Best Over the Ear Headphones

Wireless headphones allow you to listen to music and podcasts without the requirement to connect wires to your audio device. They're ideal for public transportation, at work, or at home.

Wireless headphones with over-ears can feature an elegant design and outstanding noise cancellation. They usually come with a stylish storage case.

Soundcore Q30

A major improvement over the Soundcore Life 2 from late-2018 These earphones are more attractive, feel more durable and are generally more polished. The hinges are tighter, and the soft leather ear cups have been slightly larger. They are still largely made of plastic, however they are more polished. You can even swap the 3.5mm cable for a premium USB-C model to use them with portable Hi-Fi systems as well as stationary Hi-Res players. They also feature dual built-in microphones, which work well in our tests for FaceTime, Skype, and Microsoft Teams calls.

The Soundcore app comes with a wide range of EQ presets that can be adjusted and saved to allow you to listen to podcasts and music in the way you prefer. The Soundcore app makes it easy to use and sets these headphones apart.

The Q30's 40mm speakers effectively eliminate almost all ambient sound when ANC is turned on. This results in a very pleasant listening experience. The Q30's sound quality is natural, but it's a bit harsh on the treble. Some may find the bass response lacking (we have had better results with the Bass Booster Equalizer). You can fix this easily by using the Soundcore App, which comes with an eight-band Equalizer.

The left earcup features the power button and a pairing button and USB-C charging port. The right ear cup features play/pause, and volume up/down buttons. Double-clicking these controls lets you to skip tracks or repeat previous ones. You can also make use of voice commands to instruct them to switch modes or set alarms. The right earcup can also be covered by your hand to activate ambient mode, so you can be aware of what is happening around you without removing the headphones.

The battery life on these headphones is great, too. In our tests with ANC switched on the Q30 was able to last for nearly an hour longer than its competitors. This allows you to take advantage of the long flight, or a long day at work. The USB-C cable included allows you to quickly recharge the batteries. You'll also receive a warning when the battery is about to run out.

Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal's Bathys Wireless are a set of powerful over-ear headphones that feature active noise cancellation and Bluetooth playback. They're designed as an elite high-end headphones that are ideal for listening to podcasts and music on the go, but sound amazing when used for audiophile home use as well. The headphones are a little bit more expensive than similar headphones, but their superior sound quality is what makes them stand out.

The Focal Bathys are packaged in a compact, slim and attractive, white, fabric-finished box with all the accessories you require inside. The package includes a fold-flat headphone carrying case, USB-C to USB cable, 1.2mm SE cable and an audio adapter.

The battery's 600mAh capacity will last for a whole day of casual listening. They also come with an audio input that you can connect wired. When connected wirelessly, they're paired via Bluetooth and you can control their functions through an app (now known as Focal and Naim which is probably in the same vein as their English Naim brand's network-aware audio products) or using the button located on the left earcup that allows you to switch between ANC profiles like'silent','soft' transparent', and full.

The app allows you to alter different settings, like the brightness of the LEDs as well as the EQ presets (including music's profile, that sounds more neutral and brighter than other profiles) and the battery life. It also lets you to select the ANC mode and the level as well as setting an 'acoustic' setting which adjusts the sensitivity of your audio to simulate how it would sound like if it were placed in a space with different soundproofing.

The Focal Bathys have a bass-rich sound profile that adds more warmth and punch to your favourite tracks. This means that instruments and vocals are pushed back in the mix and can sound dull, wireless headphoens while details like cymbals and vocals are somewhat wire less headphone prominent than you'd expect from other headphones. They're also not as effective at active noise cancellation when compared to other over-ears with more advanced technology, like the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Apple AirPods Max.

Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony headphones are well-known for their quality and the WH1000XM5 is not an exception. It's located at the top portion of the over-ear headphone market, but it is also dipping into the luxury lifestyle sector where brands like Bang & Olufsen, Apple and Montblanc are a common sight. The XM5s are expensive, but if you can, there aren't many better Wireless headphoens over-ear headphones.

The XM5s are loaded with a number of features that simplify the lives of the listener and automate some tasks that they would be required to do manually. Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine (which upscales music that has been compressed to near high-res) as well as Bluetooth's LDAC Technology, are both included. This allows for streaming of high-quality audio at bitrates higher than conventional Bluetooth. It also has a built-in microphone for making calls hands-free.

The XM5 headphones are no different from the previous generation WH headphones in regards to noise cancellation. They're among the most efficient headphones for cutting out continuous drones that can be heard in train and underground carriages. The XM5s are great at their job isolating listeners from the traffic noises of busy streets and airports also.

The sound quality is also very good. The XM5s do not have as many details in the low-frequency range like the XM4, however they do possess more clarity and openness. The bass in Rage Against the Machine's Bullet in the Head shows off the Sonys' power and definition without affecting the rest of the music. Similar to Massive Attack's brooding Angel showcases the XM5's' ability to deliver tight and precise bass notes.

The battery life is fantastic with up to 30 hours listening time when ANC is in use and up to 40 hours when it's off. This is more than enough to last a weekend getaway or several days of heavy use.

The XM5s are not water resistant or dust resistant. Sony recommends not sweating into them or wearing them in the rain. This may not be a big deal for most people however, for those who spend a lot of time in the gym or live in a humid location this could be a big issue.

Apple AirPods Max

The Apple AirPods Max are a pair of over-ear wireless headphones equipped with Bluetooth technology and noise cancelling. Apple designed dynamic drivers measuring 40mm with a neutral sound profile that focuses on mids and highs without going too loud. This makes them ideal for both music and movies. They also provide better sound quality than many rival headphones.

The headphones have a lightweight construction that is comfortable on the head. The ear cups are constructed of memory foam and covered with a woven fabric. They are comfortable to wear without pressing on the sides of the face. The earcups can also tilt and rotate to accommodate different head shapes. The hinges that are spring loaded have a strong but not too powerful clamping force, which makes sure that the ear cups remain in place during listening sessions.

Switch on noise cancellation by pressing a small button located at the top of the right earcup. There's also a pushable, Jog-dial-like button, akin to the digital crown on the Apple Watch, that you can turn to adjust the volume and press the button once, twice or thrice to control playback. Siri is invoked by pressing and holding the button. These buttons are well-placed and easy to use, but I missed having a power button to turn the wirless headphones off when they are not in use. The headphones are put into standby mode when removed from your ears or when placed in their case. They come back to life when you place them on your head.

Another great feature is spatial audio, which uses the accelerometers and gyroscopes in the AirPods Max and your iPhone or iPad to determine where you're moving, then repositions the sound to make it seem like they're coming from those locations. This creates a cinema-like experience for movies and videos that were recorded in 5.1, 7.1 or Dolby Atmos. Only iOS devices can be used to listen to the spatial audio.

The AirPods Max is a decent pair, but I would feel a bit ripped off when I spend $549 at an Apple Store knowing that the newer model would be better after a year. The AirPods Pro have more advanced features and a better battery life, making it hard to justify the extra cost for most people.