Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds can completely surround the ears. They also allow for larger drivers, which deliver greater bass and a wider soundstage. Many come with Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.

The latest Master and Dynamic MW65 update provides high-quality audio, numerous ANC modes and impressive battery life, all in a sleek and distinctive design.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has upgraded an already great pair of wireles Headphones with the introduction of the WH1000XM4 wireless. They're lighter, feel more built, have an improved sound profile that is more balanced (though still bass-heavy), and include an app that allows for some audio-related customization. Their active noise cancellation works even better than before, removing the background noise, and they have a longer continuous battery life than other models.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 which supports SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. The latter can transfer high-resolution music, though you'll need to use compatible devices and streaming services. The WH-1000XM4s can also allow you to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and automatically switch between them when required. This feature can be enabled via the Sony Headphones Connect App and works flawlessly.

A subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensitivity of their touch panels. They respond more quickly to the touch of the panel, wireles headphones and this makes them easier to control during calls or listen to media. Sony has added a feature to make voices clearer and more precise during calls. This is a distinct and pleasant addition.

The WH-1000XM4s may not be perfect, but they're among the top wireless headphones that we have ever test. They're comfortable, good to the touch, and have an excellent battery that lasts for longer than 30 hours continuously. They can also be used passively using a TRS cable, which is ideal if you're traveling or need to conserve power.

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 background noise. The B&Ws feature an EQ that is more flexible and an app companion to adjust the audio performance. However, the B&Ws have more robust design and they're able to connect with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptXHD and feature an AI-driven engine that tries to increase the size of compressed music to high resolution. This is referred to as DSEE Extreme and it does a good job of improving the clarity of music, especially when listening to lossless music.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The $329 Bose QuietComfort45 noise-canceling headset is the most recent version of a headset which has become a favorite among commuters and passengers all over the world. The new model doesn't 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.

Similar to the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones sport an elegant design and feel that oozes quality. The headband is constructed of plastic, and is sturdy and comfortable with metal hinges at the pivot points, and the ratcheting mechanism that is familiar when you open or retract the ear cups. The cups are cushioned and have soft pads that can be worn over your ears without putting pressure on your head. When folded, they weigh 238 grams. They can be paired with a sweater or coat since they can be worn even when not on your head.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones, the QC45s do not provide the best sound quality at this price. The frequencies are fairly flat and lack details that higher-end headphones may be capable of bringing out. The upper registers are amplified which is fine for most music genres but can be problematic for more delicate and complex genres. The bass is good but it lacks the punch.

The possibility of pauseing the playback when removing the headset is a feature missing. This is a feature Bose's rivals have provided for several years. Another omission was the lack of an in-app EQ. Bose has preset EQs available in the app, but it would be nice to have a manual control.

You can connect to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth 5.0 with multipoint support and more advanced codecs such as aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust the voice and sound settings.

The QC45s have four microphones that are built-in to hear your voice while on the phone. They have excellent call quality, however they don't permit you to mute the voice during playback like other wireless headphones. Update: A firmware update for the QC45s in February 2022 included manual settings for EQ to the audio app. This is a great upgrade.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio company known for high-performance headphones that last for a long time, comfort and a style that makes listeners feel like they're listening to something truly special. The Bathys are their first wireless noise-cancelling headphones. They look and sound stunning. They also have an inbuilt high-performance USB DAC which means you can use them for both wired and wireless listening.

The Bathys have a very good battery performance, with Focal promising 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We actually got a bit more, with over 40 hours on average of just one charge. If you do need to recharge, there's a light on the right ear cup that will turn red when the headphone has to be charged.

For wiresless headphones for this price, they have a lot of features. They support multiple devices simultaneously and have automatic pairing. (You will need to select your source device by hand each time you listen.) They also have a built-in mic that works with voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones also have an easy-to-use interface that makes it easy to control your music as well as make calls.

For headphones with over-ear connectivity for over-ear wireless headphones, the Bathys perform very well in our tests of noise cancellation, which reduces the sound of the surrounding environment by about 9 decibels per hour on average. They aren't as good as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 and Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless, but it's still effective.

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

They also have very good leakage resistance, meaning you can wear them out in public without worrying about people hearing your music. Their mic is passable for recording using Bluetooth, with only slight distortion between the mid-treble and treble.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new update to the company's flagship Bluetooth headphones. The previous model, the Momentum 3, was a solid but unspectacular entry into the category. The new model improves on the previous generation with more sleek design, better gesture controls, and a huge 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 old one. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold, but they do come with a sturdy hardshell case that protects them when on the move. They also follow the trend of a number of other recent Bluetooth monolith headphones, including the ones from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be beautifully device agnostic. This means they can 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 most notable improvement is the battery that can run for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation turned on. This is nearly twice as much as most of the competition and enough to go on a long-distance trip without having to search for an outlet.

Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget The headphones were rated by Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget an 82-point score. He highlighted their audio quality and Wireles Headphones ANC features as their strengths. The only thing he dislikes is that they lack a sense of weight in the mids and treble, meaning that orchestral music tends to sound flat rather than grand. The bass is well-rounded however it can be overemphasized, which can lead to fatigue in songs with heavy bass lines, like the drum beats of As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals can sound smoky rather than full, and there's no real feeling of depth in the bass.

The Momentum 4s are comfy and shouldn't put too much pressure on your neck or ears. They can be fidgety if you wear them at home or for long listening sessions. They can move on your head, and make rapid head movements. This could cause them to wake up unexpectedly, which can be distracting when listening to music or making calls. They stop automatically after 15 minutes, and can be shut off manually with the power button.