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Watch Out: How Wireless Over Ear Headphones Is Taking Over And What Can We Do About It
Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Roundup

Wireless headphones eliminate the need for wires in your listening experience. They are more comfortable for longer periods of time, and some fold up into a compact shape to store them when not when not in use.

The Sony WH-1000XM5s Bluetooth headphones are an excellent pair of Bluetooth headsets that check all the boxes. They offer class-leading sound quality, noise cancelling as well as a fashionable design and excellent comfort. They even support the lossless LDAC hi-res codec to provide high-quality audio playback.

Sound Quality

There are a variety of options for those who prefer large wireless headphones that sit over your ears, and are connected to a headset via a headband to amplify and isolate sound. In our round-up of the top over-ear Bluetooth headphones, you'll find certified UC headsets that are compatible 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 favorites is the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones, which have improved on their multi-award winning predecessor with sleeker design and improved noise cancellation. They also provide up to 37 hours of playback on a single charge, and can be charged quickly to give you 8 hours of playtime within 15 minutes. They have a balanced, fun sound and support the lossless Sony LDAC high-res codec to stream music in stunning HD.

They are sultry, with twinkling highs and distinctive mids and bass. You can alter the audio characteristics of the headphones through their mobile app to fit your own taste. For example you can increase the emphasis on the bass or treble. In our tests, the headphones were incredibly accurate and clear. Vocals and orchestral sounds were recorded in great detail.

The Logitech Wireless Headphones G HUB are one of our top-rated Bluetooth headphones that are over-ear. They have a balanced sound right out of the package and deliver crisp audio. The sound is smooth and includes a decent amount of bass, which helps to emphasize the sound effects and music from games. They're compatible with Logitech HUB software which includes an equalizer for graphics and presets that can be customized to enhance the sound.

If you are willing to pay a little more you can go for the Bowers & Wilkins premium Danish-made Px7S2 headphones are a top Bluetooth over-ear headphone. They're a little more expensive than the Sonys but they sound and look like a premium pair, with a sturdy aluminium casing and lambskin leather earcups filled with memory foam. They're comfortable to wear and are compatible with the adaptive aptX and SBC audio codecs that let you listen to high-quality music wirelessly. They're well-crafted, too and have a chic minimalist design that will suit every taste.

Noise Cancellation

Noise cancellation is an option that's essential if you want to shut out the world so you can concentrate on your podcasts or music. Wireless headphones that have noise cancellation capabilities typically have the ear cups that are sealed over your ears to block out ambient sound and help you focus on your audio. Most over-ear headphones use active noise cancellation (ANC) to cut down on background noises which is achieved by listening to the environment and generating an opposing sound to block out the noise. This means they won't turn your surroundings into a tranquil zen-like peace, but they will make it easier to hear the sound of train engines and other sounds that are common to the environment.

ANC employs tiny microphones to listen for ambient sounds. They then compare them to the music you're currently listening to. The small differences between two sounds are then used to create a sound that's equal and opposite. The resulting sound is then pumped into your ear cup which effectively muffles the background noise. The top headphones that cancel out noise can 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 we test include many other features beyond just the ability to control ANC. A majority of the headphones have a microphone for hands-free calling and can be utilized with voice assistants such as Siri and Alexa. Some pairs come with built-in audio streaming speakers.

In the area of noise cancellation we've seen significant improvements in recent years. For example, Focal has thrown itself into the top wireless ANC headphone market with its Bathys which we adore for their incredible comfort, sleek features and stunning audio quality. The Bathys are able to reduce background noise to as low as 30dB. You can manage ANC levels using an app, and set three settings you can switch using a physical button located on the left earcup.

Noise cancellation should be the primary factor you consider when buying a new pair. Sound quality is important but noise cancellation should also be top of the line. The most popular ANC headphones are expensive however they're worth it because of their build quality and battery life. If you're on a budget Sony WF-1000XM5s are our top pick as they offer fab noise cancellation and slick sound quality for a low price.

Battery Life

If you're going to use wireless headphones while on the move you'll want them to last as long as is possible. It's because they drain both their own battery and that of the audio device that plays music. So, it's important to pick a pair of headphones with enough storage capacity in case you run out of charge or power. Many companies now offer headphones with a substantial storage capacity and some even utilize solar charging to replenish their storage capacity automatically when you're not using them.

Over-ear headphones are typically larger and can cover more of your ears. This allows them to hold larger batteries, allowing for longer playtimes and advanced features. They are also more noise-cancelling because their larger size provides a better seal to the environment.

The top brand Bang & Olufsen produces some of the best headphones on the market. The flagship H95 wireless headphones provide an immersive listening experience. With a premium design with aluminum detailing and Nappa leather they're the best option for the audiophile who would like to listen in peace for a long time.

Anker Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro headphones are more affordable and feature a battery lifespan of 65 hours without ANC and 50 hours with it. This is way ahead of the other models and is a testament to the headphones' remarkable quality of construction that includes a comfortable fit and a durable headband that can withstand the punishment.

Another budget-friendly option 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 sounds. The headphones' sound is decent and has a V-shaped profile that packs plenty of bass and lights up vocals and instruments for an even and balanced sound that's easy to fine-tune by using the companion app's graphic EQ and presets.

The Sony WF1000XM5 wireless headsets aren't cheap, but for less than $100, they have excellent isolation and ear tips made of foam and noise cancellation that's solid, even if it's not the most advanced model on this list. They also support Bluetooth 5.3, which supports the latest LDAC codec that provides high-resolution audio. They can be recharged via the cord included or via USB to your computer.

Portability

The amount of space that headphones take up when folded into their most compact shape is a crucial factor in their portability. The smaller the fold down size the more convenient it is to put them in bags or backpacks to use on the go without them getting in your way.

If you're looking for a simple wireless headphones with lots of features that will suit every day use The Audio-Technica M50xBT is a great choice. They're lightweight, fold down neatly, and offer an impressive 44 hours of playback time. They support multi-devices pairing and feature 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 option. They are more comfortable and have a playback time of 50 hours. over ear headphones come with an adjustable cable to use wired and come with a tough hard case.

A five-star performer and a favourite among What Hi-Fi?'s staff, the Sony WF-C700N and JBL Live Pro 2 TWS are another top pair of affordable over ear wireless headphones. Both headphones are priced around $100 / PS100 / $150 and come with active noise cancellation, but they're not quite as well-made as our top suggestions.

If you want something more expensive, the Focal Bathys Wireless are a top pair of headphones that provide outstanding sound quality for the price. They have an V-shaped sound profile which has plenty of bass to compliment EDM, hip-hop and rock. The sound of vocals as well as instruments is clear and you can alter the volume to suit your preference using the graphic EQ in their companion app. They also support aptX Adaptive Codec to provide a high-res stream and have an option to listen via USB-DAC.

Check out the Sony WH1000XM5, which is not only more expensive, but is also worthy of our five-star seal. They're not inexpensive, but they do have an amazing battery life and excellent noise cancelling that will allow you to listen for extended periods without worrying about needing to recharge or running out of power.

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