Get Rid Of Wireless Over Ear Headphones: 10 Reasons That You No Longer Need It

Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Roundup

Wireless headphones remove the restriction of wires from your listening experience. They are more comfortable for long periods of time, and some can fold up into a compact shape to store when not when not in use.

The Sony WH-1000XM5s Bluetooth headphones are an excellent pair of Bluetooth headsets that meet all the boxes. They feature top-of-the-line sound quality, noise cancellation and a sleek design and great comfort. They can support the lossless LDAC high-res codec that plays back high-quality audio.

Sound Quality

There are a variety of options for those who prefer large, full-size, wireless headphones that fit over your ears, and are connected to a headband via a headband in order to isolate and amplify audio. In our round-up of the best over-ear Bluetooth headphones, you'll find UC-certified headsets specifically designed to work with communication platforms such as Microsoft Teams, plus premium headphones from brands like Sony, Sennheiser, Bose and Bowers & Wilkins that are as luxurious as they are durable.

One of our top picks is the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones, that improve upon their multi-award-winning predecessor in the shape of slimmer design and more refined noise cancellation. They also provide 37 hours of playback time on a single charge, and can be charged fast for 8 hours of playtime in only 15 minutes. They have a balanced, fun sound, and also support the lossless Sony LDAC high-res codec to stream music in stunning HD.

They feature luscious, glistening highs, and distinct mids and bass. You can also alter the audio's signature with the headphones' mobile app, adding a bit more emphasis to bass and treble for your personal taste. In our tests, they were incredibly accurate and clear. Vocals and orchestral sounds sounded with great clarity.

The Logitech Wireless Headphones G HUB are among our top-rated Bluetooth over-ear headphones. They have a balanced sound right from the package and deliver crisp audio. They're equipped with a decent amount of bass to enhance sound effects and game audio, and their sound is consistent. They're compatible with Logitech's HUB program, which has a graphic EQ and presets that allow you to tailor the sound to suit your preferences.

If you're willing to spend more money, the premium Danish-made Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 headphones are our top pick of the best Bluetooth over ear headphones. The Sonys are a little cheaper however they sound and look better. They feature a tough aluminum casing that has lambskin leather earcups that are filled with memory foam. They're comfortable to wear and are compatible with the adaptive aptX and SBC audio codecs, which allow you to listen to high-quality music wirelessly. They're well-crafted, too, and feature a classy minimalist design that will suit any taste.

Noise Cancellation

If you're looking to block out the world and immerse yourself in your podcasts or music, then noise cancellation is an essential feature. Wireless headphones that have noise cancellation capabilities typically have earpieces that are squeaky clean over your ears. This helps you to concentrate on the music and block out all background sounds. Active noise cancellation (ANC), which is used by a majority of over-ear headphones to cut down on ambient noise it works by observing your surroundings and creating an opposing sound to cancel the sound. This means that they won't transform your surroundings into tranquil zen-like peace, but they will make it easier to hear the sound of train engines and other noises that can be heard in the background.

ANC utilizes tiny microphones that listen for ambient sounds. These are then compared to the music you're currently listening to. Small differences between the two are then used to create an equal and opposite sound that is pumped into the earbuds effectively reducing ambient noise. Apps or dedicated hardware controls can be used to adjust the most effective noise cancelling headsets. You can choose the level of noise cancellation that suits your needs.

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

In the area of noise cancellation we've seen significant improvements in recent years. For instance, Focal has thrown itself into the premium wireless ANC headphones market with its Bathys that we love for their outstanding comfort, sleek features and stunning audio quality. They can cut down background noise by up to 30dB. You can also adjust the ANC levels through an app and set three 'favorite settings that can be changed by pressing a physical button on the left earcup.

While the quality of sound of headphones is a crucial aspect noise cancellation should be at the top of your list when you are looking for new headphones. The most well-known ANC headphones are costly however they're worth it because of their build quality and long battery life. For those with a smaller budget, the Sony WF-1000XM5s are our top pick as they offer fab noise cancellation and great sound quality for a low price.

Battery Life

If you're planning on using wireless headphones on the go and you're looking for them to last as long as possible. This is because they drain their own batteries as well as the audio device that plays music through them, therefore it's crucial to select the right pair that has a large amount of storage in case you miss an charge or get power out. Many manufacturers are now offering headphone models with a large capacity for storage and some even incorporate solar power to increase their storage capacity automatically when you're not listening to them.

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

The premium brand Bang & Olufsen makes some of the most premium headphones for over-ear use with its H95 flagship wireless headphones that provide a full listening experience.  over ear sound cancelling headphones  are a luxury design that features aluminum details and Nappa Leather which makes them the ideal option for audiophiles looking to listen for hours and hours.

Anker Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro headphones are less expensive and have a battery life of 65 hours with ANC and 50 hours with it. This is far ahead of the competition and is a testament to the headphones' remarkable build quality that includes an incredibly comfortable fit and a sturdy headband that can take a beating.

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless headphones are a budget-friendly alternative. They can be used up to 44 hours when the active noise cancellation feature is activated and have a system that blocks out ambient sounds with impressive effectiveness. The sound quality of the headphones is good and has a V-shaped profile which packs lots of bass and brightens the instruments and vocals to create a balanced profile which is easy to adjust using the app's graphic EQ and presets.

The latest Sony WF-1000XM5 wireless headphones aren't cheap, but they're still under $100 and offer excellent isolation, with foam ear tips and sturdy, if not the most advanced noise cancelling on this list. They also support Bluetooth 5.3 and the latest LDAC codec, which allows for high-quality audio. They can be charged via the included cord, or via USB.

Portability

The amount of space that a pair of headphones takes up once folded into their smallest size is a key aspect of 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 the way.

The Audio-Technica Bluetooth ATH-M50xBT wireless headphones is a great choice if you're looking for a wireless headphone that's easy to use and comes with plenty of features that are perfect for everyday listening. They are lightweight and compact and offer up to an impressive 44 hours of playback and are incredibly compact. They also support multi-device pairing, and have a great microphone for phone calls.

If you don't plan to use your headphones for hands-free calls, the Audio-Technica S200BT is a better choice. They are more comfortable, and have a playback duration of 50 hours. The headphones also have a retractable cord for wired use, as well as a hard case.

A five-star performer that is a favorite with What Hi-Fi?'s staff, Sony WF-C700N and JBL Live Pro 2 TWS are another top pair of wireless over-ear headphones. Both headphones cost around $100 / PS100 / 150 AU$ and have active noise cancellation, however they're not as high-quality as some of our higher-end suggestions.

For a more luxurious experience The Focal Bathys Wireless are a high-end pair of headphones with excellent sound quality for their price. The Focal Bathys Wireless feature the sound of a V with plenty of bass that compliments EDM hip-hop, rock and other genres. The vocals and instruments are bright and you can alter the sound to suit your taste by using the graphic EQ feature in their companion app. They also support aptX Adaptive codec to provide high-res streaming, and also have an USB-DAC mode for wired listening.

If you're looking for a pair that's more expensive but also worthy of our five-star rating, check out the multi-award-winning Sony WH-1000XM5. They're not cheap, but they have an incredible battery life and excellent noise cancelling that will allow you to listen for long periods without worrying about needing to recharge or run out of battery.