The Best Wireless Over Ear Headset
In contrast to earbuds, headphones over-ear completely surround your ears and block out any sound from outside. Look for headphones that have active noise cancellation, and an endurance of at least 20 hours.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4s come with great ANC, a convenient app, and simple on-ear controls. The default sound profile offers thump and punch, but instruments and vocals can be moved to the background.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony's WH1000XM5 are a fantastic pair of headphones for those who want to enjoy the best wireless over-ear headset. The headphones are lightweight, come with a soft carrying case and can be folded flat to fit inside your bag. The controls are easy to use and easy to navigate. their battery can last for 30 hours with ANC turned off. 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 has a wide range of features that can be used to personalize the audio experience. The app is able to track location and customize the ambient sound effects based on your surroundings. The microphone is included for hands-free phone calls. The Sony WH1000XM5 can be used to play music using Bluetooth or wired connections using the included cable. They are compatible with aptX, aptX HD and aptX Adaptive to provide high-quality audio via Bluetooth.
The WH-1000XM5 has a similar headband and ear cups to the XM4 but is lighter and more comfortable. They're comfortable to wear for long periods of time 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 WH-1000XM5 offer an adequate amount of bass for a pair of closed-back headphones. They offer an excellent soundstage with the clear distinction between vocals and instruments.
The low latency is a big plus. The lag is low enough that it's almost invisible 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 very committed to including smart features into its products and the WH-1000XM5 are not a different. The active noise cancellation is among the best I've tried and they include a whole range of smart functions that enhance the overall listening experience. Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine upscales compressed audio to near-hi-res quality. They're also compatible with Sony's own LDAC technology, which streams higher-bitrate audio over Bluetooth (although not as high-quality as the headphone DAC that's dedicated).
2. Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
Since the launch of the first generation PX7 in 2015, Bowers & Wilkins' flagship headphones have often been featured on the top lists of wireless headsets and putting them in the same bracket with the likes of Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose 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 look.
The bio-cellulose drivers of 40mm in the earcups have been angled so that they directly hit your eardrums. This gives you a more intimate audio experience than most other closed-back headphones. The PX7 S2 is a perfect example of this claim with a fervent zeal. Vocals are clear and clear, and bass is a deep and rumbly when it needs to be.
The PX7 S2 also performs very well when it comes to voice calls, with clear and crisp sound that doesn't muddle your own voice. They also come with a quick charge that can get you back to full power in less than two hours, and they're compatible with hi-res audio thanks to an aptX adaptive Bluetooth codec that allows the playback of 24-bit music.
For most listeners the most significant upgrade is the improvement in noise cancellation and audio performance. In our tests we were able to eliminate nearly all of the airplane noises simulated by the PX7 S2. They also performed exceptionally well in Mozart's Et In Carnatus Est and Sanctus which provide an excellent understanding of the changing dynamics between the solo vocal, the wind trio, and orchestral accompaniment.
The PX7 S2s are not only noise-canceling, but they also have a variety of other features that make them highly competitive with other top-rated headphones. They are fully wireless and come with Bluetooth multipoint support, so you can pair two devices at once. They also have a built in microphone that allows hands-free calls while using your phone assistant. They're also incredibly durable, with a premium-feeling and durably-built construction that should last for years of continuous usage.
Of course they're not perfect. The clamp force we used on our test models was a little less than we'd like, and there aren't as numerous additional features on the app as other models, but these aren't major issues. The PX7 S2s is a superb wireless headset that beats out other models in its class. It's hard to imagine a competitor beating them.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
For audiophiles who prize high-fidelity and are searching for an exceptional wireless noise-canceling headset The Focal Bathys are hard to beat. They're the French audio company's first ANC headphones that use Bluetooth and offer amazing audio quality in both Bluetooth mode and when connected to the device via USB to enjoy hi-fi quality sound with a maximum of 24 bits/192kHz (the headphone is also capable of passively blocking external audio with its closed ear cups).
The Bathys are stunning with their sleek black finish and swooping curves like Focal's premium open back Elear and closed-back Celestee headphones. They also have premium materials such as magnesium and aluminum for a robust build that is comfortable, solid and worth the price.
In Bluetooth mode in Bluetooth mode, the Bathys provide a clear and vibrant sound that easily beats similar priced consumer ANC options like the Bose QC45. They can be improved further with direct DAC audio mode, making them a bona fide option for those who love hi-fi.
Utilizing the Focal & Naim app, users can adjust their headphone's playback controls, virtual assistant, and Bluetooth pairing preferences. They can choose between quiet or soft intensities for ANC, adjust the brightness of the LEDs on the headphone's ear cups, and adjust the EQ settings. The app isn't complete however it provides enough features to warrant the cost of downloading.
The only issue is the active noise cancellation, which doesn't live up to the competition. The headphone doesn't cut out all of the ambient noise like the most rated XM5 or AirPods Max, and its Treble accuracy is subpar with a muffled mid to high-end that can be distracting from vocals and instruments.
The Focal Bathys headphones aren't very transportable. Their earcups don't fold up and they weigh slightly more than the competition, meaning they're not the best choice for use on the road. They're more suited to in a home setting where they can be used for long listening sessions or as an audio reference headphone for engineering purposes. Despite their size and weight, the Bathys are surprisingly comfortable to wear for prolonged durations of time.
4. Sony WH-CH720N
The Sony WH-CH720N headphones are an excellent pair of wireless headphones that are worth the price. The noise cancelling technology is fantastic and helps to cut down on the background noise. They are great for commuters or travellers. They also have a nice high-end look with their sturdy construction and appealing matte finish.
They have a similar design as Sony's more recent 1000X and XB910N headphones. They feature a slim plastic headband, with the standard hinges for the earcups. They're light and comfortable to wear, however they're a bit compressed for my liking. They come with a USB-C charge port, 3.5mm jack and a decent-length cable included in the box. They are multipoint Bluetooth, which means you can connect to two devices at once if you want.
In my tests the CH720N's noise-cancelling technology was able to do an excellent job of curbing ambient noise, with only two noticeable blips when walking through Waterloo station and London best budget over ear headphones wireless Victoria. They weren't sound-silencers that destroyed every sound in the vicinity, however, and they struggled with lower-frequency noises like the rumbling engine sounds of trains and buses.
The CH720N's Bluetooth connection worked smoothly and displayed a minimal harmonic distortion. I listened to a variety of different genres and found they could handle the intricate interplay between instruments very well. It did a great job of taming the bass in rock tracks and keeping the focus of the mix.
I love the possibility of adjusting the Sony Headphones Connect app to customize the CH720N's ANC and multipoint connectivity settings to suit your preferences and also add a variety of audio presets. You can also utilize the app to activate DSEE which can boost the quality of compressed content and improves the audio quality.
The WH-CH720N isn't equipped with some of Sony's primetime features compared to the XM5 (such as Speak-to -Chat and Quick Attention) they do come with an impressive set of features for PS130. It comes with 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 I think it would have been a welcome inclusion.