Best Over-Ear bt headphones

In contrast to earbuds, headphones over-ear encapsulate your ears completely and wireless headphones bluetooth allow for bigger drivers to deliver greater bass and larger soundstages. A majority of them feature Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.

The Master & Dynamic MW65 has been updated with superior audio, multiple ANC modes and a huge battery life.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has enhanced an already great pair of headphones by introducing the WH1000XM4 wireless. They are less heavy, more durable and feature a more balanced audio profile (though bass heavy). They also have an app to adjust the sound. Their active noise cancelling performs better than ever before, removing more ambient sound, and they have a longer continuous battery life than other models.

These headphones use Bluetooth 5.0, with support for SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. These headphones can transmit high-resolution audio, but you'll need compatible devices and streaming service. The WH-1000XM4s is also able to connect two bluetooth headphone devices simultaneously and automatically switch between them when required. This feature is enabled through the Sony Headphones Connect App and works flawlessly.

A subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensibility of their touch panels. They respond faster to the touch of panels and are simpler to manage when making a phone call or listening to media. Sony has also added a feature to make voices sound more precise and clear during calls. This is an obvious and pleasant addition.

The WH-1000XM4s may not be perfect, but they're among the best wireless headphones that we have ever examined. They're comfortable, well-made, and come with an impressive battery that lasts for longer than 30 hours continuously. They can be used in a passive manner using an TRS cable. This is great to travel with or for storing power.

The WH1000XM4s provide a superior alternative to the Bowers & Wilkins Wireless Headphones Bluetooth Over-Ears PX7 S2. The Sonys are more comfortable and their ANC is able to block out more ambient sounds. The B&Ws feature an EQ that is more flexible, as well as a companion app to tweak the audio quality. The B&Ws are better built and can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. Additionally, they support aptX HD and have a unique AI-driven engine that is attempting to boost compressed music to high-resolution. This is known as DSEE Extreme and it does an excellent job of improving the clarity of music, especially when listening to lossless audio files.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The $329 Bose QuietComfort45 noise-canceling headset is the most current version of a headset which has become a favorite among commuters and passengers across the world. Instead of reinventing the wheel the new model follows the same formula that made its predecessor so popular, but adds USB-C, better noise cancellation and a longer battery life.

Similar to the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones feature an elegant design and feel that oozes quality. The headband, which is made of plastic, offers a solid feel thanks to the hinges made of steel at pivot points. It also features the ratcheting mechanism that is familiar when you extend or retract your earcups. The cups are cushioned and have soft pads that are comfortable to wear over your ears without putting pressure on your head. They weigh 238 grams and are fairly compact when folded. They can be paired with a sweater or coat as they work even when not on your head.

Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s can't provide the best sound quality in this price range. The frequencies are dull and lack the depth that higher-end headphones might be able bring out. The upper registers are amplified which is acceptable for most music genres but can be problematic for more delicate and Wireless Headphones bluetooth intricate genres. The bass is decent but it lacks punch.

The ability to pause the playback after removing the headset is a feature that's absent. This is a standard feature in this price range and is something that Bose's competitors have been offering for years. Another issue 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, with multipoint as well as more advanced codecs like aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust the sound and voice settings.

The QC45s have four microphones inbuilt to hear your voice while on the phone. The headsets have a good call quality, however they don't let you muffle the sound during playback like other wireless headphones. Update: A firmware update for the QC45s in February 2022 included manual adjustments to the audio app. This is a welcome upgrade.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio brand that is known for high-performance headphones with 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 look and sound stunning. They come with a high-performance USB DAC built in, which means you can use them both for wireless and wired listening.

The Bathys have a very good battery life, with Focal claiming 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We actually got more from them with more than 40 hours on average of a single charge. If you need to recharge, there's a light on the right earcup that will change to red when the headphone needs to be charged.

For a pair of headphones for this price, they have a lot of features. They can connect to multiple devices simultaneously and offer automatic pairing. (You will need to select your device source manually every time you listen.) They come with a built-in microphone that works with voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones also feature an easy-to-use interface that makes it simple to control your music and take calls.

For headphones with over-ear connectivity, the Bathys excel in our test of noise cancellation. They cut down the sound of the surrounding environment by about 9 decibels on average. It's not as effective as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless, but it is still effective.

The Bathys headphones did well in our headphone tests. Their frequency response was generally similar to the headphone curve of SoundGuys, with only minor deviations on the bass and mids. The Bathys are bassy sound that can make instruments, vocals and cymbals look a bit unreal.

You can wear them wherever and not worry about whether others hear your music. Their microphone is suitable to record via Bluetooth with just a little distortion between the mid-treble as well as the treble.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new version of the company's top-of-the-line Bluetooth headphones. The previous model, the Momentum 3, was a decent but not a standout in the class. The new pair is an improvement on the previous generation, with a sleeker look, improved gesture control and a massive battery life.

Many of the improvements aren't that obvious, but they make a pair that appear to be an upgrade from the old one. The Momentum 4s are flat and don't fold. They come with a hardshell case to protect them when moving. The Momentum 4s are also compatible with all devices, just like other Bluetooth headphones from recent years, including the ones from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. This means they work well 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 the AirPods.

The most notable difference is the massive battery that can play for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation on. That's easily double what most of the competitors can provide and enough for a multi-day trip without worrying about finding a power outlet to charge them.

Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82 rating, citing their audio quality and ANC as particular strengths. His only complaint is that they lack a sense of gravitas in the mids as well as the treble, which means that orchestral music tends to sound flat rather than grand. The bass is well rounded, but can be too loud, which can cause to fatigue when songs have heavy bass lines, like the drum hits in As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals sound a bit sizzled, not full. There's also no real depth to the lows.

The Momentum 4s are comfortable and aren't likely to put too much pressure on your ears or neck. However, they can be a bit difficult to wear around the house or during longer listening sessions, and can move around on your head, causing intense head movements. This can cause them wake up at random times, 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 with the power button.