Best Over-Ear Wireless Headphones

You should consider these if looking for wireless over-ear headsets. They're not just comfortable to wear, they come with excellent active noise cancellation that blocks out background noises to allow you to focus on your music.

The first wireless wireles headphones by Focal are audiophiles' dream. They offer a full and full sound that has enough thump to support EDM, but instruments and vocals aren't excluded. They have 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 that offer adaptive noise cancellation (ANC) to cancel out ambient sounds. They're ideal for long commutes and long journeys with a whopping 27 hours of playback time. They also come with a handy feature that allows you to connect them to two bluetooth headphones wireless headphones devices at once and makes it simple to switch between music and calls. The WH-1000XM5's sleek and minimalist design and environmentally friendly packaging (using recycled plastic developed specifically for Sony) make them a desirable option for anyone who is concerned about sustainability.

The XM5s come with a lighter and more comfortable headband that can be worn comfortably over your ears and puts less pressure on your skull. They're also more fashionable thanks to an updated, subtle style that allows them to blend in with most outfits. They're also available in a matte black that looks even better than the glossy black of the previous generations.

One of the WH-1000XM5's best features is their smart noise cancellation feature, which detects when you've removed the headphones and stops the audio. When you put them back on the audio is automatically resumed. This is a fantastic way to save battery, and it's very effective.

In terms of audio quality, the XM5s excel in both LDAC codec support and DSEE Extreme audio upscaling. Tim Commerford's bass skills are evident in Rage against the Machine's Bullet in the Head, a brooding track. Billie Eilish's Bad Guy has a subtle, but deliberate vocal fade.

A word of caution for gym rats and those who live in areas with rain The WH-1000XM5s aren't equipped with an IP rating, so they aren't able to be used in humidity. There's even a disclaimer within the manual that recommends you avoid sweating into the headset or wear it in the rain.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 represents a refreshing upgrade of B&W's previous flagship wireless headphone, PX7. Rather than a mere iterative upgrade it is a significant upgrade. Series 2 delivers a substantial increase in both ANC and audio quality. The design is also more refined. It's an older look rather than the shiny, futuristic looks of Sony's XM5 or Apple's AirPods Max.

The headphones can be switched off and on with an adjustable slider switch. There are buttons on the side for volume, play/pause, and to navigate through your music collection. There's a programmable 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.

The S2s can reproduce the 16-bit/44.1kHz Master of Dennis Wilson's River Song, from his Pacific Ocean Blue Album, with its layered harmonies and atmospheric textures, and an impressive soundstage. The vocals are well-centered and there's a good low-end extension.

One area in which the S2s don't excel is in EQ control You can increase or decrease bass and treble by 6dB, however there aren't any EQ presets to help to find the perfect balance. The majority of listeners won't feel affected by this however, those who want to customize their audio will need to look elsewhere.

Overall overall, the PX7 S2s are a great option for those seeking an active noise-canceling headset with a premium feel and finish. Although they're not as versatile as the XM5s discussed above however, they're still an excellent choice for the majority of listeners. You'll have to decide if their superior ANC and audio quality is enough to justify the slightly higher price tag.

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The Bose QuietComfort 45 is a pair of wireless over-ear headphones that provide excellent noise cancellation. They also have an extended battery life of 24 hours. The headphones are light and comfortable enough to wear throughout the house. They can be controlled using the built-in buttons as well as a companion app, although customization is limited (sorry, no equalizer). You can choose from different sound profiles based on the circumstance, for instance when you're travelling or working at home. The QC45s also have an Aware Mode that allows outside sounds be heard when using ANC, which can be useful for people who want to hear traffic and children while out and about.

The audio quality of these headphones isn't as high as the WH-1000XM5s, but they're still decent. The bass isn’t pounding however it does offer an adequate amount of richness and texture. The highs and mids are nicely balanced and there's not a hint of harshness or shrillness.

The QC45s tend to favor higher frequencies. This can result in a slight sibilance while listening to certain music. This is not a major issue and can be easily corrected by changing the headphone settings in the software.

The controls are easy to use and simple to use. The left ear cup powers the headphones on and off, controls the music playback, as well as the Bluetooth pairing. There's also a multi-function Action button that can also be used as a power switch, voice assistant, and volume control. There's also a microphone for phone calls and Siri or Alexa is supported.

Audio-Technica ATH-M20x

The ATH-M20x are a chic pair of headphones that give great sound for the price. They are well-constructed and have a a sturdy feel to them. The headband and earcups are made of plastic but they're strong enough to last a long time. The ear cups can rotate up to 15 degrees. This means they can be positioned to fit the majority of ears.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x comes with Bluetooth 5.0 that allows you to listen to your music wirelessly. They boast a long battery life with up 30 hours of listening time. They come with a USB-C cable to charge.

Using the headphones is simple. There are three buttons on the back of the left earcup which let you control playback and other functions. These buttons allow you to stop, change tracks, and alter the volume. The ATH-M20x comes with a built-in microphone for voice commands and calls. The headset comes with a low latency mode which makes it ideal for video and gaming.

While the ATH-M20x headphones have great audio quality, they are not ideal for all music genres. Vocals might sound a little flat, and there isn't much bass. The high frequencies are crisp and clear, however. These headphones are renowned for their high-frequency treble. They're a great choice for classical, pop and jazz.

The ATH M20x headphones are light at a mere 190 grams without the cord. The earcups are padded, but they cannot be folded. They'll be heavy to carry around in backpacks and might not fit easily into bags. They don't have a detachable cable either. The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x is a better option for those looking for a more portable set of headphones. It is more comfortable due to its fold-down design, swiveling ears that lay flat, and cable that can be removed. It is more expensive, however, it offers more isolation and more bass.

Skullcandy Dime 2

The Dime 2 is one of Skullcandy's better-sounding true wireless earbuds. It comes with a small, compact case that is simple to slip into pockets or purses. It comes with a range of ear gel sizes that can be adjusted to fit different sized ears. It's also a little lighter than some of the other true wireless buds we've tried.

The dual microphones are great to pick up your voice when you call and also reducing background noise. They are not suitable for outdoor use since noises from the outside can be a distraction to your voice. The earbuds can also be problematic in windy environments, and they can cut off specific portions of your speech.

Despite these minor flaws, the earbuds are solid in bass and other sound quality. They have a crisp clean, Wireles headphones clear high-end that doesn't bleed into the mids. They also have a good amount of mid-bass to give your music some punch.

They also have a decent dual-tap feature for executing voice commands, although they're not as intuitive as Apple's AirPod Pro. You'll need to place your thumb on the bottom of the stem to ensure stability, and then press the logo to initiate the command. It's not as flexible as the pinch gesture system and it's a bit cumbersome.

The earbuds last for about four hours on one charge. They also come with an option to charge them quickly that lets them last two additional hours. They are IPX4 tested for their resistance to sweat and water. The Earbuds come with a carrying case with two openings for the buds and a loop to attach them to your clothing. It's a great-looking case that's available in several colors, including the red color of Doritos. Online, you can find them for under $30 USD.