Best Over the Ear Headphones
Wireless headphones let you listen to music or podcasts anywhere, without the necessity of running an audio wire to your device. These headphones are great to use on public transport, in the office or at home.
Wireless over-ear headphones are available in a variety and noise cancelling features. They typically come with a sleek storage case.
Soundcore Q30
A major improvement over the Soundcore Life 2 from late-2018, these over-ears appear better, feel stronger 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, however they are more polished. You can also swap out the 3.5mm cable for a high-quality USB-C model to use them with stationary Hi-Fi systems and mobile Hi-Res players. They also have dual built-in microphones, which work well in our tests for FaceTime, Skype, and Microsoft Teams calls.
The Soundcore app offers a wide selection of EQ presets that can be saved and tweaked to listen to podcasts and music in the style you prefer. The Soundcore app makes it easy to use and makes these headphones stand out.
The Q30's 40mm speakers effectively eliminate almost all ambient sound when ANC is enabled. This results in an extremely enjoyable listening experience. They have a natural sounding signature that leans a little on the treble side, which some might find lacking in bass response (we have had better results using the Bass Booster EQ preset). But, you can fix this using the Soundcore app, as there's an equalizer with 8 bands to help you tinker.
These headphones have the power button and a pairing button on the left earcup as well as the USB-C port for charging. The right earcup features buttons for play/pause, volume up/down and volume up/down. Double-clicking these controls lets you to skip tracks or play previous ones. You can also use voice commands to ask them to switch modes or set alarms. The right ear cup can also be covered by your hand to activate ambient mode to allow you to be aware of what is happening around you without removing the headphones.
The battery life on these headphones is fantastic, too. In our tests with ANC enabled the Q30 ran for almost an hour longer than its competitors. This allows you to enjoy the long flight, or a long day at work. They can be charged quickly by using the USB-C cable that comes with them, and you'll see a warning when they're approaching empty.
Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal's Bathys Wireless are a set of high-quality headphones for over-ear use that offer both active noise cancellation as well as Bluetooth playback. They're designed as a pair of premium, high-end headphone that are ideal for listening to podcasts and music on the go but also sound fantastic when used to listen to audiophile music at home too. They're slightly more expensive than other similar headphones, but their exceptional sound quality is the main selling feature.
The Focal Bathys are packed in a small elegant white box with a textured finish. It includes all the accessories you'll require. There's also 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.
The battery's capacity is 600mAh, which will last for a whole day of casual listening. They also include an audio input so that you can use wired. When used wirelessly they're paired via Bluetooth and you'll be able to control their functions through an app (now known as Focal & Naim, probably in line with their English sister brand Naim's network-aware audio products) or via the button that's on the left ear cup that allows you to switch between ANC profiles like'silent','soft' 'transparent' and full.
The app allows you to alter various settings like the brightness of the LED, EQ presets including a'music profile' that is brighter and more neutral than other presets and their battery duration. It also lets you to select the ANC mode and its level, as well as setting an 'acoustic environment' that will adjust the sensitivity of your audio to simulate what it would sound like when used in a room with different audio acoustics.
The Focal Bathys feature bass-rich, rich sound profiles that adds extra punch and warmth to your favorite tracks. This means that vocals and instruments can sound muted, while certain elements like cymbals could be less prominent than on other headphones. The headphones are also less effective in active noise cancellation when compared with other headphones that feature more advanced technology, like the Sony WH1000XM5 or Apple AirPods Max.
Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony has a stellar reputation for its headphones, and the WH-1000XM5 headphones are no exception. It is the best of the mainstream over ear headphone market and is in the luxury lifestyle segment where brands like Apple, Montblanc, Bang & Olufsen and Montblanc are located. This means the XM5s come with a high cost, but when you can afford it, there are few better wireless over-ear headphones out there.
The XM5s are loaded with a number of features that make life easier for the listener and automate tasks that they'd otherwise have to do manually. Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine (which upscales music to near-high-resolution) as well as Bluetooth's LDAC Technology are included. best affordable over ear wireless headphones allows streaming of high-quality audio at bitrates higher than conventional Bluetooth. The built-in microphone is capable of making hands-free phone calls.
Similar to the previous generation of WH headphones the XM5s excel at noise cancellation. They are among the best at reducing the continuous drones that can be heard in train and underground carriages. The XM5s are also great in separating the listener from the noises of busy airports and streets.
Sound quality is also excellent. The XM5s may not be as clear in the low frequencies as the XM4, but there's a more pronounced sense of clarity and realism also. For example the bass work on Rage Against the Machine's Bullet in the Head flexes the Sonys' muscles with real power and definition, without reducing everything else. The XM5s also have the ability to produce precise and precise bass notes in Massive Attack's Angel.
The battery life is also good, providing up to 30 hours of listening time with ANC active, and 40 hours when it's turned off. That's more than enough for a weekend getaway or a few days of heavy usage.
The XM5s aren't dust or water resistant. Sony actually recommends not sweating into them or wearing them in the rain. This might not be a problem for the majority of people however, for those who spend much time in the gym or live in a rainy area, it could be a significant issue.
Apple AirPods Max
The Apple AirPods Max are a pair of wireless headphones that fit over the ear with Bluetooth technology and noise cancelling. Apple created dynamic drivers that measure 40mm, with a neutral sound profile that emphasizes highs and mids without going overboard. This makes them perfect for both movies and music. They also offer superior fidelity when compared to other headphones.
The headphones are light in construction that is comfortable on the head. The ear cups are constructed of memory foam and covered with woven fabric, and are comfortable to wear over the ear and do not place pressure on the sides or the forehead. The earcups can also tilt and rotate to accommodate different head shapes. The spring-loaded hinges offer an incredibly firm, yet not too strong clamping force that makes sure the ear cups remain in place during listening sessions.
A small button on the top of the right ear cup lets you toggle noise cancelling modes. It also has a pushable jog dial-like button similar to the digital Crown on the Apple Watch. You can turn it around to control volume and press it once three, twice, or times to playback the controls. Siri can be activated by pressing and holding the button. These buttons are placed well and simple to use, however I missed having the power button that could switch off the headphones when they're not in use. The headphones automatically go into standby mode after being removed from your ears or placed in their case, and they only come back on when you put them on your head again.
Another feature that is quite cool is spatial audio, which uses the gyroscopes and accelerometers in the AirPods Max and your iPhone or iPad to determine the direction you're going, and then repositions the sound to create the illusion that they're coming from these locations. This gives you a theater-like experience with videos and movies recorded in Dolby Atmos, 5.1 or 7.1. Only iOS devices can be used to listen to the spatial audio.
The AirPods Max are a decent pair of headphones, but I'd be somewhat smug walking into an Apple Store and spending $549 on them if I knew they'd be outdone in a year by the second-generation model. The AirPods Pro have more advanced features and a better battery life, making it difficult to justify the additional cost for most people.