Best Over-Ear headphones wireless bluetooth

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

The most recent Master & Dynamic MW65 update features superior audio, multiple ANC modes, and an impressive battery life, all in a sleek and distinctive design.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has made improvements to an already-great pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They are lighter, better built and feature an audio profile that is more balanced (though bass heavy). They also include an app to adjust the sound. They have improved their active noise cancellation, which eliminates the background noise and extending the battery life.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible and Sony LDAC is also compatible with. This codec can transfer high-resolution music, but you'll need compatible devices and streaming services. In addition, the WH-1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and automatically switch between them when required. This feature is accessible through the Sony Headphones Connect App and is very 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 a call or to listen to music. Sony has also added a feature to make voice calls more clear and precise during calls. This is a distinct and nice touch.

While the WH-1000XM4s aren't perfect, they're some of the most comfortable wireless headphones we've tested. They're comfortable, good to the touch, and have an outstanding battery that can last longer than 30 hours continuously. They can be used as a passive device with the TRS cable. This is ideal 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 is able to block out more ambient sounds. The B&Ws come with an EQ that is more flexible and an app companion to adjust the audio performance. However, the B&Ws come with more robust design and they're able to connect with two Bluetooth devices at once. They also support aptX HD, and they have an AI-driven engine that attempts to boost compressed music to high-resolution. This is known as DSEE Extreme and it does well in improving the clarity of music, particularly when listening to lossless audio files.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The $329 Bose QuietComfort 45 noise-canceling headphones are the most recent version of a headset that became a staple for commuters and travelers from all over the world. The new model does not reinvent the wheel. It uses the same formula which made its predecessor so successful but it also includes the USB-C technology and improved noise cancellation.

Like the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones feature an elegant design and feel that exudes quality. The headband, cordless bluetooth headphones made of plastic, offers an incredibly solid feel due to the hinges made of metal at pivot points. They also have the familiar ratcheting mechanism whenever you expand or retract your ear cups. The cups have soft cushions that fit comfortably over the ears and don't put pressure to your head. When folded they weigh 238g. They can be used when you're wearing a sweater or coat as the noise cancelling function works even when you aren't on your head.

Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s don't provide the best sound quality in this price range. The frequencies are tinny and lack the depth that higher-end headphones might be able to bring out. The upper registers are boosted which is acceptable for the majority of music but can be a problem for more delicate and intricate genres. The bass is decent, but is lacking punch.

One thing that's not included is the ability to pause playback whenever you take off the headset. This is a feature that Bose's competitors have offered for many years. Another omission was the lack of an in-app EQ. Bose has preset EQs available in the app, but it would be nice if there was a manual control.

Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, including multipoint and more advanced codecs such as aptX Adaptive. You can download the Bose Audio app to adjust your headset's audio and voice assistant settings.

The QC45s come with four microphones inbuilt to pick up your voice when on the phone. The call quality is generally good however, the headphones don't come with the handy capability to muffle your voice while playing back which is something other wireless headphones do. Update: As of February 2022, a firmware upgrade to the QC45s gave you manual EQ options within the audio app which is a welcomed improvement.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio brand that is known for high-performance headphones that provide long-lasting comfort and a style that let listeners know they're listening to something truly special. Their first venture into wireless noise cancelling headphones the Bathys are a stunning set of cans that look and sound fantastic. They come with a high-performance USB DAC built in, making them suitable both for wired and wireless listening.

Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for 30 hours. We got more than 40 hours of playback time on average on a single charge. If you need to recharge, there's an indicator light on the right earcup that will turn red when the headphone has to be charged.

They come with a wide range of features for headphones of this price point with support for multiple devices at the same time and automatic pairing (though you'll need to manually select your source device each time you would like to listen). The headphones have a built in microphone that works with voice assistants, such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones feature an easy to navigate interface that makes it simple to control music and make calls.

Bathys over-ear headphones perform well in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient sound by an average of 9 decibels. It's not as effective as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless but it is still effective.

In our tests of the quality of sound from headphones in our tests of headphone sound quality, the Bathys performed well overall with a frequency response that mostly matches the SoundGuys headphone preference curve, with only minor deviations in the mids and bass. The Bathys have a booming sound profile which can make vocals, instruments and cymbals look a bit unreal.

You can wear them anywhere without fearing that other people will hear your music. Their mic is passable for recording using Bluetooth, with only slight distortion between the mid-treble as well as the treble.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new update of the company's flagship Bluetooth headsets. The last pair, the Momentum 3, was a decent but not a standout in the category. The latest pair is a significant improvement over the previous generation, with more sleek design, better gesture control, and a huge battery life.

The changes are subtle but add up to an over-ear pair of headphones that feel like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold. They come with a hardshell case that protects them while traveling. They also follow the pattern of a number of other recent Bluetooth headphones, such as the ones from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be completely device-independent. This means they 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 AirPods.

The biggest difference is the massive battery that can play for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation on. This is nearly twice as much as most of the other brands and enough to take a multi-day journey without having to search for an outlet.

Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82 score and cited their sound quality and ANC as two of their strengths. The only issue he has is they lack gravitas in the mids and treble. This means that orchestral pieces sound flat, not grand. The bass is rounded, however, it can be overemphasized and cause fatigue in songs with strong bass lines, like the drums that are pounding in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals sound a bit sizzled, Cordless Bluetooth headphones not full. There's no real depth to the lows.

The Momentum 4s are not designed to put pressure on your neck or ears. They can be a bit fidgety if you wear them around the home or for long listening sessions. They will move around on your head, and make rapid head movements. This could cause them to wake up at random and can cause distraction during calls or music. Fortunately they shut down after 15 minutes of rest by default and can be switched off using the power button.