The Best Wireless Over Ear Headset
Unlike earbuds, over-ear headphones completely cover your ears and can block out any sound from outside. Look for headphones that have active noise cancellation and an endurance of at minimum 20 hours.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4s feature amazing ANC and a user-friendly app, and easy-to-use on-ear controls. The default sound profile provides thump and punch, but vocals and instruments can be nudged into the background.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is a great pair of headphones for people who love music and need the best wireless headset. They are light and come with a soft carry bag and fold flat to fit into your bag. The controls are simple and simple to use, and the battery can last for 30 hours without ANC. They also have an auto-pause feature which shuts off your headphones when they are removed from your head to conserve battery.
The WH1000XM5 works with Sony Headphones Connect, which includes a range of features that can be utilized to personalize the audio experience. The app can be used to monitor your location and adjust ambient sound features to the environment you are in. The microphone is built in for hands-free calling. The Sony WH1000XM5 can play music wirelessly using Bluetooth or wired using the cable that comes with. They are compatible with aptX codecs, aptX HD codecs, and adaptive codecs to play high-quality audio over Bluetooth.
Similar to the XM4 The WH-1000XM5 is light and comfortable, with comfortable headbands and ear cups. They're comfortable to wear for long periods and are comfortable enough for commutes as well as longer flights. They're noise-cancelling headphones that reduce background noise but not sacrifice clarity or clarity. The Sony WH1000XM5 headphones feature plenty of bass, especially for a closed-back pair. They also have an impressive soundstage and clear separation between vocals and instruments.
They have a very low latency for watching videos, which is a benefit. The lag is so tiny that it's almost imperceptible and they can be used for gaming on the go. They're not the best choice for games that are competitive, however and are best for those who are using them for media consumption or to make calls that are hands-free.
Sony is dedicated to incorporating smart features into its products and the WH1000XM5 model is no exception. The active noise cancellation was one of the best that I've ever used, and they come with an array of smart features to improve your listening experience. Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine upscales compressed audio to a near-hi-res format. They're also compatible with Sony's LDAC technology, which 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
Bowers & Wilkins flagship headphones, the PX7 S2 have been consistently on top wireless headset lists since the launch of the first-generation PX7 in 2015. This puts them in the same class as Sony WH1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort. The latest model, the PX7 S2, is an upgrade that takes the original headphones to a new level, with better ANC performance and a refreshed design.
The bio-cellulose drivers of 40mm in the earcups are placed in a way that they point directly at your eardrums. This gives you a more intimate audio experience than other headphones with a closed back. The PX7 S2 lives up to this bold claim. Vocals are clear and clear, and bass is deep and rumbly when it needs to be.
The PX7 S2 also performs very well when it comes to voice calls, with a clear and crisp sound that doesn't drown out your own voice. The PX7 S2 also offers a quick charge, which can bring you back to full capacity in just two hours. They are also compatible with hi-res music, thanks to aptX adaptive Bluetooth codesc that allow them to play 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 aircraft cabin noise with remarkable effectiveness and performed exceptionally when we played 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.
As well as in addition to ANC Alongside improved ANC, in addition to improved ANC, PX7 S2s come with a variety of other useful features that make them comparable to other top-rated noise-canceling headphones. They're wireless and have Bluetooth multipoint connectivity, which means you can pair them with two devices simultaneously, and they have a built-in microphone that allows hands-free calls with your phone's assistant. They're also incredibly robust, with a premium feel and durably-built construction that should last for a long time of regular usage.
Of course they're not perfect. The clamp force of our test models were a little more than we would have liked and there weren't as many apps features as other models. However, these aren't major complaints. The PX7 S2s are an excellent wireless headphone that rivals the top of their class, and it's hard to imagine them being outclassed by any other rival.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal Bathys is a great option for audiophiles who value high-fidelity and are in search of headphones that can be used wirelessly to block out noise. The Focal Bathys are the very first ANC headphones made by a French audio company that utilizes Bluetooth. They offer stunning sound both in Bluetooth mode and when connected via USB to a device for true hi-fi listening at up to 24-bit/192kHz.
The Bathys are gorgeous with their sleek black finish and swooping curves like Focal's premium open back Elear and closed-back Celestee headphones. The Bathys are built with premium materials such as magnesium and aluminum that makes them feel solid and comfortable. They are also worth the cost.
In Bluetooth mode in Bluetooth mode, the Bathys deliver a crisp and lively sound signature that easily surpasses similarly priced consumer ANC alternatives like the Sony XM5/5 or Bose QC45. Direct DAC audio mode allows them to be extended and makes them an excellent option for true hifi listeners.
Utilizing the Focal & Naim app, users can adjust their headphone's playback controls as well as the virtual assistant and Bluetooth pairing preferences. The app allows users to choose between soft and silent intensities for ANC. They can also alter the brightness of the LEDs that are on the ear cups of the headphones, as well as alter the EQ settings. The app is not complete however it provides enough features to warrant the cost of downloading.
The only flaw 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 the background noise as the top-rated XM5 or AirPods Max, and its Treble accuracy is subpar with a muddy mid - to high frequency that impedes vocals and instruments.
The Focal Bathys headphones aren't particularly transportable. Their ear cups don't fold down and weigh a bit heavier than the competition, meaning that they're not ideal for black beats wireless headphones travel. They're more suited to an environment at home where they can be used for long listening sessions or as a reference headphone for sound engineering purposes. The Bathys are comfortable to wear for long periods of time despite their size and weight.
4. Sony WH-CH720N
The Sony WH-CH720N headphones are an excellent pair of wireless over-ear headphones for the price. The noise cancelling technology is fantastic and helps to reduce the background noise. They are perfect for commuters and travelers. They also have a nice touch of premium quality with their sturdy construction and appealing matte finish.
They follow a similar design to Sony's more recent 1000X and XB910N headphones. They have an ultra-slim headband that has the typical ear cup hinges and a solid plastic construction. They're lightweight and comfortable to wear, but they feel a little too compressed for my liking. In the box, they have an USB-C port to charge as well as a 3.5mm jack, and a decent length cable. They support multipoint Bluetooth which means you can connect to two devices at once when you want to.
In my tests the CH720N's noise-cancelling technology was able to do great job of reducing ambient noise, with only a couple of noticeable blips when walking through Waterloo station and London Victoria. The sound-silencers did not block all sounds around them, but they did struggle with lower frequency sounds like the rumbling engine sounds of buses and trains.
Streaming music through the CH720N's Bluetooth connection was smooth and exhibited a low level of harmonic distortion. I tested a range of genres and discovered that they could handle the intricate interplay between instruments very well. It did a great job of controlling the bass in rock tracks, and keeping the mix focused.
I like the fact that you can adjust the Sony Headphones Connect app to customize the CH720N's ANC and multipoint connectivity settings to suit your preferences, as well as add a range of audio presets. You can also enable DSEE through the app, which enhances sound quality and upsacles compressed audio content.
The WH-CH720N isn't equipped with a few of Sony's primetime features when compared to the XM5 (such as Speak-to -Chat and Quick Attention) they do offer an impressive set of features for PS130. It comes with 360 Reality Audio and a range of smart controls, in addition to the DSEE upscaling feature. The only thing not available is LDAC Bluetooth High-Res Audio Support which I believe would have been a welcome inclusion.