The Best Wireless Over Ear Headset
Over-ear headphones can block out external noise. Choose headphones that feature active noise cancellation and a battery that can last at least 20 hours with audio playing.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4s have an excellent ANC feature, a convenient control for the ear, and an easy-to-use app. The default sound provides an intense thump, however vocals and instruments can be pushed to the background.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony's WH-1000XM5 are an excellent pair of headphones for those who want to enjoy the best wireless over ear headset. The headphones are lightweight, come with a soft carry bag and fold flat to fit into your bag. The controls are easy to use and intuitive, and their battery lasts an impressive 30 hours with ANC turned off. They also include an auto-pause feature that shuts off your headphones when they are removed from your head in order to save battery.
The WH-1000XM5 can be used with Sony's Headphones Connect app which offers an array of features that can be used to tailor your audio experience. The app allows you to track your location and adjust ambient sound features based on your environment. The microphone can also be included for hands-free phone calls. The Sony WH-1000XM5 is able with music streaming via Bluetooth or an electrical connection via the cable included. They support aptX, aptX HD and aptX Adaptive codecs to play high quality audio via Bluetooth.
Similar to the XM4 The WH-1000XM5 is lightweight and comfortable, with a a well-padded headband and ear cups. They are comfortable to wear and can be worn for extended periods. They are also ideal for longer flights and commutes. They are noise cancelling headphones that can cut down background noise but not sacrifice clarity or clarity. The Sony WH-1000XM5 have an adequate amount of bass for closed-back headphones. They also provide a great soundstage, with the clear distinction between vocals and instruments.
They have a very low latency for watching videos, which is a benefit. The lag is so low that it's virtually undetectable and they can be used to play casual gaming. They're not the ideal choice for competitive video games though and are a good choice for people who are using them for entertainment and for making calls using hands-free technology.
Sony is committed to incorporating intelligent features into its products and the WH1000XM5 model is no different. The active noise cancellation is among the best I've tried and they include a whole set of smart functions to enhance the overall listening experience. Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine upscales compressed audio to near-high-resolution quality. They're also compatible with Sony's LDAC technology which streams higher-bitrate audio via Bluetooth (although not as high-quality as a dedicated headphone DAC).
2. Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
Bowers & Wilkins flagship headphones that are the PX7 S2, have consistently appeared on top lists of wireless headsets since the release of the first generation PX7 in 2015. They are in the same class as Sony WH1000XM5 or Bose's QuietComfort. The newest model, called the PX7 S2, is an upgrade that takes the original headphones to a higher level, with better ANC performance and a refreshed design.
The bio-cellulose drivers that measure 40mm inside the earcups have been angled so that they point directly at your eardrums. This provides an experience with more intimacy than most other closed-back headphones. The PX7 S2 lives up to this bold claim. Vocals cut through clearly, and bass is a deep and rumbly when you need it to be.
best over ear headphones wireless performs very well with voice calls, with crisp and clear sound that doesn't muddle your own voice. They also offer a quick charge that can get you back fully charged in only two hours. Furthermore, they're compatible with hi-res audio due to an adaptive Bluetooth codec that enables them to play 24-bit music.
The noise-canceling technology and the improved audio quality are the most important upgrades for the majority of listeners. In our tests the PX7 S2 eliminated nearly all of our simulated aircraft cabin noise with remarkable effectiveness, and they excelled when we played Mozart's Et In Carnatus Est and Sanctus from his Grosse Messe, demonstrating excellent insight into the shifting dynamics between the solo voice, wind trio and orchestral accompaniment.
Alongside in addition to ANC Alongside improved ANC, as well as improved ANC, PX7 S2s come with a variety of other useful features that make them competitive with other top-rated noise-canceling headphones. They're wireless and have Bluetooth multipoint support, so you can pair them with two devices simultaneously, and they come with a built-in microphone that allows hands-free calling using your phone's assistant. They're also incredibly robust, with premium-feeling and robustly-constructed construction that can last for a long time of regular usage.
Of course, they're not the perfect models. The clamp force of our test models were a little more than we'd prefer, and there weren't as many app features as the other options. But these are minor complaints. The PX7 S2s is a superb wireless headset that beats out other headsets in its class. It's hard to imagine a rival beating them.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal Bathys is the best option for audiophiles who appreciate high-fidelity and are in search of a wireless noise-canceling headphone. The Focal Bathys are the very first ANC headphones from an French audio company to use Bluetooth. They deliver stunning sound both in Bluetooth mode and when connected via USB to a device for true hi-fi listening with up to 24-bit/192kHz.
The Bathys are stunning with their glossy finish and swooping curvatures that are like Focal's closed-back Celestee and open-back Elear headphones. The Bathys are built with premium materials like magnesium and aluminum that makes them feel solid and comfortable. They are also worth the price.
The Bathys Bluetooth headphones offer an impressive, clear sound signature. They easily surpass consumer ANC devices of similar price such as the Sony XM5/5 and Bose QC45. Direct DAC audio mode lets them be pushed further, making them a great option for those who love hifi.
Utilizing the Focal & Naim app, users can adjust the playback controls of their headphones as well as their virtual assistant and Bluetooth pairing preferences. They can choose between silent or soft intensities for ANC as well as alter the brightness of LEDs that are on the earcups, and alter the settings for EQ. The app is not complete, but it offers enough features to warrant the download.
The only significant flaw is that the active noise cancellation does not match the quality of the competitors. The headphone isn't able to block out all background noise as effectively as the highly rated XM5 and AirPods Max. Its treble accuracy is also lacking, with a muddy high to mid range that takes away from the instruments and vocals.
The Focal Bathys aren't the most portable headphones. The ear cups aren't foldable up and weigh a bit heavier than the competition, meaning that they're not ideal for traveling. They're best suited to in a home setting where they can be used for lengthy listening sessions or as a reference headphone for sound engineering purposes. Despite their size and bulk they are Bathys are extremely comfortable to wear for long durations of time.
4. Sony WH-CH720N
The Sony WHCH720N headset is a excellent pair of wireless over-ear headsets for the price. They come with a reliable noise-cancelling feature that is capable of quelling ambient noise, making them perfect for those who commute or travel. They also add an appealing design that reflects premium quality, thanks to their robust construction and attractive matte finish.
They are similar in design to Sony's more recent 1000X and XB910N headphones. They sport a slim, plastic headband with the usual hinges for the earcups. They're light and comfortable to wear, but they feel a little too compressed for my taste. They come with a USB-C charge port, 3.5mm jack and a decent-length cable included in the box. They allow multipoint Bluetooth pairing, meaning you can connect them to two devices at once should you choose to.
In my tests the CH720N's hybrid noise cancelling technology did an excellent job of curbing ambient noise, with only a couple of noticeable blips when walking through Waterloo station and London Victoria. They weren't magic sound-silencers that blocked out every sound, however, and they struggled with lower frequency noises like the rumbling engine noise of buses and trains.
Streaming music over the CH720N's Bluetooth connection was smooth and exhibited a low level of harmonic distortion. I listened to a variety of different genres and found they handled the intricate interplay between instruments well. It did an impressive job of controlling the bass in rock tracks and keeping the mix in focus.
The Sony Headphones Connect App allows you to customize the CH720N's multipoint connectivity as well as ANC settings according to your preferences. You can also choose from a range of audio presets. You can also activate 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 features when compared to the XM5 (such as Speak-to -Chat and Quick Attention) they do offer an impressive set of features for PS130. It comes with 360 Reality Audio and a variety of smart controls in addition to the DSEE upscaling feature. The only thing that's missing is LDAC Bluetooth high-res audio support which I believe would have been a welcome inclusion.