Best Over-Ear Wireless Headphones
Take a look at these if you're looking for wireless over-ear headsets. These headphones aren't just comfortable, but they also have active noise cancellation, which reduces background sounds so you can concentrate on the music.
Focal's first wireless headphones are the ultimate dream of audiophiles. They offer a full and full sound that has enough thump to support EDM but vocals and instruments are not left out. They come with a companion app and ANC presets to customize the sound to your personal preferences.
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 ambient sounds. They're well-suited to long commutes and long journeys, with an impressive 27 hours of playback time. The WH-1000XM5 also comes with an excellent feature that lets you to pair them with up to two Bluetooth devices at the same time which makes it simple to switch from music and calls. The WH1000XM5 will appeal to anyone who cares for sustainability due to its sleek, minimalist design and environmentally friendly packaging.
In comparison to their predecessors the XM5s are a bit lighter and more comfortable with headbands that fit snugly around your ears with less pressure on your noggin. They're also more fashionable thanks to a new, stealthy look that helps them blend into most outfits. And they're now available in a luscious matte black that's more appealing than the previous generation's glossy black.
One of the most impressive features of the WH1000XM5 is its intelligent noise cancellation feature, which detects when you take off the headphones and pauses the audio. When you put them back on, they automatically resume. This is a great way to conserve battery and it's very effective.
The XM5s make a great option for audio quality due to their LDAC codec and DSEE Extreme upscaling. Rage against the Machine's brooding Bullet in the Head shows off the bass work of Tim Commerford with real power, while Billie Eilish's Bad Guy has a 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 cannot be trusted near moisture. In the manual, it's clearly stipulated that you shouldn't use the headset in the rain or if you sweat on it.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
The PX7 S2 is a refreshing upgrade to B&W's flagship wireless headphone that was the PX7. Instead of a simple upgrade, the Series 2 delivers a substantial increase in both ANC and audio quality. The design is also more refined. It's an older look rather than the shiny, futuristic design of Sony's XM5 or Apple's AirPods Max.
A slider switch for power 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 a button that is customizable and can be altered to work with your voice assistant. There's also an ambient pass-through mode that allows you to hear what's going on around you.
Streaming a 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 and atmospheric textures coming through clearly. There's a good amount of low-end extension as well as vocals that stay focused.
The S2s are not the best at EQ control. You can increase or reduce bass and treble by up to 6dB, however there aren't any presets that will aid you in finding the perfect balance. This isn't an issue for most listeners, however music fans who like to control their sound's tone themselves will probably have to look elsewhere.
Overall overall, the PX7 S2s make a great option for those looking for a noise-canceling headphone with an exquisite finish and feel. Although they aren't as versatile as the XM5s discussed above however, they're still an excellent choice for the majority of listeners. You'll need to decide whether their superior ANC and audio quality are enough to justify the slightly higher cost.
Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless
The Bose QuietComfort 45 is a pair of wireless over-ear headphones that offer excellent noise cancellation. They also have a battery life of 24 hours. They're also comfortable and lightweight enough to be worn throughout the home. They can be controlled via the built-in buttons or an app companion, but the customization options are restricted (sorry there's no equalizer). You can select from a variety of sound profiles depending on the situation, such as when you're traveling or working from home. The QC45s also come with an Aware Mode which allows outside sounds in when using ANC, which can be useful for those who want to hear traffic and children while out and about.
The audio quality of the headphones isn't as high as the WH-1000XM5s, but they're still pretty good. The bass isn't overpowering, but it does provide decent depth and a decent amount of texture. The mids and highs are well rounded and there is no shrillness or harshness.
One issue is that the QC45s tend to favor the higher frequencies, which may cause some sibilance to certain songs. This isn't a big deal and can be easily corrected in software by tweaking the headphone's settings.
beats studio wireless headphones are intuitive. A button on the left earcup turns the headphones on and off, controls the music playback, and controls Bluetooth pairing. There's also a multi-function Action button that can also be used as a power switch, voice assistant, and volume control. Also, there's a microphone for phone calls as well as Siri or Alexa support.
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x
The ATH-M20x is a stylish pair that delivers excellent sound quality at a reasonable cost. The headphones are sturdy and well-built. Although the headband and ear cups are constructed of plastic it is strong enough to be durable for long use. The ears can rotate up to 15 degrees so they will fit comfortably on 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 that can last up to 30 hours of listening time. They come with a USB-C cable to charge.
The headphones are simple to use. There are three buttons along the the left earcup which allow you to control playback and other functions. You can pause, change tracks, and alter the volume with these buttons. The ATH M20x also features an integrated microphone that you can use for voice calls and voice commands. The headset features low-latency technology that makes it ideal for gaming and video calls.
The ATH-M20x headphones aren't without great audio quality, they are not ideal for any genre of music. Vocals can sound flat, and there isn't a real bass response. The high frequencies are crisp and clear though. The treble is a standout feature of these headphones. These headphones are great for jazz, pop and classical music.
The ATH-M20x headphones are lightweight at a mere 190 grams without the cord. They are comfortable with plenty of padding on the earcups however they aren't foldable. They are large and won't fit in a bag or backpack. They don't have an untidy 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 due to an adjustable design that folds, swiveling ear cups that lay flat, and a removable cable. It is more expensive but provides better isolation, more bass and longer battery life.
Skullcandy Dime 2.
The Dime 2 is Skullcandy’s best-sounding true wireless headphones. It comes in a small, compact carrying case that is easy to slip into purses or pockets. It comes with a variety of ear gel sizes that can be adjusted to fit various sizes of ears. It's also a little lighter than other wireless earbuds we've tested.
The earbuds have two microphones that are great for picking up your voice and reducing background noise when you make phone calls. However, they're not ideal for outdoor use because environmental sounds can overtake your voice. They also struggle with winds and can cut some of your speech.
The earbuds are great sounding, despite these minor issues. They have a clear, high-end that doesn't spill into the mids, and they have a nice amount of mid-bass that adds some punch to your music.
They also have a decent dual-tap feature to perform voice commands, although they're not as intuitive as Apple's AirPod Pro. You'll need to place your thumb on the bottom of the stem for stability, and then press the logo to execute a command. It's not as quick as a pinch gesture, and can be a bit unwieldy.
The earbuds are able to last for about four hours on a single charge and have a quick-charge capability for two additional hours. They are IPX4 tested for their resistance to water and sweat. The Earbuds come with a carrying case with a couple of openings for the earbuds as well as an elastic loop to secure them to your clothing. It's a stylish case that's available in several colors, including Doritos red. They are available on the internet for less than $30 USD.