Best Over-Ear Wireless Headphones

Consider these if you are seeking wireless headphones for your ears. They're not just comfortable to wear, they offer excellent active noise cancellation that blocks out background noises so you can concentrate on the music.

Focal's debut wireless headphones are an audiophile's dream. They feature a deep and full sound that has enough thump to support EDM, but vocals and instruments are not left out. They have an app companion to the music and ANC presets to adjust the sound to your preference.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH-1000XM5 from Sony is the most recent version of the well-known headphones. It comes with an adaptive noise cancellation feature that will cancel out ambient sound. With an impressive 27-hour playback duration they are great for commutes and long journeys. They also have a nifty feature that lets you pair them with two Bluetooth devices at once, which makes it easy to switch between calls and music. The WH1000XM5 is appealing to anyone who is interested in sustainability due to its sleek, minimalist design and eco-friendly packaging.

The XM5s feature a lighter and more comfortable headband that is a perfect fit over your ears and puts less pressure on your skull. They're also more stylish with an updated, subtle look that helps them blend in with most outfits. They're also available in a matte black that looks even better than the glossy black of previous generations.

One of the most impressive features is their smart noise cancellation function, which detects when you've removed the headphones and pauses your audio. When you put the headphones back on the audio will resume automatically. This is an excellent way to conserve battery power and it is effective.

For sound quality, the XM5s do a great job with both LDAC codec support and DSEE Extreme audio upscaling. Rage Against the Machine's eerie Bullet in the Head showcases the bass skills of Tim Commerford with real power as Billie Eilish's Bad Guy has a delicate but deliberate vocal fade.

A warning for those who exercise and who live in rainy climes: the WH-1000XM5s don't have an IP rating, therefore they aren't able to be used in moisture. In the manual, it's explicitly stipulated that you shouldn't use the headset in the rain or if you sweat into it.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 represents a refreshing update of B&W's former flagship wireless headphone, PX7. Instead of a simple upgrade, the Series 2 delivers a substantial increase in both ANC and audio quality. The design is also more refined. It's more sophisticated rather than the shiny, futuristic appearance of Sony's XM5 or Apple's AirPods Max.

The headphones can be switched off and on using a slider switch. There are buttons on the side for volume, play/pause and to navigate through your music collection. The left earcup features an adjustable button that can be remapped for your voice assistant. There's also an ambience pass-through mode that allows you to hear what's happening around you.

Streaming the 16-bit/44.1kHz master of Dennis Wilson's River Song from his Pacific Ocean blue tooth headphones album via the S2s, the soundstage is expansive and detailed with layered harmonies and atmospheric textures that are clearly heard. The vocals are well-centered and there's a good low-end extension.

One area in which the S2s fall short is in EQ control The S2s allow you to increase or decrease the bass and treble by 6dB, but there aren't any EQ presets to help you determine the right balance. The majority of listeners won't feel concerned about this, but those who like to customize their audio will need to look elsewhere.

Overall overall, the PX7 S2s are a good option for those who want an active noise-canceling headset with an elegant feel and a high-end finish. They're not as flexible as the aforementioned XM5s however, they're still a great option for most listeners. You'll have to decide whether their superior ANC and audio quality are enough to offset the slightly higher price.

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The Bose QuietComfort 45 are a excellent pair of over-ear wireless headphones that provide excellent noise cancellation and 24-hour battery life. They're also light and comfortable enough to be worn around the house. The built-in buttons can be controlled with an app that comes with the headphones, however the options for customization are only limited. (Sorry there's no equalizer). You can select from a variety of sound profiles based on circumstances, like when you're traveling or working from home. The QC45s also feature a feature called Aware Mode that lets outside sounds be heard when using ANC which is useful for people who want to hear their children and traffic when out and about.

The audio quality of the headphones isn't as great as that of the WH-1000XM5s, but it's still decent. The bass isn't overpowering, but it does provide decent depth and a good amount of the sound's texture. The mids and the highs are well rounded and there's no harshness or shrillness.

One issue is that the QC45s are more inclined to use higher frequencies, which may cause an occasional sibilance while listening to certain songs. This isn't a major issue and can be fixed with software by adjusting the headphone settings.

The controls are easy to use. A button on the left earcup powers on and off the headphones as well as controls playback of music and manages Bluetooth pairing. A multi-function Action Button is also available. It can serve as a power toggle and voice assistant in addition to controlling volume. There's a microphone for phone calls as well as Siri or Alexa is available.

Audio-Technica ATH-M20x

The ATH-M20x are a stylish pair of wiresless headphones that offer great sound for the price. They are well built with solid feel to them. The headband and earcups are made of plastic, but they're strong enough to last many years. The ear cups can rotate up to 15 degrees so they will fit comfortably on most ears.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x has Bluetooth 5.0 which allows you to stream your music wirelessly. They boast a long battery life with up 30 hours of listening time. They come with an USB cable to charge.

The use of the headphones is easy. There are three buttons along the the left ear cup that let you control playback and other functions. These buttons let you pause, change tracks, and Wiresless Headphones even adjust the volume. The ATH-M20x comes with an integrated microphone for calls and voice commands. The headset comes with low-latency modes that make it ideal for gaming and video calls.

While the ATH-M20x headphones have excellent audio quality, they are not the best choice for all genres of music. Vocals can sound dull, and there's not much bass. The high frequencies are crisp and clear however. The treble is the most prominent feature of these headphones. They will be a good option for classical, pop and jazz.

The ATH-M20x headphones weigh light at just 190 grams without the cord. The ear cups are cushioned, but they are not able to fold. They are large and cannot fit into the backpack or bag. The cable cannot be removable. Audio-Technica ATH-M40x are a better option for those looking for an audio system that is more portable. It is more comfortable with the ability to fold, swivel ears that lay flat and removable cables. It's more expensive but offers better isolation, more bass and a longer battery life.

Skullcandy Dime 2

The Dime 2 is Skullcandy’s best-sounding true wireless headphones. It comes with a compact, compact case that's easy to put in pockets or purses. It also comes with various ear gel sizes to accommodate different ears. It's also lighter than other wireless earbuds we tested.

Dual microphones are excellent for picking up your voice when you call and reducing background noise. However, they're not ideal for outdoor use since the ambient noise can drown out your voice. The earbuds also struggle with windy environments and can clip parts of your speech.

Despite these minor issues the earbuds are solid in bass and other quality of sound. They have a clear high end that doesn't bleed into the mids, and they have a nice amount of mid-bass which adds some punch to your music.

The AirPod Pro has a dual-tap function that works well but not as intuitive as Apple AirPod Pro. You have to place your thumb on the bottom stem to ensure stability and then press the logo to trigger an instruction. It's a bit awkward, and it doesn't feel as responsive as a pinch-gear system.

The earbuds are able to last for about four hours on a single charge. They also come with a quick-charge feature for two additional hours. The earbuds are also IPX4 tested for their resistance to sweat and water. The earbuds come with a carrying case that has several openings to accommodate the buds and a loop to attach them to your clothes. The case comes in a variety of colors and styles, including Doritos red. You can purchase them on the internet for less than $30 USD.