Best Over-Ear Headphones

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

The Master & Dynamic MMW65 has been updated with superior audio, multiple ANC modes, and a long battery life.

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 better built, feature an improved sound profile that is more balanced (though still bass-heavy), and come with an app that allows for some audio-related customization. They've improved their active noise cancellation, removing the background noise and have a longer battery life.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible and Sony LDAC is also supported. These headphones can transfer high-resolution audio however, you'll need compatible equipment and a streaming service. Additionally, the WH-1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and automatically switch between them when required. This feature can be enabled via the Sony Headphones Connect App and works well.

One subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensitivity 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 music. Sony has added a feature to make voices sound clearer and more precise during calls. This is a distinct and a nice addition.

The WH-1000XM4s may not be perfect, but they are among the best wireless headphones we've ever tested. They're comfortable, well made, and have an excellent battery that lasts for more than 30 hours continuously. They can also be used in a passive manner with an TRS cable which is perfect when you're on the road or need to conserve power.

The WH1000XM4s provide a superior alternative to the Bowers & Wilkins Wireless Over-Ears Px7 S2. The Sonys are more comfortable and their ANC can block out more background noise. They also have a companion application that lets you adjust their audio performance and EQ settings are more flexible than the B&W's. The B&Ws are more robust and can be paired with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also 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 does an excellent job of improving the clarity of music, particularly when listening to lossless audio files.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The $329 Bose QuietComfort45 sound cancelling headset is the most recent version of a headset which has become a favorite among commuters and passengers across the world. The new model doesn't reinvent the wheel. It uses the same formula that made its predecessor so successful, while adding USB-C and better noise cancellation.

Like the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones have a premium look and feel that oozes quality. The headband is made of plastic, but has a sturdy feel with metal hinges at pivot points and the familiar ratcheting action when you retract or extend the ear cups. The cups are soft cushioned pads that fit comfortably over the ears and don't put pressure to your head. When folded they weigh 238 grams. They can be worn with a coat or sweater as they work even when not on your head.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones, the QC45s do not provide the best sound quality at this price point. The frequencies are relatively flat and lack details that headphones with higher prices might be capable of bringing out. The upper registers are amplified 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 punch.

The possibility of pauseing the playback when you remove the headset is a feature that's not available. This is a feature that Bose's rivals have offered for many years. Another omission is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose has preset EQs in the app, but it would be nice to have an option to manually control.

Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, including multipoint 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 also come with four in-built microphones to listen to your voice during calls. The quality of calls is generally very good, but the headsets don't have the nifty capability to muffle your voice during playback which is a feature that other wireless headphones do. Update: A firmware update for the QC45s in February 2022 included manual EQ options to the audio app. This is a great 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 lets listeners know they're listening to something truly special. The Bathys are their first wireless noise cancelling headphones. They look and sound stunning. They come with a top-quality USB DAC built in, so you can use them both for wireless and wired listening.

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

They have a decent amount of features for headphones at this price with support for multiple devices simultaneously and automatic pairing (though you'll have to 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 feature an easy to navigate interface that makes it easy to control music and make calls.

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

The Bathys headphones performed well in our headphone tests. Their frequency response was largely similar to the SoundGuys headphone curve with minor differences in the mids and bass. They have a bass-rich sound profile that adds plenty of boom to mixes, however, it can make vocals and instruments such as cymbals sound veiled.

They also have excellent leakage resistance, meaning you can wear them out in public without worrying about people listening to your music. Their mic has passable recording quality via Bluetooth with only a slight 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 Momentum 3 was a solid but not a great entry in this class. The new model is an improvement on the previous generation, with an elegant design, enhanced gesture control, and a huge battery life.

Many of the improvements here are subtle, but they make a pair of over-ears that appear to be an upgrade from the previous model. The Momentum 4s are flat and don't fold. They come with an outer case that protects them while traveling. The Momentum 4s are non-device-specific, similar to other Bluetooth headphones Wireless Bluetooth from recent years, including the ones from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. This means they can work 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 AirPods.

The most obvious change here is the massive battery, which promises up to 60 hours of playback when noise cancellation turned on. This is more than the majority of the competitors offer and enough for a trip of a lifetime without worrying about finding a power outlet to charge them.

Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82 score and cited their sound quality and ANC as two of their strengths. He only has one complaint they lack gravitas in the mids and wireless bt headphones treble. This means that orchestral music sounds flat, not grand. The bass is rounded, but it can be overemphasised and cause fatigue in songs with strong bass lines like the drums in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals sound smoky rather than full, and there's no real sense of depth in the bass.

The Momentum 4s should not put pressure on your neck or ear. However they can be a bit difficult to wear in the house or during longer listening sessions. They will move about on your head, causing intense head movements. This can cause them wake up at random, which can be distracting when you are listening to music or calls. They shut down automatically after 15 minutes, and can be shut off manually with the power button.