The Best Wireless Over Ear Headset
Over-ear headphones are able to completely block out any external noise. Find headphones with active noise cancellation and batteries that last at least 20 hours.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4s have an excellent ANC feature, a convenient on-ear control, as well as an app that is easy to use. The default sound is an intense thump, however vocals and instruments can be turned off to the background.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony's WH-1000XM5 are an excellent pair of headphones for those who want to experience the most wireless over-ear headset. The headphones are light, come with a soft carrying case and can be folded flat to fit into your bag. The touch controls are intuitive and easy to use, and the battery can last for 30 hours with no ANC. They even have an auto-pause feature which turns off your headphones once they are removed from your head in order to save battery.
The WH1000XM5 can be used with Sony Headphones Connect, which has a wide range of features that can be utilized to personalize the audio experience. The app can be used to track your location and adjust the sound quality of your surroundings. The microphone can also be built in for hands-free calling. The Sony WH1000XM5 can play music wirelessly using Bluetooth or wired using the cable included. They support aptX, aptX HD and aptX Adaptive codecs that provide high-quality audio via Bluetooth.
The WH-1000XM5 has a similar headband and earcups to the XM4 but is lighter and more comfortable. They're easy to wear for long periods of time and are comfortable enough for commutes as well as longer flights. They're noise-cancelling headphones that reduce background noise but not sacrifice clarity or detail. The Sony WH-1000XM5 offer an adequate amount of bass for closed back headphones and they provide a great soundstage, with the clear separation of instruments and vocals.
The low latency is a major plus. The lag is so minimal that it's practically imperceptible and they are able to be used for casual gaming. They're not ideal for competitive video gaming, but they're great for those who want to utilize them for entertainment or for making hands-free calls.
Sony is committed to including smart features into its products, and the WH-1000XM5 is no exception. The active noise cancellation is among the best I've heard and they come with a set of smart functions to improve the overall listening experience. Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine upscales compressed audio to a near-hi-res format. They're compatible with Sony's LDAC technology, which streams music with higher bitrates via Bluetooth.
2. Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
Bowers & Wilkins flagship headphones, the PX7 S2 have always been 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's QuietComfort. The newest model, called the PX7 S2, is an upgrade that takes the first headphones to the next level with improved ANC performance and a refreshed design.
The 40mm bio-cellulose drivers in the earcups are placed in a way that they point directly at your eardrums. This provides an experience with more intimacy than most other closed-back headphones. The PX7 S2 lives up to this bold claim. Vocals are clear and clear, and bass is a deep and rumbly when it's needed to be.
The PX7 S2 also performs very well in voice calls, with a crisp and clear sound that doesn't muddle your own voice. They also provide a fast charge that can get you back fully charged in only two hours, and they're compatible with hi-res audio thanks to an aptX adaptive Bluetooth codec that allows them to play music with 24-bit resolution.
The noise-canceling technology and the improved audio performance are the most important improvements for the majority of listeners. In our tests the PX7 S2 eliminated nearly all of our simulated cabin noise with remarkable effectiveness and also performed well when we performed Mozart's Et In Carnatus Est and Sanctus from his Grosse Messe, demonstrating excellent insight into the dynamic shifts between the solo voice, wind trio and orchestral accompaniment.
The PX7 S2s aren't just noise-cancelling, they also come with a range of other features that make them competitive with other top-rated headphones. They're completely wireless and have Bluetooth multipoint support, meaning that you can pair two devices simultaneously. They also have a built in microphone that allows hands-free calls using your phone assistant. The construction is durable and premium, so they should last for a long time.
They're not perfect, of course. The clamp force of the models we tested were slightly higher than we'd prefer and there weren't as many apps features as other models. But these are minor complaints. The PX7 S2s are an excellent wireless headphone that rivals the best in their class, and it's hard to imagine them being defeated by any other headphone.
3. Focal Bathys Wireless
For audiophiles who prize high-quality sound and are looking for an exceptional wireless noise-canceling headset The Focal Bathys are difficult to beat. The Focal Bathys are the first ANC headphones made by an French audio company to use Bluetooth. They offer incredible sound both in Bluetooth mode and when connected via USB to a device for true hi-fi audio at up to 24-bit/192kHz.
The Bathys are stunning with their glossy finishes and swooping curvatures reminiscent Focal's closed-back Celestee and open-back Elear headphones. The Bathys are constructed of premium materials like aluminum and magnesium, which make them feel durable and comfortable. They are also worth the price.
In Bluetooth mode when Bluetooth is enabled, the Bathys provide a clear and lively sound quality that easily outperforms similarly priced consumer ANC options such as the Sony XM5/5 or Bose QC45. They can be pushed even further by using direct DAC audio mode which makes them an excellent choice for serious hi-fi enthusiasts.
Using the Focal and Naim application users can alter their headphone's playback controls, virtual assistant, and Bluetooth pairing preferences. The app allows users to choose between soft and silent intensities for ANC. They can also adjust the brightness of the LEDs on the ear cups of the headphones, and alter the EQ settings. The app is not complete, but it offers enough functionality to warrant the download.
The only flaw is the active noise cancellation, which doesn't live in the same way as the other models. The headphone doesn't eliminate all background noise as effectively as the top-rated XM5 and AirPods Max. Its treble accuracy is also lacking, with a muddy mid-to-high range that takes away from vocals and instruments.
The Focal Bathys headphones aren't the most transportable. Their ear cups don't fold up and weigh a bit heavier than other models, meaning that they're not suitable for traveling. The Bathys are best utilized at home for long listening sessions or as an example headset for audio engineering. Despite their size and bulk they are Bathys are actually comfortable to wear for extended durations of time.
4. Sony WH-CH720N
The Sony WHCH720N headset is a excellent pair of wireless over ear headsets for the price. They feature a great noise-cancelling feature that is capable of quelling ambient noise, which makes them great for those who commute or travel. They also have an appealing high-end look with their sturdy construction and appealing matte finish.
They have a similar design as Sony's more recent 1000X and XB910N headphones. wireless over the head headphones sport an ultra-slim headband that has the typical ear cup hinges and a solid plastic construction. They're lightweight and comfortable to wear, however they feel a bit too tight for my taste. They have a USB-C charging port, 3.5mm jack and a decent-length cable inside the box. They support multipoint Bluetooth, which means you can connect to two devices simultaneously if you want.
In my tests, the CH720N's noise-cancelling technology was able to do great job of reducing background noise, with just a couple of noticeable blips in walking around Waterloo station and London Victoria. The sound-silencers didn't zap every sound in the vicinity however, they struggled with low-frequency sounds such as the rumbling engine sounds of buses and trains.
The CH720N's Bluetooth connection worked smoothly and displayed a minimal harmonic distortion. I listened to a variety of different genres and found they were able to handle the intricate interplay between instruments very well. It did an excellent job of controlling the bass in rock tracks and keeping the mix focused.
The Sony Headphones Connect App allows you to customize the CH720N's multipoint connectivity as well as ANC settings to your liking. You can also choose from a range of audio presets. You can also use the app to activate DSEE, which upsacles compressed content and improves its sound quality.
While the WH-CH720N does not have a few of Sony's primetime features when compared to the XM5 (such as Speak-to-Chat and Quick Attention) they do offer a robust set of features available for PS130. 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.