Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds cover your ears completely and allow for bigger drivers to produce more bass and a wider soundstage. Many include Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.

The Master & Dynamic MW65 is updated with superior audio and multiple ANC modes and a huge battery life.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has redesigned an already-great pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They're less heavy, feel better constructed, and have a more balanced sound profile (though still bass-heavy), and come with an app that allows for some audio adjustments. Their active noise cancelling performs even better than before, removing more ambient sound, and they have a longer continuous battery life than many competitors.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible and Sony LDAC is also supported. These headphones can transfer high-resolution audio, however, you'll need compatible equipment and a streaming service. The WH-1000XM4s also allows you to connect two Bluetooth devices at the same time and bluetooth Headfones automatically switch between them as needed. This feature is accessible through the Sony Headphones Connect App and is very effective.

One of the major improvements over the XM3 is the sensitivity of their touch panels. They respond quicker to a tap on panels and are simpler to control when making a call or listening to music. Sony also added a feature that helps voices sound more clear and precise on calls which is noticeable and a nice touch.

The WH-1000XM4s aren't perfect, but they are among the best wireless headphones that we have ever examined. They're comfortable and well-made. They also have an energy-efficient battery that can last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can also be used in a passive manner with an TRS cable which is perfect when you're on the road or need to conserve power.

The WH1000XM4s provide a superior alternative to the Bowers & Wilkins Wireless Over-Ears PX7 S2. The Sonys are more comfortable, and their ANC can block out more ambient noise. The B&Ws feature a more flexible EQ and a companion app to tweak the audio performance. The B&Ws are built better and can be paired with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptXHD and feature an AI-driven engine which tries to increase the size of compressed music to high resolution. This is called DSEE Extreme, and it enhances the clarity of music when listening to lossless audio files.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 blue tooth wireless headphones

The $329 Bose QuietComfort45 noise-canceling headset is the most recent version of a headset which has become a favorite among commuters and travelers all over the world. Instead of reinventing the wheel, the new model retains the same formula that made the predecessor so popular, adding the USB-C port, which is better at cancelling noise and a longer battery life.

Similar to the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones have a premium look and feel that exudes quality. The headband is made from plastic, and is a solid feel, with hinges made of metal at pivot points and the familiar ratcheting action when you retract or extend the ear cups. The cups are soft cushions that fit securely over the ears and do not apply pressure on your head. When folded they weigh 238 grams. You can wear them with an overcoat or sweater since the noise cancellation function is functional even when they're not on your head.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones they do not offer the best sound at this price point. The frequencies are relatively flat and lack the depth that more expensive headphones might be capable of bringing out. The upper registers are boosted which is acceptable for the majority of music but could be a problem for more delicate and intricate genres. The bass is good, but it lacks power.

One feature that's not present is the possibility of paused playback when you take off the headset. This is a feature that Bose's rivals have offered for years. Another oversight is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose offers preset EQ settings in the app however it would be nice to have a manual control.

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

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

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio company that makes high-performance headphones. They are known for their comfort and style which tell listeners that they're hearing something unique. 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 wireless and wired listening.

Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth Headfones music for up to 30 hours. We actually got more from them with more than 40 hours of playtime on average of just one charge. If you have to charge your headphones in the future, the indicator light on the right earcup will go red.

They have a decent amount of features for a pair of headphones of this price with support for multiple devices simultaneously and automatic pairing (though you'll need to manually select your source device each time you need to listen). The headphones have built-in microphones that can be used with voice assistants, such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones come with an easy-to navigate interface that makes it simple to control music and 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 on average. They aren't as good as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless but it's still very effective.

The Bathys headphones did well in our headphone sound tests. Their frequency response was generally similar to the SoundGuys headphone curve with minor variations in the mids and bass. They have a bass-rich sound pattern that adds plenty of boom to mixes however, they 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 others hearing your music. Their microphone is suitable to record via 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 version of the company's flagship Bluetooth headsets. The Momentum 3 was a solid, but not spectacular entry in this category. The new model improves on the previous model by having modern design, better gesture controls and massive battery life.

The improvements are subtle but can make for an over-ear pair of headphones that feel like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s are flat and aren't foldable, but they do come with a nice hardshell case that protects them when on the move. The Momentum 4s are also compatible with all devices, just like other Bluetooth headphones of recent years, such as the ones from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. They are compatible with Apple iPhones as well as Android phones, but they do not have the AirPods additional features such as Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.

The most significant change is the huge battery that can last for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation turned on. This is more than double the amount of the other brands and enough to allow you to travel for a longer period of time without worrying about finding an outlet.

Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget and Engadget, gave the headphones a score of 82. He noted their sound quality and ANC features as their strengths. The only issue he has is that they lack a sense gravitas in the mids as well as treble, meaning that orchestral tracks tend to sound flat, not grand. The bass is well-rounded, but it can be overemphasised and Bluetooth Headfones can cause fatigue in songs with strong bass lines, like the drum hits in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals also sound sizzled rather than full and there's not a real sense of depth in the bass.

The Momentum 4s are comfortable and should not put too much 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 can move on your head, and make rapid head movements. This can cause them wake up unexpectedly, which can be distracting while listening to music or making calls. They shut down automatically after 15 minutes and can be turned off manually with the power button.