Best Over-Ear Headphones

In contrast to earbuds, headphones over-ear cover your ears completely and allow larger drivers to produce greater bass and larger soundstages. Many include Bluetooth technology and active noise cancellation.

The Master & Dynamic MW65 has been upgraded with improved audio and features, including multiple ANC modes, and a long battery life.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

Sony has enhanced an already excellent pair of headphones by introducing the WH1000XM4 wireless. They're lighter, feel more constructed, and have an improved sound profile that is more balanced (though still bass heavy), and include an app that allows for some audio-related customization. Their active noise cancelling works better than it did before, eliminating the background noise, and they have a longer continuous battery life than many competitors.

These headphones are Bluetooth 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 services. In addition, the WH1000XM4s can connect to two Bluetooth devices at once and switch between them as needed. You can enable this feature via the Sony Headphones Connect app and it works flawlessly.

A subtle improvement over the XM3 is the sensitiveness of their touch panels. They respond more quickly to the touch of the panel, which makes them easier to control during a phone call or to listen to music. Sony has also added a feature that can make voices more precise and clear during calls. This is a noticeable and a nice addition.

The WH-1000XM4s aren't perfect, but they are among the top wireless headphones that we have ever examined. They're comfortable, well-made, and come with an outstanding battery that can last longer than 30 hours continuously. They can be used passively with an TRS cable. This is perfect for traveling or conserving power.

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. They also have an application that lets you adjust their audio performance, and their EQ settings are more flexible than B&W's. However, the B&Ws come with a better-built design, and they're able to connect with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. Additionally, they support aptX HD and have an AI-driven engine that attempts to boost compressed music to high-resolution. This is called DSEE Extreme and it does well in improving the clarity of music, particularly when listening to lossless files.

2. Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The $329 Bose QuietComfort 45 noise-canceling headphones are the latest iteration of a headphone that became a standard for commuters as well as passengers around the world. The new model does not reinvent the wheel. It is based on the same formula which was the basis of its predecessor's success, while adding the USB-C technology and improved noise cancellation.

Similar to the QC 35 II before them, these over-ear Bose headphones feature an elegant design and feel that exudes quality. The headband is made of plastic, and is a solid feel, with hinges made of metal at the pivot points and the ratcheting mechanism that is familiar when you retract or extend the ear cups. The cups feature soft cushions that are securely positioned over your ears and don't apply pressure to your head. When folded, they weigh 238 grams. You can use them when you're wearing a coat or sweater as the noise cancellation function is functional even when they're not on your head.

Despite their reputation for comfort, the QC45s don't offer the best sound in this price range. The frequencies are comparatively flat and lack the depth that headphones with higher prices might be capable of bringing out. The higher registers tend to be more boosted and is suitable for most music but can be a problem for delicate or intricate genres of music. The bass is decent, but it lacks the punch.

One feature that's not present is the possibility of paused playback when you remove the headset. This is standard in this price range and is something that Bose's rivals have long offered. Another oversight 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 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 the sound and voice settings.

The QC45s also include four microphones built into the headset to hear your voice when you make calls. The call quality is generally excellent however, the headphones don't have the nifty ability to mute your voice during playback which is something that other wireless headphones have. Update: As of February 2022, a firmware upgrade to the QC45s offered an option to adjust the volume manually in the audio app which is a welcome improvement.

3. Focal Bathys Wireless

Focal is a French audio brand that is known for high-performance headphones with long lasting comfort and a design that let listeners know they're listening to something special. Their first attempt at wireless noise cancelling headphones, the Bathys, are stunning headphones that sound and look fantastic. They also come with 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 bit more and got over 40 hours of playtime on average of just one charge. If you are required to charge your headphones then the indicator light on the right earcup will go red.

For headphones for this price, they come with lots of features. They support multiple devices at once and feature automatic pairing. (You have to select your source device by hand each time you listen.) They have a built-in microphone that can be used to control voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa. The headphones also have an intuitive interface that makes it easy to control your music and take calls.

For wireless headhpones headphones that are over-ear The Bathys are very good in our tests of noise cancellation, which reduces the background sound by around 9 decibels in average. It's not as good as the ANC found in the Sony WH1000XM4 and Bose QuietComfort45/QC45 Wireless but it is still effective.

The Bathys headphones did well in our headphone sound tests. Their frequency response was largely similar to the headphone curve of SoundGuys with minor differences on the bass and mids. They have a bass-rich sound pattern that adds a lot of boom to mixes however, they can make instruments and Bluetooth headphonea vocals like cymbals seem a bit veiled.

Wear them wherever you want and not worry about whether others listen to your music. The microphone has a decent recording quality through Bluetooth with just a little distortion in the mid to high treble frequency range.

4. Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is a new update of the company's flagship bluetooth headphonea headsets. The Momentum 3 was a solid but not an outstanding entry in this class. The new model improves on the previous model by having modern design, better gesture controls, and a huge battery life.

Many of the improvements aren't that obvious, but they create 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 a hardshell case to protect them while moving. They also follow the trend of several other recent Bluetooth headphones, including the ones from Sony and Bowers & Wilkins, to be completely device-independent. This means they work with both Android phones and Apple iPhones, but don't have the extra features (like Find My support and head-tracked spatial audio) that you'll find on the AirPods.

The most notable change is the huge battery that can last for up to 60 hours with noise cancellation turned on. This is easily twice the amount of the other brands and enough to go on a long-distance trip without having to search for an outlet.

Billy Steele, senior editor at Engadget and Engadget, gave the headphones a score of 82. He highlighted their audio quality and ANC features as their strengths. His only complaint is that they lack a sense of gravitas in the mids and the treble, which means that orchestral music tends to sound flat rather than grand. The bass is smooth and well-rounded but it can be overemphasised and cause fatigue in songs with strong bass lines like the drum hits in As I Lay Dying's Forever. The cymbals also sound sizzled rather than full and there's not a real feeling of depth in the lows.

The Momentum 4s are comfy and aren't likely to put too much pressure on your ears or neck. However, they can be difficult to wear in the house or during longer listening sessions. They can move around on your head in a flurry of head movements. This could cause them to suddenly wake up and can cause distraction when you are listening to music or calls. They stop automatically after 15 minutes and can be switched off manually using the power button.