Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds are a complete encapsulation of your ears and allow for bigger drivers to provide more bass and a wider soundstage. Many of them also feature active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.

The latest Master and Dynamic MW65 update offers high-quality audio, numerous ANC modes and impressive battery life in an elegant and distinct design.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has redesigned an already-great pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They're lighter, feel more built, feature an improved sound profile that is more balanced (though still bass heavy) and come with an app that allows for some audio adjustments. They've improved their active noise cancellation, removing more background noises and extending the battery life.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0, with support for SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. The latter is able to transfer high-resolution music, but you'll need to use compatible devices and streaming services. In addition, the WH1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices at the same time and switch between them as needed. This feature is accessible through the Sony Headphones Connect App and is very effective.

One subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensibility of their touch panels. They respond faster to a tap on a panel and are easier to manage when making a phone call or listening to media. Sony has also added a feature that can make voices sound clearer and more precise during calls. This is a distinct and pleasant addition.

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

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 sounds. They also have an app that lets you alter their audio performance, and their EQ settings are more flexible than the B&W's. The B&Ws are better built and vn.easypanme.com can be paired with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. In addition, 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 enhances the clarity of music 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 that is a popular choice among commuters and passengers across the world. Rather than reinventing the wheel, the new model retains the same formula that made its predecessor so popular, adding USB-C, better noise cancellation and a longer battery lifespan.

These over-ear Bose headsets have a premium feeling and dj look, just like the QC 35 II headphones that were before them. The headband, constructed of plastic, has an incredibly solid feel due to the hinges made of metal at pivot points. They also have the familiar ratcheting mechanism whenever you retract or extend your ear cups. The cups are cushioned and have soft pads that fit over your ears without pressing 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 cancellation function is functional even when they're not on your head.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones however, the QC45s don't offer the best sound at this price point. The frequencies are tinny and lack the detail that more expensive headphones may be able bring out. The upper registers are boosted which is great for most music genres but can be problematic for more delicate and intricate genres. The bass is good but lacks punch.

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

The QC45s come with four microphones that are built-in to hear your voice while on the phone. The call quality is generally very good, but the headsets do not have the ability to mute your voice during playback which is a feature that other wireless headphones do. Update: A firmware update for the QC45s was released in February 2022 added manual EQ options to the audio app. This is a welcome upgrade.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio company that makes high-performance headphones. They are renowned for their comfort and style that let listeners know that they're listening something special. The Bathys are their first wireless bluetooth stereo headphones noise-cancelling headphones. They are stunning in appearance and sound. They come with a top-quality USB DAC built in, which means you can use them both for wireless and wired listening.

The Bathys come with a great battery performance, with Focal claims of 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We actually got a little more out of them, with over 40 hours of playtime on average of one charge. If you need to recharge, there's an indicator light on the right ear cup that will turn red when the headphone needs to be charged.

They offer a good amount of features for headphones of this price, including support for multiple devices at the same time and automatic pairing (though you'll have to select your source device each time you need to listen). They have a built-in microphone that supports voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. The headphones also have an intuitive interface that makes it simple to manage your music and make calls.

For headphones with over-ear connectivity The Bathys perform very well in our tests of noise cancellation, which reduces the background sound by around 9 decibels on 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 generally similar to the SoundGuys headphone curve, with only minor deviations on the bass and mids. They have a bass-rich sound profile that adds a lot of boom to mixes, however, it can make vocals and instruments like cymbals seem a bit veiled.

You can wear them anywhere without worrying that others will listen to your music. The microphone has a decent recording quality through Bluetooth with only slight distortion in the mid to the treble range.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new version of the company's top-of-the-line Bluetooth headphones. The Momentum 3 was a solid, but not spectacular entry in this class. The new model improves on the previous generation with a sleeker design, improved gesture controls, and an enormous battery life.

Many of the improvements here are subtle, but they add up to 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 nice hardshell case to protect them when on the move. The Momentum 4s are device-agnostic, like many other Bluetooth headphones from recent times, like those from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. They can be used with Apple iPhones as well as Android phones, but do not have the AirPods extra features, such as Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.

The biggest improvement is the battery that can play for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation on. This is more than the majority of the competition can offer and enough for a long-distance trip without worrying about finding an outlet to charge them.

Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82 score and cited their sound quality and ANC as their main strengths. The only issue he has is: they lack a sense gravitas in mids and the treble. This makes orchestral music sounds flat instead of grand. The bass is smooth and well-rounded but it can be overemphasised and can cause fatigue in songs with strong bass lines such as the drums that are pounding in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals sound bubbly, but not full. There's no real depth to the lows.

The Momentum 4s are a comfortable fit and should not put too much pressure on your neck or ears. They can be a bit fidgety when you wear them at home or during long listening sessions. They will move around on your head and make intense head movements. This can cause them unexpectedly wake up and can cause distraction during calls or music. They shut down automatically after 15 minutes and can be shut off manually using the power button.