Best Over-Ear Wireless Headphones
If you're looking for a set of wireless over-ear headphones, consider these. They're not just comfortable to wear, but they have excellent active noise cancellation that blocks out background noises so you can concentrate on your music.
Focal's first wireless headphones are an audiophile's dream. They offer a full and full sound, with enough thump to support EDM but instruments and vocals aren't left out. They come with a companion application and ANC presets, allowing you to customize the sound to meet your personal preferences.
Sony WH-1000XM5
The WH-1000XM5 model from Sony is the most recent version of its popular headphones. It comes with an automatic noise cancellation that can block out ambient noise. With a staggering 27-hour playback time, they are perfect for long journeys or commutes. The WH-1000XM5 also comes with an excellent feature that allows you to pair it with up to two Bluetooth devices at the same time, making it easy to switch from calls and music. The WH1000XM5 will appeal to anyone who is interested in sustainability due to its sleek, minimalist design and eco-friendly packaging.
The XM5s come with an easier and more comfortable headband. It fits snugly over your ear and puts less pressure on your skull. They're also more stylish and have a sleek design that can be incorporated into most outfits. They're also available in a matte black that looks better than the glossy black of previous generations.
One of the most impressive features of the WH1000XM5 is its smart noise cancellation feature, which detects when you remove the headphones and then pauses the audio. When you put your headphones back on, the audio resumes automatically. This is a great way to save battery, and it's very effective.
The XM5s are an excellent choice for audio quality thanks to their LDAC codec and DSEE Extreme upscaling. Tim Commerford's bass work is evident in Rage Against the Machine’s Bullet in the Head track, a dark track. Billie Eilish’s Bad Guy has subtle but deliberate vocal fade.
A warning for gym-goers and those who live in a rainy climate The WH-1000XM5s do not have an IP rating, therefore they aren't able to be used in humidity. There's even a disclaimer within the manual that recommends you don't sweat into the headset or use it in the rain.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
The PX7 S2 is a refreshing update to B&W's previous flagship wireless headphone model, the PX7. Rather than a mere iterative upgrade, the Series 2 delivers a substantial improvement in both ANC and audio quality. The design is also more refined. It's more sophisticated than the glossy, techy design of Sony's XM5 or Apple's AirPods Max.
The headphones can be turned on and off with the slider switch. There are buttons on the side for volume, play/pause and to navigate through your music library. The left ear cup has a button that is customizable and can be changed to match your voice assistant. There's also an ambience pass-through mode, which lets you hear what is happening around you.
Streaming the 16-bit/44.1kHz master of Dennis Wilson's River Song from his Pacific Ocean Blue album using the S2s The soundstage is large and rich with layered harmonies and atmospheric textures that are clearly heard. There's plenty of low-end extension as well as vocals that stay centered.
The S2s are not the best in EQ control. You can increase or reduce bass and treble up to 6dB but there aren't any presets available that will help you find the ideal balance. Most listeners won't be concerned about this however, those who want to tweak their audio will need to look elsewhere.
Overall all, the PX7 S2s are the perfect option for those looking for a noise-canceling headphone that has an exquisite finish and feel. Although they're not as versatile like the XM5s mentioned earlier, they are still an excellent choice for the majority of listeners. You'll have to decide if the better ANC and audio are worth the slightly more expensive price.
Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless
The Bose QuietComfort 45 is a pair of wireless headphones that offers great noise cancellation. They also come with a battery life of 24 hours. The headphones are lightweight and comfortable enough to wear around the home. They can be controlled with the built-in buttons or an app companion, but the ability to customize is restricted (sorry, no equalizer). You can pick from various sound profiles based on circumstances, like when you're travelling or working from home. The QC45s also have an Aware Mode which allows outside sounds be heard when using ANC which is useful for people who want to hear traffic and children when out and out and about.
The headphones' audio quality isn't quite as great with the WH-1000XM5s but it's still a solid performance. The bass isn’t pounding but it does provide a decent amount of richness and texture. The mids and the highs are nicely rounded and there is no harshness or shrillness.
The QC45s tend to prefer higher frequencies. This can cause some slight sibilance when listening to certain songs. It's not a huge issue and can be easily corrected in software by tweaking the headphone's settings.
The controls are easy to use. The left earcup turns off the headphones on and off, controls music playback, as well as the Bluetooth pairing. There's also a multi-function Action button that can also be used as a power switch and voice assistant as well as volume control. There's also a microphone to make phone calls and Siri or Alexa support.
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x
The ATH M20x are a stylish pair of headphones that give great sound for the price. They are well-constructed and have a solid feel to them. The earcups and headband are made of plastic but they're strong enough to last for many years. The ear cups can rotate up to 15 degrees. This means they can be positioned to fit most ears.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x features Bluetooth 5.0 which lets you listen to your music wirelessly. They have an impressive battery life with up 30 hours of listening time. They come with a USB-C cable to charge.
The headphones are simple to use. Three buttons are situated on the left ear cup and let you control the playback of music as as other functions. You can pause, change tracks and even adjust the volume using these buttons. The ATH M20x comes with built-in microphones for voice commands and calls. The headset comes with a low latency mode that makes it ideal for video gaming and gaming.
The ATH-M20x headphones aren't without excellent audio quality, they are not the best choice for all genres of music. Vocals may sound a bit flat and there is no real bass response. The high frequencies are crisp and clear though. These headphones are known for their treble. These headphones are great for jazz, pop and classical music.
The ATH-M20x is a lightweight headphone, weighing just under 190g without the cord. The earcups are cushioned, but they are not able to be folded. They are bulky and cannot fit into the backpack or bag. They don't come with a detachable cable either. The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x is a better option for those looking for a more portable set of headphones. It is more comfortable with an adjustable design that folds, swiveling ear cups that lay flat, and a removable cable. on-ear headphones wireless is more expensive, however, it offers more isolation and more bass.
Skullcandy Dime 2.
The Dime 2 is Skullcandy’s best-sounding true wireless headphones. It comes with a small, compact case that is easy to slip into pockets or purses. It comes with a variety of sizes of ear gels that can be adjusted to fit different sizes of ears. It's also lighter than wireless headphones that we tried.
The dual microphones are great to pick your voice when you call and also reducing background noise. However, they're not ideal for use outdoors because environmental noises can overwhelm your voice. The earbuds are also unsuitable in windy environments and they could block certain areas of your speech.
The earbuds remain good sounding despite these minor flaws. They have a crisp, clear high end that doesn't bleed into the mids. They also have a decent amount of mid-bass to give your music some punch.
They also have a good dual-tap feature that allows you to execute voice commands, but they're not as intuitive as Apple's AirPod Pro. You must place your thumb on the stem's bottom for stability and then press the logo to trigger an action. It's not as flexible as a pinch gesture system, and is a bit inconvenient.
The earbuds last around four hours on a single charge. They have a quick-charge capability for two additional hours. They're also certified IPX4 for resistance to sweat and water. The earbuds come with the case for carrying them, which has two openings that can accommodate the earbuds, as well as an attachment loop to attach them to clothing. It's a great-looking case that's available in multiple colors, including red Doritos. On the internet, you can buy them for under $30 USD.