Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Roundup

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

Sony's WH-1000XM5s are an excellent pair of Bluetooth headphones that tick all the boxes, including class-leading sound quality and noise cancellation, a sleek design and top-notch comfort. They even support the lossless LDAC hi-res codec for high-quality audio playback.

Sound Quality

If you're a fan of big, full-size wireless headphones that rest over your ears and are connected by the headband to block out and amplify audio there's a wide range of choices. In our roundup of the best over-ear Bluetooth headphones, you'll find UC-certified headsets specifically designed to work with communications platforms like 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 favorites is the Sony WH-1000XM5 pair, which improve on their multi-award-winning predecessor in the shape of slimmer design and more refined noise cancellation. The headphones can be used for up to 37 hours on a single charge. They can also be charged fast to extend the battery life by 8 hours in only 15 minutes. They come with a lively balanced sound profile, and can be used with the lossless Sony LDAC hi-res codec so you can stream music in stunning high-definition.

The headphones have a luscious and twitchy sound, with distinct bass and mids. You can also alter the sound signature using the headphones mobile app, adding more emphasis to bass and treble for your personal preferences. In our tests, they were extremely precise and over the ear apple headphones clear with orchestral and vocal music playing in stunning clarity.

One of our top-rated over-ear Bluetooth headphones is the Logitech G HUB Wireless Headphones, which have an excellently balanced sound straight out of the box and offer clear audio. The sound is smooth and has a lot of low-bass that helps to emphasize the sound effects and music from games. They work with Logitech HUB software, which comes with an equalizer for graphics and presets for customizing the sound.

If you are willing to pay a little more then the Bowers & Wilkins premium Danish-made Px7S2 headphones are a top Bluetooth over-ear headphone. They're a little more expensive than the Sonys but they look and sound like a premium pair, with a sturdy aluminium casing and lambskin leather earcups stuffed with memory foam. The headphones are comfortable to wear and they support the audio codecs aptX and SBC audio codes. This allows you to listen to high-quality wireless music. They're well-crafted, too and have a chic elegant design that is suitable for any taste.

Noise Cancellation

Noise cancellation is a feature that's important if you want to block out all noise so you can focus on your music or podcasts. Wireless headphones with noise cancelling capabilities generally feature ear cups that seal tightly over your ears to block out any ambient sound and help you focus on your audio. Most over ear sports headphones-ear headphones use active noise cancellation (ANC) to reduce the background noise, which works by analyzing the surrounding environment and generating an opposing sound to block out the background noise. They aren't able to make your surroundings peaceful, but they will reduce the sound of train engines and other ambient noises.

ANC usually uses tiny microphones to listen for ambient sound, which is then compared with the original audio you're listening to. The small differences between the two sounds are then used to create a sound that's equal and opposite. This is then fed into your ear cups and effectively blocks out the ambient noise. The best headphones that cancel out noise can be adjusted via apps or a specific hardware control. This allows you to select a certain level of noise cancellation to suit the environment you're in.

Most of the headphones we test have many other features that go beyond the ability to control ANC. A majority of the headphones come with a microphone that allows hands-free calling and can be used with voice assistants like Siri and Alexa. Some models have built-in speakers to allow audio streaming.

Noise cancellation has significantly improved in the last few years. For instance, Focal has thrown itself into the top wireless ANC headphone space with its Bathys that we love for their superb comfort, slick features and stunning sound quality. They're able to cut down background noise by as much as 30dB. You can control the ANC levels from an app and set three 'favorite' settings that are switchable using a physical button on the left earcup.

While the sound quality of headphones is an important factor noise cancellation should be at the top of your list when you are looking for a new pair of headphones. The most popular ANC headphones are costly however they're worth it due to their build quality and battery life. The Sony WF1000XM5s is our top pick for those on a budget. They offer great noise cancellation and excellent audio quality for a low price.

Battery Life

Wireless headphones should last for as long as they are able to. They drain both their own batteries and that of the audio device playing music. Therefore, it's crucial to select headphones with enough storage in case you run out of battery or power. Many brands offer headphone models that have a large amount of storage. Some even incorporate solar power to allow them to be charged automatically even when you're not using them.

Over-ear headphones are typically larger and cover more of your ears. They can have larger batteries that allow for longer playtimes and advanced features. They are also more noise-cancelling because their larger size creates a better seal against the surrounding environment.

The top brand Bang & Olufsen makes some of the most premium headphones for over the ear apple headphones-ear use, with its flagship H95 wireless headphones offering a soaring listening experience. They have a luxurious design that features aluminum detailing and Nappa Leather, making them the perfect choice for audiophiles who want to listen for hours on end.

Anker Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro headphones are less expensive and feature a battery lifespan of 65 hours without ANC and 50 hours with it. This is way ahead of the other models and is a testament to the headphones' outstanding build quality, which includes an incredibly comfortable fit and a sturdy headband that can take the punishment.

Another budget-friendly option is the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless headphones, which can be used for up to 44 hours with ANC activated and have an active noise cancellation system that's extremely efficient in blocking out background sounds. The headphones' sound is decent, with a V-shaped profile that has plenty of bass and lights up vocals and instruments for a balanced profile that is easy to tweak using the companion app's graphic EQ and presets.

The Sony WF1000XM5 wireless headphones aren't cheap but at less than $100, they have excellent isolation, foam ear tips, and noise cancellation that's solid, if it isn't the most advanced on this list. The headphones also support Bluetooth 5.3 and the latest LDAC codec, which allows for high-resolution audio. They can be charged via the included cord or via USB.

Portability

The amount of space that a pair of headphones occupy once folded into their most compact format is a crucial aspect of their portability. The smaller the size of the fold-down format, the more easily you can fit them into bags or backpacks for use on the go without the risk of them getting stuck in the way.

If you're looking for a simple wireless headphone that has plenty of features that can be used for everyday listening The Audio-Technica M50xBT is a great option. They're light, fold up neatly and offer up to an impressive 44 hours of playback and are extremely compact. They also support multi-device pairing, and offer a fantastic microphone for phone calls.

If you're going to use your headphones for calls that are hands-free, the Audio-Technica ATH-S200BT are a better option as they are more comfortable and offer an impressive 50 hours of playback. They also come with an elongable cable that can be retracted for wired use and come with a tough hard case.

The Sony WF–C700N, a five-star performer that's one of the most popular models among What Hi-Fi?'s staff, and the JBL Live Pro 2 are two other top-rated over-ear wireless headphones. Both headphones cost around $100 / PS100 / $150 and come with active noise cancellation, however they're not as high-quality as our top suggestions.

For something more upscale for a more luxurious experience, the Focal Bathys Wireless are a top pair of headphones that offer impressive sound quality for their price. They feature an angled sound profile that has plenty of bass to compliment EDM, hip-hop and rock. Vocals and over the ear apple Headphones instruments sound bright, and you can adjust the sound to your preference with their accompanying app's graphic EQ and presets. They also support aptX Adaptive codec to provide high-res streaming and an optional USB-DAC mode that allows wired listening.

Take a look at the Sony WH1000XM5, which is not only more expensive, but also worthy of our five-star seal. They're not inexpensive, but they do have an amazing battery life and superb noise cancellation that allows you to listen for long periods of time without worrying about having to recharge or run out of battery.