Best Over-Ear Headphones

Unlike earbuds, over-ear headphones are a complete encapsulation of your ears and allow larger drivers to produce deeper bass and wider soundstages. They also have active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.

The latest Master & Dynamic MW65 update provides excellent audio, a variety of ANC modes, and a long battery life, all in a sleek and distinct design.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has made improvements to an already excellent pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They're less heavy, feel better constructed, and have more balanced sound profiles (though still bass heavy), and include an app that lets you do some audio customization. They've improved their active noise cancellation, eliminating more background noises, and have a longer battery life.

These Blutooth headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible and Sony LDAC is also compatible with. The latter is able to transfer high-resolution audio, however you'll need compatible devices and streaming services. The WH-1000XM4s also allows you to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and then automatically switch between them when needed. You can enable this feature via the Sony Headphones Connect app and it is extremely effective.

One of the major improvements over the XM3 is the sensitivity of their touch panels. They respond faster to tapping on a panel and are easier to manage when making a phone call or listening to music. Sony also added an option that makes voices sound clearer and more precise during calls, which is evident and a nice feature.

Although the WH-1000XM4s may not be perfect, they're one of the top wireless headphones we've tested. They're comfortable and well-constructed, and come with a batteries that last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can also be used passively with the TRS cable which is great for those who travel or want to conserve power.

The WH-1000XM4s make a better choice over the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless over-ears. The Sonys are more comfortable and their ANC can block out more background noise. The B&Ws have a more flexible EQ and an app that allows you to tweak the audio performance. However, the B&Ws have an improved design, and they're able to pair with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptXHD and feature an AI-driven engine that tries to up-scale compressed music to high-resolution. This is called DSEE Extreme and it does an excellent job of improving the clarity of music, particularly 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 travelers all over the world. The new model does not reinvent the wheel. It is based on the same formula which was the basis of its predecessor's success but it also includes the USB-C technology and improved noise cancellation.

These over-ear Bose headsets have a premium feeling and look, much like the QC 35 II headphones that preceded them. The headband, which is made of plastic, offers a firm feel thanks to the metal hinges at pivot points. It also has the familiar ratcheting mechanism whenever you extend or retract your earcups. The cups have soft cushioned pads that fit securely over the ears and don't apply pressure to your head. They weigh 238 grams and are fairly compact when folded. You can wear them when you're wearing a coat or sweater as the noise cancellation function is functional even when they are not on your head.

Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s do not offer the best sound in this price range. The frequencies are comparatively flat and lack details that headphones with higher prices might be able to bring out. The higher registers tend to be amplified, which is fine for most music genres but could cause problems for more delicate or intricate music genres. The bass is decent but is lacking punch.

The ability to pause playback when you remove the headset is a feature that's missing. This is a feature that Bose's rivals have provided for several years. Another thing that was missing was the lack of an in-app EQ. Bose has preset EQs in the app but it would be nice if there was an option to manually 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 sound and voice assistant settings.

The QC45s come with four microphones built-in to hear your voice when on the phone. The headsets have a good call quality, but they don't permit you to silence the voice when playing back as other wireless headphones. Update: A firmware update for the QC45s was released in February 2022 introduced manual EQ options to the audio app. This is a very welcome change.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio brand known for its high-performance bt headphones wireless that provide long-lasting comfort and a style that let listeners know they're listening to something special. Their first foray into wifi wireless headphones headphones that cancel out noise the Bathys, are a stunning set of headphones that look and sound great. They also have an inbuilt high-performance USB DAC which means you can use them for wired and wireless listening.

The Bathys come with a great battery performance, with Focal claims of 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We were able to get more than 40 hours of playback time on average on a single charge. If you do require a recharge, there's an indicator light on the right earcup that will turn red when the earphone needs to be charged.

They have a decent amount of features for headphones of this price point, including support for multiple devices at once and automatic pairing (though you'll need to select the source device each time you would like to listen). The headphones come with a built in microphone that works with voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. The headphones also have an intuitive interface that makes it simple to control your music and take calls.

Bathys over-ear headphones perform well in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient sound by an average of 9 decibels. This isn't as impressive as the ANC in the Sony WH-1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless, but it's still fairly effective.

The Bathys headphones performed well in our headphone tests. Their frequency response was mostly similar to the headphone curve of SoundGuys with minor differences on the bass and mids. The Bathys are bassy sound profile that can make vocals, instruments and cymbals appear obscure.

They also have very good leakage resistance, so you can wear them in public without worrying about people listening to your music. Their mic is passable to record via Bluetooth, with only slight distortion between the mid-treble and the treble.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new version of the company's top Bluetooth headsets. The previous model, called the Momentum 3, was a decent, but not the most impressive entry into the category. The new pair is a significant improvement over the previous model, sporting a a sleeker look, improved gesture control and a massive battery life.

The improvements are subtle, but add up to a pair of over ear headphones that feel like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s are flat and Blutooth Headphones don't fold. They come with a hardshell case to protect them while moving. They also follow the pattern of a number of other recent Bluetooth headphones, Blutooth Headphones like the ones from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be beautifully device agnostic. This means they work well with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, but do not come with the extra features (like Find My support and head-tracked Spatial Audio) that you'll find on AirPods.

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

Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget, gave the headphones an 82-point score. He noted their sound quality and ANC features as the top strengths. He only has one complaint that they lack gravitas in the mids and the treble. This makes orchestral tracks sound dull instead of grand. The bass is well-rounded however it can be overemphasized, which can cause to fatigue in songs with strong bass lines, such as the drum hits in As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals sound smoky rather than full and there's no feeling of depth in 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 if you wear them around the home or for long listening sessions. They will move around on your head and make a lot of head movements. This could cause them to wake up at random times, which can be distracting when listening to music or making calls. Fortunately they will shut down after 15 minutes of rest by default and can be switched off using the power button.