Best Over the Ear Headphones

Wireless headphones allow you to listen to music or podcasts anywhere, without the need to run a wire from your audio device. These headphones are great for use in public transport, at the office or at home.

Wireless over-ear cans are available in a variety of styles and noise cancelling features. They usually come with a sleek storage case.

Soundcore Q30

These earphones are an important upgrade from the Soundcore Life 2 of late-2018. They are more attractive and are more durable and have a more polished appearance. They're still mostly plastic, but the hinges are a bit more secure and the soft protein leather ear cups are a bit bigger. You can also switch the 3.5mm cable for a high-quality USB-C version so that you can connect them to portable Hi-Fi systems as well as stationary Hi-Res players. They also have dual built-in microphones, which work well in our tests for FaceTime, Skype, and Microsoft Teams calls.

The Soundcore app comes with a broad variety of EQ presets that can be saved and altered to listen to podcasts or music in the way you like. This is the thing that sets these headphones apart from other ANC headphones, and the Soundcore app is extremely easy to use.

When ANC is turned on the Q30's 40mm drivers eliminate most ambient noise, and provide an extremely pleasant listening experience. They have a natural sounding signature that leans a little on the treble side, which some might be unable to reproduce bass (we had better results using the Bass Booster Equalizer preset). It is possible to fix this with the Soundcore App, which comes with an 8-band Equalizer.

The left earcup features an power button as well as a pairing button and USB-C charging port. The right earcup features buttons for play/pause, volume control and volume up/down. Double-clicking these controls lets you to skip tracks or replay previous ones. They also have an option to speak to them that allows you to ask to change the mode or set an alarm. The right ear cup can be covered with your hands to enable ambient mode, so that you can hear what's happening around you, without removing the headphones.

The Q30 headphones offer a long battery life. The Q30 was able to last for a full hour in our tests when ANC was switched on than its rivals. This allows you to enjoy a long flight, or a full day at work. They can be quickly recharged by using the USB-C cable that comes with them and you'll get an alert when they're getting empty.

Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal's Bathys Wireless is a pair of high-quality over-ear Bluetooth headphones that feature active noise cancellation and PowerLocus Bluetooth Headphones: Premium Wireless Headset with Mic playback. They're designed to be a pair of premium high-end headphones that are ideal for listening to music and podcasts on the go but also sound fantastic when used for home use by audiophiles as well. They're a little more expensive than other similar headphones but their superior sound quality is the main selling feature.

The Focal Bathys are packaged in a small attractive white box with a textured finish. It comes with everything you'll need. The headphone carry case folds flat, and comes with a case, USB-C to USB-C cable, 1.2mm SE cable and an audio adapter.

They're powered by a respectable 600mAh battery that can get you through a whole day of casual listening and have an audio input that can be wired for use. When they're wirelessly connected, they're connected via Bluetooth and you'll be able control their functions through an app (now named Focal and PowerLocus Bluetooth Headphones: Premium Wireless Headset with Mic Naim likely in line with their English sister brand Naim's products for audio that are network-aware) or via the button located on the left earcup which scrolls between ANC profiles like'silent','soft' 'transparent' and full.

The app allows you to modify various settings, including the brightness of the LEDs and the EQ presets (including the music profile, which sounds brighter and neutraler than the other profiles) and the battery life. It also gives you the ability to select the ANC mode and its level, as well as setting an 'acoustic' environment which adjusts the sensitivity of your audio to simulate what it would sound like when worn in a space with different soundproofing.

The Focal Bathys have an incredibly bass-rich sound that adds extra energy and warmth to your favorite tracks. This means that vocals and instruments are nudged back into the mix and can sound veiled while other details such as cymbals sound not as prominent as you'd expect on other headphones. The headphones are also less effective in active noise cancellation compared to other headphones that feature higher-end technology, such as the Sony WH1000XM5 and Apple AirPods Max.

Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony has a fine reputation for its headphones and the WH-1000XM5 is no exception. It is a top pick in the mainstream over ear headphone market and also falls within the luxury lifestyle segment where brands such as Apple, Montblanc, Bang & Olufsen and Montblanc are situated. This means that the XM5s have a premium price tag but, if you can afford it, there are a few better wireless over-ear headphones out there.

The XM5s are loaded with features to make life easier for listeners and, in some instances, automate tasks they'd otherwise have to handle manually. Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine (which upscales music that has been compressed to near high-res), as well as bluetooth headphones uk's LDAC Technology, are all included. That allows for streaming of high-quality audio with rates that are higher than traditional Bluetooth. It also has a built-in microphone for making calls hands-free.

As with the previous generation of WH headphones the XM5s excel in noise cancellation. They're among the best-performing cans for removing the continuous drones that can be heard in underground and train carriages. The XM5s are great at their job isolating listeners from the noise of airports and busy streets as well.

Sound quality is also excellent. The XM5s lack as much detail in the low-frequency range like the XM4, however, they do have more clarity and a greater sense of openness. For example the bass track on Rage Against the Machine's Bullet in the Head flexes the Sonys' muscles with real force and definition without flattening the other elements. Similar to Massive Attack's brooding Angel showcases the XM5's ability to create accurate and precise bass notes.

Battery life is also excellent, offering up to 30 hours of audio with ANC active and 40 hours when it's off. This is more than enough to last a weekend getaway or several days of heavy use.

The XM5s are not dust or water resistant. Sony recommends not sweating on them or taking them out in the rain. This might not be a major issue for the majority of people however for those who spend much time in the gym or live in a humid region, it could be a significant issue.

Apple AirPods Max

Apple AirPods Max is a pair over-ear wireless headphones that feature Bluetooth technology and noise cancellation. Apple designed dynamic drivers measuring 40mm, with a neutral sound profile that emphasizes highs and mids without going overboard. They are great for music and movies. They also offer superior fidelity compared to most other headphones.

The headphones are light and feel comfortable on your head. The ear cups, which are made of memory foam, are covered with woven fabric, and sit comfortably over the ear, do not put pressure on the sides or the forehead. The ear cups also tilt and rotate to accommodate different head shapes. The spring-loaded hinges offer a strong, but not too much clamping force that makes sure the ear cups remain in place during listening sessions.

You can toggle noise cancelling by pressing a small button located at the top of the right earcup. You can also use a pushable jog dial-like button like the digital Crown on the Apple Watch. You can twist it for volume control and press it once three, twice, or times for playback controls. Siri is invoked by pressing and holding the button. The buttons are easy to use and well-placed however, I would like to see a power button that would turn off the headphones when not in use. The headphones go into standby when removed from your ears or if they are placed in their case. They will come back to life when you put them on your head.

Spatial audio is a cool feature. It utilizes accelerometers, gyroscopes, and iPads or iPhones to determine where you are moving. Then, it alters the position of the sound so that they seem to be coming from that location. This creates a cinema-like experience with movies and videos that were recorded in Dolby Atmos, 5.1 or 7.1. The only downside is that spatial audio requires an iOS device to be used and you won't be able enjoy it on other devices.

The AirPods Max are a decent pair of headphones, but I'd be somewhat smug going into an Apple Store and spending $549 on them if I knew they'd be outdone in a year by the new model. AirPods Pro are more expensive and have better battery life and advanced features.