Best Over the Ear Headphones
Wireless headphones let you listen to music or podcasts anywhere without having to run an audio cable from your device. They're ideal for public transport, at work or at home.
Wireless over-ear cans are offered in a variety of designs and noise cancellation capabilities. They are usually packed in a sleek case.
Soundcore Q30
A major improvement over the Soundcore Life 2 from late-2018, these over-ears are more attractive, feel more durable, and are generally more polished. The hinges are more secure and the soft leather ear cups have been a bit larger. They're still made of plastic, but they are more polished. You can replace the 3.5mm cord for a high quality USB-C cable to make use of them with mobile Hi-Res as well as stationary players. They also feature two microphones built-in, which perform well in our tests for FaceTime, Skype, and Microsoft Teams calls.
The Soundcore app offers a vast selection of EQ presets that can be customized and saved so you can listen to music and podcasts in the style you prefer. This is what sets these headphones apart from other ANC headphones and the Soundcore app is very easy to use.
The Q30's 40mm speakers effectively block out almost all ambient sound when ANC is enabled. This creates an extremely pleasant listening experience. The Q30's sound is natural, however it lags it's a bit harsh on treble. Some might find the bass response lacking (we had better results with the Bass Booster equalizer). You can fix this easily using the Soundcore App, which includes an eight-band Equalizer.
The left earcup features a power button, a pairing button, and an USB-C charging port. The right earcup features buttons for play/pause, volume up/down and volume up/down. Double-clicking on these controls allows you to skip tracks or repeat previous ones. They also come with an option to speak to them that allows you to request to switch the mode or set an alarm. You can also cover the right ear cup by using your hands to activate ambient modes so that you can hear everything around you without removing the headphones.
The battery life of these headphones is great, too. The Q30 lasts for an hour longer in our tests when ANC was switched on than its rivals. This allows you to enjoy the long flight, or a long day at work. The USB-C cable included allows you to quickly recharge the batteries. You'll also receive an alert when the battery is nearing empty.
Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal's Bathys Wireless are a set of premium over-ear headphones that offer both active noise cancellation and Bluetooth playback. They're designed as a pair of premium headphones that are great for listening to podcasts and music on the go but also sound fantastic when used to listen to audiophile music at home as well. They're a little more expensive than similar headphones but their superior audio quality is the primary selling point.
The Focal Bathys are packaged in a small, slim and attractive white fabric-finished retail box with all the accessories you'll need in. You can also get a fold-flat carry case for the headphones as well as a USB-C to USB C cable, 1.2mmSE cable and an audio converter.
They're powered by a respectable 600mAh battery that will get you through a whole day of listening, and include an audio input for wired use. When connected wirelessly, they're paired via Bluetooth and you can control their functions using an app (now known as Focal & Naim, probably in the same line as their English Naim brand's products for audio that are network-aware) or using the dedicated button on the left earcup that allows you to switch between ANC profiles like'soft','silent 'transparent' and 'full'.
The app allows you to alter different settings, including the LED brightness, EQ presets including a'music' profile that sounds more neutral and brighter than the others and their battery life. It also gives you the ability to select the ANC mode and its level, as well as setting an 'acoustic' setting which adjusts the sensitivity of your music to simulate what it would sound like if it were placed in a space with different acoustics.
The Focal Bathys feature an incredibly bass-rich profile that gives more warmth, punch and impact to your favorite tracks. This means that instruments and vocals are pushed back in the mix and sound muffled, while other details such as cymbals sound not as prominent as you'd expect on other headphones. The headphones are also less effective at active noise cancellation compared to other over-ears with more advanced technology, such as the Sony WH1000XM5 or Apple AirPods Max.
Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony headphones are renowned for their quality, and the WH1000XM5 is not an exception. It is the best of the mainstream over ear headphone market and also falls within the 'luxury' lifestyle area where brands such as Apple, Montblanc, Bang & Olufsen and Montblanc are situated. The XM5s are costly however, if you can afford it get them, you won't find a better wireless headphones.
The XM5s are loaded with a number of features that make life easier for the listener and automate some tasks they would otherwise have to do manually. Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine (which upscales music that has been compressed to near high-res), as well as Bluetooth's LDAC Technology are included. This allows streaming of high-quality audio with rates that are higher than traditional Bluetooth. There's even a built-in microphone for making calls without hands.
As with the previous generation of WH headphones the XM5s excel in noise cancellation. They are one of the best at reducing the continuous drones that can be heard in subway and train carriages. The XM5s are also excellent at separating listeners from the noises of airports and busy streets.
The sound quality is also very good. The XM5s aren't as clear in the low frequencies as the XM4, but they have a higher level of clarity and realism as well. For example the bass work on Rage Against the Machine's Bullet in the Head flexes the Sonys' muscles with real power and definition, while not sagging everything else. In the same way, Massive Attack's grooving Angel showcases the XM5's' ability to deliver tight and precise bass notes.
Battery life is also good, providing up to 30 hours of listening time with ANC active and 40 hours when it's off. This is more than enough for a weekend getaway or a long period of usage.
The only issue is that the XM5s lack any water resistance or dust resistance protection. Sony actually advises against sweating on them or taking them out in the rain. This might not be a problem for some people, but it could be a problem for those who spend a lot of time at the gym or lives in a rainy city.
Apple AirPods Max
The Apple AirPods Max are a pair of wireless headphones that fit over the ear with Bluetooth technology and noise cancellation. Apple created dynamic drivers measuring 40mm with a neutral sound profile that emphasizes highs and mids without going overboard. They are great for music and movies. They also offer superior fidelity when compared to other headphones.
The headphones have a light design that is comfortable on the head. The ear cups are constructed from memory foam covered in weaved fabric. They fit comfortably on the ears without pressing on the sides of the face. The ear cups can be tilted and rotated to accommodate different head shapes. The spring-loaded hinges provide an incredibly firm, yet not too much clamping force that ensures the earcups remain in position during listening sessions.
A small button at the the right ear cup lets you toggle noise cancelling modes. You can also utilize an earphone-style jog dial with a push button similar to the digital crown on the Apple Watch. You can turn it to control the volume and press it once, twice, or three times for playback controls. Pressing and holding the button invokes Siri. The buttons are easy to use and well-placed however I would have liked to see an option to power off or switch off the headphones when they are not in use. The headphones go into standby mode when removed from your ears or when placed in their case. They will come back into use when you put them on your head.
Spatial audio is another great feature. It utilizes accelerometers, gyroscopes, and iPads or iPhones to determine where you are moving. Then, it alters the position of the sound to make it seem to be coming from that particular location. This creates an immersive theater experience for videos and movies that were recorded in 5.1, 7.1 or Dolby Atmos. best wireless over ear headset is that spatial audio requires an iOS device to use it and you won't be able to enjoy it on other devices.
The AirPods Max are a decent pair of headphones, but I'd feel slightly smug about going into an Apple Store and spending $549 on them if I knew they'd be beaten in a year by the new model. The AirPods Pro have more advanced features and better battery life, making it difficult to justify the additional cost for most people.