Best Over the Ear Headphones
Wireless headphones let you listen to music or podcasts anywhere without having to run an audio wire to your device. These headphones are ideal for public transport, at the office or at home.
Wireless over-ear headphones can have an elegant design and superior noise cancellation. They are usually packed in a stylish case.
Soundcore Life Q30
A major improvement over the Soundcore Life 2 from late-2018, these over-ears look better, feel sturdier, and are generally more polished. The hinges are more secure, and the soft cups are slightly larger. They're still made of plastic, however they're more polished. You can replace the 3.5mm cord for a higher quality USB-C cable and make use of them with mobile Hi-Res as well as stationary players. They also have dual built-in microphones, which perform well in our tests for FaceTime, Skype, and Microsoft Teams calls.
The Soundcore app has a huge range of EQ presets that can be customized and saved to allow you to listen to music and podcasts in the way you prefer. This is what makes these headphones stand out from most other ANC headphones and the Soundcore app is extremely easy to use.
When ANC is on the Q30's 40mm drivers effectively block out most of the ambient noise and make for very pleasant listening. The Q30's sound quality is natural, however it lags it's a bit harsh on the treble. Some might not be a fan of the bass response (we got better results with the Bass Booster EQ). You can fix this easily using the Soundcore App, which comes with an 8-band Equalizer.
The headphones feature a power button and pairing button on the left earcup along with a USB-C port for charging. The right ear cup features play/pause, the volume up and down buttons. Double-clicking these buttons lets you skip tracks or replay the previous one. They also have a voice command which allows you to request to switch the mode or set an alarm. The right ear cup can also be covered with your hand to activate ambient mode so you can hear what's happening around you without removing the headphones.
The battery life on these headphones is excellent and the battery life is also excellent. The Q30 lasted an hour longer in our tests when ANC was turned on than the other models. This lets you enjoy the long flight, or a full day at work. The USB-C cable included lets you quickly recharge the batteries. You'll also receive an alert when your battery is nearing empty.
Focal Bathys Wireless
Focal's Bathys Wireless is a pair of powerful over-ear Bluetooth headphones that offer active noise cancellation, as well as Bluetooth playback. They're designed to be an elite high-end headphones that are ideal for listening to podcasts and music on the go but also are a great choice to listen to audiophile music at home as well. The headphones are a bit more expensive than similar headphones, but their exceptional sound quality is the reason they stand out.
The Focal Bathys come in a small attractive white box with a cloth finish. It comes with everything you'll require. You can also get a fold-flat carry case for the headphones and a USB-C cable to USB C cable, 1.2mmSE cable and an audio converter.
They're powered by a respectable 600mAh battery that can get you through a full day of listening, and include an audio input that can be wired for use. When they're wirelessly connected, they're connected via Bluetooth and you'll be able to control their functions through an app (now named Focal & Naim, probably in line with their English Naim brand's products that are network-aware) or using the button that's on the left earcup which scrolls between ANC profiles like'silent','soft' transparent', and 'full'.
The app allows you to alter different settings, including the brightness of the LED as well as EQ presets that include a "music' profile that sounds more neutral and brighter than the other ones and also their battery duration. It also allows you to select the ANC mode and its level as well as setting an 'acoustic environment' which adjusts the sensitivity of your audio to simulate what it will sound like when worn in a space with different audio acoustics.
The Focal Bathys feature a bass-rich sound profile that delivers extra energy and warmth to your favourite tracks. This means that vocals and instruments can be muted, while other details such as cymbals may be less noticeable than on other headphones. The headphones are also less effective in active noise cancellation, compared to other headphones that feature more advanced technology, like the Sony WH1000XM5 and Apple AirPods Max.
Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony has earned a reputable reputation for its headphones and the WH-1000XM5 is no exception. It sits at the upper portion of the headphones for over-ear, and is slipping into the 'luxury lifestyle' area where the likes of Bang & Olufsen, Apple and Montblanc are a common sight. The XM5s come with a high cost, but when you can afford it, there are better over the ear wireless headphones out there.
The XM5s are loaded with features that simplify the lives of listeners and, in a few instances, automate tasks they'd otherwise have to handle manually. Sony's DSEE Extreme engine (which upscales compressed music to near hi-res) is also included as well as support for Bluetooth's LDAC technology. This allows for streaming of high-quality audio with bitrates that are higher than standard Bluetooth. It also has a built-in microphone for making hands-free phone calls.
The XM5 headphones aren't any different from the previous generation of headphones from WH in terms of noise cancellation. They're among the top in reducing the constant drones that can be heard in subway and train carriages. The XM5s are also excellent at isolating the listener from the hum of busy airports and streets.
The sound quality is also top-quality. The XM5s aren't as precise in the lower frequencies as the XM4, however, there's a greater sense of clarity and openness, too. For instance the bass track on Rage Against The Machine's Bullet in the Head flexes the Sonys' muscles with real force and definition, without reducing everything else. Similarly, Massive Attack's brooding Angel showcases the XM5's ability to produce accurate and precise bass notes.
Battery life is also good, providing up to 30 hours of listening with ANC active, and 40 hours when it's off. This is more than enough to last the weekend or a few days of heavy usage.
The XM5s are not waterproof or dust-proof. Sony actually recommends not sweating on them or wearing them in the rain. This might not be a big deal for everyone else however, for those who spend a lot of time in the gym or live in a rainy location this could be a major problem.
Apple AirPods Max
The Apple AirPods Max are a pair of over-ear wireless headphones that come with Bluetooth technology and noise cancellation. They feature 40mm dynamic drivers that are designed by Apple and have a an audio profile that is neutral and emphasizes the mids and highs while not going too loud at either end of the spectrum. This makes them ideal for both movies and music. They also provide better sound quality than many rival headphones.
The headphones are lightweight and feel comfortable on the head. The ear cups, which are made of memory foam, are covered with woven fabric, and are comfortable to wear over the ear and do not place pressure on the sides or forehead. The ear cups can tilt and rotate to accommodate different head shapes. The spring-loaded hinges have a solid but not overly strong clamping force, which ensures that the ear cups stay in place during listening sessions.
A small button at the top of the right ear cup lets you toggle noise cancelling modes. You can also use the jog dial that is a push-button similar to the digital Crown on the Apple Watch. You can turn it around to control volume and press it one three, twice, or even three times for playback controls. Siri is activated by pressing and pressing the button. The buttons are easy to use and are well-placed, but I would have liked to have a power button that would turn off the headphones when not in use. The headphones go into standby 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 feature that is quite cool is spatial audio, which makes use of the accelerometers and gyroscopes 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 those locations. This creates a cinema-like experience for movies and videos made in 5.1, 7.1 or Dolby Atmos. The only catch is that spatial audio requires an iOS device for use and you won't be able experience it on other devices.
beats wireless headphones cheap is a decent pair, but I would be a bit disappointed if I spent $549 in an Apple Store knowing that the second-generation model would be better after a year. AirPods Pro are more expensive and have more battery life and are equipped with the latest features.