Best Over-Ear Headphones

Unlike earbuds, over-ear headphones cover your ears completely and allow for bigger drivers to provide more bass and a wider soundstage. Many of them also feature active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.

The latest Master & Dynamic MW65 update features superior audio, multiple ANC modes, and a long battery life, all in a sleek and distinct design.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has enhanced an already excellent pair of headphones by introducing the WH1000XM4 wireless. They are lighter, better built and have a more balanced audio profile (though bass-heavy). They also have an app to adjust the sound. They've upgraded their active noise cancellation, which eliminates the background noise, and have a longer battery life.

These headphones utilize Bluetooth 5.0 which supports SBC, AAC, music and Sony's own LDAC codec. This codec can transfer high-resolution music, but you'll need to use 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. This feature can be enabled through the Sony Headphones Connect app and it is extremely effective.

A subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensitiveness of their touch panels. They respond faster to a tap on a panel and are 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 nice touch.

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

The WH1000XM4s provide a superior alternative to the Bowers & Wilkins Wireless Over-Ears Px7 S2. The Sonys are more comfy, and their ANC is able to block out more ambient sounds. They also come with a companion application that lets you adjust their audio performance and EQ settings are more flexible than B&W's. However, the B&Ws come with a better-built design, and they can connect with two Bluetooth devices at once. They also support aptXHD and have an AI-driven engine that attempts to increase the size of compressed music to high-resolution. This is called DSEE Extreme and it does a good job of improving the clarity of music, especially 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 passengers all over the world. Rather than reinventing the wheel, the new model retains 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 have a premium feel and look, just like the QC 35 II headphones that came before them. The headband, constructed of plastic, offers a solid feel thanks to the hinges made of steel at pivot points. They also have the ratcheting mechanism that is familiar when you expand or retract your earcups. The cups have soft cushions that fit comfortably over the ears and don't apply pressure on your head. They weigh 238 grams and are compact when folded. You can wear them with a coat or sweater as the noise cancelling function works even when they're not on your head.

Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s don't provide the best sound quality in this price range. The frequencies are tinny and lack the details that more expensive headphones may be able bring out. The upper registers tend to be boosted, which is fine for most music, but could be a problem for delicate or intricate music genres. The bass is good, but is lacking the punch.

One thing that's not included is the ability to pause playback whenever you remove the headset. This is a feature Bose's rivals have offered for years. Another issue is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose has preset EQs in the app but it would be nice if there was a manual control.

Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, with multipoint as well as more advanced codecs, such as aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust the voice and sound settings.

The QC45s come with four microphones built-in to pick up your voice while on the phone. They have excellent call quality, however they don't let you mute the voice during playback as other wireless headphones. Update In 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 brand that is known for high-performance headphones that provide long-lasting comfort and a style that let listeners know they're listening to something unique. The Bathys are their first wireless noise cancelling headphones. They are stunning in appearance and sound. They also come with an inbuilt high-performance USB DAC which means you can use them for wireless and wired listening.

The Bathys come with a great battery performance with Focal claiming 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We actually got more from them with more than 40 hours on average out of just one charge. If you need to charge your headphones in the future, the indicator light on the right earcup will change red.

They offer a good amount of features for a pair of headphones at this price, including support for multiple devices simultaneously and automatic pairing (though you'll have to select the source device every time you would like to listen). They have a built-in microphone that works with voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. They also come with an easy-to-use interface, making it simple to control your music as well as make calls.

Bathys over-ear headphones do well in our noise cancellation test, reducing ambient sound by 9 decibels on average. It's not as good as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 and Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless however it's still very effective.

The Bathys headphones did well in our headphone sound tests. Their frequency response was mostly similar to the SoundGuys headphone curve, with only minor deviations on the bass and mids. The Bathys have a bassy sound that can make vocals, instruments and cymbals seem veiled.

They also have excellent leakage resistance, meaning you can wear them out in public without worrying about other people listening to your music. Their mic has passable recording quality via Bluetooth with only a slight distortion in the mid to high treble frequency range.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new version of the company's flagship Bluetooth headsets. The last pair, the Momentum 3, music was a solid but unspectacular entry in the category. The new model improves on the previous generation with more sleek design, better gesture controls, and a huge battery life.

The changes are subtle but add up to a pair of over ear bt headphones wireless that feel like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s are flat and don't fold. They come with a hardshell case to protect them while moving. They also follow the style of many other recent Bluetooth headphones, like those from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be incredibly device-agnostic. They are compatible with Apple iPhones as well as Android phones, but do not have the AirPods additional features such as Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.

The most obvious difference here is the massive battery that promises up to 60 hours of playback time with the noise cancellation feature turned on. This is nearly twice the amount of the competitors and sufficient to take a multi-day journey without having to search for an outlet.

Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget, gave the headphones a score of 82. He cited their audio quality and ANC features as their strengths. He has only one complaint that they lack gravitas in mids and the treble. This makes orchestral music sounds flat, not grand. The bass is well rounded, but can be too loud, which can cause to fatigue in songs with high-pitched bass lines, like the drum beats of As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals also sound sizzled rather than full, and there's no real feeling of depth in the bass.

The Momentum 4s are comfortable and should not put too much pressure on your neck or ears. However, they can be a bit uncomfortable when worn in the house or during longer listening sessions. They will move about on your head in a flurry of head movements. This can cause them wake up unexpectedly, which can be distracting while listening to music or making calls. Fortunately, they will shut down after 15 minutes of sleep by default and can be switched off with the power button.