Best Over the Ear Headphones

Wireless headphones let you listen to music and podcasts without the requirement of connecting wires to your audio device. These headphones are ideal for use in public transport, in the office or at home.

Wireless over-ear cans are offered in a variety and noise cancellation capabilities. They are typically packaged in a sleek case.

Soundcore Q30

These earphones are an important upgrade over the Soundcore Life 2 of late-2018. They are more attractive and feel more durable and have a more polished finish. They're still mostly made of plastic, however the hinges are more secure and the soft leather ear cups are a bit larger. You can switch the 3.5mm cord for a higher quality USB-C cable to connect them to mobile Hi-Res as well as stationary players. They also have two microphones built-in, which work well in our tests for FaceTime, Skype, and Microsoft Teams calls.

The Soundcore app comes with a broad variety of EQ presets that can be saved and tweaked to listen to podcasts and music in the way you like. This is the thing that sets these headphones apart from other ANC headphones, and the Soundcore app is extremely simple to use.

The Q30's 40mm speakers effectively eliminate almost all ambient sound when ANC is turned on. This makes for a very pleasant listening experience. The Q30's sound quality is natural, but it is a bit the treble. Some might find the bass response lacking (we had better results using the Bass Booster equalizer). This can be fixed easily using the Soundcore App, which has an 8-band Equalizer.

The headphones come with the power button and a pairing button on the left ear cup as well as a USB-C port for charging. The right earcup has buttons for play/pause, volume up/down and volume up/down. Double-clicking these controls lets you skip tracks or repeat the previous one. You can also use voice commands to ask them to switch modes or set alarms. The right earcup can also be covered with your hand to activate ambient mode so that you can hear what's happening around you without removing the headphones.

These headphones have a fantastic battery life. The Q30 lasts for an hour longer in our tests when ANC was on than its competitors. This allows you to enjoy the long flight, or a busy day at work. They can be quickly recharged using the USB-C cable included, and you'll see a warning when they're approaching empty.

Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal's Bathys Wireless is a pair of high-quality over-ear Bluetooth headphones that offer active noise cancellation and Bluetooth playback. These headphones are made to be premium, high-end headphones that can be used at home or on the move. The headphones are a little higher priced than comparable headphones, bluetooth headphones but their superior sound quality is what makes them stand out.

The Focal Bathys are packaged in a small, slim and attractive white fabric-finished retail box with all the accessories you require inside. You can also get a fold-flat carry case for the headphones, a USB-C to USB C cable, 1.2mmSE cable and an audio converter.

The 600mAh battery will last for a whole day of casual listening. They also come with an audio input that you can make use of wired. When used wirelessly they're paired via Bluetooth and you'll be able manage their functions via an app (now named Focal and Naim which is probably in the same line as their English sister brand Naim's products for audio that are network-aware) or via the button on the left ear cup that allows you to switch between ANC profiles like'soft','silent transparent', and full.

Using the app allows you to alter various settings, including the LED brightness as well as EQ presets that include a "music profile' that sounds brighter and more neutral than the other ones and also their battery duration. It also lets you to select the ANC mode and the level as well as setting an 'acoustic environment' that will adjust the sensitivity of your music to simulate how it would sound like when worn in a room with different soundproofing.

The Focal Bathys have a bass-rich profile that adds additional warmth and punch to your most loved tracks. As a result, instruments and vocals are pushed back into the mix, and can sound dull, while other details such as cymbals sound somewhat less prominent than you might expect on some other headphones. The headphones are also less effective in active noise cancellation when compared with other over-ears that have more advanced technology, such as the Sony WH1000XM5 and Apple AirPods Max.

Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony has earned a reputable reputation for its headphones, and the WH-1000XM5 is no exception. It is a top pick in the over-ear headphone market, which is a mainstream market and is in the luxury lifestyle segment where brands such as Apple, Montblanc, Bang & Olufsen and Montblanc are situated. The XM5s are costly however, if you are able to get them, you won't find a better wireless headphones.

The XM5s are loaded with a number of features that make life easier for the listener and automate tasks they would otherwise need to perform manually. Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine (which upscales music to near-high-resolution) and Bluetooth's LDAC Technology, are both included. This lets high-quality music to be streamed with bitrates that are higher than bluetooth wireless headphones. There's even a built-in microphone to allow making calls without hands.

Like the previous generation of WH headphones the XM5s excel in noise cancellation. They're one of the best at eliminating the continuous drones that can be heard in subway and train carriages. The XM5s are great at their job of shielding listeners from the noise of busy airports and streets, too.

The sound quality is also great. The XM5s may not be as precise in the lower frequencies as the XM4, but there's a greater sense of clarity and transparency, too. The bass in Rage Against the Machine’s Bullet in the Head shows off the Sonys' power and definition, without affecting the rest of the music. In the same way, Massive Attack's grooving Angel showcases the XM5's ability to produce precise and precise bass notes.

The battery life is also good, with up to 30 hours of audio with ANC active, and 40 hours when it's off. This is more than enough to cover the weekend or a few days' heavy use.

The XM5s do not come with dust or water resistant. Sony actually advises against sweating in them or taking them out in the rain. This may not be a major issue for everyone else, but for those who spend much time in the gym or live in a rainy region it could be a big issue.

Apple AirPods Max

Apple AirPods Max is a pair of wireless headphones over-ear that feature buy bluetooth headphones technology and noise cancellation. Apple created dynamic drivers that measure 40mm, with a neutral sound profile that emphasizes highs and mids without going too loud. This makes them ideal for movies and music. They also provide superior fidelity compared to most rival headphones.

The headphones have a lightweight construction that is comfortable on the head. The ear cups are constructed of memory foam and covered with weaved fabric. They sit comfortably on the ears without putting pressure on the sides of the face. The ear cups can tilt and rotate to accommodate various head shapes. The spring-loaded hinges provide an incredibly firm, yet not too much clamping force that ensures the ear cups remain in position during listening sessions.

Switch on noise cancellation 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 turn to control volume and press the button once twice or three times to playback control. Pressing and holding the button invokes Siri. The buttons are simple to use and are well-placed, however, I would like to have a power button that would shut off the headphones when they are not in use. The headphones automatically go into standby mode when they are removed from your ears or placed in their case. They only wake up when you place them on your head again.

Spatial audio is another cool feature. It uses the accelerometers, gyroscopes, and iPhones or iPads to determine where you are moving. Then, it adjusts the sound to make it appear to originate from the location you are in. This creates an immersive theater experience for movies and videos made in 5.1, 7.1 or Dolby Atmos. Only iOS devices can be used to listen to the spatial audio.

The AirPods Max is a decent pair, but I would feel a little ripped off for spending $549 at an Apple Store knowing that the newer model would be better after a year. AirPods Pro are more expensive and have superior battery life and more advanced features.