Wireless Hook Over Ear Headphones-Ear Headphones Roundup

Wireless headphones remove the necessity of wires to enjoy your music. They are more comfortable for long periods of time, and some fold up into a compact shape to store them when not in use.

The Sony WH-1000XM5s Bluetooth headphones are a great pair of Bluetooth headsets that check all the boxes. They feature top-of-the-line sound quality, noise cancelling and a sleek design and hook over ear Headphones a comfortable fit. They even support the lossless LDAC hi-res codec for high-quality audio playback.

Sound Quality

If you're a fan of big, full-size wireless headphones that sit over your ears and are connected via a headband to isolate and amplify audio there's a wide range of options. In our list of the top Bluetooth over-ear headphones, you'll discover UC certified headsets that can be used with communication platforms such as Microsoft Teams. You'll also find premium models from Sony, Sennheiser and Bose, which are as luxurious as well as durable.

One of our top picks is the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones, that improve upon their multi-award-winning predecessor by offering slimmer styling and refined noise cancellation. They also provide up to 37 hours of playtime on a single charge and can be charged quickly to give you an extra 8 hours of use in only 15 minutes. They feature a fun, balanced sound profile and support the lossless Sony LDAC hi-res codec so you can stream music in stunning high-definition.

The headphones produce a rich and twitchy sound, with distinct mids and bass. You can also alter the sound signature using the headphones mobile application, adding more emphasis to the bass and treble according to your personal taste. In our tests they were extremely precise and clear, with vocals and orchestral music booming in stunning detail.

Another of our top-rated, over-ear Bluetooth headphones is the Logitech G HUB Wireless Headphones, which have a well-balanced sound from the moment you purchase them and offer clear audio. The sound is consistent and has a lot of bass, which helps to emphasize sound effects and audio from games. They're compatible with Logitech's HUB software, which has an EQ with a graphic appearance and presets so you can tailor the sound to your preference.

If you are willing to spend a little more you can go for the Bowers & Wilkins premium Danish-made Px7S2 headphones are the top Bluetooth over-ear headphones. The Sonys are a little cheaper, but they sound and appear better. They feature a tough aluminum casing that has lambskin leather earcups that are filled with memory foam. They're comfortable to wear and are compatible with the aptX adaptive and SBC audio codecs that let you listen to high-quality music wirelessly. They are also beautifully made and have a chic elegant, minimalist style that is suitable for all tastes.

Noise Cancellation

Noise cancellation is a feature that's important if you want to block out the world so you can focus on your podcasts or music. Wireless headphones that can block out noise generally have ear cups that fit snugly over your ears. This allows you to concentrate on the music and block out any ambient noise. Most over-ear headphones use active noise cancellation (ANC) to reduce ambient sounds that are created by listening to the environment and creating an opposite sound to cancel out the background noise. They will not make your surroundings tranquil but they can cut down the sound of train engines and other noises.

ANC uses tiny microphones that listen for ambient sounds. These are then compared to the music you're currently listening to. Small differences between the two are then used to create an equal and opposing sound that is then fed through your earphones and effectively blocks out the background noise. Apps or dedicated hardware controls can be used to adjust the most effective noise cancelling headsets. You can select the level of noise cancellation that best suits your needs.

The majority of the headphones we test have a variety of features in addition to the ability to control ANC. For instance, a lot of headphones come with a microphone that allows you to allow hands-free phone calls and can be used with voice assistants, such as Siri and Alexa. Some come with built-in speakers for audio streaming.

In terms of noise cancellation, we've seen some significant advancements in recent times. For example, Focal has thrown itself into the premium wireless over ear headphones ANC headphone space with its Bathys that we love for their outstanding design, comfort and dazzling sound quality. The Bathys have the ability to cut down background noise up to 30dB. You can manage ANC levels via an app, and also set three settings you can switch using the physical button on the left earcup.

Noise cancellation should be the main factor you consider when purchasing a new pair. The quality of the sound is essential, but noise cancellation should be top of the line. The most popular ANC headphones are expensive, but they're worth it because of their build quality and longevity of the battery. The Sony WF1000XM5s is our top pick for those on a tight budget. They provide excellent noise cancellation and excellent audio quality at a reasonable cost.

Battery Life

If you're going to use headphones wireless on the go, you want them to last as long as possible. This is due to the fact that they consume their own batteries as well as the audio device that's playing music through them, therefore it's crucial to select headphones with a sufficient amount of storage in the event that you fail to get an charge or run out of power. Many manufacturers offer headphones that have a large amount of storage. Some even have solar charging so they can be charged automatically when you're not using them.

Over-ear headphones typically come with larger earcups that cover your ears, meaning they can house larger batteries to allow for longer play times and more advanced features. They are also more noise-cancelling, as their larger size creates a better seal against the environment.

The top brand Bang & Olufsen makes some of the top headphones for over-ear with its H95 flagship wireless headphones that provide a full listening experience. With a luxury design featuring aluminum details and Nappa leather They're the perfect choice for anyone who enjoys listening in peace for hours at a time.

Anker Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro headphones are more affordable and come with a battery life of 65 hours without ANC and 50 hours with it. This is way ahead of the other models and is a testament to the headphones' outstanding build quality and features a comfortable fit and sturdy headband that is able to take the punishment.

Another budget-friendly option is the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless headphones that can be used for up to 44 hours with ANC turned on and feature an active noise cancellation system that's incredibly efficient in blocking out background sounds. The audio quality is excellent with a V-shaped profile that provides plenty of bass while brightening the vocals and instruments.

The Sony WF1000XM5 wireless headphones aren't cheap but at less than $100, they have excellent isolation, foam ear tips, and noise cancellation that's good, even if it's not the most advanced model on this list. They also support Bluetooth 5.3 and the most recent LDAC codec, allowing for high-resolution audio. They can be charged with the cord included, or via USB.

Portability

The amount of space a pair headphones takes up when folded down into their smallest form is an important factor in their portability. The smaller the fold-down size, the easier it is to put them in the bag or backpack to use on the go without getting in the way.

If you're looking for a no-fuss wireless headphones with lots of features that are suitable for every day use, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT is an excellent option. They're lightweight, fold down easily, and provide an impressive 44 hours of playback time. They also allow multi-device pairing and offer a fantastic microphone for phone calls.

If you don't plan to use your headphones for hands-free calling the Audio-Technica s200BT is a better option. They are more comfortable, and have a playback time of 50 hours. They also come with a retractable cable for use with wires and come with a durable hard case.

A five-star performer and a favourite among 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, or AU$150 and feature active noise cancellation, however they're not quite as well-made as our more expensive recommendations.

Focal Bathys wireless headphones are a expensive option that delivers impressive sound quality at affordable prices. The Focal Bathys Wireless feature a V shaped sound profile with lots of bass that complements EDM, rock and hip-hop. Instruments and vocals sound bright, and you can tweak the sound to your liking with their companion app's graphic EQ as well as presets. They also support aptX Adaptive Codec to provide a high-res streaming and also have an option to listen via USB-DAC.

If you're looking for a pair that's more expensive, but worthy of our five-star rating take a look at the multi-award winning Sony WH-1000XM5. The Sony WH-1000XM5 may not be inexpensive, but it does have a long battery life, excellent noise cancellation, and lets you listen to music for an extended period without having to worry about running out of power or having to charge.