The Best Wireless Over Ear Headset
Over-ear headphones can completely block out outside noise. Find headphones that have active noise cancellation and batteries that can last at least 20 hours with audio playing.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4s feature amazing ANC and a user-friendly app, and easy-to-use control via the ear. The default sound is a punchy thump, but vocals and instruments can be pushed to the background.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony's WH1000XM5 are a fantastic pair of headphones for those who want to experience the most wireless over-ear headset. They are light and come with a soft carry bag and can be folded flat to fit in your bag. The controls are easy to use and intuitive, and their battery lasts an impressive 30 hours with ANC turned off. The headphones have an automatic pause feature that 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 tailor the audio experience. The app can be used to track your location and adapt ambient sound features to your surroundings. The microphone can also be integrated for hands-free calls. The Sony WH1000XM5 plays music wirelessly using Bluetooth or wired via the cable provided. They are compatible with aptX, aptX HD and aptX Adaptive to deliver high quality audio over Bluetooth.
The WH-1000XM5 sports a similar headband and earcups as the XM4 however it is more lightweight and comfortable. 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 eliminates most background noise while maintaining clarity and clarity. The Sony WH1000XM5 headphones offer an excellent amount of bass, especially for closed-back headphones. They also offer an impressive soundstage and clear separation between instruments and vocals.
They have a low latency when watching videos which is a huge advantage. The lag is so tiny that it's almost invisible, and they can also be used for gaming on the go. These are not the best for competitive video gaming but they're excellent for those who want to use them for entertainment or for making calls hands-free.
Sony is adamant about incorporating smart features into its products and the WH1000XM5 is not a different. The active noise cancellation is one of the best I've heard 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 near high-res quality. They're compatible with Sony's LDAC technology, which streams higher-bitrate music via Bluetooth.
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 category as the likes Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose's 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.
In the earcups, the 40mm bio cellulose drivers are designed to be angled so that they point straight towards your eardrums, delivering an audio experience that is more intimate than most closed-back headphones can manage. The PX7 S2 is a perfect example of this claim with a fervent zeal. Vocals cut through clearly, and bass is rich and rumbly when it needs to be.
The PX7 S2 also performs very well with voice calls, with crisp and clear sound that doesn't muddle your own voice. The PX7 S2 also offers a quick charge, which can bring you back to full capacity in just two hours. They also work with high-resolution music thanks to aptX adaptive Bluetooth codesc, which allows them to play 24-bit audio.
For most listeners the most significant upgrade is the enhanced noise-canceling and audio performance. In our tests, the PX7 S2 eliminated nearly all of our simulated aircraft cabin noise with remarkable effectiveness and also performed well when we played 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.
Alongside in addition to ANC Alongside improved ANC, the PX7 S2s come with a variety of other features that make them comparable to other top-rated noise-canceling headphones. They're fully wireless, with Bluetooth multipoint support, so you can connect two devices simultaneously and also have a built-in microphone that allows hands-free calls with your phone's assistant. The build quality is durable and premium, so they should last for many years.
Of course, they're not the perfect models. The clamp force on our test models was a little tighter than we'd prefer, and there aren't as numerous additional features in the app as other options, but they are minor complaints. The PX7 S2s are a superb wireless headphone that is among the best in their class, and it's difficult to imagine them being outclassed by any other competitor.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
For audiophiles who appreciate 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-ever ANC headphones that utilize Bluetooth and provide incredible sound in both Bluetooth mode and when connected to the device via USB for hi-fi audio with up to 24-bit/192kHz (the headphones are also capable of passively blocking external sound through its closed ear cups).
The Bathys look gorgeous with their sleek black finish and swooping curves like Focal's premium open back Elear and closed-back Celestee headphones. They also feature premium materials like magnesium and aluminum for an extremely sturdy build that feels solid, comfortable and worth the cost.
In over ear headphones noise cancelling wireless when Bluetooth is enabled, the Bathys deliver a crisp and lively sound signature that easily surpasses similarly priced consumer ANC options such as the Bose QC45. They can be enhanced further by using direct DAC audio mode which makes them a bona fide option for serious hi-fi enthusiasts.
The Focal and Naim app allows users to alter the headphone's playback controls as well as Bluetooth pairing preferences. You can select between silent or soft intensities for ANC as well as set the brightness of the LEDs that are on the ear cups, and adjust the settings for EQ. The app isn't complete but it has enough functionality to warrant the cost of downloading.
The most notable flaw is that the active noise cancellation doesn't live up to the competition. The headphone doesn't block 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 vocals and instruments.
The Focal Bathys headphones aren't the most transportable. Their ear cups don't fold up and weigh a bit heavier than their counterparts, which means they're not the best choice for travel. The Bathys are best used at home for long listening sessions, or as an audio reference headset for sound 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. The noise cancelling technology is fantastic and helps to reduce the background noise. They are great for commuters or travellers. They also offer 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 have a slim, plastic headband, with the standard hinges on the earcups. They're light and comfortable to wear, however they feel a little too compressed for my taste. They come with a USB-C charging port, 3.5mm jack and a decent-length cable inside the box. They are multipoint Bluetooth which means that you can connect to two devices simultaneously should you wish to.
In my tests the CH720N's hybrid noise-cancelling tech did great job of reducing ambient noise, with only a couple of noticeable blips in walking around Waterloo station and London Victoria. The sound-silencers did not block every sound in the vicinity however, they struggled with lower frequency sounds like the engine rumbling sound of trains and buses.
The CH720N's Bluetooth connection was smooth and displayed a low harmonic distortion. I listened to a variety of genres and found they could handle the intricate interplay between instruments very well. It did an impressive job of controlling the bass in rock tracks and keeping the mix focused.
The Sony Headphones Connect App allows you to customize the CH720N's multipoint connectivity as well as ANC settings to your liking. You can also choose from a range of audio presets. You can also activate DSEE through the app, which enhances audio quality and speeds up the removal of compressed audio content.
While the WH-CH720N lacks a few of Sony's primetime features when compared to the XM5 (such as Speak-to-Chat and Quick Attention) they do come with a robust set of features available for PS130. 360 Reality Audio, smart controls, and DSEE upscaling are all present. The only thing missing is LDAC Bluetooth High-Res Audio Support which I believe would have been a great inclusion.