Wireless Over Ear Headphones: A Simple Definition

Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Roundup

Wireless headphones remove the restriction of wires from your listening experience. They are more comfortable for longer periods of time, and some fold into a compact size to be stored away when not when not in use.

The Sony WH-1000XM5s Bluetooth headphones are a great pair of Bluetooth headsets that tick all the boxes. They offer class-leading audio quality, noise cancellation as well as a fashionable design and great comfort. They can support the lossless LDAC high-res codec for playback of high-quality audio.

Sound Quality

If you're a lover of large, full-size wireless headsets that sit over your ears and are connected with headphones that isolate and amplify audio, there's no shortage of choices. In our round-up of the top over-ear Bluetooth headphones, you'll find UC-certified headsets that are compatible with communication platforms like Microsoft Teams, plus premium headphones from brands like Sony, Sennheiser, Bose and Bowers & Wilkins that are as luxurious as they are durable.

One of our favorites is the Sony WH1000XM5 pair which improve on their multi-award-winning predecessor by offering slimmer design and more refined noise cancellation. They also offer up to 37 hours of playback on a single charge and can be charged fast for 8 hours of playtime in only 15 minutes. They offer a balanced, enjoyable sound and can support the lossless Sony LDAC high-res codec to stream music in stunning HD.

They feature luscious, glistening highs, and distinct mids and bass. You can adjust the audio quality of the headphones using their mobile app to match your personal preferences. For instance you can put more emphasis on the bass or treble. The headphones we tested were extremely precise and clear, with vocals and orchestral music sounding in glorious detail.

The Logitech Wireless Headphones G HUB are among our top-rated Bluetooth headphones that are over-ear. They have a balanced sound right out of the box and provide clear audio. They're loaded with of bass to enhance the sound effects and game audio and their sound is consistent. They are compatible with Logitech HUB software, which comes with a graphic equalizer and presets that can be customized to enhance the sound.

If you are willing to spend a bit more you can go for the Bowers & Wilkins premium Danish-made Px7S2 headphones are a top Bluetooth over-ear headphone. They're more expensive than the Sonys but they look and sound the part, with hard aluminium casing and lambskin leather earcups that are filled with memory foam. They're comfortable to wear and are compatible with the adaptive aptX and SBC audio codecs that allow you to enjoy high-quality music wirelessly. They are also beautifully made and sport a stylish, understated look that can be adapted to suit the needs of all.

Noise Cancellation

Noise cancellation is a feature that's essential if you want to block out the world so you can focus on your podcasts or music. Wireless headphones with noise cancellation features typically come with ear cups that seal tightly Best over ear anc Headphones your ears to block out any ambient noise and best over Ear Anc Headphones help you concentrate on the music. Most best over ear anc headphones-ear headphones use active noise cancellation (ANC) to cut down on background noises that are created by analyzing the surrounding surroundings and creating a different sound to block out the background noise. They will not make your surroundings tranquil however they can reduce the noise of trains and other noises.

ANC employs tiny microphones to listen for ambient sounds. They then compare them to the music you're currently listening to. Tiny differences between the two are then used to create an equal and opposite sound that is then fed through your earphones effectively reducing background noise. The top noise cancelling headphones can also be adjusted using apps or a dedicated hardware control. This allows you to select a certain level of noise cancellation to suit the environment you're in.

The majority of the headphones that we test have a variety of features in addition to the ability to control ANC. For instance, a lot of headphones come with a microphone that allows you for hands-free phone calls. They can also be used with voice assistants such as Siri and Alexa. Some have built-in speakers for audio streaming.

In terms of noise cancelling we've seen some major advancements in recent times. For instance, Focal has thrown itself into the top wireless ANC headphones market with its Bathys that we love for their outstanding comfort, sleek features and stunning audio quality. They're able to reduce background noise by up to 30dB and you can manage the ANC levels via an app and set three 'favorites settings that can be changed by pressing a physical button on the left earcup.

Noise cancellation should be the primary factor you consider when buying the latest pair. Sound quality is important, but noise cancellation should also be top of the line. The most well-known ANC models available tend to be costly and that's because they offer excellent quality of construction and battery life. The Sony WF1000XM5s is our favorite for those who are on a budget. They offer great noise cancellation and superb audio quality for a low price.

Battery Life

Wireless headphones are designed to last for as long as they are able to. This is because they consume both their own batteries and that of the audio device that plays music. So, it's important to select headphones with enough storage in case you're running out of juice or power. Many manufacturers offer headphones 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 usually come with larger earcups that cover your ears, which means they can house larger batteries to allow for longer playtimes and more advanced features. They also offer better noise-cancelling because their larger size creates a better seal against the surrounding environment.

The premium brand Bang & Olufsen makes some of the top headphones for over-ear with its flagship H95 wireless headphones providing an immersive listening experience. They are a luxury design that features aluminum detailing and Nappa Leather which makes them the perfect option for audiophiles looking to listen for hours and hours.

For a more affordable pair of headphones, the Anker Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro offers a remarkable battery life of 50 hours with ANC activated and 65 hours without it. This is way ahead of the competition and is a testimony to the headphones' outstanding build quality that includes an incredibly comfortable fit and a sturdy headband that is able to take a beating.

Another option that is affordable is the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless headphones, which can be used for up to 44 hours with ANC turned on and feature an active noise cancellation system that's incredibly efficient in blocking out ambient noise. The headphones' sound is decent with a V-shaped design that has plenty of bass and brightens up vocals and instruments for a balanced and natural sound that is easy to tweak by using the app's graphic EQ and presets.

The Sony WF1000XM5 wireless headphones aren't cheap, but for less than $100, they have excellent isolation with foam ear tips and noise cancellation that's solid, if it isn't the most technologically advanced on this list. They also support Bluetooth 5.3 and the latest LDAC codec, which allows for high-resolution audio. They can be charged using the cord included, or via USB.

Portability

The amount of space that a pair headphones takes up when folded into their most compact form is an important factor for their portability. The smaller the size of the fold-down format is, the more easily you can put them in bags or backpacks to carry around without fear of them getting in the way.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT wireless headphone is a great choice when you want a wireless headphone that's easy to use and has plenty of features that are perfect for everyday listening. They are lightweight, fold up neatly and provide up to 44 hours of playback, and are very compact. They also allow multi-device pairing and have a great microphone for best over ear anc headphones phone calls.

However, if you're not planning to use your headphones for hands-free calls, the Audio-Technica ATH-S200BT are a better choice since they are more comfortable and have an impressive 50 hours of playback. The headphones also include a retractable cord to use wired headphones and a hard case.

A five-star performer, and a favorite among What Hi-Fi?'s team, the Sony WF-C700N and JBL Live Pro 2 TWS are a great pair of wireless, over-ear headphones. Both are around the $100 / PS100 or AU$150 price range and come with active noise cancellation, though you'll have to accept that they're not as high-quality as our top suggestions.

For a more luxurious experience The Focal Bathys Wireless are a top pair of headphones that provide impressive sound quality for their price. They have a V-shaped sound profile that has plenty of bass to go with EDM hip-hop, rock and other genres. The sound of vocals as well as instruments is clear and you can alter the sound to suit your taste by using the graphic EQ feature in their companion app. They also support aptX Adaptive Codec for high-res stream and offer to listen via USB-DAC.

For a pair that's more expensive but still worthy of our five-star seal take a look at the multi-award winning Sony WH-1000XM5. The Sony WH-1000XM5 may not be inexpensive, but it does have an extended battery life, excellent noise cancellation, and allows you to listen to music for a long period of time without worrying about running out of battery or charging.