Best Over the Ear Headphones

Wireless headphones let you listen to music or podcasts anywhere, without the need to run an audio wire to your device. They are ideal for public transport, while at work or blootooth Headphones at home.

Wireless over-ear cans are available in a variety and noise cancelling capabilities. They are typically packaged in a stylish case.

Soundcore Q30

These earphones are an important upgrade over the Soundcore Life 2 of late-2018. They appear better and feel more durable and have a more polished look. They're still largely plastic however the hinges are more secure and the soft leather ear cups are bigger. You can also switch the 3.5mm cable for a better USB-C version so that you can connect them to portable Hi-Fi systems as well as stationary Hi-Res players. They also feature dual built-in microphones, which are great in our tests for FaceTime, Skype, and Microsoft Teams calls.

The Soundcore app comes with a wide range of EQ presets, which can be altered and saved so you can listen to music and 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 speaker effectively block the majority of ambient noise when ANC is turned on. This creates an extremely enjoyable listening experience. They have a natural sounding signature that is a bit on the treble side, and some may be unable to reproduce bass (we got better results with the Bass Booster equalizer). It is possible to fix this using the Soundcore App, which has an 8-band Equalizer.

The headphones feature a power button and pairing button on the left earcup and the USB-C port for charging. The right ear cup features play/pause, the volume up and down buttons. Double-clicking these controls lets you to skip tracks or replay previous ones. You can also use voice commands to ask them to change modes or set alarms. The right ear cup can also be covered with your hands to enable ambient mode, so that you can be aware of what is happening around you without removing the headphones.

The battery life of these headphones is fantastic and the battery life is also excellent. In our tests with ANC turned on, the Q30 ran for almost an hour longer than its competitors. This leaves plenty of time to prepare for long flights or a day at the office. The included USB-C cord allows you to quickly recharge the batteries. You'll also get a warning when the battery is nearing empty.

Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal's Bathys Wireless are a set of high-quality headphones for over-ear use that feature active noise cancellation as well as Bluetooth playback. They're made to be an elite, high-end headphone that are ideal for listening to music and podcasts on the go, but sound amazing when used for home use by audiophiles as well. They're a little more expensive than other similar headphones, but their exceptional sound quality is their main selling point.

The Focal Bathys are packaged in a compact, slim and attractive fabric-finished white retail box that contains all the accessories you'll need in. The package includes a fold-flat headphone carrying case, USB-C-to-USB-C cable, 1.2mm SE cable and an audio adapter.

They're powered by a good 600mAh battery that can take you through a whole day of casual listening and include an audio input that can be wired for use. When connected wirelessly, they're paired via Bluetooth and you'll be able to manage their functions via an app (now known as Focal & Naim which is probably in the same line as their English sister brand Naim's network-aware audio products) or via the button that's on the left earcup which scrolls between ANC profiles like'silent','soft' transparent', and full.

Using the app allows you to alter different settings like the LED brightness, EQ presets including a'music profile' that sounds more neutral and brighter than other presets and also their battery duration. You can also select the ANC level and mode and set an 'acoustic environments setting to alter the sensitivity to mimic the sound of the headphones in a different room.

The Focal Bathys feature bass-rich, rich sound profiles that delivers extra energy and warmth to your favorite tracks. This means that instruments and vocals sound muted, while details like cymbals might be less prominent than on other headphones. The headphones are also less effective in active noise cancellation compared to other over-ears that have more advanced technology, such as the Sony WH1000XM5 and Apple AirPods Max.

Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony has earned a reputable reputation for its headphones, and the WH-1000XM5 is not an exception. It is at the top end of the mainstream over-ear headphone market, but it is also dipping into the luxury lifestyle area where the likes of Bang & Olufsen, Apple and Montblanc hang out. This means the XM5s come with a high cost, but when you can afford it, there are few better wireless over-ear headphones available.

The XM5s are loaded with features that make life easier for listeners and, in some instances, automate tasks they'd otherwise have to deal with manually. Sony's DSEE Extreme engine (which upscales compressed music to near hi-res) is available and also support for Bluetooth's LDAC technology. This allows high-quality audio to be streamed at bitrates that are higher than bluetooth wireless headphones. There's even a built-in microphone to allow making hands-free calls.

Like the previous generation of WH headphones, the XM5s excel at noise cancellation. They are one of the best at cutting down on the constant drones that can be heard in underground and train carriages. The XM5s are great at their job of shielding listeners from the background noise of airports and busy streets also.

Sound quality is also excellent. The XM5s do not have as many details in the low-frequency range like the XM4, however they do have more clarity and a greater sense of openness. The bass on Rage Against the Machine's Bullet in the Head shows off the Sonys' power and definition, without affecting the rest of the music. The XM5s are also able to provide precise and accurate bass notes in Massive Attack's Angel.

Battery life is also very good, with up to 30 hours of listening with ANC active and 40 hours when it's turned off. This is plenty for a weekend getaway or a long period of use.

The XM5s aren't waterproof or dust-proof. In fact, Sony recommends that you don't sweat into them or wear them out in the rain. This might not be a big deal for most people however for those who spend a lot of time in the gym or live in a humid area this could be a major problem.

Apple AirPods Max

Apple AirPods Max is a pair over-ear wireless headphones that come with Bluetooth technology and noise cancellation. Apple designed dynamic drivers measuring 40mm, with a neutral sound profile that focuses on highs and mids, but not going overboard. They are ideal for music and movies. They also offer better sound quality than many competing pairs of headphones.

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

A small button at the top of the right ear cup lets you toggle noise cancelling modes. There's also a pushable, Jog-dial-like button, akin to the digital crown on the Apple Watch, that you can turn to control volume and press the button once, twice or thrice to control playback. Siri is activated by pressing and holding the button. These buttons are placed well and simple to use, however I missed having an option to turn off the Blootooth headphones when they are 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.

Spatial audio is a cool feature. It makes use of accelerometers, gyroscopes and iPads or iPhones to determine where you are moving. Then, Blootooth Headphones 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 movies and videos made in 5.1, 7.1 or Dolby Atmos. The only catch is that spatial audio requires an iOS device to use it and you won't be able to experience 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 outdone next year by the second-generation model. AirPods Pro are more expensive and have better battery life and advanced features.