Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Roundup

Wireless headphones eliminate the entrapment of wires from your listening experience. They are more comfortable to wear for long periods at a time, and some fold down into a compact form factor to pack away when not in use.

Sony's WH-1000XM5s are an excellent pair of Bluetooth headphones that check all the boxes, including top-of-the-line sound quality and noise cancellation, a stylish design and premium comfort. They even support the lossless LDAC hi-res codec to provide high-quality audio playback.

Sound Quality

If you're a fan of large, full-size wireless headphones that are worn over your ear and are connected by a headband to isolate and amplify sound there's a wide range of choices. In our roundup of the best over-ear Bluetooth headphones, you'll find UC-certified headsets that are compatible with communications platforms like Microsoft Teams, plus premium pairs from brands such as Sony, Sennheiser, Bose and Bowers & Wilkins that are as luxurious as they are durable.

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

The headphones produce a rich twinkling sound that is characterized by distinct bass and mids. You can also alter the audio's signature with the headphones' mobile app, adding more emphasis to the bass and treble to suit your personal preferences. The headphones we tested were extremely precise and clear, with vocals and orchestral music booming in stunning detail.

The Logitech Wireless Headphones G HUB are among our top-rated Bluetooth over-ear headphones. They offer a balanced sound right from the box and offer clear audio. They're loaded with of bass to emphasize sound effects and game music and their sound is very consistent. They're compatible with Logitech HUB software that includes a graphic equalizer and presets for customizing the sound.

If you're willing to spend a little more then the Bowers & Wilkins premium Danish-made Px7S2 headphones are the top Bluetooth over ear headphone. The Sonys are a bit more expensive however they sound and appear better. They have a hard aluminum casing and lambskin leather earcups that are filled with memory foam. The headphones are comfortable to wear and they are compatible with audio codecs aptX and SBC audio codes. This lets you listen to high-quality wireless music. They're also well-crafted and have a chic elegant, minimalist style that will suit all tastes.

Noise Cancellation

Noise cancellation is an option that's important if you want to shut out the world so you can focus on your music or podcasts. Wireless headphones with noise cancellation features typically come with Ear cups that fit tightly over ear headphones for running your ears to block out any ambient noise and allow you to focus on your audio. The majority of over-ear headphones employ active noise cancellation (ANC) to block out ambient sounds which is achieved by analyzing the surrounding surroundings and creating a different sound to cancel out the background noise. They will not make your surroundings tranquil, but they will reduce the noise of train engines and other noises.

ANC uses tiny microphones that listen for ambient sounds. They then compare them with the audio you're listening to. Tiny differences between the two are then used to create an equal and different sound that is fed through your earphones, effectively drowning out the background noise. The top headphones for noise cancellation can be adjusted through apps or a specific hardware control. You can choose the level of noise cancellation that is suitable for your requirements.

The majority of the headphones we test have a range of other features beyond just the ability to control ANC. Many of them have a microphone for hands-free calls and can also be utilized with voice assistants such as Siri and Alexa. Some models have built-in speakers to allow audio streaming.

Noise cancellation has seen a significant improvement in the past few years. For example, Focal has thrown itself into the top wireless ANC headphones market with its Bathys which we adore for their incredible comfort, good Wireless over ear headphones slick features and dazzling audio quality. They can cut down background noise by as much as 30dB and you can manage the ANC levels via an app and set three 'favorites' settings that are switchable with a physical button located on the left ear cup.

Noise cancellation should be the primary factor you consider when purchasing a new pair. Sound quality is important, but noise cancellation should be at the top of the list. The most well-known ANC models available tend to be costly however, this is because they provide outstanding build quality and battery life. The Sony WF1000XM5s is our favorite for those who are on a budget. They offer great noise cancellation and superb sound quality at an affordable cost.

Battery Life

If you're going to use headphones wireless on the go and you're looking for them to last as long as they can. This is because they drain their own battery as well as the audio device playing music on them, so it's important to choose a pair with a good wireless over ear headphones amount of storage in the event that you fail to get a charge or get power out. Many manufacturers offer headphones with plenty of storage. Some even have solar charging so they can be charged automatically even when you are not listening to them.

Over-ear headphones typically have larger ear cups that protect your ears, which means they can hold bigger batteries to support longer play times and more advanced features. They are also more noise-cancelling, as their larger size makes a better seal against the environment.

The top brand Bang & Olufsen produces some of the best headphones on the market. The flagship H95 wireless headphones give an immersive listening experience. With a premium design with aluminum detailing and Nappa leather they're the best option for the audiophile who enjoys listening in comfort 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 far better battery life than most competitors, and is a testament of the headphones' outstanding construction quality. They are comfortable fit, and a durable headband.

Another budget option is the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless headphones, which can be used for up to 44 hours with ANC turned on and feature an active noise cancellation system that's incredibly efficient in blocking out background sounds. The audio quality is excellent with a V-shaped profile that delivers plenty of bass while brightening the instruments and vocals.

The Sony WF1000XM5 wireless headsets aren't cheap but at less than $100, they have excellent isolation and ear tips made of foam and noise cancellation that's good, even if it's not the most advanced model on this list. They also support Bluetooth 5.3 which is compatible with the latest LDAC codec that provides high-resolution audio, and can be recharged using the cord included or via USB to your computer.

Portability

The amount of space a pair headphones takes up when folded into their most compact form is an important aspect in their portability. The smaller the fold-down size the easier it can slip them into bags or backpacks to take with you on the go without worrying about them getting in the way.

If you're looking to purchase a straightforward wireless headphone with plenty of features that will suit every day listening, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT is an excellent choice. They're light, fold down neatly, and offer an impressive 44 hours of playback time. They can be used with multiple devices and have an excellent microphone for phone calls.

However, if you're not going to use your headphones for hands-free calls, the Audio-Technica 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 durable hard case.

The Sony WF-C700N is a five-star performer that is a favorite of What Hi-Fi?'s team, and the JBL Live Pro 2 are two other top-rated over-ear wireless headphones. Both are priced around the $100 / PS100 150/AU$150 mark and have active noise cancellation, though you'll need to accept that they're not as well made as some of our high-end suggestions.

For a more luxurious experience, the Focal Bathys Wireless are a high-end pair of headphones with impressive sound quality for their price. They have an V-shaped sound profile which includes plenty of bass to go with EDM, hip-hop and rock. The sound of vocals and instruments is bright and you can alter the sound to your preferences using the graphic EQ in their companion app. They also support aptX Adaptive Codec to provide a high-res stream and have an option USB-DAC mode for listening wired.

For a pair that's even more expensive but still worthy of our five-star seal take a look at the multi-award winning Sony WH-1000XM5. They're not expensive, but they come with an amazing battery life and superb noise cancelling that will allow you to listen for long durations without worrying about needing to recharge or run out of battery.