Best Over-Ear Headphones

Unlike earbuds, over-ear headphones encapsulate your ears completely and allow larger drivers to provide more bass and a wider soundstage. Many of them also feature active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.

The latest Master & Dynamic MW65 update provides superior audio, multiple ANC modes, and a long battery life in an elegant and distinct design.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has enhanced an already fantastic pair of headphones with the introduction of the WH1000XM4 wireless. They're lighter, feel better constructed, and have an improved sound profile that is more balanced (though still bass heavy), and come with an app that allows for some audio adjustments. Their active noise cancelling performs better than it did before, removing more ambient sound, and they have a longer continuous battery life than many competitors.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible, and Sony LDAC is also supported. This codec can transfer high-resolution audio but you'll need compatible devices and a streaming service. In addition, the WH1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices at the same time and switch between them if needed. This feature can be enabled via the Sony Headphones Connect App and is very effective.

The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond more quickly to a tap on the panel, and this makes them easier to control during a call or to listen where to buy wireless bluetooth headphones media. Sony has also added an option that makes voices sound more clear and precise during calls which is noticeable and a nice touch.

While the WH1000XM4s aren't perfect, they're some of the best Wireless Headphones bluetooth headphones we've ever tested. They are comfortable and well-made. They also have an energy-efficient battery that can last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can also be used in a passive manner using the TRS cable which is great for those who travel or want to conserve power.

The WH-1000XM4s are better than the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless over-ears. The Sonys are more comfortable, and their ANC is able to block out more ambient sound. The B&Ws feature an EQ that is more flexible, as well as an app that allows you to tweak the audio performance. The B&Ws are more robust and can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. Additionally, they support aptX HD, and they have a unique AI-driven engine that tries to upscale compressed music to high-resolution. This is called DSEE Extreme, and it enhances the clarity of music when listening to lossless audio files.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The $329 Bose QuietComfort45 Noise-Canceling headset is the most recent version of a headset that is a popular choice among commuters and travelers all over the world. The new model does not reinvent the wheel. It is based on the same formula that made its predecessor so successful with the addition of the USB-C port and improved noise cancellation.

Similar to the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones have an elegant design and feel that exudes quality. The headband is made of plastic, yet it is a solid feel, with metal hinges at pivot points and the ratcheting mechanism that is familiar when you open or retract the earcups. The cups feature soft cushioned pads that are securely positioned over your ears and do not apply pressure to your head. When folded they weigh 238g. They can be worn with a sweater or coat since they can be worn even when not on your head.

Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s don't offer the best sound in this price range. The frequencies are fairly flat and lack the details that more expensive headphones might be able to bring out. The higher registers tend to be boosted, which is fine for most music but can be a problem for delicate or wireless headphones bluetooth intricate music genres. The bass is good but lacks punch.

One feature that's not present is the ability to pause playback whenever you take the headset off. This is a feature Bose's rivals have offered for many years. Another omission was the lack of an in-app EQ. Bose offers preset EQs within the app but it would be nice to have an option to control the EQ manually.

You can connect to your tablet or smartphone via Bluetooth 5.0 with multipoint support as well as more advanced codecs like aptX Adaptive. You can download the Bose Audio app to adjust your headset's audio and voice assistant settings.

The QC45s also come with four microphones built into the headset to hear your voice when you make calls. They have excellent call quality, however they don't let you mute the voice during playback like other wireless headphones. Update: A firmware update for the QC45s in February 2022 introduced manual adjustments to the audio app. This is a great upgrade.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio company known for high-performance headphones with long lasting comfort and wireless headphones bluetooth a style that makes listeners feel like they're listening to something special. The Bathys are their first wireless noise cancelling headphones. They look and sound stunning. 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 performance, with Focal promising 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We actually got a little more from them and got over 40 hours of playtime on average of just one charge. If you do need to recharge, there's an indicator light on the right ear cup that will turn red when the headphone has to be charged.

For a pair of headphones at this price, they come with many features. They support multiple devices simultaneously and have automatic pairing. (You must select your source device each time you listen.) They have a built-in microphone that can be used to control voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones feature an easy to navigate interface that makes it simple to control music and make calls.

For wireless headphones that are over-ear The Bathys are very good in our test of noise cancellation, which reduces the ambient sound by about 9 decibels per hour on average. It's not as effective as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless but it's still very effective.

The Bathys headphones bluetooth performed well in our headphone sound tests. Their frequency response was largely similar to the headphone curve of SoundGuys with minor variations in the mids and bass. They have a deep, bass-filled sound profile which adds plenty of boom to mixes, however, they can make vocals and instruments such as cymbals sound veiled.

Wear them wherever you want without fearing that other people will hear your music. The microphone has a decent recording quality via Bluetooth with only a slight distortion in the mid - to the treble range.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new version of the company's flagship Bluetooth headphones. The Momentum 3 was a solid but not an outstanding entry in this class. The latest model is improved over the previous model with modern design, better gesture controls, and a huge battery life.

The improvements aren't that obvious, but they make a pair of over-ears that feel like an upgrade to the previous model. The Momentum 4s are flat and don't fold. They come with a hardshell case to protect them while moving. The Momentum 4s are also compatible with all devices, just like other Bluetooth headphones of 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 you'll find on AirPods.

The most notable change is the huge battery that can last for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation on. This is more than the majority of the competition can offer and is enough for a multi-day trip without worrying about finding an outlet to charge them.

Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82 score with a focus on their audio quality and ANC as their main strengths. His only complaint is that they lack a sense of weight in the mids and the treble. This means that orchestral pieces tend to sound flat, not grand. The bass is smooth and well-rounded however, it can be overemphasized, which can lead to fatigue in songs that have heavy bass lines like the drums that are pounding in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals can sound smoky rather than full, and there's no real sense of depth in the lows.

The Momentum 4s are comfortable and should not put too much pressure on your neck or ears. They can be a bit fidgety if you wear them at home or for long listening sessions. They can move on your head and make intense head movements. This can cause them wake up unexpectedly, which can be distracting when listening to music or making calls. Fortunately, they stop working after 15 minutes of rest by default and can be manually switched off by pressing the power button.