Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Roundup

Wireless headphones remove the limitations of wires in your listening experience. They are more comfortable to wear for a long time at a time, and some can fold into a compact size for storage when not when not in use.

The Sony WH-1000XM5s Bluetooth headphones are a great pair of Bluetooth headsets that meet all the boxes. They provide top-quality sound quality, noise cancellation as well as a fashionable design and great comfort. They support the lossless LDAC high-res codec that plays back high-quality audio.

Sound Quality

If you're a fan of large, full-size wireless headsets that sit over your ears and are connected by the headband to block out and amplify sound, there's no shortage of choices. In our roundup of the best over-ear Bluetooth headphones you'll find UC-certified headsets designed to work with communication platforms such as Microsoft Teams, plus premium headphones from brands like Sony, Sennheiser, Bose and Bowers & Wilkins that are as luxurious as they are durable.

The Sony WH1000XM5 is one of our top picks. They improve on the multi-award-winning predecessor with sleeker design and more refined noise cancellation. The headphones can be used for up to 37 hours on one battery charge. They can also be charged quickly to extend the battery life by 8 hours in just 15 minutes. They come with a lively balanced sound profile, and support the lossless Sony LDAC hi-res codec so you can stream music in stunning HD.

They have luscious, twinkling highs, and distinct bass and mids. You can even tweak the sound signature using the headphones' mobile app, adding a bit more emphasis to the bass and treble according to your own personal preference. In our tests, they were incredibly precise and clear. Vocals and orchestral sounds were recorded with great clarity.

The Logitech Wireless Headphones G HUB are another of our top-rated Bluetooth over ear Headphones wireless-ear headphones. They offer a balanced sound right out of the box and offer clear audio. They're loaded with of bass to emphasize sound effects and game music, and their sound is consistent. They work with Logitech HUB software, which comes with an equalizer for graphics and presets to customize the sound.

If you're prepared to spend more, the premium Danish-made Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 headphones are our pick of the top Bluetooth over-ear headphones. The Sonys are a bit more expensive but they sound and appear better. They have a hard aluminum casing that has lambskin leather earcups that are filled with memory foam. The headphones are comfortable to wear, and they support the audio codecs aptX and SBC audio codes. This allows you to listen to high-quality wireless music. They're beautifully made, too and have a chic minimalist design that will suit any taste.

Noise Cancellation

If you're looking to block out the world and immerse yourself in your music or Over Ear Headphones Wireless podcasts, then noise cancellation is a crucial feature. Wireless headphones that have noise cancellation capabilities typically have ear cups that seal tightly over your ears to block out background sound and help you focus on your audio. The majority of over-ear headphones utilize active noise cancellation (ANC) to cut down on background noises, which works by listening to the surroundings and creating a different sound to block out background noise. They aren't able to make your surroundings peaceful but they can cut down the sound of trains and other noises.

ANC usually uses tiny microphones to listen for ambient sounds, which are then compared to the original audio you're listening to. Tiny differences between the two are then used to create an equal and opposing sound that is then fed into the earbuds and effectively blocks out the ambient noise. The Best over ear headphones noise cancelling noise cancelling headphones can also be adjusted using apps or a dedicated hardware control. This lets you select a particular level of noise cancellation to suit the situation you're in.

Most of the headphones we test include various other features beyond just the ability to control ANC. For instance, many pairs include a microphone to make hands-free phone calls and can be used with voice assistants like Siri and Alexa. Some come with built-in speakers for audio streaming.

In the area of noise cancellation, we've seen some significant advancements in recent years. For example, Focal has thrown itself into the premium wireless ANC headphone market with its Bathys, which we love for their outstanding comfort, sleek features and stunning audio quality. They're able to cut down background noise by as much as 30dB and you can adjust the ANC levels through an app and set three 'favorites' settings that are switchable with a physical button located on the left earcup.

Noise cancellation should be the primary factor you consider when purchasing the latest pair. The quality of the sound is essential, but noise cancellation should be at the top of the list. The most popular ANC pairs on the market are usually expensive and that's because they have exceptional quality of construction and battery life. For those with a smaller budget Sony WF-1000XM5s is our top choice because they provide excellent noise cancellation and great audio quality at a reasonable price.

Battery Life

Wireless headphones should last for as long as they possibly. They drain both their own battery and that of the device playing music. So, it's important to choose headphones with enough storage in case you run out of charge or power. Many manufacturers offer headphone models that have a large amount of storage. Some even incorporate solar charging so they can be charged automatically even when you're not using them.

over ear headphones argos-ear headphones tend to be larger and will cover more of your ears. This allows them to have larger batteries that allow for longer playtimes and advanced features. They also have better noise cancellation, as their larger size makes a better seal against the environment.

The top brand Bang & Olufsen makes some of the most premium headphones for over-ear use, with its flagship H95 wireless headphones that provide a full 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 time.

For more affordable headphones for less money, the Anker Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro boasts a long-lasting battery of 50 hours with ANC activated and 65 hours without it. This is far ahead of the other models and is a testament to the headphones' outstanding quality of construction, which includes a comfortable fit and a durable headband that is able to take a beating.

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless headphones are a budget option. They can be used up to 44 hours if the active noise cancellation is activated and have a system that blocks out noises from the outside with astonishing efficiency. The headphones' sound quality is good with a V-shaped design that has plenty of bass and lights up vocals and instruments for a balanced profile that's easy to fine-tune by using the companion app's graphic EQ and presets.

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 is solid, even if it's not the most advanced on this list. They also support Bluetooth 5.3 and the latest LDAC codec, which allows for high-resolution audio. They can be charged via the cord included, or via USB.

Portability

The amount of space that a pair of headphones occupy once folded into their most compact size is a key aspect in their portability capabilities. The smaller the fold-down format is, the more easily you can put them in backpacks or bags to carry around without worrying about them getting in the way.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT wireless headphone is a great choice when you're looking for a headphone with wireless capabilities that's easy to use and offers a wide range of features for everyday listening. They're light, fold down easily, and provide 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 calls that are hands-free The Audio-Technica headphones ATH-S200BT are a better choice since they are more comfortable and have an impressive 50 hours of playback. The headphones also have an adjustable cord to use wired headphones and a hard case.

A five-star performer, and a favorite with What Hi-Fi?'s team, the Sony WF-C700N and JBL Live Pro 2 TWS are another top pair of wireless over-ear headphones. Both headphones are priced around $100 / PS100 / AU$150 and feature active noise cancellation, but they're not as high-quality as our more expensive selections.

For something more upscale for a more luxurious experience, the Focal Bathys Wireless are a top pair of headphones that provide excellent sound quality for their price. They feature an V-shaped sound profile which includes plenty of bass to complement EDM, hip-hop and rock. Vocals and instruments sound bright, and you can adjust the sound to your liking using their companion app's graphic EQ as well as presets. They also support aptX Adaptive Codec for hi-res stream and offer USB-DAC mode for listening wired.

For a pair that's more expensive but also worthy of our five-star seal, check out the multi-award-winning Sony WH-1000XM5. The Sony WH1000XM5 isn't cheap but it has a long battery life, excellent noise cancellation and allows you to listen to music for a long time without having to worry about running out of power or needing to charge.