Why Over Ear Wireless Headphones Are Better Than Earbuds

With their large ear cups, over-ear wireless headphones help you to be more isolated from the outside sounds. They also utilize active sound cancellation more efficiently than earbuds. This can be beneficial in noisy environments.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 are world-class over-ear headphones that offer superb audio and outstanding active noise cancellation. They support a wide range of audio formats, including high-resolution lossless audio streaming via the LDAC codec.

Comfort

Over-ear headphones fit around your ears, providing more comfort than in-ear headphones. They can also be lighter in weight because they don't have a cord running to your head as earbuds do, and they can generally fit more hardware inside (like microphones, batteries, and drivers) because of their larger dimensions. This makes them more portable, and therefore more suitable for travel.

A comfortable pair of headphones should have softly padded earcups which wrap around your ear and a lightweight and non-stressing headband. They should also be adjustable so you can adjust the ear cups to a more comfortable position and the headband to conform to your head's shape. Find headphones that have plush memory-foam in the earcups if you plan to listen for long periods of time.

Certain headphones for over-ear use have active noise cancellation that reduces ambient noise. This lets you focus on your music without being distracted by other sounds. This will make it easier to listen to your music or podcasts and could aid in concentration at the office or on a plane.

Over-ear headphones also help to reduce the background noise by forming a good seal. While you'll still hear some outside noise, it's usually less audible than with in-ear headphones and won't disturb in the same way when you walk into a busy area.

On-ear headphones are worn on the ear rather than over your ears. They can be more comfortable when you have certain earrings or glasses that make in-ear headphones uncomfortable. They are also lighter and more portable because they have a smaller design and can fit into your bag.

Some headphones come with extra padding in the ear cups to increase comfort, and they'll typically have open-back models that let you hear the sounds around you. This is a great option for anyone who loves being able to listen to their environment as well as their music.

Sound

You want your headphones to sound great, especially if you're going spend this much money on headphones. Luckily, Bluetooth headphones have come quite a ways in recent years, and over-ear models can offer an incredibly balanced, rich sound that is comparable to wired counterparts. Modern Bluetooth chips should be energy-efficient, support audio codecs like aptX and THX, as well as come with comfortable earcups.

Over-ear headphones offer a more immersive experience than headphones that are on-ear, since they completely enclose your ears. This could result in a larger and precise soundstage, as well as better separation between instruments and vocals. The larger earcups will allow for bigger drivers, giving your music the fullness and clarity that audiophiles seek.

Over-ear headphones tend to emit more ambient sound than on-ear models. This is a small price to pay for the secludedness that they provide, particularly in noisy places like public transport or work. They're also larger and heavier than models with on-ears, making them less practical to carry in a bag.

Over-ear headphones usually offer 20 to 60 hours of playback. This is influenced by the level of noise cancellation and volume you listen to.

On-ear wireless headphones typically last for around 30 to 40 hours, based on the model. The average will fall somewhere between, and the longer-lasting models tend to be more light and compact.

The Sony WHCH720Ns come with numerous features for a low price. The Sony WH-CH720Ns aren't as high-end as the WH-1000XM4s but they still provide a variety of features such as adaptive active noise cancellation multi-point pairing, support for Sony 360 Reality Audio, DSEE upscaling, and many more.

Bowers & Wilkins' PX7 S2 is the most reliable wireless over-ear headphones for the money if you are on a budget. These fashionable headphones over-ear sport an elegant design and good set of features, including a full ANC mode.

Noise Cancellation

Although earbuds can be useful for blocking out background noise (just put them in your ear), over-ear wireless headphones usually provide a more active noise cancellation experience. They can cover a wider area around your ears thanks to their larger outer housings. This means they can produce and generate more sound to block out any background noise that you're listening to.

Some pairs have several ANC settings to select according to the listening environment. They also permit external audio to play through when you are in public or at work. Focal's entry into the premium over-ear noise-canceling headphone market is a perfect example with its gorgeous-looking Bathys that deliver a stunningly powerful, high-res sound that brings mixing booth level quality to your everyday listening.

Other over-ear wireless headphones that we've been enjoying testing include Sony's XM4s, which feature impressive passive noise cancellation that allows users to focus on their music with ease and have a myriad of useful features such as voice control and LDAC support for high-res playback, and a clever app that lets you adjust the EQ settings of any song. These headphones capture every twang of Sinead's "Nothing Compares 2 You" to the bridge's trembling.

It's your choice and your budget to determine which pair is best for you. Over-ears are more comfortable than earbuds and they're less likely to fall out of your ears, so if you are planning to wear them for a long period of time, it's well worth spending extra on the right pair.

The larger size of the over-ear headphones lets them pack in a larger battery and more advanced features like superior drivers and enhanced active noise cancellation technology. They are also a cheaper alternative to the audiophile models that could cost as high as $250 or AU$450 for a set.

Earbuds are a cheaper and less bulky option, however they aren't as effective at blocking out ambient noise and don't come with the same variety of features.

Battery Life

To truly be portable, headphones should have an extended playback time. The best over-ear wireless headphones provide around 30 hours of uninterrupted music without active noise cancellation turned on (this dramatically reduces the battery's life) and models that offer ANC are typically much longer.

The larger earcups found on over-ear wireless headphones are able to accommodate larger batteries, which provide longer battery life than smaller in-ears or on-ears. Over-ear headphones aren't as portable to offer longer run times as well as additional features such as foldable earcups and Ear Headphones Over a carry case.

Most over-ear headphones are wireless and connect to audio sources via cables that terminate in 3.5mm jacks. Professional-grade headphones can use larger connectors like 6.3mm or an XLR. Over-ear headphones with wired connections can be connected to external audio outputs using an additional cable. Wireless models connect via Bluetooth to mobile phones.

Many over-ear wireless headphones offer built-in microphones that allow you to take hands-free calls with your smartphone, while some come with a volume control button which lets you skip tracks, stop and begin playback. Some over-ear wireless headphones even charge your phone when in use, although it is typically only used on high-end models.

If you prefer the deep bass of EDM or the more balanced sound of classical, over-ear wireless headphones can deliver outstanding audio performance. A lot of over-ear headphones are open-back, meaning they don't block the ears from ambient sound and feature larger drivers of various sizes and types to help reproduce more expansive, richer-sounding music.

Focal's headphones are audiophile-grade wireless headphones that bring mixing-booth sound to everyday listening. The headphones are made to be compatible with Apple devices, which limits their functionality. However, if you want to use them on your iPhone or iPad they will provide you with a rich and expressive sonic experience.

These over-ear wireless headphones are built to last and feature a luxurious design with aluminum details encased in soft Nappa leather. These headphones are designed for serious music enthusiasts. They can be adjusted to your ears' shape and Over the Ear apple headphones come with a customized carrying pouch. The MW08s come with 11mm berylium drivers for a full, clear and immersive sound that resembles the acoustics and ambience of a live performance. The MW08s can be used with aptX Bluetooth codecs and AAC Bluetooth codes. The companion app offers a variety options for customization, so you can customize the sound profile to meet your tastes.