Best Over-Ear Wireless Headphones

If you're in the market for a pair of wireless over-ear headphones, consider these. They're not only comfortable to wear, they offer excellent active noise cancellation that blocks out background noises, allowing you to focus on your music.

Focal's first wireless headphones are an audiophile's dream. They feature a deep, full sound with enough thump to support EDM however vocals and instruments are not left out. They come with a companion application and ANC presets that allow you to customize the sound to meet your personal preferences.

Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony's WH1000XM5 is the most recent generation of its popular headphones, that feature automatic adaptive noise cancellation (ANC) to cancel out ambient sounds. With a remarkable 27-hour playback duration, they are perfect for long commutes and long trips. The WH1000XM5 also features a handy feature that allows you to pair them with up to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously, making it easy to switch between calls and music. The sleek, minimalist design and eco-friendly packaging (using recycled plastic specifically developed for Sony) make them a desirable option for those who are concerned about sustainability.

Comparatively to their predecessors, the XM5s are a bit lighter and more comfortable, with the headband that is comfortably around your ears, with less pressure on your head. They are also more stylish and sleek, with a brand new design that can be incorporated into most outfits. And they're now available in a gorgeous matte black that's more appealing than the previous generation's glossy black.

One of the most appealing features of the WH1000XM5 is its smart noise cancellation function, which detects when you take off the headphones and then pauses the audio. When you put the headphones back on the audio is automatically resumed. This is an excellent way to save battery and it is effective.

The XM5s make a great option for audio quality due to their LDAC codec and DSEE Extreme upscaling. Rage Against the Machine's dark Bullet in the Head shows off the bass work of Tim Commerford with real power, while Billie Eilish's Bad Guy features a delicate but deliberate vocal fade.

A word of caution for gym-goers and those who live in rainy climes: the WH-1000XM5s don't have an IP rating, so they aren't able to be used in humidity. In the manual, it's explicitly stipulated that you shouldn't use the headset in the rain or when you sweat into it.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 represents a refreshing upgrade of B&W's previous flagship wireless headphone, PX7. Instead of a simple upgrade the Series 2 delivers a substantial increase in both ANC and audio quality. The design also gets a bit more refined, with a design that's more mature than the sleek, modern-day looks of Sony's XM5 and Apple's AirPods Max.

A switch to turn off power ensures that you know whether the headphones are turned on, and buttons for play / pause and volume make it simple to navigate through your music collection. There's a button that can be customized located on the left earcup that can be remapped to activate your voice assistant, and there's also an ambient pass-through mode that allows you to hear what's going on around you, without having to take off the headphones.

streaming an 16-bit/44.1kHz master of Dennis Wilson's River Song from his Pacific Ocean Blue album using the S2s, the soundstage is expansive and detailed with layered harmonies and atmospheric textures bursting through. The vocals are well-centered and there's a good low-end extension.

One area where the S2s don't excel is in EQ control The S2s allow you to increase or decrease treble and headphones Wireless bluetooth bass by 6dB, but there aren't any EQ presets to help you to find the perfect balance. This isn't a big issue for most listeners, however those who want to control their sound's tone themselves will need to look elsewhere.

Overall all, the PX7 S2s are a great option for headphones wireless bluetooth those seeking an active noise-canceling headset with a premium feel and finish. They're not as versatile as the XM5s mentioned above however, they're still an excellent option for most listeners. You'll just have to decide whether their superior ANC and audio quality is enough to cover the slightly higher price tag.

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The Bose QuietComfort 45 is a pair of wireless headphones that offer excellent noise cancellation. They also come with a 24-hour battery life. They are light and comfortable enough to wear in the home. The built-in buttons can be controlled by an app that comes with the headphones, but customization is only limited. (Sorry there's no equalizer). You can pick from various sound profiles based on the situation, such as when you're traveling or working at home. The QC45s feature an Aware Mode which permits outside sounds to be heard using ANC. This can be useful for those who want to hear traffic and children while out and about.

The audio quality of the Headphones Wireless bluetooth isn't quite on a par with the WH-1000XM5s but it's still a good performance. The bass isn't pounding but it does offer decent depth and a good amount of the sound's texture. The mids and highs are smooth and there is no shrillness or harshness.

The QC45s have a tendency to favor higher frequencies. This can result in a slight sibilance while listening to certain music. This isn't a big deal and is easily fixed in software by tweaking the headphone settings.

The controls are intuitive. The left earcup turns the bluetooh headphones on and off, controls music playback, and manages Bluetooth pairing. There's also a multi-function Action button that can also be used as a power switch and voice assistant as well as volume control. There's a microphone to take phone calls, and Siri or Alexa is available.

Audio-Technica ATH-M20x

The ATH-M20x are a chic pair of headphones that provide excellent sound quality for the price. The headphones are durable and well-constructed. Although the headband and ear cups are made from plastic, it is durable enough that it will be robust enough for long-term use. The ear cups are adjustable by up to 15° which means they can be placed in a comfortable position on the majority of ears.

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

Utilizing the headphones is simple. There are three buttons along the the left earcup which allow you to control playback as well as other functions. You can pause, switch tracks and even adjust the volume using these buttons. The ATH-M20x has a built-in microphone for voice commands and calls. 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 flat, and there isn't much bass. The high frequencies sound crisp and clear. These headphones are renowned for their high-frequency treble. These headphones are great for pop, jazz and classical music.

The ATH-M20x is a light headphone, weighing just under 190g without the cord. They have a good amount of padding around the ear cups however they aren't foldable. They are bulky and won't fit in a bag or backpack. They don't have a detachable cable. Audio-Technica ATH-M40x are a good choice for those who want a set of headphones that are more mobile. It is more comfortable with the ability to fold, swivel ear cups that are flat and have removable cables. It is more expensive but offers more isolation, more bass and longer battery life.

Skullcandy Dime 2

The Dime 2 is one of Skullcandy's better-sounding true wireless earbuds. It comes with a small, compact carrying case that is easy to slip into pockets or purses. It also comes with a variety of sizes of ear gels to accommodate different ears. It's also lighter than other wireless headphones that we've tested.

The earbuds come with dual microphones, which are excellent for capturing your voice and reducing background noise when you make phone calls. However, they're not suitable for use outdoors because the ambient noise can drown out your voice. The earbuds can also be problematic in windy environments, and they may cut off certain parts of your speech.

The earbuds are still very good sounding despite these minor problems. They have a clear high-end that doesn't spill into the mids, and they've got a good amount of mid-bass that adds some punch to your music.

The AirPod Pro has a dual-tap function that works well but not as intuitive as the Apple AirPod Pro. It is necessary to place your thumb on bottom stem to ensure stability and then press the logo to initiate a command. It's not as responsive as the pinch gesture system and is a bit inconvenient.

The earbuds can last for around four hours with just one charge. They also come with a quick-charge feature that lets them last two additional hours. They are IPX4 rated for their resistance to water and sweat. The earbuds come with an included carrying case that has a couple of openings for the earbuds and an elastic loop to secure them to your clothing. The case comes in a variety of colors, including Doritos Red. You can purchase them online for under $30 USD.