Why Over-Ear Wireless Headphones Are Better Than Earbuds

Over-ear headphones encapsulate your ears and create physical barriers between you and outside sounds. The best models come with massive soundstages, and audiophile features.

Over-ear headphones tend to be larger and bulkier than earbuds, although many fold up and come with a carrying case to make it easier to carry. They can provide longer battery life and better noise cancellation.

Sound Quality

Over-ear headphones are the best option for those who wish to listen to music on public transport or at work. They offer superior sound quality and noise cancellation technology. Over-ear headphones are a popular choice for a lot of people as they offer superior sound quality and noise cancelling technology.

Over-ear headphones feature a bigger design, which allows them to have a larger speaker than earbuds. This results in greater sound reproduction and audio quality. This is especially true for the lower frequencies, where over-ear headphones tend to have more rich and powerful bass than earbuds.

Over-ear headphones can also block you from ambient sounds and provide a more immersive and private experience. Active noise cancellation can improve the soundproofing of over ear headphones by emitting reversed noises that block out external sounds. The majority of wireless headphones with ANC have multiple modes that let you select the level of loudness or silence you'd like to hear.

Another thing that separates over-ear headphones from earbuds is their open-back design. This means that the music can exit the ear cups and connect with the space around it that enhances the experience. It's not something you'll find in every pair of over-ear headphones but the ones that do have it generally offer a wider and more expansive soundstages to let you enjoy your music.

Master & dynamic headphones, featuring their MW75 model that debuted in June. The MW75's premium design is more than skin deep with leather, aluminum and tempered glass for a look that stands out from the crowd. The MW75 comes with a variety of ANC modes that can be adapted to different environments, and a longer battery life.

The first Focal over-ear headphones have an open-back design with a large soundstages that complement their music-focused features. The default sound profile of these headphones is a thumping bass mix with plenty thump, punch and thump that complement EDM and hip hop. The bass can block out the instruments and vocals, however the graphic EQ available in the companion app lets you tweak the sound to your preferences. The devices can be used in USB-C mode using a wired cable to allow high-resolution audio up to 24bit/192kHz.

Isolation

Sound isolation is a crucial factor to consider when choosing headphones. The most effective headphones for noise-isolation are closed-back, over-ear models with large ear cushions that properly wrap around the ears. These models block the majority of outside sound and create a solid seal, which helps reduce the sound of ambient sounds such as voices or music. Some wireless headphones have active noise cancellation, which improves isolation further by removing sound from your environment without compromising audio quality.

If you're in search of an over-ear wireless headphones with excellent sound insulation, the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro is an outstanding option. They're light and provide excellent noise isolation which makes them an excellent choice for long listening sessions. They have a natural and balanced sound profile with excellent bass and treble. They are also suitable for studio use and come with a premium microphone for calls.

The Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II is another excellent choice. These headphones are designed to be comfortable and are fitted with a pliable fit and soft earpads that are covered in soft, luxurious fabrics. They also come with a noise-canceling microphone that works with a wide range of smartphones.

They're designed to be a true all-rounder, offering premium features you won't find on lower-end Blue Tooth Headphone models. They include bluetooth wireless headphones 5.0 and aptX support to improve transmission speeds and lower video delay. They're also waterproof, making them an ideal choice for your next outdoor adventure.

The Sennheiser HD 25 II also comes with a very high level of sound reduction through passive which reduces ambient noise levels by 20 decibels. This is a massive reduction, which lets you listen to your favorite music even in noisy surroundings.

Over-ear headphones are also more comfortable than earbuds. Many users report that earbuds cause discomfort during prolonged listening sessions. Earbuds can also slip out of your ear and are typically covered in earwax. Over-ear headphones, on other on the other hand, are less likely to cause hearing damage and are closer to your eardrums.

Portability

Over-ear headphones feature large cups that protect your ears, which makes them more comfortable to wear for long periods of time. The over-ear design also helps isolate you from the world which makes them a good choice for long flights. Over-ear headphones are generally larger, and provide higher quality sound. They also have bigger drivers and a broader frequency range.

Headphones are available in various styles, sizes, and price points to meet different requirements and budgets. Cheap headphones are usually wired and connected using an ordinary 3.5mm plug, while premium models have Bluetooth connectivity and a USB-DAC for high-resolution audio playback, and other features like noise cancellation.

There are also sports-specific over-ear headphones that come with sweat-proof or washable earpads as well as tighter clamping force to keep them in place even during intense exercise. For the most portable choice, opt for a pair that folds up into a small bag and can be easily tucked away in your jacket or bag pocket.

Certain wireless headphones for over-ear use have built-in microphones, allowing you to take calls with your tablet or phone without removing the headphones. This is particularly useful in noisy areas where it is difficult to hear the other person.

Over-ear headphones are also a good choice for listening podcasts or audiobooks since the ear cups block some of the background noise. This allows you to hear them when you are reading or at home.

In our tests, the Focal Wireless Bathys headphones were our top choice for wireless over-ear headphones. They're made for those who love music. They come with a companion app with an EQ in graphic form and presets that allow you to personalize the sound profile. They come with an aptX-Adaptive codec for streaming high-res with compatible apps, such as Tidal.

Some headphones for over-ear use can be bulky, and fitting them into a backpack or suitcase is a hassle. The weight and size of the over-ear headphones are sacrificed to provide superior audio quality and convenience that earbuds do not offer.

Battery Life

Battery life is a major feature of the best over-ear headphones. Batteries last longer because they don't need to work as hard in order to keep your ears warm. These are ideal to listen on the go during travel or while commuting.

These headphones are a great choice for students and office workers who need to focus on their work. The Marshall Major IIIs have a lightweight design that is comfortable to wear and can play for Blue Tooth Headphone up to 44 hours on a single battery charge. They also come with bluetooth headphone wireless multipoint connectivity, which allows them to pair with several devices at once.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones are among the most coveted over-ear Bluetooth headphones. They come with a rechargeable case that offers up to 60 hours of playback and they can be used hands-free for calls due to their built-in microphones. They feature smart active noise cancellation technology that automatically adjusts sound settings to your surroundings. You can turn it on by pressing a single button. They also have automatic hearing aids that stop playback if you remove the headphones, and they return to playback automatically when you put them back on.

Focal's Bathys the first Bluetooth headphones with a long battery life, is another option. These high-end headphones were designed to delight audiophiles. They have a soundstage that will transport you into a musical environment. They also have a rich feature set and a sophisticated noise cancelling system, and they can last for 34 hours on a full charge.

Over-ears can also provide more listening time compared to on-ears because of their larger earcups which can hold larger batteries. Certain budget models provide up to 95 hours of playback on one charge (Edifier W830BT) which is more than double the amount you can get from the top on-ear headphones.

Therefore that over-ear Bluetooth headphones are the best option for audiophiles seeking high-quality, durable headphones that can last them for a long time. They are also less likely to damage your hearing than in-ear headphones, because they are further from your eardrums. According to the British Hearing Foundation, over-ear headphones are twice as safe for long listening sessions as in-ear buds.