The Best Wireless Over Ear Headset
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds completely cover your ears and can block out any sound from outside. Choose headphones with active noise cancellation, and an endurance of at 20 hours or more.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4s feature amazing ANC and a user-friendly app, and easy-to-use control via the ear. The default sound profile provides the sound of a thump and a punch, however vocals and instruments can be nudged to the background.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony's WH-1000XM5 headphones are a great pair of headphones for music lovers who want to experience the most wireless over-ear headset. They're lightweight with a soft carrying case that folds flat for easy storage in your bag. The controls on their touch screen are easy to use and easy to navigate. their battery lasts for 30 hours with ANC shut off. The headphones come with an automatic pause feature which shuts them off when you take them from your head. This helps in conserving battery.
The WH-1000XM5 are compatible with Sony's Headphones Connect app which offers an extensive range of features that can be used to tailor your audio experience. The app can be used to monitor your location and adapt ambient sound features to your environment. They also come with built-in microphones for making calls hands-free. The Sony WH-1000XM5 is able to play music using Bluetooth or via a wired connection using the included cable. They can support aptX, HD aptX and aptX Adaptive codecs that deliver high quality audio over Bluetooth.
The WH-1000XM5 has the same headband and earcups to the XM4 but is more lightweight and comfortable. These headphones are comfortable to wear and are suitable for extended periods. They are also ideal for longer flights and commutes. They offer excellent noise cancellation performance that block out the majority of background noise, but without sacrificing clarity and detail. The Sony WH-1000XM5 offer decent bass for closed-back headphones. They provide a great soundstage, with the clear separation of instruments and vocals.
The low latency is a big positive. The lag is so minimal that it's almost invisible and they can be used to play casual games. They're not ideal for video gaming competitively, but they're great for those who wish to make use of them for entertainment or for making hands-free calls.
Sony is dedicated to incorporating smart features into its products, and the WH1000XM5 is no exception. The active noise cancellation was one of the best I've ever used, and they come with a whole range of clever features that will enhance your listening experience. Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine upscales compressed audio to near-high-resolution quality. They're compatible with Sony's LDAC technology which streams music with higher quality via Bluetooth.
2. Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
Bowers & Wilkins flagship headphones which is the PX7 S2 have always been on top lists of wireless headsets since the release of the first-generation PX7, in 2015. This puts them in the same class as Sony WH1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort. The PX7 S2 is the latest model that takes the original headphones to the next level, with improved ANC performance as well as a new look.
In the earcups, 40mm bio cellulose drivers are angled to point straight at your eardrums, delivering an audio experience that's more intimate than other closed-back headphones can manage. The PX7 S2 lives up to the bold claim. Vocals are clear and clear, and bass is deep and rumbly when you need it to be.
The PX7 S2 also performs very well when it comes to voice calls, with a clear and crisp audio that doesn't overpower your own voice. They also provide a fast charge that can get you back to full power in just two hours. They're also compatible with hi-res audio, due to an adaptive Bluetooth codec that enables them to play 24-bit music.
For the majority of listeners, however the most significant upgrade is the improved noise cancellation and audio performance. In our tests we were able to remove nearly all simulated aircraft noises with the PX7 S2. They also excelled in Mozart's Et In Carnatus Est and Sanctus, which demonstrate excellent insight into the changing dynamics between the solo vocal, wind trio and orchestral accompaniment.
The PX7 S2s aren't just noise-canceling, but they also come with a range of other features that make them highly competitive with other top-rated headphones. They're wireless and feature Bluetooth multipoint support, which means you can pair them with two devices simultaneously. They also come with a built in microphone that allows for hands-free calls using your phone assistant. They're also extremely durable, with a premium-feeling and durably-built construction that should last for years of regular use.
Of course, they're not 100% perfect. The clamp force of the models we tested were slightly higher than we would have liked, and there weren't as many apps features as other options. But these are minor issues. The PX7 S2s are a fantastic wireless headphone that rivals the best in their class, and it's difficult to imagine them being outclassed by any other rival.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
For audiophiles who value high-fidelity and are searching for an exceptional wireless noise-canceling headset, the Focal Bathys are hard to beat. The Focal Bathys are the very first ANC headphones made by a French audio manufacturer to utilize Bluetooth. They provide amazing sound quality both in Bluetooth mode and when connected via USB to a device that supports true hi-fi audio at up to 24 bit/192kHz.
The Bathys are gorgeous with their sleek black finish and swooping curves that are like Focal's premium open back Elear and closed-back Celestee headphones. The Bathys are made from premium materials like magnesium and aluminum that make them feel durable and comfortable. They are also worth the price.
The Bathys Bluetooth headphones offer an impressive, clear sound signature. They easily surpass consumer ANC models of the same price such as the Sony XM5/5 and Bose QC45. Direct DAC audio mode allows them to be pushed further which makes them a fantastic option for those who love hifi.
The Focal and Naim app allows users to alter the headphone's playback controls as well as Bluetooth pairing preferences. Users can choose between silent or soft intensities for ANC, adjust the brightness of the LEDs on the headphone's ear cups, and tweak settings for EQ. The app is not complete but it has enough features to warrant the cost of downloading.
The only drawback is the active noise cancellation, which doesn't live in the same way as the other models. 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 muffled mid-to-high range that takes away from vocals and instruments.
The Focal Bathys aren't the most portable headphones. They're not ideal for travel due to their ear cups do not fold, and they weigh more than other models. The Bathys should be used at home for long listening sessions, or as an audio reference headset for audio engineering. Despite their size and weight they are Bathys are extremely comfortable to wear for extended periods of time.
4. Sony WH-CH720N
The Sony WH-CH720N headphones are an excellent pair of wireless over-ear headphones for the money. The noise-cancelling technology is excellent and does a great deal to reduce the background noise. They are ideal for those who commute or travel. They also have an attractive touch of premium quality with their durable construction and attractive matte finish.
They have a similar look to Sony's XB910N and 1000X headphone models. They sport a slim, plastic headband, with the standard hinges on the earcups. They're light and comfortable to wear, but they feel a little too compressed for my taste. They have a USB-C charging port, 3.5mm jack and a decent-length cable in the box. They are multipoint Bluetooth which means you can connect two devices at the same time if you want.
In beats studio 3 headphones wireless , the CH720N's hybrid technology for noise cancellation did a fantastic job of reducing ambient sound. There were only a few noticeable glitches while walking around Waterloo Station and London Victoria. The sound-silencers did not block all sounds around them however they struggled with low-frequency sounds such as the engine rumbling sound of trains and buses.
The CH720N's Bluetooth connection was a breeze and displayed a minimal harmonic distortion. I tested a range of genres and found that they handled the intricate interplay among instruments well. It did an impressive job of taming the bass in rock tracks while keeping the mix focused.
I like the ability to adjust the Sony Headphones Connect app to tailor the CH720N's ANC and multipoint connectivity settings to your preference and also add a range of audio presets. You can also activate DSEE via the app, which increases sound quality and upsacles compressed audio files.
The WH-CH720N offers a great value for PS130. It's not equipped with many of Sony's best features (such as Speak-toChat and Quick Attention) but it has a lot of excellent features. 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 I believe it would have been a welcome inclusion.