Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Roundup

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

Sony's WH1000XM5s are a fantastic pair of Bluetooth headphones that tick all the boxes, including class-leading audio quality, noise cancellation, a stylish design and supreme comfort. They also support the lossless LDAC high-res codec that provides superior audio playback.

Sound Quality

If you're a fan of large, full-size wireless headphones that sit over your ears and are connected by the headband to block out and amplify sound there's a wide range of choices. In our roundup of the best over-ear Bluetooth headphones, you'll find certified UC headsets specifically designed to work with communication platforms like 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 headphones are among of our top picks. They improve on the multi-award-winning predecessor with a slimmer design and refined noise cancellation. The headphones can also be used for up to 37 hours on a single battery charge. They can also be charged fast to extend the battery life by 8 hours in 15 minutes. They feature a fun balanced sound profile and can be used with the lossless Sony LDAC hi-res codec so you can stream music in stunning HD.

They are sultry, with twinkling highs, as well as distinctive mids and bass. You can adjust the audio signature of the headphones via their mobile app to suit your preferences. For example you can put more emphasis on the bass or the treble. The headphones we tested were remarkably precise and clear with orchestral and vocal music booming in stunning detail.

Another of our top-rated, over the ear noise cancelling headphones-ear Bluetooth headphones is the Logitech G HUB Wireless Headphones, which have an incredibly balanced sound right straight out of the box and provide crisp audio. They're equipped with a decent amount of bass to emphasize the sound effects and game audio, and their sound is very consistent. They work with Logitech HUB software, which comes with an equalizer for graphics and presets to customize the sound.

If you're willing to spend more, the high-end Danish-made Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 headphones are our top pick of the top Bluetooth over ear headphones. The Sonys are a little cheaper however they sound and appear better. They feature a tough aluminum casing and 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 allow you to enjoy high-quality music wirelessly. They're also well-crafted and feature a stylish minimalist design that will suit all tastes.

Noise Cancellation

Noise cancellation is important if you want to block out the world so you can concentrate on your music or podcasts. Wireless headphones that can block out noise usually have ear cups that fit comfortably over your ears. This lets you concentrate on the music and block out any ambient noise. Most over-ear headphones use active noise cancellation (ANC) to cut down on ambient sounds, which works by analyzing the surrounding environment and creating an opposite sound to cancel out the background noise. This means that they won't transform your surroundings into a tranquil zen-like peace, but they will reduce the rumble of train engines and other noises that can be heard in the background.

ANC typically employs tiny microphones to listen for ambient sound. These is then compared with the original audio that you're listening to. The tiny differences between the two sounds are then used to create a sound that's equivalent and opposite. This is then fed into your ear cup, effectively drowning the ambient noise. Apps or hardware controls that are specifically designed for this purpose can be used to alter the best noise cancelling headsets. You can select the level of noise cancellation that suits your situation.

Most of the headphones we test come with various additional features beyond the ability to control ANC. For example, many headphones come with a microphone that allows you to make hands-free phone calls. They can also be used with voice assistants, such as Siri and Alexa. Some pairs have built-in speakers for wireless over Ear headphones audio streaming.

Noise cancellation has significantly improved in the past few years. Focal, for wireless over ear Headphones example, has jumped into the premium Wireless Over Ear headphones ANC headphones market with its Bathys. We love them for their superb design and comfort, as well as their amazing audio quality. They're able to reduce background noise by as much as 30dB. You can also manage the ANC levels via an app and set three "favorite' settings that are switchable with a physical button located on the left ear cup.

Noise cancellation should be the main thing you consider when purchasing a new pair. Quality of sound is crucial, but noise cancellation should be at the top of the list. The most well-known ANC pairs on the market tend to be expensive, but that's because they have exceptional quality and longevity of the battery. The Sony WF1000XM5s is the top choice for those on a budget. They offer excellent noise cancellation and superb audio quality for a low price.

Battery Life

If you're planning to use wireless headphones on the go you'll want them to last as long as they can. This is because they consume their own battery as well as that of the device that plays music. Therefore, it's crucial to choose headphones that have enough storage capacity in case you run out of battery or power. Many companies now offer headphone models with a large capacity of storage and some even utilize solar power to increase their storage capacity automatically when you're not listening to them.

Over-ear headphones are typically larger and cover more of your ears. This lets them accommodate larger batteries, which allows for longer playtimes and advanced features. They also offer better noise-cancelling because their larger size creates a better seal against the environment.

The premium brand Bang & Olufsen produces some of the best headphones available. The flagship H95 wireless headphones offer an immersive listening experience. They feature a luxurious design, with aluminum details and Nappa Leather which makes them the perfect option for audiophiles looking to listen for hours at a time.

For a more affordable pair of headphones, the Anker Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro has an outstanding battery life of 50 hours with ANC turned on and 65 hours without it. This is far ahead of the competitors and is a testament to the headphones' impressive quality of construction and features a comfortable fit and a durable headband that can take a beating.

Another budget-friendly option is the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless headphones that can be used for up to 44 hours with ANC activated and have an active noise cancellation system that's impressively efficient in blocking out ambient noise. The headphones' sound quality is also decent and has a V-shaped profile that packs lots of bass and brightens up vocals and instruments for a balanced and natural sound that's easy to fine-tune with the companion app's graphic EQ and presets.

The most recent Sony WF-1000XM5 Wireless headphones aren't as cheap, but they're still under $100 and provide great isolation with foam ear tips as well as solid and, if not the most advanced, noise cancelling features on this list. They also come with Bluetooth 5.3 and the most recent LDAC codec, allowing for high-quality audio. They can be charged via the included cord, or via USB.

Portability

The amount of space headphones take up when folded into their most compact shape is a crucial factor to their portability. The smaller the fold-down size is, the more easily you can slip them into bags or backpacks to take with you on the go without the risk of them getting out of the way.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT wireless headphone is a great option if you want a wireless headphone that is simple to use and has plenty of features to make listening easy. They're lightweight, fold neatly, and offer an impressive 44 hours of playback time. They can be used with multiple devices and have a superb microphone for phone calls.

If you're going to be using your headphones for calls that are hands-free, the Audio-Technica ATH-S200BT are the better choice as they are more comfortable and have an impressive 50 hours of playback. The headphones also have a retractable cord for wired use and a 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 cost $100, PS100 or AU$150 and feature active noise cancellation, however they're not as well-made as some of our higher-end recommendations.

For something more upscale The Focal Bathys Wireless are a high-end pair of headphones that provide excellent sound quality for their price. The Focal Bathys Wireless come with the sound of a V with plenty of bass that compliments EDM hip-hop, rock and other genres. The sound of vocals and instruments are bright and you can adjust the sound to your preferences with the graphic EQ available in their companion application. They also support aptX Adaptive codec for hi-res streaming, and also have an USB-DAC mode for wired over ear headphones listening.

Look into the Sony WH1000XM5 It's not only more expensive, but worthy of our five-star seal. The Sony WH-1000XM5 may not be cheap but it has an extremely long battery life, excellent noise cancellation, and lets you listen to music for a long time without having to worry about running out of power or needing to charge.