The Best Wireless Over Ear Headset
Unlike earbuds, over-ear headphones completely cover your ears and can block out ambient sound. Find headphones with active noise cancellation, and batteries that last at 20 hours or more.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4s come with an excellent ANC feature, a simple control for the ear, and an app that is easy to use. Its default sound delivers an energizing thump. However, vocals and instruments can be put in the background.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony's WH-1000XM5 headphones are a great pair of headphones for music lovers who want to enjoy the best wireless over ear headset. They are light and come with a soft carrying case and fold flat to fit inside your bag. The controls are simple and easy to use, and the battery will last for 30 hours with no ANC. The headphones have an automatic stop feature that turns them off when you remove them from your head. This helps conserve battery.
The WH1000XM5 works with Sony Headphones Connect, which includes a range of features that can be utilized to tailor the audio experience. The app can be used to monitor your location and tailor the sound quality of your environment. They also have an inbuilt microphone that can be used to make hands-free calls. The Sony WH-1000XM5 are compatible to play music using Bluetooth or an electrical connection via the included cable. They support aptX codecs, aptX HD codecs, and adaptive codecs that provide high-quality audio via Bluetooth.
The WH-1000XM5 has a similar headband and ear cups to the XM4 however it is more lightweight and comfortable. These headphones are comfortable to wear and can be worn for long periods. They are also ideal for longer flights and commutes. They have good noise canceling performance that eliminates most background noise while maintaining clarity and clarity. The Sony WH1000XM5 headphones have plenty of bass, especially for closed-back models. They also have excellent soundstages and clear separation between instruments and vocals.
The low latency is a major benefit. The lag is so tiny that it's barely noticeable and they can be used for gaming on the go. They're not the best option for video games that compete and are a good choice for people who intend to use them for media consumption or for making hands-free phone calls.
Sony is very committed to incorporating smart features into its products and the WH-1000XM5 are not an exception. The active noise cancellation is one of the best that I've used and they have a whole range of smart features to improve your listening experience. Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine upscales compressed audio to near-high-resolution quality. They're also compatible with Sony's own LDAC technology which streams higher-bitrate audio over Bluetooth (although not as high-quality as a dedicated headphone DAC).
2. Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
Bowers & Wilkins flagship headphones that are the PX7 S2 have always been on top lists of wireless headsets since the introduction of the first-generation PX7 in the year 2015. They are in the same category as Sony WH1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort. The PX7 S2 is the latest model that takes the original headphones up a notch with improved ANC performance and a refreshed look.
In the earcups, 40mm bio cellulose drivers are designed to be angled so that they point straight towards your eardrums in order to provide 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. Vocals cut through clearly, and bass is deep and rumbly when it's needed to be.
The PX7 S2 is also very adept at making voice calls. It has a clear and clear sound that does not drown out your voice. The PX7 S2 also offers an extremely fast charge that can get you back to full capacity in just two hours. They also work with hi-res music, thanks to the aptX adaptive Bluetooth codesc, which allows them to play audio with 24-bit quality.
The noise-canceling technology and the improved audio performance are 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 also performed well when we played Mozart's Et In Carnatus Est and Sanctus from his Grosse Messe, demonstrating excellent understanding of the changing dynamics between the solo voice, wind trio and orchestral accompaniment.
The PX7 S2s are not only noise-cancelling, they also include a variety of features that make them competitive with other top-rated headphones. They're completely wireless and come with Bluetooth multipoint support, so you can pair two devices simultaneously. They also have an inbuilt microphone that allows hands-free calls while using your phone's assistant. The construction is durable and high-end and will last you for many years.
Of course they're not perfect. The clamp force of our test models were a bit more than we'd prefer and there weren't as many app features as the other options. However, these aren't big issues. The PX7 S2s is a fantastic wireless headset that beats out other models in its class. It's difficult to imagine any other competitor beating them.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal Bathys is a great choice for audiophiles that value high-quality sound and are in search of a wireless noise-canceling headphone. They're the French audio company's first-ever ANC headphones that utilize Bluetooth and they offer incredible sound in both Bluetooth mode and when connected to a device via USB to enjoy hi-fi quality sound at up to 24 bits/192kHz (the headphones are also capable of passively blocking external sound with its closed ear cups).
The Bathys are stunning with their glossy finishes and swooping curvatures that are like Focal's closed-back Celestee and open-back Elear headphones. They also come with premium materials such as magnesium and aluminum for an extremely sturdy build that is comfortable, solid and worth the price.
In Bluetooth mode, the Bathys offer a clear and lively sound signature that easily beats similar priced consumer ANC options such as the Bose QC45. Direct DAC audio mode lets them be pushed further, making them a great option for those who love hifi.
With the Focal and Naim application users can alter the playback controls of their headphones, virtual assistant, and Bluetooth pairing preferences. The app allows users to choose between soft and silent intensities for ANC. Users can also adjust the brightness of the LEDs that are on the ear cups of the headphones, as well as tweak EQ settings. The app is basic but it has enough features to make it worthwhile.
The most notable flaw is that the active noise cancellation does not live up to the competition. The headphone doesn't eliminate all background noise as effectively as the highly rated XM5 and AirPods Max. Its treble accuracy is also a bit off and has a muddy high to mid range that takes away from the sound of instruments and vocals.
The Focal Bathys aren't the most portable headphones. Their earcups don't fold up and they weigh slightly more than other models, meaning they're not the best choice for traveling. They're ideal for an environment at home where they can be used for extended listening sessions or as a reference headphone for sound engineering purposes. The Bathys are comfortable to wear over long periods of time despite their size and weight.
4. Sony WH-CH720N
The Sony WHCH720N are an excellent pair of wireless over-ear headphones for the money. They feature a great noise-cancelling system that does an excellent job of reducing ambient noise, making them perfect for commuters and travellers. Their matte finish and sturdy construction give them a touch of premium quality.
They have a similar look to Sony's 1000X and XB910N earphone models. They have a slim, plastic headband, with the standard hinges on the earcups. They're lightweight and comfortable to wear, although they feel a bit too tight for my taste. They have a USB-C charging port, 3.5mm jack and a decent-length cable in the box. They are multipoint Bluetooth which means you can connect to two devices simultaneously should you wish to.
In my tests, the CH720N's hybrid technology for noise cancellation did an excellent job of reducing ambient sound. There were only a few blips when walking through Waterloo Station and London Victoria. They weren't magic sound-silencers that blocked out every sound, however, they struggled with lower frequency sounds like the rumbling engine noises of trains and buses.
The CH720N's Bluetooth connection worked smoothly and displayed a minimal harmonic distortion. I tested a range of genres and found they could handle the intricate interplay among instruments with ease. It did a fantastic job of controlling the bass in rock tracks, and focusing the mix.
The Sony Headphones Connect App allows you to customize the CH720N's multipoint connectivity as well as ANC settings according to your preferences. You can also choose from a range of audio presets. You can also use the app to activate DSEE which boosts the quality of compressed content and improves its audio quality.
While beats wireless in ear headphones -CH720N lacks a few of Sony's primetime features compared to the XM5 (such as Speak-to -Chat and Quick Attention) they do have an impressive set of features for PS130. You get access to 360 Reality Audio and a range of smart controls, as well as the aforementioned DSEE upscaling feature. The only thing missing is LDAC Bluetooth High-Res Audio Support, which I believe would have been a welcomed inclusion.