Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds are a complete encapsulation of your ears and allow larger drivers to provide greater bass and larger soundstages. Many also include active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.

The Master & Dynamic MMW65 has been upgraded with improved audio, multiple ANC modes and a huge battery life.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has redesigned an already great pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They are lighter, better built, and have a more balanced audio profile (though bass heavy). They also come with an app for audio customization. Their active noise cancelling works better than it did before, eliminating more ambient sound, and they have a longer continuous battery life than many competitors.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 and support SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. These headphones can transmit high-resolution audio, however, you'll need compatible devices and a streaming service. In addition, the WH-1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and switch between them as needed. This feature is accessible through the Sony Headphones Connect App and works well.

The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond faster to the tap of the panel, and this makes them easier to control during a call or to listen to music. Sony has also added a feature to make voices more precise and clear during calls. This is a noticeable and a nice addition.

Although the WH-1000XM4s may not be perfect, they're some of the top wireless headphones we've ever tried. They're comfortable, well-made, and have an energy-efficient battery that can last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can be used in a passive manner with a TRS cable. This is perfect for traveling or conserving energy.

The WH1000XM4s offer a better alternative to the Bowers & Wilkins Wireless Over-Ears Px7 S2. The Sonys are more comfy and their ANC can block out more background noise. They also have a companion application that lets you adjust their audio performance, and their EQ settings are more flexible than the B&W's. The B&Ws are more robust, and can pair with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. In addition, they 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 well in improving the clarity of music, particularly when listening to lossless files.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The $329 Bose QuietComfort45 sound cancelling headset is the most recent version of a headset which has become a favorite among commuters and passengers across the world. The new model doesn't reinvent the wheel. It retains the same formula that has made its predecessor so successful, Wireless And Bluetooth Headphones while adding the USB-C port and improved noise cancellation.

These over-ear Bose headsets come with a premium feel and appearance, similar to the QC 35 II headphones that were before them. The headband is made of plastic, yet it is sturdy and comfortable with hinges made of metal at pivot points and the ratcheting mechanism that is familiar when you open or retract the earcups. The cups feature soft, cushioned pads that fit comfortably over the ears and do not apply pressure to your head. They weigh 238 grams and are fairly compact when folded. You can wear them while wearing a sweater or coat as the noise cancelling function works even when they are not on your head.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones, the QC45s do not provide the best sound quality at this price. The frequencies are tinny and lack the detail that more expensive headphones may be able bring out. The upper registers tend to be boosted, which is fine for most music genres but could become a problem for more delicate or intricate music genres. The bass is decent, but is lacking power.

One thing that's not included is the ability to pause playback whenever you remove the headset. This is standard in this price range and is something that Bose's rivals have long offered. Another omission was the lack of an in-app EQ. Bose has preset EQs in the app but it would be nice if there was an option to manually control.

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

The QC45s come with four built-in microphones that pick up your voice during calls. The headphones have good call quality, but they don't permit you to mute the voice during playback like other wireless headphones. Update: A firmware update for the QC45s came out in February 2022 included manual adjustments to the audio app. This is a great upgrade.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio brand that produces high-performance headphones. They are known for their comfort and style, which let listeners know that they're listening to something special. Their first attempt at wireless headphones that cancel out noise The Bathys, are a stunning set of headphones that sound and look great. They also have a built in high performance USB DAC which means you can use them for both wired and wireless listening.

The Bathys are very efficient in terms of battery performance, with Focal promising 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We got more than 40 hours of playback on average from a single charge. If you are required to charge your headphones then the indicator light on the right earcup will go red.

For a pair of headphones at this price, they offer a lot of features. They can connect to multiple devices simultaneously and have automatic pairing. (You will need to select the device you want to pair with each time you listen.) The headphones have an inbuilt microphone that can be used with voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones have an easy-to use interface that makes it simple to control music and make calls.

For wireless headphones that are over-ear, the Bathys excel in our tests of noise cancellation, reducing the background sound by around 9 decibels per hour on average. It's not as effective as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless however it's still effective.

The Bathys headphones performed well in our headphone tests. Their frequency response was largely similar to the headphone curve of SoundGuys with minor differences on the bass and mids. They have a bass-rich sound profile which adds plenty of boom to mixes however, they can make instruments and vocals like cymbals sound dull.

You can wear them wherever and not worry about whether others listen to your music. Their mic has passable recording quality via Bluetooth with only slight distortion in the mid to the treble range.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless And Bluetooth Headphones are a new update to the company's top-of-the-line Bluetooth headphones. The previous model, called the Momentum 3, was a decent, but not the most impressive entry in the category. The new model is a significant improvement over the previous generation, with an elegant design, enhanced gesture control and an enormous battery life.

The changes are subtle but add up to a pair of over ear headphones that feels like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not 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 wireless headphones of recent years, such as the ones from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. This means they can work with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, however they do not have the additional 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 turned on. This is more than what the majority of the competitors offer and is enough for a trip of a lifetime without worrying about finding a power outlet to charge them.

Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget, gave the headphones a score of 82. He cited their audio quality and ANC features as the top strengths. His only complaint is that they lack a sense of gravitas in the mids as well as the treble. This means that orchestral pieces tend to sound flat rather than grand. The bass is well-rounded, however, it can be overemphasized and cause fatigue in songs with heavy bass lines, like the drums in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals also sound sizzled rather than full and there's not a real feeling of depth in the lows.

The Momentum 4s are comfortable and aren't likely to put too much pressure on your ears or neck. They can be a bit fidgety if you wear them at home or for long listening sessions. They will move around on your head and make intense head movements. This could cause them to wake up unexpectedly, which can be distracting while listening to music or making calls. They will shut down automatically after 15 minutes and can be turned off manually by pressing the power button.