Best Over the Ear Headphones

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

Wireless over-ear headphones are available in a variety of styles and Bt Headphones wireless noise cancelling capabilities. They are usually packaged in a sleek case.

Soundcore Life Q30

A major upgrade over the Soundcore Life 2 from late-2018 The new over-ears are more attractive, feel more durable, and are generally more polished. The hinges are tighter and the soft leather ear cups are slightly larger. They're still made of plastic, but they're more polished. You can switch the 3.5mm cord for a higher quality USB-C cable and make use of them with mobile Hi-Res and stationary Hi-Fi players. They also have dual mics built in that worked well in our tests with FaceTime, Skype and Microsoft Teams calls.

The Soundcore app offers a wide selection of EQ presets that can be saved and adjusted to listen to podcasts or music in the style that you like. This is what makes these headphones stand out from other ANC headphones, and the Soundcore app is extremely simple to use.

The Q30's 40mm speakers effectively block out nearly all ambient noise when ANC is turned on. This creates an extremely pleasant listening experience. The Q30's sound quality is natural, however it lags it's a bit harsh on the treble. Some may be disappointed by the bass response (we got better results with the Bass Booster Equalizer). But, you can solve this issue by using the Soundcore app, as there's an eight-band equalizer to help you tinker.

The headphones feature the power button and a pairing button on the left ear cup 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. They also come with the ability to speak, bt headphones wireless so you can request them to change the mode or set an alarm. The right earcup can also be covered by your hand to activate ambient mode to allow you to be aware of what is happening around you without taking off the headphones.

These headphones have a great battery life. In our tests with ANC switched on the Q30 ran for almost an hour longer than its rivals. This allows you to enjoy an extended flight or a busy day at work. The USB-C cord included in the kit lets you quickly recharge them. You'll also get a warning when the battery is getting close to empty.

Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal's Bathys Wireless is a pair of powerful over-ear Bluetooth headphones that feature active noise cancellation, as well as Bluetooth playback. They are designed to be premium, high-end headphones that can be used at home or while on the move. They're more expensive than other similar headphones but their superior sound quality is the main selling factor.

The Focal Bathys come in a small, slim and attractive fabric-finished white retail box with 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 full day of listening to music and have an audio input for wired use. When used wirelessly they're paired via bluetooth head phones and you'll be able to control their functions through 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 by pressing the button that's on the left earcup which scrolls between ANC profiles like'soft','silent transparent' and full.

The app allows you to change 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 life. It also lets 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 would sound like if it were placed in a space with different soundproofing.

The Focal Bathys have bass-rich, rich sound profiles that adds more punch and warmth to your favourite tracks. As a result, instruments and vocals are pushed back into the mix, and can sound veiled while details like cymbals are not as prominent as you'd expect from other headphones. They're not as efficient in active noise cancelation when contrasted with other headphones that have 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 Bt Headphones Wireless are 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 hang out. The XM5s are costly however, if you are able to get them, you won't find a better wireless headphones.

The XM5s are loaded with features that help listeners and, in a few instances, automate tasks that they'd otherwise have to do manually. Sony's DSEE Extreme engine (which upscales compressed music to close to high-res) is available as well as support for Bluetooth's LDAC technology. This lets high-quality music to be streamed with bitrates that are higher than Bluetooth. There's even a built-in microphone that can be used for making calls hands-free.

The XM5 headphones aren't any different from the previous generation of headphones from WH in regards to noise cancellation. They're among the best at eliminating the continuous drones that can be heard in train and underground carriages. The XM5s do an excellent job isolating listeners from the background noise of busy streets and airports, too.

The sound quality is also very good. The XM5s may not be as detailed in the low frequencies as the XM4, however, they have a higher level of clarity and openness, too. For instance the bass on Rage Against the Machine's Bullet in the Head flexes the Sonys' muscles with real power and definition, while not sagging the other elements. Similar to Massive Attack's brooding Angel shows off the XM5s' ability to deliver precise and precise bass notes.

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

The XM5s are not dust or water resistant. Sony actually advises against sweating on them or wearing them in the rain. This may not be a major issue 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 significant issue.

Apple AirPods Max

The Apple AirPods Max are a pair of over-ear wireless headphones that come with Bluetooth technology and noise cancellation. Apple designed dynamic drivers measuring 40mm with a neutral audio profile that emphasizes highs and mids without going overboard. They are perfect for music and movies. They also offer superior fidelity when compared to other headphones.

The headphones are light in design that is comfortable on the head. The ear cups are made of memory foam covered with woven fabric, fit comfortably over the ears and do not place pressure on the sides or forehead. The ear cups can also be flipped and rotated to accommodate different head shapes. The spring-loaded hinges offer a firm, but not too strong clamping force that ensures the earcups remain in position during listening sessions.

A small button at the the right earcup lets you toggle noise cancelling modes. It also has an earphone-style jog dial with a push button like the digital Crown on the Apple Watch. You can twist it for volume control and press it once three, twice, or even three times for playback controls. Pressing and holding the button will activate Siri. These buttons are placed well and simple to use, however I missed having an option to turn off the headphones when not in use. The headphones are put into standby mode when removed from your ears or when placed in their case. They will come back to life when you place them on your head.

Spatial audio is another cool feature. It utilizes accelerometers, gyroscopes and iPhones and iPads to determine where you're moving. Then, it adjusts the sound so that they appear to originate from that particular location. This creates a cinema-like experience for films and videos recorded in 5.1, 7.1 or Dolby Atmos. The only catch is that spatial audio requires an iOS device to use it, and it won't allow you to enjoy it with other devices.

The AirPods Max is a decent pair, but I'd feel a little ripped off if I spent $549 in an Apple Store knowing that the newer model would be better within a year. The AirPods Pro have more advanced features and better battery performance, so it's difficult to justify the additional cost for most people.