Best Over-Ear Headphones

In contrast to earbuds, headphones over-ear cover your ears completely and allow larger drivers to deliver deeper bass and wider soundstages. Many include Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.

The latest Master & Dynamic MW65 update provides superior audio, multiple ANC modes, and an impressive battery life in an elegant and distinct design.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has made improvements to an already-great pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They're lighter, feel more built, feature an improved sound profile that is more balanced (though still bass heavy), and come with an app that allows for some audio customization. They've upgraded their active noise cancellation, removing more background noises and have a longer battery life.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible and Sony LDAC is also compatible with. This codec can transfer high-resolution audio, however, you'll need compatible devices and a streaming service. In addition, the WH1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and switch between them when required. This feature is accessible through the Sony Headphones Connect App and works flawlessly.

A subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensibility of their touch panels. They respond quicker to tapping on the panel and are much easier to control when making a call or listening to media. Sony also included a feature that makes voice sound clearer and more precise on calls which is noticeable and a nice addition.

The WH-1000XM4s aren't perfect, but they are among the best wireless headphones we've ever tested. They're comfortable and well-constructed, and come with a an energy-efficient battery that can last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can also be used with an TRS cable which is great if you're traveling or need to save power.

The WH-1000XM4s are a better choice over 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 tweak their audio performance and EQ settings are more flexible than the B&W's. But the B&Ws have a better-built design, and they can connect with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. Additionally, they support aptX HD, and they have an AI-driven engine which is attempting to boost 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 latest version of a headset that is a popular choice among commuters and passengers all over the world. Instead of reinventing the wheel, the new model retains the same formula that made the predecessor so popular, and adds USB-C, improved noise cancellation and longer battery life.

Like the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones have an elegant design and feel that exudes quality. The headband, which is made of plastic, offers a solid feel thanks to the hinges made of metal at pivot points. It also features the familiar ratcheting mechanism whenever you extend or retract the ear cups. The cups are cushioned and feature soft pads that fit over your ears without putting pressure on your head. They weigh 238 grams and are fairly compact when folded. They can be worn 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 comparatively flat and lack details that more expensive headphones might be capable of bringing out. The upper registers tend to be boosted and is suitable for most music but can cause problems for more delicate or intricate genres of music. The bass is great, but it lacks the punch.

One thing that's not included is the ability to pause playback when you take the headset off. This is a standard feature in this price bracket and is something that Bose's rivals have been offering for years. Another thing that was missing was the lack of an in-app EQ. Bose provides preset EQ settings within the app however it would be nice to have 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. You can download the Bose Audio app to adjust your headset's audio and voice assistant settings.

The QC45s have four microphones inbuilt to hear your voice while on the phone. The call quality is generally very good however, the bluetooh headphones don't come with the handy capability to muffle your voice while playing back which is something other wireless headphones do. Update: As of February 2022, a firmware upgrade to the QC45s gave you 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 known for their comfort and style that let listeners know that they're listening something special. Their first attempt at wireless headphones that cancel out noise The Bathys are a stunning set of cans that look and sound amazing. They also come with an inbuilt high-performance USB DAC which means you can use them for both wireless and wired listening.

The Bathys are very efficient in terms of battery performance with Focal claiming 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We had more than 40 hours of playback on average on a single charge. If you need to charge your headphones then the indicator light on the right earcup will change red.

For a pair of headphones at this price, they come with lots of features. They can be used with multiple devices simultaneously and offer automatic pairing. (You have to select your source device each time you listen.) They have a built-in microphone that supports voice assistants like Siri or Wire Less Headphone Alexa. The headphones also feature an easy-to-use interface that makes it easy to control your music as well as make calls.

For wireless headphones that are over-ear for over-ear wireless headphones, the Bathys are very good in our tests of noise cancellation. They cut down the sound of the surrounding environment by about 9 decibels in average. They aren't as good as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 and Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless but it is still effective.

In our tests of headphone sound quality The Bathys were a good overall performer with an overall frequency response that is in line with the SoundGuys wire less Headphone preference curve with only minor differences in the mids and bass. They have a bass-rich sound pattern that adds plenty of boom to mixes, but can sometimes make instruments and vocals such as cymbals sound veiled.

Wear them wherever you want without worrying that others will listen to your music. Their microphone is of decent recording quality via Bluetooth with only slight distortion in the mid - to the treble range.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new update of the company's most popular Bluetooth headsets. The Momentum 3 was a solid, but not spectacular entry in this class. The new model is a step up from 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 feel like an upgrade to the old one. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold however they come with a sturdy hardshell case to keep them safe when on the move. The Momentum 4s are device-agnostic, like many other Bluetooth headphones of recent times, like the ones from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. They are compatible with Apple iPhones and Android phones, but lack the AirPods additional features such as Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.

The most notable difference is the massive battery that can play for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation on. This is more than what the majority of the competitors offer and enough for a long-distance trip without having to worry about finding a power outlet to charge it.

Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget, gave the headphones a score of 82. He highlighted their audio 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 the treble. This means 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 strong bass lines like the drums in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals sound a bit sizzled, not full. There's also no real depth to the lows.

The Momentum 4s shouldn't put pressure on your neck or ears. However they can be fidgety when wearing them around the house or during longer listening sessions, and can move around on your head in a flurry of head movements. This can cause them to suddenly wake up and can cause distraction when you are listening to music or calls. They stop automatically after 15 minutes and can be switched off manually using the power button.