The Best Wireless Over Ear Headset
Unlike earbuds, over-ear headphones completely enclose your ears and can block out any sound from outside. Choose headphones with active noise cancellation and an endurance of at 20 hours or more.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4s come with an outstanding ANC feature, a simple on-ear control, as well as a convenient app. The default sound profile provides punch and thump, but instruments and vocals can be moved to the background.
1. on ear wireless headphones -1000XM5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is a great pair of headphones for those who love music and need the most wireless headset. They're lightweight and come with a soft carrying case that folds flat to make it easy to store in your bag. The controls are easy to use and intuitive, and their battery can last for 30 hours with ANC switched off. They even have an auto-pause feature which will turn off your headphones when they're removed from your head in order to save battery.
The WH-1000XM5 are compatible with Sony's Headphones Connect app which offers an extensive range of features and can be used to customize your audio experience. The app can be used to track location and customize ambient sound features according to your environment. The device also has built-in microphones for making hands-free calls. The Sony WH1000XM5 can be used to play music using Bluetooth or an electrical connection via the included cable. They can support aptX, HD aptX and aptX Adaptive codecs that play high quality audio via Bluetooth.
The WH-1000XM5 sports the same headband and ear cups to the XM4 but is lighter and more comfortable. They are comfortable to wear and can be worn for extended periods. They're also great for long commutes and flights. They're noise-cancelling headphones that can reduce background noise but not sacrifice clarity or detail. The Sony WH-1000XM5 have a decent amount of bass for closed-back headphones. They also have a superb soundstage that has an excellent distinction between vocals and instruments.
They have a low latency for watching videos, which is a plus. The lag is so low that it's almost invisible and they are able to be used for casual games. They're not ideal for gaming in a competitive manner, but they're great for those who wish to use them for media consumption or for making calls hands-free.
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 suite of smart functions to improve the overall listening experience. They also come with Sony's DSEE Extreme engine which upscales compressed music to close to high quality. They also work with Sony's own LDAC technology which streams higher-bitrate audio via Bluetooth (although not as high-quality as the headphone DAC that's dedicated).
2. Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
Since the introduction of its first-generation PX7 in 2015, Bowers & Wilkins' flagship headphones have often been featured on the top lists of wireless headsets, putting them firmly in the same bracket as the likes of Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose's QuietComfort. The latest model, the PX7 S2, is an upgrade that takes the first headphones to the next level with improved ANC performance and a refreshed design.
The bio-cellulose drivers of 40mm in the earcups are placed in a way that they directly hit your eardrums. This gives you an audio experience that is more intimate than most other closed-back headphones. The PX7 S2 lives up to this bold claim. The vocals are clear and the bass is deep when it's needed.
The PX7 S2 is also very excellent at making calls. It provides crisp clean, clear sound that will not drown out your voice. The PX7 S2 is also able to provide rapid charging, which will allow you to return fully charged in just two hours. They are also compatible with high-resolution music thanks to the aptX adaptive Bluetooth codesc which allow the playback of 24-bit audio.
For most listeners the most important change is the improvement in noise cancellation and audio performance. In our tests the PX7 S2 eliminated nearly all of our simulated cabin noise with astonishing efficiency, and they excelled when we performed 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.
As well as In addition to improved ANC, as well as improved ANC, PX7 S2s have a number of other useful features that make them very competitive with other top-rated noise-canceling headphones. They're wireless and have Bluetooth multipoint support so you can connect two devices simultaneously and also come with a built-in microphone that supports hands-free calling with your phone's assistant. They're also extremely robust, with a premium feel and durable construction that will last for years of continuous usage.
Of course, they're not 100% perfect. The clamp force on our test models was a bit less than we'd like and there aren't as many extra features in the app as other models, but these aren't major issues. The PX7 S2s are a fantastic wireless headphone that is among the best in their class, and it's difficult to imagine them being defeated by any other headphone.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
For audiophiles who prize high fidelity and are looking for a top-quality wireless noise cancelling headset The Focal Bathys are tough to beat. The Focal Bathys are the first ANC headphones made by an French audio manufacturer to utilize Bluetooth. They provide amazing sound quality both in Bluetooth mode and when connected via USB to a device that supports true hi-fi listeners with a maximum of 24 bit/192kHz.
The Bathys are stunning with their sleek black finish and swooping curves that are similar to Focal's premium open-back Elear and closed-back Celestee headphones. The Bathys are constructed of top-quality materials like aluminum and magnesium, which make them feel durable and comfortable. They're also worth the cost.
In Bluetooth mode, the Bathys provide a clear and vibrant sound that easily beats similar priced consumer ANC alternatives like the Bose QC45. Direct DAC audio mode allows them to be pushed further, making them a great option for those who love hifi.
With the Focal & Naim app users can alter their headphone's playback controls, virtual assistant, and Bluetooth pairing preferences. You can select between quiet or soft intensities for ANC and adjust the brightness of the LEDs that are on the ear cups, and tweak settings for EQ. The app is bare-bones but it has enough features to warrant the cost of downloading.
The only drawback is the active noise cancellation, which doesn't live in the same way as the other models. The headphone isn't able to block out all ambient noise as the top-rated XM5 or AirPods Max, and its treble accuracy is subpar, with a muddy mid - to high range that detracts from the sound of instruments and vocals.
The Focal Bathys aren't the most portable headphones. The ear cups aren't foldable up and they weigh a bit heavier than other models, meaning that they're not suitable for traveling. They're best suited to in a home setting where they can be used for long listening sessions or as an audio reference headphone for engineering purposes. The Bathys are comfortable to wear for long periods of time, despite their size and weight.
4. Sony WH-CH720N
The Sony WHCH720N is fantastic pair of wireless over ear headsets for the price. The noise-cancelling technology is excellent and can do a lot to reduce the background noise. They are perfect for commuters or travellers. Their matte finish and sturdy construction add a touch of luxury.
They are similar in design to Sony's more recent 1000X and XB910N headphones. They feature a slim headband with the standard earcup hinges and a sturdy plastic construction. They're lightweight and comfortable to wear, but they feel a bit too tight for my taste. In the box, they come with a USB-C port for charging as well as an 3.5mm socket and a decent length cable. 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 at reducing ambient noise. There were only a few noticeable blips when walking through Waterloo Station and London Victoria. They weren't magic sound-silencers that destroyed every sound in the vicinity however, and they struggled with lower-frequency noises like the rumbling engine noises of buses and trains.
The CH720N's Bluetooth connection was a breeze and displayed a low harmonic distortion. I tried a variety of genres and found that they were able to 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 alter the CH720N's multipoint connectivity and ANC settings to your liking. You can also add a variety of audio presets. You can also use the app to activate DSEE which boosts the quality of compressed content and improves its sound quality.
The WH-CH720N offers a great value for PS130. It lacks some of Sony's best features (such as Speak-to-Chat and Fast Attention) however, it does come with many excellent features. 360 Reality Audio, smart controls and DSEE upscaling are all included. The only thing that is not available is LDAC Bluetooth High-Res Audio Support I think it would have been a welcome inclusion.