Best Over the Ear Headphones

Wireless headphones let you listen to podcasts and music without the need to connect wires to your audio device. They're ideal for public transport, at work or at home.

Wireless over-ear cans are available in a variety of designs and noise cancelling capabilities. They are usually packaged in a stylish case.

Soundcore Life Q30

A major upgrade over the Soundcore Life 2 from late-2018, these over-ears are more attractive, feel more durable and generally feel more polished. They're still largely plastic however the hinges are more secure and the soft protein leather ear cups are a bit bigger. You can replace the 3.5mm cord for a higher quality USB-C cable and make use of them with portable Hi-Res devices and stationary players. They also feature two microphones built-in, which perform well in our tests for FaceTime, Skype, and Microsoft Teams calls.

The Soundcore app offers a wide variety of EQ presets that can be saved and tweaked to listen to podcasts and music in the style that you prefer. The Soundcore app is easy to use and sets these headphones apart.

When ANC is on the Q30's 40mm drivers effectively eliminate most ambient noise, and provide very pleasant listening. The Q30's sound is natural, however it lags it's a bit harsh on the treble. Some might be disappointed by the bass response (we got better results using the Bass Booster EQ). It is possible to fix this with the Soundcore App, which includes an eight-band Equalizer.

These headphones have a power button and pairing button on the left earcup as well as the USB-C port for charging. The right earcup features buttons for play/pause, volume control and volume up/down. Double-clicking these controls lets you to skip tracks or repeat previous ones. They also come with a voice command which allows you to ask to switch the mode or set an alarm. You can also cover the right earcup by using your hands to enable ambient modes so that you can hear the world around you without removing the headphones.

The battery life on these headphones is excellent as well. The Q30 was able to last for a full hour in our tests when ANC was switched on than its rivals. This lets you enjoy the long flight, or a busy day at work. The included USB-C cord lets you quickly recharge the batteries. You'll also get an alert when the battery is nearing empty.

Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal's Bathys Wireless is a pair of high-quality over-ear Bluetooth headphones that feature active noise cancellation and Bluetooth playback. These headphones are designed to be high-end, premium headphones that can be used at home or on the go. The headphones are a little higher priced than comparable headphones, but their superior sound is the reason they stand out.

The Focal Bathys are packed in a small elegant white box with a cloth finish. It includes everything you'll require. There's also a fold-flat carry case for the headphones and a USB-C cable to USB C cable, 1.2mmSE cable and an audio converter.

The 600mAh battery will last for a whole day of casual listening. They also come with an audio input that you can make use of wired. Wirelessly, they're paired via Bluetooth. You can control their functions with an app (now called Focal and Naim in keeping with English Naim's network-aware products) or by pressing the button located on the left earcup that scrolls through ANC profiles like'silent','soft transparent,' and full.

The app allows you to adjust various settings, such as the brightness of the LEDs, the EQ presets (including music's profile, which sounds brighter and neutraler than the other profiles) and the battery life. You can also choose the ANC level and mode as well as setting an 'acoustic settings that adjusts the sensitivity in order to simulate the sound of headphones in a different room.

The Focal Bathys come with an incredibly bass-rich profile that gives extra warmth, punch and impact to your favorite tracks. In the end, instruments and vocals are pushed back into the mix, and can sound dull, while other details such as cymbals sound slightly less prominent than you might expect on some other headphones. The headphones are also less effective in active noise cancellation when compared with other headphones that feature higher-end technology, like the Sony WH1000XM5 and Apple AirPods Max.

Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony has a fine reputation for its headphones, and the WH-1000XM5 headphones are no exception. It sits at the upper end of the mainstream over-ear headphone market, edging into the luxury lifestyle category where brands like Bang & Olufsen, Apple and Montblanc hang out. This means the XM5s have a premium price tag but, when you can afford it, there are more superior Mobitek Pink Wireless Headphones - Bluetooth - AUX over-ear headphones on the market.

The XM5s have features that help listeners and, in a few instances, automate tasks that they'd otherwise have to do manually. Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine (which upscales music that has been compressed to near high-res), as well as Bluetooth's LDAC Technology, are all included. This allows for streaming of high-quality audio with rates that are higher than traditional Bluetooth. There's even a built-in microphone that can be used for making hands-free calls.

The XM5 headphones aren't different than the previous generation headphones from WH, in regards to noise cancellation. They're among the most efficient headphones for removing the constant drones found in train and underground carriages. The XM5s are great at their job isolating listeners from the noise of busy streets and airports also.

The sound quality is excellent. The XM5s lack as many details in the low-frequency range like the XM4, however they do possess more clarity and a greater sense of openness. For example, the bass work on Rage Against the Machine's Bullet in the Head flexes the Sonys' muscles with real force and definition without flattening the other elements. The XM5s also have the ability to produce precise and precise bass notes on Massive Attack's Angel.

Battery life is also very good, providing up to 30 hours of listening time with ANC active and headphones 40 hours when it's off. This is enough to last for the weekend or a few days of heavy use.

The only drawback is that the XM5s don't have any dust or water resistance protection. In fact, Sony recommends that you don't sweat into them or wear them in the rain. This might not be a problem for some people, but it could cause a problem for those who spend a lot of their time at the gym or lives in a city with rain.

Apple AirPods Max

Apple AirPods Max is a pair over-ear wireless headphones that feature Bluetooth technology and noise cancellation. Apple created dynamic drivers that measure 40mm, with a neutral sound profile that emphasizes highs and mids, but not going too loud. They are ideal for movies and music. They also provide better sound quality when compared with other headphones.

The headphones have a light design that is comfortable on the head. The earcups are made from memory foam covered in a woven fabric. They sit comfortably on the ears without pressing on the sides of the face. Ear cups can be tilted and rotated to accommodate different head shapes. The hinges that are spring loaded have a solid but not overly robust clamping force that ensures that the earcups stay in place throughout listening sessions.

Switch on noise cancellation by pressing a small button at the top of the right earcup. It also has a pushable Jog-dial-like button, akin to the digital crown on the Apple Watch, that you can twist for volume control and press the button once, twice or thrice to playback control. Pressing and holding the button triggers Siri. The buttons are easy to use and well-placed, however, I would like to have a power button that would switch off the headphones when they are not in use. The headphones go into standby when removed from your ears, or when placed in their case. They will come back to life when you put them on your head.

Spatial audio is a cool feature. It uses the accelerometers, gyroscopes and iPhones or iPads to determine where you are moving. Then, it repositions the sounds to make them seem to be coming from that location. This creates a cinema-like experience for movies and videos made in 5.1, 7.1 or Dolby Atmos. Only iOS devices can be used to listen to audio in spatial format.

The AirPods Max are a decent pair of headphones, but I'd be a bit ripped off going into an Apple Store and spending $549 on them if I knew they'd be outdone next year by the new model. The AirPods Pro have more advanced features and improved battery performance, so it's difficult to justify the additional cost for most people.