Best Over-Ear Headphones

Unlike earbuds, over-ear headphones encapsulate your ears completely and allow for bigger drivers to deliver more bass and a wider soundstage. Many come with Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.

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

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has improved an already excellent pair of headphones with the introduction of the WH1000XM4 wireless. They're lighter, feel better built, feature an improved sound profile that is more balanced (though still bass-heavy), and include an app that lets you do some audio-related customization. They've improved their active noise cancellation, which eliminates more ambient sounds and extending the battery life.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible and Sony LDAC is also compatible with. The latter can transfer high-resolution audio but you'll need compatible devices and streaming service. In addition, Bluetooth headphone the WH-1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices at once and automatically switch between them if needed. You enable this feature through the Sony Headphones Connect app and it is extremely effective.

A subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensitiveness of their touch panels. They respond faster to a tap on a panel and are easier to control when making calls or listening to media. Sony has also added a feature that makes voice sound more clear and precise during calls which is noticeable and a nice addition.

While the WH-1000XM4s aren't perfect, they're one of the top wireless headphones we've ever tested. They're comfortable and well-made. They also have a battery that can last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can also be used in a passive manner using a TRS cable which is great for those who travel or Bluetooth Headphone want to save power.

The WH-1000XM4s are a better choice than the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless over-ears. The Sonys are more comfortable, and their ANC can block out more ambient noise. The B&Ws come with an EQ that is more flexible, as well as a companion app to tweak the audio performance. The B&Ws are better built, and can pair with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. Additionally, they support aptX HD and feature an 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 music.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The $329 Bose QuietComfort 45 noise-canceling headphones are the latest iteration of a headphone that became an essential for commuters and passengers around the world. Instead of reinventing the wheel, the new model retains the same formula that made the predecessor so popular, and adds the USB-C port, which is better at cancelling noise and a longer battery life.

Similar to the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones sport an elegant design and feel that exudes quality. The headband is made from plastic, and has a sturdy feel with metal hinges at the pivot points, and the familiar ratcheting action that you experience when you extend or retract the earcups. The cups feature soft cushions that fit securely over the ears and don't put pressure to your head. When folded, they weigh 238 grams. They can be used while wearing a coat or sweater as the noise cancellation function is functional even when they are not on your head.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones they do not provide the best sound at this price point. The frequencies are comparatively flat and lack the details that higher-end headphones may be able to bring out. The upper registers tend to be boosted and is suitable for most music genres but could be a problem for delicate or intricate music genres. The bass is decent, but is lacking the punch.

One thing that's not included is the possibility of paused playback when you remove the headset. This is a feature Bose's competitors have offered for several years. Another oversight was the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose provides preset EQ settings within the app however it would be nice to have manual control.

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

The QC45s come with four in-built microphones to pick up your voice during calls. The headsets have a good call quality, but they don't allow you to muffle the sound during playback as other wireless headphones. Update as of February 2022, the firmware update to the QC45s provided an option to adjust the volume manually in the audio app which is a welcome improvement.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio brand known for its high-performance headphones blutooth that provide long-lasting comfort and a style that let listeners know 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 actually got more from them, with over 40 hours on average of a single charge. If you do require a recharge, there's a light on the right ear cup that will change to red when the headphone has to be charged.

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

For wireless headphones that are over-ear The Bathys perform very well in our test of noise cancellation, reducing the ambient sound by about 9 decibels in average. It's not as effective as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 and Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless however it's still very effective.

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

You can wear them wherever and not worry about whether others hear your music. Their microphone is of decent recording quality through Bluetooth with just a little distortion in the mid - to treble range.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new update to the company's flagship Bluetooth headphones. The Momentum 3 was a solid but not an outstanding entry in this class. The new pair is a step up from the previous model, sporting a more sleek design, better gesture control and a massive battery life.

Many of the improvements aren't that obvious, but they add up to create a pair of over-ears that feel like an upgrade to the old one. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold however they do come with a nice hardshell case that protects them while on the go. They also follow the style of several other recent bluetooth headphone (Recommended Resource site) headphones, including the ones from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be beautifully device agnostic. This means they can work with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, but do not have the additional features (like Find My support and head-tracked spatial audio) that you'll find on the AirPods.

The biggest difference is the massive battery that can run for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation on. This is more than the majority of the competitors can provide and enough for a long-distance trip without having to worry about finding a power outlet to charge them.

Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget, gave the headphones an 82 percent score. He highlighted their audio quality and ANC features as their strengths. The only issue he has is that they lack of gravitas in the mids and treble. This means that orchestral pieces sound dull instead of grand. The bass is well rounded but it can sound overemphasized, which can cause to fatigue when songs have heavy bass lines, like the drum hits of As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals sound a bit bubbly, but not full. There's also no real depth to the lows.

The Momentum 4s are not designed to place pressure on your neck or ear. They can be fidgety if you wear them around the home or during long listening sessions. They will move around on your head and make intense head movements. This can cause them to wake up in a sudden manner, which could be distracting when listening to music or making calls. They shut down automatically after 15 minutes, and can be switched off manually using the power button.