Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Roundup

Wireless headphones eliminate the entrapment of wires in your listening experience. They are more comfortable for long periods of time, and some can fold into a compact form to be stored away when not in use.

Sony's WH-1000XM5s are a great pair of Bluetooth headphones that check all the boxes, with top-of-the-line audio quality, noise cancellation, an elegant design and top-notch comfort. They also support the lossless LDAC hi-res codec for high-quality audio playback.

Sound Quality

If you're a fan large, full-size wireless headphones that rest over your ears and are connected with a headband to isolate and amplify audio there's a wide range of choices. In our round-up of the best over-ear Bluetooth headphones, you'll find UC-certified headsets designed to work with communications platforms like Microsoft Teams, plus premium pairs from brands such as Sony, Sennheiser, Bose and Bowers & Wilkins that are as luxurious as they are durable.

The Sony WH1000XM5 is one of our top picks. They are a step up from the multi-award winning predecessor by having a slimmer design and refined noise cancellation. The headphones can be used for up to 37 hours on a single charge. They can also be charged quickly to extend the battery life by 8 hours in 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 have a luscious twinkling sound that is characterized by distinct bass and mids. You can also alter the sound signature using the headphones mobile app, adding a bit more emphasis on the bass and treble according to your own personal preference. The headphones we tested were remarkably precise and clear, with vocals and orchestral music playing in stunning clarity.

The Logitech Wireless Headphones G HUB are one of our top-rated Bluetooth headphones that are over-ear. They offer a balanced sound right from the box and offer clear audio. The sound is smooth and has a lot of bass, which helps to highlight sound effects and audio from games. They work with Logitech HUB software, which comes with an equalizer graphic and presets to customize the sound.

If you are willing to pay a little more, listening the Bowers & Wilkins premium Danish-made Px7S2 headphones best over ear are the best Bluetooth over-ear headphones. The Sonys are a bit more expensive but they sound and are more attractive. They have a hard aluminium casing with lambskin leather earcups that are filled with memory foam. They're comfortable to wear and can support the adaptive aptX and SBC audio codecs that allow you to listen to high-quality music wirelessly. They're also exquisitely made and have a chic elegant, minimalist style that is suitable for all tastes.

Noise Cancellation

Noise cancellation is essential if you want to block out all noise so you can concentrate on your podcasts or music. Wireless headphones that have noise cancellation capabilities generally have ear cups that are squeaky clean over ear headphones for gym your ears. This allows you to concentrate on the music and block out any ambient sounds. The majority of over ear headphones argos-ear headphones employ active noise cancellation (ANC) to cut down on the background noise, which works by analyzing the surrounding environment and creating an opposite sound to block out the noise. This means that they won't transform your surroundings into a tranquil zen-like peace, but they will make it easier to hear the engine noise and other noises that can be heard in the background.

ANC uses tiny microphones that listen for ambient sounds. These are then compared to the music you're currently listening to. The tiny differences between the two sounds are then used to create a sound that is identical and opposite. This is then fed into your ear which effectively muffles the background noise. Apps or hardware controls that are specifically designed for this purpose can be used to alter the most effective noise cancelling headsets. You can select the level of noise cancellation that is suitable for your requirements.

The majority of the headphones that we test have a variety of features, including the ability of controlling ANC. Many pairs include a microphone for hands-free calls and can also be utilized with voice assistants such as Siri and Alexa. Some models have built-in speakers to allow audio streaming.

Noise cancellation has significantly improved over the ear noise cancelling headphones the past few years. For example, Focal has thrown itself into the premium wireless ANC headphone space with its Bathys, which we love for their incredible comfort, slick features and stunning sound quality. They're able to reduce background noise by up to 30dB. You can also adjust the ANC levels via an app and set three "favorite settings that can be changed with a physical button located on the left ear cup.

Noise cancellation should be the first factor you consider when buying a new pair. The quality of the sound is essential however noise cancellation should be at the top. The most popular ANC models available tend to be costly however, this is because they have outstanding quality and longevity of the battery. For those on a tighter budget, the Sony WF-1000XM5s is our top choice because they provide excellent noise cancellation and great sound quality for a low price.

Battery Life

Wireless headphones should last as long as they can. This is because they drain their own battery and the audio device that plays music through them, so it's essential to select the right pair that has a large amount of storage in case you don't get a charge or run out of power. Many brands offer headphone models with a lot of storage. Some even use solar charging, which allows them to be charged automatically even when you're not using them.

Over-ear headphones typically come with larger earcups that cover your ears, meaning they can hold bigger batteries to allow for longer play times and more advanced features. They also typically have better noise cancellation, as their bigger size helps create a better seal against the surrounding.

The top brand Bang & Olufsen produces some of the finest headphones available. Its flagship H95 wireless headphones provide an immersive listening experience. With a premium design with aluminum detailing and Nappa leather they're the best choice for anyone who would like to listen in the comfort of their home for hours at a time.

Anker Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro headphones are less expensive and have a battery life of 65 hours without ANC and 50 hours with it. This is a much better battery life than other headphones and is a proof to the headphones' remarkable quality of construction. They have a comfortable fit with a sturdy headband.

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

The latest Sony WF-1000XM5 wireless headphones aren't as expensive, 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 cancellation on this list. They also support Bluetooth 5.3 that supports the latest LDAC codec for high-quality audio. They can also be recharged with the cord included or via USB to your computer.

Portability

The amount of space that a pair of headphones take up once folded down into their most compact size is a key factor in their portability capabilities. The smaller the fold-down format is, the more easily you can slip them into backpacks or bags to carry around without fear of them getting in the way.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT wireless headphone is a great choice if you're looking for a wireless headphone that's easy to use and offers a wide range of features to make listening easy. They're lightweight, fold neatly, and offer an impressive 44 hours of playback time. They also support multi-device pairing and come with a great microphone for phone calls.

If you don't plan to use your headphones for calls that are hands-free, the Audio-Technica S200BT is a better choice. They are more comfortable, and they have a playback duration of 50 hours. The headphones also come with a retractable cord for wired use, as well as a hard case.

The Sony WF–C700N, a five-star performer that is a favorite of What Hi-Fi?'s staff, and the JBL Live Pro 2 are two other top-rated wireless over-ear headphones. Both are priced around the $100 / PS100 150/AU$150 mark and have active noise cancellation, however you'll have to accept that they're not as high-quality as some of our high-end suggestions.

For a more luxurious experience The Focal Bathys Wireless are a high-end pair of headphones with impressive sound quality for their price. The Focal Bathys Wireless have a V shaped sound profile with plenty of bass to complement EDM, rock and hip-hop. Instruments and vocals sound bright, and you can alter the sound to your preference using their accompanying app's graphic EQ and presets. They also support aptX Adaptive Codec for hi-res stream and offer USB-DAC mode for listening wired.

Check out the Sony WH1000XM5 It's not only more expensive, but worthy to receive our five-star seal. They're not cheap, but they have an amazing battery life and great noise cancelling that will allow you to listen for long periods of time without worrying about having to recharge or run out of power.