Best Over-Ear Wireless Headphones

Consider these if you are seeking wireless headphones for your ears. They're not just comfortable to wear, but they have excellent active noise cancellation that mutes background noises to allow you to focus on the music.

Focal's first wireless headphones are an audiophile's dream. They feature a deep, full sound with enough thump for EDM but vocals and instruments are not excluded. They include an app companion and ANC presets that allow you to tailor the sound to your personal preferences.

Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony's WH1000XM5 is the most recent generation of its bestselling headphones, which offer automatic adaptive noise cancellation (ANC) to block out ambient sounds. With a staggering 27-hour playback duration they are ideal for long journeys or commutes. They also come with a handy feature that allows you to pair them with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously, which makes it easy to switch between calls and music. The WH1000XM5 is appealing to anyone who cares for sustainability because of its sleek, minimalist design and eco-friendly packaging.

The XM5s come with an easier, more comfortable headband that fits snugly over your ear and puts less pressure on your skull. They're also more stylish with a new, stealthy look that helps them blend into the majority of outfits. They're also available in a matte black that looks even better than the glossy black of the previous generations.

One of the best features of the WH1000XM5 is the smart noise cancellation function, which detects when you remove the headphones and pauses the audio. When you put them back on the audio will resume automatically. This is an excellent way to conserve battery power and it works.

As for audio quality, the XM5s are top of the line with both LDAC codec support as well as DSEE Extreme audio upscaling. Tim Commerford's work on bass is evident in Rage against the Machine's Bullet in the Head track, a dark track. Billie Eilish's Bad Guy features subtle but deliberate vocal fade.

A cautionary note for gym rats and those who live in areas with rain: the WH-1000XM5s don't have an IP rating, therefore they can't be trusted around moisture. In the manual, it's explicitly stipulated that you shouldn't use the headset in the rain or when you sweat into it.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 represents a refreshing update of B&W's former flagship wireless headphone, PX7. Rather than a mere iterative upgrade it is a significant upgrade. Series 2 delivers a substantial improvement in both ANC and audio quality. The design is also a bit more refined, with a style that is more mature than the shiny, tech-forward appearance of Sony's XM5 and Apple's AirPods Max.

A slider switch for power makes it clear whether the headphones are turned on, and buttons for play/pause and volume make it simple to navigate your music collection. There's a customizable button on the left ear cup which can be altered to trigger your voice assistant, and there's also an ambient pass-through mode that lets you listen to what's happening around you without taking off the headphones.

streaming an 16-bit/44.1kHz master of Dennis Wilson's River Song from his Pacific Ocean Blue album via the S2s, the soundstage is expansive and rich, with layered harmonies and atmospheric textures coming through clearly. There's plenty of low-end extension, too, and vocals stay centered.

The S2s are not the most effective in EQ control. You can increase or reduce bass and treble up to 6dB, but there aren't any presets available to allow you to find the perfect balance. This isn't a big issue for the majority of listeners, but music fans who like to self-sculpt their audio will likely need to look for a different model.

Overall overall, the PX7 S2s make an excellent choice for those looking for a noise-canceling active headphone with an exquisite finish and feel. They're not as versatile as the aforementioned XM5s however they're an excellent choice for the majority of listeners. You'll need to decide if the superior ANC and audio is worth the slightly higher cost.

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The Bose QuietComfort 45 is a pair of wireless over-ear headphones that offers great noise cancellation. They also have a 24-hour battery life. They are light and comfortable enough to wear around the home. They can be controlled via the built-in buttons and an app companion, but customization is limited (sorry there's no equalizer). You'll be able to select from a range of sound profiles to suit different scenarios, including travel or working from home. The QC45s come with a feature known as Aware Mode that allows outside sounds to be heard using ANC. This is beneficial for those who wish to hear traffic or children when out and about.

The sound quality of the blutooth headphones isn't as good as the WH-1000XM5s but it's still decent. The bass doesn't sound booming but it does provide an adequate amount of depth and texture. The mids and the highs are nicely rounded and there is no harshness or Bluetooth wireless Headphone shrillness.

One issue is that QC45s tend to prefer the higher frequencies, which can cause some sibilance to certain songs. This isn't a major issue and is easily fixed in software by tweaking the headphone settings.

The controls are easy to use. The left earcup turns the headphones on and off, controls music playback, and manages Bluetooth pairing. A multi-functional Action Button is also available. It can serve as a toggle for power and voice assistant in addition to controlling the volume. There's also a microphone for phone calls as well as Siri or Alexa is supported.

Audio-Technica ATH-M20x

The ATH-M20x is a stylish pair that offers excellent sound quality at a reasonable price. They are well built with solid feel to them. While the headband and ear cups are made of plastic, they are strong enough that it will be durable for long use. The ears can rotate up to 15 degrees, so they can be positioned to fit most ears.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x has Bluetooth wireless headphone 5.0 that allows you to stream your music wirelessly. The battery longevity is impressive, with up to 30 hours of music listening time. They come with a USB-C cord for charging.

The headphones are simple to use. There are three buttons at the back of the left earcup which allow you to control playback and other functions. These buttons allow you to pause, change tracks, and even adjust the volume. The ATH-M20x also has an integrated microphone that you can use to make calls or voice commands. The headset has a low-latency mode that makes it ideal for gaming and video calls.

The ATH-M20x headphones aren't without excellent audio quality, they aren't ideal for all music genres. Vocals can sound a little dull and there isn't any real bass response. The high frequencies sound crisp and clear. These headphones are renowned for their Treble. They are a great choice for pop, classical and jazz.

The ATH-M20x headphones weigh light at just under 190 grams without the cord. The earcups are padded, but they cannot fold. They'll be heavy to carry around in a backpack and may not fit in the bag of a handbag. They don't have a detachable cable either. Audio-Technica ATH-M40x are a better option for those looking for headphones that is more portable. It's more comfortable due to its folding design, swiveling earpieces that lie flat, and removable cables. It's more expensive however, it offers more isolation and more bass.

Skullcandy Dime 2

The Dime 2 is one of the best-sounding earbuds from Skullcandy's true wireless. It comes in a compact, compact carrying case that can easily be slipped into purses or pockets. It also comes with a variety of sizes of ear gels to fit different ears. It's also a little lighter than other wireless earbuds we tested.

The dual microphones are great for picking your voice when you call and reducing background sound. They are not suitable for outdoor use since noises from the outside can drown out your voice. The earbuds are also unsuitable in windy environments and they may cut off specific parts of your speech.

The earbuds remain good sounding despite these minor issues. They have a crisp high-end that doesn't leak into the mids, and they've got an excellent amount of mid-bass to add some punch to your music.

The AirPod Pro has a dual-tap function that works well, but not as intuitive as the Apple AirPod Pro. You have to place your thumb on the bottom of the stem to ensure stability, and then press the logo to initiate a command. It's not as responsive as a pinch gesture, and can be a bit unwieldy.

The earbuds can last for around four hours on one charge. They also come with an option to charge them quickly that lets them last two additional hours. They're also certified IPX4 for resistance to sweat and water. The Earbuds come with a carrying case with two openings for the earbuds as well as an elastic loop to secure them to your clothes. The case is stylish and available in a variety of colors, including the red color of Doritos. Online, you can find the cases for less than $30 USD.