Best Over-Ear Headphones

In contrast to earbuds, headphones over-ear are a complete encapsulation of your ears and allow for bigger drivers to provide greater bass and larger soundstages. Many include Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.

The most recent Master & Dynamic MW65 update offers superior audio, multiple ANC modes and impressive battery life in an elegant and distinctive design.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has enhanced an already fantastic pair of headphones by introducing the WH1000XM4 wireless. They're lighter, feel more built, have an improved sound profile that is more balanced (though still bass-heavy), and come with an app that allows some audio-related customization. Their active noise cancellation works better than ever before, eliminating any background noise. Additionally, they have a longer continuous battery life than a lot of competitors.

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

A subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensitiveness of their touch panels. They respond quicker to the touch of the panel and are much easier to control when making calls or listening to music. Sony has added a feature to make voice calls clearer and more precise during calls. This is a noticeable and a nice addition.

The WH-1000XM4s aren't perfect, but they are among the best wireless bt headphones wireless we've ever tested. They're comfortable, well made, and have an excellent battery that can last more than 30 hours continuously. They can be used as a passive device using a TRS cable. This is ideal for traveling or conserving energy.

The WH1000XM4s provide a superior alternative to the Bowers & Wilkins Wireless Over-Ears PX7 S2. The Sonys are more comfortable and their ANC is able to block out more ambient sounds. They also have an application that lets you adjust their audio performance and EQ settings are more flexible than the B&W's. But the B&Ws have more robust design and they can connect with two Bluetooth devices at once. In addition, they support aptX HD, and they have an AI-driven engine that tries to upscale compressed music to high-resolution. This is called DSEE Extreme, and it improves 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 which has become a favorite among commuters and travelers all over the world. Instead of reinventing the wheel the new model follows the same formula that made its predecessor so popular, and adds USB-C, improved noise cancellation and longer battery life.

These over-ear Bose headsets come with a premium feel and look, much like the QC 35 II headphones that were before them. The headband, which is made of plastic, provides an incredibly solid feel due to the metal hinges at pivot points. They also have the ratcheting mechanism that is familiar when you extend or retract the ear cups. The cups are cushioned, and have soft pads that are comfortable to wear over your ears without placing pressure on your head. They weigh 238 grams and are compact when folded. They can be worn with a coat or sweater since they can be worn even when they are not on the head.

Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s do not provide the best sound quality in this price range. The frequencies are comparatively flat and bluethooth headphones lack the details that headphones with higher prices might be capable of bringing out. The upper registers are amplified which is acceptable for most music genres but could be a problem for more delicate and intricate genres. The bass is decent but lacks power.

One thing that's not included is the ability to pause playback whenever you take off the headset. This is a feature Bose's rivals have offered for several years. Another issue is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose has preset EQs available in the app but 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 the sound and voice settings.

The QC45s come with four microphones inbuilt to pick up your voice when you are on the phone. They have excellent call quality, but they don't permit you to muffle the sound during playback like other wireless headphones. Update: A firmware update for the QC45s 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 that is known for high-performance bluethooth headphones that last for a long time, comfort and a design 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 a built in high performance USB DAC which means you can use them for wireless and wired listening.

Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for 30 hours. We were able to get more than 40 hours of playback on average on a single charge. If you are required to charge the headphones, the indicator light on the right earcup will turn red.

They have a decent amount of features for headphones of this price that include support for multiple devices at the same time and automatic pairing (though you'll need to select the source device each time you need to listen). They come with a built-in microphone that works 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 wireless headphones that are over-ear for over-ear wireless headphones, the Bathys perform very well in our tests of noise cancellation. They cut down the background sound by around 9 decibels on average. It's not as impressive as the ANC in the Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless, however it's still pretty effective.

In our tests of headphone sound quality The Bathys performed well overall with a frequency response that mostly is in line with the SoundGuys headphone wireless bluetooth preference curve with only minor deviations in the bass and mids. The Bathys are bassy sound profile that can make instruments, vocals and cymbals look a bit unreal.

You can wear them anywhere and not worry about whether others listen to your music. Their mic is passable for recording using Bluetooth with only a slight distortion between the mid-treble and the treble.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new version of the company's top-of-the-line Bluetooth headphones. The last pair, the Momentum 3, was a decent but not a standout in the category. The new pair is a step up from the previous generation, with a sleeker look, improved gesture control and a massive battery life.

The improvements here are subtle but they make a pair that feel like an upgrade to the previous model. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold. They come with a hardshell case that protects them when traveling. The Momentum 4s are device-agnostic, like many other Bluetooth headphones of recent times, like those from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. 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 are available on the AirPods.

The biggest improvement is the battery that can run for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation turned on. This is more than what the majority of the competitors offer and enough for a multi-day trip without having to worry about finding a power outlet to charge them up.

Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget and Engadget, gave the headphones an 82-point score. He highlighted their audio quality and ANC features as their strengths. His only complaint is that they lack a sense gravitas in the mids and treble, meaning that orchestral pieces tend to sound flat instead of grand. The bass is smooth and well-rounded however, it can be overemphasized and cause fatigue in songs with heavy bass lines, like the drums 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 should not place pressure on your neck or ears. However, they can be difficult to wear around the house or for longer listening sessions. They will move about on your head in a flurry of head movements. This could cause them to wake up at random and can cause distraction during calls or music. They will shut down automatically after 15 minutes and can be shut off manually by pressing the power button.