Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Roundup

Wireless headphones remove the necessity for wires to enjoy your music. They are more comfortable to wear for a long time at a stretch and some can fold down into a compact size to pack away when not when not in use.

Sony's WH-1000XM5s are an excellent pair of Bluetooth headphones that check all the boxes, including top-of-the-line audio quality and noise cancellation, a sleek design and top-notch comfort. They are compatible with the lossless LDAC high-res codec that plays back high-quality audio.

Sound Quality

There are plenty of options for those who prefer large, full-size, wireless headphones that sit over your ears and are connected to a headset via the headband to isolate and amplify audio. In our roundup of the best over ear sound cancelling headphones Bluetooth over-ear headphones you'll find UC certified headsets that work with communication platforms such as Microsoft Teams. You'll also find premium pairs from Sony, over ear headphones for running Sennheiser and Bose, which are as luxurious as they are durable.

The Sony WH1000XM5 headphones are one of our top picks. They improve on the multi-award winning predecessor by having an elongated design and improved noise cancelling over ear headphones cancellation. The headphones can be used for up to 37 hours on one battery charge. They can also be charged quickly to extend the battery life by 8 hours in only 15 minutes. They come with a lively 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 bass and mids. You can alter the sound quality of the headphones using their mobile app to match your preferences. For example you can increase the 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.

The Logitech Wireless Headphones G HUB are another of our top-rated Bluetooth headphones that are over-ear. They have a well-balanced sound right from the box and offer clear audio. The sound is smooth and has a good deal of low-bass, which helps to emphasize the sound effects and music from games. They work with Logitech HUB software, which comes with an equalizer for graphics and presets that can be customized to enhance the sound.

If you're willing to spend more money, the premium Danish-made Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 headphones are our pick of the best Bluetooth over ear headphones. The Sonys are a bit less expensive but they sound better and are more attractive. They come with a durable aluminum casing and lambskin leather earcups that are filled with memory foam. They're comfortable to wear and support the aptX adaptive and SBC audio codecs that allow you to listen to high-quality music wirelessly. They are also beautifully made and sport a stylish elegant, minimalist style that can be adapted to suit the needs of all.

Noise Cancellation

If you're looking for a way to shut out the world and completely immerse yourself in your music or podcasts then noise cancellation is an essential feature. Wireless headphones with noise cancellation capabilities generally have ear cups that are squeaky clean over your ears. This allows you to concentrate on the music and block out any background sounds. Active noise cancellation (ANC) is used by a majority of over-ear headphones to block out ambient noise it works by listening to your surroundings and generating an opposite sound to cancel the noise. They aren't able to make your surroundings peaceful but they can cut down the sound of trains and other noises.

ANC employs tiny microphones to listen for ambient sounds. They then compare them with the audio you're listening to. The small differences between the two sounds are then used to create a sound that is equivalent and opposite. This is then fed into your ear cup, effectively drowning the background noise. The top headphones that cancel out noise can be adjusted via apps or a dedicated hardware control. This lets you select a certain level of noise cancellation to suit the environment you're in.

The majority of the headphones we test have many other features beyond just the ability to control ANC. Many pairs come with a microphone that allows hands-free calls and can also be used with voice assistants like Siri and Alexa. Some models have built-in speakers to allow audio streaming.

In terms of noise cancelling we've seen significant improvements in recent years. Focal For instance, Focal has jumped into the premium wireless ANC headphones market with its Bathys. We love them for their superb comfort and slick features and dazzling sound quality. They're able to reduce background noise by as much as 30dB. You can also manage the ANC levels through an app and set three 'favorites settings that can be changed by pressing a physical button on the left ear cup.

Although the sound quality of headphones is a crucial consideration noise cancellation should be on the top of your list when looking for new headphones. The most well-known ANC headphones available tend to be costly and that's because they offer excellent quality and longevity of the battery. The Sony WF1000XM5s is our top pick for those who are on a budget. They provide excellent noise cancellation and excellent audio quality at a reasonable cost.

Battery Life

Wireless headphones are designed to last for as long as they possibly. This is because they consume both their own batteries and that of the device playing music. It's therefore essential to choose headphones with enough storage in case you run out of charge or power. Many manufacturers offer headphones with plenty of storage. Some even use solar power to allow them to be charged automatically when you are not listening to them.

Over ear headphones for Running-ear headphones usually have larger ear cups that cover your ears, which means they can accommodate larger batteries that can support longer playtimes and more advanced features. They also generally have better noise cancellation due to their larger size. create a better seal against the environment.

The premium brand Bang & Olufsen produces some of the best headphones on the market. The flagship H95 wireless headphones provide an immersive listening experience. With a premium design with aluminum detailing and Nappa leather They're the perfect option for the audiophile who would like to listen in the comfort of their home for hours at a stretch.

For a more affordable pair of headphones for less money, the Anker Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro offers a remarkable battery life of 50 hours with ANC activated and 65 hours without it. This is a much better battery life than other headphones, and is a testament of the headphones' impressive quality of construction. They have a comfortable fit, and a durable headband.

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless headphones are a great budget-friendly alternative. They can be used for up to 44 hours when the active noise cancellation is activated and have a system that blocks out ambient sounds with impressive effectiveness. The sound quality is good with a V-shaped profile that delivers lots of bass while also brightening the instruments and vocals.

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

Portability

The amount of space that a pair of headphones occupy when folded down into their most compact format is an important factor in their portability capabilities. The smaller the fold-down size, the more easily you can fit them into backpacks or bags to carry around without worrying about them getting out of the way.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT wireless headphone is a great choice if you're looking for a wireless headphone that is easy to use and offers a wide range of features that are perfect for everyday listening. They're light and compact and offer up to 44 hours of playback and are extremely compact. They are compatible with multi-device pairing and have a superb microphone for phone calls.

If you don't intend to use your headphones for hands-free calling, the Audio-Technica S200BT is a better option. They are more comfortable and come with a playback time of 50 hours. The headphones also include an adjustable cord to use wired headphones and a hard case.

A five-star performer and a favourite with What Hi-Fi?'s staff, Sony WF-C700N and JBL Live Pro 2 TWS are another top pair of wireless over-ear headphones. Both are priced around the $100/PS100 150/AU$150 mark and have active noise cancellation, however you'll need to accept that they're not as well-made as our premium recommended models.

Focal Bathys wireless headphones are a more expensive option that delivers excellent sound quality for affordable prices. The Focal Bathys Wireless feature the sound of a V with lots of bass that complements EDM hip-hop, rock, and. Vocals and instruments sound bright, and you can tweak the sound to suit your preferences using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets. They also support aptX Adaptive codec to provide high-res streaming and an optional USB-DAC mode that allows wired listening.

For a pair that's more expensive but also worthy of our five-star rating take a look at the multi-award winning Sony WH-1000XM5. They're not expensive, but they come with an amazing battery life and great noise cancellation that allows you to listen for long durations without worrying about needing to recharge or running out of power.