Best Over-Ear Wireless Headphones

If you're looking for a set of wireless over-ear headphones look into these. They're not just comfortable to wear, they have excellent active noise cancellation that reduces background noises to allow you to focus on the music.

Focal's first wireless headphones are an audiophile's dream. They feature a deep sound with enough thump for EDM but vocals and instruments aren't left out. They have a companion application and ANC presets, allowing you to customize the sound to meet your preferences.

Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony's WH-1000XM5 is the newest generation of its bestselling headphones, that feature automatic adaptive noise cancellation (ANC) to cancel out the background sounds. They're great for commutes and long days of travel with a whopping 27 hours of playback time. The WH-1000XM5 also has an excellent feature that lets you to pair them with up to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously, making it easy to switch from calls and music. The WH1000XM5 is appealing to anyone who is interested in sustainability due to its sleek, minimalistic design and eco-friendly packaging.

The XM5s feature an easier and more comfortable headband that can be worn comfortably over your ear and puts less pressure on your skull. They are also more stylish, with a new stealthy design that can be incorporated into all outfits. They're also now available in a gorgeous matte black that's better than the previous generation's glossy black.

One of the best features is their smart noise cancellation function, which detects when you've removed the headphones and then pauses your audio. When you put them back on the audio will resume automatically. This is a great method to conserve battery power and it is effective.

The XM5s are an excellent choice for audio quality thanks to their LDAC codec and DSEE Extreme upscaling. Tim Commerford's work on bass is evident in Rage Against the Machine’s Bullet in the Head which is a dark track. Billie Eilish’s Bad Guy has a subtle but deliberate vocal fade.

A word of caution for gym-goers and those who live in areas with rain: the WH-1000XM5s don't have an IP rating, so they aren't able to be used in moisture. There's even a disclaimer within the manual that recommends you don't sweat into the headset, or use it in the rain.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 is a refreshing upgrade to B&W's flagship wireless headphone, the PX7. The Series 2 is not just an iterative update, but a significant improvement in the quality of audio and ANC. The design is also a little more refined, with a style which is more mature than shiny, tech-forward appearance of Sony's XM5 and Apple's AirPods Max.

The headphones can be switched off and on with a slider switch. There are also dedicated buttons for volume, play/pause, and to navigate through your music collection. The left earcup has a button that is customizable and can be remapped for your voice assistant. There's also an ambience pass-through mode, which lets you hear what's going on around you.

streaming the 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. There's a good amount of low-end extension too, and vocals stay focused.

One area in which the S2s aren't as good is in EQ control: you can increase or decrease treble and bass by 6dB, Bluetooth Headpones however there aren't any EQ presets to help you to find the perfect balance. The majority of listeners won't feel concerned about this however those who prefer to tweak their audio will need to look elsewhere.

Overall all, the PX7 S2s are a good option for those seeking an active noise-canceling headphone with an elegant feel and a high-end finish. They're not as versatile as the XM5s mentioned above however they're an excellent option for most listeners. You'll need to decide whether their superior ANC and audio quality are enough to cover the slightly higher price tag.

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The Bose QuietComfort 45 is a pair of wireless over-ear headphones that offer excellent noise cancellation. They also come with an extended battery life of 24 hours. They're also comfortable and lightweight enough to be worn throughout the home. The built-in buttons can be controlled with an app that comes with the headphones, but the options for customization are only limited. (Sorry there's no equalizer). You can select from a variety of sound profiles to suit different situations, such as travelling or Bluetooth Headpones working at home. The QC45s feature an option called Aware Mode that allows outside sounds to be heard when using ANC. This can be useful for people who want to hear children and traffic while out and about.

The sound quality of the headphones isn't as high as the WH-1000XM5s, but they're still quite good. The bass isn't as intense, but it does provide adequate volume and depth. The highs and mids are well-rounded, and there's no sign of shrillness or harshness.

The QC45s tend to prefer higher frequencies. This can result in a slight sibilance while listening to certain songs. This isn't a major issue and can be fixed with software by adjusting the headphone settings.

The controls are easy to use. The left earcup powers the headphones on and off as well as controls playback of music and manages premium bluetooth headphones pairing. There's also a multi-function Action button that can also be used as a power switch, voice assistant, and volume control. There's also a microphone to make phone calls and Siri or Alexa support.

Audio-Technica ATH-M20x

The ATH-M20x is a stylish pair that delivers amazing sound at a low cost. The headphones are durable and well-constructed. The headband and earcups are made of plastic, but they are strong enough to last for many years. The ear cups can rotate by up to 15 degrees so they can fit comfortably on most ears.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x has bluetooth headpones (Recommended Reading) 5.0 which allows you to enjoy your music wirelessly. The battery lasts for a long time, offering up to 30 hours of listening time. They include a USB-C cable to charge.

The use of the headphones is easy. There are three buttons along the back of the left earcup which allow you to control playback and other functions. You can pause, change tracks and adjust the volume using these buttons. The ATH-M20x comes with a built-in microphone for calls and voice commands. The headset features a low-latency mode that makes it ideal for video calls and gaming.

The ATH-M20x headphones are excellent for certain genres of music, but not all. Vocals may sound a bit flat, and there's not much bass. The high frequencies sound clear and clear. The treble is the most prominent feature of these headphones. They are a great choice for pop, classical and jazz.

The ATH M20x is a light headphone, weighing just under 190g without the cord. They are comfortable with plenty of padding on the earcups however they cannot be folded. They will be bulky to carry in backpacks and might not fit easily into a handbag. The cable is not detachable. The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x is a better option for those that want a more portable set of headphones. It is more comfortable thanks to a folding design, swiveling the ear cups, which lay flat, and a removable cable. It's more expensive but it provides better isolation and a bit more bass.

Skullcandy Dime 2.

The Dime 2 is Skullcandy’s best-sounding true wireless headphones. It comes with a small and compact case that is easy to slip into pockets or purses. It also comes with a variety of sizes of ear gels to fit different ears. It's also lighter than wireless headphones that we've tested.

Dual microphones are great for picking your voice in phone calls and reducing background noise. However, they're not the best for outdoor use because environmental noises can overwhelm your voice. The earbuds can also be problematic in windy environments, and they could cut off specific areas of your speech.

Despite these minor issues, the earbuds provide solid bass and other sound quality. They have a clear and clear high-end that doesn't spill into the mids. They also have a decent amount of mid-bass to give your music a little impact.

The AirPod Pro has a dual-tap function that is decent, but not as intuitive as Apple AirPod Pro. You must place your thumb on the bottom of the stem for stability and then press the logo to trigger the command. It's not as flexible as the pinch gesture system and can be a bit unwieldy.

The earbuds last for about four hours with one charge. They also come with a quick-charge feature that allows them to last two more hours. They're also classified as IPX4 for resistance to sweat and water. The earbuds come with the case for carrying them, which has two openings to accommodate the buds, and an attachment loop to attach them to clothing. The case is stylish and available in multiple colors, including red Doritos. They are available on the internet for less than $30 USD.