Best Over the Ear Headphones

Wireless headphones let you listen to podcasts and music without the requirement of connecting an audio wire to your device. They're also a great choice for public transportation, Bluetooth headphone at work, or at home.

wireless headphones with bluetooth over-ear headphones can have an elegant design and superior noise cancellation. They are typically packaged in a stylish case.

Soundcore Life Q30

A major upgrade over the Soundcore Life 2 from late-2018 The new over-ears appear better, feel stronger and are generally more polished. The hinges are stronger, and the soft leather ear cups are a bit larger. They are still largely made of plastic, but they're more polished. You can also swap out the 3.5mm cable for a high-quality USB-C version to use them with stationary Hi-Fi systems and mobile Hi-Res players. They also come with dual microphones that are great in our tests for FaceTime, Skype, and Microsoft Teams calls.

The Soundcore app has a huge range of EQ presets, bluetooth headphone which can be adjusted and saved to allow you to listen to music or podcasts in the way you prefer. This is the thing that sets these headphones apart from other ANC headphones, and the Soundcore app is very easy to use.

The Q30's 40mm speakers effectively eliminate the majority of ambient noise when ANC is turned on. This creates an extremely enjoyable listening experience. The Q30's sound quality is natural, however it lags it's a bit harsh on treble. Some may not be a fan of the bass response (we got better results using the Bass Booster Equalizer). However, you can easily rectify this with the Soundcore app, as there's an equalizer with 8 bands to help you tinker.

The left earcup features an power button as well as a pairing button and an USB-C charging port. The right ear cup has play/pause, and the volume up and down buttons. Double-clicking these buttons lets you skip tracks or replay the previous one. You can also make use of voice commands to ask for a change in mode or set alarms. You can also cover the right earcup by using your hands to activate ambient modes to allow you to hear everything around you without having to remove the headphones.

These headphones have a great battery life. The Q30 was able to last for a full hour in our tests when ANC was turned on than its competitors. This gives you plenty of time to prepare for a long flight or an office day. The USB-C cable included allows you to quickly charge them. You'll also receive an alert when your battery is about to run out.

Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal's Bathys Wireless are a set of high-quality headphones for over-ear use that provide both active noise cancellation and Bluetooth playback. They're made to be a premium high-end headphones that are great for listening to music and podcasts on the go, but are a great choice 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 point.

The Focal Bathys come in a slim, compact and attractive fabric-finished white retail box that includes everything you need inside. The package includes a fold-flat headphone carrying case, USB-C to USB cable, 1.2mm SE cable and an audio adapter.

They're powered by a respectable 600mAh battery that will get you through a full day of listening, and have an audio input that can be wired for use. When they're wirelessly connected, they're connected via Bluetooth and you'll be able control their functions using an app (now called Focal & Naim likely in the same line as their English Naim brand's products that are network-aware) or using the dedicated button located on the left earcup that allows you to switch between ANC profiles such as'silent','soft' 'transparent' and full.

Using the app allows you to alter various settings such as the LED brightness as well as EQ presets that include a "music profile' that sounds more neutral and brighter than other presets and also their battery duration. It also lets you to select the ANC mode and the level as well as setting an 'acoustic' setting that adjusts the sensitivity of your music to simulate what it will sound like when worn in a space with different acoustics.

The Focal Bathys have a bass-rich sound profile that adds extra warmth and punch to your favourite tracks. This means that instruments and vocals be muted, while other details like cymbals might be less noticeable than on other headphones. They're also not as effective in active noise cancellation compared to other over-ears with more advanced technology such as the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Apple AirPods Max.

Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony has a fine reputation for its headphones, and the WH-1000XM5 headphones are no exception. It is a top pick in the mainstream over ear headphone market and borders the 'luxury' lifestyle market where brands such as Apple, Montblanc, Bang & Olufsen and Montblanc are situated. The XM5s can be expensive however, if you are able to get them, you won't find a better wireless over-ear headphones.

The XM5s are loaded with features to help listeners and, in some instances, automate tasks that they'd otherwise have to deal with manually. Sony's DSEE Extreme engine (which upscales compressed music to close to high-res) is included and also support for bluetooth Headphone's LDAC technology. This allows for streaming of high-quality audio at rates that are higher than traditional Bluetooth. There's even a built-in microphone to allow making calls hands-free.

The XM5 headphones are no different from the previous generation of WH headphones in terms of noise cancellation. They're among the top in cutting down on the constant drones that can be heard in underground and train carriages. The XM5s are also great at isolating the listener from the hum of airports and busy streets.

The sound quality is also top-quality. The XM5s don't have as much detail in the low-frequency range as the XM4, but, they do have an increased sense of clarity and openness. The bass in Rage Against the Machine’s Bullet in the Head shows off the Sonys' power and definition without affecting the rest the music. In the same way, Massive Attack's grooving Angel showcases the XM5's' ability to deliver accurate and precise bass notes.

The battery life is fantastic and can last up to 30 hours of listening time when ANC is active and 40 hours if it's off. That's more than enough for a weekend trip or a long period of use.

The XM5s are not dust or water resistant. Sony actually advises against sweating into the XM5s or taking them out in the rain. This may not be a problem for everyone else however for those who spend long hours in the gym or live in a humid area this could be a significant issue.

Apple AirPods Max

Apple AirPods Max is a pair over-ear wireless headphones that feature Bluetooth technology and noise cancellation. They feature 40mm Apple-designed dynamic drivers with neutral audio profiles that is focused on the mids and highs while not going overboard at either end of the spectrum. They are ideal for music and movies. They also have higher fidelity than most rival headphones.

The headphones have a light construction that is comfortable on the head. The ear cups, which are made of memory foam covered with woven fabric and are comfortable to wear over the ear they do not place pressure on the sides or forehead. The ear cups can tilt and rotate to accommodate various head shapes. The hinges that are spring loaded have a solid but not overly robust clamping force that ensures that the earcups stay in place during listening sessions.

A small button on the top of the right earcup allows you to switch between noise cancelling modes. It also has a pushable jog-dial-like button, similar to the digital crown on the Apple Watch, that you can turn to adjust the volume and press it once, twice or thrice to playback control. Siri is activated by pressing and pressing the button. The buttons are easy to use and well-placed but I would have liked to see a power button that would shut off the headphones when not in use. The headphones are put into standby mode when removed from your ears or when they are put in their case. They will come back into use when you place them on your head.

Another great feature is spatial audio, which uses the gyroscopes and accelerometers in the AirPods Max and your iPhone or iPad to determine the direction you're moving in, and then repositions the sound to appear as if they're coming from those places. This creates a cinema-like experience with movies and videos made in Dolby Atmos, 5.1 or 7.1. Only iOS devices are able to listen to audio in spatial format.

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 the headphones if I knew they'd be outdone next year by the second-generation model. The AirPods Pro have more advanced features and a better battery life, making it difficult to justify the cost for the majority of people.