Best Over-Ear Headphones

Unlike earbuds, over-ear headphones are a complete encapsulation of your ears and allow for larger drivers to provide greater bass and larger soundstages. Many come with Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.

The latest Master & Dynamic MW65 update provides superior audio, multiple ANC modes, and a long battery life with a stylish and distinct design.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has upgraded an already excellent pair of headphones by introducing the WH1000XM4 wireless. They're lighter, feel more constructed, and have more balanced sound profiles (though still bass-heavy), and include an app that lets you do some audio adjustments. They've improved their active noise cancellation, eliminating more background noises and have a longer battery life.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible, and Sony LDAC is also compatible with. These headphones can transmit high-resolution audio, but you'll need compatible devices and streaming service. In addition, the WH-1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices at once and switch between them when required. This feature is enabled through the Sony Headphones Connect App and works well.

The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond quicker to a tap on the panel and are much easier to control when making calls or listening to media. Sony has also added a feature that can make voices sound clearer and more precise during calls. This is an obvious and pleasant addition.

The WH-1000XM4s might not be perfect, but they're among the best wireless headphones that we have ever examined. They're comfortable and well-constructed, and come with a batteries that last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can also be used in a passive manner using the TRS cable which is perfect when you're on the road or need to conserve 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 background noise. The B&Ws come with a more flexible EQ and an app companion to adjust the audio performance. The B&Ws are built better and can be paired with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptX HD and feature a unique AI-driven engine that attempts 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 QuietComfort 45 noise-canceling headphones are the most recent version of a headset that has become an essential for commuters and passengers around the world. The new model does not reinvent the wheel. It retains the same formula that made its predecessor so successful with the addition of 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 came before them. The headband is made from plastic, yet it is a solid feel, with metal hinges at the pivot points, and the familiar ratcheting action that you experience when you open or retract the earcups. The cups are cushioned and feature soft pads that are comfortable to wear over your ears without placing pressure on your head. When folded they weigh 238 grams. You can wear them with an overcoat or sweater since the noise cancelling function works even when they're not on your head.

Despite their reputation as comfortable headphones, the QC45s do not provide the best sound at this price point. The frequencies are dull and lack the depth that higher-end headphones might be able bring out. The upper registers tend to be amplified and is suitable for blutooth headphones most music genres but could become a problem for more delicate or intricate genres of music. The bass is good, but lacks the punch.

One feature that's missing is the possibility of paused playback when you remove the headset. This is a feature Bose's competitors have offered for years. Another omission is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose has preset EQs available in the app, but it would be nice if there was an option to control the EQ manually.

You can connect to your tablet or smartphone via Bluetooth 5.0 with multipoint support and more advanced codecs like aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust your headsets voice and sound settings.

The QC45s come with four in-built microphones to pick up your voice during calls. The quality of calls is generally good but the headphones do not have the capability to muffle your voice during playback which is something that other wireless Blutooth Headphones do. Update: A firmware upgrade for the QC45s was released in February 2022 introduced manual EQ options 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 with long lasting comfort and a design that makes listeners feel like they're listening to something truly special. The Bathys are their first wireless noise cancelling headphones. They are stunning in appearance and sound. They also have a built-in high-performance USB DAC which means you can use them for wired and wireless listening.

Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for up to 30 hours. We actually got a little more out of them and got over 40 hours of playtime on average of one charge. If you require a recharge, there's a light on the right ear cup that will turn red when the earphone needs to be charged.

They come with a wide range of features for headphones of this price point with support for multiple devices at once and automatic pairing (though you'll have to manually select your source device each time you want to listen). The headphones have an inbuilt microphone that can be used with voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. The headphones have an easy-to use 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. This isn't as impressive as the ANC in the Sony WH-1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 wireless bt headphones, however it's still pretty effective.

In our tests of the quality of sound from headphones The Bathys performed well overall with a frequency response that mostly is in line with the SoundGuys headphone preference curve, with only minor differences in the bass and mids. They have a bass-rich sound profile that adds a lot of boom to the mix, however, it can make instruments and vocals like cymbals sound dull.

You can wear them anywhere without fearing that other people will hear your music. Their microphone is suitable for recording using Bluetooth with only a slight distortion between the mid-treble and the treble.

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 decent, but not the most impressive entry into the category. The latest pair is an improvement on the previous model, sporting a more sleek design, better gesture control, and a huge battery life.

The improvements here are subtle but they make a pair that appear to be an upgrade from the previous model. The Momentum 4s are flat and aren't foldable however they do come with a sturdy hardshell case to keep them safe when on the move. They also follow the pattern of a number of other recent Bluetooth headphones, such as the ones from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be incredibly device-agnostic. They work with both Apple iPhones and Android phones, but do not have the AirPods' extra features like Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.

The biggest improvement is the battery that can run for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation on. This is easily double the amount of the other brands and enough to go on a long-distance trip without having to search for an outlet.

Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82 rating, citing their audio quality and ANC as particular strengths. His only complaint is that they lack a sense gravitas in the mids and treble, meaning that orchestral tracks tend to sound flat, not grand. The bass is rounded, but it's easy to over-emphasize, which can lead to fatigue in songs that have heavy bass lines such as the drums that are pounding in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals can sound smoky rather than full and there's no sense of depth in the lows.

The Momentum 4s are not designed to put pressure on your neck or ears. They can be a bit fidgety if you wear them at home or during long listening sessions. They can move on your head, and make rapid head movements. This can cause them to wake up at random which can be distracting when you are listening to music or calls. Fortunately, they stop working after 15 minutes of slumber by default and can be manually switched off with the power button.