The Best Wireless Over Ear Headset
Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds completely enclose your ears and block out environmental sound. Find headphones with active noise cancellation, and an endurance of at minimum 20 hours.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4s have great ANC as well as a handy app, and easy control via the ear. The default sound profile provides thump and punch, but vocals and instruments can be moved into the background.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is a great pair of headphones for people who enjoy music and want the most efficient wireless headset. The headphones are light, come with a soft carrying case and fold flat to fit into your bag. The controls on their touch screen are easy to use and easy to navigate. their battery lasts an impressive 30 hours with ANC switched off. They also have an auto-pause feature that will turn off your headphones when they are removed from your head in order to save battery.
The WH-1000XM5 is compatible with Sony's Headphones Connect app which offers an array of features that can be used to customize your audio experience. The app can be used to track your location and adjust ambient sound features to the environment you are in. The device also has an inbuilt microphone that can be used to make hands-free calls. The Sony WH-1000XM5 are compatible to play music using Bluetooth or a wired connection using the included cable. They are compatible with aptX codecs, aptX HD codecs as well as adaptive codecs for high-quality audio via Bluetooth.
The WH-1000XM5 sports the same headband and earcups as the XM4 however it is more lightweight and comfortable. They're comfortable to wear for long periods and are comfortable enough for long commutes and flights. They are noise cancelling headphones that can reduce background noise but not sacrifice clarity or detail. The Sony WH-1000XM5 have decent bass for a pair of closed-back headphones. They offer an excellent soundstage with an excellent separation of instruments and vocals.
They have a very low latency for watching videos, which is a benefit. The lag is low enough that it's almost invisible and they can be used to play casual gaming. They're not the ideal choice for games that are competitive, however and are ideal for those who are using them for media consumption and for making hands-free phone calls.
Sony is committed to including smart features into its products and the WH-1000XM5 are not a different. The active noise cancellation feature was one of the best that I've ever used, and they come with many intelligent features that can enhance your listening experience. Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine upscales compressed audio to a near-hi-res format. They're also compatible with Sony's own LDAC technology that streams higher-bitrate audio via Bluetooth (although not as hi-res as the headphone DAC that's dedicated).
2. Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
Bowers & Wilkins flagship headphones that are the PX7 S2 have always been on top wireless headset lists since the launch of the first generation PX7 in the year 2015. This puts them in the same category as Sony WH1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort. The PX7 S2 is the latest model that takes the original headphones to the next level with a boost in ANC performance and a fresh design.
In the earcups, the 40mm bio cellulose drivers are angled to point straight at your eardrums, delivering an audio experience that's more intimate than other closed-back headphones. The PX7 S2 does not disappoint in this bold claim. The vocals are clear and the bass is deep when it's needed.
The PX7 S2 also performs very well with voice calls, and has a crisp and clear sound that doesn't drown out your own voice. The PX7 S2 is also able to provide a quick charge, which can bring you back to full capacity in less than two hours. They are also compatible with high-resolution music due to aptX adaptive Bluetooth codesc, which allows them to play audio with 24-bit quality.
For most listeners the most important change is the improvement in noise cancellation and audio quality. In our tests the PX7 S2 eliminated nearly all of our simulations of cabin noise with remarkable effectiveness, and they excelled 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, wind trio and orchestral accompaniment.
The PX7 S2s aren't just noise-canceling, but they also include a variety of features that make them competitive with other top-rated headphones. They're wireless and have Bluetooth multipoint support, meaning that you can pair them with two devices at once. They also have an inbuilt microphone which allows hands-free calls while using your phone assistant. The build quality is durable and premium, so they should last for many years.
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 the other options. However, these aren't major issues. The PX7 S2s is a superb wireless headset that beats out other competitors in its class. It's hard to imagine a competitor beating them.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
For audiophiles who appreciate high-fidelity and are searching for a premium wireless noise-canceling headset The Focal Bathys are tough to beat. They're the French audio company's first ANC headphones that utilize Bluetooth and they offer incredible sound in both Bluetooth mode and when connected to an device via USB to enjoy hi-fi quality sound with up to 24-bit/192kHz (the headphones are also capable of blocking external sound with its closed ear cups).
The Bathys are stunning, with their glossy black finish and swooping curves like Focal's premium open back Elear and closed-back Celestee headphones. The Bathys are constructed of top-quality materials like magnesium and aluminum that make them feel sturdy, comfortable, and well worth the cost.
In Bluetooth mode when Bluetooth is enabled, the Bathys provide a clear and lively sound signature that easily beats similar priced consumer ANC options such as the Sony XM5/5 or Bose QC45. Direct DAC audio mode allows them to be extended which makes them a fantastic option for true hifi listeners.
The Focal &Naim app allows users to alter the playback controls of the headphone and Bluetooth pairing preferences. They can choose between quiet or soft intensities for ANC, alter the brightness of LEDs on the headphone's earcups, and alter the EQ settings. The app is bare but has enough features to make it worthwhile.
The only issue is the active noise cancellation, which doesn't live up to the competition. The headphone isn't able to block out all the background noise like the top-rated XM5 or AirPods Max, and its treble accuracy is subpar, with a muffled mid to high-end that can be distracting from the instruments and vocals.
The Focal Bathys aren't the most portable headphones. They're not ideal for travel because their earcups don't fold, and they weigh more than other headphones. The Bathys should be used at home for long listening sessions or as an example headset for audio engineering. The Bathys are comfortable to wear over long periods of time, despite their size and bulk.
4. Sony WH-CH720N
The Sony WHCH720N are excellent wireless headphones that are worth the price. The noise cancelling technology is fantastic and helps to reduce ambient noise. They are great for commuters and travelers. Their matte finish and durable construction give them a touch of high-end quality.
They are similar to Sony's 1000X and XB910N earphone models. They sport a slim, plastic headband, with the standard ear cups hinges. They're light and comfortable, however they feel a bit too compressed to my liking. In the box, they come with a USB-C port for charging, an 3.5mm connector and a decent length cable. They are compatible with multipoint Bluetooth pairing, meaning you can connect to two devices at the same time, if you wish.
In my tests the CH720N's hybrid technology for noise cancellation did an excellent job at reducing ambient noise. There were only a few noticeable glitches while walking around Waterloo Station and London Victoria. best budget over the ear wireless headphones weren't magic sound-silencers that zapped every single nearby sound however, and they struggled with lower frequency noises like the rumbling engine noises of buses and trains.
The CH720N's Bluetooth connection worked smoothly and showed a low level harmonic distortion. I tried a variety of genres and found they were able to handle the intricate interplay among instruments well. It did an impressive job of controlling the bass in rock tracks while keeping the focus of the mix.
The Sony Headphones Connect App allows users to modify the CH720N's multipoint connection and ANC settings to suit your preferences. You can also choose from a range of audio presets. You can also use the app to activate DSEE, which upsacles compressed content and enhances its audio quality.
While the WH-CH720N does not have a few of Sony's primetime features when compared to the XM5 (such as Quick Attention and Speak-to-Chat) they do have an impressive set of features for PS130. 360 Reality Audio, smart controls and the DSEE upscaling feature are all included. The only thing that is missing is LDAC Bluetooth High-Res Audio Support I think it would have been a great inclusion.