Why Over-Ear Wireless Headphones Are Better Than Earbuds

Over-ear headphones create a physical barrier to external sounds by sealing your ears. The best models come with massive soundstages, and audiophile features.

Over-ear headphones are generally more bulkier and larger, but they often come with a carrying bag and can be folded in order to be portable. They may have longer battery life and offer superior noise cancellation.

Sound Quality

While the earbuds are ideal for portability and convenience, over-ear headphones offer better sound quality and usually feature noise cancellation technology that makes them perfect for listening on public transport or at the office. For many, this is a deal-breaker and over-ear headphones are the preferred option.

Over-ear headphones have a larger design, which allows them to have a much larger speaker than earbuds. This results in better sound reproduction and the quality of sound. This is particularly true in the lower frequencies, and where headphones with over-ears tend to have a richer and more powerful bass than earbuds.

Over-ear headphones shield you from the outside noises, creating a more immersive experience. The soundproofing of headphones can be improved by using active noise cancellation which emits reversed noise that reduces external sounds. Many over-ear wireless headphones which come with ANC offer multiple modes to allow you to select the level of volume you'd like.

Another aspect that separates over-ear headphones from earbuds is their open-back design. This lets the sound out of the ear cups, interact with the surrounding environment, and increase the sense of immersion. This isn't something you'll discover in every pair of over-ear headphones but the ones that do offer a wider and more expansive soundstages to enjoy your music.

Master & Dynamic headphones are the latest over-ear wireless headphone to take this approach. They have a model MW75 that was launched in June. Their Premium P47 Over-Ear Headphones: Wireless - Noise-Canceling - Black look is more than skin-deep with leather, aluminum and tempered glass to create a look that is distinctive in a crowd. The MW75 features a variety of ANC modes that can be adjusted to different environments, and a longer battery life.

Focal's first over-ear headphones are a different model that uses an open-back design. They also have large soundstages to complement their music-centric features. The default sound profile of these headphones is a bass-heavy mix that has plenty of punch, thump and thump to complement EDM and hip hop. The bass can drown out the instruments and vocals, however the graphic EQ feature in the companion app lets you tweak the sound to suit your taste. They can also be used with a wired connection in USB-C mode to allow high-res audio with up to 24bit/192kHz.

Isolation

Sound isolation is an important aspect to take into account when selecting headphones. The best headphones to isolate the sound are closed-back headphones with large ear cushions. These models block the majority of outside sound and create a solid seal, which helps reduce ambient sounds like voices or music. Some wireless headphones feature active noise cancellation, which further improves isolation by removing the background noise without sacrificing audio quality.

If you're in search of an over-ear wireless headphones that offer outstanding sound isolation, the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro is an excellent choice. They offer excellent passive noise isolation, and are extremely light and comfortable, making them an ideal option for long listening sessions. They provide a balanced and natural sound that has good bass and high-frequency. These headphones are ideal for studios and come with high-quality microphones for calls.

The Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II is another great option. These headphones are designed for comfort and are fitted with a pliable fit and soft earpads encased with soft fabric. They also have a built-in noise-canceling microphone, and are compatible with a wide range of smartphones.

These headphones are designed to be an all-rounder and offer premium features you won't find on lesser models. They also feature Bluetooth 5.0 to provide more efficient transmission speeds and a lower video delay. They're also waterproof, making them an ideal choice for Premium P47 Over-Ear Headphones: Wireless - Noise-Canceling - Black your next outdoor adventure.

The Sennheiser HD 25 II also offers a high level of passive sound reduction which reduces ambient noise levels by 20 decibels. This is a remarkable amount of reduction, making it possible to listen to your favorite songs even in noisy surroundings.

Over-ear headphones also provide greater comfort than earbuds. Although every person will feel this differently, a lot of people find that earbuds can cause discomfort after extended listening sessions. Earbuds are also more likely to slide out of your ear, and they often get covered with ear wax. In contrast, headphones that are over-ear are less likely to cause this issue and are positioned closer to your eardrums, reducing the risk of hearing damage.

Portability

Over-ear headphones have large cups that cover your ears, making them more comfortable to wear for long periods of time. Over-ear headphones are also suitable for long commutes and flights because they isolate you from the outside world. Over-ear headphones tend to be larger, and have a higher quality audio. They also have bigger drivers and a broader frequency range.

Headphones come in different sizes, Premium P47 Over-Ear Headphones: Wireless - Noise-Canceling - Black styles, and price points. They can be tailored to suit your budget and needs. Cheap headphones are usually wired and connected via a standard 3.5mm plug, while high-end models come with Bluetooth connectivity as well as a USB-DAC to provide high-quality audio playback, and other features like noise cancellation.

There are also sports-specific over-ear headphones that feature sweat-proof or washable earpads as well as stronger clamping force to hold them in place during vigorous exercise. For the most portable option, look for a pair that folds up Immerse into Music with KVIDIO Over Ear Bluetooth Headphones a compact case that fits snugly in your jacket or bag pocket.

Some wireless over-ear headphones have built-in mics that allow users to make calls from your tablet or phone without removing the headphones. This is particularly useful in busy places, where it can be difficult to hear someone at the other end of the line.

Over-ear headphones are the best choice to listen to podcasts or audiobooks since the earphones block some ambient sound, so they are easier to listen to while you read or relax at your home.

In our tests, we found that the Focal Wireless Bathys headphones were the best wireless headphones for over-ear use. They are designed for those who love music and come with an app companion to the headphones that includes an EQ graphic and presets that allow you to personalize the sound profile. They employ an aptX adaptive codec to stream high-resolution music using apps like Tidal.

Some over-ear headphones can be bulky, and packing them in the suitcase or backpack is a hassle. However their weight and size are a trade-off for improved comfort and better audio quality that isn't available with earbuds.

Battery Life

The top headphones for over-ears offer long battery life. Batteries last longer because they don't have to be as active to keep your ears warm. Over-ears are ideal for listening on the move, whether you're travelling or commuting.

These headphones are an excellent choice for students and office workers who need to concentrate on their work. The Marshall Major IIIs feature a light design that is comfortable to wear, and can run for up to 44 continuous hours on a single charge. They also have Bluetooth multipoint connectivity, which allows them to connect with multiple devices simultaneously.

The Long-lasting Sony Wireless Bluetooth Headphones – 50 Hours+ WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones are among the top-rated over-ear Bluetooth headphones. The headphones come with an charging case that can allow up to 60 hours of playback. They can also be used to make calls without hands thanks to the built-in microphones. They have intelligent active noise cancellation technology that automatically adjusts sound settings that are suited to your surroundings and can be activated at the push of one button. Automatic ear detection will stop the playback after you remove them and resumes it automatically when you put back on.

Other over-ears with impressive battery life include the Focal's newest Bluetooth headphones The Bathys. These high-end headphones were designed to be awe-inspiring to audiophiles. They have a soundstage that will transport you into a musical environment. These headphones have a wealth of features as well as a sophisticated system to block out noise. They can also last up to 34 hours when using the full battery.

Over-ears can also provide more listening time than on-ears, because of their larger earcups that can house larger batteries. Some budget models can offer up to 95 hours on a single battery charge (EdifierW830BT) more than twice what you get with the best on-ear headphones.

In the end it is no wonder that over-ear Bluetooth headphones are the best option for audiophiles seeking a premium, reliable pair that can last them for years to come. As they are located further away from the eardrums they are less likely to damage your hearing. According to the British Hearing Foundation, over-ear headphones are twice as safe for long listening sessions as in-ear buds.