The Best Wireless Over Ear Headset
Over-ear headphones are able to completely block out outside noise. Choose headphones that feature active noise cancellation as well as a battery that can last at 20 hours when audio playing.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4s have an outstanding ANC feature, a simple on-ear control, and an app that is easy to use. Its default sound delivers an energizing thump. However, vocals and instruments can be pushed to the background.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony's WH-1000XM5 headphones are a great pair of headphones for those who want to use the best wireless over ear headset. The headphones are lightweight, have a soft carrying bag and fold flat to fit into your bag. The controls on the touch are intuitive and easy to use, and the battery lasts for 30 hours with no ANC. They also have an auto-pause feature that shuts off your headphones when they're removed from your head in order to save battery.
The WH1000XM5 can be used with Sony Headphones Connect, which has a wide 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 your environment. They also come with an inbuilt microphone that can be used to make calls without hands. The Sony WH1000XM5 can play music wirelessly through Bluetooth or wired using the cable provided. They can support aptX, HD aptX and aptX Adaptive codecs that provide high-quality audio via Bluetooth.
Similar to the XM4 The WH-1000XM5 is lightweight and comfortable, with a well-padded headbands and ear cups. They are comfortable to wear and can be worn for extended periods of time. They are also ideal for longer flights and commutes. They feature excellent noise canceling performance that blocks out most background noise while maintaining clarity and clarity. The Sony WH1000XM5 has decent bass for closed back headphones and they offer an excellent soundstage with the clear separation of vocals and instruments.
The low latency is a major plus. The lag is so low that it's almost invisible and they can be used for casual games. They're not ideal for competitive video gaming however they're perfect for those who want to use them for media consumption or for making hands-free calls.
Sony is adamant about infusing smart features into their products and the WH-1000XM5 are not an exception. The active noise cancellation is among the best I've heard and they include a whole range of smart functions that enhance the overall 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 high-quality as the headphone DAC that's dedicated).
2. Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
Since the launch of its first-generation PX7 in 2015, Bowers & Wilkins' flagship headphones have frequently featured on the top lists of wireless headsets and putting them in the same category as the likes of Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose's QuietComfort. The PX7 S2 is the latest model that takes the original headphones to the next level, with improved ANC performance and a refreshed appearance.
The bio-cellulose drivers of 40mm in the earcups are angled so they are aimed directly at your eardrums. This gives you an audio experience that is more intimate than most other closed-back headphones. The PX7 S2 does not disappoint in this bold claim. Vocals cut through clearly, and bass is a deep and rumbly when it needs to be.
The PX7 S2 is also very good at voice calls. It provides crisp, clear sound that does not drown out your voice. The PX7 S2 also offers a quick charge, which can get you back to full capacity in less than two hours. They also work with high-resolution music due to the aptX adaptive Bluetooth codesc that allow them to play audio with 24-bit quality.
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 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, the wind trio and orchestral accompaniment.
The PX7 S2s are not only noise-cancelling, they also have a variety of other features that make them highly competitive with other top-rated headphones. They're wireless and have Bluetooth multipoint support so you can connect two devices at once, and they include a built-in microphone which allows hands-free calls with your phone's assistant. They're also extremely durable, with a premium-feeling and robustly-constructed construction that can last for years of regular usage.
Of course, they're not perfect. The clamp force of the models we tested were a little more than we'd like and there weren't as many apps features as other models. However, these aren't big concerns. The PX7 S2s is an excellent wireless headset that beats out other models in its class. It's hard to imagine a competitor beating them.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal Bathys is a great choice for audiophiles that value high-quality sound and are searching for a wireless noise-canceling headphone. 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 the device via USB for true hi-fi listening with up to 24 bit/192kHz (the headphones are also capable of blocking external audio with its closed ear cups).
The Bathys are stunning with their glossy finish and swooping curvatures reminiscent Focal's closed-back Celestee and open-back Elear headphones. The Bathys are built with premium materials like magnesium and aluminum, which makes them feel solid and comfortable. They are also worth the price.
The Bathys Bluetooth headphones offer crisp, vibrant sound signature. They easily outperform consumer ANC devices of similar price such as the Sony XM5/5 and Bose QC45. Direct DAC audio mode lets them be further pushed which makes them a fantastic option for those who love hifi.
The Focal &Naim app lets users to alter the playback controls of the headphone and Bluetooth pairing preferences. They can choose between silent or soft intensities for ANC as well as adjust the brightness of the LEDs on the earcups, and alter the EQ settings. The app is basic but offers enough functionality to warrant its purchase.
The only issue is that the active noise cancellation doesn't perform as well as the competition. The headphone doesn't 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 sound of instruments and vocals.
The Focal Bathys headphones aren't particularly transportable. They're not suitable for travel since their ear cups don't fold and they weigh more than other models. The Bathys should be used at home for long listening sessions, or as an audio reference headset for audio engineering. The Bathys are comfortable to wear over long periods of time, despite their size and weight.
4. Sony WH-CH720N
The Sony WH-CH720N are a good pair of wireless headphones that are worth the money. They feature a great noise-cancelling system that does a great job of blocking out ambient noise, making them perfect for those who commute or travel. They also have an attractive touch of premium quality with their durable construction and attractive matte finish.
They have a similar design to Sony's more recent 1000X and XB910N headphones. They sport an ultra-slim headband that has the standard earcup hinges, and a durable plastic construction. They're light and comfortable to wear, although they're a bit compressed for my taste. In on ear wireless headphones , they include an USB-C port to charge, an 3.5mm jack, and a decent length cable. They support multipoint Bluetooth, which means you can connect to two devices simultaneously when you want to.
In my tests, the CH720N's hybrid technology for noise cancellation did a fantastic job of reducing ambient noise. There were only a few noticeable glitches while walking around Waterloo Station and London Victoria. They weren't magic sound-silencers that destroyed every sound in the vicinity however, they struggled with lower frequency noises such as the rumbling engine sounds of buses and trains.
Streaming music through the CH720N's Bluetooth connection was smooth and displayed a low level of harmonic distortion. I tried a range of genres and found they handled the intricate interplay between instruments well. It did a great job of controlling the bass in rock tracks, and focusing the mix.
I love the ability to adjust the Sony Headphones Connect app to tailor the CH720N's ANC and multipoint connectivity settings to suit your preferences and include a variety of audio presets. You can also make use of the app to enable DSEE which boosts the quality of compressed content and improves its audio quality.
While the WH-CH720N does not have some of Sony's primetime features 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 that's missing is LDAC Bluetooth high-res audio support, which I think would have been a welcome inclusion.