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 also include active noise cancellation and Bluetooth technology.

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

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has upgraded an already great pair of headphones with the introduction of the WH1000XM4 wireless. They're lighter, feel more constructed, and have a more balanced sound profile (though still bass-heavy), and include an app that allows for some audio customization. They have improved their active noise cancellation, eliminating the background noise and extending the battery life.

These headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible, and Sony LDAC is also supported. The latter is able to transfer high-resolution music, though you'll need to use compatible devices and streaming services. The WH-1000XM4s also allows you to connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and then automatically switch between them when required. This feature can be enabled via the Sony Headphones Connect App and is very effective.

A subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensitivity of their touch panels. They respond faster to tapping on panels and are simpler to control when making a call or listening to media. Sony also included a feature that makes voice sound more clear and precise on calls, which is evident and a nice feature.

While the WH-1000XM4s aren't perfect, they're one of the most comfortable wireless headphones we've ever tried. They're comfortable and well-constructed, and come with a batteries that last for more than 30 continuous hours. They can be used as a passive device by using an TRS cable. This is perfect to travel with or for storing energy.

The WH1000XM4s offer a better alternative to the Bowers & Wilkins Wireless Over-Ears PX7 S2. The Sonys are more comfortable and their ANC can block out more background noise. The B&Ws have an EQ that is more flexible, as well as an app that allows you to tweak the audio quality. The B&Ws are more robust and can connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. Additionally, they support aptX HD and have 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 QuietComfort45 Noise-Canceling headset is the latest version of a headset that has become a popular choice for commuters and passengers all over the world. The new model doesn't reinvent the wheel. It is based on the same formula that has made its predecessor so successful, while adding the USB-C port and improved noise cancellation.

These over-ear Bose headsets have a premium feel and look, just like the QC 35 II headphones that were before them. The headband is made of plastic, and wirless Headphones is sturdy and comfortable with hinges made of metal at pivot points and the familiar ratcheting action that you experience when you retract or extend the ear cups. The cups feature soft cushions that are securely positioned over your ears and don't put pressure on your head. When folded, they weigh 238 grams. You can wear them with a sweater or coat as the noise cancelling function works even when they are not on your head.

Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s can't offer the best sound in this price range. The frequencies are comparatively flat and lack the details that more expensive headphones might be able to bring out. The upper registers are boosted which is fine for the majority of music but can be problematic for more delicate and intricate genres. The bass is good but it lacks power.

The ability to pause the playback after removing the headset is a feature that's absent. This is a standard in this price bracket and is something that Bose's rivals have been offering for years. Another omission is the absence of an in-app EQ. Bose offers preset EQ settings within the app, but it would be nice to have a 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 come with four microphones inbuilt to pick up your voice when you are on the phone. The headsets have a good call quality, but they don't permit you to silence the voice when playing back like other wireless headphones. Update In February 2022, 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 that is known for high-performance headphones that last for a long time, comfort and a style that lets listeners know they're listening to something truly special. Their first venture into wireless noise cancelling headphones The Bathys, are a stunning set of cans that look and sound great. 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 headphones range music for up to 30 hours. We actually got a bit more, with over 40 hours on average out of just one charge. If you are required to charge your headphones in the future, the indicator light on the right earcup will turn red.

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

For wireless headphones that are over-ear The Bathys perform very well in our test of noise cancellation, reducing the background sound by around 9 decibels on average. They aren't as good as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless however it's still effective.

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

They also have very good leakage resistance, so you can wear them out in public without worrying about others hearing your music. Their mic is passable for recording via Bluetooth, with only slight distortion between the mid-treble and treble.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new update of the company's most popular Bluetooth headsets. The Momentum 3 was a solid, but not spectacular entry in this category. The latest model is improved over the previous model with a sleeker design, improved gesture controls, and an enormous battery life.

Many of the improvements here are subtle, but they add up to make a pair of over-ears that appear to be an upgrade from the previous model. The Momentum 4s lay flat and do not fold, but they do come with a sturdy hardshell case to keep them safe when on the move. They also follow the trend of a number of other recent Bluetooth headphones, including those from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be beautifully device agnostic. This means they can work with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, but do not have the additional features (like Find My support and head-tracked spatial audio) that you'll find on the AirPods.

The most obvious change here is the massive battery, which promises up to 60 hours of playback with the noise cancellation feature enabled. This is nearly double the amount of the competition and enough to allow you to travel for a longer period of time without worrying about finding an outlet.

Engadget senior editor Billy Steele gave the wirless headphones (Http://0522891255.ussoft.kr) an 82 rating and cited their sound quality and ANC as their main strengths. He has only one complaint that they lack gravitas in the mids and treble. This means that orchestral pieces 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, like the drums that are pounding in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals sound a bit bubbly, but not full. There's no real depth to the lows.

The Momentum 4s shouldn't place pressure on your neck or ear. They can be 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 unexpectedly wake up which can be distracting when you are listening to music or calls. Fortunately they stop working after 15 minutes of rest by default and can be manually switched off by pressing the power button.