Best Over-Ear Wireless Headphones
You should consider these if seeking wireless headphones for your ears. These headphones aren't just comfortable, but they also have active noise cancellation that reduces background noise so that you can focus on the music.
Focal's debut wireless headphones are an audiophile's dream. They feature a deep sound profile with enough thump to suit EDM but instruments and vocals aren't excluded. They have a companion application and ANC presets so you can modify the sound to fit your preferences.
Sony WH-1000XM5
The WH-1000XM5 by Sony is the most recent version of its popular headphones. It comes with automatic adaptive noise cancellation to cancel out ambient sound. They're ideal for commutes and long travel days with a staggering 27 hours of playback time. They also have a nifty feature that allows you to pair them with two Bluetooth devices at the same time and makes it simple to switch between music and calls. The WH-1000XM5's sleek, minimalist design and eco-friendly packaging (using recycled plastic developed specifically for Sony) make them a desirable option for anyone who is concerned about the environment.
Compared to their predecessors, the XM5s are lighter and more comfortable with headbands that fit snugly around your ears with less pressure on your head. They're also more stylish with the new, sleek appearance that lets them blend into most outfits. They're also available in a matte black that looks even better than the glossy black of previous generations.
One of the best features of the WH1000XM5 is its smart noise cancellation feature. It detects when you remove the headphones and then pauses the audio. When you put your headphones back on the audio is automatically resumed. This is a great method to save battery and it works.
As for sound quality, the XM5s do a great job in both LDAC codec support as well as DSEE Extreme audio upscaling. Tim Commerford's bass skills are evident in Rage Against the Machine’s Bullet in the Head which is a dark track. Billie Eilish's Bad Guy features subtle but deliberate vocal fade.
For those who exercise and living in humid climates A word of caution The WH1000XM5s do NOT have an IP rating. They are not recommended near moisture. In the manual, it's explicitly stated that you shouldn't use the headset in the rain or when you sweat into it.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
The PX7 S2 is a refreshing upgrade to B&W's prior flagship wireless headphone that was the PX7. The Series 2 is not just an iterative upgrade, but an incredibly improvement in audio quality and ANC. The design is also more refined, with a style that is more mature than the shiny, tech-forward appearance of Sony's XM5 and Apple's AirPods Max.
A slider switch for power makes it clear when the headphones are on, and dedicated buttons for play / pause and volume make it easy to navigate your music collection. There's a customizable button on the left earcup which can be altered to trigger your voice assistant, and there's an ambient pass-through mode that lets you listen to what's happening around you without taking off the headphones.
streaming an 16-bit/44.1kHz master of Dennis Wilson's River Song from his Pacific Ocean Blue album via the S2s, the soundstage is expansive and clear with layered harmonies as well as atmospheric textures bursting through. There's a lot of low-end extension as well as vocals that stay centered.
The S2s are not the most effective in EQ control. You can adjust bass and treble to 6dB but there are no presets that will help you find your ideal balance. This isn't a big issue for the majority of listeners, but music fans who like to create their own audio will likely need to look elsewhere.
Overall all, the PX7 S2s make an excellent choice for those who are seeking a noise-canceling, active headphone with an elegant design and feel. Although they're not as versatile as the XM5s discussed above however, they're still a great choice for most listeners. You'll have to decide if their superior ANC and audio quality is enough to justify the slightly higher price.
Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless
The Bose QuietComfort 45 is a pair of wireless over-ear headphones that provide excellent noise cancellation. They also have an extended battery life of 24 hours. The headphones are lightweight and comfortable enough to wear throughout the house. They can be controlled via the built-in buttons or an accompanying app, however the customization options are limited (sorry, no equalizer). You can select from a variety of sound profiles that are suitable for various situations, like travelling or working at home. The QC45s have an option called Aware Mode which permits outside sounds to be heard using ANC. This is useful for people who want to hear traffic and children when out and about.
The audio quality of the headphones isn't as great as that of the WH-1000XM5s, but it's still pretty good. The bass isn't as intense, but it does give decent depth and a decent amount of texture. The mids and highs are nicely rounded and there's no shrillness or harshness.
The QC45s are known to favor higher frequencies. This can cause a slight sibilance while listening to certain songs. This isn't a major issue and can be easily corrected in software by tweaking the headphone's settings.
The controls are easy to use. The left earcup turns on and off the headphones controls music playback and manages Bluetooth pairing. There's also an multi-function Action button that doubles as a power toggle, voice assistant, and volume control. There's also a microphone for phone calls and Siri or Alexa is supported.
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x
The ATH-M20x are a stylish pair of headphones that give excellent sound quality for the price. The headphones are sturdy and well-built. The earcups and headband are made of plastic, but they're strong enough to last a long time. The earcups can be adjusted by up to 15° and can be positioned comfortably on the majority of ears.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x has Bluetooth 5.0 which allows you to enjoy your music wirelessly. They come with a remarkable battery life that can last up to 30 hours of music listening time. They come with a USB cable for charging.
The use of the headphones is easy. Three buttons are situated on the left ear cup and allow you to control the playback of music as other functions. You can pause, change tracks and adjust the volume with these buttons. The ATH M20x comes with a built-in microphone for voice commands and calls. The headset has a low-latency mode that makes it ideal for gaming and video calls.
The ATH M20x headphones are fantastic for certain styles of music however, they are not for all. Vocals can sound flat, and there isn't much bass. The high frequencies sound crisp and clear. The treble is an outstanding feature of these headphones. These headphones are suitable for jazz, pop and classical music.
The ATH-M20x headphones weigh light at a mere 190 grams without the cord. They have a good amount of padding around the ear cups but they are not foldable. over ear wireless headphones will be bulky to carry in backpacks and might not fit in bags. The cable is not removable. Audio-Technica ATH-M40x are a good option for those looking for an audio system that are more portable. It is more comfortable with the ability to fold, swivel ears that lay flat and removable cables. It's more expensive, but offers better isolation and a bit more bass.
Skullcandy Dime 2.
The Dime 2 is Skullcandy’s best-sounding true wireless headphones. It comes with a small and compact case that can easily be slipped into purses or pockets. It comes with a range of sizes of earbuds that can be adjusted to fit different sizes of ears. It's also lighter than wireless earbuds that we test.
The earbuds feature dual microphones that are good for picking up your voice and reducing background noise when you make phone calls. However, they're not suitable for outdoor use because environmental sounds can overtake your voice. The earbuds are also unsuitable in windy environments and they can block certain areas of your speech.
Despite these minor issues the earbuds have solid bass and other sound qualities. They have a clear clean, clear high-end that doesn't bleed into the mids. They also have a decent amount of mid-bass to give your music a little punch.
They also have a good dual-tap feature that allows you to execute voice commands, though they're not as intuitive as Apple's AirPod Pro. You have to place your thumb on bottom stem to ensure stability and then press the logo to trigger the command. It's a little inconvenient and doesn't feel as responsive as a pinch-gear system.
The earbuds last around four hours on a single charge. They also can be charged quickly for an additional two hours. They are IPX4 tested for their resistance to sweat and water. The earbuds come in a carrying case that features two openings to fit the earbuds, as well as an elastic loop for securing them to clothing. It's a great-looking case that's available in several colors, including Doritos red. You can purchase them on the internet for less than $30 USD.