The Best Wireless Over Ear Headset

In contrast to earbuds, headphones over-ear completely cover your ears and block out any sound from outside. Find headphones that have active noise cancellation and a battery that can last at minimum 20 hours with music playing.

The Sennheiser Momentum 4s feature excellent ANC, a convenient app, and easy-to-use on-ear controls. The default sound is an energizing thump. However, instruments and vocals can be turned off to the background.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The Sony WH-1000XM5 is a fantastic pair of headphones for those who enjoy music and want the most wireless headset. The headphones are light, come with a soft carry bag and fold flat to fit inside your bag. The controls on the touch are intuitive and simple to use, and the battery can last for 30 hours without ANC. The headphones come with an automatic pause feature which shuts the headphones off when you remove them from your head. This helps conserve battery.

The WH-1000XM5 is compatible with Sony's Headphones Connect app which offers an extensive array of features and can be used to customize your audio experience. The app can be used to monitor your location and tailor the sound quality of your surroundings. The device also has an inbuilt microphone that can be used to make calls hands-free. The Sony WH1000XM5 is able to play music wirelessly through Bluetooth or wired with the cable that comes with. They support aptX codecs, aptX HD codecs, Cordless Headphones and adaptive codecs to play high-quality audio through Bluetooth.

Like the XM4, the WH1000XM5 is light and comfortable, with well-padded headbands and ear cups. They're easy to wear for long periods of time and are comfortable enough for long commutes and flights. They're noise-cancelling headphones that can reduce background noise but not sacrifice clarity or detail. The Sony WH1000XM5 headphones have plenty of bass, particularly for closed-back models. They also provide an impressive soundstage and clear distinction between vocals and instruments.

They have a very low latency when watching videos which is a plus. The lag is so minimal that it's virtually undetectable and they can be used for casual gaming. They're not ideal for video gaming competitively, but they're great for those who wish to make use of them for entertainment or to make hands-free calls.

Sony is committed to incorporating intelligent features into its products and the WH1000XM5 is no exception. The active noise cancellation was one of the most effective I've used and they have a whole range of intelligent features that can enhance your listening experience. Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine upscales compressed audio to near-high-resolution quality. They also work with Sony's LDAC technology which streams audio with higher bitrates over Bluetooth (although not as high-quality as the headphone DAC that's dedicated).

2. Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

Bowers & Wilkins flagship headphones, the PX7 S2, have consistently appeared on top lists of wireless headsets since the release of the first-generation PX7, in 2015. This puts them in the same category as Sony WH1000XM5 or Bose's QuietComfort. The latest model, the PX7 S2, is an upgrade that takes the first headphones to a higher level, with improved ANC performance and a refreshed design.

The bio-cellulose drivers that measure 40mm inside the earcups are placed in a way that they directly hit your eardrums. This delivers an audio experience that is more intimate than other headphones with a closed back. The PX7 S2 is a perfect example of the bold claim. The vocals are clear, and the bass is deep when it's needed.

The PX7 S2 also performs very well in voice calls, with a clear and crisp sound that doesn't muddle your own voice. The PX7 S2 is also able to provide an extremely fast charge that will allow you to return to full capacity in just two hours. They're also compatible with high-resolution music thanks to aptX adaptive Bluetooth codesc, which allows them to play 24-bit audio.

For most listeners, the most important upgrade is the improvement in noise cancellation and audio performance. In our tests, the PX7 S2 eliminated nearly all of our simulations of cabin noise with impressive efficiency and performed exceptionally when we played Mozart's Et In Carnatus Est and Sanctus from his Grosse Messe, demonstrating excellent understanding of the changing dynamics between the solo voice, wind trio, and orchestral accompaniment.

The PX7 S2s are not only noise-cancelling, they also come with a range of other features that make them highly comparable to other top-rated headphones. They're wireless and come with Bluetooth multipoint support, meaning that you can pair with two devices simultaneously. They also have an inbuilt microphone which allows hands-free calls with your phone's assistant. The construction is sturdy and premium and will last for a long time.

Of course they're not 100% perfect. The clamp force of the models we tested were a bit more than we would have liked, and there weren't as many app features as other options. However, these aren't major Cordless Headphones concerns. The PX7 S2s are a fantastic wireless headphone that rivals the best in their class, and it's hard to imagine them being defeated by any other rival.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal Bathys is a great option for audiophiles who value high-quality sound and are looking for an ANC headphone that is wireless. They're the French audio company's first ANC cordless headphones (visit my website) that utilize Bluetooth and they offer incredible sound quality both in Bluetooth mode and when connected to an device via USB for hi-fi audio with a maximum of 24 bit/192kHz (the headset is also capable of blocking external sound through its closed ear cups).

The Bathys are stunning, with their glossy finish and swooping curvatures that like Focal's closed-back Celestee and open-back Elear headphones. They also feature premium materials like magnesium and aluminum to create a robust build that feels solid, comfortable, and worth the price.

In Bluetooth mode when Bluetooth is enabled, the Bathys provide a clear and lively sound quality that easily beats similar priced consumer ANC options such as the Sony XM5/5 or Bose QC45. They can be improved further by using direct DAC audio mode, making them a bona fide option for true hi-fi listeners.

Utilizing the Focal & Naim app users can alter the playback controls of their headphones as well as their virtual assistant and Bluetooth pairing preferences. The app allows users to select between silent and soft intensities for ANC. Users can also adjust the brightness of LEDs on the earcups of the headphones, and alter the EQ settings. The app isn't complete but it has enough functionality to be worth the cost of downloading.

The most notable flaw is that the active noise cancellation does not perform as well as the competition. The headphone doesn't eliminate all ambient noise as well as the highly rated XM5 and AirPods Max. Its treble accuracy is also a bit off with a muffled mid to high range that takes away from the sound of instruments and vocals.

The Focal Bathys aren't the most portable headphones. The ear cups aren't foldable up and they weigh slightly more than the competition, meaning they're not the best choice for use on the road. They're best suited to a home environment where they can be used for lengthy listening sessions or as an audio reference headphone for engineering purposes. Despite their size and bulk, the Bathys are actually comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

The Sony WHCH720N headset is a excellent pair of wireless over ear headsets at a reasonable price. The noise-cancelling technology is excellent and does a great deal to cut down on the background noise. They are ideal for commuters and travelers. They also offer an appealing design that reflects premium quality, thanks to their durable construction and attractive matte finish.

They are similar in design to Sony's newer 1000X and XB910N headphones wireless bluetooth. They have an ultra-slim headband that has the usual ear cup hinges and a sturdy plastic build. They're lightweight and comfortable to wear, but they feel a bit too tight for my taste. In the box, they come with a USB-C port for charging as well as a 3.5mm jack and a decent length cable. They support multipoint Bluetooth which means that you can connect to two devices at once if you want.

In my tests the CH720N's hybrid technology for noise cancellation did a great job of reducing ambient noise. There were only a few blips when walking through Waterloo Station and London Victoria. They weren't magic sound-silencers that zapped every single nearby sound however, and they struggled with lower-frequency sounds like the rumbling engine noise of buses and trains.

Streaming music over the CH720N's Bluetooth connection was smooth and showed a low amount of harmonic distortion. I tested a variety of genres and discovered that they were able to handle the intricate interplay among instruments very well. It did an impressive job of controlling the bass in rock tracks and keeping the focus of the mix.

I like the ability to adjust the Sony Headphones Connect app to modify the CH720N's ANC as well as multipoint connectivity settings to suit your preferences and add a variety of audio presets. You can also enable DSEE through the app, which improves audio quality and speeds up the removal of compressed audio content.

The WH-CH720N offers a great value for PS130. It lacks some of Sony's best features (such as Speak-toChat and Quick Attention) but it has a lot of amazing features. You can access 360 Reality Audio and a range of smart controls, in addition to the DSEE upscaling feature. The only thing that's missing is LDAC Bluetooth high-res audio support I believe it would have been a welcome inclusion.