The Best Wireless Over Ear Headset
Over-ear headphones can block out any external noise. Look for headphones with active noise cancellation and a battery that lasts at 20 hours when audio playing.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4s have great ANC, a convenient 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 to the background.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony's WH-1000XM5 are an excellent pair of headphones for music lovers who want to enjoy the best wireless over-ear headset. The headphones are light, come with a soft carry bag and can be folded flat to fit into your bag. Their touch controls are simple to use and easy to navigate. their battery lasts for 30 hours with ANC switched off. The headphones come with an auto pause feature that shuts the headphones off when you remove them from your head. This helps in conserving battery.
The WH-1000XM5 are compatible with Sony's Headphones Connect app which offers an extensive range of features and can be used to personalize your audio experience. The app can be used to monitor your location and tailor ambient sound features to the environment you are in. The microphone is built in for hands-free calling. The Sony WH-1000XM5 is able to play music via Bluetooth or via an electrical connection via the cable included. They can support aptX, HD aptX and aptX Adaptive to provide high-quality audio via Bluetooth.
The WH-1000XM5 comes with a similar 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. They're also great for long commutes and flights. They offer excellent noise cancellation performance that eliminates most background noise, but without sacrificing clarity and detail. The Sony WH-1000XM5 have a decent amount of bass for closed back headphones and they have a superb soundstage that has a clear separation of vocals and instruments.
The low latency is a major benefit. 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 for competitive video gaming however they're perfect for those who wish to make use of them for entertainment or for making calls hands-free.
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 range of smart functions that enhance the overall listening experience. They also include Sony's DSEE Extreme engine which upscales compressed music to close to high 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 its first-generation PX7 in 2015, Bowers & Wilkins' flagship headphones have frequently featured on top wireless headset lists and putting them in the same bracket as the likes of Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose's QuietComfort. The PX7 S2 is the latest version that takes the original headphones to the next level, with a boost in ANC performance and a refreshed design.
The bio-cellulose drivers of 40mm in the earcups have been angled so that they point directly at your eardrums. This delivers an audio experience that is more intimate unlike other closed-back headphones. It's a bold claim however the PX7 S2 is able to deliver on. The vocals are clear and the bass is deep when needed.
The PX7 S2 is also very excellent at making calls. It provides crisp and clear sound that does not overpower your voice. They also provide a fast charge that allows you to return fully charged in only two hours. They're also compatible with hi-res audio thanks to an aptX adaptive Bluetooth codec that enables the playback of 24-bit music.
The noise-canceling technology as well as improved audio performance are among the most important improvements for the majority of listeners. In our tests, we were able to eliminate nearly all of the airplane noises simulated by the PX7 S2. They also performed well in Mozart's Et In Carnatus Est and Sanctus which offer an excellent understanding of the changing dynamics between the solo vocal, wind trio, and orchestral accompaniment.
As well as in addition to ANC, the PX7 S2s have a number of other features that make them very comparable with other top-rated noise cancelling headphones. They are fully wireless and feature Bluetooth multipoint support, meaning that you can pair with two devices at once. They also have a built in microphone that allows hands-free calls with your phone assistant. They're also extremely durable, with a premium-feeling and durably-built construction that should last for years of continuous use.
Of course, they're not perfect. The clamp force of our test models were a bit more than we'd like, and there weren't as many app features as the other options. However, these aren't major issues. The PX7 S2s are a superb wireless headphone that competes with the best in their class, and it's difficult to imagine them being outclassed by any other competitor.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal Bathys is the best option for audiophiles who appreciate high fidelity, and who are searching for an ANC headphone that is wireless. The Focal Bathys are the very first ANC headphones from an French audio company to use Bluetooth. They offer incredible sound both in Bluetooth mode and when connected via USB to a device that supports true hi-fi audio with up to 24 bit/192kHz.
over-ear headphones wireless are stunning with their black glossy finish and swooping curves that are similar to Focal's premium open-back Elear and closed-back Celestee headphones. They also have premium materials like magnesium and aluminum to create a robust build that is comfortable, solid and worth the price.
The Bathys Bluetooth headphones offer crisp, vibrant sound quality. They easily outperform consumer ANC models of the same price like the Sony XM5/5 or Bose QC45. They can be improved further by using direct DAC audio mode which makes them an excellent choice for those who love hi-fi.
With the Focal & Naim app users can change the playback controls of their headphones as well as the virtual assistant and Bluetooth pairing preferences. The app lets users select between silent and soft intensities for ANC. They can also adjust the brightness of the LEDs on the ear cups of the headphones, and alter the EQ settings. The app is fairly bare-bones but it has enough features to make it worthwhile.
The only drawback is the active noise cancellation, which isn't able to live in the same way as the other models. The headphone isn't able to block out all background noise as effectively as the top-rated XM5 and AirPods Max. Its treble accuracy is also lacking 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. They're not ideal for travel since their ear cups do not fold and they are heavier than other headphones. The Bathys are best utilized at home for long listening sessions, or as a reference headset for sound engineering. The Bathys are comfortable to wear over long periods of time, despite their size and weight.
4. Sony WH-CH720N
The Sony WHCH720N headset is a fantastic pair of wireless over ear headsets for the price. The noise cancelling technology is fantastic and can do a lot to reduce the background noise. They are great for commuters and travelers. They also have a nice high-end look with their robust construction and attractive matte finish.
They look similar to Sony's 1000X and XB910N earphone models. They feature a slim plastic headband, with the standard ear cups hinges. They're lightweight and comfortable to wear, but they feel a bit too tight for my taste. In the box, they have a USB-C port for charging, an 3.5mm jack and a decent-length cable. They are multipoint Bluetooth which means that you can connect two devices at the same time should you wish 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 small blips while walking through Waterloo Station and London Victoria. They weren't magic sound-silencers that destroyed every sound in the vicinity however, they struggled with lower-frequency sounds like the rumbling engine sounds of buses and trains.
The streaming of music via the CH720N's Bluetooth connection was smooth, and it exhibited a low level of harmonic distortion. I tested a range of genres and found that they could handle the intricate interplay between instruments very well. It did an excellent job of controlling the bass in rock tracks and keeping the mix in focus.
I like the possibility of adjusting the Sony Headphones Connect app to modify the CH720N's ANC as well as multipoint connectivity settings to your liking and also add a variety of audio presets. You can also make use of the app to enable DSEE which boosts the quality of compressed content and improves the sound quality.
While the WH-CH720N lacks some of Sony's primetime functions compared to the XM5 (such as Quick Attention and Speak-to-Chat) they do offer a solid feature set for PS130. You get access to 360 Reality Audio and a range of smart controls, and the aforementioned DSEE upscaling feature. The only thing missing is LDAC Bluetooth high-res audio support, which I think would have been a great inclusion.