The Best Wireless Over Ear Headset
Over-ear headphones are able to completely block out outside noise. Look for headphones with active noise cancellation as well as a battery that can last for at least 20 hours with audio playing.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4s come with excellent ANC as well as a handy app, and easy control via the ear. The default sound provides an energizing thump. However, vocals and instruments can be turned off to the background.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is an excellent pair of headphones for people who enjoy music and want the best wireless headset. The headphones are light, come with a soft carrying case and fold flat to fit into your bag. The controls on the touch are intuitive and easy to use, and the battery can last for 30 hours without ANC. The headphones have an automatic pause feature which shuts them off when you take them from your head. This helps in conserving battery.
The WH1000XM5 can be used with Sony Headphones Connect, which includes a range of features that can be utilized to customize the audio experience. The app is able to track your location and adjust ambient sound features according to your surroundings. The microphone is also included for hands-free phone calls. The Sony WH1000XM5 can play music wirelessly through Bluetooth or wired using the cable provided. They include aptX codecs and aptX HD codecs and aptX adaptive codecs to play high-quality audio over Bluetooth.
Like the XM4, the WH-1000XM5 is light and comfortable with a well-padded headband and ear cups. They're comfortable to wear for long periods and are comfortable enough for commutes as well as longer flights. They offer excellent noise cancellation performance that blocks out most background noise while maintaining clarity and detail. The Sony WH-1000XM5 have decent bass for closed-back headphones. They also have a superb soundstage that has an excellent separation of vocals and instruments.
They have a very low latency when watching videos which is a benefit. The lag is low enough that it's virtually undetectable and they can be used for casual games. They're not the ideal choice for competitive video games though and are best for those who will be using them for media consumption or for making hands-free phone calls.
Sony is committed to incorporating intelligent features into its products and the WH1000XM5 model is no exception. The active noise cancellation is one of the best I've tried and they come with a range of smart functions that enhance the overall listening experience. Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine upscales compressed audio to near-high-resolution quality. They also work with Sony's own LDAC technology that 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
Since the release of the first-generation PX7 in 2015, Bowers & Wilkins' flagship headphones have frequently included on the top lists of wireless headsets which puts them in the same class as the likes of Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose's QuietComfort. The PX7 S2 is the latest version that takes the first generation of headphones to the next level, with improved ANC performance and a refreshed design.
The 40mm bio-cellulose drivers in the earcups have been angled so that they directly hit your eardrums. This gives you an audio experience that is more intimate than most other closed-back headphones. It's a bold statement however the PX7 S2 is able to deliver on. The vocals are clear, and the bass is deep when needed.
The PX7 S2 also performs very well with voice calls, with a clear and crisp audio that doesn't overpower your own voice. They also offer a quick charge that allows you to return to full power in less than two hours, and they're compatible with high-resolution audio, thanks to an aptX adaptive Bluetooth codec that allows them to play 24-bit music.
For most listeners the most important change is the improved noise cancellation and audio quality. In our tests, the PX7 S2 eliminated nearly all of our simulated aircraft cabin noise with remarkable effectiveness, and they excelled when we played Mozart's Et In Carnatus Est and Sanctus from his Grosse Messe, demonstrating excellent insight into the shifting dynamics between the solo voice, the wind trio and orchestral accompaniment.
The PX7 S2s are not only noise-cancelling, but they include a variety of features that make them competitive with other top-rated headphones. They're wireless and have Bluetooth multipoint support, so you can connect two devices simultaneously, and they come with a built-in microphone that allows hands-free calling using your phone's assistant. The build quality is durable and premium and will last for a long time.
They're not perfect, of course. The clamp force of our test models were slightly higher than we'd like and there weren't as many apps features as the other options. However, these aren't big complaints. The PX7 S2s is a superb wireless headset that rivals other headsets in its class. It's difficult to imagine a rival 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 tough to beat. They're the French audio company's first-ever ANC headphones that use Bluetooth and provide incredible audio quality in both Bluetooth mode and when connected to an device via USB for hi-fi audio with up to 24 bits/192kHz (the headphone is also capable of blocking external sound through its closed ear cups).
The Bathys are stunning with their glossy finish and swooping curvatures that reminiscent Focal's closed-back Celestee and open-back Elear headphones. The Bathys are constructed of premium materials like magnesium and aluminum, which make them feel sturdy and comfortable. They are also worth the price.
In Bluetooth mode in Bluetooth mode, the Bathys deliver a crisp and vibrant sound that easily surpasses similarly priced consumer ANC alternatives like the Sony XM5/5 or Bose QC45. They can be enhanced further by using direct DAC audio mode which makes them a bona fide option for those who love hi-fi.
The Focal &Naim app allows users to alter the headphone's playback controls as well as Bluetooth pairing preferences. The app allows users to select between silent and soft intensities for ANC. They can also adjust the brightness of LEDs on the earcups of the headphones, and tweak EQ settings. The app is bare-bones however it provides enough features to warrant the download.
The only drawback is the active noise cancellation, which isn't able to live in the same way as the other models. 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-end that can be distracting from the instruments and vocals.
The Focal Bathys headphones aren't particularly portable. They are not suitable for travel due to their ear cups do not fold and they are heavier than other headphones. The Bathys are best used at home for long listening sessions or as an example headset for sound engineering. Despite their size and weight they are Bathys are extremely comfortable to wear for prolonged periods of time.
4. good wireless over ear headphones -CH720N
The Sony WHCH720N are an excellent pair of wireless over ear headphones for the price. The noise cancelling technology is fantastic and does a great deal to cut down the background noise. They are perfect for those who commute or travel. They also offer an attractive design that reflects premium quality, thanks to their robust construction and attractive matte finish.
They are similar to Sony's 1000X and XB910N headphone models. They sport an ultra-slim headband that has the typical ear cup hinges, and a durable plastic build. They're light and comfortable to wear, although they feel a little too tight for my taste. In the box, they include an USB-C port to charge and the 3.5mm socket and a decent-length cable. They support multipoint Bluetooth which means that you can connect two devices at the same time if you want.
In my tests the CH720N's hybrid noise cancelling technology did great job of reducing ambient noise, with only two noticeable blips in walking around Waterloo station and London Victoria. They weren't 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.
Streaming music over the CH720N's Bluetooth connection was smooth and showed a low amount of harmonic distortion. I tested a variety of genres and found they were able to handle the intricate interplay among instruments very well. It did a fantastic job of controlling the bass in rock tracks, and keeping the mix focused.
The Sony Headphones Connect App allows users to modify 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 utilize the app to activate DSEE which boosts the quality of compressed content and improves its sound quality.
While the WH-CH720N does not have a few of Sony's primetime features compared to the XM5 (such as Quick Attention and Speak-to-Chat) they do have an impressive set of features for PS130. You can access 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 I believe it would have been a welcome inclusion.