Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds are able to completely encapsulate your ears. They also permit larger drivers that deliver deeper bass and a larger soundstage. Many of them also feature active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.

The Master & Dynamic MW65 has been updated with superior audio and features, including various ANC modes, and a long battery life.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has upgraded an already excellent pair of headphones with the introduction of the WH1000XM4 wireless. They're lighter, feel more built, have a more balanced sound profile (though still bass-heavy), and include an app that lets you do some audio customization. They've upgraded their active noise cancellation, eliminating the background noise and have a longer battery life.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible, and Sony LDAC is also supported. The latter is able to transfer high-resolution music, but you'll need compatible devices and streaming services. The WH-1000XM4s is also able to connect two Bluetooth devices at the same time and automatically switch between the two when required. You can enable this feature via the Sony Headphones Connect app and it is extremely 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 calls or to listen to music. Sony has added a feature to make voice calls more precise and clear during calls. This is a distinct and nice touch.

While the WH1000XM4s aren't perfect, they're one of the most comfortable wireless headphones we've ever tried. They are comfortable and well-made. They also have an energy-efficient battery that can last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can be used in a passive manner using an TRS cable. This is great to travel with or for storing energy.

The WH-1000XM4s make a better choice than the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless over-ears. The Sonys are more comfy, and their ANC can block out more ambient sounds. They also have a companion app that lets you alter their audio performance, and their EQ settings are more flexible than B&W's. However, the B&Ws have an improved design, and they can connect with two Bluetooth devices at once. In addition, they support aptX HD and have an AI-driven engine which attempts to boost compressed music to high-resolution. This is known as DSEE Extreme, and it enhances the clarity of music when listening to lossless audio files.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The $329 Bose QuietComfort 45 noise-canceling headphones are the latest iteration of a headset that has become a staple for commuters and passengers around the world. The new model does not reinvent the wheel. It uses the same formula which was the basis of its predecessor's success, while adding USB-C and better noise cancellation.

These over-ear Bose headsets have a premium feel and look, just like the QC 35 II headphones that were before them. The headband, made of plastic, offers a firm feel thanks to the hinges made of metal at pivot points. It also has the familiar ratcheting mechanism when you expand or retract your earcups. The cups are cushioned, and have soft pads that are comfortable to wear over your ears without placing pressure on your head. They weigh 238 grams and are fairly compact when folded. You can use them when you're wearing an overcoat or sweater since the noise cancellation function is functional even when you aren't on your head.

Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s don't offer the most impressive sound quality for this price range. The frequencies are fairly flat and lack the details that higher-end headphones may be able to bring out. The upper registers are boosted which is acceptable for most music genres but could be a problem for more delicate and intricate genres. The bass is good but lacks power.

The ability to pause playback when you remove the headset is a feature that's not available. This is a feature that Bose's competitors have offered for many years. Another oversight was the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose offers preset EQ settings in 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. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust your headset's audio and voice settings.

The QC45s also come with four microphones built into the headset to listen to your voice during calls. They have excellent call quality, however they don't permit you to mute the voice during playback as other wireless and bluetooth headphones headphones. Update: A firmware update for the QC45s in February 2022 added manual EQ options to the audio app. This is a welcome upgrade.

3. Focal Bathys wireless bluetooth headphone

Focal is a French audio company that makes high-performance headphones. They are renowned for their style and comfort that let listeners know that they're listening to something special. Their first attempt at wireless headphones that cancel out noise, the Bathys are stunning headphones that sound and look fantastic. They also come with a built in high performance USB DAC which means you can use them for wireless and wired listening.

Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for 30 hours. We got more than 40 hours of playback time on average from a single charge. If you do need to recharge, there's a light on the right ear cup that will change to red when the earphone needs to be charged.

They offer a good amount of features for a pair of headphones of this price point with support for multiple devices simultaneously and automatic pairing (though you'll have to manually select your source device every time you would like to listen). The headphones have built-in microphones that works with voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. They also come with an easy-to-use interface that makes it easy to control your music as well as make calls.

For headphones with over-ear connectivity, the Bathys are very good in our tests of noise cancellation, which reduces the sound of the surrounding environment by about 9 decibels in average. This isn't as impressive as the ANC in the Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless but it's still pretty effective.

The Bathys headphones did well in our headphone sound tests. Their frequency response was largely similar to the headphone curve of SoundGuys, Wireless And Bluetooth Headphones with only minor deviations in the mids and bass. The Bathys have a booming sound that can make vocals, instruments and cymbals seem obscure.

You can wear them wherever and not worry about whether others listen to your music. The microphone has a decent quality of recording via Bluetooth with only slight distortion in the mid - to the treble range.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new update to the company's flagship Bluetooth headphones. The previous model, called the Momentum 3, was a decent but not a standout into the category. The new model is a significant improvement over the previous model, sporting a more sleek design, better gesture control and a massive battery life.

The improvements here are subtle, but they make a pair that appear to be an upgrade from the old one. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold. They come with an outer case that protects them while on the move. They also follow the trend of several other recent Bluetooth headphones, including those from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be incredibly device-agnostic. They work with both Apple iPhones and Android phones, but lack the AirPods additional features such as Find My Support and Wireless And bluetooth headphones head-tracked spatial audio.

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 offer and enough for a long-distance trip without worrying about finding a power outlet to charge it.

Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget and Engadget, gave the headphones an 82 percent score. He highlighted their audio quality and ANC features as strengths. The only issue he has is that they lack a sense weight in the mids and treble, meaning that orchestral tracks tend to sound flat instead of grand. The bass is well-rounded, but can be too loud, which can cause to fatigue when songs have high-pitched bass lines, like the drum hits in As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals can sound smoky rather than full and there's not a real sense of depth in the lows.

The Momentum 4s are a comfortable fit and aren't likely to put too much pressure on your neck or ears. However they can be a bit uncomfortable when worn around the house or for longer listening sessions, and will move about on your head in a flurry of head movements. This can cause them wake up unexpectedly, which where can i buy wireless bluetooth headphones be distracting when listening to music or making calls. Fortunately, they shut down after 15 minutes of rest by default and can be manually switched off using the power button.