The Best Wireless Over Ear Headset
Unlike earbuds, over-ear headphones completely cover your ears and block out ambient sound. Look for headphones that have active noise cancellation and batteries that last at least 20 hours.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4s feature amazing ANC, a convenient app, and easy-to-use on-ear controls. Its default sound profile delivers the sound of a thump and a punch, however vocals and instruments can be nudged into the background.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony's WH1000XM5 are a fantastic pair of headphones for music lovers who want to use the most wireless over-ear headset. The headphones are light, have a soft carrying bag and fold flat to fit inside your bag. Their touch controls are simple to use and easy to navigate. their battery lasts for 30 hours with ANC switched off. They even include an auto-pause feature that shuts off your headphones when they're removed from your head in order to save battery.
The WH1000XM5 is compatible with Sony Headphones Connect, which offers a variety of features that can be used to personalize the audio experience. The app can also be used to track your location and adapt ambient sound features to the environment you are in. They also come with a built-in microphone for making calls hands-free. The Sony WH1000XM5 can be used to play music using Bluetooth or wired connections using the cable included. They are compatible with aptX codecs, aptX HD codecs and aptX adaptive codecs that provide high-quality audio via Bluetooth.
Similar to the XM4, the WH1000XM5 is light and comfortable with well-padded headbands and ear cups. They're comfortable to wear for long periods and are comfortable enough for commutes and longer flights. They are noise cancelling headphones that reduce background noise without compromising clarity or clarity. The Sony WH1000XM5 headphones offer plenty of bass, particularly for closed-back headphones. They also have a great soundstage and a clear separation between instruments and vocals.
They have a low latency for watching videos, which is a plus. The lag is so minimal that it's barely noticeable, and they can also be used to play casual games. They're not the best choice for competitive video games though and are a good choice for people who will be using them for media consumption and for making calls using hands-free technology.
Sony is committed to infusing smart features into their products, and the WH-1000XM5 is not an exception. The active noise cancellation is one of the best I've tried and they include a whole set of smart functions to enhance the overall listening experience. They also have Sony's DSEE Extreme engine which upscales compressed music to near hi-res quality. They're also compatible with Sony's own LDAC technology that streams higher-bitrate audio over Bluetooth (although not as high-quality as the headphone DAC that's dedicated).
2. Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
Bowers & Wilkins flagship headphones that are the PX7 S2, have consistently appeared on top wireless headset lists since the introduction of the first generation PX7 in 2015. They are in the same class as Sony WH1000XM5 or Bose's 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.
In the earcups, the 40mm bio cellulose drivers are bent to point straight at your eardrums, delivering an audio experience that is more intimate than other closed-back headphones can manage. The PX7 S2 is a perfect example of this claim with a fervent zeal. The vocals are clear and the bass is deep when needed.
The PX7 S2 is also very good at voice calls. It provides crisp and clear sound that does not drown out your voice. They also offer a quick charge that allows you to return to full power in less than two hours. Furthermore, they're compatible with high-resolution audio, due to an adaptive Bluetooth codec that enables them to play 24-bit music.
The noise-canceling technology and improved audio performance are among the most important upgrades for the majority of listeners. In our tests we were able remove nearly all simulations of aircraft noises using the PX7 S2. They also performed well in Mozart's Et In Carnatus Est and Sanctus which offer excellent insight into the changing dynamics between the solo vocalist, the wind trio and orchestral accompaniment.
The PX7 S2s aren't just noise-cancelling, but they come with a range of other features that make them highly competitive with other top-rated headphones. They're wireless and have Bluetooth multipoint connectivity, which means you can pair them with two devices simultaneously and also have a built-in microphone that allows hands-free calling 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 100% perfect. The clamp force we used on our test models was a bit more pronounced than we'd like, and there aren't as numerous additional features in the app as other options, but they aren't major issues. The PX7 S2s are an excellent wireless headphone that rivals the top of their class, and it's hard to imagine them being defeated by any other competitor.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
For audiophiles who value high-quality sound and are looking for a top-quality wireless noise cancelling headset The Focal Bathys are hard to beat. They're the French audio company's very first ANC headphones to use Bluetooth and offer amazing sound quality both in Bluetooth mode and when connected to a device via USB for hi-fi audio with a maximum of 24-bit/192kHz (the headset is also capable of blocking external sound with its closed ear cups).
The Bathys are gorgeous with their sleek black finish and swooping curves similar to Focal's premium open-back Elear and closed-back Celestee headphones. The Bathys are made from premium materials such as aluminum and magnesium, which make them feel sturdy and comfortable. They are also worth the cost.
In Bluetooth mode in Bluetooth mode, the Bathys deliver a crisp and lively sound quality that easily surpasses similarly priced consumer ANC options such as the Sony XM5/5 or Bose QC45. Direct DAC audio mode allows them to be pushed further, making them a great option for true hifi listeners.
Using the Focal and Naim app users can alter the playback controls of their headphones, virtual assistant, and Bluetooth pairing preferences. Users can choose between soft or silent intensities for ANC as well as set the brightness of the LEDs on the ear cups, and tweak settings for EQ. The app is fairly bare-bones but it has enough features to warrant its purchase.
The most notable flaw is that the active noise cancellation doesn't quite perform as well as the competition. The headphone doesn't cut out all ambient noise like the top-rated XM5 or AirPods Max, and its Treble accuracy is subpar with a muddy mid - to high frequency that impedes the instruments and vocals.
The Focal Bathys aren't the most portable headphones. Their earcups don't fold up and they weigh a bit more than the competition, meaning that they're not suitable for traveling. They're more suited to an environment at home where they can be used for extended listening sessions or as an audio reference headphone for engineering purposes. Despite their size and weight they are Bathys are surprisingly comfortable to wear for long durations of time.
4. Sony WH-CH720N
The Sony WHCH720N is a great pair of wireless over ear headsets at a reasonable price. The noise-cancelling technology is great and helps to cut down on ambient noise. They are great for those who commute or travel. They also add an attractive touch of premium quality with their durable construction and attractive matte finish.
They are similar to Sony's 1000X and XB910N earphone models. They feature a slim headband with the standard earcup hinges and a sturdy plastic construction. They're light and comfortable to wear, although they feel a little too compressed for my liking. In the box, they include a USB-C port for charging and an 3.5mm connector, and a decent length cable. They allow multipoint Bluetooth pairing, which means you can connect to two devices at once, if you wish.
In my tests the CH720N's hybrid tech for noise cancellation did a fantastic job of reducing ambient sound. There were only a few noticeable small blips while walking through Waterloo Station and London Victoria. They weren't magic sound-silencers that zapped every single nearby sound however, and they struggled with lower frequency sounds like the rumbling engine noise 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 were able to handle the intricate interplay between instruments well. It did a fantastic job of taming bass in rock tracks, and keeping the mix focused.
I love the fact that you can adjust the Sony Headphones Connect app to customize the CH720N's ANC and multipoint connectivity settings to your preference and also add a variety of audio presets. You can also use the app to activate DSEE, which upsacles compressed content and enhances its sound quality.
While black beats wireless headphones -CH720N lacks a few of Sony's primetime features compared to the XM5 (such as Speak-to-Chat and Quick Attention) they do come with a robust set of features available for PS130. 360 Reality Audio, smart controls and DSEE upscaling feature are all included. The only thing not available is LDAC Bluetooth High-Res Audio Support which I believe would have been a welcome inclusion.