Best Over the Ear Headphones

Wireless headphones allow you to listen to podcasts or music anywhere, without the necessity of running a wire from your audio device. These headphones are ideal for public transport, in the office or at home.

buy wireless headphones over-ear headphones may have an elegant design and superior noise cancellation. They are usually packaged in a sleek case.

Soundcore Q30

A major improvement over the Soundcore Life 2 from late-2018 The new over-ears look better, feel sturdier and are generally more polished. They're still largely plastic but the hinges are a bit more secure and the soft leather ear cups are larger. You can also swap out the 3.5mm cable for a high-quality USB-C version to make use of them with stationary Hi-Fi systems and mobile Hi-Res players. They also come with two built-in mics that worked well in our tests with FaceTime, Skype and Microsoft Teams calls.

The Soundcore app offers a vast range of EQ presets that can be altered and saved to allow you to listen to music and podcasts in the style you prefer. The Soundcore app is easy to use and sets these headphones apart.

When ANC is turned on the Q30's 40mm drivers effectively block out most of the ambient noise and make for very pleasant listening. The Q30's sound signature is natural, but a little on the treble. Some may be disappointed by the bass response (we have had better results using the Bass Booster Equalizer). You can fix this easily by using the Soundcore App, which includes an eight-band Equalizer.

The left ear cup has a power button as well as a pairing button and USB-C charging port. The right ear cup features play/pause, volume up/down buttons. By double-clicking these controls, you can skip tracks or repeat the previous one. You can also make use of voice commands to ask for a change in mode or set alarms. You can also cover the right earcup with your fingers to activate ambient modes, to allow you to hear everything around you without having to remove the headphones.

The Q30 headphones offer a long battery life. The Q30 lasted an hour longer in our tests when ANC was switched on than its rivals. This leaves plenty of time to prepare for long flights or working for a long time. The included USB-C cord allows you to quickly recharge them. You'll also get an alert when the battery is nearing empty.

Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal's Bathys Wireless are a set of high-quality headphones for over-ear use that feature active noise cancellation and Bluetooth playback. They're made to be a pair of premium headphones that are ideal for listening to music and podcasts on the go but also sound amazing when used to listen to audiophile music at home as well. They're slightly more expensive than other similar headphones but their superior audio quality is the primary selling point.

The Focal Bathys come in a compact attractive white box with a textured finish. It includes everything you will 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.

The battery's capacity is 600mAh, which can last for a full day of listening to music casually. They also have an audio input to make use of wired. When they're wirelessly connected, they're connected via Bluetooth and you'll be able to control their functions using an app (now named Focal & Naim which is probably in line with their English Naim brand's network-aware audio products) or using the dedicated button located on the left earcup that allows you to switch between ANC profiles such as'silent','soft' 'transparent' and 'full'.

The app allows you to alter various settings, including the brightness of the LEDs, the EQ presets (including a'music' profile which is more neutral and brighter than the other profiles) and the battery life. It also lets you to choose the ANC mode and its level as well as setting an 'acoustic environment' that will adjust the sensitivity of your audio to simulate what it will sound like when used in a space with different audio acoustics.

The Focal Bathys come with a bass-rich sound profile that adds extra energy and warmth to your favourite tracks. In the end, instruments and vocals are pushed back into the mix, and can sound dull, while details like cymbals and vocals are slightly less prominent than you'd expect from other headphones. They're also not as effective in active noise cancelation when compared to other over-ears with more advanced technology such as the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Apple AirPods Max.

Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony headphones are well-known for their high-end quality and the WH1000XM5 headphones are no exception. It is a top pick in the mainstream over ear headphone market and is in the 'luxury' lifestyle area where brands like Apple, Montblanc, Bang & Olufsen and Montblanc are located. The XM5s are costly however, if you can afford it find them, there's not a better pair of wireless over-ear headphones.

The XM5s are loaded with a number of features that simplify the lives of the listener, and also automate tasks that they'd otherwise have to do 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 included. This lets high-quality audio be streamed at bitrates which are higher than Bluetooth. There's even a built-in microphone that can be used for making calls without hands.

Similar to the previous generation of WH headphones the XM5s excel at noise cancellation. They're among the best-performing cans to block out the constant drones heard in underground and train carriages. The XM5s also excel at isolating the listener from the noises of busy airports and streets.

The sound quality is also top-quality. The XM5s don't have as many details in the low-frequency range as the XM4, however they do have an increased sense of clarity and openness. The bass on Rage Against The Machine's Bullet in the Head shows the Sonys strength and clarity, without affecting the rest the music. Similar to Massive Attack's brooding Angel showcases the XM5's ability to produce accurate and precise bass notes.

Battery life is also good, with up to 30 hours of listening with ANC active, and 40 hours when it's turned off. This is enough to cover the weekend or a few days of heavy usage.

The only issue is that the XM5s do not have any water resistance or dust resistance protection. In fact, Sony recommends that you not sweat on them or take them out in the rain. This might not be a problem for many people, but it might prove a stumbling block for anyone who spend a lot of their time in the gym or lives in a city that is rainy.

Apple AirPods Max

Apple AirPods Max is a pair of wireless headphones over-ear which feature Bluetooth technology and noise cancellation. Apple designed dynamic drivers measuring 40mm, with a neutral sound profile that emphasizes highs and mids, bluetooth headphones Uk but not going too loud. They are perfect for music and movies. They also have better sound quality when compared with other headphones.

The headphones bluetooth wireless have a lightweight construction that is comfortable on the head. The earcups, which are made of memory foam, are covered with woven fabric, and fit comfortably over the ears they do not place pressure on the sides or the forehead. Ear cups can be flipped and rotated to accommodate different head shapes. The spring-loaded hinges feature a strong but not too powerful clamping force, which makes sure that the ear cups stay in place during listening sessions.

Toggle noise cancelling mode by pressing a small button on the top of the right earcup. There's also a button that can be pushed, jog-dial-like button, similar to the digital crown on the Apple Watch, that you can twist for volume control and press it once twice or three times to playback control. Pressing and holding the button triggers Siri. The buttons are simple to use and well-placed, however, I would like to see the power button that could turn off the headphones when not in use. The headphones go into standby when they are removed from your ears or when placed in their case. They only return to life when you place them over your head.

Another feature that is quite cool is spatial audio, which utilizes the accelerometers and gyroscopes in the AirPods Max and your iPhone or iPad to figure out where you're moving, then repositions sound to make it seem like they're coming from those places. This creates a cinema-like experience with videos and movies made in Dolby Atmos, 5.1 or 7.1. Only iOS devices can be used to listen to spatial audio.

The AirPods Max is a decent pair, but I'd feel a little ripped off if I spent $549 in an Apple Store knowing that the newer model would be better after a year. The AirPods Pro have more advanced features and better battery life, making it difficult to justify the cost for the majority of people.