The Best Wireless Over Ear Headset
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds completely enclose your ears and can block out environmental sound. Choose headphones that feature active noise cancellation and batteries that can last for at least 20 hours with audio playing.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4s come with an outstanding ANC feature, a simple control for the ear, and an app that is easy to use. The default sound profile offers the sound of a thump and a punch, however vocals and instruments can be moved to the background.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is an excellent pair of headphones for people who enjoy music and want the best wireless headset. They're lightweight with a soft carrying case that folds flat to make it easy to store in your bag. The touch controls are intuitive and easy to use and the battery can last for 30 hours with no ANC. They even include an auto-pause feature that turns off your headphones once they are removed from your head in order to save battery.
The WH-1000XM5 are compatible with Sony's Headphones Connect app which offers an extensive array of features and can be used to tailor your audio experience. The app can be used to monitor your location and adapt the sound quality of your environment. The microphone can also be included for hands-free phone calls. The Sony WH-1000XM5 are compatible to play music via Bluetooth or with a wired connection using the cable included. They include aptX codecs and aptX HD codecs as well as adaptive codecs that provide high-quality audio over Bluetooth.
Similar to the XM4 The WH-1000XM5 is lightweight and comfortable, with a well-padded headbands and ear cups. They're comfortable to wear for long periods of time and are comfortable enough for commutes as well as longer flights. They offer excellent noise cancellation performance that block out the majority of background noise while maintaining clarity and clarity. The Sony WH1000XM5 headphones feature a good amount of bass, especially for closed-back headphones. They also offer excellent soundstages and clear separation between instruments and vocals.
They have a very low latency for watching videos, which is a plus. The lag is so tiny that it's almost imperceptible and they can be used to play casual games. They're not the ideal choice for competitive video games though and are ideal for those who intend to use them for media consumption or for making hands-free phone calls.
Sony is committed to incorporating intelligent features into its products, and the WH1000XM5 is no different. The active noise cancellation feature was one of the best that I've ever used, and they come with an array of intelligent features that can enhance your listening experience. They also come with Sony's DSEE Extreme engine which upscales compressed music to near hi-res quality. They're compatible with Sony's LDAC technology which streams music with higher quality via Bluetooth.
2. Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
Since the introduction of its first-generation PX7 in 2015, Bowers & Wilkins' flagship headphones have often been included on top lists of wireless headsets and putting them in the same class as the likes of Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose's QuietComfort. The latest model, the PX7 S2, is an upgrade that takes the initial headphones to the next level with improved ANC performance and a refreshed design.
In the earcups, 40mm bio cellulose drivers are bent to point straight at your eardrums, delivering an audio experience that's more intimate than other closed-back headphones can manage. The PX7 S2 is a perfect example of this bold claim. Vocals cut through clearly, and bass is a deep and rumbly when it needs to be.
The PX7 S2 also performs very well in voice calls, and has a clear and crisp audio that doesn't overpower your own voice. The PX7 S2 also comes with a quick charge, which will allow you to return fully charged in just two hours. They're also compatible with high-resolution music thanks to the aptX adaptive Bluetooth codesc, which allows them to play audio with 24-bit quality.
The noise-canceling technology and improved audio performance are among the most important upgrades for most 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.
As well as In addition to improved ANC Alongside improved ANC, as well as improved ANC, PX7 S2s include a range of other features that make them comparable with other top-rated noise cancelling headphones. They're fully wireless, with Bluetooth multipoint connectivity, which means you can connect two devices at once They also come with a built-in microphone that supports hands-free calling with 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.
They're not perfect, of course. The clamp force on our test models was a little tighter than we'd prefer, and there aren't as many extra features on the app as other options, but they aren't major complaints. The PX7 S2s are a superb wireless headphone that is among the best in their class, and it's difficult to imagine them being defeated by any other rival.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal Bathys is the ideal option for audiophiles who value high-fidelity and are in search of a wireless noise-canceling headphone. over-ear wireless headphones were the first ANC headphones from an French audio manufacturer to utilize Bluetooth. They deliver amazing sound quality both in Bluetooth mode and when connected via USB to a device for true hi-fi listening with a maximum of 24-bit/192kHz.
The Bathys are stunning with their glossy finish and swooping curvatures like Focal's closed-back Celestee and open-back Elear headphones. The Bathys are made from premium materials like magnesium and aluminum that make them feel durable, comfortable, and well worth the cost.
The Bathys Bluetooth headphones offer a crisp, lively sound quality. They are able to outperform consumer ANC devices of similar price like the Sony XM5/5 and Bose QC45. They can be pushed even further by using direct DAC audio mode which makes them an excellent choice for true hi-fi listeners.
With the Focal and Naim app users can change their headphone's playback controls, virtual assistant, and Bluetooth pairing preferences. You can select between quiet or soft intensities for ANC as well as alter the brightness of LEDs on the ear cups, and adjust the settings for EQ. The app is fairly bare-bones but offers enough functionality to make it worthwhile.
The only significant flaw is that the active noise cancellation doesn't perform as well as the competition. The headphone doesn't eliminate all background noise as effectively as the top-rated XM5 and AirPods Max. Its treble accuracy is also lacking, with a muddy mid-to-high range that obstructs the instruments and vocals.
The Focal Bathys headphones aren't the most portable. Their earcups don't fold up and they weigh a bit heavier than the competition, meaning that they're not ideal for traveling. They're ideal for in a home setting where they can be used for lengthy listening sessions or as an audio reference headphone for engineering purposes. The Bathys are comfortable to wear for long periods of time, despite their size and bulk.
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 great and helps to cut down on ambient noise. They are great for commuters and travelers. They also add a nice design that reflects premium quality, thanks to their robust construction and attractive matte finish.
They follow a similar design as Sony's more recent 1000X and XB910N headphones. They have a slim headband with the usual ear cup hinges and a solid plastic construction. They are light and comfortable, however they're a bit compressed for me. They have a USB-C charging port, 3.5mm jack and a decent-length cable included in the box. They are compatible with multipoint Bluetooth pairing, which means that you can connect them to two devices at once If you want to.
In my tests the CH720N's hybrid technology for noise cancellation did a fantastic job at reducing ambient noise. There were only a few small blips while walking through Waterloo Station and London Victoria. These weren't magical sound-silencers which blocked out every sound however, and they struggled with lower-frequency sounds like the rumbling engine noises of trains and buses.
Streaming music over the CH720N's Bluetooth connection was smooth, and it displayed a low level of harmonic distortion. I tested a range of genres and found they could handle the intricate interplay between instruments with ease. It did an excellent job of reducing the bass in rock tracks and keeping the mix focused.
I like the ability to adjust the Sony Headphones Connect app to customize the CH720N's ANC and multipoint connectivity settings to your preference and include a variety of audio presets. You can also use the app to activate DSEE which boosts the quality of compressed content and improves its sound quality.
While the WH-CH720N does not have some of Sony's primetime functions compared to the XM5 (such as Speak-to -Chat and Quick Attention) they do offer a solid feature set for PS130. 360 Reality Audio, smart controls, and DSEE upscaling are all present. The only thing that's missing is LDAC Bluetooth high-res audio support I believe it would have been a welcomed inclusion.