, however many come with a carrying bag and can be folded up for portability. They may have longer battery life and provide superior noise cancellation.

Sound Quality

Over-ear headphones are a better option for those looking to listen to music on public transport, or at work. They offer the best sound quality and noise cancelling technology. For many people, headphones Bluetooth this is a deal-breaker and over-ear headphones are their preferred choice.

Over-ear headphones are larger in design, which allows them to have a larger speaker than earbuds. This results in greater sound reproduction and audio quality. This is particularly true at lower frequencies, where headphones have a more powerful and fuller bass than earbuds.

Over-ear headphones shield you from the outside noises, creating an immersive experience. Active noise cancellation can boost the soundproofing of over ear headphones by emitting reversed sounds that reduce external sounds. Most wireless headphones that have ANC come with different modes that let you select the volume or level at which you want to listen.

The open-back design is another feature that distinguishes over-ear headphones from earbuds. This lets the sound leave the earcups and interact with the environment, and increase the sense of immersion. It's not something you'll find on every pair of headphones, but the ones that do tend to offer a more spacious and expansive soundstage for your music.

Master & Dynamic headphones are the newest over-ear wireless Headphones bluetooth to adopt this approach with their model MW75, which debuted in June. The MW75's premium design is more than skin-deep with aluminum, leather and tempered glass for a look that stands out in a crowd. The MW75 also comes with a variety of ANC modes that can be used to adapt to different environments and improved battery life.

Focal's debut over-ear headphones are another set which feature an open-back design. They also have large soundstages to complement their music-centric features. The default sound profile of these headphones is a thumping bass mix with plenty of thump, punch and thump to match EDM and hip hop. The bass can obscure the instruments and vocals, however the graphic EQ feature in the companion app lets you adjust the sound to suit your taste. It is also possible to use them via a wired connection in USB-C mode to allow high-res audio up to 24bit/192kHz.

Isolation

When selecting headphones for sound isolation, noise is a major consideration. The most effective headphones for noise-isolation are closed-back over-ear headphones with large ear cushions that comfortably wrap around your ears. They block out most outside noises and create an encapsulated seal that blocks out background noises such as music or voices. Some wireless headphones have active noise cancellation, which further improves the isolation by removing sound from your surroundings without sacrificing audio quality.

If you're looking for an over-ear wireless headphones that offer excellent sound insulation, the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro is an excellent choice. They're lightweight and provide excellent noise cancellation which makes them a great option for long listening sessions. They have a natural and balanced sound profile with excellent bass and the treble. The headphones are ideal for studios and come with high-quality microphones to make calls.

Another great option is an alternative is the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II. They are designed to be comfortable, and feature an adjustable fit and soft ear pads that are covered in plush fabric. They also have a built-in noise-canceling microphone that works with a wide range of smartphones.

These headphones are designed to be all-rounders and come with premium features that you won't see on cheaper models. These include Bluetooth 5.0 and aptX for faster transmission speeds and lower video delay. They're also waterproof, which makes them a good choice for your next outdoor adventure.

In addition to ANC, the Sennheiser HD 25 II offers an impressively high level of passive noise reduction that cuts the ambient sound levels by 20 dB. This is a massive reduction that lets you enjoy your music even in noisy environments.

Over-ear headphones also provide greater comfort than earbuds. While every user will be different, many people find that earbuds can cause discomfort during long listening sessions. Earbuds are also more likely to slip out of your ears and are often covered in ear wax. Conversely, over-ear headphones are less likely to cause this issue and are more positioned to your eardrums, reducing the risk of damage to your hearing.

Portability

Over-ear headphones come with large ears that cover your ears, which makes them more comfortable to wear for longer durations. The design of the over-ear headphones also helps isolate you from the outside world, making them an ideal choice for long flights. The larger ear cups in over-ear headphones usually provide the best audio quality, with larger drivers and a bigger frequency range than earbuds.

Headphones are available in a variety of different styles, sizes, and price ranges. They can be tailored to meet your budget and preferences. The cheapest headphones are usually connected by wire and via a standard 3.5mm port, whereas higher-end models come with bluetooth connectivity as well as a USB DAC for high-resolution audio playback, as well as other features such as noise cancellation.

There are even sports-specific over-ear headphones that feature sweat-proof or washable earpads as well as more secure clamping force to keep them in place during intense exercise. Look for headphones that can be folded in a small bag and fit in your jacket or bag.

Some over-ear headphones wireless include microphones, allowing you to make calls on your phone or tablet without taking the headphones off. This is particularly helpful in crowded places where it may be difficult to hear someone else.

Over-ear headphones can also be the best choice to listen to podcasts or audiobooks since the earphones block any background noise, meaning they are more comfortable to listen to while reading or relax at home.

In our tests, we found that the Focal Wireless Bathys headphones ranked as the top wifi wireless headphones headphones for over-ear use. They are designed for those who love music and come with an app companion to the headphones that includes a graphic EQ and presets to customize the sound profile. They have an aptX-Adaptive codec to stream high-res video using compatible apps, like Tidal.

On the flip side the other hand, some headphones over-ear are heavy and require some thought prior to packing them away, especially in a backpack or suitcase. The weight and size of these headphones are sacrificed for the higher quality of audio and the comfort that earbuds cannot provide.

Battery Life

Battery life is a key feature of the best over-ear headphones. Batteries last longer since they don't have to be as active to keep your ears warm. Over-ears are great for listening moving around whether you're traveling or just commuting.

They are also a good option for office workers and students who need to remain focused on their work. The Marshall Major IIIs are lightweight, comfortable to wear and offer up to 44 hours of continuous playback on one charge. They also offer Bluetooth multipoint connectivity to pair with multiple devices simultaneously and physical buttons to control the device on board.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones are among the most highly rated over-ear Bluetooth headphones. They come with the ability to charge them for up to 60 hours playing back. They can also be used to make calls hands-free thanks to the built-in microphones. They come with intelligent active noise cancellation technology that automatically adjusts sound settings to fit your environment and can be activated at the press of the button. Automatic ear detection stops the playback when you take off them and resumes it automatically when you put them back on.

Focal's Bathys are their first Bluetooth headphones with a long battery life, is another option. These premium headphones were made to be awe-inspiring to audiophiles. They feature a soundstage that will transport you into a music-filled environment. These headphones come with a variety of features as well as a sophisticated system for noise cancellation. They can also last up to 34 hours when using the full battery.

Over-ears can also provide better listening time than traditional on-ears, due to their larger earcups that can accommodate larger batteries. Some budget models offer up to 95 hours of playback time on a single charge (Edifier W830BT), which is more than double what you will get from best on-ear headphones.

Over-ear Bluetooth headphones will be the best choice for audiophiles who are looking for a pair of reliable, high-quality headphones that will last for a long time. As they are located further away from the eardrums, they are less likely to harm your hearing. In fact, according to the British Hearing Foundation, over-ear headphones are twice as safe for long listening sessions as in-ear headphones.