Best Over-Ear Headphones

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

The latest Master & Dynamic MW65 update provides high-quality audio, numerous ANC modes, and an impressive battery life with a stylish and distinctive design.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has improved an already great pair of headphones with the introduction of the WH1000XM4 wireless. They're less heavy, feel better constructed, and have a more balanced sound profile (though still bass heavy), and include an app that allows for some audio-related customization. Their active noise cancellation works better than it did before, removing the background noise, and they have a longer battery life than many competitors.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible, and Sony LDAC is also supported. The latter is able to 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 automatically switch between them when needed. This feature is enabled through the Sony Headphones Connect App and works flawlessly.

A subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensitivity of their touch panels. They respond faster to the tap of a panel, and this makes them easier to control during a call or listen to media. Sony has added a feature to make voices more precise and clear during calls. This is a noticeable and nice touch.

The WH-1000XM4s may not be perfect, but they're among the top wireless headphones that we have ever test. They're comfortable, feel good to the touch, and have an outstanding battery that lasts longer than 30 hours continuously. They can be used passively using the TRS cable. This is perfect 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 can block out more ambient noise. They also come with a companion app that lets you alter their audio performance and EQ settings are more flexible than B&W's. However, the B&Ws have more robust design and they can connect with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. Additionally, 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 QuietComfort 45 noise-canceling headphones are the latest iteration of a headset that became an essential for commuters and passengers around the world. The new model does not reinvent the wheel. It is based on the same formula which made its predecessor so successful with the addition of the USB-C technology and improved noise cancellation.

Similar to the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones feature a premium look and feel that exudes quality. The headband is made of plastic, but is a solid feel, with hinges made of metal at pivot points and the ratcheting mechanism that is familiar when you extend or retract the ear cups. The cups feature soft, cushioned pads that are securely positioned over your ears and do not apply pressure to your head. When folded, they weigh 238 grams. They can be worn with a coat or sweater as they work even when they are not on the cordless head phones.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones, the QC45s do not offer the best sound at this price. The frequencies are relatively flat and lack the depth that headphones with higher prices might be able to bring out. The upper registers tend to be amplified which is great for most music but can become a problem for more delicate or intricate music genres. The bass is decent, but lacks punch.

One feature that's not present is the ability to pause playback whenever you take off the headset. This is a feature Bose's competitors have offered for several years. Another omission is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose offers preset EQs within the app but it would be nice to have an option to control the EQ manually.

bluetooth wireless 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 the volume and voice assistant settings.

The QC45s come with four microphones that are built-in to pick up your voice when you are on the phone. The quality of calls is generally excellent however, the headphones don't have the nifty capability to muffle your voice during playback, which is something that other wireless headphones have. Update: As of February 2022, a firmware update to the QC45s provided an option to adjust the volume manually in 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 renowned for their comfort and style that let listeners know that they're listening to something special. Their first attempt at wireless headphones that block noise The Bathys are stunning headphones that sound and look amazing. They have a high-performance USB DAC built in, which means you can use them both for wireless and wired listening.

Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for up to 30 hours. We actually got a bit more with more than 40 hours on average out of one charge. If you are required to charge your headphones, 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 point with support for multiple devices at once and automatic pairing (though you'll have to manually select your source device each time you need to listen). The headphones come with built-in microphones 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.

Bathys over-ear headphones are able to perform in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient sound by an average of 9 decibels. It's not as impressive as the ANC in the Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless but it's still quite effective.

The Bathys headphones did well in our headphone sound tests. Their frequency response was largely similar to the headphone curve of SoundGuys with minor variations in the mids and iphone bass. They have a bass-rich sound pattern that adds plenty of boom to the mix, however, it can make vocals and instruments like cymbals sound dull.

You can wear them anywhere and not worry about whether others hear your music. Their mic is passable for recording using Bluetooth with only a 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 top Bluetooth headsets. The Momentum 3 was a solid, but not spectacular entry in this class. The new model is an improvement on the previous model, sporting a a sleeker look, improved gesture control and an enormous battery life.

A lot 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 don't fold. They come with an outer case that protects them while on the move. The Momentum 4s are also device-agnostic, like many other Bluetooth headphones of recent years, including the ones from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. They work with both Apple iPhones and Android phones, but lack the AirPods additional features such as Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.

The most significant improvement is the battery that can run for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation turned on. That's easily double what most of the competitors offer and enough for a trip of a lifetime without worrying about finding an outlet to charge them up.

Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82 rating with a focus on their audio quality and ANC as particular strengths. The only issue he has is that they lack a sense weight in the mids and treble, meaning that orchestral music tends to sound flat instead of grand. The bass is rounded, but it's easy to over-emphasize, which can lead to fatigue in songs with strong bass lines, like the drums that are pounding in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals can sound smoky rather than full and there's not a real sense of depth in the lows.

The Momentum 4s are comfortable and aren't likely to put too much pressure on your neck or ears. They can be fidgety if you wear them at home or during long listening sessions. They will move around on your head and make a lot of head movements. This can cause them unexpectedly wake up which can be distracting during music or calls. Fortunately, iPhone they shut down after 15 minutes of sleep by default, and can be manually switched off with the power button.