The Best Wireless Over Ear Headset
In contrast to earbuds, headphones over-ear completely surround your ears and can block out ambient sound. Choose headphones with active noise cancellation and batteries that last at minimum 20 hours.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4s have an excellent ANC feature, a convenient control for the ear, and an easy-to-use app. Its default sound profile delivers the sound of a thump and a punch, however instruments and vocals can be nudged to the background.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony's WH-1000XM5 are an excellent pair of headphones for music lovers who want to enjoy the most wireless over-ear headset. They're lightweight and come with a soft carrying case that folds flat for easy storage in your bag. The controls on the touch are intuitive and simple to use, and the battery lasts for 30 hours without ANC. They even have an auto-pause feature that turns off your headphones once they are removed from your head to conserve battery.
The WH1000XM5 is compatible 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 adjust ambient sound features based on the environment you are in. The microphone is integrated for hands-free calls. The Sony WH1000XM5 is able to play music wirelessly via Bluetooth or wired via the cable provided. They can support aptX, HD aptX and aptX Adaptive to deliver high quality audio over Bluetooth.
Similar to the XM4, the WH-1000XM5 is light and comfortable with a well-padded headband and ear cups. They are comfortable to wear and are suitable for long periods. They are also ideal for long commutes and flights. They have good noise canceling performance that eliminates most background noise, but without sacrificing clarity and clarity. The Sony WH1000XM5 has an adequate amount of bass for closed-back headphones. They have a superb soundstage that has a clear separation of vocals and instruments.
They have a very low latency for watching videos which is a huge advantage. The lag is so minimal that it's almost imperceptible, and they can also be used to play casual games. They're not the ideal choice for video games that compete and are a good choice for people who will be using them for media consumption or for making calls using hands-free technology.
Sony is very committed to incorporating smart features into its products, and the WH-1000XM5 is not a different. The active noise cancellation is one of the most effective I've ever tried, and they come with a suite of smart functions to enhance the overall listening experience. They also have Sony's DSEE Extreme engine which upscales compressed music to close to high quality. They also work with Sony's LDAC technology which streams higher-bitrate audio via Bluetooth (although not as hi-res as an DAC for headphones that is dedicated to headphone use).
2. Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
Bowers & Wilkins flagship headphones which is the PX7 S2 have been consistently on top wireless headset lists since the introduction of the first-generation PX7 in 2015. This puts them in the same class as Sony WH1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort. The PX7 S2 is the latest version that takes the original headphones to the next level, with improved ANC performance and a refreshed design.
The bio-cellulose drivers that measure 40mm inside the earcups are angled so that they point directly at your eardrums. This gives you a more intimate audio experience than most other closed-back headphones. The PX7 S2 does not disappoint in this claim with a fervent zeal. The vocals are clear and the bass is deep when needed.
The PX7 S2 also performs very well in voice calls, with a crisp and clear sound that doesn't drown out your own voice. They also offer a quick charge that allows you to return to full power in less than two hours, and they're compatible with hi-res audio due to an adaptive Bluetooth codec that allows them to play 24-bit music.
The noise-canceling technology and improved audio performance are the most important upgrades for the majority of listeners. In our tests, the PX7 S2 eliminated nearly all of our simulated cabin noise with impressive efficiency and also performed well when we played Mozart's Et In Carnatus Est and Sanctus from his Grosse Messe, demonstrating excellent insight into the shifting dynamics between the solo voice, the wind trio and orchestral accompaniment.
In addition to in addition to ANC In addition to improved ANC, in addition to improved ANC, PX7 S2s include a range of other useful features that make them comparable with other top-rated noise cancelling headphones. They're completely wireless and feature Bluetooth multipoint support, so you can pair two devices at once. They also come with an inbuilt microphone which allows hands-free calls while using your phone's assistant. They're also extremely robust, with a premium feel and durable construction that will last for years of continuous usage.
Of course, they're not the perfect models. The clamp force on our test models was a bit tighter than we'd prefer and there aren't as many additional app features available as some other models, but these are minor complaints. The PX7 S2s is a fantastic wireless headset that beats out other headsets in its class. It's difficult to imagine any other competitor to match them.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
For audiophiles who appreciate high fidelity and are looking for a top-quality wireless noise cancelling headset The Focal Bathys are hard to beat. They're the French audio company's first ANC headphones to use Bluetooth and they offer incredible audio quality in both Bluetooth mode and when connected to an device via USB for hi-fi audio at up to 24 bits/192kHz (the headphone is also capable of blocking external sound through its closed ear cups).
The Bathys are gorgeous with their sleek black finish and swooping curves reminiscent of Focal's premium open-back Elear and closed-back Celestee headphones. The Bathys are constructed of premium materials such as magnesium and aluminum, which make them feel sturdy and comfortable. They're also worth the price.
The Bathys Bluetooth headphones offer crisp, vibrant sound signature. They easily surpass consumer ANC devices with similar prices like the Sony XM5/5 or Bose QC45. They can be enhanced further with direct DAC audio mode, making them a bona fide option for true hi-fi listeners.
The Focal &Naim app allows users to adjust the playback controls of the headphone and Bluetooth pairing preferences. They can choose between quiet or soft intensities for ANC and adjust the brightness of the LEDs on the ear cups, and tweak EQ settings. The app is basic but it has enough features to warrant its purchase.
The only issue is that the active noise cancellation doesn't live up to the competition. The headphone isn't able to block out all ambient noise as well as the top-rated XM5 and AirPods Max. Its treble accuracy also falls short, with a muddy mid-to-high range that takes away from vocals and instruments.
The Focal Bathys headphones aren't particularly transportable. The ear cups aren't foldable up and weigh a bit more than other models, meaning that they're not ideal for travel. They're ideal for an environment at home where they can be used for long listening sessions or as an example headphone for sound engineering purposes. The Bathys are comfortable to wear for long periods of time despite their size and bulk.
4. Sony WH-CH720N
The Sony WHCH720N is a great pair of wireless over-ear headsets at a reasonable price. The noise-cancelling technology is great and does a great deal to reduce ambient noise. They are great for those who commute or travel. They also have an appealing design that reflects premium quality, thanks to their robust construction and attractive matte finish.
They have a similar look to Sony's XB910N and 1000X headphone models. They sport a slim, plastic headband, with the standard hinges for the earcups. They're lightweight and comfortable to wear, but they feel a bit too tight for my taste. In the box, they include a USB-C port for charging, a 3.5mm socket, and a decent length cable. They support multipoint Bluetooth pairing, meaning you can connect to two devices simultaneously If you want to.
In my tests, the CH720N's hybrid technology for noise cancellation did an excellent job of reducing ambient noise. There were only a few glitches while walking around Waterloo Station and London Victoria. These weren't magical sound-silencers which blocked out every sound however, they struggled with lower-frequency noises such as the rumbling engine noise of buses and trains.
The CH720N's Bluetooth connection was smooth and showed a low level harmonic distortion. beats wireless in ear headphones listened to a variety of genres and discovered they handled the intricate interplay between instruments very well. It did a fantastic job of taming bass in rock tracks and focusing the mix.
The Sony Headphones Connect App allows you to customize the CH720N's multipoint connection and ANC settings according to your preferences. You can also add 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 the audio quality.
The WH-CH720N offers a great value for PS130. It isn't equipped with some of Sony's best features (such as Speak-toChat and Quick Attention) but it has a lot of great features. You can access 360 Reality Audio and a range of smart controls, and the aforementioned DSEE upscaling feature. The only thing that is not included is LDAC Bluetooth High-Res Audio Support, which I believe would have been a welcomed inclusion.