Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds can completely surround the ears. They also allow for larger drivers, which deliver greater bass and a bigger soundstage. Many include Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.

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

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has improved on an already great pair of headphones with the WH-1000XM4 Wireless. They are less heavy, more durable, and have an audio profile that is more balanced (though bass-heavy). They also have an app that lets you customize the audio. They've improved their active noise cancellation, removing the background noise and have a longer battery life.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0, with support for SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. This codec can transmit high-resolution audio, however, you'll need compatible equipment and streaming services. In addition, the WH-1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices at the same time and automatically switch between them if needed. This feature is enabled through the Sony Headphones Connect App and works well.

One subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensitivity of their touch panels. They respond faster to a tap on the panel and are much easier to control when making calls or listening to media. Sony has added a feature to make voices more clear and precise during calls. This is an obvious and a nice addition.

The WH-1000XM4s may not be perfect, but they are among the top wireless headphones that we have ever tested. They're comfortable and well-constructed, and come with a a battery that can last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can be used passively using a TRS cable. This is great to travel with or for storing energy.

The WH-1000XM4s are better over the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless over-ears. The Sonys are more comfortable and their ANC can block out more background noise. They also have a companion app that lets you alter their audio performance, and their EQ settings are more flexible than the B&W's. But the B&Ws have an improved design, and they can connect with two Bluetooth devices at once. Additionally, they support aptX HD and have a unique AI-driven engine that is attempting to boost compressed music to high-resolution. This is called DSEE Extreme, and it enhances 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 that has become a favorite among commuters and passengers across the world. The new model doesn't reinvent the wheel. It retains the same formula which made its predecessor so successful but it also includes the USB-C port and improved noise cancellation.

These over-ear Bose headsets come with a premium feel and look, just like the QC 35 II headphones that were before them. The headband, Head phone wireless made of plastic, has a solid feel thanks to the hinges made of metal at pivot points. They also have the familiar ratcheting mechanism when you expand or retract your earcups. The cups are cushioned and feature soft pads that are comfortable to wear over your ears without pressing your head. They weigh 238 grams and are fairly compact when folded. They can be worn with a coat or sweater because they function even when not on the head.

Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s can't offer the most impressive sound quality for this price range. The frequencies are comparatively flat and lack the depth that higher-end headphones may be capable of bringing out. The higher registers tend to be amplified, which is fine for most music, but could become a problem for more delicate or intricate music genres. The bass is decent, but lacks the punch.

The ability to pause playback after removing the headset is a feature that's absent. This is a feature that Bose's competitors have offered for years. Another omission was the lack of an in-app EQ. Bose provides preset EQ settings in the app however it would be nice to have a manual control.

You can connect to your tablet or smartphone 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 come with four microphones inbuilt to pick up your voice when you are on the phone. The headsets have a good call quality, however they don't let you mute the voice during playback like other wireless edge headphones. Update: A firmware update for the QC45s came out in February 2022 included manual adjustments to the audio app. This is a welcome upgrade.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio brand known for its high-performance headphones that provide long-lasting comfort and a design that let listeners know they're listening to something special. Their first attempt at wireless headphones that block noise the Bathys, are stunning headphones that sound and look fantastic. They also come with a built in high performance USB DAC which means you can use them for wired and wireless listening.

The Bathys have a very good battery performance with Focal claims of 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We were able to get more than 40 hours of playback on average from a single charge. If you need to recharge, there's an indicator light on the right earcup that will change to red when the headphone needs to be charged.

For headphones for this price, they have many features. They can be used with multiple devices simultaneously and have automatic pairing. (You must select the device you want to pair with by hand each time you listen.) The headphones come with an inbuilt microphone that works with voice assistants, such as Siri or Alexa. They also come with an easy-to-use interface that makes it simple to control your music and take calls.

For headphones with over-ear connectivity The Bathys perform very well in our tests of noise cancellation, which reduces the ambient sound by about 9 decibels in average. This isn't as impressive as the ANC in the Sony WH-1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless, however it's still pretty effective.

The Bathys headphones did well in our headphone sound tests. Their frequency response was generally similar to the headphone curve of SoundGuys with minor differences on the bass and mids. The Bathys have a bassy sound that can make vocals, instruments and cymbals look a bit unreal.

Wear them wherever you want without worrying that others will hear your music. The microphone has a decent recording quality via Bluetooth with just a little distortion in the mid - to treble range.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new update to the company's top-of-the-line Bluetooth headphones. The previous model, the Momentum 3, was a solid but unspectacular entry in the category. The latest pair improves on the previous model with more sleek design, better gesture controls, and a huge battery life.

A lot of the improvements here are subtle but they make a pair that seem like a step up from the old one. The Momentum 4s lay flat and don't fold, but they do come with a sturdy hardshell case to protect them on the go. The Momentum 4s are also compatible with all devices, just like other cordless bluetooth headphones headphones from recent years, including those from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. This means they work well with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, however they do not have the additional features (like Find My support and head-tracked Spatial Audio) that you'll find on the AirPods.

The most notable change is the huge battery that can run for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation turned on. This is easily twice as much as most of the competitors and sufficient to go on a long-distance trip without having to search for an outlet.

Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82-point score with a focus on their audio quality and ANC as two of their strengths. He has only one complaint that they lack gravitas in mids and treble. This means that orchestral music sounds dull instead of grand. The bass is well rounded however it can be overemphasized, which can cause to fatigue in songs with heavy bass lines, like the drum beats of As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals sound smoky rather than full, and there's no real sense of depth in the lows.

The Momentum 4s are a comfortable fit and aren't likely to put too much pressure on your ears or neck. However, they can be fidgety when wearing them around the house or during longer listening sessions, and can move around on your head phone wireless (written by xn--oy2b33di2g89d2d53r6oyika.kr), causing intense head movements. This can cause them unexpectedly wake up, which can be distracting when you are listening to music or calls. Fortunately, they shut down after 15 minutes of rest by default and can be turned off manually off with the power button.