Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Roundup

Wireless headphones remove the limitations of wires in your listening experience. They are more comfortable for longer periods of time, and some can fold up into a compact shape to store when not in use.

The Sony WH-1000XM5s Bluetooth headphones are an excellent pair of Bluetooth headsets that tick all the boxes. They offer class-leading sound quality, noise cancelling, a stylish design, and a comfortable fit. They support the lossless LDAC high-res codec for playback of high-quality audio.

Sound Quality

If you're a fan large, full-size wireless headsets that are worn over your ear and are connected with headphones that isolate and amplify sound there's a wide range of choices. In our list of the best Bluetooth Over The Ear Apple Headphones-ear headphones you'll find UC certified headsets that are compatible with communication platforms such as Microsoft Teams. You'll also find premium pairs from Sony, Sennheiser and Bose which are just as they are durable.

One of our favourites is the Sony WH-1000XM5 pair, that improve upon their multi-award-winning predecessor by offering slimmer design and more refined noise cancellation. They also provide 37 hours of playback on a single charge, and can be charged quickly to give you 8 hours of use within 15 minutes. They provide a balanced and enjoyable sound, and also support the lossless Sony LDAC high-res codec to stream music in stunning HD.

They have luscious, twinkling highs, and distinct mids and bass. You can even tweak the sound signature using the headphones mobile app, adding more emphasis to the bass and treble to suit your personal preferences. In our tests, they were remarkably precise and clear, with vocals and orchestral music booming in stunning detail.

One of our top-rated over-ear Bluetooth headphones is the Logitech G HUB Wireless Headphones, which have an incredibly balanced sound right out of the box and provide clear audio. They're equipped with a decent amount of low-bass to help emphasize sound effects and game music and their sound is consistent. They're compatible with Logitech's HUB software, which includes an EQ graphic and presets so you can modify the sound to your liking.

If you're willing spend a little more, the Bowers & Wilkins premium Danish-made Px7S2 headphones are the best Bluetooth over ear headphones-ear headphones. The Sonys are a bit more expensive but they sound better and appear better. They feature a tough aluminum casing and Over the ear apple headphones lambskin leather earcups that are filled with memory foam. The headphones are comfortable to wear, and they can be used with audio codecs aptX and SBC audio codes. This lets you listen to high-quality wireless music. They're also exquisitely made and have a chic elegant, minimalist style that will suit all tastes.

Noise Cancellation

If you're looking to hush the world and completely immerse yourself in your favorite music or podcasts, then noise cancellation is an essential feature. Wireless headphones with noise cancelling capabilities generally feature Ear cups that fit tightly over ear beats headphones your ears to block out any ambient noise and help you concentrate on your audio. Active noise cancellation (ANC), which is used by a majority of over-ear headphones to reduce ambient noise is achieved by listening to your surroundings and then creating an opposing sound to cancel the background noise. They aren't able to make your surroundings peaceful, but they will reduce the sound of train engines and other ambient noises.

ANC employs tiny microphones to listen for ambient sounds. These are then compared with the audio you're listening to. Tiny differences between the two are then used to create an equal and opposing sound that is pumped through your earphones effectively reducing background noise. Apps or dedicated hardware controls can be used to alter the most effective noise cancelling headsets. You can choose the level of noise cancellation that best suits your requirements.

The majority of the headphones we test come with a range of features, including the ability to control ANC. For example, many headphones come with a microphone that allows you to allow hands-free phone calls. They can also be used with voice assistants such as Siri and Alexa. Some pairs come with built-in speakers for audio streaming.

In terms of noise cancellation we've seen significant improvements in recent years. For instance, Focal has thrown itself into the top wireless ANC headphone market with its Bathys that we love for their outstanding comfort, slick features and stunning audio quality. They can cut down background noise by as much as 30dB. You can manage the ANC levels through an app and set three "favorite settings that can be changed by pressing a physical button on the left ear cup.

Noise cancellation should be the first thing you consider when buying the latest pair. Sound quality is important but noise cancellation should be top of the line. The most popular ANC headphones are expensive, but they're worth it due to their build quality and longevity of the battery. If you're on a budget Sony WF-1000XM5s are our top pick because they provide excellent noise cancellation and slick sound quality for a low price.

Battery Life

If you're planning to use wireless headphones on the go you'll want them to last as long as possible. This is because they consume their own battery as well as that of the audio device that plays music. It's therefore essential to select headphones that have enough storage capacity in case you run out of battery or power. Many brands offer headphone models that have a large amount of storage. Some even incorporate solar charging so they can be charged automatically even when you're not using them.

Over-ear headphones usually have larger ear cups that protect your ears, which means they can house larger batteries that can support longer play times and more advanced features. They also have better noise cancellation, as their larger size creates a better seal against the environment.

The top brand Bang & Olufsen produces some of the most premium headphones on the market. Its flagship H95 wireless headphones give an immersive listening experience. With a luxurious design that includes aluminum details and Nappa leather, they're the ultimate option for the audiophile who would like to listen in peace for hours at a stretch.

Anker Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro headphones are less expensive and have a battery life of 65 hours without ANC and 50 hours with it. This is a much better battery life than other headphones and is a testimony to the headphones' remarkable construction quality. They have a comfortable fit, and a durable headband.

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless headphones are another affordable alternative. They can be used for up to 44 hours when the active noise cancellation is activated and have an earpiece that blocks out ambient sounds with impressive effectiveness. The headphones' sound is good and has a V-shaped profile that has plenty of bass and brightens the instruments and vocals to create an even and balanced sound that's easy to fine-tune using the app's graphic EQ and presets.

The Sony WF1000XM5 wireless headphones aren't cheap but at less than $100, they offer excellent isolation, foam ear tips, and noise cancellation that is solid, even if it's not the most advanced model on this list. The headphones also come with Bluetooth 5.3 and the latest LDAC codec, which allows for high-quality audio. They can be charged with the included cord, or via USB.

Portability

The amount of space that headphones take up when folded into their most compact form is an important factor for their portability. The smaller the fold-down size is, the easier it will be to put them in the bag or backpack to take on the go without getting in the way.

If you're looking for a no-fuss wireless headphone with plenty of features that will suit every day listening The Audio-Technica M50xBT is a great choice. They are lightweight, fold up neatly and offer up to 44 hours of playback, and are extremely compact. They are compatible with multi-device pairing and have a superb microphone for phone calls.

However, if you're not going to use your headphones for calls that are hands-free The Audio-Technica headphones ATH-S200BT are the better choice as they are more comfortable and offer an impressive 50 hours of playback. They also have an adjustable cable for wired use, and come with a tough hard case.

The Sony WF-C700N, a five-star performer that's one of the most popular models among What Hi-Fi?'s staff and the JBL Live Pro 2 are two other top-rated wireless over-ear headphones. Both headphones cost around $100, PS100, or 150 AU$ and have active noise cancellation, however they're not as well-made as our more expensive selections.

For something more upscale for a more luxurious experience, the Focal Bathys Wireless are a high-end pair of headphones that offer impressive sound quality for their price. They have an V-shaped sound profile which has plenty of bass to go with EDM, hip-hop and rock. Instruments and vocals sound bright, and you can adjust the sound to your liking using their accompanying app's graphic EQ and presets. They also support aptX Adaptive Codec for hi-res stream and offer USB-DAC mode for listening wired.

For a pair that's more expensive but also worthy of our five-star rating take a look at the multi-award winning Sony WH-1000XM5. They're not cheap, but they have an incredible battery life and great noise cancelling that will allow you to listen for extended periods of time without worrying about having to recharge or running out of power.