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 fold into a compact size to be stored away when not in use.

Sony's WH1000XM5s are a fantastic pair of Bluetooth headphones that tick all the boxes, with top-of-the-line audio quality, noise cancellation, a sleek design and top-notch comfort. They are compatible with the lossless LDAC high-res codec for playback of high-quality audio.

Sound Quality

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

One of our favourites is the Sony WH1000XM5 pair that improve upon their multi-award-winning predecessor with slimmer design and more refined noise cancellation. They also provide up to 37 hours of playtime on a single charge, and can be fast-charged to an extra 8 hours of playtime in just 15 minutes. They feature a fun, balanced sound profile and can be used with the lossless Sony LDAC hi-res codec so you can stream music in stunning HD.

They feature luscious, glistening highs and distinctive mids and bass. You can even tweak the sound signature using the headphones' mobile app, adding more emphasis on the bass and treble according to your personal preferences. In our tests, they were extremely accurate and clear. Vocals and orchestral sounds sounded in great detail.

Another of our top-rated, over-ear Bluetooth headphones is the Logitech G HUB Wireless Headphones, which have an excellently balanced sound out of the box and offer crisp audio. The sound is consistent and has a lot of low-bass that helps to emphasize the sound effects and music from games. They're compatible with Logitech HUB software which includes a graphic equalizer and presets to customize 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 wireless headphones headphone. They're a bit more expensive than the Sonys but they sound and look the part, with hard aluminum casings and lambskin earcups stuffed with memory foam. They're comfortable to wear and can support the adaptive aptX and SBC audio codecs, which let you listen to high-quality music wirelessly. They're also well-crafted and feature a stylish minimalist design that is suitable for all tastes.

Noise Cancellation

If you're looking for a way to shut out the world and immerse yourself in your music or podcasts, then noise cancellation is an important feature. Wireless headphones that can block out noise typically have earpieces that are squeaky clean over your ears. This lets you focus on the audio and block out any background noise. Most over-ear headphones use active noise cancellation (ANC) to block out ambient sounds, which works by listening to the environment and creating an opposite sound to cancel out the noise. They aren't able to make your surroundings peaceful but they can cut down the noise of trains and other noises.

ANC usually utilizes tiny microphones to look for ambient sound. These is then compared with the audio you're listening to. tiny differences between them are then used to create an equal and opposing sound that is pumped through your earphones and effectively blocks out the ambient noise. The top headphones for noise cancellation can be adjusted through apps or a dedicated hardware control. This lets you choose a specific level of noise cancellation that's appropriate for the situation you're in.

The majority of the headphones we test come with many additional features beyond the ability to control ANC. Many of them have a microphone for hands-free calls and can also be used with voice assistants such as Siri and Alexa. Some come with built-in speakers for audio streaming.

In the area of noise cancellation we've seen significant improvements in recent years. Focal For JBL instance, Focal has entered the premium wireless ANC headphones market with its Bathys. We are awestruck by their incredible comfort and slick features and stunning audio quality. The Bathys have the ability to cut down background noise by up to 30dB. You can adjust ANC levels via an app, and also set three favorite settings that can be changed by a physical button located on the left earcup.

Noise cancellation should be the primary thing you consider when buying the latest pair. The quality of the sound is essential but noise cancellation should also be at the top. The most popular ANC headphones are expensive but they're worth the cost due to their build quality and long battery life. For those on a tighter budget, the Sony WF-1000XM5s is our top choice because they provide excellent noise cancellation and smooth sound quality for an affordable price.

Battery Life

Wireless headphones should last as long as they can. They drain their own battery as well as the battery of the device playing music. Therefore, it's crucial to pick a pair of headphones with enough storage capacity in case you run out of charge or power. Many manufacturers offer headphone models with plenty of storage. Some even have solar power to allow them to be charged automatically when you are not listening to them.

Over-ear headphones tend to be larger and can cover more of your ears. They can hold larger batteries, allowing for longer playtimes as well as more advanced features. They also typically offer better noise cancellation because their larger size helps create a more effective seal against the environment.

The top brand Bang & Olufsen makes some of the best over-ear headphones around with its H95 flagship wireless headphones offering a soaring 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 hours and hours.

Anker Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro headphones are less expensive and feature a battery lifespan of 65 hours without ANC and 50 hours with it. This is a much better battery life than most competitors and is a proof of the headphones' outstanding quality of construction. They are comfortable fit, and a durable headband.

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 extremely efficient in blocking out background noise. The audio quality is good with a V-shaped profile that delivers plenty of bass and brightens the instruments and vocals.

The Sony WF1000XM5 wireless headsets aren't cheap, but at less than $100, they provide excellent isolation and ear tips made of foam and noise cancellation that is good, even if it's not the most advanced model on this list. The headphones also come with Bluetooth 5.3 and the latest LDAC codec, which allows for high-quality audio. They can be charged with the included cord or via USB.

Portability

The amount of space a pair headphones takes up when folded into their most compact shape is a crucial factor for their portability. The smaller the fold-down format, the easier it is to fit them into the bag or backpack to use on the go without getting in your 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 for everyday listening. They are lightweight, fold up neatly and offer up to 44 hours of playback, and are incredibly compact. They also support multi-device pairing and have a great microphone for phone calls.

If you're not 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. They also have an adjustable cable for wired use and come with a sturdy 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 a great pair of wireless over-ear headphones. Both headphones cost $100 / PS100 / 150 AU$ and have active noise cancellation, but they're not quite as well-made as some of our higher-end selections.

If you want something more expensive 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 hip-hop, rock, and. Vocals and instruments sound bright, and you can alter the sound to suit your preferences using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets. They also support aptX Adaptive codec for high-res streaming, and also have an USB-DAC mode to listen on wires.

Take a look at the Sony WH1000XM5, which is not only more expensive, but worthy of our five-star seal. They're not inexpensive, but they do have an incredible battery life and superb noise cancelling that will allow you to listen for long periods of time without worrying about having to recharge or running out of power.