Why Over Ear Wireless Headphones Are Better Than Earbuds

With their large ear cups, over-ear wireless headphones isolate you better from external sounds. They also tend to be capable of using active noise cancellation more effectively than earbuds, which is useful in noisy environments.

The Sony WH1000XM5 is a class-leading pair of over-ear headphones with excellent sound quality and active noise cancellation. They can support a wide variety of audio formats, including high-resolution lossless audio streaming through its LDAC codec.

Comfort

Over-ear headphones cover your ears and offer more comfort than in-ear headphones. They're also lighter as they don't require a cord to reach your head, like earbuds, and they can carry more equipment (like microphones and batteries) inside due to their larger size. This makes them more mobile and thus more suitable for travel.

A comfortable pair of headphones will have soft cushioned ear cups that fit around your ears, and a lightweight headband that doesn't place too much pressure on your head. They should also be easily adjustable, allowing you to adjust the ear cups to a more comfortable position and the headband to suit your head shape. For long-term listening sessions choose headphones that have extra plush memory foam inside the ear cups.

Some headphones with over-ears come with active noise cancellation that reduces the background noise. This lets you concentrate on your audio without being distracted by external sounds. This can make your music or podcasts more enjoyable to listen to, and can aid in focusing more at the workplace or on a plane ride.

Another benefit of over-ear headphones is the ability to create an excellent seal, which helps to reduce the background sound. While you'll still hear some outside noise, it's less audible than with in-ear headphones, and doesn't annoy with your enter a noisy area.

On-ear headphones rest on your ear instead of over them, which can be more comfortable for those with ear piercings that are specific to glasses that make in-ear headphones uncomfortable. They are also smaller and lighter because they have a smaller design and can be tucked away in your bag.

Some headphones come with additional padding inside the ear cups to further enhance comfort. They'll typically have open-back designs that allow you to listen to your surroundings as well. This is a great option for those who want to hear their surroundings and their music.

Sound

When you're spending this kind of money on headphones you want them to sound fantastic. Bluetooth headphones have been improved in recent years. Even models with over-ears can produce a balanced, rich sound that is comparable to wired headphones. Look for new Bluetooth chips that are energy-efficient and have audio codecs that support aptX and THX, as well as earcups made of comfortable materials.

Over-ear headphones offer an immersive listening experience than on-ear styles because they surround your ears completely. This could result in a larger and detailed soundstage, with greater separation between vocals and instruments. The larger earcups also be used to accommodate larger drivers that give your music the kind of fullness and clarity that serious audiophiles want.

The drawback of headphones with over-ears is that they tend to let in a bit more ambient sound than models with on-ear headphones. It's a small price to pay for the isolation that they offer, particularly in noisy settings such as public transport or at work. They're also heavier and larger than the on-ear models, which makes them less convenient to pack in a bag.

Battery life is a different factor to take into consideration over ear headphones beats-ear headphones are typically providing 20 to 60 hours of playback. The amount of noise cancellation that you use will affect this, as will the volume you listen to.

Wireless headphones on ear can last anywhere between 30 and 40 hours depending on the model. The average will fall somewhere in between, and the more durable models tend to be more light and compact.

The Sony WH-CH720Ns are good example of a pair that offers an impressive number of features for a budget price. They're not as expensive as the WH-1000XM4s, which is the flagship model of the company, but they still come with features like multi-point pairing, adaptive active noise cancellation, and support for Sony's 360 Reality Audio and DSEE upscaling technology.

If you're on an extremely tight budget but still want the best wireless over-ear headphones look into the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2. These fashionable headphones have elegant design and a robust feature set that includes anc headphones over ear (more about Upsports Co).

Noise Cancellation

Over-ear wireless headphones are generally better at active noise cancellation than earbuds. This is because they can cover a wider area around your ears due to their bigger outer housings, which means they're able to generate and produce more sound that can cancel out any sounds that you're listening to.

Some models may include multiple ANC modes to choose according to the type of music you listen to, and the option of allowing external audio to pass through for when you're in public or working. Focal's entry into the growing market for top-quality over-ear noise cancellation headphones is a prime example. Its Bathys deliver a stunningly expressive high-resolution sound that brings mixing-booth quality to your everyday listening.

Other wireless headphones for over-ear use that we've enjoyed testing include Sony's XM4s, which offer remarkable passive noise isolation that lets you to focus on your music in comfort and have a myriad of useful features such as voice control, LDAC support for hi-res playback, as well as a sophisticated app that lets you tweak the EQ settings of any song. From the powerful chorus of Sinead O'Connor's Nothing Compares 2 U to the trembling bridge, these headphones can listen to every sway and sibilant cry with unerring precision.

When it comes down to picking the most appropriate pair for you, it depends on your personal tastes and budget. Over-ears are more comfortable than earbuds and are less likely to fall out. If you plan to wear them for a long time it's a good idea to invest in a pair with earbuds that fit properly.

The larger size of over-ear headphones also lets them pack in an extra battery, as well as more advanced features, such as better drivers and a more advanced active noise cancellation technology. They're also a less expensive alternative to audiophile-style headphones for listening to analytic music, which can cost upwards of $250 / AU$450 a pair.

Earbuds are a more affordable and smaller option, but they aren't as effective at blocking out ambient noise, and don't offer the same variety of features.

Battery Life

To truly be portable, headphones must offer a long playback time. The top wireless over-ear headphones provide around 30 hours of uninterrupted music with active noise cancellation turned on (this greatly reduces the battery's lifespan). Models that offer ANC typically offer much longer playback times.

The larger earcups found on over-ear wireless headphones can accommodate larger batteries, which provide longer battery life than the smaller on-ears or in-ears. However, they do sacrifice some portability in order to offer longer durations of use, and additional features like foldable ear cups and a carry case.

The majority of wireless headphones over-ear connect to an audio source with an audio cable that terminates in 3.5mm jacks, though premium over-ears might utilize larger 6.3mm or XLR connectors. Over-ear headphones with a wired connection can connect to an external audio output with an additional cable, while wireless models connect to a mobile device through Bluetooth.

Some wireless over-ear headphones come with built-in microphones that allow you to make hands-free calls with your mobile. Others have an adjustable volume button that lets you skip tracks or start and stop playback. Some over-ear wireless headphones can even charge your smartphone while in use, though 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 provide excellent audio quality. Many over-ear headphones have an open-back design. This means they don't block out background sounds. They also have drivers of various sizes and types that help to reproduce more rich, expansive music.

Focal's first headphones are audiophile grade, wireless over-ear headphones that bring mixing-booth sound to your everyday listening. The headphones are designed 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 have a premium build and design with aluminum detailing wrapped in soft Nappa leather. They're designed for serious listeners and can be adjusted to fit the shape of your ears, and come with a custom-fit carry pouch that ensures an ideal fit. The MW08s have 11mm berylium speaker for a full and immersive sound that is reminiscent of the acoustics that you hear from a live performance. They support the aptX and anc headphones over ear AAC Bluetooth codecs, with the companion app offering a variety of customization options to tailor their sound profile to suit your preferences.