Why Over-Ear Wireless Headphones Are Better Than Earbuds

Over-ear headphones protect your ears and create a physical barrier between you and outside sounds. They also have a significant advantage in sound quality with the best models boasting massive soundstages and audiophile-quality features.

Over-ear headphones are generally larger and bulkier, but they are often accompanied by a carry bag that can fold in order to be portable. They can have longer battery lives, and also offer superior noise cancellation.

Sound Quality

While earbuds are great for portability and convenience, over-ear headphones offer superior sound quality and typically come with noise cancelling technology which allows them to be used in public transport or at the office. For many people, this is a deal-breaker and over-ear headphones are their preferred option.

Over-ear headphones have a larger design, which allows them to have a larger driver than earbuds. This results in a greater sound reproduction and sound quality. This is especially true for the lower frequencies, where over-ear headphones typically have more rich and powerful bass than earbuds.

Over-ear headphones also isolate the listener from noises around them, making them a more intimate and private experience. Active noise cancellation can improve the soundproofing capabilities of over-ear headphones by emitting reversed sound that reduce external sounds. Most wireless headphones that have ANC come with several modes that allow you to choose how loud or quiet you want to listen.

The open-back design is a different feature that differentiates over-ear headphones from earbuds. This allows the audio to leave the earcups and interact with the surroundings and enhance the immersion. It's not something you'll find on every pair of headphones, but those which do offer it usually have larger and more expansive soundstage for your music.

Master & Dynamic headphones are the most recent over-ear wireless bt headphones headphones to adopt this approach, with their model MW75 that was launched in June. The premium design is more than skin-deep with leather, aluminum, and tempered glass for an appearance that is distinctive in a crowd. The MW75 also features a range of ANC modes to suit different environments and improve battery life.

Focal's first over-ear headphones are another set that uses an open-back design. They also have an expansive soundstage that complements their music-centric features. Their default sound profile is deep in bass, and has plenty of thump and a punch to compliment EDM and hip-hop. Instruments and vocals are a little veiled by the bass, however you can adjust the sound to your liking using the companion application's graphic EQ and presets. The devices can be used in USB-C mode with an audio cable that is wired to allow high-resolution audio up to 24bit/192kHz.

Isolation

When choosing 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 can comfortably wrap around your ears. These models block out the majority of outside noise and offer a secure seal, which helps to reduce background noises like voices or music. Some over-ear wireless headphones feature active noise cancellation, which further enhances isolation by blocking out the sounds from your surroundings, without sacrificing quality audio.

If you're looking for an over-ear wireless headphones that offer outstanding sound isolation the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro is an excellent choice. They offer impressive noise isolation and are lightweight and comfortable, making them an ideal option for long listening sessions. They have a natural and balanced sound profile with excellent bass and the treble. They are perfect for studios and include high-quality microphones for calls.

The Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II is a different option. They are designed to be comfortable, featuring an adjustable fit and soft ear pads that are covered in plush fabric. These headphones also come with an earpiece that can be used as a noise cancelling microphone and are compatible with numerous smartphones.

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

The Sennheiser HD 25 II also provides a high degree of passive sound reduction, reducing ambient noise levels by 20 dB. This is a huge reduction that lets you enjoy your music even in noisy environments.

Over-ear headphones also offer greater comfort than earbuds. Although every person will experience this differently, many users report that earbuds cause discomfort during long listening sessions. Earbuds are also prone to slip out of your ear and are usually covered in earwax. In contrast, headphones that are over-ear are less likely to cause this problem and are positioned closer to your eardrums, reducing the chance of hearing damage.

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 long commutes and flights as they keep you away from the world outside. The larger ear cups of over-ear headphones generally provide superior audio quality, with bigger drivers and a wider frequency range than earbuds.

Headphones are available in a variety of styles, sizes, and price points to suit different requirements and budgets. The cheapest headphones are typically wired and connected via a standard 3.5mm plug, while premium models include Bluetooth connectivity as well as a USB-DAC to provide high-quality audio playback, and extra features such as noise cancellation.

There are also sports-specific over-ear headphones with washable or breathable earpads and more secure clamping force to keep them in place even during intense exercise. Look for headphones that can be folded into a compact bag and then tucked away in your jacket or bag.

Some wireless over-ear headphones have built-in microphones that let you to make calls on your tablet or phone without having to remove the headphones. This is particularly helpful in busy places in noisy areas, where it may be difficult to hear someone on the other end of the line.

Over-ear headphones can also be a better choice for listening to audiobooks and podcasts because the earphones block out some ambient sound, so they are easier to listen to while reading or relax at your home.

In our tests, we found that the Focal Wireless Bathys headphones were our top choice for wireless headphones for over-ear use. They are made to be used by music lovers. The companion app has an EQ graphic with presets, as well as a sound profile that can be altered. They employ an aptX adaptive codec to stream high-resolution audio using apps like Tidal.

Some over-ear headphones can be heavy, and fitting them into a backpack or suitcase is a hassle. However their weight and size are a compromise for better comfort and a higher quality of audio that isn't available with headphones.

Battery Life

The top headphones for over-ears offer long battery life. They do not need to work as hard to keep your ears insulated, so their batteries can last longer than the ones in on-ears. This makes them ideal for listening on the go, while travelling or commuting.

These headphones are ideal for students and office workers who need to focus on their work. The Marshall Major IIIs feature a lightweight design that is comfortable to wear and can run for up to 44 hours on a single charge. They also feature Bluetooth multipoint connectivity, allowing you to connect with multiple devices simultaneously, and physical buttons for on-board control.

The Sony WH1000XM5 Wireless Headphones that are over-ear Bluetooth headphones, are among the best-rated. They come with an charging case that can allow for up to 60 hours playing back. They can also be used to make calls hands-free due to the built-in microphones. The headphones feature intelligent active noise cancellation technology which automatically adjusts the sound settings to your environment. You can turn it on by pressing a single button. They also have automatic ear detection that pauses playback when you take off the headphones. They will resume playing when you put them back on.

Other over-ears that have a long battery life include the Focal's newest Bluetooth headphones The Bathys. These high-end headphones were designed to impress audiophiles. They feature a soundstage which can transport you into a musical environment. They also come with a hefty feature set and a sophisticated noise cancelling system. They also last for up to 34 hours on a single charge.

Over-ears also provide better listening time than on-ears thanks to their larger earcups, Bluetooth headphones range which can house larger batteries. Some budget models can provide up to 95 hours of listening time on one charge (EdifierW830BT), more than double what you get with the best on-ear headphones.

Over-ear Bluetooth headphones are the best choice for audiophiles in search of a pair of durable, premium headphones that can last for many years. They are also less likely to harm your hearing than headphones that are in-ear, as they sit farther away from your eardrums. According to the British Hearing Foundation, over-ear headphones are twice as safe for long listening sessions than in-ear headphones.