
Wireless headphones are a great way to block out the noise and listen to your favourite music without having to worry about cables. Our reviewers tested the latest headphones over-ear, and evaluated features comfort, sound quality, and quality.
The Marshall Major IIIs appear simple and sleek, but their large earcups can hold large batteries that allow them to last for 30 hours on a single charge (playtime is dependent on volume). The Marshall Major IIIs also offer hi-res sound through the carrying case included.
Comfort
The best headphones should be comfortable to wear for long periods of time without causing pain or discomfort in the head or ears. Comfort is subjective and each person will need to test different pairs to find the right fit. Over-ear headphones are usually more comfortable than in-ear ones, best over ear headphones under 100 because they don't put as much pressure on the ears. They also tend to have thicker padding and can be smaller than in-ear headphones.
Over-ear wireless headphones also have larger drivers that allow them to cover a wider frequency range. They are able to reproduce more of the details of your music and provide a more realistic sound that makes it feel like you're listening to music in real-time. They may also feature more active noise cancellation, which can aid in separating you from the outside.
There are many great wireless over-ear headphone options. Our current top picks are the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones that are slimmer than their predecessors and improved noise cancellation. The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 headphones are another great choice featuring premium materials and a stunning sound quality which puts them in the top tier of wireless over-ears. The Sivga Oriole is another great choice. They feature a unique geometrical design that's elegantly unassuming and surprisingly affordable considering the premium features they come with.
Earbuds are also a popular choice particularly for active listeners who don't want to feel their music in their ears. They are more portable than over-ear ones and can be paired to Bluetooth devices like smartphones. You can find earbuds which are rated IP-rated for use during sports, as well as options that are compatible with a jogging clip that is gym-friendly. There are also high-end studio headphones available which aren't always comfortable, but they are designed for professional use and are built for durability and sound reproduction. If you're looking to buy headphones that are wireless it is recommended to test them on in person prior to making any decisions.
Design
comfiest over ear headphones-ear headphones are exactly as they sound like They completely cover the ears of the user. They are generally larger than earbuds, allowing for larger drivers as well as more space for the latest technology, such as active noise cancellation. However this can mean they'll be heavier and more difficult to store away.
Over-ear headphones are generally more comfortable to wear for longer periods of time than on-ear headphones because the headbands don't press against the head quite as hard. The ear cups are slightly larger, which makes them more comfortable to rest on the ear without pressing back against the head. Because of this, wireless headphones over-ear are a popular option for long commutes or flights.
They're also a great option for those who wish to block out the world while still be able to hear what's going on around them. Earbuds are able to do a amount of passive noise cancellation, but they're unable to completely block out ambient noise because they only sit in the ear canal. Some of our top over-ear wireless headphones even feature active noise cancelling technology that makes use of the microphones to analyze the ambient sound and generate additional waves to counteract them.
Premium headphones should feature excellent sound quality as well as a comfortable fit and a good noise cancellation. Some models can provide more than 40 hours of continuous music playback in a single charge and can support multi-device pairing. Certain models are made for audiophiles, and feature a spacious soundstage with rich detail.
You can still discover our top picks of over-ear wireless headsets if you're on budget. We've picked models with an incredibly comfortable and secure fit, as well as exceptional battery life for their price. Certain models are light and fold up into a compact case to fit comfortably into the backpack or bag.
For a stunning mix of sound quality, comfort and performance, we love the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless. These premium headphones offer 60-hour battery life, an intuitive app, extensive features and powerful adaptive noise cancellation. The closed-back design prevents audio from getting into the headphones. Large, high-quality drivers create powerful sound that will take you to a private musical space.
Sound
As the name suggests, over-ear wireless headphones are placed over your ear rather than within your ear canal. They block out ambient sound better than earbuds that don't feature active noise cancellation. They offer a more immersive soundstage and are more comfortable than headphones that are on-ear. High-end brands such as Focal and Marshall are among the best over ear headphones under 100 (read more) headphones for over-ear use. These headphones are constructed of premium materials and are built to last for a long time. These headphones are perfect for long listening sessions or for use in a studio.
Over-ear Bluetooth headsets usually have larger earcups as well as a slightly more rounded design than earbuds. They can create an airtight seal around your ears. This reduces noise leakage which is ideal for listening while in noisy environments or in the office. They're not as portable as earbuds and can be heavier on the head.
Earbuds are smaller and easier to carry around in a backpack or jacket pocket, however, they aren't always able to create an adequate seal over your ears and can be susceptible to leakage of sound at higher volume. They can also put pressure on the ear canal, making them uncomfortable after prolonged use.
Wireless over-ear headphones are ideal to those who want comfortable and portable headphones that last for hours on end. They usually come with a built-in rechargeable battery, which can provide up to 24 hours of playtime on one charge. Models that use wireless Bluetooth technology are available in a broad range of prices, between less than $100 and more than $700.
Some headphones include extra features such as voice assistants, noise cancellation and high-resolution audio support. You can also select between closed and open back styles, based on your preferences for music. Closed back headphones work better for professional audio applications because they block out the sound from the other people in the room. Open back headphones offer more flexibility, however they might not be as comfortable to listen in public.
The Focal Wireless Bathys are a pair of high-end Bluetooth over-ear headphones designed for audiophiles. The V-shaped sound profile offers an extra bass and brightens vocals and lead instrument. They can be adjusted to your liking with the companion app's graphic EQ and presets. They support native hi-res and streaming with aptX to provide an immersive audio experience whether at home or on the move.
Battery life
Typically over-ear headphones cost more than wireless earbuds, with most expensive ones costing around $250, PS200, or AU$450. There are also cheaper models available, however they might have lower battery life, or less impressive sound quality. When it comes to choosing headphones for your everyday use you want to get the most of your investment. And this means choosing a great pair of headphones with good battery life.
Over-ear headphones have more battery life however, they'll need to be recharged periodically depending on the volume of music you play and whether you have active noise cancelling enabled. For example, the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones have up to 60 hours of playback with no active noise cancellation, and up to 28 hours when using active noise cancellation.
This can be determined by a variety of factors like the design and build, the comfort level and any other features. For instance, certain models come with a built-in microphone for hands-free phone calls, which is useful for business travelers and commuters. They also have a USB port for charging, which is handy for those who need to charge them when you travel.
Other models come with intelligent features that automatically adjust the audio settings depending on the activity you're engaged in which is particularly useful for busy office workers. For example the Sony WH1000XM5s can detect when you're using them to make calls and automatically change the audio profile to an acoustic mode to increase clarity. They also come with an option to cancel out noise that's designed to cut out background noise in conference rooms.
Some wireless headphones with over-ears come with an 3.5mm jack which allows you to plug in wired when the battery has run out. This isn't an option that is available on all models, however it's important to read the description of the product to ensure your choice will have this.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 offers Bluetooth compatibility with multi-device pairing and an application for control that gives you easy access to audio content. They're a bit more expensive than the Sonys however their premium quality of construction and sleek design will be appealing to a few. They're also extremely comfortable to wear for long durations and offer a great seal for those wearing glasses. The default equaliser is geared towards music with a lot of bass but it is able to be altered with the help from the headphone app.
