Wireless Over Ear Headphones Wireless Best-Ear Headphones Roundup

Wireless headphones remove the limitations of wires in your listening experience. They are more comfortable to wear for hours at a time and some fold down into a compact form factor to be able to fold away when not when not in use.

Sony's WH-1000XM5s are a great pair of Bluetooth headphones that tick all the boxes, with top-of-the-line audio quality and noise cancellation, an elegant design and premium comfort. They can support the lossless LDAC high-res codec that plays back high-quality audio.

Sound Quality

If you're a fan of large, full-size wireless headsets that are worn over your ear and are connected via headphones that isolate and amplify audio, there's no shortage of choices. In our list of the top Bluetooth over-ear headphones, you'll find UC certified headsets that are compatible with communication platforms like Microsoft Teams. You'll also find premium models from Sony, Sennheiser and Bose which are just as well as durable.

One of our favorites is the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones, which have improved on their multi-award winning predecessor in the shape of slimmer design and more 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 provide an additional 8 hours in only 15 minutes. They feature a fun, balanced sound profile and also support the lossless Sony LDAC hi-res codec so you can stream music in stunning HD.

They have luscious, twinkling highs and distinctive mids and bass. You can alter the sound signature of the headphones via their mobile app to suit your personal preferences. For example you can put more emphasis on the bass or treble. In our tests they were remarkably precise and clear with orchestral and vocal music sounding in glorious detail.

Another of our top-rated over-ear Bluetooth headphones is the Logitech G HUB Wireless Headphones, which have a well-balanced sound out of the box and deliver clear audio. The sound is consistent and includes a decent amount of low-bass that aids in highlighting the effects of sound and audio from games. They're compatible with Logitech's HUB software which includes a graphic EQ and presets that allow you to tailor the sound to your preference.

If you are willing to pay a little more then the Bowers & Wilkins premium Danish-made Px7S2 headphones are the top Bluetooth over ear headphone. The Sonys are a little cheaper however they sound better and appear better. They come with a durable aluminum casing and lambskin leather earcups filled with memory foam. They're comfortable to wear and support the adaptive aptX and SBC audio codecs that let you listen to high-quality music wirelessly. They are also beautifully made and have a chic elegant, minimalist style that is suitable for all tastes.

Noise Cancellation

If you're looking to block out the world and completely immerse yourself in your music or podcasts then noise cancellation is an important feature. Wireless headphones with noise cancellation capabilities usually have ear cups that fit snugly over your ears. This helps you to concentrate on the music and block out all background sounds. Most over-ear headphones use active noise cancellation (ANC) to block out the background noise which is achieved by listening to the environment and generating an opposing sound to cancel out the background noise. This means that they don't transform your surroundings into tranquil zen-like peace, but they will quieten the sound of train engines and other sounds that are common to the environment.

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

The majority of the headphones we test come with various additional features beyond the ability to control ANC. For instance, many pairs incorporate a microphone to make calls hands-free and can be used with voice assistants, such as Siri and Alexa. Some come with built-in speakers for audio streaming.

Noise cancellation has improved significantly in the past few years. For example, Focal has thrown itself into the premium wireless ANC headphone market with its Bathys, which we love for their superb comfort, sleek features and dazzling audio quality. The Bathys are able to reduce background noise to as low as 30dB. You can manage ANC levels via an app, and also set three favorite settings that you can switch using the physical button on the left earcup.

While the sound quality of headphones is a crucial aspect Noise cancellation should be at the top of your list when looking for new headphones. The most well-known ANC headphones available tend to be expensive however, this is because they offer exceptional quality of construction and battery life. For those with a smaller budget, the Sony WF-1000XM5s are our top pick because they provide excellent noise cancellation and great audio quality at a reasonable price.

Battery Life

If you're planning to use headphones wireless on the go, you want them to last as long as is possible. They drain their own batteries as well as the audio device that's playing music on them, so it's crucial to select the right pair that has a large amount of storage in case you don't get the charge or get power out. Many manufacturers offer headphone models that have a large amount of storage. Some even use solar power to allow them to be charged automatically even when you're not using 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 typically offer better noise cancellation as their bigger size helps create a more effective seal against the surrounding.

The top brand Bang & Olufsen makes some of the best headphones for over-ear use with its H95 flagship wireless headphones that provide a full listening experience. They are a luxury design with aluminum detailing and Nappa Leather which makes them the ideal choice for audiophiles who wish to listen for over ear headphones wireless best hours on end.

Anker Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro headphones are less expensive and have a battery life of 65 hours with ANC and 50 hours with it. This is a significant improvement over the ear headphones beats the competitors and is a testimony to the headphones' outstanding quality of construction, which includes a comfortable fit and sturdy headband that can withstand an abuse.

Another option that is affordable is the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless headphones that can be used for up to 44 hours with ANC enabled and come with an active noise cancellation system that's impressively efficient in blocking out ambient sounds. The headphones' sound quality is decent, with a V-shaped profile that packs plenty of bass and brightens the instruments and vocals to create a balanced and natural sound which is easy to adjust using the companion app's graphic EQ and presets.

The latest Sony WF-1000XM5 wireless headphones aren't cheap but they're still under $100 and provide great isolation thanks to foam ear tips and solid and, if not the most advanced noise cancelling on this list. They also come with Bluetooth 5.3 and the latest LDAC codec, which allows for high-resolution audio. They can be charged using the included cord, or via USB.

Portability

The amount of space that a pair of headphones take up once folded into their smallest format is a crucial aspect in their portability capabilities. The smaller the size of the fold-down format, the more easily you can slip them into bags or backpacks to take with you on the go without the risk of them getting in the way.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT wireless headphone is a great choice if you want a wireless headphone that is simple to use and has plenty of features that are perfect for everyday listening. They're light, fold down neatly, and offer an impressive 44 hours of playback time. They support multi-devices pairing and have a superb microphone for phone calls.

If you're going to use your headphones for calls that are hands-free, the Audio-Technica ATH-S200BT are a better choice since they are more comfortable and offer an impressive 50 hours of playback. The headphones also have an elongated cord that can be pulled out to use wired headphones and a hard case.

A five-star performer, and a favorite with What Hi-Fi?'s team, the Sony WF-C700N and JBL Live Pro 2 TWS are two other top pairs of affordable over ear wireless headphones. Both are around the $100 / PS100 / AU$150 mark and feature active noise cancellation, but you'll have to accept that they're not as well made as our premium suggestions.

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

For a pair that's even more expensive but also worthy of our five-star rating take a look at the multi-award winning Sony WH-1000XM5. The Sony WH1000XM5 isn't cheap but it has an extended battery life, excellent noise cancellation and lets you listen to music for a long period of time without worrying about running out of battery or needing to charge.