Best Over-Ear Headphones

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

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

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has upgraded an already excellent pair of headphones with the introduction of the WH1000XM4 wireless. They're lighter, feel better constructed, and have more balanced sound profiles (though still bass-heavy) and come with an app that allows some audio adjustments. Their active noise cancellation works even better than before, removing more ambient sound, and they have a longer battery life than other models.

These headphones utilize Bluetooth 5.0 and support SBC, AAC, and Sony's own LDAC codec. This codec can transfer high-resolution music, but you'll need to use compatible devices and streaming services. In addition, the WH-1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and automatically switch between them when required. You enable this feature through the Sony Headphones Connect app and it is extremely effective.

The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond more quickly to the tap of the panel, and this makes them easier to control during a call or bluetooth headphones bluetooth listen to media. Sony also added a feature that makes voice sound clearer and more precise when calling, which is noticeable and a nice touch.

The WH-1000XM4s might not be perfect, but they're among the top wireless headphones we've ever test. They're comfortable, good to the touch, and have an excellent battery that can last longer than 30 hours continuously. They can also be used with a TRS cable which is perfect when you're on the road or need to save power.

The WH-1000XM4s make 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 have an application that lets you adjust their audio performance, and their EQ settings are more flexible than the B&W's. However, the B&Ws have an improved design, and they're able to connect with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptXHD and feature an AI-driven engine that attempts to scale compressed music up 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 audio files.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The $329 Bose QuietComfort 45 noise-canceling headphones are the most recent version of a headset that has become a staple for commuters and passengers around the world. Instead of reinventing the wheel, the new model retains the same formula that made the predecessor so popular, but adds USB-C, improved noise cancellation and a longer battery lifespan.

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 constructed of plastic, and has a sturdy feel with hinges made of metal at the pivot points, and the ratcheting mechanism that is familiar when you retract or extend the ear cups. The cups are cushioned and have soft pads that can be worn 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 for comfort, the QC45s don't provide the best sound quality in this price range. The frequencies are tinny and lack the depth that higher-end headphones might be able bring out. The upper registers are boosted which is great for the majority of music but could be a problem for more delicate and intricate genres. The bass is decent but it lacks the punch.

One feature that's not present is the possibility of paused playback when you take the headset off. This is a feature Bose's rivals have offered for years. Another thing that was missing was the lack of an in-app EQ. Bose provides preset EQ settings in the app, but it would be nice to have manual control.

Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, including multipoint and more advanced codecs like aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust your headsets voice and sound settings.

The QC45s also come with four built-in microphones that hear your voice when you make calls. The headphones have good call quality, however they don't allow you to mute the voice during playback like other wireless headphones. Update: As of February 2022, the firmware update to the QC45s gave you an option to adjust the volume manually in the audio app which is a welcomed improvement.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio brand that produces high-performance headphones. They are well-known for their style and comfort which tell listeners that they're hearing something unique. The Bathys are their first wireless noise-cancelling headphones. They are stunning in appearance and sound. They have a high-performance USB DAC built in, which means you can use them both for wired and wireless listening.

The Bathys are very efficient in terms of battery performance, with Focal claims of 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We actually got more out of them, with over 40 hours of playtime on average of one charge. If you are required to charge your headphones, the indicator light on the right earcup will turn red.

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

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

In our tests of headphone sound quality The Bathys did well overall, with a the frequency response which generally is in line with the SoundGuys headphone preference curve, with only minor differences in the bass and mids. The Bathys have a booming sound that can make instruments, vocals and cymbals seem veiled.

They also have excellent leakage resistance, which means you can wear them in public without worrying about other people listening to your music. The microphone is able to be used to record via Bluetooth with only a slight distortion between the mid-treble as well as the treble.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless are a new version of the company's top-of-the-line bluetooth Headphones bluetooth headphones. The Momentum 3 was a solid but not an outstanding entry in this class. The latest model is improved over the previous model by having modern design, better gesture controls, and an enormous battery life.

Many of the improvements aren't that obvious, but they make a pair of over-ears that feel like an upgrade to the old one. The Momentum 4s are flat and do not fold. They come with an outer case that protects them when moving. They also follow the pattern of a number of other recent Bluetooth headphones, including those from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be beautifully device agnostic. This means they work well with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, however they don't have the extra features (like Find My support and head-tracked spatial audio) that you'll find on AirPods.

The most significant improvement is the 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 worrying about finding an outlet.

Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget The headphones were rated by Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget an 82-point score. He highlighted their audio quality and ANC features as their strengths. The only issue he has is they lack gravitas in the mids and treble. This means that orchestral music sounds flat instead of grand. The bass is well-rounded, but can be overemphasized, which can cause fatigue in songs that have heavy bass lines, like the drum beats of As I Lay Dying’s Forever. The cymbals sound sizzled, not full. There's also no real depth to the lows.

The Momentum 4s are not designed to place pressure on your neck or ears. They can be a bit fidgety when you wear them at home or during long listening sessions. They will move around on your head and make intense head movements. This can cause them to wake up unexpectedly, which can be distracting when listening to music or making calls. They shut down automatically after 15 minutes, and can be shut off manually with the power button.