The Best Wireless Over Ear Headset
Over-ear headphones can completely block out outside noise. Look for headphones with active noise cancellation and a battery that can last at least 20 hours with audio playing.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4s feature amazing ANC as well as a handy app, and easy on-ear controls. Its default sound profile delivers the sound of a thump and a punch, however instruments and vocals can be moved into the background.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is a great pair of headphones for people who love music and need the most efficient wireless headset. They're light and comfortable with a carrying case that folds flat for easy storage in your bag. The controls are easy to use and intuitive and their battery can last for 30 hours with ANC shut off. The headphones come with an automatic pause feature that shuts them off when you take them from your head. This helps to conserve battery.
The WH-1000XM5 is compatible with Sony's Headphones Connect app which offers an extensive array of features and can be used to personalize your audio experience. The app can also be used to track your location and adapt the sound quality of your environment. They also have an inbuilt microphone that can be used to make calls without hands. The Sony WH1000XM5 can be used to play music using Bluetooth or an electrical connection via the cable included. They support aptX, aptX HD and aptX Adaptive codecs to deliver high quality audio over Bluetooth.
The WH-1000XM5 has the same headband and earcups as the XM4 but is more lightweight and comfortable. These headphones are comfortable to wear and can be worn for extended periods of time. They are also ideal for longer flights and commutes. They offer excellent noise cancellation performance that eliminates most background noise without compromising on clarity and detail. The Sony WH-1000XM5 offer a decent amount of bass for closed-back headphones. They have a superb soundstage that has the clear separation of instruments and vocals.
They have a low latency for watching videos, which is a plus. The lag is low enough that it's almost invisible and they are able to be used for casual games. They're not the best choice for video games that compete and are a good choice for people who will be using them for media consumption and for making hands-free phone calls.
Sony is committed to incorporating intelligent features into its products and the WH1000XM5 model is no different. The active noise cancellation feature was one of the best I've used and they have an array of clever features that will enhance your listening experience. They also come with Sony's DSEE Extreme engine which upscales compressed music to near hi-res quality. They also work with Sony's own LDAC technology, which streams higher-bitrate audio over Bluetooth (although not as hi-res as an DAC for headphones that is dedicated to headphone use).
2. Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
Bowers & Wilkins flagship headphones which is the PX7 S2, have consistently appeared on the top lists of wireless headsets since the release of the first generation PX7 in the year 2015. This puts them in the same category as Sony WH1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort. The newest model, called the PX7 S2, is an upgrade that takes the initial headphones to a new level, with better ANC performance and a refreshed design.
In the earcups, 40mm bio cellulose drivers are angled to point straight at your eardrums in order to provide an audio experience that is more intimate than most closed-back headphones can manage. The PX7 S2 does not disappoint in this claim with a fervent zeal. Vocals are clear and clear, and bass is a deep and rumbly when it's needed to be.
The PX7 S2 also performs very well when it comes to voice calls, with crisp and clear sound that doesn't drown out your own voice. They also provide a fast charge that allows you to return to full power in less than two hours, and they're compatible with hi-res audio thanks to an aptX adaptive Bluetooth codec that allows them to play music with 24-bit resolution.
The noise-canceling technology as well as improved audio performance are among the most important improvements for the majority of listeners. In our tests, the PX7 S2 eliminated nearly all of our simulations of cabin noise with astonishing 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 dynamic shifts between the solo voice, the wind trio and orchestral accompaniment.
The PX7 S2s aren't just noise-cancelling, but they include a variety of features that make them comparable to other top-rated headphones. They're fully wireless, with Bluetooth multipoint connectivity, which means you can pair them with two devices simultaneously, and they include a built-in microphone which supports hands-free calling with your phone's assistant. good wireless over ear headphones , with a premium-feeling and robustly-constructed construction that can last for years of regular use.
Of course they're not the perfect models. The clamp force of our test models were slightly higher than we'd like, and they didn't have as many app features as the other options. But these are minor issues. The PX7 S2s is an excellent wireless headset that is able to compete with other competitors in its class. It's hard to imagine a competitor to match them.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
For audiophiles who appreciate high fidelity and are looking for an exceptional wireless noise-canceling headset The Focal Bathys are difficult to beat. The Focal Bathys are the very first ANC headphones made by an French audio company that utilizes Bluetooth. They offer amazing sound quality both in Bluetooth mode and when connected via USB to a device that supports true hi-fi audio at up to 24 bit/192kHz.
The Bathys are stunning, with their glossy finish and swooping curvatures that reminiscent Focal's closed-back Celestee and open-back Elear headphones. They also feature premium materials like magnesium and aluminum to create solid construction that is comfortable, solid, and worth the price.
In Bluetooth mode in Bluetooth mode, the Bathys offer a clear and lively sound quality that easily surpasses similarly priced consumer ANC options such as the Sony XM5/5 or Bose QC45. They can be improved further by using direct DAC audio mode, making them an excellent choice for those who love hi-fi.
Using the Focal & Naim app, users can adjust the playback controls of their headphones, virtual assistant, and Bluetooth pairing preferences. You can select between quiet or soft intensities for ANC, set the brightness of the LEDs on the headphone's earcups, and alter the settings for EQ. The app is not complete however it provides enough functionality to be worth the cost of downloading.
The only issue is that the active noise cancellation doesn't quite match the quality of the competitors. The headphone doesn't cut out all ambient noise like 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 sound of instruments and vocals.
The Focal Bathys headphones aren't particularly transportable. They are not suitable for travel because their ear cups don't fold and they are heavier than other headphones. They're more suited to an environment at home where they can be used for long listening sessions or as an example headphone for sound engineering purposes. Despite their size and weight, the Bathys are surprisingly comfortable to wear for long durations of time.
4. Sony WH-CH720N
The Sony WH-CH720N headphones are excellent wireless headphones that are worth the money. The noise-cancelling technology is great and can do a lot to reduce the background noise. They are ideal for those who commute or travel. Their matte finish and sturdy construction give them a touch of luxury.
They follow a similar design to Sony's more recent 1000X and XB910N headphones. They sport a slim, plastic headband that has the typical hinges on the earcups. They're lightweight and comfortable to wear, but they feel a bit too tight for my taste. They have a USB-C charging port, 3.5mm jack and a decent-length cable included in the box. They support multipoint Bluetooth which means that you can connect to two devices simultaneously when you want to.
In my tests, the CH720N's noise-cancelling technology was able to do great job of reducing ambient noise, with only two noticeable blips when walking through Waterloo station and London Victoria. The sound-silencers did not block every sound around them however, they struggled with lower frequencies sounds, such as the rumbling engine sounds of trains and buses.
The CH720N's Bluetooth connection was a breeze and displayed a low harmonic distortion. I tried a range of genres and discovered they handled the intricate interplay between instruments very well. It did a fantastic job of taming bass in rock tracks and keeping the mix focused.
The Sony Headphones Connect App allows you to customize the CH720N's multipoint connection and ANC settings to your liking. You can also choose from a range of audio presets. You can also activate DSEE through the app, which improves the quality of sound and boosts compression of audio files.
While the WH-CH720N does not have some of Sony's primetime features 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 is missing is LDAC Bluetooth High-Res Audio Support I think it would have been a welcome inclusion.