Why Over-Ear Wireless Headphones Are Better Than Earbuds

Over-ear headphones are able to encapsulate your ears and create physical barriers between you and external sounds. The most effective models feature massive soundstages, and audiophile features.

Over-ear headphones are usually larger and bulkier than earbuds, Bluetooth headphones but many fold and come with a carrying case to make it easier to carry. They can offer longer battery life and better noise cancellation.

Sound Quality

While headphones are great for portability and convenience over-ear blue tooth headphones have superior sound quality and typically have noise cancelling technology that allows them to be used on public transport or at the office. Over-ear headphones are the most popular choice for many people because they provide the best sound quality and noise cancelling technology.

The larger size of the over-ear headphones enables them to have bigger drivers than earbuds. This results in better audio quality and sound reproduction. This is particularly true in the lower frequencies, and where over-ear headphones tend to have a richer and more powerful bass than earbuds.

Over-ear headphones isolate you from ambient noises, creating a more immersive experience. The soundproofing capabilities of headphones can be improved by using active noise cancellation that emits reversed noise, which reduces external sounds. Most wireless headphones that have ANC come with multiple modes that allow you to choose how loud or quiet you would like to listen.

The open-back design is yet another thing that differentiates over-ear headphones from earbuds. This means that the audio can leave the earcups and connect with the surrounding space which increases the sense of immersion. This isn't something you'll find on every pair of headphones, but those which do offer it usually have a more spacious and expansive soundstage for your music.

Master & Dynamic headphones are the latest wireless headphones that take this approach. They have a model MW75, which debuted in June. Aluminum, leather and glasses that are tempered give them a premium look. The MW75 comes with various ANC modes that can be adapted to various environments, and longer battery life.

Focal's first over-ear headphones feature an open-back design that has a wide soundstage that complements their music-focused features. The default sound profile of these headphones is a bass-heavy mix that has plenty thump, punch and thump to match EDM and hip hop. The bass can drown out the instruments and vocals, however the graphic EQ feature in the companion app lets you tweak the sound to your preferences. It is also possible to use them via a wired connection in USB-C mode to support hi-res audio up to 24bit/192kHz.

Isolation

Sound isolation is a crucial factor to consider when choosing headphones. The best headphones for noise isolation are closed-back, over-ear models with large ear cushions that can effectively wrap around the ears. These headphones block out the majority of outside sounds and provide a solid seal, which helps reduce the sound of ambient sounds such as music or voices. Some wireless headphones have active noise cancellation, which further improves the isolation by removing sounds from your surroundings, without sacrificing audio quality.

The Sennheiser HD 280 Pro wireless over-ear headphones offer outstanding sound isolation. They're lightweight and provide excellent passive noise isolation which makes them a great choice for listening to long periods of time. They have a natural and balanced sound quality, with a excellent bass and the treble. The headphones are also great for use in studios and come with a high-quality microphone to make calls.

Another great option is an alternative is the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II. These headphones are made for comfort and have a swivel fitting and soft earpads encased with soft fabric. They also have an earpiece that can be used as a noise cancelling microphone and are compatible with a variety of smartphones.

These headphones are designed to be all-rounders and include features you won't find on lesser models. They also come with Bluetooth 5.0 to provide more efficient transmission speeds and a lower video delay. They are also waterproof and a great choice for your next outdoor adventure.

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

Over-ear headphones are also more comfortable than earbuds. While each user will be different, many people find that earbuds can cause discomfort after long listening sessions. Earbuds are also more prone to slip out of your ear, and they are frequently covered with ear wax. Over-ear headphones, on the other side are less likely to cause hearing damage and are more close to your eardrums.

Portability

Over-ear headphones are more comfortable for long periods of time because they feature ear cups that are large. Over-ear headphones are also great for Bluetooth headphones long flights and commutes because they block out the world outside. The larger earcups in over-ear headphones usually permit them to provide the best audio quality, with larger drivers and a bigger frequency range than earbuds.

Headphones come in a variety of designs, sizes and price points to suit different requirements and budgets. Cheap headphones are usually wired and connected through the standard 3.5mm plug, whereas premium models have Bluetooth connectivity and a USB-DAC for high-resolution audio playback, as well as additional features such as noise cancellation.

Even sports-oriented headphones with earpads that can be washed or breathable and a more secure clamping force will keep them in place when exercising. For the most portable option, choose headphones that fold into a small case and can fit comfortably in your bag or jacket pocket.

Some wireless headphones come with built-in microphones that allow you to make calls on your phone or tablet without removing the headphones. This is particularly helpful in noisy environments where it is difficult to hear someone at the other end of the line.

Over-ear headphones are a good choice for listening podcasts and audiobooks, since the earphones block some background noise. This allows you to listen when you are reading or at home.

In our tests, we found that the Focal Wireless Bathys headphones were our top choice for blue tooth wireless headphones headphones for over-ear use. They're made for those who love music and come with an accompanying app that comes with an EQ graphic and presets to alter the sound profile. They employ an aptX adaptive codec to stream high-resolution audio using apps such as Tidal.

On the flip side there are headphones that are quite bulky and require some thought before packing them away, particularly in a suitcase or backpack. The size and weight of these headphones is sacrificed in exchange for high-quality audio and comfort that earbuds can't provide.

Battery Life

The top headphones for over-ears offer long battery life. They last longer because they don't have to perform as hard to keep your ears warm. This makes over-ears perfect for listening on the go, while travelling or commuting.

They are also a good choice for office workers and students who need to remain focused on their assignments. The Marshall Major IIIs are lightweight comfortable to wear and offer up to 44 hours of continuous playback per charge. They also feature Bluetooth multipoint connectivity, allowing them to pair with several devices simultaneously.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones are among the most coveted over-ear Bluetooth headphones. They come with a rechargeable case that offers up to 60 hours of playback and they can also be used hands-free for calls thanks to their built-in microphones. They feature intelligent active noise cancellation technology that automatically adjusts sound settings to fit your surroundings and can be activated with the press of one button. They also feature automatic ear detection that pauses playback when you remove the headphones. They will resume playing when you put them back on.

Other over-ears with impressive battery life include the Focal's first Bluetooth headphones The Bathys. These premium headphones are made to impress audiophiles, and feature a soundstage that can fully transport you to a musical landscape. They also have a rich feature set and a sophisticated noise cancelling system, and they can last for up to 34 hours on a single charge.

Over-ears can also provide better listening time than traditional on-ears, thanks to their bigger earcups, which can hold larger batteries. Some budget models can offer up to 95 hours of listening time on one battery charge (EdifierW830BT) which is more than twice the amount you can expect from the top on-ear headphones.

In the end that over-ear Bluetooth headphones are the best option for audiophiles looking for high-quality, durable headphones that will last for years to come. They are also less likely to damage your hearing than headphones that are in-ear, because they are further from your eardrums. According to the British Hearing Foundation over-ear headphones can be used for longer listening sessions than in-ear buds.