Comprehensive List Of Best Wireless Over Ear Headset Dos And Don'ts

The Best Wireless Over Ear Headset

Over-ear headphones are able to completely block out external noise. Choose headphones that feature active noise cancellation as well as a battery that can last at 20 hours when audio playing.

The Sennheiser Momentum 4s come with excellent ANC, a convenient app, and easy-to-use on-ear controls. The default sound profile provides thump and punch, but instruments and vocals can be nudged into the background.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The Sony WH-1000XM5 is a great pair of headphones for those who enjoy music and want the most efficient wireless headset. They are light and have a soft carrying bag and can be folded flat to fit in your bag. The controls are easy to use and intuitive and their battery lasts an impressive 30 hours with ANC switched off. They even include an auto-pause feature that will turn off your headphones when they're removed from your head to conserve battery.

The WH-1000XM5 can be used 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 also be used to track your location and tailor the sound quality of your surroundings. They also come with a built-in microphone for making calls hands-free. The Sony WH1000XM5 is able to play music wirelessly through Bluetooth or wired via the cable included. They include aptX codecs and aptX HD codecs, and adaptive codecs to play high-quality audio through Bluetooth.

The WH-1000XM5 has the same headband and ear cups to the XM4 but is lighter and more comfortable. These headphones are comfortable to wear and can be worn for extended periods of time. They are also ideal for long commutes and flights. They have good noise canceling performance that eliminates most background noise, but without sacrificing clarity and clarity. The Sony WH1000XM5 headphones feature an excellent amount of bass, especially for closed-back headphones. They also offer excellent soundstages and clear separation between instruments and vocals.

The low latency is a major benefit. The lag is low enough that it's almost invisible and they are able to be used for casual gaming. They're not the ideal choice for video games that compete and are best for those who will be using them for media consumption or to make calls that are hands-free.

Sony is committed to incorporating intelligent features into its products and the WH1000XM5 is no exception. The active noise cancellation is among the best I've heard and they come with a range of smart functions that improve the overall listening experience. They also include Sony's DSEE Extreme engine which upscales compressed music to near high-res quality. They're compatible with Sony's LDAC technology, which streams music with higher quality over Bluetooth.

2. Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

Since the release of the first-generation PX7 in 2015, Bowers & Wilkins' flagship headphones have often been featured on the top lists of wireless headsets and putting them in the same bracket as the likes Sony WH-1000XM5 as well as Bose QuietComfort. The PX7 S2 is the latest version that takes the original headphones to the next level, with improved ANC performance and a fresh look.

The bio-cellulose drivers of 40mm in the earcups have been angled so they are aimed directly at your eardrums. This provides an experience with more intimacy unlike other closed-back headphones. The PX7 S2 does not disappoint in this claim with a fervent zeal. The vocals are clear, and the bass is deep when needed.

The PX7 S2 is also very excellent at making calls. It provides crisp clean, clear sound that will not overpower your voice. The PX7 S2 is also able to provide rapid charging, which can get you back to full capacity in less than two hours. They're also compatible with high-resolution music due to the aptX adaptive Bluetooth codesc that allow the playback of 24-bit audio.

For most listeners, though the most important change is the enhanced noise-canceling and audio quality. In our tests, the PX7 S2 eliminated nearly all of our simulated aircraft cabin noise with impressive efficiency and also performed well when we performed Mozart's Et In Carnatus Est and Sanctus from his Grosse Messe, demonstrating excellent insight into the shifting dynamics between the solo voice, the wind trio, and orchestral accompaniment.

The PX7 S2s are not only noise-canceling, but they also have a variety of other features that make them comparable to other top-rated headphones. They are fully wireless and feature Bluetooth multipoint support, meaning that you can pair with two devices simultaneously. They also come with built-in microphones that allows hands-free calls while using your phone's assistant. They're also incredibly robust, with a premium feel and robustly-constructed construction that can last for years of regular usage.

Of course they're not perfect. The clamp force of the models we tested were a bit more than we'd like and they didn't have as many app features as other options. However, these aren't major complaints. The PX7 S2s are a fantastic wireless headphone that rivals the best in their class, and it's difficult to imagine them being beaten by any other rival.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

For audiophiles who prize high-fidelity and are searching for a top-quality wireless noise cancelling headset, the Focal Bathys are difficult to beat. They're the French audio company's first ANC headphones that utilize Bluetooth and provide incredible sound quality both in Bluetooth mode and when connected to a device via USB for true hi-fi listening at up to 24 bits/192kHz (the headset is also capable of passively blocking external sound with its closed ear cups).

The Bathys are stunning with their glossy finishes and swooping curvatures that like Focal's closed-back Celestee and wireless over ear headphones open-back Elear headphones. The Bathys are made from premium materials like magnesium and aluminum, which makes them feel solid, comfortable, and well worth the cost.

In Bluetooth mode when Bluetooth is enabled, the Bathys deliver a crisp and lively sound signature that easily surpasses similarly priced consumer ANC alternatives like the Bose QC45. Direct DAC audio mode allows them to be pushed further and makes them an excellent choice for true hifi enthusiasts.

Using the Focal and Naim application users can alter the playback controls of their headphones as well as the virtual assistant and Bluetooth pairing preferences. The app lets users choose between quiet and soft intensities for ANC. They can also adjust the brightness of LEDs on the earcups of the headphones, and tweak EQ settings. The app is fairly bare-bones but offers enough functionality to make it worthwhile.

The only issue is the active noise cancellation, which doesn't measure in the same way as the other models. The headphone doesn't block out all of the ambient noise as the most rated XM5 or AirPods Max, and its treble accuracy is subpar, with a muddy mid - to high-end that can be distracting from the instruments and vocals.

The Focal Bathys headphones aren't very transportable. Their ear cups don't fold up and they weigh a bit heavier than other models, meaning that they're not suitable for travel. The Bathys should be used at home for long listening sessions or as a reference headset for sound engineering. Despite their size and bulk they Bathys are actually comfortable to wear for long durations of time.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

The Sony WH-CH720N are a good pair of wireless over ear headphones for the price. They feature a great noise-cancelling system that is capable of blocking out ambient noise, making them perfect for commuters and travellers. Their matte finish and durable construction gives them a hint of premium quality.

They are similar in design as Sony's more recent 1000X and XB910N headphones. They feature a slim plastic headband that has the typical hinges for the earcups. They're light and comfortable, however they are a little too tight for my taste. They come with a USB-C charge port, 3.5mm jack and a decent-length cable included in the box. They allow multipoint Bluetooth pairing, meaning you can connect to two devices at once If you want to.

In my tests the CH720N's hybrid technology for noise cancellation did a great job at reducing ambient noise. There were only a few glitches while walking around Waterloo Station and London Victoria. The sound-silencers didn't zap all sounds around them however they struggled with lower frequencies sounds, such as the rumbling engine sound of trains and buses.

The CH720N's Bluetooth connection was smooth and displayed a minimal harmonic distortion. I tried a range of different genres and found they could handle the intricate interplay between instruments very well. It did a fantastic job of controlling the bass in rock tracks, and keeping the mix focused.

I like the possibility of adjusting the Sony Headphones Connect app to customize the CH720N's ANC and multipoint connectivity settings to your liking and also add a range 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 lacks a few of Sony's primetime features when compared to the XM5 (such as Speak-to -Chat and Quick Attention) they do come with a robust set of features available for PS130. You can access 360 Reality Audio and a variety of smart controls as well as the aforementioned DSEE upscaling feature. The only thing that is missing is LDAC Bluetooth High-Res Audio Support which I believe would have been a great inclusion.