Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones, unlike earbuds cover your ears completely and allow larger drivers to deliver more bass and a wider soundstage. Many of them also feature active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.

The latest Master & Dynamic MW65 update features excellent audio, a variety of ANC modes, and a long battery life with a stylish and distinctive design.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has redesigned 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 come with an app to adjust the sound. Their active noise cancelling works better than it did before, eliminating more ambient sound, and they have a longer continuous battery life than many competitors.

These headphones are bluetooth head phones 5.0 compatible and Sony LDAC is also compatible with. These headphones can transmit high-resolution audio, however, you'll need compatible devices and streaming service. In addition, the WH-1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and automatically switch between them when required. You can enable this feature via the Sony Headphones Connect app and it works very well.

The touch panels are more sensitive than the XM3. They respond more quickly to the tap of the panel, which makes them easier to control during a phone call or to listen to media. Sony also added an option that makes voices sound more clear and precise on calls which is evident and a nice feature.

While the WH-1000XM4s aren't perfect, they're some of the top wireless headphones we've ever tested. They're comfortable, good to the touch, and have an impressive battery that lasts more than 30 hours continuously. They can be used in a passive manner with a TRS cable. This is perfect to travel with or for storing power.

The WH-1000XM4s make a better choice over the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless over-ears. The Sonys are more comfy and their ANC can block out more ambient sound. The B&Ws come with a more flexible EQ and a companion app to tweak the audio performance. The B&Ws are more robust and can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. They also support aptX HD and feature an AI-driven engine which is attempting to boost compressed music to high-resolution. This is called DSEE Extreme, and it improves 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 headphone that became a staple for commuters and travelers from all over the world. The new model does not reinvent the wheel. It is based on the same formula that was the basis of its predecessor's success with the addition of USB-C and better noise cancellation.

Similar to the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones have a luxurious look and feel that exudes quality. The headband, constructed of plastic, offers a solid feel thanks to the hinges made of metal at pivot points. They also have the ratcheting mechanism that is familiar when you extend or retract your earcups. The cups have soft cushions that fit comfortably over the ears and do not apply pressure to your head. When folded they weigh 238g. You can use them when you're wearing an overcoat or sweater since the noise-canceling works even when they're not on your head.

Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s can't offer the best sound in this price range. The frequencies are relatively flat and lack the details that headphones with higher prices might be capable of bringing out. The upper registers tend to be boosted, which is fine for most music genres but could become a problem for more delicate or intricate genres of music. The bass is good, but lacks power.

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

Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, with multipoint as well as more advanced codecs, such as aptX Adaptive. Download the Bose Audio App to adjust your headset's audio and voice settings.

The QC45s come with four microphones built-in to pick up your voice while on the phone. The quality of calls is generally good but the headphones don't have the nifty capability to turn off your voice during playback, which is something that other wireless headphones do. Update as of February 2022, Wifi headphones a firmware upgrade to the QC45s provided manual EQ options within the audio app which is a welcomed improvement.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio brand known for its high-performance headphones that last for a long time, comfort and a style that let listeners know they're listening to something unique. Their first venture into wireless headphones that block noise the Bathys are a stunning set of wifi headphones that sound and look amazing. They come with a high-performance USB DAC built in, making them suitable both for wireless and wired listening.

The Bathys are very efficient in terms of battery performance with Focal claims of 30 hours of continuous Bluetooth playtime. We got more than 40 hours of playback on average from just one charge. If you need to charge the headphones, the indicator light on the right earcup will change red.

They come with a wide range of features for headphones of this price, including support for multiple devices at once and automatic pairing (though you'll have to select the source device each time you want to listen). The headphones come with built-in microphones that can be used with voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones also have an intuitive interface that makes it simple to control your music and take 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 a result as the ANC in the Sony WH-1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless, but it's still pretty effective.

The Bathys headphones performed well in our headphone sound tests. Their frequency response was largely similar to the headphone curve of SoundGuys with minor differences in the mids and bass. They have a deep, bass-filled sound profile which adds plenty of boom to the mix, but can sometimes make instruments and vocals like cymbals sound dull.

You can wear them anywhere without worrying that others will hear your music. Their microphone is suitable for recording via Bluetooth with just a little distortion between the mid-treble and treble.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new update of the company's flagship Bluetooth headsets. The last pair, the Momentum 3, was a solid but unspectacular entry into the category. The latest pair is a step up from the previous model, sporting a a sleeker look, improved gesture control and a massive battery life.

The improvements are subtle but can make for an over-ear pair of headphones that feel like an upgrade. The Momentum 4s are flat and don't fold. They come with a hardshell case to protect them while traveling. The Momentum 4s are compatible with all devices, just like other Bluetooth headphones of recent years, such as those from Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. They are compatible with Apple iPhones and Android phones, but lack the AirPods' extra features like Find My Support and head-tracked spatial audio.

The most notable difference is the massive battery that can last for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation on. This is more than double the amount of the other brands and enough to take a multi-day journey without worrying about finding an outlet.

Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the headphones an 82 rating with a focus on their audio quality and ANC as particular strengths. He only has one complaint that they lack gravitas in mids and the treble. This means that orchestral pieces sound dull instead of grand. The bass is well rounded, but can be too loud, 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 smoky rather than full and there's not a real feeling of depth in the lows.

The Momentum 4s are not designed to put pressure on your neck or ears. However, they can be difficult to wear around the house or during longer listening sessions, and can move around on your head, causing intense head movements. This can cause them wake up at random times, which can be distracting while listening to music or making calls. Fortunately they shut down after 15 minutes of rest by default and can be turned off manually off using the power button.