Best Over the Ear Headphones

Wireless headphones allow you to listen to podcasts or music anywhere, without the necessity of running an audio wire less headphone to your device. They are also a great choice for public transport, while at work or at home.

Wireless over-ear cans are available in a variety of designs and Wireless Headphones music noise cancellation capabilities. They typically come with a sleek storage case.

Soundcore Q30

These over-ears are a major upgrade from the Soundcore Life 2 of late-2018. They look better and are more durable and have a more polished appearance. The hinges are stronger, and the soft leather ear cups have been a bit larger. They are still largely made of plastic, but they're more polished. You can also swap out the 3.5mm cable for a premium USB-C version so that you can use them with portable Hi-Fi systems as well as stationary Hi-Res players. They also have dual built-in mics that worked well in our tests with FaceTime, Skype and Microsoft Teams calls.

The Soundcore app offers a wide variety of EQ presets that can be saved and tweaked to play podcasts and music in the style that you like. The Soundcore app makes it easy to use and sets these headphones apart.

The Q30's 40mm speaker effectively block almost all ambient sound when ANC is turned on. This results in an extremely enjoyable listening experience. They have a natural sound signature that is a bit on the treble side, which some may feel is lacking in bass response (we had better results using the Bass Booster Equalizer preset). However, you can easily solve this issue using the Soundcore app, since there's an eight-band equalizer to allow you to tweak.

The left earcup features the power button as well as a pairing button and USB-C charging port. The right earcup has buttons for play/pause, volume control and volume up/down. Double-clicking these controls lets you to skip tracks or replay previous ones. You can also make use of voice commands to ask them to change modes or set alarms. The right earcup can also be covered with your hand to enable ambient mode, so you can be aware of what is happening around you without removing the headphones.

The battery life of these headphones is great, too. The Q30 lasts for an hour longer in our tests when ANC was switched on than its rivals. This allows you to take advantage of the long flight, or a busy day at work. The USB-C cord included in the kit allows you to quickly charge them. You'll also get a warning when the battery is nearing empty.

Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal's Bathys wireless headphones music; her explanation, are a set of premium over-ear headphones that feature active noise cancellation and Bluetooth playback. These headphones are designed to be premium, high-end headphones that can be used at home or while on the move. The headphones are a more expensive than other headphones, but their superior sound is the reason they stand out.

The Focal Bathys are packed in a compact attractive white box with a cloth finish. It includes everything you'll need. You can also get a fold-flat carry case for the headphones as well as a USB-C to USB C cable, 1.2mmSE cable and an audio converter.

They're powered by a decent 600mAh battery that can get you through a whole day of listening, and also have an audio input that can be wired for use. When connected wirelessly, they're paired via Bluetooth and you can manage their functions via an app (now named Focal and Naim, probably in the same line as their English sister brand Naim's products that are network-aware) or by pressing the button that's on the left earcup that allows you to switch between ANC profiles like'silent','soft' 'transparent' and 'full'.

Utilizing the app, you are able to alter various settings such as the LED brightness as well as EQ presets that include a "music profile' that sounds more neutral and brighter than other presets and their battery life. You can also select the ANC level and mode as well as select an 'acoustic environment setting to alter the sensitivity in order to simulate the sound of headphones in a different room.

The Focal Bathys come with an incredibly bass-rich sound that adds more punch and warmth to your favourite tracks. This means that vocals and instruments are nudged back into the mix, and can sound veiled while details like cymbals are not as prominent as you might expect on some other headphones. The headphones are also less effective at active noise cancellation, compared to other headphones that feature higher-end technology, like the Sony WH1000XM5 or Apple AirPods Max.

Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony has a stellar reputation for its headphones and the WH-1000XM5 is no exception. It sits at the upper end of the mainstream over-ear headphone market, edging into the luxury lifestyle category where brands like Bang & Olufsen, Apple and Montblanc hang out. This means the XM5s have a premium cost, but if you can afford it, there are more superior wireless over-ear headphones on the market.

The XM5s come with a variety of features that make life easier for the listener, and also automate tasks that they would need to perform manually. Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine (which upscales music compressed to near hi-res), as well as bluetooth headphone's LDAC Technology are both included. This allows for streaming of high-quality audio with bitrates that are higher than standard bluetooth headphones range. There's even a built-in microphone that can be used for making calls hands-free.

The XM5 headphones aren't different from the previous generation headphones from WH in terms of noise cancellation. These headphones are among the top in reducing the continuous drones that can be heard in subway and train carriages. The XM5s do an excellent job isolating listeners from the noise of busy streets and airports also.

The sound quality is also top-quality. The XM5s aren't as precise in the lower frequencies as the XM4, but there's a greater sense of clarity and realism as well. For instance the bass work on Rage Against the Machine's Bullet in the Head flexes the Sonys' muscles with real power and definition, without reducing the other elements. Similar to Massive Attack's brooding Angel showcases the XM5's' ability to deliver precise and precise bass notes.

Battery life is great, with up to 30 hours of listening time when ANC is in use and up to 40 hours when it's off. That's more than enough to last for a weekend getaway or a few days of heavy usage.

The XM5s aren't dust or water resistant. In fact, Sony recommends that you avoid sweating on them or wear them out in the rain. This might not be a major issue for the majority of people however for those who spend a lot of time in the gym or live in a rainy area, it could be a big issue.

Apple AirPods Max

The Apple AirPods Max are a pair of wireless headphones that fit over the ear with bluetooth headphones range technology and noise cancellation. Apple created dynamic drivers that measure 40mm with a neutral audio profile that emphasizes mids and highs without going too loud. They are great for movies and music. They also provide superior fidelity when compared to other headphones.

The headphones are lightweight and feel comfortable on the head. The ear cups are made out of memory foam that is covered in weaved fabric. They fit comfortably on the ears without placing pressure on the sides of the face. The ear cups can also be tilted and rotated to accommodate different head shapes. The spring-loaded hinges provide an incredibly firm, yet not too strong clamping force that makes sure the ear cups remain in place throughout listening sessions.

Switch on noise cancellation by pressing a small button on the top of the right earcup. There's also a button that can be pushed, like a jog-dial, similar to the digital crown on the Apple Watch, that you can twist for volume control and press it once, twice or thrice to control playback. Pressing and holding the button invokes Siri. The buttons are easy to use and well-placed, however I would have liked to see an option to power off or shut off the headphones when in use. The headphones go into standby when removed from your ears, or when they are put in their case. They come back into use when you place them over your head.

Spatial audio is a cool feature. It utilizes accelerometers, gyroscopes, and iPads or iPhones to determine where you're moving. Then, it repositions the sounds to make them appear to originate from the location you are in. This creates an immersive theater experience for movies and videos made in 5.1, 7.1 or Dolby Atmos. The only downside is that spatial audio requires an iOS device to be used, and you won't be able to experience it on other devices.