Best Over the Ear Headphones

Wireless headphones let you listen to music and podcasts without the requirement to connect a wire less head phones to your audio device. These headphones are ideal for use in public transport, at the office or at home.

Wireless over-ear headphones may have an elegant design and outstanding noise cancellation. They typically come with a sleek storage case.

Soundcore Q30

A major improvement over the Soundcore Life 2 from late-2018, these over-ears are more attractive, feel more durable, and are generally more polished. They're still mostly made of plastic, but the hinges are a bit more secure and the soft protein leather cups are larger. You can even swap the 3.5mm cable for a better USB-C version to use them with portable Hi-Fi systems as well as stationary Hi-Res players. They also feature two microphones built-in, which perform well in our tests for wireless Headphones Bluetooth FaceTime, Skype, and Microsoft Teams calls.

The Soundcore app comes with a wide range of EQ presets that can be altered and saved to listen to music and podcasts in the style you prefer. The Soundcore app makes it easy to use and makes these headphones stand out.

When ANC is turned on, the Q30's 40mm drivers effectively block out most of the ambient noise, and provide excellent listening. The Q30's sound signature is natural, however it lags a little on the treble. Some might find the bass response lacking (we got better results with the Bass Booster EQ). However, you can solve this issue with the Soundcore application, as there is an 8-band equalizer to allow you to tweak.

The left earcup features a power button, a pairing button, and USB-C charging port. The right earcup is equipped with buttons for volume up/down, play/pause and volume up/down. Double-clicking on these buttons allows you to skip tracks or repeat previous ones. They also support an option to speak to them which allows you to request to change the mode or set an alarm. The right earcup can also be covered by your hand to activate ambient mode, so you can hear what's happening around you, without removing the headphones.

These headphones have a great battery life. The Q30 lasted an hour longer in our tests when ANC was switched on than the other models. This allows you to take advantage of a long flight, or a busy day at work. The USB-C cable included allows you to quickly recharge the batteries. You'll also get an alert when your battery is about to run out.

Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal's Bathys Wireless is a pair of powerful over-ear Bluetooth headphones that offer active noise cancellation as well as Bluetooth playback. They're designed as an elite high-end headphones that are great for listening to music and podcasts on the go but also sound fantastic when used for audiophile home use as well. They're slightly more expensive than other similar headphones, but their superior audio quality is the primary selling factor.

The Focal Bathys are packed in a compact attractive white box with a fabric finish. It comes with all the accessories you'll require. There's a fold-flat headphone carry case, USB-C to USB-C cable, 1.2mm SE cable and an audio adapter.

The battery's capacity is 600mAh, which can last for a full day of listening to music casually. They also have an audio input to use wired. When they're wirelessly connected, they're connected via Bluetooth and you can control their functions using an app (now called Focal & Naim likely in line with their English Naim brand's products that are network-aware) or via the button on the left earcup that allows you to switch between ANC profiles like'soft','silent transparent' and 'full'.

Utilizing the app, you are able to change various settings such as the LED brightness and EQ presets, including a "music profile' that sounds brighter and more neutral than the other ones and also their battery life. You can also select the ANC level and mode as well as select an 'acoustic environment setting to alter the sensitivity to mimic the sound of headphones in a different room.

The Focal Bathys feature an incredibly bass-rich sound that adds extra energy and warmth to your favorite tracks. This means that vocals and instruments are nudged back in the mix and can sound veiled while details like cymbals are somewhat less prominent than you might expect on some other headphones. They're also not as effective in active noise cancelation when contrasted to other headphones with more advanced technology, like the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Apple AirPods Max.

Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony headphones are well-known for their high-end quality and the WH1000XM5 headphones are no exception. It is at the top portion of the headphones for over-ear, and is slipping into the 'luxury lifestyle' category where brands like Bang & Olufsen, Apple and Montblanc hang out. This means the XM5s come with a high cost, but when you can afford it, there are more superior wireless over-ear headphones on the market.

The XM5s have features that make life easier for listeners and, in a few instances, automate tasks they'd otherwise have to deal with manually. Sony's DSEE Extreme engine (which upscales compressed music to near hi-res) is included and also support for Bluetooth's LDAC technology. This allows streaming of high-quality audio with bitrates that are higher than standard Bluetooth. There's even a built-in microphone for making calls hands-free.

The XM5 headphones are no different from the previous generation headphones from WH, in regards to noise cancellation. They are among the best at cutting down on the continuous drones that can be heard in train and underground carriages. The XM5s also excel in separating the listener from the hum of busy streets and airports.

The sound quality is very good. The XM5s lack as much detail in the low-frequency range as the XM4, but, they do have an increased sense of clarity and a greater sense of openness. The bass in Rage Against the Machine’s Bullet in the Head shows the Sonys power and clarity, 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.

Battery life is also good, providing up to 30 hours of listening time with ANC active, and 40 hours when it's turned off. This is more than enough for a weekend getaway or a long period of usage.

The XM5s are not waterproof or dust-proof. Sony actually advises against sweating into the XM5s or taking them out in the rain. This might not be a big deal for most people however for those who spend long hours in the gym or live in a humid location, it could be a significant issue.

Apple AirPods Max

The Apple AirPods Max are a pair of Wireless headphones bluetooth - bestone-korea.com, headphones over-ear equipped with Bluetooth technology and noise cancellation. Apple created dynamic drivers that measure 40mm with a neutral sound profile that focuses on highs and mids, but not going overboard. This makes them great for both movies and music. They also have superior fidelity when compared to other headphones.

The headphones have a light construction that is comfortable on the head. The earcups are made of memory foam and covered with weaved fabric. They are comfortable to wear without pressing on the sides of the face. The ear cups also tilt and rotate to accommodate various head shapes. The spring-loaded hinges offer an incredibly firm, yet not too strong clamping force that makes sure the ear cups stay in position during listening sessions.

A small button located on the top of the right ear cup can be used to toggle noise cancellation modes. It also has 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 it once, twice or thrice to playback control. Pressing and holding the button triggers Siri. These buttons are well-placed and simple to use, however I missed having a power button to turn the headphones off when they are not in use. The headphones automatically go into standby mode after being removed from your ears or put in their case, and they only wake up when you place them on your head again.

Spatial audio is another great feature. It uses the accelerometers, gyroscopes, and iPads or iPhones to determine where you are moving. Then, it repositions the sounds to make them appear to come from the location you are in. This creates an immersive theater-like experience for movies and videos recorded in 5.1, 7.1 or Dolby Atmos. The only downside is that spatial audio requires an iOS device for use, and it won't allow you to enjoy it with other devices.

The AirPods Max is a decent pair, but I would feel a bit ripped off for spending $549 at an Apple Store knowing that the second-generation model would be better in the next year. The AirPods Pro have more advanced features and better battery performance, making it hard to justify the extra cost for the majority of people.