Why Over-Ear Wireless Headphones Are Better Than Earbuds
Over-ear headphones provide a physical barrier to external sounds by creating a sonic barrier around your ears. The best models have large soundstages and audiophile features.
Over-ear headphones tend to be more bulkier and larger, but they often come with a carrying bag and can be folded in order to be portable. They can provide longer battery life and better noise cancellation.
Sound Quality
While headphones are ideal for portability and convenience over-ear headphones have superior sound quality and often come with noise cancelling technology which allows them to be used on public transport or in the office. Over-ear headphones are the preferred option for a lot of people due to the fact that they provide superior sound quality and noise cancelling technology.
The more spacious design of over-ear headphones allows them to have bigger drivers than earbuds. This results in better sound quality and audio reproduction. This is especially true in the lower frequencies, and where headphones with over-ears tend to have more rich and powerful bass than earbuds.
Over-ear headphones can also block the listener from noises around them, making them a more intimate and private experience. The soundproofing of over-ear headphones can be improved by using active noise cancellation that emits reversed sound that blocks out external noise. Many wireless headphones that feature ANC have multiple modes to let you select the amount of volume you desire.
Another aspect that separates over-ear headphones from earbuds is their open-back design. The sound can out of the ear cups and interact with the environment and enhance immersion. This isn't something you'll find in every pair of over-ear headphones, but those that do provide a larger and more spacious soundstage to listen to your music.
Master & Dynamic headphones are the latest over-ear wireless headphones to adopt this approach, with their model MW75 that was launched in June. The combination of leather, aluminum and glasses with tempered lenses make them look classy. The MW75 also comes with a variety of ANC modes to accommodate different environments and improve battery life.
The first headphones from Focal's over-ear range feature an open-back design that has a large soundstages that complement their music-centric features. The default sound profile of these headphones is a bass-heavy mix with plenty of thump, punch and thump to match EDM and hip hop. The vocals and instruments are obscured by the bass, however you can adjust the sound to your liking using the companion application's graphic EQ and presets. The devices can be used in USB-C mode with a wired cable to allow high-resolution audio up to 24bit/192kHz.
Isolation
When selecting headphones, sound isolation is a major consideration. The best headphones to isolate noise are closed-back over-ear headphones with large cushioning for the ear. These headphones block the majority of outside sound and create a solid seal, which helps reduce ambient sounds like music or voices. Some wireless headphones come with active noise cancellation that enhances isolation further by blocking out sound from the surrounding without compromising the audio quality.
If you're in search of an over-ear pair of wireless headphones that offer outstanding sound isolation the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro is an excellent choice. They offer impressive noise isolation and are extremely light, making them a comfortable choice for long listening sessions. They have a balanced and natural sound, with excellent bass and high-frequency. These headphones are ideal for studios and come with a high-quality mic for calls.
The Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II is another great option. These headphones are made for comfort, with a flexible fitting and soft earpads encased in soft, luxurious fabric. They also come with a built-in noise-canceling microphone and are compatible with a wide range of smartphones.
These headphones are designed to be all-rounders and offer premium features you won't find in cheaper models. They also feature Bluetooth 5.0 to provide speedier transmission speeds and less video delay. They're also water-resistant, making them an excellent option for your next outdoor adventure.
In addition to ANC in addition to ANC, the Sennheiser HD 25 II offers an impressively high amount of passive noise reduction, cutting down ambient sound levels by 20 decibels. This is a huge reduction that allows you to enjoy your favorite music in noisy surroundings.
Over-ear headphones are also more comfortable than earbuds. Many report that earbuds can cause discomfort after long listening sessions. Earbuds can also slip out of your ear and are often covered in earwax. In contrast, headphones that are over-ear are less likely to cause this issue and sit closer to your eardrums. This reduces the chance of hearing damage.
Portability
Over-ear headphones are more comfortable for long durations of time due to the fact that they feature large ear cups. The design of the over-ear headphones also helps isolate you from the outside world which makes them a great option for long commutes and flights. Over-ear headphones are typically larger and offer higher quality audio. They also have larger drivers and a greater frequency range.
Headphones are available in various designs, sizes and price points to meet different needs and budgets. Cheap headphones are usually wired and connected through an ordinary 3.5mm plug, whereas premium models have Bluetooth connectivity, a USB-DAC for high-resolution audio playback, and other features such as noise cancellation.
There are even sports-specific over-ear headphones with sweat-proof or washable earpads as well as more secure clamping force to keep them in place even during intense exercise. Look for headphones that can be folded into a compact bag and fit in your bag or jacket.
Certain wireless headphones for over-ear use include microphones, allowing you to make calls using your phone or tablet without taking the headphones off. This is especially useful in noisy areas, where it can be hard to hear the person who is on the other side of the line.
Over-ear headphones are a good choice for listening podcasts and audiobooks, since the earphones block out some background noise. This makes it easier to listen while reading or relaxing at home.
In our tests, the Focal Wireless Bathys headphones were the best wireless over-ear headphones. They're made for those who love music and come with a companion app with an EQ in graphic form and presets to customize the sound profile. They have an aptX-Adaptive codec for high-res streaming with compatible apps, like Tidal.
Some over-ear headphones are bulky, and packing them in luggage or in a backpack is a challenge. The size and weight of the over-ear headphones are sacrificed for the high-quality audio and comfort that earbuds can't provide.
Battery Life
The top headphones for over-ears have long battery lives. They do not require as much effort to keep your ears insulated and therefore their batteries will last much longer than those in on-ears. Over-ears are perfect to listen while in motion whether you're traveling or just commuting.
These headphones are a great choice for students and office workers who need to concentrate on their work. The Marshall Major IIIs are incredibly light comfortable to wear and provide up to 44 hours of continuous playback on a single charge. They also have Bluetooth multipoint connectivity, allowing them to connect with multiple devices simultaneously.
The Sony WH1000XM5 Wireless Headphones which are over-ear Bluetooth headphones, are among the best-rated. They come with an adapter that recharges the case and provides up to 60 hours of playback, and they can also be used hands-free for calls thanks to their built-in microphones. They feature smart active noise cancelling technology, which automatically applies personalized sound settings to fit your surroundings and is activated by the touch of the button. Automatic ear detection pauses the playback after you remove them, and resumes it automatically when you put them back on.
Other over-ears that have a long battery life include the Focal's debut Bluetooth headphones, the Bathys. These premium headphones were created to be awe-inspiring to audiophiles. They have a soundstage which can transport you into a music-filled environment. They also have a rich feature set and a sophisticated noise cancelling system. They also run for 34 hours on a single charge.
Over-ears can also provide black beats wireless headphones more listening time than on-ears because of their larger earcups, which can accommodate larger batteries. Some budget models can offer up to 95 hours of listening time on one battery charge (EdifierW830BT) which is more than twice what you can expect from the top on-ear headphones.
Over-ear Bluetooth headphones are the best option for audiophiles who are looking for a pair of reliable, high-quality headphones that will last for a long time. Because they are positioned further away from the eardrums they are less likely to cause damage to your hearing. According to the British Hearing Foundation, over-ear headphones are twice as secure for long listening sessions as in-ear headphones.