Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds are able to completely encapsulate your ears. They also have bigger drivers that provide deeper bass and a bigger soundstage. A majority of them feature Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.

The most recent Master & Dynamic MW65 update provides superior audio, multiple ANC modes, and a long battery life with a stylish and distinct design.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has enhanced an already great pair of headphones by introducing the WH1000XM4 wireless. They're lighter, feel better constructed, and have more balanced sound profiles (though still bass heavy), and include an app that allows some audio adjustments. They have improved their active noise cancellation, which eliminates the background noise, and have a longer battery life.

These headphones use Bluetooth 5.0, with support for SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. This codec can transfer high-resolution audio, but you'll need compatible devices and streaming services. In addition, the WH-1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and automatically switch between them when required. You can enable this feature via the Sony Headphones Connect app and it works very well.

The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond more quickly to the touch of the panel, and this makes them easier to control during calls or listen to media. Sony has also added a feature that makes voice sound more clear and precise during calls, which is noticeable and a nice touch.

The WH-1000XM4s aren't perfect, but they're among the best wireless headphones that we have ever tested. They're comfortable, feel well made, and have an outstanding battery that can last more than 30 hours continuously. They can be used as a passive device by using the TRS cable. This is ideal to travel with or for storing power.

The WH-1000XM4s are a better choice over the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless over-ears. The Sonys are more comfortable and their ANC can block out more background noise. The B Uetooth Headphones&Ws have a more flexible EQ and an app that allows you to tweak the audio quality. But the B&Ws have an improved design, and they can connect with two Bluetooth devices at once. They also support aptX HD and have an AI-driven engine that tries to upscale compressed music to high-resolution. This is referred to as DSEE Extreme and it does a good job of improving the clarity of music, particularly when listening to lossless files.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The $329 Bose QuietComfort 45 noise-canceling headphones are the most recent version of a headset that became a standard for commuters as well as travelers around the globe. Rather than reinventing the wheel the new model uses the same formula that made the predecessor so popular, but adds USB-C, improved noise cancellation and a longer battery lifespan.

Similar to the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones feature a premium look and feel that oozes quality. The headband, constructed of plastic, provides a firm feel thanks to the hinges made of steel at pivot points. It also has the familiar ratcheting mechanism whenever you extend or retract the ear cups. The cups feature soft cushioned pads that fit comfortably over the ears and don't apply pressure on your head. They weigh 238 grams and are fairly compact when folded. They can be worn with a coat or sweater as they work even when not on your head.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones however, the QC45s don't provide the best sound at this price point. The frequencies are relatively flat and lack details that more expensive headphones might be able to bring out. The upper registers tend to be more boosted, which is fine for most music, but could be a problem for delicate or intricate genres of music. The bass is good but it lacks punch.

One thing that's not included is the ability to pause playback when you take the headset off. This is a feature Bose's rivals have provided for years. Another oversight is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose provides preset EQ settings in the app however it would be nice to have a manual control.

Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, with multipoint as well as more advanced codecs such as aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust the audio and voice settings.

The QC45s come with four microphones that are built-in to hear your voice when on the phone. The quality of calls is generally excellent, but the headsets do not have the ability to mute your voice during playback, which is something other wireless headphones do. Update In February 2022, the firmware update to the QC45s provided manual EQ options within the audio app, which is a welcome improvement.

3. Focal Bathys wireless headphones bluetooth headphones

Focal is a French audio company known for high-performance headphones that last for a long time, comfort and a style that lets listeners know they're listening to something unique. The Bathys are their first wireless noise-cancelling headphones. They look and sound stunning. They have a high-performance USB DAC built in, so you can use them both for wired and wireless listening.

Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for up to 30 hours. We had more than 40 hours of playback on average on a single charge. If you are required to charge the headphones then the indicator light on the right earcup will go red.

For a pair of headphones for this price, they have lots of features. They can be used with multiple devices at once and feature automatic pairing. (You have to select your source device manually every time you listen.) The headphones have built-in microphones that works with voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones also have an intuitive interface that makes it easy to manage your music and make calls.

For wireless headphones that are over-ear The Bathys perform very well in our test of noise cancellation, which reduces the background sound by around 9 decibels per hour on average. This isn't as impressive as the ANC in the Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless, however it's still quite effective.

In our tests of headphone sound quality, the Bathys performed well overall with an overall frequency response that matches the SoundGuys headphone preference curve with only minor differences in the mids and bass. They have a bass-rich sound pattern that adds plenty of boom to mixes but can sometimes make instruments and vocals such as cymbals sound veiled.

You can wear them wherever and not worry about whether others hear your music. Their microphone is of decent recording quality via Bluetooth with just a little distortion in the mid - to high treble frequency 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 category. The latest pair is a step up from the previous model, sporting a a sleeker look, improved gesture control and an enormous battery life.

The improvements are subtle but can make for a pair of over ear headphones that feel like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold. They come with a hardshell case to protect them while on the move. They also follow the pattern of several other recent Bluetooth headphones, such as the ones from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be beautifully device agnostic. This means they can work with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, however they do not come with the extra features (like Find My support and head-tracked Spatial Audio) that you'll find on AirPods.

The most notable improvement is the battery that can play for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation on. This is more than the majority of the competitors can provide and B uetooth headphones is enough for a multi-day trip without worrying about finding an outlet to charge it.

Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82 score and cited their sound quality and ANC as their main strengths. The only thing he dislikes is that they lack a sense weight in the mids and treble, meaning that orchestral music tends to sound flat, not grand. The bass is smooth and well-rounded however, it can be overemphasized and can cause fatigue in songs with heavy bass lines like the drums in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals sound bubbly, but not full. There's no real depth to the lows.

The Momentum 4s should not put pressure on your neck or ear. However, they can be uncomfortable when worn in the house or during longer listening sessions. They can move around on your head with intense head movements. This can cause them to wake up at random, which can be distracting during calls or music. They stop automatically after 15 minutes, and can be switched off manually using the power button.