Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear Headphones bluetooth, unlike earbuds are able to completely encapsulate your ears. They also allow for larger drivers, which deliver greater bass and a wider soundstage. They also have active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.

The Master & Dynamic MW65 is updated with better audio and features, including multiple ANC modes and a huge 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 more built, have an improved sound profile that is more balanced (though still bass heavy), and include an app that allows for some audio customization. Their active noise cancelling works better than it did before, removing more ambient sound, and they have a longer continuous battery life than a lot of competitors.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible and Sony LDAC is also supported. The latter can transfer high-resolution audio, however you'll need to use compatible devices and streaming services. The WH-1000XM4s also allows you to connect two Bluetooth devices at the same time and automatically switch between the two when needed. This feature is enabled through the Sony Headphones Connect App and works flawlessly.

One of the major improvements over the XM3 is the sensibility of their touch panels. They respond faster to a tap on a panel, and this makes them easier to control during a call or listen to media. Sony also included an option that makes voices sound clearer and more precise on calls which is evident and a nice feature.

The WH-1000XM4s may not be perfect, but they're among the top wireless headphones we've ever examined. They're comfortable, feel well made, and have an impressive battery that can last more than 30 hours continuously. They can also be used passively using a TRS cable which is great for those who travel or want to conserve power.

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 come with a companion app that lets you alter their audio performance and EQ settings are more flexible than the B&W's. The B&Ws are built better and can be paired with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. Additionally, they support aptX HD, and they have an AI-driven engine which is attempting to boost compressed music to high-resolution. This is known as 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 latest version of a headset that is a popular choice among commuters and passengers across the world. Rather than reinventing the wheel the new model follows the same formula that made its predecessor so popular, and adds USB-C, better noise cancellation and longer battery life.

Similar to the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones sport an elegant design and feel that oozes quality. The headband is constructed of plastic, and is sturdy and comfortable with metal hinges at the pivot points and the familiar ratcheting action 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. They can be paired with a coat or sweater since they can be worn even when not on the head.

Despite their reputation for comfort, headphones bluetooth the QC45s can'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 to bring out. The upper registers are boosted which is great for the majority of music but can be problematic for more delicate and complex genres. The bass is decent, but is lacking punch.

One thing that's not included is the ability to pause playback whenever you take the headset off. This is a feature Bose's competitors have offered for many years. Another issue is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose has preset EQs available 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 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 listen to your voice during calls. The call quality is generally excellent, but the headsets don't come with the handy ability to mute your voice while playing back which is something other wireless headphones have. Update: A firmware upgrade for the QC45s was released in February 2022 introduced manual EQ options to the audio app. This is a very welcome change.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio company that makes high-performance headphones. They are well-known for their comfort and style which tell listeners that they're hearing something unique. Their first venture into wireless headphones that cancel out noise The Bathys are a stunning set of headphones that look and sound amazing. They come with a top-quality USB DAC built in, which means you can use them both for wireless and wired listening.

Focal claims that the Bathys can play Bluetooth music for 30 hours. We were able to get more than 40 hours of playback time on average on a single charge. If you need to charge the headphones, the indicator light on the right earcup will go red.

For headphones at this price, they have many features. They can connect to multiple devices simultaneously and offer automatic pairing. (You have to select the device you want to pair with manually every time you listen.) The headphones have built-in microphones that can be used with voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. The headphones have an easy-to use interface that makes it simple to control music and make calls.

For wireless headphones that are over-ear The Bathys are very good in our tests of noise cancellation. They cut down the ambient sound by about 9 decibels per hour on average. They aren't as good as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 and Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless but it's still very effective.

The Bathys headphones did well in our headphone tests. Their frequency response was generally similar to the headphone curve of SoundGuys, with only minor deviations in the mids and bass. They have a bass-rich sound pattern that adds plenty of boom to mixes, however, it can make vocals and instruments like cymbals sound dull.

They also have very good leakage resistance, which means you can wear them in public without worrying about people hearing your music. The microphone is able to be used for recording using Bluetooth with just a little distortion between the mid-treble and treble.

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, was a decent but not a standout into the category. The new pair is a significant improvement over the previous model, sporting a an elegant design, enhanced gesture control and a massive battery life.

The improvements here are subtle but they create a pair of over-ears that seem like a step up from the old one. The Momentum 4s are flat and don't fold however they come with a nice hardshell case to protect them on the go. The Momentum 4s are also compatible with all devices, just like other Bluetooth headphones of recent years, including those from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. They are compatible with Apple iPhones and Android phones, but do not have the AirPods extra features, such as Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.

The most obvious difference in this model is the huge battery, which promises up to 60 hours of playback when noise cancellation activated. This is more than the majority of the competition can offer and enough for a trip of a lifetime without having to worry about finding a power outlet to charge it.

Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget The wirless headphones were rated by Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget an 82-point score. He cited their audio quality and ANC features as the top strengths. His only complaint is that they lack a sense gravitas in the mids as well as the treble. This means that orchestral music tends to sound flat, not grand. The bass is well-rounded, but it's easy to over-emphasize and cause fatigue in songs with heavy bass lines like the drum hits in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals also sound sizzled 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 ear. However, they can be fidgety when wearing them around the house or for longer listening sessions. They will move about on your head, causing intense head movements. This could cause them to wake up at random which can be distracting during calls or music. Fortunately, they stop working after 15 minutes of slumber by default and can be turned off manually off with the power button.