Why Over Ear Wireless Headphones Are Better Than Earbuds

With their large ear cups, over ear wireless headphones isolate you better from the outside sounds. They also are able to use active noise cancellation better than earbuds, which is useful in loud environments.

The Sony WH1000XM5 is an industry-leading pair of headphones for over-ears that have excellent sound quality and active noise cancellation. They support a variety of audio formats, wired including lossless high-resolution audio streaming using the LDAC codec.

Comfort

Over-ear headphones encase your ears and offer more comfort than in ear headphones. They are also lighter since they don't require a cord to reach your head like earbuds, and can accommodate more devices (like batteries and microphones) inside due to their larger size. This makes them more mobile and, therefore, better suited to travel.

A comfortable pair of headphones should have softly padded earcups that wrap around your ear and a light, non-stressing headband. The headphones should be easily adjustable so that you can adjust the ear cups and headband to get a better fit. Find headphones that have cushioned memory foam in the earcups if intend to listen for extended periods of time.

Some headphones with over-ears come with active noise cancellation, which reduces the background noise. This lets you concentrate on your music without being distracted by external sounds. This makes it easier to listen to your music or podcasts and could help you concentrate better in the workplace or on an airplane.

Over-ear headphones also help reduce the background noise by forming a good seal. Although you'll still hear outside noise, it's usually less noticeable than with in-ear headphones, and doesn't annoy in the same way when you go into a noisy area.

On-ear headphones rest on your ears instead of over them, which is more comfortable for those with ear piercings that are specific to glasses shapes that make in-ear headphones uncomfortable. They can also be lighter and more portable than over-ear headphones because they have a smaller size and are easier to carry in your bag.

Some headphones come with additional padding inside the ear cups to further enhance comfort. They'll typically be open-back designs that allow you to hear the sounds around you. This is a great option for those who like listening to their surroundings and their music.

Sound

It is important that your headphones sound great especially if you're planning spend this much on headphones. Luckily, Bluetooth headphones have come a long way in recent years, and over-ear wireless models can deliver a rich, balanced sound that rivals their wired counterparts. Look for modern Bluetooth chips that are energy-efficient and support audio codecs like aptX and THX, as well as earcups made of comfortable materials.

Over-ear headphones can provide a more immersive listening experience than on-ear models as they cover your ears completely. This will result in a larger and wired clear soundstage, as well as more separation between vocals and instruments. A larger earcup can also be used to accommodate larger drivers that can give your music the clarity and fullness that serious audiophiles want.

The drawback of headphones with over-ears is that they tend to let in a bit more ambient sound than models with on-ear headphones. It's a small cost to pay for the peace they offer, particularly in noisy places like public transportation or at work. They're also a lot heavier and bigger than the on-ear models, which makes them difficult to fit in bags.

Battery life is another aspect to take into consideration headphones that are over-ear typically offering 20 to 60 hours of playback. The amount of noise cancellation you use will impact this as will the volume you listen to.

On-ear wireless headphones usually last between 30 and 40 hours, based on the model. The average is between two and ones that last longer tend to be heavier and less bulky.

The Sony WH-CH720Ns are a good example of a pair that comes with an impressive number of features for a budget price. The Sony WH-CH720Ns aren't as high-end as the WH-1000XM4s however they do have a wide range of features such as adaptive active noise cancelling multi-point pairing, support for Sony 360 Reality Audio, DSEE upscaling and more.

Bowers & Wilkins' PX7 S2 is the top wireless over-ear headphone for the money, if you're on a tight budget. These elegant headphones sport an elegant design, with a solid feature-set that includes ANC.

Noise Cancellation

While earbuds can be great for blocking out ambient noise (just stick them in your ears), over-ear wireless headphones generally provide better active noise cancellation experience. The reason is that they can cover a larger area around your ears thanks to their larger outer housings, which means they're able and create more sound to block out any ambient sounds you're listening to.

Some models may include several ANC modes to choose according to your listening scenario, with the capability of allowing external audio to pass through to allow you to listen in public or working. Focal's entrance into the burgeoning premium over-ear noise cancelling headphone market is a perfect example with its beautiful-looking Bathys that provide a stunningly high-quality, resonant sound that brings mixing booth level quality to your everyday listening.

Sony's XM4s is another pair of over-ear wireless headphones we have tested. They come with passive noise isolation that lets you concentrate on your music and also a host of useful features, such as voice control, LDAC to play hi-res audio playback, and a smart application that lets you change the EQ settings for any song. They capture every note of Sinead O'Connor's "Nothing Compares 2 You" to the bridge's trembling.

It's up to you and your budget to decide which pair is the best fit for you. Over-ears are more comfortable than earbuds and are less likely to fall out. If you intend to wear them for a long period of time it is worth investing in a pair with the right earbuds.

The extra volume of these headphones allows them to carry an extra battery and offer more advanced features such as superior drivers and a more advanced active noise cancellation technology. They're also a more affordable option than true audiophile headphones for listening to analytic music that can cost as much as $250 or AU$450 for a pair.

Earbuds are a less expensive and less bulky option, however they do not block out as much ambient noise and don't come with the same range of features.

Battery Life

To truly be portable, headphones must offer the longest playback time. The Best over ear headphones noise cancelling over-ear wireless headphones provide around 30 hours of uninterrupted music without active noise cancellation being turned on (this dramatically reduces the battery life) and models with ANC are typically much longer.

Over-ear wireless headphones feature larger ear cups that can hold larger batteries, which can provide more battery longevity than smaller in-ears and on-ears. However, over-ears tend to sacrifice some portability to provide longer time-to-run and additional features like foldable ear cups and carrying cases.

The majority of wireless headphones over-ear connect to an audio source with a cable that terminates in 3.5mm jacks, though premium over-ears might use larger 6.3mm or XLR connectors. Over-ear headphones with a wired connection can connect to an external audio output via an additional cable, while wireless models connect to a mobile device via Bluetooth.

Some wireless over-ear headphones have built-in microphones, allowing users to make hands-free calls with your mobile. Others feature a volume control button which allows you to skip tracks or start and stop playback. Some headphones can charge your smartphone while you use them, however this is usually only found on high-end models.

If you prefer the deep bass of EDM or the more balanced sound of classical music, over-ear wireless headphones can deliver excellent audio quality. Many of them are open-back, which means they don't shut off the ears from ambient sounds, and have larger drivers of varying sizes and types to help create a more expansive, richer sounding music.

Focal's debut headphones are a high-end audiophile wireless over-ear headphones that brings mixing booth quality to your daily listening. They're designed to work with Apple devices, which limits their functionality, but when you're ready to give them a home on your iPhone or iPad they deliver a sonic experience that's detailed and evocative.

These headphones for over-ears are constructed with a high-end design and construction. They feature aluminum details encased in soft Nappa leather. They're designed for serious listeners and can be adjusted to fit the shape of your ears and come with a custom-fitting carrying pouch that ensures an optimum fit. The MW08s have 11mm berylium speakers for a full and immersive sound that mimics the acoustics that you hear from live performances. They support the aptX and AAC Bluetooth codecs, with the companion app providing various options for customization to adjust their sound profile to suit your preferences.