Best Over-Ear Headphones

In contrast to earbuds, headphones over-ear are a complete encapsulation of your ears and allow for bigger drivers to deliver deeper bass and wider soundstages. Many come with Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.

The latest Master & Dynamic MW65 update provides superior audio, multiple ANC modes, and a long battery life in an elegant and distinctive design.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has improved an already excellent pair of headphones by introducing the WH1000XM4 wireless. They are less heavy, more durable and have an audio profile that is more balanced (though bass-heavy). They also include an app for audio customization. They've improved their active noise cancellation, which eliminates the background noise and have a longer battery life.

These headphones utilize Bluetooth 5.0 and support SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. This codec can transmit high-resolution audio, but you'll need compatible devices and a streaming service. The WH-1000XM4s also allows you to connect two Bluetooth devices at the same time and automatically switch between them as needed. This feature is enabled through the Sony Headphones Connect App and works well.

One of the major improvements over the XM3 is the sensibility of their touch panels. They respond more quickly to a tap on the panel, which makes them easier to control during a phone call or to listen to music. Sony has also added a feature to make voices sound more clear and precise during calls. This is a noticeable and a nice addition.

The WH-1000XM4s may not be perfect, but they're among the best wireless headphones we've ever test. They are comfortable and well-made. They also have a battery that can last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can be used in a passive manner with the TRS cable. This is great for traveling or conserving energy.

The WH-1000XM4s are better than the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless over-ears. The Sonys are more comfortable, and their ANC can block out more background noise. They also have an application that lets you adjust their audio performance, and their EQ settings are more flexible than the B&W's. However, the B&Ws come with a better-built design, and they're able to connect with two Bluetooth devices at once. In addition, they support aptX HD and feature an AI-driven engine which tries to upscale compressed music to high-resolution. This is known as DSEE Extreme, and it improves 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 standard for commuters as well as travelers around the globe. Rather than reinventing the wheel, the new model retains the same formula that made the predecessor so popular, adding USB-C, improved noise cancellation and a longer battery lifespan.

Like the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones sport a premium look and feel that exudes quality. The headband is made of plastic, and has a sturdy feel with metal hinges at the pivot points, and the familiar ratcheting action when you open or retract the ear cups. The cups feature soft cushioned pads that fit securely over the ears and do not apply pressure to your head. When folded they weigh 238g. You can use them while wearing an overcoat or sweater since 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 at this price point. The frequencies are flat and lack the details that more expensive blue tooth headphones - just click for source - may be able to bring out. The upper registers are amplified which is great for the majority of music but can be problematic for more delicate and complex genres. The bass is decent, but lacks the punch.

One feature that's missing is the possibility of paused playback when you take the headset off. This is standard in this price bracket and is something that Bose's rivals have been offering for years. Another thing that was missing was the lack of an in-app EQ. Bose offers preset EQ settings within the app, but it would be nice to have manual control.

You can connect to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth 5.0 with support for multipoint and the more advanced codecs like aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust your headset's audio and voice settings.

The QC45s come with four microphones that are built-in to pick up your voice when you are on the phone. The call quality is generally excellent however, the headphones do not have the capability to turn off your voice during playback which is a feature that other wireless headphones do. Update as of February 2022, the firmware update to the QC45s gave you manual EQ options in the audio app which is a welcome improvement.

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 lets listeners know they're listening to something truly special. Their first venture into wireless headphones that block noise the Bathys, are stunning headphones that sound and look fantastic. They come with a top-quality USB DAC built in, which means you can use them both 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 on average on a single charge. If you do need to recharge, there's an indicator light on the right earcup that will turn red when the headphone has to be charged.

For a pair of headphones for this price, they have lots of features. They can connect to multiple devices simultaneously and have automatic pairing. (You have to select the device you want to pair with manually every time you listen.) They come with a built-in microphone that supports voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. The blutooth headphones come with an easy-to use interface that makes it easy to control music and make calls.

For wireless headphones that are over-ear for over-ear wireless headphones, the Bathys are very good in our tests of noise cancellation, reducing the ambient sound by about 9 decibels on average. It's not as impressive as the ANC in the Sony WH-1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless, blue tooth headphones however it's still fairly effective.

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

They also have very good leakage resistance, so you can wear them out in public without worrying about other people listening to your music. Their mic has passable recording quality through Bluetooth with just a little distortion in the mid - to treble range.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new version of the company's most popular Bluetooth headsets. The previous model, the Momentum 3, was a decent but not a standout in the category. The latest pair improves on the previous generation with more sleek design, better gesture controls, and an enormous battery life.

Many of the improvements aren't that obvious, but they create a pair of over-ears that seem like a step up from the previous model. The Momentum 4s are flat and don't fold, but they do come with a sturdy hardshell case to keep them safe on the go. They also follow the pattern of several other recent Bluetooth headphones, including the ones from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be beautifully device agnostic. They can be used with Apple iPhones as well as Android phones, but they do not have the AirPods extra features, such as Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.

The biggest difference is the massive battery that can last for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation turned on. This is more than what the majority of the competitors offer and enough for a multi-day trip without worrying about finding an outlet to charge them.

Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82-point score with a focus on their audio quality and ANC as their main strengths. His only complaint is that they lack a sense weight in the mids and the treble, which means that orchestral music tends to sound flat rather than grand. The bass is well rounded, but can be overemphasized, which can cause to fatigue in songs with heavy bass lines, like the drum hits of As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals sound smoky rather than full, and there's no real feeling of depth in the lows.

The Momentum 4s are comfy and shouldn't put too much pressure on your ears or neck. However they can be difficult to wear around the house or during longer listening sessions, and will move about on your head in a flurry of head movements. This can cause them wake up at random times, blue tooth headphones which can be distracting when listening to music or making calls. They will shut down automatically after 15 minutes, and can be shut off manually with the power button.