Best Over-Ear Wireless Headphones
Consider these if you are seeking wireless headphones for your ears. These headphones are not just comfortable, but they also have active noise cancellation which mutes background sounds so you can focus on your music.
The first wireless headphones from Focal are the ultimate dream of audiophiles. They feature a deep and full sound, with enough thump to support EDM, but vocals and instruments are not left out. They come with a companion application and ANC presets so you can customize the sound to meet your tastes.
Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony's WH1000XM5 is the most recent generation of its well-loved headphones, that feature automatic adaptive noise cancellation (ANC) to cancel out the background sounds. They're ideal for long commutes and long journeys with a staggering 27 hours of playback time. They also have a neat feature that allows you to connect them to two Bluetooth devices at the same time making it simple to switch between music and calls. The WH-1000XM5's sleek, minimalist design and environmentally friendly packaging (using recycled plastic that was specifically designed for Sony) make them a desirable option for those who are concerned about the environment.
In comparison to their predecessors the XM5s weigh less and are more comfortable thanks to headbands that fit snugly around your ears with less pressure on your head. They're also more fashionable thanks to the new, sleek appearance that lets them blend in with most outfits. They're now available in a luscious matte black that's more appealing than the previous generation's glossy black.
One of the WH-1000XM5's best features is their smart noise cancellation feature. It detects when you've removed the headphones and pauses your audio. When you put them back on, they will automatically resume. This is a great method to conserve battery and it's a great option.
The XM5s are a great choice for audio quality thanks to their LDAC codec and DSEE Extreme upscaling. Rage against the Machine's brooding Bullet in the Head shows off the bass skills of Tim Commerford with real power and Billie Eilish's Bad Guy features a delicate but deliberate vocal fade.
For gym rats and those living in rainy climates, a word of caution The WH1000XM5s do NOT have an IP rating. They are not recommended near moisture. In the manual, it's clearly stated that you shouldn't wear the headset in the rain or if you sweat into it.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
The PX7 S2 is a refreshing upgrade to B&W's flagship wireless headphone that was the PX7. The Series 2 is not just an incremental update, but a significant improvement in audio quality and ANC. The design is also a bit more refined, with a look that's more mature than the shiny, tech-forward appearance of Sony's XM5 and Apple's AirPods Max.
A power slider ensures that you know when the headphones are on, and the dedicated buttons for play / pause and volume make it easy to navigate through your music collection. The left ear cup has an adjustable button that can be remapped for your voice assistant. There's also an ambient pass-through mode, which lets you hear what's going on around you.
Streaming the 16-bit/44.1kHz master of Dennis Wilson's River Song from his Pacific Ocean Blue album via the S2s The soundstage is vast and clear, with layered harmonies and atmospheric textures coming through clearly. There's plenty of low-end extension, too, and vocals stay focused.
The S2s aren't the best at EQ control. You can alter the bass and treble up to 6dB, but there are no presets that can aid you in finding your ideal balance. This isn't an issue for most listeners, however those who want to control their sound's tone themselves will need to look elsewhere.
Overall overall, the PX7 S2s are a solid choice for those looking for an active noise-canceling headphone with a premium feel and finish. beats studio3 wireless over ear headphones 're not as flexible as the aforementioned XM5s, but they're still a great option for most listeners. You'll just have to decide if their superior ANC and audio quality are enough to offset the slightly higher price tag.
Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless
The Bose QuietComfort 45 is a pair of wireless over-ear headphones that provide excellent noise cancellation. They also come with a battery life of 24 hours. They're also comfortable and lightweight enough to be worn throughout the house. The built-in buttons can be controlled using an app that is included with the headphones, however the options for customization are only limited. (Sorry, there's no equalizer). You can select from a variety of sound profiles that are suitable for various situations, such as travelling or working from home. The QC45s have a feature known as Aware Mode that allows outside sounds to be heard when using ANC. This can be useful for those who want to hear traffic and children while out and out and about.
The headphones' audio quality isn't quite on a par with the WH-1000XM5s however it's still a solid performance. The bass isn’t pounding, but it does provide adequate volume and depth. The highs and mids are well-rounded and there's no hint of shrillness or harshness.
The QC45s are known to favor higher frequencies. This can cause some slight sibilance when listening to certain songs. This isn't an issue that causes a huge issue and can be easily corrected by changing the headphone settings within software.
The controls are intuitive and simple to use. A button on the left ear cup powers the headphones on and off, controls the music playback, and controls Bluetooth pairing. A multi-function Action Button is also available. It functions as a power switch and voice assistant in addition to controlling volume. There's also a microphone for phone calls and Siri or Alexa is supported.
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x
The ATH-M20x are a chic pair of headphones that offer an excellent sound quality at a reasonable price. They are well built with a sturdy feel to them. The headband and ear cups are made of plastic it is strong enough to make it robust enough for long-term use. The ear cups can be adjusted by as much as 15 degrees which means they can be positioned comfortably on the majority of ears.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x comes with Bluetooth 5.0 which lets you listen to your music wirelessly. The battery life is impressive, with up to 30 hours of music listening time. They come with a USB-C cable to charge.
The headphones are simple to use. Three buttons are located on the left ear cup and allow you to control the playback of music as other functions. These buttons let you stop, change tracks, and adjust the volume. The ATH-M20x has an integrated microphone for voice commands and calls. The headset features low-latency technology that makes it ideal for video calls and gaming.
The ATH-M20x headphones are great for some genres of music, but not all. Vocals can sound dull and there isn't any real bass response. The high frequencies are crisp and clear, however. These headphones are known for their high-frequency treble. These headphones are ideal for jazz, pop and classical music.
The ATH-M20x is a lightweight headphone, with a weight of just 190g without the cord. They are comfortable with plenty of padding on the earcups however they cannot be folded. They'll be heavy to carry in backpacks and might not fit into the bag of a handbag. They do not have a detachable cable. The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x is a better choice for those who want a more compact set of headphones. It is more comfortable thanks to a folding design, swiveling ear cups that are flat and have removable cables. It's more expensive but it offers more isolation, more bass and a longer battery life.
Skullcandy Dime 2
The Dime 2 is one of Skullcandy's better-sounding true wireless earbuds. It comes in a small carry case that can easily be slipped into purses or pockets. It also comes with a variety of ear gel sizes to fit different ears. It's also lighter than other wireless headphones that we tested.
The earbuds have dual microphones, which are excellent to pick up your voice and lessening background noise when you make phone calls. However, they're not suitable for outdoor use since the ambient noise can drown out your voice. Earbuds can also be unsuitable in windy environments and they may cut off specific parts of your speech.
The earbuds are great sounding, despite these minor flaws. They have a clear clean, clear high-end that doesn't spill into the mids. They also have a nice amount mid-bass to give your music a bit of punch.
They also come with a great dual-tap feature that allows you to execute voice commands, but they're not as user-friendly as Apple's AirPod Pro. It is necessary to place your thumb on bottom stem to ensure stability, and then press the logo for the command. It's a little inconvenient and isn't as responsive as a pinch-gear system.
The earbuds last for about four hours with a single charge. They also come with an option to charge them quickly that lets them last for two additional hours. They're also rated IPX4 for resistance to water and sweat. The Earbuds come with a carrying case that has a couple of openings for the earbuds and a loop to attach them to your clothing. It's a great-looking case that's available in several colors, including the red color of Doritos. They are available on the internet for less than $30 USD.