The Best Wireless Over Ear Headset
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds completely enclose your ears and can block out any sound from outside. Look for headphones that have active noise cancellation and an endurance of at least 20 hours.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4s feature a great ANC feature, a simple on-ear control, as well as an easy-to-use app. Its default sound profile delivers punch and thump, but vocals and instruments can be pushed to the background.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is an excellent pair of headphones for those who enjoy music and want the most wireless headset. They're lightweight and come with a soft carrying case and fold flat for easy storage in your bag. The controls on the touch are intuitive and easy to use and the battery will last for 30 hours with no ANC. They also include an auto-pause feature that turns off your headphones once they are removed from your head in order to save battery.
The WH1000XM5 works with Sony Headphones Connect, which offers a variety of features that can be used to tailor the audio experience. The app is able to track your location and adjust the ambient sound effects based on your environment. They also come with a built-in microphone for making calls hands-free. The Sony WH-1000XM5 is able to play music via Bluetooth or with a wired connection using the cable included. They include aptX codecs and aptX HD codecs as well as adaptive codecs for high-quality audio via Bluetooth.
Similar to the XM4, the WH1000XM5 is light and comfortable, with a well-padded headband and ear cups. They're comfortable to wear for long periods of time and are comfortable enough for long commutes and flights. They feature excellent noise canceling performance that block out the majority of background noise while maintaining clarity and detail. The Sony WH1000XM5 has a decent amount of bass for closed-back headphones. They also have a superb soundstage that has the clear separation of vocals and instruments.
They have a low latency when watching videos, which is a huge advantage. The lag is so minimal that it's barely noticeable, and they can also be used for gaming on the go. These are not the best for competitive video gaming however they're perfect for those who want to use them for media consumption or to make hands-free calls.
Sony is committed to incorporating smart features into its products, and the WH-1000XM5 is not an exception. The active noise cancellation is one of the most effective I've ever tried, and they come with a suite of smart functions to improve the overall listening experience. They also come with Sony's DSEE Extreme engine which upscales compressed music to close to high quality. They're compatible with Sony's LDAC technology, which streams higher-bitrate music over Bluetooth.
2. Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
Since the launch of the first generation PX7 in 2015, Bowers & Wilkins' flagship headphones have frequently included on top wireless headset lists and putting them in the same category as the likes Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort. Its newest model, the PX7 S2, is an upgrade that takes the initial headphones to a higher level, with better ANC performance and a refreshed design.
In the earcups, 40mm bio cellulose drivers are designed to be angled so that they point straight towards your eardrums to deliver an audio experience that is more intimate than most closed-back headphones can manage. The PX7 S2 is a perfect example of this claim with a fervent zeal. Vocals are clear and clear and bass is a deep and rumbly when it's needed to be.
The PX7 S2 also performs very well when it comes to voice calls, with clear and crisp sound that doesn't muddle your own voice. They also come with a quick charge that can get you back fully charged in only two hours. They're also compatible with high-resolution audio, thanks to an aptX adaptive Bluetooth codec that enables them to play 24-bit music.
For the majority of listeners, however, the most important upgrade is the improvement in noise cancellation and audio quality. In our tests we were able to eliminate nearly all of the simulated aircraft noises with the PX7 S2. They also performed exceptionally well in Mozart's Et In Carnatus Est and Sanctus which provide excellent insight into the changing dynamics between the solo vocal, the wind trio and orchestral accompaniment.
best over ear headphones wireless -cancelling, but they come with a range of other features that make them highly comparable to other top-rated headphones. They're completely wireless, with Bluetooth multipoint support, so you can pair them with two devices at the same time They also include a built-in microphone which allows hands-free calls with your phone's assistant. The construction is sturdy and top-quality which means they'll last for many years.
They're not perfect, of course. The clamp force we used on our test models was a bit less than we'd like and there aren't as many extra features on the app as other options, but they are minor complaints. The PX7 S2s are a fantastic wireless headphone that rivals the best in their class, and it's difficult to imagine them being beaten by any other rival.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
For audiophiles who appreciate high-fidelity and are searching for an exceptional wireless noise-canceling headset, the Focal Bathys are tough to beat. They're the French audio company's first ANC headphones that use Bluetooth and offer amazing audio quality in both Bluetooth mode and when connected to the device via USB for true hi-fi listening with up to 24 bit/192kHz (the headphones are also capable of passively blocking external audio with its closed ear cups).
The Bathys are gorgeous with their sleek black finish and swooping curves that are reminiscent of Focal's premium open-back Elear and closed-back Celestee headphones. The Bathys are made from top-quality materials like magnesium and aluminum that make them feel sturdy and comfortable. They're also worth the price.
In Bluetooth mode in Bluetooth mode, the Bathys provide a clear and vibrant sound that easily beats similar priced consumer ANC alternatives like the Bose QC45. Direct DAC audio mode lets them be pushed further, making them a great option for those who love hifi.
The Focal &Naim app allows users to alter the playback controls of the headphone and Bluetooth pairing preferences. Users can choose between silent or soft intensities for ANC, alter the brightness of LEDs on the headphone's ear cups, and tweak settings for EQ. The app is bare but offers enough functionality to be worth the cost.
The only flaw is the active noise cancellation, which doesn't live in the same way as the other models. The headphone does not eliminate any ambient noise as well as the top-rated XM5 and AirPods Max. Its treble accuracy is also lacking, with a muddy mid to high range that blocks vocals and instruments.
The Focal Bathys aren't the most portable headphones. Their earcups don't fold up and they weigh a bit more than other models, meaning that they're not ideal for use on the road. They're ideal for an environment at home where they can be used for lengthy listening sessions or as an example headphone for sound engineering purposes. Despite their size and bulk they Bathys are surprisingly comfortable to wear for extended periods of time.
4. Sony WH-CH720N
The Sony WHCH720N is excellent pair of wireless over ear headsets at a reasonable price. They come with a reliable noise-cancelling system that does a great job of blocking out ambient noise, making them perfect for those who commute and travel. Their matte finish and durable construction give them a touch of premium quality.
They are similar to Sony's 1000X and XB910N headphone models. They have a slim headband with the typical ear cup hinges and a sturdy plastic build. They are lightweight and comfortable, however they're a bit tight for my taste. In the box, they come with an USB-C port to charge as well as a 3.5mm connector and a decent length cable. They are multipoint Bluetooth which means you can connect to two devices simultaneously when you want to.
In my tests the CH720N's hybrid technology for noise cancellation did a great job of reducing ambient sound. There were only a few glitches while walking around Waterloo Station and London Victoria. These weren't magical sound-silencers which blocked out every sound however, they struggled with lower frequency sounds like the rumbling engine noises of buses and trains.
The streaming of music via the CH720N's Bluetooth connection was smooth and showed a low amount of harmonic distortion. I tried a variety of genres and found they were able to handle the intricate interplay between instruments quite well. It did a great job of reducing the bass in rock tracks, and keeping the mix focused.
I like the fact that you can adjust the Sony Headphones Connect app to customize the CH720N's ANC and multipoint connectivity settings to your preference and add a variety of audio presets. You can also enable DSEE via the app, which increases the quality of sound and boosts compression of audio content.
The WH-CH720N isn't equipped with some of Sony's primetime functions compared to the XM5 (such as Quick Attention and Speak-to-Chat) they do come with a robust set of features available for PS130. It comes with 360 Reality Audio and a range of smart controls, and the aforementioned DSEE upscaling feature. The only thing that is not available is LDAC Bluetooth High-Res Audio Support which I believe would have been a great inclusion.