7 best wireless over-ear headphones to buy in Australia in 2024
Dyson is taking a second shot at the headphones market, this time without a much-hated feature.
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Long gone are the days of tangled cords, with an impressive range of wireless over-ear headphones now dominating the market.
Finding a pair to suit your needs can be a challenging task though, with so many models available and limited opportunity to try before you buy.
That’s why we’re here to help make your search a little easier.
In addition to our own experience with the products, we’ve hunted down the over-ears that rate well for audio, active noise cancellation (ANC), battery life and comfort.
So, whether you’re looking for crisp highs, deep bass or a great fit, we’ve got you covered.
Looking for the latest pair on the market? Dyson has just launched its customisable OnTrac headphones. Unlike last year’s Dyson Zone headphones, these over-ears don’t come with the controversial air-purifying visor.
Instead, Dyson has listened to public critique and released the noise-cancelling headphones on their own, and at a more affordable price – $300 less than the Zone headphones, which were also heavily criticised for their $1099 price tag.
The new Dyson OnTrac headphones feature impressive noise-cancellation, up to 55 hours of listening time, head detection, and versatile colour customisation options, giving Apple’s AirPods Max a run for their money. Priced at $799, the pair are available now through the Dyson site.
We’ve only had limited hands-on time with the headphones ourselves, but stay tuned for our full review.
In the meantime, you can check out our current top wireless headphone picks below.
Prices are correct and products are in stock at time of publishing.
OUR TOP PICKS
OUR PICK OF THE BEST WIRELESS OVER-EAR HEADPHONES
Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise Cancelling Headphones, $548 at Amazon Australia
Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones
Tried and Tested by Harriet Amurao, Shopping Writer
While I am a Bose fan through and through, I tested out these Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones and they truly exceeded my expectations. A great step-up from its popular predecessor, the Sony WH-1000XM4, the XM5s boast similar features like 30 hours of battery life, noise-cancellation, touch control panel in the right ear cup, user-friendly app support, and adaptive sound control with upgraded changes.
Like the XM4s, the adaptive sound control is a feature that never fails to amaze me. It’s able to assess your environment and adjust the ambient sound settings according to your environment – I found this especially helpful when I’m going from sitting on the train (full noise cancellation) to walking around (light noise cancellation) as I can still be aware of my surroundings. I love to dub the pair the “perfect commuter companion” for this very reason.
The XM5s offer next-level sound quality that’s crisper than its older sibling and improved call quality which is a massive step up – I road tested this pair during a call and the mic quality was incredible, clear and the headphones are great at reducing any unwanted background noise. So yes, the XM5s are work meetings and calls-approved.
The XM5s have also taken a new, modern design and are more lightweight than the XM4s which make them slightly more comfortable for hours of wear. Unlike the previous model, the XM5s cannot be folded so they are a less convenient and portable option for those that are on-the-go (which may be a deal-breaker for many). The ear cups are also larger which I personally like as there’s less strain on my ears, it’s also great for those after a bigger pair of over-ears.
However, for those with a smaller head, the XM5s may not be quite as fitted as the previous version despite the adjustable headband.
Despite the hefty $549 price tag, these headphones are top-tier and well-worth the splurge. And if you’re tossing up between the XM4s and the XM5s, and are happy to spend the extra money, I’d tell you to snap up the XM5s in a heartbeat.
BEST WIRELESS NOISE-CANCELLING OVER-EAR HEADPHONES
Bose QuietComfort Ultra, $552.46 (down from $649.95) at Myer
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
Tried and Tested by Lauren Chaplin, Consumer Technology Reporter
The only thing stopping Bose’s QuietComfort Ultras from taking out the top spot on this list is their hefty price tag and average battery life. But if it’s best-in-class active noise cancellation (ANC) you’re after, these are the pair to buy. Simply put, the noise-cancellation is the best I’ve experienced.
On their highest setting, the QuietComfort Ultras effectively silence the world around me, making it possible to hear every little detail of my tunes. When I want to remain aware of my surroundings though, there are two other modes that offer a lower, but still effective, level of noise cancellation.
The sound quality is also great, with clear, detailed audio that gives rivals like Sony’s WH-1000XM5s a serious run for their money. If you do want to tweak it to suit your preferences, there’s also an equaliser available in the Bose Music app.
The build quality is meanwhile the most luxurious we’ve seen from Bose yet, with a plush ‘protein’ leather on the headband and ear cups that make the pair the most comfortable I’ve tried. This time around, the brand has also thrown in some nice extras like aptX support, touch volume control, and Immersive Audio to help cement the over-ears in the premium headphone category.
The battery life sits at up to 24 hours which, while suitable for the average user, does lag a little behind some other models on this list. But considering the level of comfort and top-tier ANC, these are a fantastic pick for those with the money to burn.
BEST WIRELESS OVER-EAR HEADPHONES FOR BATTERY LIFE
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless, $339 (down from $549.95) at Amazon Australia
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
What You Need To Know
If you consider battery life the most important headphone feature, Sennheiser’s Momentum 4 Wireless Headphones knock it out of the park. Bringing a ridiculous playtime of up to 60 hours with active noise cancelling turned on, they easily beat out every other model on this list. Add in intuitive on-ear controls, effective ANC performance and a comfortable fit too, and there’s plenty to like.
The pair offer a decent, neutral sound profile and come with adjustable EQ and presets in the companion app for personalised sound. There’s also Bluetooth 5.2 and aptX Adaptive support, along with Smart Pause and automatic switch off after 15 minutes of non-use, making them a truly practical pair of over-ears.
If you’re making phone calls, the microphone can struggle to isolate your voice from background noise, so they may not be the best choice for taking calls in busy environments. In all other aspects though, the headphones are a real crowd-pleaser.
The Momentum 4s have been reviewed by more than 1800 people on Google Reviews and hold a current rating of 4.5 out of five.
BEST WIRELESS OVER-EAR HEADPHONES FOR SPATIAL AUDIO
Apple AirPods Max, $708 (down from $888) at Amazon Australia
Tried and Tested by Lauren Chaplin, Consumer Technology Reporter
Apple’s AirPods Max set the bar high with their advanced features when they first launched back in 2020. And despite a few design quirks like the lack of a power button, and being surpassed by newer headphones models in aspects like battery life, the pair still offer top-notch sound and an instantly recognisable, premium design.
The headphones come in a variety of fun colours that make them as much a fashion statement as they are a serious tech accessory. While they are on the heavier side, the AirPods Max have a nice, springy mesh headband that I found took some of the pressure off the top of my head, while helping to keep me cooler over longer listening periods.
The sound quality is where Apple really tries to justify the huge price tag though, with a wide soundstage, great bass and a relatively neutral sound profile that makes both vocals and lead instruments sound nice and detailed. The active noise cancellation is excellent too, making the AirPods Max great to wear on transport or in busier environments. My one gripe is that the headphones do tend to leak noise at high volumes, which is disappointing at this price.
The Spatial Audio feature meanwhile provides a cinematic experience that rivals competitors, making the AirPods Max equally appealing to those after a truly immersive audio experience.
While not the most wallet-friendly or sporty pair on the market, their premium build and incredibly effective noise-cancellation make them a solid choice for Apple loyalists.
With rumours of a second-gen model on the horizon, you might want to consider holding out a bit longer, but the current model’s luxurious design and fantastic sound is still sure to impress those who don’t want to wait.
BEST BUDGET WIRELESS OVER-EAR HEADPHONES
Anker Soundcore Life Q30, $149.99 at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know
Offering up to a whopping 60-hours of playtime with noise cancellation turned off (and around 40-hours with it on), Anker’s Soundcore Q30s are a surprising rival to some of the bestsellers on this list.
Equipped with three different noise isolation settings, the pair offers decent noise-cancellation for the price, making them a true value-for-money buy. They are a little bass heavy straight out of the box and the sound isn’t particularly spacious. If you do want to change it up though, the companion app has graphic EQ and presets to give you a more balanced response.
The build is also sturdy and well made, offering a comfortable fit for longer listening sessions. However, there is no IP rating, so you may want to avoid taking them to the gym as they aren’t sweat-resistant. If you are looking to upgrade to noise-cancelling headphones on a budget though, the pros easily outweigh the cons.
The Anker Soundcore Q30s have amassed a rating of 4.8 out of five from more than 1000 customer reviews on Google Reviews.
BEST MID-RANGE WIRELESS OVER-EAR HEADPHONES
Sony WH-CH720N Noise-Cancelling Wireless Headphones, $195 (down from $249) at The Good Guys
Sony WH-CH720N
What You Need To Know
If you’re looking for a solid pair of over-ears at a reasonable price, Sony’s WH-CH720N model is a great, if lesser known, pick. Bringing a range of handy features like button mapping and multi-device pairing, along with a lightweight, comfortable design, the headphones don’t compromise too much for their price.
While the CH720Ns won’t stand up to the more luxurious picks on this list in terms of ANC and sound quality, noise cancellation is still effective and they sound better than many other options in this price range. There’s also EQ and presets available in the companion app so you can adjust the sound more to your liking.
The plasticky casing of the CH720Ns does make them look a little bit cheap, but their overall performance makes them worth the buy for those who don’t want to spend huge amounts on a pair of over-ear headphones.
The Sony WH-CH720Ns currently hold a 4.6 out of 5 star rating from more than 3600 reviews on Google Reviews.
BEST WIRELESS OVER-EAR STUDIO HEADPHONES
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 Wireless Studio Headphones, $279 (down from $349) at Amazon Australia
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2
What You Need To Know
There have been so many versions of Audio-Technica’s M50 headphones, but the BT2 model is our top pick. Bringing clear and balanced sound, the pair are a great choice for those after a neutral sound profile that isn’t too bass-heavy. Of course, if you do want to change things up, sound customisation is available through the companion app.
Despite being on the heavier side, the BT2s are well-built and surprisingly comfortable, though they can get a little hot after extended use. There’s no noise cancellation, which helps to bring their price down, but the trade off is poor noise isolation performance in busier environments.
The headphones are also equipped with multi-device pairing and a hugely impressive battery life of up to 50-hours off a single charge. With a solid Bluetooth performance too, the BT2s are an easy pick for those mostly listening from home.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2s have been reviewed by more than 550 people on Google Reviews and hold a current score of 4.7 out of 5.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING WIRELESS OVER-EAR HEADPHONES
When choosing wireless over-ear headphones to include in our list, we evaluated several factors:
Sound quality: We only included wireless headphones that were rated for their excellent sound by reviewers, or which impressed us with their sound quality during our hands-on testing.
Design: We looked for models that rated highly for their comfort and build quality, and which implemented their controls well.
Active noise cancellation: If the headphones we tested featured active noise cancelling, we tested all levels in a variety of settings – from noisy offices and streets to our own living rooms. For those we didn’t get hands on with, we read through hundreds of customer reviews to gauge customer’s experience with this feature.
Features: We considered additional features like multi-device pairing, spatial audio, transparency modes and ear-detection sensors and either tested for ourselves how well they worked, or considered how much value they added to the product.
Value: We weighed up the above criteria against the cost of each headphone model, and the cost of similar offerings, to determine value for money.
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
With hundreds of wireless headphones available, it’s impossible to test every model out there. To help you find the best over-ear headphones we tested five well-known models at different price points. In addition, our shopping team read hundreds of customer reviews and looked at test results and ratings from product review sites to find the best wireless headphones from premium to budget to help you find the right one for your needs.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST OVER-EAR HEADPHONES
There are a few key factors to consider when purchasing a pair of over-ear headphones, the most important of which is budget.
Over-ears are often quite expensive, especially if you’re after a premium pair. However, there are a few budget friendly options out there (like the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless) that offer a range of great features at a reasonable price.
Sound quality is also a big consideration, as most people want headphones that accurately reproduce music as it was intended to be heard. If you’re likely to be wearing headphones for long periods at a time, comfort is also essential, so we recommend looking for a pair with soft ear pads and a comfortable headband that won’t cause any pressure points.
Other factors to compare include battery life (especially if you travel often) and active noise cancellation. This technology helps to block out external noise, allowing you to focus on your music without any distractions. However, some people may find it causes eardrum pressure or discomfort, so it is something of a personal preference.
SHOULD I BUY OVER-EAR HEADPHONES OR EARBUDS?
There are a few things to consider when deciding between over-ear headphones and in-ear buds, but it mostly comes down to personal preference.
Over-ear headphones are largely considered the better option for those after the best possible sound experience, as they have larger ear pads that fit around your entire ear and give you a more immersive experience. They’re also generally considered to be better for your hearing health, as they block out more external noise so you can get better sound quality at a lower volume.
On the flip side, over-ear headphones are typically more expensive than in-ear buds, though budget and premium options are available for both headphone types.
In-ear buds are meanwhile more portable and less obtrusive, making them a great choice for sporty types and those who want something smaller for their daily commute. Many in-ears come with a wireless charging case too, so you can charge them on-the-go instead of waiting until you can get to an outlet.
You can check out our guide to the best wireless earbuds to see a list of top-rated options.
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