Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds, can completely surround the ears. They also have larger drivers that deliver deeper bass and a bigger soundstage. Many include Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.

The latest Master and Dynamic MW65 update offers high-quality audio, numerous ANC modes and impressive battery life, all in a sleek and distinct design.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has made improvements to an already-great pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They are lighter, better built and have a more balanced audio profile (though they are bass heavy). They also come with an app to adjust the sound. Their active noise cancelling works even better than before, eliminating any background noise. Additionally, they have a longer continuous battery life than other models.

These headphones use Bluetooth 5.0 which supports SBC, AAC, and Wireless headphone Sony's own LDAC codec. This codec can transfer high-resolution audio, however, you'll need compatible equipment and streaming service. The WH-1000XM4s can also allow you to connect two Bluetooth devices at the same time and automatically switch between them as required. This feature can be enabled via the Sony Headphones Connect App and works flawlessly.

The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond quicker to a tap on the panel and are much easier to control when making a call or listening to media. Sony has added a feature to make voice calls more clear and precise during calls. This is an obvious and pleasant addition.

The WH-1000XM4s may not be perfect, but they are among the top wireless headphones we've ever test. They're comfortable, well-made, and come with an outstanding battery that lasts for more than 30 hours continuously. They can be used in a passive manner with the TRS cable. This is great for traveling or conserving power.

The WH-1000XM4s make a better choice over the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless over-ears. The Sonys are more comfortable, and their ANC can block out more ambient sounds. The B&Ws come with an EQ that is more flexible and an app that allows you to tweak the audio quality. The B&Ws are built better and can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptX HD and feature a unique AI-driven engine that tries to upscale compressed music to high-resolution. This is known as DSEE Extreme and it does an excellent job of improving the clarity of music, particularly when listening to lossless audio files.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The $329 Bose QuietComfort45 sound cancelling headset is the most current version of a headset which has become a favorite among commuters and travelers all over the world. The new model does not reinvent the wheel. It retains the same formula which has made its predecessor so successful but it also includes the USB-C port and improved noise cancellation.

Like the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones sport an elegant design and feel that exudes quality. The headband is made of plastic, and has a sturdy feel with hinges made of metal at pivot points and the familiar ratcheting action when you open or retract the ear cups. The cups are cushioned and have soft pads that fit over your ears without pressing your head. When folded, they weigh 238 grams. You can wear them when you're wearing a sweater or coat as the noise cancelling function works even when you aren't on your head.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones however, the QC45s don't provide the best sound quality at this price point. The frequencies are dull and lack the depth that higher-end headphones might be able bring out. The upper registers are boosted which is acceptable for the majority of music but can be problematic for more delicate and complex genres. The bass is great, but lacks the punch.

One thing that's not included is the ability to pause playback when you remove the headset. This is standard in this price bracket and is something that Bose's competitors have been offering for years. Another omission is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose offers preset EQ settings in the app, but it would be nice to have manual control.

Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, including multipoint and more advanced codecs like aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust your headset's voice and sound settings.

The QC45s also come with four in-built microphones to hear your voice when you make calls. The quality of calls is generally excellent however, the headphones do not have the capability to turn off your voice during playback, which is something other wireless headphones do. Update: As of February 2022, a firmware upgrade to the QC45s provided manual EQ options within the audio app which is a welcomed improvement.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio brand that produces high-performance headphones wireless bluetooth price. They are renowned for their style and comfort that let listeners know that they're listening to something special. The Bathys are their first wireless noise cancelling headphones. They are stunning in appearance and sound. They also come with a built in high performance USB DAC which means you can use them for both wired and wireless listening.

The Bathys come with a great battery life, with Focal claims of 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We were able to get more than 40 hours of playback time on average from a single charge. If you do need to recharge, there's an indicator light on the right ear cup that turns red when the headphone has to be charged.

For a pair of headphones for this price, they come with a lot of features. They can connect to multiple devices at once and feature automatic pairing. (You must select the device you want to pair with by hand each time you listen.) The headphones come with built-in microphones that can be used with voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones come with an easy-to navigate interface that makes it simple to control music and make calls.

For over-ear Wireless Headphone headphones for over-ear wireless headphones, the Bathys are very good in our test of noise cancellation. They cut down the sound of the surrounding environment by about 9 decibels on average. They aren't as good as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless however it's still very effective.

In our tests of the quality of sound from headphones, the Bathys did well overall, with a an overall frequency response that is in line with the SoundGuys headphone preference curve, with only minor differences in the bass and mids. The Bathys have a bassy sound that can make vocals, instruments and cymbals look a bit obscure.

Wear them wherever you want and not worry about whether others hear your music. Their mic is passable for recording using Bluetooth with just a little distortion between the mid-treble and the treble.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum wireless headphones bluetooth headphones is a new version of the company's flagship Bluetooth headsets. The previous model, called the Momentum 3, was a decent but not a standout into the category. The latest pair improves on the previous generation with a sleeker design, improved gesture controls, and a huge battery life.

The improvements are subtle, but make for an over-ear set of headphones that feel like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold. They come with a hardshell case that protects them when on the move. The Momentum 4s are also device-agnostic, like many other Bluetooth headphones from recent years, including the ones from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. This means they can work with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, but don't have the extra features (like Find My support and head-tracked spatial audio) that are available on the AirPods.

The most obvious change here is the massive battery, which promises up to 60 hours of playback with the noise cancellation feature activated. This is more than the majority of the competitors offer and is enough for a trip of a lifetime without having to worry about finding an outlet to charge it.

Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82-point score with a focus on their audio quality and ANC as two of their strengths. He only has one complaint: they lack a sense gravitas in the mids and treble. This makes orchestral music sounds flat instead of grand. The bass is smooth and well-rounded but it can be overemphasised and can cause fatigue in songs with heavy bass lines such as the drums in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals can sound smoky rather than full and there's not a real sense of depth in the lows.

The Momentum 4s shouldn't place pressure on your neck or ears. However, they can be fidgety when wearing them in the house or during longer listening sessions, and will move about on your head in a flurry of head movements. This can cause them wake up at random, which can be distracting when you are listening to music or calls. They will shut down automatically after 15 minutes and can be switched off manually with the power button.